Sym’fadè Confederacy

Map of Country

### Cities

Parthetique, Tamber, Phrigdia, Aoelia, Locria, Koda, Etude, Tunnel Town, Amberbrook, Maestoso

## People, Politics, and Economics

### Government

Oligarchical meritocracy / oligarchical meritocratic dictatorship

### Exports

Fine textiles, tea, musical instruments, ornate & deadly weapons, water. Varies by city-state.

### Allied Countries

Amrali Republic, Taldoric, Jericho (former), United Orelisian Council

## Common Knowledge

The Sym’fadè Confederacy is a group of allied city-states located throughout the Underdark. It is a matriarchal society with a strong emphasis on religion and music, and is populated mainly by Dark Elves, who have a reputation for being a dangerous people full of deceit, betrayal, and violence. It is these characteristics which appear to bind the Dark Elf people, along with loyalty to the Dictator, who rules over all the city-states from a secret location known as the Seat of Power.

The most infamous group of Dark Elves are known as the Drow. The Drow are convinced of their superiority, and believe that it is their birthright to rule over those inferior to them, and, most importantly, lead their people back to the surface in glorious and bloody victory.

## Topography and Climate

The Sym’fadè Confederacy is found in large caverns throughout the Underdark. Each location  has a different natural condition, as they are spread across the continent.

### City-States

#### Parthetique

Parthetique, which lies beneath the country of Ashain, is unique due to the natural sunlight which shines into the city through a fissure in the cavern ceiling. It is the only Dark Elven city to receive any sunlight.

#### Tamber

Tamber, which is below Barnia, lies within a volcano. The city is built in a large cavern near (though not inside) the main magma chamber. The city has many chutes and canals running through it for the purposes of redirecting magma flow. The natural deadliness of the location provides good protection for outside attack.

#### Phrigdia

Phrigdia is built below Taphran. While the city is not built in any particularly special location, there is an artificial rift running through the city, which divides it into Dark Elf and Drow sectors. The rift is the place where the Beating of the Drums takes place. Phrigdia also has no main entrance to the surface. There are somewhat inconvenient, small, natural openings which individuals could use, but a large group of people would be unable to pass between the surface and the Underdark (or vice versa) through Phrigdia.

#### Aoelia

Aoelia is beneath the Apotheosis Desert. Ironically, it is built in a giant subterranean lake, and is full of canals and bridges. The lake is large enough that it experiences tides, which are used as the main marker of time for the Confederacy, as the sun is largely inaccessible.

#### Locria

Locria is beneath Talios and is simply built in a very large cavern. The acoustics of said cavern happen to diminish sound, making the city hushed.

#### Koda

Located in a cavern beneath the country of Zondros, Koda expands into the surrounding tunnels, far beyond the area most of the city-states would consider theirs.

### Outposts

#### Etude

Etude is below Binturia, at the very bottom of the Underdark. This outpost holds an entrance to the Underforest and has a high concentration of magic.

#### Tunnel Town

Tunnel Town is below the capital city of Amerale. As the name implies, it is primarily made of a winding system of tunnels rather than resting in a giant cavern like the other cities.

### Settlements

#### Maestoso

It’s a cave below Daugon, and is not a particularly grand place to live.

## Population

### Dark Elves

The Dark Elves are a subspecies of Elf that migrated below the surface of Oreslisle during an event known as the Descent. The Dark Elves of the Sym’fadè Confederacy live largely in their city states and the immediate surrounding areas. Some, however, reside in smaller towns and outposts throughout the Underdark. Dark Elves can be brutally violent in their goal to remain the major power in the Underdark, but consider the surface to be none of their business, and find the idea of attempting to take it over repulsive.

### Drow

The Drow are a religious subsect of the Dark Elves that worship the goddess Maelstrom. They believe that it is their right to return to the surface and rule over the lesser races (which is all of them). They are concentrated in one half of Phrigdia and Koda. The Drow are the most infamous of the citizens of the Sym’fadè Confederacy, but they are reviled by the other citizens of the Underdark, no matter their race.

### Driders

Driders are the creations of the War Priestesses of Lolth. They are most commonly found in the Dark Elf part of Phrigdia. They are Dark Elf/Giant Spider hybrids, resembling centaurs in that they are a Dark Elf torso grafted to where a spider head would otherwise be. Driders are not naturally born, but rather made through an intensely painful and barely survivable process. Those who become Driders are either the most devout of warriors, willing to go through anything to serve their goddess, or criminals enduring horrible and permanent punishment for their wrongdoings. Driders are the pride of the Confederacy’s army, often at the front lines ripping through enemies.

### Draegloths

Draegloths are the equivalent of the Driders, but to the Drow. They are the creations of the War Priestesses of Maelstrom. Draegloths are found mostly in the Drow part of Phrigdia, though a few (admittedly far less, however) can be encountered in Koda. Similarly to Driders, they are Dark Elves that have been melded with a spider. But unlike their Drider counterparts, Draegloths are not so lucky to have a clean graft. Instead, each is uniquely combined into melted, grafted, and stitched monstrosities, no part of them completely spider nor completely Dark Elf. Large amounts of magic and rituals are necessary for such a construction, and while the Drow always say that their Draegloths were willing, the creatures rarely have the mental faculties remaining after the procedure to confirm or deny that claim.

## Exports and Trades

The Sym’fadé Confederacy largely exports luxury items, such as fine textiles, tea (caffeinated tea was developed in Aoelia as a means of sleep regulation without a day-night cycle), and high-quality musical instruments. On a more violent note, the Confederacy is also known for their elegant and ornate but deadly weapons and their skills assassins, who occasionally take jobs elsewhere.

However, the city-state of Aoelia did export water to the city of Jericho whle it still stood. Tunnel Town is also a hub of trade with Amerale.

## Government

The City-States operate mostly independently from each other, with each having a set of unique laws and an elected City Council of nine to make them. However, both the National Council or the Seat of Power can override them.

### National Council

The National Council is made up of one representative from each of the city-states (currently minus Koda). The representatives are elected and meet periodically in Tamber to make decisions that will affect the entire Sym’fadé Confederacy. However, any decision that is made by the National Council can be vetoed by the Seat of Power.

### Seat of Power

The Seat of Power is held by a Dictator, She has full veto power over any political decisions made in the Confederacy, and any law she makes is implemented without legal contest.

The Dictator is not elected, but rather must kill the previous Dictator and take her place. The new Dictator then rules until her demise. For this reason, she is rarely if ever seen after she takes the Seat. Only the High Priestess and the Tamber National Representative know the location of the Seat of Power. Everyone else who knows its location is sealed within it alongside the Dictator to live out their days in her service. This practice is to encourage the Dictator’s longevity as well as ensure that anyone who manages to take the Seat of Power is intelligent and competent beyond all competition.

## Military

The Sym’fadé Confederacy’s army is held in Phrigdia. They are made of a largely male infantry with largely female officers. The army is controlled by the National Council, and above them the Seat of Power, which can deploy soldiers to wherever in the Underdark they see fit.

There are Drow allowed in the army, but they rarely are allowed to advance while the Dark Elves control Phrigdia (should the Drow gain control, this would likely reverse). The Drow also have a reputation for going rogue. During the Beating of the Drums, the army splits Dark Elves versus Drow and fights each other for which group will be the dominant force in Phrigdia.

## Social Hierarchy and Culture

### General

The Sym’fadé Confederacy boasts a Matriarchal culture, in which men join the family/houses of their wives and take their last names. Similarly, men very rarely hold much political power in the Confederacy.

Within the Confederacy, social hierarchy is determined by power, which comes down to the abilities of individuals as in a Meritocracy. Power is expected to be taken through violence, though this is generally only applicable for those seeking political power.

The artistic realm of the Confederacy is highly non-visual. Music, poetry, and sung ballads are highly respected, and textured fabrics and sculpture are popular. The food of the Confederacy is generally flavorful and well-seasoned, generally consisting of meat and dairy. Soups are a common staple of the Confederacy diet, as grains and plants are rare and exotic in the caverns of the Underdark.

Generally speaking, the dark elves of the Sym’fadé Confederacy cover most of their skin, especially the head, though most leave their face and hands uncovered. Dark Elves also take three names across their lifetimes: Child, Adult, and Family. Dark Elves are given their Child and Family names at birth, and their Family name will change for men when they marry. The adult name of Dark Elves is something that must be earned.

The families of the Confederacy are generally similar to those of other nations. The largest and most powerful families of the Confederacy are often referred to as the Great Houses.

### Great Houses

#### Ostinato

House Ostinato has strong connections to the Sisterhood, and many of its members are groomed for priestesshood. The current Madam of House Ostinato is the High Priestess of the Sisterhood. Many members of House Ostinato are powerful mages, and their ties to the Sisterhood shield them from the consequences of their oft-heretical magic experiments. House Ostinato is based primarily in Parthetique.

#### Sforza

House Sforza is a politically-driven clan, whose members have held the Seat of Power more frequently than any other. In spite of its political prowess, it relies on a traditional family structure that modern Dark Elves consider outdated. The Eldest Daughter inherits the title of Madam, becoming the face of the family, becoming politically active, and never marrying or bearing children. The second Eldest Daughter runs House Sforza’s internal affairs, marries, and bears the next generation, and it is her first daughter who inherits the title of Madam next. Typical of all the Great Houses, any sons are married off. Over the last five years a familiar conflict has nearly wiped out the Sforza family. House Sforza is located primarily in the city of Tamber.

#### Tacet

House Tacet produces many high-ranking officers and generals in the Confederacy’s military, as well as a great deal of assassins and alchemists. Some members of the Tacet family even have a stronger resistance to poison (or at the very least the latent potential for such a resistance). House Tacet has a deeply intrenched split between its members who are Dark Elves and those who are Drow. Should a member of one side wish to defect to the other, they may, but otherwise the two are sworn enemies. During the last coup, House Tacet allied with the current Dictator. House Tacet is based primarily in Phrigdia.

#### Varizioni

House Varizioni handles much of the Confederacy’s outgoing trade, exporting textiles, teas, and even water in exchange for goods and food. The Dictator has herself contracted the Varizioni to import food. House Varizioni is located primarily in Aoelia.

#### Madzurka

House Madzurka leans towards strictly intellectual pursuits, as its members become doctors, tacticians, and scholars. Their wide array of knowledge sees their fingers in many puddings, tutoring the children of other Houses and encouraging their own young to become specialized experts in their chosen interest. House Madzurka also owns the largest accessible library in the Underdark, and their secret library rivals that of the Sisterhood and the Seat of Power in size and far oustrips them in mundane accuracy. The previous Dictator was a member of House Madzurka. House Madzurka is based primarily in Locria

### Religion

#### General

The Sym’fadè Confederacy worships a pantheon consisting of three goddesses: Muse, Vague, and Lolth/Maelstrom. Muse is associated with yellow, creativity, the arts, alto clef, and celestial magic. The city-state Aeolia is dedicated to Muse. Vague is associated with blue, the mind, focus, magic, bass clef and phantasmal magic. The city-state Locria is dedicated to Vague. Lolth/Maelstrom is associated with red, war, the elements, and emotion. They are also known as the “Two-faced goddess.” The city-state Phrigdia is dedicated to Lolth/Maelstrom.

The Dark Elves were the first to discover that Gods could be created and changed by mortal beliefs. The Goddesses (also called the Sisters) can only appear to those who already believe in them. Dark Elves believe light is holy, which is why most dark elves cover themselves. This is also why Parthetique is the center of the religion, as it is the only city with natural light, and it is dedicated to all three goddesses equally.

#### Sisterhood

The Sisterhood is composed of Dark Elves who worship the goddess Lolth. The High priestess is part of the Sisterhood. The Sisterhood’s members are not genocidal and they do not wish to return to the surface. The teachings of the Sisterhood is that the Underdark is the right place for the Dark Elves to reside. Driders are made by the war-priests of Lolth and are therefore a creation of the Sisterhood.

#### Delbima

Delbima is composed of Drows who worship the Maelstrom. Delbima’s members are genocidal and wish for a return to the surface. They teach that the Underdark is an unfair punishment forced upon them by the world above, and it is the right of the Dark Elves to retake land on the surface by any means available. Viefrynn was a member of Delbima and wanted to turn everyone into a dark elf (a sentiment that some other members seem to share). Dreagloths are made by war-priests of Maelstrom and are therefore a creation of Delbima.

#### Masked Lady

The Masked Lady is a goddess who is not a part of the main Pantheon and is not recognized by either main religious branch. They are the first instance of mortal ascension to godhood (insert story here). The Masked Lady is worshipped by half of the confederacy. Worshippers of the Masked Lady wear masks and the main times for worship are from dawn to dust. The Masked Lady can appear whenever she wants and can appear even to those who do not believe in her unlike the goddesses in the main pantheon. She will steal the face of anyone not wearing a mask in her presence. The Masked Lady is associated with beginnings and endings, ghost notes, and life and death. There is no color associated with the Masked Lady.

### Celebrations and Holidays

#### The Beating of the Drums

Every ten years in Phrigdia, a battle-festival known as the Beating of the Drums is held. The Dark Elves and the Drow of the city battle to determine who will control Phrigdia for the next ten years. Anyone is permitted to fight if they wish, even outsiders who are allowed by technicality.

The Beating of the Drums takes place over three days. The first day is marked by a street festival on both sides and opening ceremonies. On the second day, the battle proper commences, and all non-participants watch from a distance. On the third day, closing ceremonies and funerals are held on both sides, with the winners celebrating with another street festival and the losers cleaning up their side of the city.

#### Aoelian Holidays

Aoelia has a vast amount of holidays throughout the year, of varying importance. There always seems to be a celebration of some kind occurring. Celebrations include, but are not limited to:

* The Festival of Love (Major), a city-wide masquerade, with coded masks to indicate romantic availability
* Iambic Pentameter Day (Minor, but widely celebrated)
* Bardic Excellence Festivals (One for each of the bardic arts, all Major)
* Clock Day (Major)
* Tea Festival (Minor, though many from other cities will visit on this day)
* The Festival of Foods. Aoelia is the only city in the Confederacy capable of amassing the amount of food necessary to celebrate this, except Tunnel Town
* Craft Fairs (a day for each crafting profession)

## Cities, Towns, and Villages

### City-States

#### Parthetique

Parthetique is the oldest city-state in the Sym’fadè Confederacy and is located beneath Ashain. The most powerful Great House in Parthetique is currently the Great House of Ostinato. Parthetique is where Dark Elves first entered the Underdark. It is also the religious hub of the Sisterhood and is the only city to have natural light.  This leads to some sections of the city housing fanatic religious groups. One of the major industries in Parthetique is mushrooms due to the numerous amounts that are harvested from the farms in the surrounding area.

#### Phrigdia

Phrigdia is the second oldest city-state in the Sym’fadè Confederacy and is located beneath Taphran. The most powerful Great House in Phrigdia is currently the Great House of Tacet. Phrigdia was founded in the name of Lolth and is now split between Dark Elves and Drow (who view the city as holy to Maelstrom). This is where the majority of the Sym’fadè Confederacy’s military is currently centered. Phrigdia is the site of the Beating of the Drums.

#### Locria

Locria is the third-oldest still-existing city-state in the Sym’fadè Confederacy. The city-state is located beneath Talios, in Central Orelisle. Locria was founded in the name of Vague, and is a hub of knowledge, education, and experimentation. Some of the largest libraries in the Underdark are understandably located here, as Locria is well-known for its many, many libraries.

Locria is the closest city to the sub-Binturian outpost of Etude, and acts as its home base for those at the outpost.

The Great House of Madzurka currently holds significant power in Locria.

#### Aoelia

Aoelia is the fourth-oldest still-existing city-state in the Sym’fadè Confederacy. The city-state is located beneath the region previously known as Jericho, in Eastern Orelisle. Aoelia is unique in its topography in that it was built within an underground sea, beneath the Apotheosis. This sea is connected to the underground river that Myrdirit is built atop.

Aoelia was founded in the name of Muse, and is known for its especially rich culture. The citizens of Aoelia practice many holidays over the course of the year. At the center of the city, a giant water-powered clock stands, acting as the official timepiece for the Confederacy and used to set all other clocks. This clock was the first of its kind built in the Underdark.

In the past, Aoelia used to trade water to Jericho; however, since the destruction of Jericho, Aoelia has lost much of its business; Tunnel Town outpost has since risen in comparative economic importance for the Confederacy.

The Great House of Varizioni currently holds significant power in Aoelia.

#### Tamber

Tamber is the fifth oldest city-state in the Confederacy, built for political purposes and actively serving as capital for the entire Confederacy. The National Council of the Confederacy also meets and resides there.

Built inside an active volcano beneath the Barnia archipelago, magma is redirected throughout the city to provide light and guarantee safe passage. Though the streets are physically safe to traverse, the triangular city’s three districts (Business, Residential, and Political) are separated by litigation and bureaucracy. Strangely, the closest temple to Tamber lies just outside its walls. There are no temples within.

Great House Sforza is primarily based here, and holds great influence over the city.

#### Koda

Koda is the sixth-oldest still-existing city-state associated with the Sym’fadè Confederacy, founded just after Tamber.  The city-state is located beneath Marza, in the South-Eastern corner of Orelisle. Like Phrigdia, Koda was founded in the name of Maelstrom; however, Phrigdia remains her holy city.

The city itself is Drow-controlled, though it has a notable dark elf population.

While not technically a member of the Sym’fadè Confederacy, Koda only recently reconnected with the nation, as it had been technically owned by Zondros up until the end of 10,017 AB. Koda has been in conflict with Zondros since its founding. Neither the Confederacy nor Zondros desire Koda itself so much as they would prefer to have it over the other nation having Koda. Niccolaux Hryloweinn, the current High Lord Consort of Zondros, was previously a member of the Great House Ostinato; additionally, he is a close personal friend and confidant to Dictator Chant’folne de Sforza, and was present for and personally participated in the coup that granted Chant’folne the Seat of Power. Niccolaux Hryloweinn has complicated the relations between the Sym’fadè Confederacy, Zondros, and Koda in numerous ways.

### Settlements

#### Amberbrook

A small town of a few thousand beneath the coast of Haelwyd, Amberbrook was founded roughly 300 years ago by the Amberbrook family, who continue to hold power there. Known mostly for its iron mine and mushroom farms, the town is relatively close to the surface, and mostly worships Muse and Vague.

In 10,019, it was one of many focal points for a globe-spanning immortality cult.

#### Maestoso

A somewhat isolated settlement below Daugon most known for its uniquely brutal policy regarding birth and death. Maestoso strictly maintains its population at a set value. Births are not restricted, but if nobody has died to make room for the newly born person in the population statistic, that newborn is forcibly removed and left alone to die in the harsh wilds of the Underdark.

#### Restez

A settlement not far from Maestoso, inhabited by those who found its child-bearing policies morally objectionable, as well as the people whom Maestoso kicked out.

#### The Seat of Power

A large fortress underneath the Mistral Sea, where the Dictator and her servants reside. Its exact location is the most well-kept secret in the Confederacy, known only to the Seat’s inhabitants, the High Priestess, and the Speaker of the National Council.

#### Tunnel Town

A trading outpost beneath the city of Amerale, with whom its inhabitants interact often. Tunnel Town’s society has been influenced by these interactions.

### Outposts

#### Etude

An outpost beneath Binturia, at the Underdark’s lowest point,  founded by Priestesses of Vague. Originally, Etude was built to study a power source below the vast forest that stretches from beneath it, but no one has ever gotten far enough to discover that source.

## Alliances

The Symfadè Confederacy has strong ties to the city of Amerale, being one of their points of consistent contact with the surface. Through Tunnel Town, the Confederacy dips into Amerale’s trade network, political alliances, and military.

The Sym’fadè Confederacy has had strong trade relations with the dwarven city-state of Taldoric going back to the discovery of an entrance to the Underdark from Taldoric hundreds or thousands of years before the creation of the Beast Below. With the exception of the 100-year period of unrest leading up to the creation of the Beast Below and a 63-year period between 1,550 and 1,613 AB, Taldoric has had consistent trade with the Confederacy for most of their combined histories.

The lineage of most Duergar can be traced back to the trade between the Sym’fadè Confederacy and Taldoric.

The Sym’fadè Confederacy supplied Jericho with water. This trade was brought to an end with the destruction of Jericho in 10,016 AB.

The Sym’fadè Confederacy has recently become a full member of the United Orelisian Council.

## Enemy Countries

Thanatos, king of Kuragma, actively hates the Symfadè Confederacy’s current dictator. Neither can attack the other, though, as both are members of the United Orelisian Council.

The Symfadè Confederacy also considers the violently bigoted Dilghao an enemy.

Though the Drow lack a formal nation, the violent nature of Dark Elf-Drow relations causes the Symfadè Confederacy to consider any faction strongly aligned with the Drow to be an enemy.

## Founding and History

* The Descent - 28,747 BB
	+ Before the Beast
		- Back when the original Maelstrom existed
	+ Maelstrom led the Dark Elves in a war against all other races to prove their superiority
		- This, predictably, failed and they were run underground to the Underdark
* Parthetique -  28,205 BB
	+ First city founded where they first took refuge/settled
	+ The first “capital”
	+ The worship of the Goddesses changed in light of the Dark Elves’ recent defeat
		- Lolth is born, an alteration of Maelstrom, reborn
			* This is how the Dark Elves learned that they can change their deities through belief
* Phrigdia - 23,186 BB
	+ Founded next as they expanded through the Underdark.
	+ Became the Holy City of Lolth, in part to strengthen her existence and honor her roots as the eldest goddess in her previous form
* Locria - 23,046 BB
	+ Founded third
	+ The Holy City of Vague, the second sister
* Aoelia - 23,037 BB
	+ Founded fourth
	+ The Holy City of Muse, the third sister
		- She is said to have personally helped with the creative process of building a city on a lake
	+ The Aoelian Water Clock is created using the tides of the lake to keep time
		- Thus, “days” are able to return to the Dark Elves

After beast

* Etude - 153 AB
	+ Founded shortly after the Fall of Binturia, Etude’s purpose was to investigate the sudden appearance of a massive magical powersource below Binturia
* Meztec War - 1,671-2,000 AB
	+ Battle of Pasticcio - 1,877 AB
* The Separation - 2,242 AB
	+ Old texts depicting Maelstrom as she had originally existed resurfaced
		- Some members of the Sisterhood wanted to return to the old ways and worship the goddess as she was “meant to be”
	+ This split the priestesses into their current factions
		- Sisterhood vs Delbima, Dark Elf vs Drow
	+ Through their worship, the Delbima and the Drow were able to partially recreate Maelstrom
		- However, because of the continued worship of the Sisterhood and the Dark Elves, Lolth was not completely transformed, instead becoming the two-faced goddess she is today
* Foundation of a Secular State - 2,242 AB
	+ The splintering of the religion meant that a theocracy was no longer an option, and the decision was made to separate church and state.
	+ Religion was still an important part of culture and power, however, the Drow were not fairly represented in the new government
	+ The secular Dark Elf nation named themselves the Sym’fadè Confederacy
* Tamber - 2,311 AB
	+ Founded to be the new capital of the Confederacy
	+ Religion explicitly minimized within the city
	+ The first Dictator comes to power, and the National Council begins
* Koda - 2,311 AB
	+ About the same time as Tamber was founded, a large group of Drow left the new Confederacy to form their own city-state, separate from the rest
	+ They immediately got into a never-ending Dwile Flonking game/war with Zondros
* Unrest and Instability - 2,629 - 2,844 AB
	+ A period of time where Dictators were killed and replaced at such a rapid pace that the Confederacy rarely had the same leader for more than five years
		- Changes would need to be made
	+ The Beating of the Drums began
* The Seat of Power - 2,844 AB
	+ The decision was made to move the Dictator to an unknown location
		- Anyone wishing to kill and replace her would have to locate, access, and assassinate the Dictator in a secret fortress
			* This slowed turnover considerably
* Tunnel Town - 3,002 AB
	+ Tunnel Town is founded below Amerale and trade is set up.
	+ This began what would become the Confederacy’s strongest political alliance to date
* Recent Events
	+ Dark Fell - 10,014 AB
		- I know you have other docs on this
	+ Political Strife
		- Members of House Sforza and House Ostinato are incapacitated in various means, destabilizing both the political and theocratic climate of the Confederacy
			* Desche’sprelle de Sforza’s eldest daughter replaces her younger daughter in an engagement to the eldest son of High Priestess Am’alucelle Ostinato
				+ Her daughter leaves him in a vegetative state through unknown means
			* Desche’sprelle orders the death of her elder sister, Madame Mievo’elle de Sforza (who was Speaker of the Council)
				+ Desche’sprelle becomes Madame Sforza and Speaker of the Council
			* Her daughter is given the adult name Chant’folne and exiled to the surface, despite the trial being inconclusive
			* Am’alucelle’s brother, his wife, and all his progeny, save his eldest daughter, are assassinated in Parthetique at the same time as Chant’folne’s trial
				+ That daughter kills 29 (rumoured 200) people in retaliation, given the name Piah'degli'dei, presumed dead until sighted fleeing
			* Am’alucelle’s younger son earns his adult name, Niccolaux, and leaves of his own will to go to the surface
			* Lesser members of House Sforza begin to be assassinated, leaving many political positions vacant
		- Odd political moves by big players
			* The Dictator, a Madzurka, refuses to meet with High Priestess Am’alucelle
			* Madame Speaker Desche’sprelle disappears from public view, leaving her younger daughter, Com’curelle, to cover for her and handle public affairs
			* More members of House Sforza are killed, as are politicians of other houses who speak indisagreement against either the Dictator or the Speaker of the Council
		- Population shifts
			* Koda re-enters the world, along with their large Drow population
			* Houses Tacet, Ostinato, and Varizioni form an alliance with the goal of putting Chant’folne on the Seat of Power in the hopes of regaining some stability
		- Niccolaux and Chant’folne re-enter the fray
			* Niccolaux becomes engaged to the Director General of Zondros - 10,017 AB
			* The Beating of the Drums - 10,018 AB
				+ Koda’s army double the Drow forces
				+ The Dark Elves call in the Binturians and several mercenary groups
					- Niccolaux (now glowing and on a pegasus you dramatic jerk) and Chant’folne both arrive and fight
				+ This is the first time Chant’folne publicly (illegally) appeared in the Underdark since her banishment
					- She killed an Avatar of Maelstrom… twice
				+ Sir de Sforza died in the battle
			* Chant’folne, Niccolaux, and some other guy attack the Seat of Power and kill Desche’sprelle, who had been secretly holding both the positions of Dictator and Speaker of the Council - 10,019 AB
				+ Chant’folne became Dictator
		- BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE
			* Niccolaux officially marries the Director General of Zondros and becomes High Lord Consort of Zondros
				+ The wedding is the first public appearance by a Dictator in over a century
			* Then Niccolaux kills his brother’s shell of a body like. Two weeks later and gets disowned by Am’alucelle
		- Stability?
			* Chant’folne makes the Sym’fadè Confederacy full members of the UOC
				+ Hasn’t gone to shit yet so… \*shrug\*