The largest of three villages that are the largest population centers of the Hembard Wilds. The most prominent feature of the village is Highcliff Keep, the seat of Thambar the Prudent, who rules the Wilds. The town was founded approximately 100 years ago.
Auslaug is a farming and fishing community. Its river-front location between northern Brekkevale, southern Hustwood, and newly built New Town, coupled with its proximity to the keep makes it the primary marketplace for the Wilds. The town proper has a population of about 4100, with another 8000 or so in farms and hamlets within Auslaug's market grant lands and the lands held directly by Lord Thambar.
Auslang lies on the western bank of the Hembard River, just south of the bridge that marks the end of navigable waters. It's residents are primarily human, Hasuden and Toresden, though a handful of other races, Halflings from across the river, a few Dwarfs from the northern mountains, and even the occasional Elf from the woodlands around Hustwood, also live there.
This listing excludes small local taverns and tiny inns with only a room or two to rent.
The best tavern in Auslaug, on the north side of the town square. It's a decent place, but only has a few rooms to rent out, and those are generally rented to visiting merchants or other important folk. Certainly not to no-name adventurers.
The Green Hill is the well-known and well-loved tavern and inn used by the common-folk visitors to Auslaug. It's located near the river, on what one might consider a hill. Might. The surrounding area is a mix of practical shops and businesses catering to local farmers, minor merchants, laborers, and river crews.
The tavern houses a famous shrine/statue of Churla the earth mother /queen of the harvest aspect of The One. Every fall the inn is a focal point of the annual harvest festival. Though the food and accommodations are mediocre (except the beer, which is local and excellent), low prices and general cleanliness keep the place in business.
The third inn in Auslaug is popular among the keep soldiers, river boat guards, and the various hunters and trappers that visit the town. The inn is located on the west edge of town, near the roadside shrine to Agnia. The place has a shaky reputation, and the occasional brawl or duel is considered part of the place's charm. Rooms are cheap, food and drink, less so.
The newly built Riverside Inn is located on the south end of Auslaug, between the river and the Wood Road. It's not the best place in town, and often serves as the first stop for travelers from the south.
This is not an exhaustive list.
Perquip's is a standard destination for the local populace when they're shopping. Part grocer, part general store, part trading post, the store sells most anything the common man might want, but little in the way of more esoteric gear, weapons, or armor. The quality is generally good, though pawned / swapped goods vary. The more adventurous sorts looking for weapons or armor frequent Lorsun Supply.
Perquip is a feisty old Toresden, with wispy white hair and and a forceful manner.
Lorsun the wood elf arrived in Auslaug years ago, minus half a leg. He'd been attacked by a wild boar, and even the best priests and healing could not restore his lost limb. Undaunted by his misfortune, he established a small shop on the west edge of town, and now does a steady business providing supplies to woodcutters, trappers, hunters, and more adventurous types. He's been known to deal in weird stuff, trinkets, oddities, and minor magic, as well, though he strikes a hard bargain when dealing in the unknown.
Kramo the dwarf arrived in Auslaug shortly after the silver mine opened 25 years ago. He bought and sold silver and the occasional gem that was dug up in the mine, which promptly went bust. Kramo's is a dismal little shop, but somehow the dwarf manages to make a living dealing in gems, gold, silver, and jewelry.
Kramo is short, wrinkled, and suspicious. His shop is always locked, and he has a guard on staff who watches the door. He only sees people by appointment.
A general store in Auslaug, run by a southern refugee. She arrived with a wagon-load of miscellaneous goods and purchased an empty storefront near Kramo's Vault. The owner, Verana Skarba, has a good eye for value and is willing to deal.
A jewelry store in Auslaug. Geyrd Markhaus, a stout Toresden, owns the place, assisted by his wife and two near-adult children. His selection is adequate. The shop's sign is cut in the shape of a gem.
Again, this is not an exhaustive list.
This shrine is small and not particularly popular. A statue of Erlinga, carved from pale marble by a well known artist from the Kingdoms of Jal, stands near the front of the central shrine, and a pair of small offices are built along one side of the small stone structure, which doubles as the community's courtroom. There is a small graveyard behind the place, and the caretaker's hut is tucked away along the fence that surrounds the entire plot.
The nominal priest of the shrine, Calen Gara is a stern old Hasuden with graying hair and a pronounced stoop. In addition to his priestly duties, he is the local judge, and travels across the Hembard Wilds as needed, dispensing justice. This is, no doubt, one of the reasons the shrine is so poorly tended.
The most popular church in the Hembard Wilds, Churla's caters to the needs of the beliefs of the poor farmers who make up the majority of the region's population. The Church has sizable structures in both Auslaug and Brekkevale, with a third, smaller structure in Hustwood (where Agnia is a more popular choice in religion).
The three churches are tended by four priests, who divide their time between the three main villages and the smaller homesteads and farms. The most senior is Aliya Leirfang, the remaining three are Beathan Hager, Eirstein Lovska, and Throfi Leirfang (who followed his mother Aliya into religious service).
This small, formal structure is just inside the gates of Highcliff Keep. It was constructed by Thambar the Prudent, Lord of Hembard Wilds, Defender of Highcliff Keep, Recognized Lord of the Peerage of the Kingdom of Jal, Meisterburger of Auslaug, Hustwood, and Brekkevale for the benefit of all residents of Auslaug, a gift that goes largely unused, as the locals favor Churla for the most part, and Thambar himself isn't much for religion.
Solig Farston carries out the services held in the church each week, and spends the rest of his time buried in scholarly pursuits in the library maintained by Thambar the Prudent, Lord of Hembard Wilds, Defender of Highcliff Keep, Recognized Lord of the Peerage of the Kingdom of Jal, Meisterburger of Auslaug, Hustwood, and Brekkevale.
This structure is south of Auslaug tucked away in a small vale amidst farmer's fields and pastures. It is a simple barn-like structure, its grounds surrounded by a carefully tended hedge. The small hut that houses the priest, Ingi Bielson, stands beside the hedge. Behind the main structure, flat ground and an open pavillion serve as a work area and (in more dangerous times), a practice field for martial skills.