Aranstan is a settlement of about 80 people on the north-west edge of the Barony of Kelmanion. The population of this settlement numbers about eighty, of which fifty live in farms with a 10 mile radius of the village centre. The rest run the shops and businesses in the village, which consists of about a dozen buildings located on the main street. The lands surrounding the village are fertile and as a result local farmers produce surplus crops of wheat, barley and corn which they sell to Relta. Most farmers also produce fruit trees or livestock to supplement their diets and pockets. The surplus is sold by Relta to Castle Kelmanion and other villages for a considerable profit. Farmers are therefore able to afford small luxuries and live in relative comfort thanks to Relta. The village's prosperity is not without a price. The lands that provide the farmers with wealth is very close to the Aluan Forest evil creatures that frequently raid farms and even the village itself. The result is destroyed crops, loss of life and prayers thanking Helka for protection of family and farm. Such conditions have produced a determined, hardy and deeply faithful people. Most are suspicious of strangers and very superstitious depending on many wards and symbols of protection.
Aranstan proper is a muddy street with ten stone buildings housing shops and their keepers. They are made from whitestone from the north and have timber roofs.
The first building the travellers will see as they enter Aranstan is the Green Eaves Inn. It is a popular establishment with villagers on the way home from the shrine and to avoid spending the alone. Each night is a boisterous, noisy affair and one can expect to meet most of the populace. The Green Eaves Inn is run by a dour, grey haired man called Arick al Settar who runs his business in a brisk, ordered fashion. He is a retired knight of Castle Kelmanion sent here by the Baron to observe the area and make regular reports. He lives here with a young stable boy, Beddin and two barmaids, Selille and Feilika al Tyrem.
Next door to the inn is the brewery where the half dwarf Chettin al Stant (he has adopted the human naming traditions) lives with his four children, three daughters and one son. Chettin brews beers and distils a variety of spirits which he sells to Arick and Relta. He is a tall (for a dwarf) man with long dark hair and handsome features. The friendly dwarf is also ready for a drink with friends and constantly telling others of his wonderful children (he never tires of it).
The unmarried Myrel tak Erindok lives next to Chettin working with leather goods as well as working as a fletcher. She is a stubborn, young woman who left her house to avoid marrying her promised one in order to avoid having to wait on him for the rest of his life.
A large and extravagant building is located next to Myrel where the rich and seedy merchant Relta tak Amache lives. He buys the villagers' produce which he sells and runs a small store of luxury items. Relta is also the elected person responsible for resolving disputes. The merchant is thin, beanpole of a man eager to accumulate wealth. He likes to know what is going on in the village and he usually does. The villagers tolerate him for the wealth he has brought and the well paid jobs he offers.
Finally on the north side of the main street is the tailor Tessa al K'thik. She lives with her farmer husband and comes here each morning to tailor and prepare goods for the villagers. Tessa loves company whilst she works on clothes and other tailored items.
Ironically opposite the inn is the Shrine of Helka, run by the Abbot Erristastek and his two novices. This building is large and well funded by donations from the villagers as well as funds from the Temple of Helka at the Castle Kelmanion. As a result it is a beautiful building that is visited regularly by farmers wishing to affirm their faith to Helka and pray for a good harvest. Erristastek runs communal prays each month as well as other days of seasonal importance (for example the solstices and the first day of Autumn).
Next to the shrine is an empty building that once belonged Yarris the Blind until she moved to the outer fringes of the village. The village smith, a loud mouthed woman called Irek al Thorntai, works and lives next door and is considering expanding into this abandoned building. She is responsible for smithing agricultural implements as well as the metal parts required by Chettin and others. However, Irek is quite willing to smith armour and metals for a considerable sum (add 75% to prices).
Finally, the woodworker Jelki al Orloi manufactures goods made from the cut timber that some of the farmers who dare go near the forest sell to him. As a result wooden items are in high demand and attract a considerable sum.
On the village outskirts live the village's two most unusual characters, Yarris the Blind and Mad Okka. Yarris is a retired Mage who refuses to discuss her loss of sight and spend her time engaged in the study of herbalism. She is very knowledgeable about history and forest lore. Mad Okka is rumoured to have been a great fighter who surrendered his sanity in order to defeat a powerful lich lord. He tends to ramble across the plains muttering gibberish and saying dark prophecies.
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