Deep beneath the world's surface, burrowed in a system of large caverns, rests a centuries-old civilization. Living, breathing, and developing on their own, devoid of contact for so many centuries, this society has a life of its own, altogether different from that any others have seen before. Their society could be considered odd, mad even, by an outside observer, but to them it is the only thing that is sane...

The citizens of Menorcress have a large wealth of history, but little of it is easily reachable by the modern age. Generations and centuries apart from the founding of their society, the modern-day citizens of Menorcress strive to find their place in the city, via honor, strength, integrity, power, or any other means they can think of.

Here, in this place, will be writ what occurs in this, the modern age, during the Rule of the 5th High Matriarch of Menorcress, and the rule of all High Matriarchs after her.

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The Failed Coup and the Fall of House Terafil.

Being no strangers to conflict, political or otherwise, it seems to be a miracle that one house, the Miiystra, has ruled over the other noble clans of Menorcress for so long. Nearly every other noble clan has shifted power and positions at some time in history, but never have the Miiystra given up their seat of power at the very top. That is not to say attempts to overthrow the Miiystra have not occurred before, however. In fact, it is due to the very nature of the Mori'Quessir, of viciousness, ruthlessness, and an always-competitive urge that has kept the Miiystra in power for so long. Coups have been attempted, but all have crumbled into dust before fruition. The one which got closest to victory, closest to the complete annihilation of House Miiystra, is perhaps the best to look at when considering how the realm of politics functions in Menorcress.

The name of the House responsible for this is no longer spoken in good company, lest you wish to lose your head. We record it here at great risk for our own well-being and have even gone so far as to translate it into a more accessible version of the common tongue. That being said, We feel obligated to warn you that being caught reading of this atrocious event (Which, we, as the authors, in no way condone any sane being attempt to replicate) in the company of the Mori'Quessir, or in any location under the control of House Miiystra, you may find yourself unable to read anything. Ever again. We also request that you use this document only for learning of history-Not for attempting to repeat it. There are many other things which we, as a group, should be investigating. Things far less lethal than the Mori'Quessir and their history. As such, we implore you to take this document so that we may be on our way. Quickly. Please. We also do not wish for our names to be known, for all of the above reasons, and many others. If you'll excuse us, we have some nice Dwarven runes to attempt to translate now.

At least the worst danger in Dwarven territory is collapsing rocks and lava...

Forty-some years ago, in the city of Menorcress, existed 6 Houses- 5 Nobles and 1 Head. These noble houses were the Mierillis, Mages of great renown. The Zaurret, peddlers of services and entertainment. The Malachai, founded and headed by the legendary warrior Elrodon'Malachai. The Cressa'mtor, merchants responsible for the flow of goods throughout the city. And finally, the Terafil. The Terafil were an odd bunch, run by Matron Mother T'risskiira, they were a clan of workers for hire. Mercenaries, miners, messengers and the like, they had no specific specialty besides being hard workers. There was also the Head House, the Miiystra. To give a quick overview of the Miiystra and their claim to power, we must take a brief look at their ancient history. All of them are descended from the Eldest Daughter of Nemiisae, their Goddess, and can trace their bloodline firmly back to her. The Miiystra are not only in charge of the other Houses, but also rule over the Cleric College and all aspects of religion, being the most "holy" as it were in the eyes of Nemiisae.

This displeased T'risskiira. In their eyes, they were the most devout, the most holy, and the most deserving of power and praise. They wished not only to be the Head House, but also the closest to their Goddess. It was with this in mind that they began their plot to overthrow the Miiystra and take their place as the favored bloodline. They amassed weapons, gathered allies and were soon ready to throw their full force against the Miiystra.

They marched suddenly and without warning into the halls of the Palace, shedding blood as they went and sparing no one. Slaves, warriors, servants and blood members all fell. The other houses quickly came to action, but not to assist the Terafil. No, you see, the way of Menorcress is in an old saying. "If your enemy has power, take it. If you cannot take it, remove it from him so that no one else may take it." You see, if the other noble clans could not take Miiystra's position and power, they did not wish for Terafil to have it. House Mierillis rose immediately, marching into the war-zone that was the palace in an attempt to save the High Matriarch and as many of her kin as they could. House Malachai marched as well, eager to fight and slaughter House Terafil.

In but one day, dozens of House Miiystra fell. High Matriarch Veylna was slain and only a few of her children survived. At first, it was believed only two of them survived; The Eldest Daughter, and the Eldest Son, both saved by House Mierillis. They retreated then, creating a new base at the Cleric College, still safe from the Terafil-Traitors. There they stayed for several weeks to regain their strength, while House Mierillis held off the attackers. Then they marched on the palace, another blood bath ensuing, cleansing the walls of Miiystra blood with the blood of the Traitors.

In but a few short weeks, the Miiystra clan was decimated and the Terafil clan was annihilated. The Eldest Daughter mournfully took her place as High Matriarch and the last of the females of the bloodline... That is, until Elrodon'Malachai arrived to recognize her as High Matriarch, as all of the House Heads were required to do. The High Matriarch was none too pleased to see this man; While he had aided greatly in the fight by slaughtering the Terafil, he had not come to her to pledge his undying allegiance while she was in exile at the Cleric College. He had done the right thing by helping to slaughter the Terafil, but for what reasons, precisely, had he done it? The ambiguity of his ambitions made her weary of him and what he did next made her even more so. For from behind himself appeared a young woman, perhaps 70 years of age, cloaked in a robe.

Elrodon moved the young woman ahead of himself and then, in a dramatic fashion, pulled down the hood which covered her face, revealing the steely blue eyes characteristic of the Miiystra bloodline. While House Mierillis had saved the Eldest children, House Malachai had saved a few of the younger ones, namely the only other female to survive the slaughter. Without demanding power, money, or anything in exchange, in an uncharacteristically generous gesture, Elrodon'Malachai handed over the younger sister to the New High Matriarch. He then performed his duties as a House Head, recognizing the High Matriarch as the ruler of Menorcress, then left, as quietly as he had came.

It was in this way that the Miiystra bloodline was nearly destroyed; that a traitorous clan was destroyed, and how stability was returned to Menorcress. Mierillis would remain a strong ally of the High Matriarch for their assistance in the revolt, while for many years rumors would spread through the city as to Elrodon'Malachai's ambitions. In the end, he went to his grave with not another soul knowing how or why he had rescued the youngest daughter. But the fact remained that he had, and for the stability of Miiystra and the maintaining of the status quo, most of Menorcress was grateful.

Some Forty years after the fall of House Terafil, the mentioning of its name has been banned from Menorcress. It has been purged from most of the record books and its old clan home left to stand, burned and rotted, as an example to all. Not a drop of the Terafil blood still remains, and if it does, said blood is sure to keep their mouth shut, lest they tear open old wounds, and cause new ones to themselves.