Poppin is smart and violent. No one is sure if he's smarter or more violent.
Poppin came to town with a Bag of Holding full of gold, an Instant Tower, and a dream. A dream to be so rich that he'd never be overlooked again. Being a retired adventurer himself, from before the War Against the Night, Poppin is well aware of what adventurers need, and more importantly, do not need.
Most people correctly believe that if it weren't for Poppin opening Poppin's Credit Union, then Base Camp would not be as effective or as respectable.