Twinhold

The Twinholds of Marien and Barak-a-Wyril, commonly referred to as the Twinhold or Marien, is the capital of the united realms of Dwarf and Mankind.

Government
The Twinhold is ruled by a council of equal parts Man and Dwarf. Twenty-five of each, with all being the most prestigious in craft, influence, skill or pedigree. Even with their alliance, some issues find the council split; one group couldn't be swayed to have a few of its members side with the other. So arose the position of 'Lord-Regent', elected by the council from the council. Whomever held the title would gain a second vote, preventing deadlocks.

Barring an early resignation, willing or otherwise, Lord-Regents hold the title for five years. Should a Lord-Regent prove rather adept, it is not unheard of them to maintain the position for decades. A rare few even hold the position until Time claims their bodies, so just were they viewed by their peers. Whether such adoration extended to the citizenry can be debated.

Culture and Peoples
Sitting on the former boundary of the Kingdoms of Men and the Dwarven Holds and formed of an alliance against outside threats, the Twinhold is inhabited primarily by dwarves and humans. Dwarves gather more in the carved halls of Barak-a-Wyril, with Man preferring the open skies and fields of Marien.

It wasn't until the last century that other races lived in any notable number within the walls of the Twinhold, and perhaps without the gregarious and diplomatic nature of Man the metropolis would have remained as it was. Stubborn and traditional, the dwarves were reluctant to let outsiders dwell in their city, let alone those who have antagonized them in the past.