Heerlen

Location

Heerlen is a town located on Aanvang Island - one of the three islands that make up the kingdom of Thorast.

Population

As of the year 343IC, Heerlen has a population slightly exceeding 1200 people. Humans are the predominant race in Heerlen although nearly 10% are Dwarves. A handful of High Elves and Gnomes also make this town home.

Description

The outside of the town is notable in that it is the only one on the island to be fortified. Given it's central position on the island it makes sense for this to be a designated "safe haven" for the surrounding townsfolk to head to in the event of any trouble.

Heerlen itself is a single, cobbled main road (running about three-quarters of a mile) with numerous narrow side streets.

Defences

Unusually for a town of this size, Heerlen has it's own militia, although it comprises of just 30 men. As is usual for a town watch, this militia acts as a local police force and also collects the taxes of people entering town. It is, however, far too under-manned to actually keep the peace in town. All of the members of the militia have jobs in addition to their militia duties and they will not risk their own health or livelihoods for the town's security.

Should the town require it, additional military muscle can be obtained from Fort Aanvang.

Inns and Taverns

Heerlen has a fairly average number of inns and taverns for a town of its size.

Inns:

• The Emperor's Crown
• The Ring and Sceptre

Taverns:

• The Effeminate Goliath
• The Grab and Run
• The Standing Stones

The main beer for sale is "Nozrik's Finest" which is brewed at "The Grab and Run" by Nozrik himself.

Notable People

• Nozrik Cornerstone

Notable places

Just off the north road, a couple of miles from Heerlen, are the "stone trees", a standing stone circle that is Elven in origin and is probably about 10,000 years old. In the centre of the circle is a much more recent, human built, stone pool (less than 500 years old).