As time went on, unrest increased. Food was plentiful and at its cheapest in generations. Kalron, using wealth reinvested and reinvested again from an age of trading, decided that now was the time to return to power. Most of the free citizens went on strike at their urging. In a day, the city's grain was bought by Kalron and sold at extortionate rates to those not working with them. Coinciding with this, the Kalron-controlled merchants - virtually all of important ones - temporarily closed their shops to non-striking workers. Furthermore, Nedici was bribed to cease river trade and reduce fishing to minimum levels. Xeniice ground to a halt. The military still in the city was unable to do anything against the combined threats to torch the entirety of the stored grain and scuttle the fishing boats (The Nedici wouldn't have carried through, but held to the bluff).
It was over in a week. The council had called for an emergency session to decide upon the future of Xeniice's government, and all voices were given absolute power to recreate the government - the week of thus-far fruitless debates could not continue. In an unprecedented move, Nedici bribed the other voices with enough wealth for thirty lifetimes each, and promised them sanctuary as the local governor-council (Power strictly limited to what was allowed by Nedici) of the soon-to-be-built colony.
The council was changed to two voices per family, with two voices for Kalron and one for the Free Citizens added. Vlorith of Nedici was crowned duke. He made the decisions, but the council could veto his decisions with a 7/11ths majority. At 9/11ths, they could remove him from office and vote in a new duke. The old duke remained in office until the new duke was elected, and the council had one month to reach a decision with a 5/11ths majority vote. Finally, the council voted to fix the prices of food in the future as their last act.
The new duke promised to continue expanding Xeniician power abroad. As violence had proven largely ineffective and unprofitable in the past, more diplomatic methods would be tried first. Should the dark giants continue to be aggressive, despite their best efforts, then beating them into submission would again be attempted. Xeniice would gain power by exploring, trading, founding colonies, and having a large military to defend said colonies. There was much rejoicing amongst the Free Citizens, Kalron, and Nedici. Arlenth, Lozanth, and Azuri were less then pleased, but were swayed with promises of new wealth for Xeniice, and accepted it as he could be voted out.
Faction Changes:
Nedici - Now the ruling family of Xeniice. They continue their goals of naval dominance and external influence.
Kalron - After much hard work, they once again have power. They shall continue gaining wealth via any means necessary.
Azuri - Though slightly annoyed at their relative loss of power, they continue their goals of deciphering the secrets of the spirits. With their supplies of Springwater Pearls, they are sure that improved communications with the spirits is possible. Additionally, their settlers from Lake Tranquil reported that the spirits were either dormant or non-existent in the area before their arrival, but are now nearly as prevalent as those in Xeniice.
Arlenth - Their craftsgnomeship may have failed them in the past, but they refuse to give up.
Lozanth - They seek to use the methods Galthor has carefully studied to reduce the need for physical labor.
The Bards remain largely unchanged.
The minor families, long-since powerless, have faded greatly. There is now little difference between them and Free Citizens.
The Free Citizens have scattered, loose coalitions, which each send representatives to meetings of a larger coalition. From this, a new voice is voted on (Or the old one kept) every year.
The Engineers, disciples of Galthor, now form a small faction. Contracted with designing expansions to the city, they possess a great deal of influence relative to their small size.