The Descent is the story of a Republic that goes from liberal to authoritarian as its Premier rewrites its Constitution, one bizarre code at a time. He bans grapes and metaphors, turns days into nights, lays out rules for how to part one's hair and even takes away everyone's mirrors in the end. It would all be very absurd if it weren't real for the Subjects who have to live these new codes. By the time they realise what the Premier is up to, it is too late. Or is it?