Whispers in the Dark- Year of the Many Eyes
The month of Haunt:
Several months have passed since the fall of the great shadow dragon. Thirty-eight drow houses entered the dark cavern to do battle, now only twenty-two of them remain. The rest, shattered beyond any hope of recouping, have taken up home in the ramshackle buildings of the Brach, while those that lived moved to begin making the place into the great city it was destined to be. Matron Salistra announced that the Festival of the founding would take place immediately, and each houses Weapons Master would do battle to determine rank in the city. Many were not pleased by this announcement but nothing could be done expect prepare.
The Festival was to be the grandest in the new history of ChedNasid, and so it was. Every dark elf in the city turned out for the great party, and when the announcement that the contest would take place, circled around many came to watch. However, drow tend to have short attention spans when it comes to such things, and mere moments into the great battle many departed to enjoy the festival. All but the matrons who stood watching with clenched fist and tight smiles. As the many warriors fought and died, a matron would utter a foul curse and storm off every now and again. The fighting lasted long into the early hours and when it ended, Zaltar of House Maez'fel stood alone and victorious. His house and Matron Mother would rule the city.
Salistra smiled and applauded. She turned to the remaining Matrons and spoke calmly. "Come day the ten ruling matrons will ascend to the great plateau and choose your homes, the rest will do the same down here. Once that is done the first meeting of the council will convene." The woman turned and departed, leaving the drow to celebrate their wins and losses.
The month of Benedice
The first meeting of the Ruling Council was held, and when it was released, Matron Aliynda Maez'fel gathered the Matrons and announced that House Draith'Alor had been charged with founding the city's mines. House Gimeth'Diran was charged with constructing and overseeing the day-to-day life of the Bazaar. House Ur'Taakesh was charged with the construction of Norsica and meeting the city's demand for food. House Milstorma was charged with opening all caravan routes and making first contact with surrounding cities. Their Matron was noted with saying, "I am honored with this charge and I will do everything in my power to see that it is done." House Lamnia has been charged with upkeep and maintaining the high road, as they are located right next to it.
The Ruling Matron then announced it would be overseeing the construction of Melee-Fengar, and that each House would dispatch 10 foot soldiers to act as the city guard. She continued her announcement that the construction of Arach Miral would be overseen by all Houses, and each House would dispatch one priestess and five slaves. As for the fate of Sorshay, each House that wishes to compete for the chance to lead the construction project is to dispatch one mage to compete in a spell battle to the death, with the survivor's House winning this right.
The dark dwarf Halgar and his band of merchants rolled into the city and set up in the future home of the Bazaar to sell their goods. A brief argument errupted between Matron Kaigodda Gimeth'Diran and the dwarf over tariff prives, and ended with the dwarf stomping off, but calling the market open to all- at least those that have money. As people begin to file in to the Bazaar, it was noted that some 200 dark dwarf craftsmen were seen erecting scaffolding around the great pillar.
Five Houses believed to have been lost on the long journey to the cavern reappeared late Haunt, worse for the wear. House Kruii'Zigr, House Dhe'Nar, and House Ky'nev'riel came through the most unscathed, and set up in the free mounds as new Houses. Some 250 soldiers, all that remained of the once great House Shilobar, made their way to the Ruling House, where they pledged their allegience to Matron Aliynda. What was left of House Krin'Ton met briefly with Matron Kaigodda, and set up tents in the Bazaar area. Rumor has it they are renting their services as mercenaries.
Several Houses were heavy on the diplomatic fronts, as much fanfare was made of several alliances. Most notable among these was between House Gimeth'Diran and House Tu'Ralaeth.
Representatives from Houses Gimeth'Diran, Milstorma, Rivbolla, and others still were seen travelling to the Brach and recruiting some of the many houseless drow that stayed there. As the great party neared for the duel of wizards, many Matrons flocked to House Ur'Taakesh. However, the Matrons from Milstorma and Eckardt were not there. The party kicked off rather slowly, and would be the first of disappointments of the evening. The House had shown no regard in the aspects of decoration, food preparation, and the like. Even more disappointing was the poor turnout in the wizard's duel. Only four mages participated. In the first round, House Li'Doen's mage fought and was defeated by House Zauviir's mage. In the second round, House Tsareth incinerated House Mordovalinor's mage when they surprisingly decided to use a House artifact. Houses Tsareth and Zauviir went to the final round, ending with House Tsareth as the builder of Sorshay.
The highlight of the event came when Aliynda Maez'fel ascended the platform, her guards dragging with them the House Wizard of Vandree. Spinning around, eyes blazing, she says, "Forces from House Vandree attempted to attack and waylay the caravan of Halgar One-eye. Their attack failed, and they have been punished. But know that this is the fate that will befall anyone who attempts to harm or damage the property of this city, or its prosperity." She turns and begins to chant. A black vortex opens behind the mage, and two rubbery tentacles extend from it, grabbing him on either side of the head. Screaming in agony, the party-goers watch in horror and fascination as his body twists and contorts to become that of a drider. And so ends the festivities. It is later learned that House Vandree was attacked and cleared out by the combined forces of Halgar and House Milstorma. Rumor has it the two have signed an alliance.
Matron Alyinda makes a decree. "Having noticed a few houses taking land that they have no claim to, we are hereby decreeing that all land inside the cavern that is not already owned must be approved by the council before it can be claimed. The price for Land tracts shall be a base of 100,000 gp per tract and the houses that have already claimed extra land will be fined... but as it has already occurred, they shall not have to pay for the current tracts. They will, however, be fined 50,000 gp per tract. Anyone attempting to take land without payment and approval will from now on be fined 50,000 gp, plus they must either vacate or pay for the tracts themselves."
The Month of Newcoming
Newcoming- the month of new beginnings, new years, and new rivalries. After the open conflict in the Bazaar and the mage's duel, rumor has it that a burning hatred has arisen between Houses Rivbolla and Gimeth'Diran, as well as Mordovalinor and Tsareth. Most notable among these is the seething rage from House Eckardt to Zauviir, which no one can explain.
Rumor also has it that Matron Rivbolla will speak at the next council meeting on the conflict that occurred on the Bazaar. On another note, many Houses were heavy on the diplomatic front, Mordovalinor being the most notable. Next in line was Gimeth'Diran, who played host to 5 nobles from Eckardt and their guards, as well as 4 from Draith'Alor. A massive war band departed the Ruling House early Benedice, and was said to be heading to Pharenin. A noble of House Taerd-Rayne was quoted placing the number into the 400 range, with several nobles leading it.
In other news, the trader Helgar One-eye packed up to depart the city. He was noted as saying, "Your hospitality here and the manners of some are on par with a twice drunk goblin in a dress. You'll be lucky if I return!" However, he gave assurances that those dwarves on contract would remain until their jobs were done, and the remaining items will be sold at the Bazaar. His group departed, joined by some 50 foot soldiers and 5 nobles from House Milstorma.
The other grand event was the party of Ur'Taakesh, where silk curtains laced with silver hung upon the walls, foods excellently spiced, fine alcholic beverages served, and music and silver masks made from the sheered off skulls of orcs were in abundance. Even the normally reclusive Matron of Eckardt was present at the party, but was asked to leave after having a bit much to drink and angrily going at the Matron of Zauviir. The other feuding Houses kept theirs in check, and kept far from each other. During the party, Matron Aliynda introduced Matron Ahz'rae Vel'Crehd, the newest House to the city. She also announced the new year would be dubbed "The Year of the Burning Brazier," and that Lolth was pleased with the proceedings of the city and its Matrons.