The 'Shadow Years' as they are known in the city are a short period in Rallu's history
from BCCC 4220 - 4230 that most of its citizen's are loath to recall. In 4220
the wildly unpopular King
Forgon the Foolish was assassinated by followers of
Harmakhis, an act which ushered in a period of chaos for
the city. Forgon's son
Amgon was still a young boy and the royal advisors were
not certain that the populace was of a mood to accept him as king. Instead he was spirited
out of the city (some say with the help of the followers of
Natch Ur, who were not at that time one of the city's major
religions). Instead they appointed a regent, Lord Finron, who although a capable administrator
was unfortunately a cousin of Forgon.
Lord Finron was unable to establish his authority and although he had the backing
of the Temple of
Poseidon its pre-eminence had been damaged by its public
support for Forgon (it was said that privately the high priest was well aware of the King's
deficiencies and advised against many of his policies). The Temple of
Harmakhis used its surging popularity to takeover the mines
of Cordoom and
even persuaded some of the captains of the fleet to their cause. Not wishing to lose
out in terms of power and revenue some of the other temples persuaded other captains that
their patronage would be advantageous. Lord Finron called a Council and agreed to
acknowledge the status quo 'until the King returns'. Many doubted that this would ever
happen and the Council would rarely agree on any matters of importance. The factions would
then go their own ways and it soon became clear that the Temple of Harmakhis
was encouraging its captains in piracy.
With in the no central command in the navy the War with Tula drifted on inconclusively
and as the years wore on many of the populace began to murmur that the situation in
the city had become worse than under Forgon. Lord Finron gradually forged a coalition that
wished to curb the influence of the Temple of Harmakhis and favoured the return of Amgon.
An earrthquake which closed a large section of the mines of Cordoom reminded the city of the
power of Poiseidon as did the loss of vessels that did not go under his protection. In 4230
Amgon returned to the city and won a brief but bloody civil war. The Temple of Harmarkhis was
raided and proof of their infamy and plotting was revealed. In order to secure suppory for
Amgon, however, Lord Finron had to make many concessions to the other factions and
the position of the King was somewhat weakened.