The Stratum Riots

Revolution

Yvalon, a drow worker in the Underdark city beneath the Elven Confederation's capitol of Fey Gate, sparked a demonstration that turned into a week long riot of the Stratum. His message was one of equalization between the high elves on the surface and the night elves in the Underdark. It was a message that resonated with many of the night elves under the high elven rule in their own home. While, it was something that many felt struck a chord in thier beliefs, Yvalon's actions escalated from petty theft and demonstrations to the murder of a council member, a crime which sealed his fate. After the murder, the high elf command sent in the military to quench the riot and capture Yvalon. In order to save face, the ruling council could not let his actions go unpunished, but he was still greatly admired by the working drow of the Stratum and his death might have caused further unrest.
In the end, they chose to grant Yvalon the option between execution or exile from the Stratum. He chose the latter and left the Underdark for the surface, a place unwelcome and openly hostile to those of his heritage. The Stratum went through a drastic change in the wake of Yvalon's exile. The high elf leadership, in an effort to prevent another rampage, decided to place influential drow on the Stratum council. It has grown into a sprawling trade stop for those venturing into the depths of the Underdark.