Into Erelhei-Cinlu - City of the Drow 3/26/2024

General Summary

A Neothelid is one of the enemies encountered in the sewers beneith Erelhei-Cinlu

A short rest upon arriving at the Safe House in the Drow city of Erelhei-Cinlu. The party is in regular disguise as Drow due to Sterling Clawspark 's illusion magic

The Words of Vantholoth, Drider

My esteemed allies, I stand before you, I, Vantholth, I, who was valiant at The Battle of Arachn'dur'shul, I who survived the transition that only the strong can survive, I who strike fear into my enemies, a Drider who has chosen the path of alliance with you. In our quest against the forces that threaten our realm, we are bound by a common purpose, a common enemy, and a shared determination to see our world free from the grasp of darkness.
Within these very walls of this city, our mission is clear and urgent. We find ourselves in a safe house, a sanctuary amidst the shadows, known as Imnan Manor in your common tongue. From here, we must embark on a perilous journey to gather vital intelligence that could sway the tides of fate in our favor.
My comrades, time is of the essence. We stand on the precipice of a dire event—the summoning of Lolth herself, the Spider Queen, in a ritual scheduled for a mere day hence. Our task is twofold: to uncover the precise location of this ritual and to unearth the intricate steps that shall bring forth this dark deity.
But let us not forget the captives, our brethren and allies both Drider, and "Vel'kyn Usstan", forgive me, that means "surface spawn" It is what we call your people, but I mean no disrespect. , Held within the dank dungeons of the city. We must ascertain their whereabouts, for they hold within them the hope and knowledge we so desperately seek.
Nearby, a male is to face execution, a mere pawn in the game of power played by the matron of his House, and set to be killed as she has grown tired of him. Such occurrences are common, but here lies opportunity. We might rescue this male, extract from him any information he possesses, willingly or otherwise, for every piece of knowledge is a weapon against our foes.

I also present to you a few ideas I have that can be completed withing the short time we have that might give us the information we need to thwart the ritual, each adds another vital thread in the tapestry of our endeavor:
Firstly, the infiltration of the Noble Houses. Disguise yourselves as Drow nobles or servants, for within their halls lie secrets that could turn the tide in our favor.
Secondly, venture into the Temple District, where the followers of Lolth prepare for the ritual. Eavesdrop on their conversations, observe their rituals, and gather whatever clues you can find.
Thirdly, seek out dissidents and rebels within the city. Their whispers may lead us to the truth we seek, and their cause may align with our own.
Fourthly, infiltrate the Academy of arcane knowledge. Within its walls may lie the key to unraveling the mysteries of the ritual.
Fifthly, interrogate any Drow captives you encounter. Their tongues may be loosened with the right persuasion, and their knowledge may prove invaluable.
Lastly, explore the Underdark Markets, where information flows like water for those who know where to look.
My friends, our task is daunting, but our resolve is unyielding. Together, we shall uncover the secrets that lie hidden in the shadows and emerge victorious against the darkness that threatens to consume us all. Now, let us embark on this journey, for the fate of our world hangs in the balance.

A Drow matron and her acolytes prepare to execute a male Drow that the head of House Despana has tired of. The Drow, named Zaknafein, is rescued by the party and gives information in trade for his freedom

The Drow prisoner, Zaknafein, speaks

The male Drow, Zaknafein, his voice trembling with fear and urgency, recounts the details of the Spider Silk Veil with a mixture of dread and resignation.
"The Spider Silk Veil," he begins, his words measured and deliberate, "is a twisted creation of our dark arts, crafted from the silk of monstrous spiders, carefully woven to form a delicate but formidable barrier. It is said to be infused with the essence of Lolth herself, a conduit for her power in the hands of those who dare to summon her. It is a relic that our noble house, Despana, has kept safe since ancient times. It is now hanging above the altar in Lolth's Egg to symbolize the boundary between the material world and the realm of Lolth"
He pauses, as if steeling himself to continue, before recalling the words of the liturgy he had heard recited when the Spider Silk Veil was charged before moving to the Egg.
"The liturgy..." he whispers, his voice barely above a whisper, "it was spoken by the female clerics of our house, their voices echoing in the darkness of the ritual chamber. They chanted in unison, invoking the ancient rites passed down through generations:
'Arachne, we beseech thee,

Weave thy web of darkness and deceit,

Bind the strands of fate with silk so sweet,

Grant us the power to summon thee.'"
His gaze shifts nervously, as if expecting retribution for sharing such forbidden knowledge. "That is all I know," he concludes, his voice barely a whisper. "May Lolth have mercy on us all."

Erelhei-Cinlu

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Report Date

02 Apr 2024