Haemstrell is your typical Highlander community. Its main form of commerce
is animal herding, but they do produce agricultural products. In this town
potatoes are the most common food produced for market.
Haemstrell is a small hamlet. The main town consists of a blacksmith, a market,
a small shrine, and a fairly large inn/ bar. The buildings are mostly built
of stone and thatch. The homes of the poorer families are built of peat and
thatch. The more well-to-do families live outside town. Some of the less fortunate
people live on their lands, or in the town itself.
There are four major families that the leaders of the community hail from.
Each family in the community is in charge of a particular area of town concern.
These areas are herding, farming, entertainment, and defense. Although the
families have their major concerns, they also dip into other aspects of the
community.
The herding concern is overseen by Alister McAlister, who is the patriarch
of the family. He has six sons and four daughters. Their respective names
and order are William, Dugal, Catherine (Caty), Leah, Robert, John, Rachel,
Joseph, Jacob, and Kara. Alister's wife is Alice who died during the birth
of their last child. They mainly deal with sheep, but they also have some
cattle herds. Alister's eldest son William is in charge of the sheep herds,
while Robert is in charge of the cattle herds. Normally the cattle herds are
watched over by the second oldest son. However Dugal is currently wandering
about the realm.
The farming concern is handled by the McEwen family. Their family is about
the same size as the McAllisters, however they have more girls then they do
boys. This family hires most of the seasonal work during the early spring
and early fall. They produce potatoes, wheat, and rye. They also produce vegetables,
but these are mainly for the consumption of the village. They also own a small
brewery which produces most of the beer served at the inn.
The McGregors take care of entertainment. The eldest son is the manager of
the inn, while the third son is the town's bagpiper. Alvin McGregor is the
patriarch of the family, and is also one of the oldest people in Haemstrell.
He made his money while in his youth as an entertainer in Freeport. When he
earned enough money he returned home to Haemstrell, and bought the inn.
The final family in Haemstrell is the Robertsons. The family has played an
integral role in the town, and its development. They own the blacksmith, a
few cattle herds, and the market area. They are also in charge of the upkeep
of the town shrine. Of all the families this one is the youngest with regards
to its children. Because the three boys were off finding their fortunes in
the world. Stephen Robertson is the oldest son, and has taken over the role
as patriarch of the family since the death of his father. Stephen is a paladin
of Keroucks, while his other two brothers took up holy orders. Once Stephen
returned home he married his lifetime sweetheart Janie. So far he has two
little girls with her, and a third child is on the way. While Stephen insures
the safety of the town the middle brother sees to the spiritual well-being
of the town, and his youngest brother insures that the family assets are intact
and running well.