Lolth

Lolth: The Spider Queen, Queen of Spiders, Demon Queen of Spiders, Demon Queen of the Abyss, Queen of the Demonweb Pits, Weaver of Chaos, the Hunted, the Mother of Lusts, Dark Mother of All Drow, Lady of Spiders

Symbol: Black spider with female drow head (at bottom of figure) or black cloak and short sword (Zinzerena aspect)
Home Plane: The Demonweb Pits (Lolth’s Fortress)
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Portfolio: Assassins, Chaos, Darkness, Drow, Evil, Spiders
Domains: Chaos, Drow, Evil, Darkness, Destruction, Spider, Trickery
Worshipers: Aranea, Assassins, Chitines, Driders, Drow, Depraved Elves, Sentient Spiders
Aliases: Araushnee, Lloth, Megwandir, Moander, Zinzerena
Cleric Alignments: CN, NE, CE
Favored Weapon: A Spider (Dagger)

History/Relationships: Lolth (Pronounced Loth) is the primary patron of the Drow race and architect of Drow society. She is directly responsible for the customs, laws, and survival of most Drow communities, as well as the very nature of the Drow themselves. The Spider Queen, as she is most commonly known as, maintains her absolute hold over Drow society by means of her clergy, who unwaveringly seek out and destroy all traces of dissent, disobedience, and sacrilege, as well as rival faiths. The Spider Queen foments unending chaos in Drow society, setting different factions against each other, so that the Drow are eternally at war with each other. Lolth does this for her own amusement, as well as to prevent complacency, runaway pride or rival deities from asserting themselves in Drow society.

Lolth is cruel, capricious, and is thought by many to be insane. She delights in setting her worshipers against each other, so that only the strongest, most devious, most cruel Drow survive to serve her. Supposedly, Lolth roams the Realms often, appearing in answer to the rituals of Drow priestess’, working whatever harm she can to the enemies of the Drow, and furthering her own agenda. The Spider Queen secretly wants to be worshiped by the Humans, Elves, and other races of the Realms, and sometimes journeys into their communities, whispering of the powers that Lolth can bring. She is malicious in her dealings, and coldly vicious in a fight. She enjoys personally dealing and causing death, destruction, and painful torture. Even more, Lolth enjoys corrupting Elves and Humans to her service- but especially Elves, the sons and daughters of her enemy, Corellon Larethian. Lolth can be kind, and can render aid to those she fancies, but she really cares only for herself. Her favor and aid can never be relied on, and at best, is fleeting.

Long ago, Lolth was once Araushnee, a lesser power of the Seldarine. She was the consort of Corellon Larethian, and was given the stewardship of artisans, Elven destiny, and the Dark Elves who shared her dusky features. Araushnee even bore Corellon Larethian two children- the twin deities Eilistraee and Vhaeraun. Though she kept it well hidden from the rest of the Seldarine, Araushnee eventually came to resent Corellon Larethian. This simmering resent would eventually become a deep-rooted hatred, and this hatred would eventually boil over.

Araushnee eventually came to the conclusion that she should rule the Seldarine, and not Corellon Larethian. First, she secretly aided Gruumsh, leader of the Orc Pantheon, and rival of Corellon Larethian, by weaving a scabbard for Corellon Larethian that restricted the use of his fabled longsword, Sanhedrin. When that plot failed, she conspired with Malar to attack a weakened Corellon Larethian. When both schemes failed, Araushnee conspired with a host of fell deities for an all out assault on Arvandor. Shortly after the battle against the Anti-Seldarine had ended, Araushnee’s treachery was revealed. The Seldarine unanimously condemned Araushnee to be exiled, and Corellon Larethian stripped her of her divinity, turned her into a bloated, spider-like Tanar’ri, and cast her into the Abyss.

Now an Abyssal Lord, Araushnee assumed the name ‘Lolth’, for unknown reasons, and conquered the 66th Layer of the Abyss, establishing her own realm. In doing so, she also subjugated Kiaransalee and Ghaunadaur, establishing the current incarnation of the Dark Seldarine. For an untold passage of time, Lolth dreamed about regaining her lost divinity, and striking back at Corellon Larethian. It wasn’t until the Elven heroine Kethryllia Amarillis ventured into the Abyss to save her lover that Lolth actually began to do so. Lolth observed Kethryllia return to Faerûn, and decided that Lolth would get her revenge by subverting and corrupting Corellon Larethian’s own children, first in Faerûn, and then across the entire Multiverse.

She first turned her attention to the city of Atorrnash, home of the cruel and merciless Dark Elves- as well as her rivals Ghaunadaur and Vhaeraun. Lolth began courting the populace of Atorrnash, including a physical relationship with the city’s leader, Ka’Narlist. All of the progress she made, however, was literally swept away as the Sundering destroyed Atorrnash, and most of the Dark Elven populace. Sensing the opportunity to make inroads, Lolth secretly began aiding the Dark Elven survivors who elected to rebuild their crumbled city, and remain independent, rather than assimilate into another Elven cities. Thousands of years would pass before she actually revealed herself to House Ilythiir, the leaders of the Dark Elven survivors.

Dark Elf society would soon find itself fully enmeshed in the webs that Lolth spun. The Crown Wars would begin, and Dark Elves would forever find themselves at odds with the rest of mainstream Elven society. The extent in which Lolth weaved the destiny of the Dark Elves culminated in the Descent of the Drow. Now a cursed people, the Dark Elves would forever more seek revenge, and to do so, would turn primarily to Lolth.

In the centuries since the Crown Wars, and the Descent of the Drow, Lolth's followers continued to spread throughout the Underdark. While the other powers of the Underdark contested her rule, the Spider Queen's dominion over the Drow of the Underdark continues to expand, albeit more slowly than before.

Always the schemer, Lolth has subsumed the worship of two other deities since the end of the Time of Troubles- Zinzerena and Moander. During the Time of Troubles, Lolth slew Zinzerena, a minor deity of chaos and assassins from another Crystal Sphere, and assumed her alias. After the Godswar was over, Lolth began spreading rumors of a new rogue goddess, Zinzerena, to increase her power by gaining the worship of those who were already disenfranchised with Lolth. Lolth also assumed the alias of Moander, after he was slain by Finder Wyvernspur. This has established Lolth as a deity of the Lands of Light, albeit by a different name, much to the dismay of the Seldarine, and all other benevolent deities. Lolth finds it particularly amusing when Elves and Half-Elves prey to her and receive spells from her, thinking they are praying and receiving spells from Moander, the corrupter.

In 1371 DR, Lolth, attacked Evermeet, the sacred island of the Elves. Allied with Malar, and Kymil Nimesin, she almost succeeded. However, the evil that she brought to Evermeet was turned aside thanks to the grace of the Seldarine, and the power of our queen, Amlauril.

In the latter part of DR 1372, the Year of the Unstrung Harp, Lolth suddenly and inexplicitly went silent. She stopped answering prayers, all divinations pertaining to the Spider Queen failed, and all Drow cities were plunged into even more chaos, if that is possible. A group from Menzoberranzan traveled to the Abyss, only to discover Lolth had somehow become petrified. Vhaeraun, at this time, attempted to destroy his mother once and for all, but Lolth had apparently foreseen this, and had charged Selvetarm with protecting her. The two deities fought to a standstill, but in the end, Vhaeraun was not able to destroy Lolth.

His sister, Eilistraee would shortly attempt to destroy Lolth as well. She charged one of her followers, Halisstra Melarn, with finding and wielding the Crescent Blade, which supposedly had the power to kill Lolth. The power of the blade would not have time to be tested, however, as Lolth woke from her slumber as Halisstra, Quenthel Baenre and the battle-captive Danifae Yauntyrr reached her prone form. She absorbed Danifae, her Yor’thae, ending her metamorphosis. She corrupted Halisstra into a Drider-like creature, to serve as Lolth’s personal enforcer and assassin, the Lady Penitent. Lolth, demonstrating powers that she had never in the past had, literally ripped the Demonweb Pits from the Abyss, and established a brand new plane.

Theologians speculate that Lolth somehow increased her own divine power. The most common model of thought is that of an insect. Certain insects lay multiple eggs, which all hatch at the same time. These infant insects are born with a voracious appetite, and eat everything they possible can, including the mother that laid them, and as many brothers and sisters as possible. The remaining insects are the strongest of the group, and have the most nutrition and power. Theologians speculate that Lolth might have done just this- sacrificed herself in order to be reborn even more powerful. Although the Spider Queen detests all the members of the Seldarine, Lolth reserves her deepest hatred for her former lover, Corellon Larethian, who banished her to the Abyss and stripped her of her original divinity. The Spider Queen also particularly despises Sehanine Moonbow, for her part in foiling Lolth's bid to replace Corellon as head of the Seldarine. The Spider Queen has also vowed vengeance against Fenmarel Mestarine, who spurned her advances, after initially falling for her seductions.

Lolth’s other enemies include Blibdoolpoolp, Deep Duerra, Diinkarazan, Diirinka, her own daughter, Eilistraee, Ghaunadaur, Gruumsh, Gzemnid, Ibrandul, who perished during the Time of Troubles, Ilsensine, Ilxendren, Kiaransalee, Laduguer, Laogzed, Maanzecorian, who has since perished, Moander, who was killed during the Time of Troubles, Psilofyr, The Blood Queen, The Great Mother, and her own son, Vhaeraun.

Like any evil tyrant, Lolth has few actual allies. As a Cormyran prince once said, “It is better to be feared, than to be loved”. Many other powers fear Lolth, and cooperate with her, but all of those same powers would love to see Lolth destroyed. Her actual allies can all be counted on an Illithid’s hand, and include Loviatar, Malar and Selvetarm.

During the Time of Troubles, Lolth’s avatar appeared in the city of Menzoberranzan. Already an orthodox city, her appearance in the city was taken as a sign that the entire city had her favor, and the city became even more conservative than it already had been.

Before Lolth removed the Demonweb Pits from the Abyss, she can be found in her mobile fortress, simply known as the Spider Fortress of Lolth. Shaped like a giant spider made of some sort of mysterious gray metal, the fortress was mobile, and was continually prowling the great web that makes up the Demonweb Pits. Since then, Lolth’s plane has changed to become similar to a blasted desert landscape, with a giant ziggurat in the center serving as Lolth’s home. Her mobile spider-shaped fortress still exists, however.

Dogma: Fear is as strong as steel, while love and respect are soft, useless feelings that none can lean on. All Drow who do not worship Lolth must be converted or destroyed. All weak and rebellious Drow must be weeded out. All who impugn the faith must perish. Males or slaves of other races who act independently of Lolth's dictates must be sacrificed to Lolth. Those of the faithful whose loyalty is weak must be eliminated. Children are to be raised as loyal worshipers of Lolth, and each family should produce at least one Cleric to serve the Spider Queen better than his or her parents. Arachnids of all sorts are to be revered, and anyone who mistreats or kills a spider must die.

Avatar/Manifestations: Lolth commonly appears as a giant black widow spider with glowing, crimson eyes. Other times, she appears in the form of an exquisitely beautiful female Drow. In this form, she often clothes herself entirely in living, wriggling spiders. Other times, she appears wearing Drow chain mail, styled into an artful dress or tunic. The Spider Queen can also combine the two forms, appearing as a giant spider, with the head of a beautiful Drow woman. This was the form in which she was usually found in the Abyss, and it was thought to be her true form.

Since awakening from her Silence, Lolth exists simultaneously as seven huge black widow spiders, and one female tauric spider. This final aspect seems to be the mouthpiece of Lolth. The Drow torso sitting upon the body of a black widow spider is that of Danifae Yauntyrr, a beautifully seductive Drow woman.

Lolth rarely aids her worshipers directly, by dispatching an avatar. Instead, she prefers to watch and enjoy their suffering, their ecstasy, their triumphs and their failures. When she wishes to make it known that she is watching a worshiper, she causes a pair of smirking lips to appear on a near-by spider, along with Faerie Fire to draw attention to the spider. If no spiders are present, she creates a spider shaped outline of shadow. In very rare circumstances, she aids her worshipper directly, imbuing them with power that manifests as a black and mauve radiance around the worshiper.

Lolth shows her favor by leading her faithful to discover arachnids encased in amber, black sapphires, datchas, and webstone. She shows her displeasure by causing items of value to the individual to shatter into eight pieces of roughly equal size.

To those who have lost her favor, or are enemies of the Drow, Lolth commonly manifests as soft, cruel laughter from a husky female throat. The weak are affected by this the most (2 HD or less), and are stricken with an uncontrollable urgency to flee from the laughter. Those who are strong willed (3 HD or more) are able to control themselves, but are left shaken.

Agents/Petitioners: Lolth is primarily served by Yochlol and Myrlochar. She is also served by Abyss Ants, Aranea, Bebiliths, Brambles, Chitines, Cildabrin, Darkweavers, Deep Dragons, Drow, Driders, fallen and corrupted Eladrin, Ettercaps, Greelox, Kalin, Living Webs, Pedipalpi, Quasits, Retrievers, Shadowdrakes, Solifugids , Spiders, Spiderstone Golems, Tanar'ri, Red Widows, Wall Walkers, Webbirds, Web Golems and Werespiders.

Lolth has empowered two mortals on Faerûn to serve as her Chosen. Her first Chosen was Liriel Baenre, the daughter of Gromph Baenre, the Archmage of House Baenre, the first house of Menzoberranzan. Though at one point Liriel was a devout Lolthite, she has since forsaken Lolth. Since doing so, Liriel has demonstrated none of the special abilities granted to her by Lolth. Whether or not Lolth stripped Liriel of these powers, or if Liriel simply chooses not to use them, is unknown.

Lolth’s second Chosen, or Yor’thae, was Danifae Yauntyrr. When Lolth went silent, she secretly invested a portion of her divine power in the battle-captive. When Danifae arrive in Lolth’s temple in the Demonweb Pits, the incomplete, but awakened deity absorbed the divine power within Danifae, and Danifae in the process.

Another one of Lolth’s special agents is the Lady Penitent. The Lady Penitent was, in life, Halisstra Melarn. After being reborn, Lolth punished Halisstra by transforming her into the Lady Penitent, a wraith-like spider-creature that unwaveringly serves Lolth.

The Church of Lolth: The Church of Lolth is known through the Underdark and the surface world. It is synonymous with Drow, in general, because of the extent of the influence Lolth has on Drow society. Indeed, Lolth is the single most important entity to all Drow, being as she shaped mainstream Drow society into what it is today.

Lolth is feared, respected, and even hated by her own priests and priestess’. They covet the power that she provides them, and only venerate her because of this power. In other words, her own clergy simply venerates her out of lust for power, and not because of any kind of affection, loyalty, or principle. Lolth wouldn’t have it any other way.

The typical Drow city has multiple temples dedicated to Lolth. Most noble houses have one or more temples for the family’s own personal use. Most Lolthite cities have at least one “public” temple, where the common folk can pay homage to the Spider Queen, as well as areas to conduct large, public gatherings. Most Lolthite cities also have a larger, Grand Temple of Lolth, that serves as the center of governance, as well as a training ground for new priests and priestess’.

The titles of Lolth’s clergy vary from city to city. Because the Temple City of Guallidurth is the “center” of Lolthite activity, many cities simply follow their system. Collectively, the clergy of Lolth are known as ‘Yorn’Yathrins’. High Ranking priests and priestess’ are called ‘Yathtallars’. In ascending order, titles include Noamutha, Khalessa, Kyorla, Alura, Quartha, Talintha, Elamshina, Arachne, and Xundusa.

The overwhelming majority of Lolth’s clergy are Drow. A smaller number of priestess’ are Chitines, and an even smaller number are Elves, Half-Elves and Humans who believe they are venerating Moander. The overwhelming majority of her church is composed of females. Very few males are allowed to be consecrated into the service of Lolth, and of them, none are allowed to progress very far, and gain power and prestige.

Day-to-Day Activities: Lolth's priestess’ are the rulers, law enforcement agents, judges, juries, and executioners of Drow society. They wield power daily, and most do so in a manner keeping with Lolth’s own cruel and capricious nature. Priestess’ of Lolth strive to act as Lolth wishes them, and to force- often brutally- their fellow Drow to do so as well. The ultimate aim of every priestess is to gain, and remain in the favor of Lolth.

The spirits of priestess’ who die in Lolth’s favor are believed to go to the Demonweb Pits, where they become Yochlol, or other servant creatures. Those who die in Lolth's disfavor are believed to pass into torment on another plane of existence, perhaps to someday return to the Realms as a snake or spider. On this matter, Drow beliefs are confused, and often change with time and location.

The duties of a good priestess are to do whatever is necessary to gain and to keep the Spider Queen's favor. Although treachery and cruelty are often rewarded, Lolth does not look kindly on those who let personal grudges and revenge bring defeat or shame to their house, clan, city, or race. Because Lolth is a fickle deity, not even Lolth’s most senior and accomplished priestess’ can predict how she will interpret any given action.

Holy Days/Important Ceremonies: Lolth demands total submission in prayer, in addition to regular offerings from her priestess’. Ceremonies involving the sacrifice of surface Elves are performed on monthly intervals, during nights of the full moon, as deliberate affronts to Sehanine Moonbow, one of Lolth's most hated enemies. Lolth’s rituals are customarily practiced in female only company, in a sacred room or area. Rituals requiring extraordinary power or a public display may be celebrated in the open, and in all sorts of mixed company.

When Lolth's aid and blessings are wanted, sacrifices must be made. These sacrifices are traditionally other Drow faithful, and/or captured foes. Their blood is spilled with a special, ceremonial spider-shaped dagger, whose eight descending legs meet at a razor sharp point. In other cases, gems and other precious objects may be burned in braziers, as prayers of offering and supplication are chanted. In large, important rituals, priestess’ customarily light eight braziers, in homage to Lolth. The flames are supposed to represent her eight legs. Though the flames burn and sting the eyes of the Drow, since most of whom are unaccustomed to light, the priestess’ take the pain willingly. In their minds, the pain signifies that which they are willing to do for Lolth.

All unholy ceremonies involve the burning of precious oils and incense, live offerings, gemstones, and riches of all other sorts. These items are customarily placed in bowl-shaped depressions on the altar. These offerings are always consumed in black-and-red flames, at some point in the ritual. If Lolth is particularly displeased, the black-and-red flames that leap from the braziers to consume the offerings may also arc to consume other valuables present, such as magical items, jewelry, and clothing. Sometimes, the flames leap up to consume an entire priestess.

Lolth only allows herself to be contacted when it pleases her to do so. Otherwise, Lolth's servant Yochlols are reached during communions, summonings, and the like.

Major Centers of Worship: Because Lolth has such a hold in Drow society, nearly every Drow settlement has at least a moderately sized temple dedicated to the Spider Queen. Because the favor of Lolth is perceived to be so important in Drow society, nearly every house in nearly every city has it’s own temple dedicated to Lolth. Because of competition, each house tries to out do every other, by making their temple the “grandest”. In most cases, the first house of each Drow city has the “grandest” temple.

Far below the deserts of Calimshan, and the southern tunnels of Deep Shanatar, lies Guallidurth, known as the Temple City of Lolth. The Matron Mothers of twenty-one noble Houses sit on the ruling Council of this city, each one representing one or more sect, cult, or faction of the Spider Queen's church. One measure of a sect's relative influence is the magnificence of the house of worship it can afford to construct. As a result, Guallidurth contains hundreds, if not thousands, of temples, all dedicated to Lolth, ranging in size from simple shrines to modest chapels to grand cathedrals. Members of particular cults in cities other than Guallidurth often make pilgrimages to the Temple City of Lolth to see the magnificence of their sect’s temple.

Affiliated Orders: The Militant Myrlochar, also known as the Order of Soul Spiders, is an elite, militaristic order, composed solely of males, this is found in the few Drow cities where Lolth is revered, and males are permitted to enter her priesthood. The Militant Myrlochar directly serve the ruling Matron Mothers of the city they are based in, tirelessly hunting any creature designated as their enemy. Death is the most common fate of those being hunted by the Order of Soul Spiders.

The Handmaidens of the Spider Queen is an order of female warriors, with no permanent ties to any particular city. Also known as the Daughters of the Yochlol, the Handmaidens serve as instruments of Lolth's will, especially in times when the Spider Queen needs to make an impressive show of force. At least three times in recorded Drow history, the Handmaidens of the Spider Queen have assaulted and destroyed entire Drow cities. When not crusading for the Lolth, the Handmaidens work in small companies scattered throughout the Underdark. They commonly harass merchant trains that look to Vhaeraun for protection, protect the trading routes of Lolth-fearing Drow cities, and conducting hit and run raids on cities ruled by clergy of other Drow deities.

Some Drow in the Realms have even embraced offshoots of the major faiths, following charismatic leaders who claim to be more than what they appear. The only such cult that is known to still be active is the “She-Spider Cult”, a Thayan-based sect of Lolthites and Sharrans that link the worship of Shar and Lolth. Opposed in the end by both goddesses, the Cult enjoyed initial success as a secret society, operating slaving and drug running operations in Mulhorand, Unther, and southern Thay. The Cult eventually degenerated into a criminal gang without divine support, though they fake rituals to thrill worshipers, and make sacrifices to the She-Spider, to eliminate political foes and enemies.

Priestly Vestments: When taking part in Lolth’s unholy rituals, priestess’ eschew clothing, of wear see-though, silk robes of black, deep red, or deep purple. In some cities, ornate helms made to resemble writhing spiders are worn, while in others cities, heads are always left uncovered. The jewelry worn by the Spider Queen's priestess’ almost always consists of spider medallions, and other spider designs, all made of platinum. The holy symbol of the faith is a platinum disk at least 3 inches in diameter with an embossed depiction on both of it’s sides, in jet black enamel, of a black widow spider or a platinum spider, on a platinum, or mithral chain necklace.

Adventuring Garb: Lolth's clergy favor enchanted Drow chain mail. Typically, such armor is enchanted to enhance the defense of the wearer. Some priestess’ also carry adamantite bucklers with similar magical enhancements. Priestess’ of the Spider Queen typically their signature snake-headed whips, and less often, adamantite maces. Followers of Zinzarena wield adamantite short swords and long daggers. Like all other Drow, Lolth’s faithful also employ Drow hand crossbows, to devastating effect.