Spineridge

Structure

The Council of Nine

- Chief Councillor Tobias Shortbeard

- 4 dwarf councillors (currently 3)

- 4 gnome councillors (currently 2)

The chief councillor is chosen from the Council of Nine, and serves for ten years, followed by a review. The Chief Councillor can resign at any time. The position must alternate between dwarf and gnome.

The government is divided into four ministries that oversee all aspects of the nation.

Government divisions
Foreign ministry

in charge of diplomacy

deals with trade

Councillor posts:

Vacant (dwarf)

Vacant (gnome)

The death of the foreign ministers while on a diplomatic mission to Darkdwell started the hostilities between the nations.

Environment ministry

in charge of agriculture

deals with natural disasters, weather, roadworks

Councillor posts:

Asa Highkiln (dwarf)

Nick Sinfin (gnome)

Vital to the nation, the environment ministry has a lot of overlap and people in dual roles (such as combining with engineers for the education ministry for new roads.)

Education ministry

in charge of learning

deals with inventions, engineering, magic, technology, etc.

Councillor posts:

Michalina Hammerhaft (dwarf)

Yen Tornmoor (gnome)

Incredibly disorganised and easily the biggest of ministries. It has a large number of bureaucrats and intricate bureaucracy, which most people in the ministry ignore.

War ministry

in charge of defence

deals with threats, security.

Councillor posts:

Leah One-hand (dwarf)

Vacant (gnome)

Currently in a crisis, the war ministry lost its councillor in a battle with Darkdwell forces. They are frantically searching for some device or weapon that would turn the tide of the war.

Leading each ministry is a dwarf and gnome councillor who rotate every seven years (one will rotate three and a half years into the other’s term).

The ministries take a good portion of the northern mountain of Two Peaks, with the city taking up the bigger southern peak.

History

Around three hundred years ago, following a religious schism within Underholme, an entire clan broke away (and were removed from the Halls of History). Seeking asylum, they made an alliance with the major gnomish settlement of Two Peaks. This quickly spread to other gnomish enclaves and the nation of Spineridge was formed. The first few years were a great deal of trial-and-error, but eventually the two races began to complement each other. The dwarven organisational skills kept the flightier gnomes steady and the more easy-going gnomish nature helped the dwarves access new potential, not limited by the strict traditions. Clashes with Underholme were not uncommon in the early years but eventually Underholme decided to cease outright hostilities and simply pretend Spineridge had always been there, although the refuse to deal with any of the dwarven members. Spineridge’s openness has meant that there has been a free-flow of ideas between it and Sutheria. This has recently caused conflict as the Highwatch movement began in Spineridge before spreading to Highcliff. Spineridge’s refusal to hand over Sutheria’s political dissidents has meant Sutheria withdrew their ambassador. Very soon after this, Spineridge attempted overtures towards Darkdwell in the Underdark. After weeks of negotiations, the foreign diplomats were slain in a terrible accident. Darkdwell claimed no responsibility but these claims were soon followed by attacks on numerous Spineridge settlements. The two nations have been at war since, with Spineridge slowly but steadily losing territory. Settlements in Spineridge are usually a mix of above and below ground dwellings, but there are some that consist of only one type. Settlements with a majority of dwarves tend to be holds or mines, whereas gnomish heavy areas are more pastoral.

Demography and Population

Gnomes (65%), dwarves (34%), human (<1%)

Religion

While dwarves and gnomes share many of the same gods, most dwarves in Spineridge are from a sect that worships the Smith before all others. More fundamentalist members see the Smith as the only god and others only spiritual helpers. This was the schism that caused the clan to leave Underholme centuries before. Gnomes have a number of their own deities, in addition to the Nine Gods. Gnome Pantheon

Garl, god of trickery

Pan, god of nature

Jett, goddess of music

Cog, goddess of craft and art

Foreign Relations

Allies
Sutheria - trading partners
Roamini - trading partners with the caravans
Mylana - occasional trading partners, but mostly one-sided

Enemies
Darkdwell - open war

Possible threats
Salithas
Underholme

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Capital

Two Peaks

Demonym

Spineridgers

Leader

Tobias Shortbeard

Head of State

Tobias Shortbeard

Head of Government

Tobias Shortbeard

Government System

Democracy, Parliamentary

Power Structure

Autonomous area

Economic System

Market economy

Currency

Spineridge uses a similar currency to Sutheria, as Sutheria copied them, although Spineridge coins are all square in shape.

Copper pieces = called ‘flames’, they bear a fire on one side.
Silver pieces = called ‘hands’, feature two hands clasped in friendship.
Gold pieces = called ‘anvils’, feature an anvil and hammer.

All coins have an image of Two Peaks on the reverse side.

Major Exports

Ore, metals, lumber

Legislative Body

The Chief Councillor is the ruler but rulings and laws are decided by the council, with the Chief Councillor having a veto (for non-unanimous) and cast the deciding vote in the case of ties.

Official Languages

Related Ranks & Titles