The Dark Triad Guild
(City of Chivenatok)

Table of Contents
•	Geographical Information
•	Watchful Spider Tavern
•	Chivenatok
•	Spider’s Lair Tavern
•	Political Factions
•	Royal House
•	City Council
•	Religious Factions
•	City Calendar
•	The Acadamy
•	City Structure
•	Noble Houses
•	Lesser Houses
•	Merchant Houses
•	Common Houses & Establishments
•	City Ranking (In Character)

Physical Location & Description

The Watchful Spider Tavern

The Watchful Spider Tavern is located in the southern foothills of the ThunderCliffs. It is just north of the SilverBrook area and about a half-day’s ride on horseback from Bastille proper.

Built from and into the very rock of a cliff face, the main path continues upward into the towering mountain range beyond. Dwarven builders were hired in the construction of the tavern, so anyone knowledgeable about architecture would notice this. Inside the main structure, only doors and furniture use any wood, as well as the frame for the two front windows. The two main windows allow a scenic view of the outside area and are the only windows found in the whole tavern. Seperate from the main structure are the stables, where wood is used for the stalls.

Consisting of four levels, three of the levels are all built into the surrounding granite. The cellar level is where the arena is located and also a training room that overlooks a chasm. The first level is where the common room is located as well as the kitchen and servant quarters. It is also the only room that is partially “on the surface”. The second level has all the guestrooms and private chambers. The third level is private access only.

Also check out the Watchful Spider Tavern map:
(http://www.pmwdesigns.com/darktriad/maproom/map-004.html).

Chivenatok

Chivenatok is located hundreds of miles below the surface world. It is approximately 3 days travel by foot from the ThunderCliffs’ tunnel entrance. This entrance is located near the Watchful Spider Tavern and leads the explorer through winding tunnels and caverns, and across precarious bridges spanning chasms and underground rivers. Traveling by horseback from the Watchful Spider, and taking a surface path, it is approximately a day’s travel in a west by northwest direction.

See the Map of ForgottenWorld:
(http://www.pmwdesigns.com/darktriad/maproom/map-002.html)

The city spreads across one huge cavern with several smaller satellite caverns connected to it by a complex maze of tunnels. These tunnels not only lead back towards the Watchful Spider, but also branch outward in all directions with many other uncharted surface exits.

Also see the Map of Chivenatok:
(http://www.pmwdesigns.com/darktriad/maproom/map-003.html)

The Spider’s Lair Tavern

The Spider’s Lair Tavern is located on the lower floor of the Chivenatok cavern. Nestled among several stalactites and stalagmites, with one large column as part of the central structure, the tavern is elegant and tasteful. A large natural waterfall is several yards west of the complex.

See the Chivenatok map for location:
(http://www.pmwdesigns.com/darktriad/maproom/map-003.html)

“Built by magic and muscle, quartz-laced rock shapes this structure with intricate patterns carved into the very stone. Incorporated into at least one column, and the surrounding stalagmites and stalactites, the workmanship is impressive.”

At this time, the Spider’s Lair map has only the first level completed. (http://www.pmwdesigns.com/darktriad/maproom/map-005.html)

Political Structure

Royal House

Chivenatok has one royal family that has worshipped the Spider Goddess, Aluroth, since its founding.  The Matriarch (or Queen) of this Noble House continues to reign as the favored ruler of the city.  Called the U'bel'cheylar (Royal House), this ruling House has an uneasy alliance with the City Council (It is the City Council that truly controls the city).

Only the U'bach'lar'te deyj'U'bel'cheylar (Ruling Matriarch of the Royal House) can order public executions, or summon a full council for administering "drow justice". The U'bel'cheylar is the only House exempt from the rule:  "Don't get caught".  The Royal House is also extremely high in Aluroth's favor, since this keeps Her influence strong within the city.

City Council

The City Council itself is comprised of 22 powerful darkelves, both male and female. These councilors are divided equally into 3 religious factions (7 members each with one faction holding the extra vote). These members are the true power within Chivenatok and they coexist in wary truce.

Every term (160 years) these factions go to the political and physical arena to battle for control of the city. This battle is called the Council Wars and begins the first day of the last month in the 160th term year. These wars last for 28 days whereupon the victor is pronounced Head of the City Council and a new term begins.  There is usually a marked increase in assassinations during the month before the Council Wars are declared. See the map of Chivenatok for location of the City Council Chambers.

Religious Factions

There are three powerful factions that hold power in Chivenatok. The city is in the first decade of a new term and the First Faction is still in control. The First Faction has had control of the city for the past 3 terms.  Each faction is ranked by number of worshippers to one of the three main deities within the city.  Those factions are as follows.

•	First Faction:	Aluroth is first with the largest population of followers.
•	Second Faction:	Durel Zax, second largest population of followers.
•	Third Faction:	Varrish Kar, third largest population of followers.

There is a fourth faction, but for safety they must hide their beliefs and usually live in fear of being caught and tortured before death is granted.  Or a fate worse than death. This faction follows the only good aligned goddess known to the dark elves:  Lyzaveth.  The worshippers of Lyzaveth have a small underground movement to help those that have a desire to escape from the evil powers.  This faction is suspected by the other three, but so far there has been no proof of such blasphemy by any one House or group within the city.

City Calendar

The city's calendar is simple.  For the year, the first digit indicates which faction is in power.  The second indicates how many terms that faction has been in power.  The last three digits indicate which year of the latest term the city is in.

(See diagram-01: http://www.pmwdesigns.com/darktriad/images/diagram-01.gif)

There are no seasons or months in the underground world where Chivenatok is located, so the passage of time is marked by the largest rock structure in the city.  This is a huge column (where a stalagmite and stalactite have grown together into one piece) and is called Aushnar.

Surrounding Aushnar are 12 obelisks, each with a different type of gem.  Each obelisk is studded with 5 rows of 6 gems each (30 total).  These gems are of the same type and quality and the obelisks are named for that particular gem.

Garnet	Ruby	
Amethyst	Onyx	
Aquamarine	Sapphire	
Diamond	Opal	
Emerald	Topaz	
Pearl	Turquoise	

Every 24 hours the highest-ranking mage of the School of Arcane Arts (or delegated assistant) must go to the base of Aushnar and cast the spell that creates heat within this structure.  He is also responsible for marking the passage of days.  Aushnar is in sync with midnight on the surface.  As the spell of heat begins to rise, this is marked as mid-night on the surface above.  The column begins to glow close to the base and this glow increases as it rises.  When the whole column is glowing, it is in sync with noon on the surface, or mid-day.  Then the heat begins to drop, until once again the spell must be cast.  The passage of days is a simple spell causing the appropriate gem on the appropriate obelisk to glow.  Each gem glows for 24 hours.

No matter what the surface dwellers use as a calendar, the date for Chivenatok goes by the glowing gem on the appropriate obelisk. IE: 17th gem of the Diamond Obelisk, 13005. The different obelisks go in the same order as the real world calendar (IE: Garnet=January).

The Acadamy

The Acadamy is where young noble born drow are sent during their early years for training.  This training lasts for one decade (ten years) of their lives and varies depending on what school the darkelf shows talent for.  Warrior's Arena is the fighter’s academy.  School of Arcane Arts is where the promising mages are taught... For the male darkelf that rebels against the restrictions of a matriarchal society, this can sometimes lead to a whole life within the School of Arcane Arts.  Aluroth's Temple is where the females train to become priestesses.  All three schools are mandatory attendance for particular training in key areas (The Arena teaches defense and warfare strategy, the School of Arcane Arts teaches reading, writing, and other such basics, and Aluroth's Temple teaches history as recorded by the priestesses.  Distorted true, but still history).

From the Drow of the Underdark source book: “...The Tier Breche consists of three branches, each with its own large structure. First and greatest is Arach-Tinilith, the spider-shaped school of Lloth. Second in importance and impressiveness is the gracefully-curving, many spired Academy of Wizardry, Sorcere. Last and plainest of the structures is pyramidal Melee-Magthere, where the male fighters are taught...”.

“...There is always a wild feast when wizards, fighters, and priestesses graduate from their decade-long training (during which they taste all three branches of drow expertise: wizardry, clerical teachings, and weapons training), involving the worship of Lloth and the summoning of denizens who serve her...”

(According to the R.A. Salvatore stories of the Drow, some females gained high priestess status when their training was complete.  For guild and role-play purposes, high priestess status will be a separate training process for full members role-playing female characters only.)

No student is allowed to leave the grounds of The Acadamy without express permission from The Acadamy Council.  If caught, punishment is severe and sometimes deadly.

The Acadamy consists of three branches or schools: Aluroth's Temple, the School of Arcane Arts, and the Warrior's Arena.  All students (called ch'pahtesh, plural, or ch'pahta, singular) must attend each of the three branches or schools for a certain period of time.  The age of these students ranges from 20-25 upon entry.  When they graduate, they are anywhere between 30-35 years old.  Still very young for a darkelf since they can live for several centuries, not just decades.  Of course, most die young if they are not constantly on their toes.  Death is usually by murder or battle, rather than old age for the average darkelf.

The Acadamy Positions

Mother-Superior (Delanah'te): Arch Priestess of Aluroth's Temple.
First Sorcerer (Unthea Indelahj): Headmaster of the School of Arcane Arts.
Battle Master (Ubajintar): Headmaster of the Warrior's Arena.
Councilor (ilbak'ahta): Any instructor or teacher at the Academy.
Student (Ch'pahta): Any apprentice, student, or applicant that is currently attending The Acadamy.

City Structure

Noble Houses

	Royal House (U'bel'cheylar):  Bael'taz
•	House Colors:  purple and gold
•	House Motto:  The spider that waits, eats well.
The Royal House entry is located on the lower platform to the eastern side of the cavern. The compound proper is in its own cave on the Royal Plateau (U'bahn B'nelan) just north of The Acadamy complex. See the map of Chivenatok.

Upper Noble Houses (El'cheylar, El'cheylaresh)

There are 20 Noble Houses total. The top seven Matrons (Houses) plus the Queen (Royal House) make up the City Council’s First Faction.  There are 12 other Houses ranked beneath these. The Noble houses are placed randomly about the Upper Plateau (Chey B'nelan) of the cavern.  All Noble houses profess to worship Aluroth.  Those within each house may worship one of the other deities, but would keep such worship deep in hiding.

Royal House:	Bael’taz	10th House:	Dir'Xoli	
1st House:	Zaeriil	11th House:	Vel-Seruuz	
2nd House:	Bixzra	12th House:	Und'tliir	
3rd House:	Auz'lyn	13th House:	Zunet'tor	
4th House:	Yxi’lar	14th House:	Kil'an-Sekar	
5th House:	Xul'iaren	15th House:	Menzit'larn	
6th House:	Do'Quariil	16th House:	Aldor'elg	
7th House:	Tuulat'tar	17thHouse:	Araz'Baniir	
8th House:	Kentiir'duiz	18th House:	Zevlauryn	
9th House:	Tlaz'athar	19th House:	Li'iroleil	

Lesser Noble Houses

(44 lesser houses, ranking 20th to 63rd). The main river divides the Upper Plateau into a North and South section. It is the Northern section where the Lesser Nobility live. The Lesser Nobility consists of 44 houses placed at random throughout this northern section of Chey B'nelan. Approximately two thirds of these lesser houses worship one of the other deities. The Houses are listed below in order of ranking:

20: Dalyn’tilar	31: Kenufahn	42: Wu’zha’in	53: Szuular’en	
21: Chu’zahn	32: Viirat’tlin	43: Xer’uund	54: Ta’k Dazin	
22: Elzuuln	33: Claddath	44: Szer’ett	55: Te’klindez	
23: Mah’zuuret	34: Melaerz	45: Despana	56: Drizad’akh	
24: Tlu’undez	35: Zu’naret	46: Naez’chux	57: Freth	
25: Kelsin’kaht	36: Helviiryn	47: Eilserus	58: K’hanzret	
26: Fey-Brunzhe	37: Ghe’ixu	48: An’iraz	59: Aribaznu	
27: Hlaund’ir	38: Kul’naht	49: Hun’ett	60: Aleval	
28: Lylariz	39: Auvyndar	50: Zleh’grax	61: Noquar	
29: Xo’urzin	40: Zor’nuul	51: Eurizahn	62: Ousstyl	
30: Fahz’rett	41: Yr’tluul	52: Pho’aerzin	63: Tor’uul’tor	

Merchant Houses

Merchant houses are typically run by male darkelves and worship one of the other deities rather than Aluroth.  The Merchant houses in Chivenatok though, are well balanced between the 3 deities. Several have Matrons in power as well.  (There is the strong possibility that one or two Merchant houses secretly worship Lyzaveth).

Merchant Guild Mistress/Master (unknown)

There are 7 Houses that are also the leaders of several Merchant Guilds, ranking just beneath the lesser nobles.  IE: The Slaver’s Guild is run by the highest ranking Merchant House (64). Ranking is 64 through 70.
		
Merchants (unknown): There are 17 houses ranking beneath the Merchant Guild Houses.  House ranking is from 71 to 87.

64	69	74	79	84	
65	70	75	80	85	
66	71	76	81	86	
67	72	77	82	87	
68	73	78	83		

Merchant Guild Council (MGC)

The first seven Merchant Houses (or Clans) comprise the MGC. The MGC is responsible for all business transactions or trade agreements that affect the whole city.  Anger a member of this council at your own risk, for their transactions are the lifeblood of the city’s prosperity.
Common Houses

There are anywhere between 30 to 100 houses remaining that comprise the rest of the city, including businesses and establishments necessary for the economy.

City Ranking (In Character, from highest to lowest)

•	The Goddess, Aluroth (Uch'iote): NPC Only
•	The Queen (U'bach'lar'te): NPC Only
•	Matriarch of the First House (Unthea Dahna'te): NPC Only
•	Other Matrons (Dahna'te/Dahna'tesh): PC/NPC (Female PCs must work towards this position.  Until then, this rank is strictly NPC)

Equal Rank, Females Only (Female PCs must work towards the following positions.  Until then, these ranks are strictly NPC)
•	Mother-Superior (Delanah'te): PC/NPC (Headmistress of Aluroth's Temple)
•	Royal Seeress (unknown): PC/NPC
•	High Priestess (Dela'te'chi): PC/NPC (The rank of High Priestess must be attained by returning to Aluroth's Temple for intensive training first).
•	Priestess (Te'chi'okin): PC/NPC  (This rank is granted to a female upon graduation from Aluroth's Temple)

Equal Rank, Female or Male (Remember that females always outrank the males. This is the same principle as the military where officers always outrank enlisted.  Try to keep in mind the difference between a lieutenant and a master sergeant though).
•	Warrior (Sargtlin): Both males and females may be warriors, and can rise to higher ranking within the warrior structure of a house, guild, or the city.  Sargtlin rank is granted upon graduation from the Warrior's Arena.
•	Mage (Faern):  Both males and females may become mages, but female mages are EXTREMELY rare.  As with the warrior, a mage can rise to a higher ranking within a house, guild, or the city.  The rank of Faern is granted upon graduation from the School of Arcane Arts.
•	Assassin (Velg'larn):  Both males and females may become an assassin.  Rising in the ranks of this class is usually well respected for obvious reasons.  The assassin is granted the rank of Velg'larn by the Matron of his house.  Until then he is considered a Sargtlin.
•	Thief (Olplyn):  A thief is generally not called a thief unless caught.  So the rank for such characters would be Sargtlin.

Daughters (Dalharil-singular Dalharilen-plural) and other females that hold positions of authority are ranked at the whim of the Matron Mother for their house.  Their ranking is based on the Matron's favor. The first daughter of one house has no authority over any female of another house other than her favor in Lloth's eyes (ie: high priestess over priestess, priestess over warrior, etc).

Non-Drow Residents (NDR)

The majority of NDR's arrive from outside of the city. Those that are born within the city are typically slaves, though a few free resident non-drow may have offspring such characters are always NPCs.  The most common way for any non-drow to enter the city is by merchant caravan or drow patrol.
Should a drow patrol bring in a non-drow character, the NDR will normally end up in the city's slave pens and sold or traded to the highest bidder.  Those slaves not selected end up assigned to the mushroom fields, the fighting pits, or the city cleaning crews.
The other way to arrive is by merchant caravan. Merchant caravans are constantly arriving and departing with drow and non-drow , slave and non-slave alike. Merchant caravans arrive and depart from a large compound in the public square near Aushnar. This compound is called Ellar del Colbalth (House of Paths) and is run by the Merchant Guilds Council (MGC).  (See the Merchant Houses section above.)