Harelstone
Harelstone is a small town located fifteen miles west of Tersten City. It is the site of the former Harelstone Prison, which was the capital of the Pinascimate Penal Authority and the first large scale penal colony on the planet. After years of underfunding and a lack of popular support for the penal system, Harelstone burnt to the ground in a fire in 2253, with the local prisoner-leader, Jonathan Tersten, leading the survivors to found the city of Freetown, which would become modern day Tersten City.
Harelstone Prison served as the administration hub of the Pinascimate Penal Authority, as well as both a prison and transport hub. Most prisoners were not kept in Harelstone Prison long-term, and were often sent out to the various towns and settlements springing up across the fertile land. Its central location in a flat plain made it easily accessible via shuttle or space-to-surface craft, which is why it served as administration hub. However, it was less than ideal to reach many of the other settlements in the region, such as Northstream, Little Xutong, Beaumont, and The Limes. As each of these settlements became more self-sufficient, it became clear that the mixing of freed and penal colonists meant the stratification of groups became impossible for the Authority at large. The influence of Harelstone began to wane, though it was still considered the defacto capital of the planet. This lack of popular support, combined with growing corruption in the larger First Lordanian Republic meant vital repairs and maintenance were no longer being undertaken. The resulting Harelstone Fire completely gutted much of the administration complex, rendering the prison largely uninhabitable, and forcing its survivors to travel west to the Takiwerk River to found Tersten City.
Today, Harelstone Prison is preserved as a living museum exhibition, educating countless people on the trials of penal life. Much of the modern town of Harelstone dates back to the early 70s, with the construction of transportation links between Tersten City and Moore.
Government
Like many towns in north Tersten, it has a local government represented in the Tersten County politics, and a mayor.
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