Ruler: His Noble Lordship, Krayven Helgard, Regent of Spineheart (NE male tiefling, Sor 7/Rog 4)
Government: Independent city-state controlled by a regent; ruler is advised by the Council of Emissaries with each member heading one of the various departments of the city
Rule of Law: Lawful Neutral. Strongly ordered and regimented society with many written laws. Traditions and organization are greatly valued often with strict interpretation of the "letter" of the law. The value of order often outweighs morality.
Capital: Spineheart (pop. 58,900)
Major Towns: None
Population: 64,100- Humans 90% (FAj), dwarf 4% (barter 50%, brown 50%), half-orc 3%, half-elf 2%, halfling 1% (fleetfoot)(population totals include villages in surrounding territories)
Major Religions:Oldred, Khorda, Kharon, Mordagh, Galdor, Jocasta, Arcanus, Johvi, Seralise, Dwarf pantheon, Orc pantheon
Major Resources: Silver, copper, timber, herbs
Military: 2,945 (includes members of the city guard, the halberdiers and some heavy infantry and heavy cavalry)
Allies: Keralia, Filani Freeholds
Enemies: Dunland (sometimes), Pelinore
Coinage: Platinum crown, gold moon, silver star, copper serpent

What is now a thriving metropolis started out with rather humble beginnings as a minor trading post and mining community nestled between the Hollow Hills and the Dreadwood in the northwest corner of the Kingdom of Pelinore. Founded in the late 7th century, Spineheart quickly grew in both population and influence after the discovery of a rich silver vein in the Hollow Hills.

As more settlers began to immigrate to the region, the town elders found it necessary to establish a formal government and the first mayor was elected by unanimous decision on the 12th day of Greenrise, 812 New Age. With the growing wealth and population of the area, however, a seedier side of humanity began to settle in the area, particularly in the form of bandits from the Dreadwood and brigands from the Hollow Hills. These folk and their descendents were slowly incorporated into the burgeoning town in time but the overall character of the community began to take on a more negative aspect.

By the year 891, the town had swelled to a population of over 7,000 people and was granted a royal charter from the King of Pelinore. With this charter, more taxes had to be paid and sent to Whitehart but with little in return from the king or his court. In 931, the city was attacked by a significant force of orcs from the Dreadwood. The orcs, allied with a band of ogres, tried to starve the city into surrender. The city forces were eventually able to break the orcish imposed embargo but not without a significant loss of life and no help from the king.

It was at this time that the citizenry of Spineheart realized that they were too far removed from the capital city to be of any real concern to the king. They would be better off on their own and so the office of the mayor was replaced by a regency that governed in the name of the king, at least in theory. Formal papers of seccession were drafted and dispatched to Whitehart. Royal forces tried to retake the city but the king soon realized that the cities defenses were too great and the loss of more soldiers would not be worth the effort. Minor skirmishes continued for a number of years until negotiations were complete and the city of Spineheart was declared a free and independent city-state.

The current Regent of Spineheart is a shrewd and cunning tiefling who possesses a great nack for politics, both above and below board. He is said to have a force of secret police unrivaled by any in this portion of Hyerune and it is this body that seems to keep him in control and the population in check. The Regent is advised by a political body known as the Council of Emissaries. Each Emissary is the head of one of the various city departments including the Department of Security and Defense, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of the Commonwealth, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Law and Enforcement, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Trade and the Department of Magecraft.

Rumors: A family of hill giants has recently moved into the Hollow Hills and has been creating problems for the miners in the area. Orcs and other humanoids from the Dreadwood are a continual threat to the smaller outlying areas and any merchant caravans that pass by. The Emissary of Magecraft, one of the advisors to the Regent, is secretly plotting to overthrow the Regent and take control of the city.