Haranshire

Haranshire is one of several duchies in the Kingdom of Thalendyr. It is one of the newest and most remote duchies controlled by the Kingdom. Founded only a century ago, when the lands were cleared of orcish and bugbear invaders during a crusade by Sarden Parlfray. The king of Thalendyr, Cedric II, promoted Sarden to Duke, and ceded the land to him and his family for protection.
The lands in Haranshire are owned by two families of note. 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. 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-both predictable (enriching themselves) and less obvious (the Carman family spends money to maintain the dam at The Eelhold, for example). 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.

Religion

The people of Haranshire tend to be fairly non-religious overall, but many do offer up a prayer to Chauntea for a good crop, or Tymora for a little extra luck from time to time. The only religious institutions are the temple to Chohar in Milborne, and another in Parlfray's Keep in Thurmaster. There is a small shrine to Chauntea in Harlaton, but it is unattended.
As far as religious people go, there are only two to speak of, there is Lafayer, who travels between the towns administering when he is needed. A devoted cleric of Chauntea, he feels his need is across the region, rather than settled in one location. In Milborne, the young priest of Chohar has just been assigned to the temply by the church, as the former priest of the town died several months prior. Semheis by name, he is eager and happy to work with the people of Milborne in whatever capacity he is needed - a little too eager, as far as some people say.

Gods by Name

Chohar - God of Justice and Honor
Chauntea - Goddess of Nature and Growth
Corellon - God of Elvenkind
Balder - God of Knowledge and Poetry
Freya - Goddess of Fertility and Love
Morrigan - Goddess of Battle and Rage

Fauna & Flora

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.

Natural Resources

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.

History

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 one of his companions that fell to the orcs.
Since then, three settlements have formed. Milborne is the most populous, and is gateway to the duchy, while Harlaton serves as the farming center of the valley. The third, and current seat of the Parlfrey family, is Thurmaster. 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. The Carmans and the Parlfrays treat the subjects of Haranshire well, so there are few direct complaints, But both families are standoffish and distant.

Tourism

Nobody comes to Haranshire on purpose. It's seen as a backwater duchy by the rest of the kingdom, 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.

Type

Valley

Included Locations

• Harlaton
• Kuiper's Farm
• Milborne
• Thurmaster

Owner/Ruler

Edmund Parlfray

Ruling/Owning Rank

Duke