
Haranshire is one of the newest and most remote areas controlled by the Kingdom, founded only a century ago, when the lands were cleared of orcish and bugbear invaders. Nearly 100 years ago, Sarden Parlfray and a group of adventurers traveled to the land that would eventually become known as Haranshire. The group fought off many foul beasts, and greatly reduced the numbers of orcs in the valley, making way for the Kingdom to eventually expand into the valley. Sarden was named Duke by the king, and given the valley as a Duchy of the Kingdom. He named it Haranshire after Haran, one of his companions that fell to the orcs. Since then, three settlements have formed. Milborne is the most populous (approx. 600 residents), and is gateway to the duchy, while Harlaton (approx. 350 residents) serves as the farming center of the valley. The third, and current seat of the Parlfrey family, is Thurmaster (approx. 400 residents).
The Parlfray Family still controls most of the western half of the valley, while the Carman Family, controls most of the north and eastern portions of the valley, as the farmlands of Haranshire are de facto divided where the woods meet the Churnett river. More specifically, the Carman Family owns the mines north of Milborne and most of the farmsteads around Milborne and Harlaton, together with some properties in the town itself. They are charged, among other things, with maintaining a town militia for defense of Milborne. On the Eastern end, the Parlfray Family owns many of the farmsteads around Thurmaster and property within the village and also has an ancestral keep in the easternmost hills. They have a responsibility, likewise, for the defense of Thurmaster. Both families set taxes and tithes to maintain defenses, and for other expenses. Neither family is particularly unpopular among those who have to pay taxes to them, since their levies are not excessive. No standing militias are kept in either Milborne or Thurmaster. These are peaceable communities, and militias are raised as and when necessary. Nobody comes to Haranshire on purpose. It's seen as a backwater region by the rest of the Kingdom, with small communities and too far away from any major cities and offers little in regards to sightseeing or history. The Blanryde Hills do have a fair amount of gold, tin, and limestone, but most of the rights to mine it are held by the Carman family, who guard the rights jealously.
The most famous export from Haranshire is the red fruit from The Redwood, a delicacy for the rest of the kingdom, as it only grows in Haranshire. Most of the kingdom outside of Haranshire call it Haranfruit, while locals just call them Redwood apples. The resources of the valley are plentiful enough to give most of the residents a comfortable life, but not enough to export in excess. The woods of Lyrchwood and the Blessed Wood have good lumber, and of course the mines of the Blanryde Hills produce quantities of lead, copper, tin, and even some gold as well as a good amount of limestone. The Red fruit from The Redwood exports well when there's a surplus, but this isn't often. However, the so-called "Haranfruit" is a luxury export for the rest of the kingdom. The farmland in and around Harlaton serves as the primary source of sustenance for the entire valley, which is supplemented by sheep herders in the more open areas of the valley.
Characters should have some connection to the area, but the specifics are left to each individual player. PCs could be locals, they might have spent some time in Haranshire or just have a connection to one of the NPCs. The following is a list of NPCs that might provide such connections:
Travelling NPCs
Oleanne – Somewhat of a local legend, the "Wild Woman of the Woods" could be a mentor or acquaintance of Druid PCs.
Lafayer – A travelling priest who goes between the towns and the wider region, administering when he is needed. Could be a mentor or acquaintance of Cleric PCs.
Thurmaster NPCs
"Squire" Marlen – Technically not a squire, though everyone calls him that (but not to his face), Marlen is a representative of and tax collector for the Parlfray family. He employs a regular force of 4 guards, so he might have employed a Fighter PC as a guard
Tauster – An old and rather powerful wizard. Could be a mentor or acquaintance of a Wizard PC.
Millborne NPCs
Capella – The town's carpenter, working mainly on river boat repairs. Is also a well trained fighter and serves as executioner when needed. Could be a mentor or acquaintance of a Fighter PC.
Garyld – A ranger and retired adventurer. Serves as the town's constable and does some carpentry, which means he's quite friendly with Capella (rumors abound). Ideal for any Ranger PC.
Jelenneth – Daughter of the town miller and an apprentice wizard studying under Tauster. Too young for a mentor but could be a relative or aquaintance of a Wizard PC.
Old Grizzler – The town's resident crusty dwarf, who has worked in the local mines. Ideal for any dwarf PCs.
Thimpsen – Landlord of The Silver Crown, a working man's (especially miner's) pub and closest thing to a shady location in Millborne. He and his son Gergel could be linked to a Thief or Bard PC.
Semheis – A young priest, recently assigned to the temple in Millborne. Too young and low ranking to serve as a mentor but could be someone a Cleric PC knows.