Ruler: His Noble Presence, Jarrod Fennelwood, Grand Speaker of Highwall (LN male human [Aldari], Clr 11 of Glanya)
Government: Independent city-state controlled by high ranking clergy of Glanya, goddess of healing; city is governed by the Council of Speakers which is headed by the Grand Speaker; most government positions are held by clerics of Glanya
Rule of Law: Neutral. Country is morally ambiguous with a moderate amount of written laws. Actions are neither evil nor good and tend to remain distant from international affairs.
Capital: Highwall (pop. 53,800)
Major Towns: None
Population: 90,000- Human 90% (Azf), dwarf 5% (brown), gnome 4% (hill), halfling 1% (fleetfoot 60%, stoutheart 40%)
Major Religions: Glanya, Niamye, Brannoc, Dwarf pantheon, Gnome pantheon
Major Resources: Healing magic, silver, gems
Military: 2,100 (includes only city guard and small force of heavy cavalry)
Allies: Deepdale, Valoria, Shield March
Enemies: None
Coinage: Standard common
The city of Highwall is an independent city-state on the western peninsula of the Brightwater Lake. Founded several centuries ago by pilgrims from Glorwenia, Highwall became a haven for meditation and transcendence. The original founders of the city were afraid the Prelate of Glorwenia was becoming too involved in the affairs of the battleprone Kingdom of Rendore and so sought to establish a more peaceful haven governed by the precepts of the goddess of healing. The region on the peninsula is somewhat rocky and only small areas are capable of supporting any farming. These areas are fed by magical fountains that miraculously sprang from the ground following the appearance of a number of divine visions. (For more information, see the section titled 'Seven Fountains of Highwall' under the Legends & Lore page on the homepage of this site.) The weather is temperate for the most part though, with modest levels of rainfall though some flooding does occur in the early spring.
The famous 'Healers of Highwall' are a religious order of Glanyan clerics dedicated to the healing arts and herbalism. Folk from all over Hyerune journey to this land for respite from their ailments or to bring peace to the mind and spirit. Many orders of monks also call the surrounding hillside home and have established a number of monasteries away from the wandering pilgrims.
Highwall has always been a neutral territory and this fact has even been written into the city charter. The clerics of the region will heal any being that requires it, no questions asked. Therefore, the Council of Speakers has never felt it necessary to maintain a standing army. They do support a city watch that are called to simply keep law and order within the city proper. A small token force of armored cavalry are used to patrol the surrounding fields and hills. The majority of the dwarves and gnomes who dwell in Highwell live in small communities in the hills west of the city.