Lomith

[Moridin]

OOC Note
Well, I have yet to make a public journal, and people seem to forget things if you don't have a public record so, here. I'll start with everything Lomith has done in order hopefully(The years at least should be right). This also includes Qu'ellar business since Lomith's business is the Qu'ellaren business. I've probably forgotten some things, as you can see by how spotty the earlier years are. Some things will be public knowledge, yet most of this is private.

Summary of Lomith's History
2011
Lomith entered Sshamath for the first time, a fugitive of a house not worth mentioning, immediately after surfacers had sacked Lolth's temple in Sshamath.
Lomith ran afoul of the Charnag Maelthra due to concerns over a druid. She hid in the tunnels for the rest of the year.

2012
Lomith eventually returned to Sshamath, and attempted to join Qu'ellar Sshamath. She was put through several tests, yet nothing came of it in the end. She met Irrtana soon after. Still a houseless rogue, Lomith latched onto Irrtana, having basically nowhere to go.

2013
This continued on for some time, as people openly mocked her, and some even tried to kill her. All she could think about was her sister Halolinara. She was about to give up when the opportunity of a lifetime struck. A foreign house from Sschyndylryn, Qu'ellar Zau'afin, came to Sshamath. They primarily were searching for their mad Yath'tallar Eclav, but also wanted to open trade with the city.

2014
Lomith slowly became stronger, and began to stand on her own feet. She began to organize alliances with members of the house, and while Eloril was in Sschindylryn, took the house out from under her feet. When Eloril eventually came back, Lomith made an agreement with her, since they were both by that point, favoured by the queen. The agreement was dual-leadership. Plans were drawn, plak'la was counted, soldiers were trained and slaves were captured. The Dev'lins began to show themselves around Sshamath. This year was one where Lomith also formulated agreements with Bregan Daerthe and Qu'ellar Tiren. She had attempted to approach Qu'ellar Sshamath, the 7th Circle, and the Zhentarim to no avail.

2015(was packed with goodies)
The plans were finalized, and Clan Shieldbreaker became involved. Our efforts to capture more rothe continued apace, and eventually a problem began to form of where to hold them. This was solved through training some of them into fear and obedience as well as taking over a cavern temporarily, and posting guards at the exit. Some ogre were added to the host that we were amassing.

In the middle of the plans to build the compound, Lomith caught wind of Halolinara nearing the city. Mad with rage and grief, she tasked Caldor Ti'ren, the dread lord, with finding her. He eventually did throguh his surface contacts. Lomith chased after her with Isendur and Irrtana. The three eventually found the caverns that were temporarily occupied by the cultists of the moon. The small group of Drow waded through the Eilistraeean's leaving none alive behind them, until they were overwhelmed. They were captured, as Halolinara stood triumphant over them, yet all Lomith saw was pity. Halolinara released them naked and weaponless in the wilds.

Resources were taken to the build site, and the Duergar moved in to begin construction as the stonespear tribes took offense to our encroachment of their territory. For an entire week, the dig site was under siege, as goblins, ogres, orcs, bugbears, and even umber hulks flung themselves at our battle-hardened nobility.

The Dev'lins reared their head and cemented themselves as not only enemies of Sshamath, but of the faithful as well. They declared open war on everyone they knew of. At the end of the siege, they showed up to the dig site with only their nobility. Though they made gains initially, they were driven off by the combined might of Qu'ellar Zau'afin and Clan Shieldbreaker. The conclave after this battle marked Qu'ellar Dev'lin as bandits guilty of harming trade. In return for fighting bandits outside of Sshamath, the conclave granted us the golems that guard our courtyard. They have a contingency to self destruct if they go too far from the compound however. The new compound was also warded through the combined spellpower of the representatives of the conclave and the wizards of Qu'ellar Zau'afin. The Qu'ellar became stronger when Israe'anna, Ilharess of Qu'ellar Xilaben surrendered to Lomith after a duel. Israe'anna was accepted as a daughter, and all the assets of her house were added to that of Qu'ellar Zau'afin. Eloril died to Dev'lin blades during this time, but was raised by Lomith. Lomith could not afford to lose a priestess, even a rival like Eloril. Due to Eloril's failure, Lomith demanded to become the sole matron, and Eloril stepped down, to take the mantle of first daughter. During this time we also met with the Barrirahels, and directed them to siege Qu'ellar Dev'lin, though they did not need much pushing.

Another siege eventually began. A tribe of Orogs finished tunneling through the cavern floor on the island out front, and we defeated them, taking many as captives and eventually enslaving them. Eventually we learned what was beneath us, and organized a war party to clean out the infestation.

Below the house lay a makeshift shrine to Ghaunadaur. Our war party charged in, destroying everything we could. Yet the slimes were too many, so Lomith did the unthinkable. She charged through the slimes by herself and dueled the High Priest. Upon his death, she slaughtered everyone she found, leaving the rest scattering into the tunnels. Eventually, these survivors began to cause problems. Their old temple became our new rothe warrens, with a few collapsed tunnels.

During this time news of an attempted plot by the Zhentarim to assassinate Lomith reached Lomith, and with Dhaunshalee of Bregan Daerthe(maintaining the unofficial alliance between the two) their plans were foiled. Eventually Izzrar Hunep stepped down and was replaced by Wirg. Wirg did not know of the understanding we had with Izzrar. also, Lomith was screened by conclave representatives and allowed to become a citizen of Sshamath. Around this time was when Qu'ellar Zau'afin was negotiating with the orc tribe led by Agronak Kogan, concerning a goal Lomith had and has been working for ever since she became matron of the house. The wizard's small tribe of orcs were routed by Darthiiri before they could be used to create a horde centered around the intelligent Agronak.

Also, Lomith and Rilae'ar'an had their big arguement over faith and Sirion Te'dwa became technical property of Lomith.

2016
Lomith continued her hunt for the surviving cultists, which eventually led to her taking the front line in defense of Sshamath. Over several weeks, Lomith made it her mission to be in the city whenever she was needed. Eventually they learned of the dracolich, and everyone fled, Lomith did as well, until she found a defensible position. She held the breach as the dracoliches forces tried to pour through, long enough for wizards from Sshamath to arrive from within the city to collapse the tunnel.(Lomith was fighting for something like 10 minutes, and was nearly at the end of her capabilities) At the end of it all, Lomith was recognized by Tsabrak of the Blood, Master of Necromancy. A budding relationship with the necromancers began.

In the meantime, A caravan from the school of necromancy was on its way to Undrek Vallanar. We ambushed it, and were caught by a Dev'lin agent Nessa. We turned her to stone, and tried to use her to pin the ambush on the Dev'lins, though illithid found her instead.

Vierdra, Halolinara's clueless daughter, was sent by the priestesses for Lomith to take care of. Lomith attempted to turn her into a weapon to use against Halolinara. Vierdra fell in love with Eluriand, and he used her to gain information on the Qu'ellar. We did not know until long after his death. Sev'ltas, Lomith's oldest living son, also arrived, having completed his training under the monks of Undrek'Thoz.

In diplomacy, ties with Bregan crumbled, and the 7th Circle did not answer requests to meet. The Dev'lins continued their war, and the school of necromancy became allies of a sort.

2017(mostly drama)
The ogre began listening to the slave trainers, and so were slowly released into the rothe warrens. In order to stir up chaos in the stone spear tribes, some of Maugrim's own trained rothe were released into the caverns with weapons. Nothing has come of this yet to date, yet we later sent a scouting party into tribal territory in search of the source of the goblin's firey blasts. The search was derailed however when Aniarithe threw a hellball at their shrine, collapsing the cavern and destroying the altar to Maglubiyet. Xeyn Agrach Dyrr saved Lomith from death, yet died because of it. Lomith brought him back to the living and adopted him.

A rogue necromancer approached the house, bearing ill news, and letters of importance. We found out Eluriand was a spy and so started to question Vierdra about him. Vierdra seemed very skittish about the topic. Chief among the documents was a letter bearing Imyvor Vesche's seal, that claimed that Bregan was associating with the Harpers. On it were names of surfacers that Lomith recognized. After this, Bregan made public moves against Qu'ellar Zau'afin, even allying with surfacers to attempt to take Xeyn's training partner away from the house. Most of the things that Conjurer Vesche has done concerning the house have shattered the old agreements, that had already been being forgotten of under Wirg. Cementing Bregan Daerthe as an adversary to Qu'ellar Zau'afin, without us doing anything to earn it(to my knowledge).

The Dev'lins approched us for the first time with respect, waving a flag of truce. Lomith knew it was a ploy. Lomith humoured them, and agreed to two weddings to unite the Qu'ellaren. The Dev'lins asked for Zau'afin assistance in an assault on the city, and Lomith agreed to it. The Dev'lin's began their assault, Qu'ellar Zau'afin did not provide assistance. The Dev'lins were overwhelmed, and in the council meeting Lomith pushed for their execution, supplying ample reason for it. The execution was set, yet the conclave threw a hitch in, burning spiders with the Dev'lins. They just had to make it a religious statement didn't they? Vierdra lost her mind, and tried to summon Lolth, yet the legion of wizards present kept her at bay. Using what clout she had left, and thinking of the future, Lomith saved Vierdra's wretched life, compromising her network of alliances, what remained at least in the city, to ruin her sister's daughter.

Soon after, we recieved information that Beliira was trying to hatch a dragon egg, and had resurrected a few of the Dev'lin nobles. We called out for Mechrolavloss, summoning our yochlol. Upon seeing Vierdra, Mechrolavloss publicly announced what had occurred between Vierdra and Eluriand, and everything clicked into place. That was when Lomith knew the information form Bregan was authentic. Lomith and Mechrolavloss spoke for some time, and Lomith took all of Vierdra's potions, scrolls, wands, and armour as Mechrolavloss cut her off from Lolth's power. Eventually, Mechrolavloss went into Vierdra's room, and no one has come out since.

At the end of 2017 the plans for the letter were underway, the portal inside the compound is in the process of being connected to Sschyndylryn, and the search for an earth node is under way.

[Moridin]

New Allies, Old Enemies
[parchment]L'Ilharess Dugoloth ilfu'daen l'Qu'ellar nindol draevil, 'zil zhahus zhuele wuzulus areion ly'ryusen. Il uriu quin ulu inbal lgoruth doeb lu'oh ulu xun 'zil il inthen. Nindel orn doer xuil draeval 'zil udossta de'lu'mith knanen wun jintoor lu'ethan. Usstan jal'yur zhaun vel'uss orn lesh udossa, lu'vel'uss, ka nind ragar doeb orn fre'sla wun udossta i'dol. Biu inthigg uriu tlus morfel, lu'l'ulin uriu tlus llius surit'sa.[/parchment]

The matron Dugoloth visited the house this time, as was formerly discussed through letters. Her proposals were most intriguing, and promising. She has yet to have figured out how to do as she plans. That will come with time as our information grows in number and quality. I already know who will assist us, and who, if they find out will stand in our way. An agreement has been made, and the future has been laid bare.

[Moridin]

Shadows and Secrets
[parchment]'Zil kyor'olus, vel'drav usstan ul'kas nind doerrus. L'valsharess' wanre vel'uss zhah gareth, bekea lu'zhah natha ula vrausus sarol d'vhid. Nind zhaun vel'bol nind ssrig'luin ulu xun, lu'inbal tlus oriorin ulu doer a ussta lar. Nind xun naut, 'zil d'quin, fallkip. Usstan guu'lac nind rin'ov orn.[/parchment]

As expected, when I called they came. The queen's servant who is strong, wise and is a fine edged weapon of chaos. They know what they need to do, and have been preparing to come at my call. They do not, as of yet, disappoint. I doubt they ever will.

Confused and Lost
[parchment]Natha jaluk Ilythiiri a l'kaas De'land zhahus alissus wund udossta qu'ellar yallt. Uk gukluth vec'end lu'airuv. Uk fainhus ulu daewlin ulu dro pholor l'shinduago, lu'inbalin abbanen wund l'kivvin whol nindel ves dros'he. Udos henotep elggen ukta ditronw t'yin lu'gaer, quin uk zhah d'mzild ssran ulu uns'aa dro taga elghinyrr. Udos inbal ukt vlos nin, udossta faernen shlu'ta xun bronretla klezn xuil ol. L'faern xunus wun l'xuz ser ukt iglata, 'zil uk zet natha ly'ryus, l'voiry uk letrael lu'natha ba'dor d'sava. Usstan muth nindel jivvin, Dorn fridj kl'ae ukta 'zil natha vel'xunyrr.[/parchment]

A male Drow by the name De'land was invited into our house today. He seemed odd and naive. He admitted to wishing to live on the surface, and having allies among the surfacers for that very purpose. We almost killed him right then and there, yet he is of more worth to me alive than dead. We have his blood now, our wizards can do wonderful things with it. The wizard did in the end keep his promise, as he left a letter, the book he promised and a board of sava. I found that amusing, I'll just use him as a spy.

[Moridin]

New Allies, Old Enemies Part 2
[parchment]P'luin rhseevin natha ly'ryus dal l'Ilythiiri Nargazul, usstan Kirn'ulu Dugoloth nou'haiin ol. Il yllui'th ulu alu rath ulu ilta qu'ellar, yol nind ph'ji noamuth xuileb ilta. Usstan tlun brornus rilu'oh a lu'oh qee'lak nind zhahen ulu t'zaraw xuil nindol. Usstan Maus rath ulu Nargazul, jhal Dugoloth uriu zet l'qu'ellar whol nin.[/parchment]

After receiving a letter from the Drow Nargazul, I spoke to Dugoloth concerning it. She agreed to go back to her house, since they are so lost without her. I am surprised however at how quick they were to deal with this. I wrote back to Nargazul, but Dugoloth has left the house for now.

The Corpse Puppeteers
[parchment]Usstan tha xuil natha sel jindurn pholor ussta mzilst wanu ilfu'da ulu l'magthere d'elghinnfaer, Abok Neccasalmor'Zar'Vyrae, sol d'l'Blynar Baat'leb. Udos Kirn'whol fol draeval, lu'l'talthalra milithus nezcau'bolec. Il gukluth ulu ssinssrin vel'bol usstan xun, lu'zhahus sae'uth xuil vel'bol usstan gultahus ulu l'magthere. P'luin vel'bol il della uns'aa d'l'wanu ml'aeninen d'naut-elghinyrr, usstan inbal della l'kyorle ulu kyorl whol mina.[/parchment]

I met with a new face on my most recent visit to the school of necromancy, Arch Necromancer Zar'Vyrae, eye of the Seventh Circle. We spoke for some time, and the meeting proved beneficial. She seemed to desire what I do, and was pleased with what I offered to the school. After what she told me of the recent sightings of undead, I have told the guards to watch for them.

Money and Fame
[parchment]A l'xuz usstan alus ulu l'Gloura's Alti'uin lu'inbalus z'haan wund natha ves vec'end quin grilsthen Ilythiiri. Uk lannus ssussun'yukin dal karliik ulu yib, quin zhahus naut natha Dev'lin. Uk phlyus ukt kaas zhahus Zak lu'nindel uk daewlus ulu t'zaraw wun de'lu'mith. L'mzilst kyreshorl klez bauth ukta nindel Usstan kyor zhahus nindel uk Kirn'wun draban d'indar wiles.[/parchment]

At the end I went to the Gloura's Wings and had run into a very odd yet ornate Drow. He wore yellow from head to toe, yet was not a Dev'lin. He claimed his name was Zak and that he wished to deal in information. The most obvious thing about him that I saw was that he spike on pairs of similar words.

[Moridin]

Money and Fame Part 2
[parchment]Usstan alus ulu l'Gloura' Alti'uin naut verve ish'o, lu'vel'drav gaer uri'shoelt pholor Galawyn. Usstan skrel pholor natha ialys lu'lakka xuil l'erg'lesizil Ilythiiri. P'luin i'lluth lakkane, udos zet l'el'inssrigg ul'naus ulu telanth wun roddata wun natha el'inssring wun l'werneth aglust d'l'che'el. Usstan Kirn'd'chaon nou'haiin Bregan Daerthe, tlu'kyo'feir lagvarguth eluith'orth doeb d'l'lakkane. Fol klezn udos zhahen wun inthigg pholor, quin uk gukluth folvel'bol waela d'mzil d'l'dveren nau'thalin ulu nindol mon'tu. Xal huthin draeval Usstan xal elg'cahl ukt drital.[/parchment]

I went to the Gloura's Wings not long ago, and when there happened upon Galawyn. I put on a smile and conversed with the questionable Drow. After pointless conversation, we left the inn together to speak in private in a tavern in the South part of the city. I spoke of business concerning Bregan Daerthe, clearly leaving faith out of the conversation. Some things we were in agreement upon, yet he seemed somewhat unaware of many of the events leading to this point. Perhaps next time I might poison his drink.

[Moridin]

Money and Fame Part 3
[parchment]Usstan tha Galawyn h'uena mzild, rena helothanninin xuil fol d'nindyn kyon'nehr eroln lu'natha stath vec'end Ilythiiri. Uk ann'ishus ditronw wun alust d'uns'aa, ditronw doeb d'natha dothka usstan zhahus bauth ulu thrityh. L'dothka vir'ednitus, kiachen d'olt khel thac'zilus jal phor. L'linthar uriu ulu tlu natha vlos m'elzar whol nindel ulu xund 'zil folt. L'linthar uriu ulu tlu natha vlos m'elzar whol nindel ulu xund 'zil folt. Terini'nestg. Uk t'yin izferethus uns'aa lu'natha stath byrren rath ulu l'che'el rena l'v'dre yikssus ulu z'haan rath. Pholor ussta i'dol wund l'che'el usstan inbalus z'haan wund natha mzilst fowai aterruce, uss morfel d'niar nindel ann'ishus saph natha Ilythiiri. Il zhahus kyreshorlh mu'll sharus bauth mzil klezn, quin udos kirn'rena Galawyn zha'rior uktan.

H'uena Galawyn zhahus kr'athin, uk alus pholor haggan ulu udossta zhuel talthalra k'lar. Talintha bauth udossta zhuel talthalra, usstan bri natha mzilst n'tol elg'cahl pholor ussta rahkri'shuu lu'z'orrus l'tirloc. L'og'elend zhahus feithin gaer. Usstan zhahus bauth ulu elg'cahl ukta areion xta'rlin ukt rah, jhal ssiggrin qua'laen ol. Suustolk zhahus l'alur inth. Udos kirn'whol fol draeval bauth chaon, tialej ukt elamsh'inae trinn'tele. Vel'drav l'draeval whol yaithess doerrus, usstan serus ussta rahkri'shuu pholor rena rahin l'ssa'ch ulu ukta. Ol zhahus jivvin kyorlin ukta ulplynus ulu folt natha kruk. Usstan della l'jaluk uk zhahus shee'lot, ulu vel'bolen uk yllui'th.[/parchment]

I met Galawyn once more, while travelling with some of those careless orcs and a few odd Drow. He appeared right in front of me, right out of a drider I was about to attack. The drider exploded, chunks of its body landing all over. The bard has to be a blood mage for that to work as such. Interesting. He then teleported me and a few others back to the city while the rest decided to run back. On my way into the city I had run into a most weird creature, one made of water that appeared like a Drow. She was obviously empty minded about many things, yet we spoke while Galawyn prepared himself.

Once Galawyn was ready, he went on ahead to our former meeting place. Thinking about our former meeting, I covered a most vicious poison on my gloves and climbed the stalagmite. The heretic was waiting there. I was about to poison him through touching his hand, but thought against it. Subtlety was the better plan. We spoke for some time about business, drinking his favourite alcohol. When the time for payment came, I kept my gloves on while handing the bag to him. It was amusing seeing him reduced to such a state. I told the male he was drunk, to which he agreed.

[Moridin]

The Silent Singer
[parchment]Schezalle, 'zil yllui'th doerrus ulu ussta qu'ellar. Il zhahus asizil ulu telanth, lu'ji zhahus fashkaus ulu kl'ae l'tz'orm xanalress ril Ilythiiri screan dal nossta. Il inbalus natha brornin gultah nindel usstan inbalus nau sanrr ulu qua'lae ulu. Usstan shlu'ta qua'l xuil vel'bol il brorninen. Wun l'xuz, ol orn'la nezcau'bol udossa tu'. Usstan lor fau'lad ulu ulin chaon xuil ilta.[/parchment]

Schezalle, as agreed came to my house. She was unable to speak, and so was forced to use the sign language every Drow learns from birth. She had a surprising offer that I had no reason to disagree to. I can agree with what she offers. In the end, it would benefit us both. I look forward to future business with her.

The Vassal Priestess
[parchment]'ileka, usstan inbalus z'haan wund l'yathrinshee. Udos Kirn'whol fol draeval lu'usstan gv'sstuthren fol weafl de'lu'mith tir d'ilta. Il uriu ul'hyrren bauth vel'uss orn'la xo'al ulu elgg Schezalle, lu'yewlus uns'aa xuil vel'bol il zhaunau bauth vel'uss il phlynn zhah a que'darn. Usstan orn inbal ulu lgor doeb fol i'dol ulu yivera ilta marquathrowen, lu'wungarsu mina wun natha golhyrr. Lu'oh ulu xun ji orn doer kyo'feir xuil draeval.[/parchment]

Earlier, I had run into the priestess of Kiaransalee. We spoke for some time and I gained some useful information off of her. She has ideas about who would try to kill Schezalle, and supplied me with what she knew about who she claims is at fault. I will have to figure out some way to attract her targets, and ensnare them in a trap. How to do so will come clear with time.

[Moridin]

The Corpse Puppeteers Part 2
[parchment]Usstan Kirn'xuil natha venorik neccasalmor', 'zil usstan inbal natha stath draevalen wun l'wanu draeval p'los. Wun rivvin rek'larst d'l'Alti'uin, udos valmus ul'naus wun morfelith natha nime doeb d'natha kitrye kyuvr, er'griff ulu ragar doeb l'uss solus jalil gumash morfeth faerl derothel. P'luin nindol, Usstan tha xuil l'yathrinshee, lu't'yin inbalus z'haan wund l'neccasalmor''sohna. Udos alus wund l'roddata cuass'ili d'l'Gloura's Alti'uin. Usstan bejn fol d'ukt mizil'ros, lu'uk bejn fol d'usst. Uk zhahus anke ulu screa jal uk gumash dal uns'aa, quin fol klezn ph'alurl serus szeous, hwuen nind jivvin doeb... Mzilt saph l'flamgra'in d'l'Dev'lin c'rintrin. Uk mils'chaus natha inth ulu uns'aa vel'bolen ka usstan inbal l'Gond, usstan orn'la ith'arl heru'nga. L'ogglin d'ussta ogglin zhah ussta abban, xor a mzulst natha klev. Usstan orn'la kyor'ol naubol dkinoss dal byr Ilythiiri. Udos zet pholor natha iglata d'felah de'lu'mith dal ukta.[/parchment]

I spoke with a silent necromancer, as I have a few times in the recent past. In the common area of the Wings, we joined together in making a joke out of a half breed, only to find out the one eyed female could make magical implements. After this, I met with the priestess of Kiaransalee, and then had run into the necromancer again. We went into the private room of the Gloura's Wings. I answered some of his questions, and he answered some of mine. He was eager to learn all he could from me, yet some things are best kept secret, until they play out... Much like the burning of the Dev'lin nobles. He divulged a plan to me which if I have the resources, I would fully support. The enemy of my enemy is my ally, or at least a tool. I would expect nothing else from other Drow. We left on a promise of further information from him.

The Vassal Priestess Part 2
[parchment]Il tha uns'aa wun l'Gloura's Alti'uin pholor ussta yutsu, lu'udos alus ulu natha roddata cuass'ili. Udos Kirn'd'mzil mizil'ra d'guthlimia, pandin l'wanu nou'hain nou'haiin l'shebali naut-elghinyrr doerin ulu l'che'el ulu mei'q. Dugoloth's inth nou'haiin mina morfel filut, jhal nindol yathrinshee gukluth ulu talinth usstan zhahus waela bauth nindolen naut-elghinyrr ulorith. Usstan zhaun nind ulorith trok'hr ulu l'neccasalmor'en, lu'p'wal d'ol inbal unboius phor l'jintoor wun ussta stath kyorek'larsten, lu'inbal della mina ulu kyorl whol jala folt shinulin. Usstan orn n'kyorl ulu kyorl ka l'yathrinshee ragaren vel'bol il zhah lorith whol.[/parchment]

She met me in the Gloura's Wings on my return, and we went to a private room. We spoke of many matters of importance, including the recent concerns concerning the rogue undead coming to the city to trade. Dugoloth's plan concerning them made sense, but this priestess of Kiaransalee seemed to think I was unaware about these undead existing. I know they exist due to the necromancers, and because of it have stepped up the number in my few patrols, and have told them to watch for any such occurrence. I will await to see if the priestess of Kiaransalee finds what she is looking for.

[Moridin]

The Glowing Blade and the Fallen One

[parchment]Usstan kyor l'houj nindol Bel'iira sila've rath dal l'elghinyrr wu'suul l'Gloura's Alti'uin. Ele il sila've nindel ssussun cha'kohkev j'nesst rath ulu dro zhah tu'jol uns'aa. Il tha xuil l'Orbb Glennen. Usstan orn ssrig'luin ulu tesso mina vel'bol il zhah lu'vel'bol il beannaighe, ji nind shlu'ta jiaol ilta. P'luin il zet l'talthalra xuil mina, usstan wennzus ulu l'chi uss d'quarthasen il quin ruebusu ulu uns'aa. Usstan mziln dei'fo nindel usstan orn'la naut dortho ilta wun jalbol il uriu acraturaus ulu morfeth iltan rei wund. Il tois trok'hr ulu ussta golhyrr, quin k'jakr ssuule.

Usstan mziln tha vel'bol usstan ssiggrin zhahus natha erhz. Natha szarkai, wun l'siltrin. Il della uns'aa vel'bol il zhahus, lu'usstan jussenus il ssrigg'luoth or'a. Ji, usstan belbaus ilta natha ilindith, quin lakr'ia ussta shar lu'belbaus ilta jalbyr ilindith ulu ssten'mar ust. Il gukluth anke ulu mik'ra l'fuu'ux usstan llius doeb ulu ilta.[/parchment]

I saw the failure that Bel'iira brought back from the dead inside the Gloura's Wings. Why she brought that light cursed woman back to life is beyond me. She met with the Spider Militant. I will need to tell them what she is and what she represents, so they can avoid her. After she left the meeting with them, I mentioned to the fallen one of duties she yet owed to me. I also declared that I would not aid her in anything she has managed to make herself fall into. She died due to my trap, yet still breathes.

I also met what I thought was a myth. A szarkai, in the flesh. She told me what she was, and I realized she needed money. So, I gave her a goal, yet changed my mind and gave her another goal to achieve first. She seemed eager to perform the task I laid out to her.

[Moridin]

Hidden: show

A subtle sheen of Faerzress cast a luminescent glare over the garden of the drow house. Scarcely a movement could be detected, its’ inhabitants born with the gift to remain inconspicuous and discreet at will. They huddled together in one of the most obscure areas of the noble garth as they had become accustomed to over the decades, for private dissemination of information of course (amongst other things). This cycle was different from the others however, and the three switched between hushed tones of the drow tongue to succinct hand signals to accentuate their points. During this time a small unassuming orbb skittered along a wall of a glowing floral arrangement. From the fringe of the area softly traded words could scantly be discerned. As the orb skittered close to the wall of one of the many ornate planters, the sounds of Ilythiiri speech became closer and clearer. Finally, it rested contentedly underneath a canopy of Il’yandrosa Mortophilus; (decorative mushrooms) which afterglow caused a concealing phenomenon to occur. It was close now, close enough to see each of them from its’ hidden perspective while the familiar voices exchanged points of tense dialogue:

“I am not confident you are prepared for the ceremony Halolinara.” Vasra stated flatly, her voice positively dripped with venom. “You have less than a cycle and there is still much to be done on your part. Lolth will nau-“

“I know Malla Lolth will naut be pleased Vasra.” Halolinara interrupts simultaneously signing for annoyance as she speaks. Just off to the side Shyntdorldor lets out a measured breath and crosses his powerful arms on his chest, cautiously looking between the two.

“You needn’t remind me every single cycle.”

Vasra peered over to the weapon master with a smug smirk on her face, then back to Halolinara. “Apparently I do.” The drow priestess concluded. “The ceremony will commence in Lolth’s Unholy Temple at the ordained time, here our Qu’ellar. Dos best bring your most heartfelt prayers Halolinara.”

Vasra then turned about in a flourish of her House gown and departed, leaving the other two alone.

“What was that all about?” Shyn asked as he watched the sinister yathrin depart.

she suspects something Halolinara’s hand emotes in response.

Vasra always suspects something.

Perhaps there is merit in her reasons this time?

A pause by the weapon master is spent staring at the drow female trying to discern intent.
how is Lomith coming along? I have not seen her in many cycles. he decides to reply, changing the subject. The orbb under the planter idly watches and resists the urge to devour a cricket nearby.

she is. . .one of us Shyn

one of us? he tilts his head.

Can we just stop pretending for a moment? exasperated hand signaling.

pretending what?

that we’re the same as everyone else! That there is nothing wrong with us! That maybe there is another life- the weapon-master is strikingly swift as he comes upon Halolinara; his hands in a moment of a blink grabs her’s and holds them still. “Such talk will get you sent to the driders!” he scolds quietly as his eyes scan the garden and the area above for any sign of lurkers.

“I don’t know if I care father!” she replies, her voice on the edge of breaking.

“If you let that happen, and others find out what is really on your heart, then they will devour Lomith and make you watch while it is done.” Shyntdorldor’s eyes soften for a moment as he gazes into Halolinara’s. A glint of green flashes from his hand as they remain atop of her’s. This catches her eye and she glances down to the silver ring on his middle finger, lustrous with three small emeralds set neatly together in adornment. The weapon master smiles as he is also looking at it, “It will be her ordination gift from me.” Halolinara blinks and shakes out of her train of thought. “A gift?”

“Mhm. It will keep her in favor of her peers and superiors, give her confidence in tactical situations and even provide comfort. . .I mean healing to those. . .in need.” His eyes do not move from the ring and his expression changes, as if a sudden realization has just struck him.

“I knew it.”

He lets go and backs away, even though Halolinara reaches out for him. Slowly the Sarol’veldruk d’I’Qu’ellar Dy'nesen was in a slow retreat. Unheard of for his reputation. “You know nothing.”

“You. . .” Halolinara struggles to find the correct word, yet it really does not exist in her native language. “. . .inexplicably favor her, by your soul.”

The look on the male’s face is frozen and stone like, a perfect image of realization and despair.

“Come with me Shyn. We can take her away, take her. . .to a place that she cannot be corrupted! A place. . .”

“No such place exists!!” his voice nearly shouts in anger, though his body language clearly shows he is grieving. “We are either devoured slowly here or we are devoured quickly out in the wilds. At least here, we have a say. At least here, we survive another cycle.” His hand gestures to the ground, finger pointing while he lectures.

Halolinara’s tears pour down her sweet face, as she is less resilient than Lomith’s father. “I want to live Shyn, not merely exist. You’re powerful, I can help, we can liquidate our assets and just. . .disappear.”

Shyn just scoffs and shakes his head at that. “You do not understand. Xullra'raema will set Vasra upon us and we will not only be hunted from the front but hunted from the flank.” He shakes his head and sets his hands on the hilts of his blades. “You want that kind of life? Because I can tell you surely, that we will exist for all of five cycles if we are fortunate.”

“Maybe we can- “she begins again.

“NAU.” His voice is stern and domineering now. “I won’t have it. You will complete the ordination on the next cycle as you were commissioned. If you do not I will tell everything you have said to Xullra'raema. And if you try to flee, I will help them hunt you.” His visage was dead serious now. Before he has another chance to elaborate, Halolinara rushes off in tears, toppling a few caps from the Mortophilus planter just above the orbb. In the quietest moment of despair he dwelt among the beautiful garden arrangements. Shyntdorldor was defeated just now for the first time in many decades. The ring hand completely covered his downtrodden face slowly. A gleam of emerald flashed momentarily as he removed the hand and stared straight at the orbb next to the planter. Within a moment his face twisted in hate and anger as he stomped the life out of the spider with the bottom of his boot.


The last thing you hear is the squishing crunch of your exoskeleton.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A colorless fog settled over the back room of Qu’ellar Zau’afin. Mysterious silence, like the moment just after a life changing epiphany. The corpses of spiders lay in pitiful clumps on the carpeted floor of the yathrin’s domain, sprinkled ubiquitously around the empty spider silk cocoon. The silk vessel seemed to deflate as the last remaining orbb witnessed the scene. Its’ body broken to a point where death was imminent. Still, a few of the orbb’s eyes remained functional, though fading as the foot of a drow female can into view right before the dying spider’s face.

The feral screams of Xeyn could be heard echoing through the halls beyond, mingled with Jhaldrym’s cries of pain coming from the interior altar-chamber of the house. It sounded like someone was being eaten alive. The foot that was there a moment ago in front of the spider vanished suddenly and then came forward and kicked the dying thing hard against a wall. It bounced off lost several legs and landed upside down as its’ black ichor oozed from a cracked cephalothorax. The door to the room was unmistakably twisted, as if wrung violently off of its’ hinges and peeled into the hallway. A familiar voice calmly stated as it passed further into the corridors. “Lolth Tlu Malla.”

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Your eyes open suddenly awaking from the surreal visions during your slumber. The mural on the ceiling depicts hundreds of drow storming the surface and winning decisively over their hated rivals, the darthirii. It is a pleasing reminder of where the mighty drow stand in the world and what their Mother has in store for them. The cool damp comforts of your chamber is refreshing, fragrant and safe as always. A robed Faern stands next to a wardrobe buffet in the room preparing what appears to be your garments for the coming cycle. It is Jhaldrym, carefully meticulously inspecting each stitch to make sure it is appropriate for his Ilharess.

“Welcome back Malla Lomith.” Jhaldrym’s voice is calm and soothing, though his back is still turned. Perhaps his cowl is up to provide Lomith with some modesty? What a crude notion.

Jhaldrym turns with your favorite vestments and appears at the side of your bed. Briefly you are able to admire the new embroidery on the fabric. A lunar colored semi-circle with a streak centered through it. “I had these cleaned and enchanted just for you. Malla Lomith Ilharess.”

His face is not yet apparent as he speaks from the darkness within the cowl. “You will be pleased to know that these are the very clothes that Xullra'raema wore on her legendary stroll to the Dy'nesen gates!” a brief chuckle, which is unmistakably Vasra’s pours from the cowl. “The irony is not lost on me that you shall be sent to the illithids in similar dramatic fashion. A house has to survive after all and well… is more than just its’ Ilharess.” Another chuckle and the brief flash of tanned skin now. “Of course, we will need to sanctify the proceedings by systematically executing all of your kin. As you did my little girl.” Talfen’s face is gently smiling as his eyes appraise you as the cowl falls down to his shoulders. “Xeyn should help me with that. He is eager to kill heretics like you Lomith.”

As he speaks, just beyond on the wall sits a mirror. But instead of reflecting what is in the room, it shows a terrible plane of The Abyss and the screams of a sister you once thought was kept hidden, like a secret in the back of the Qu’ellar. Just as you look back to Talfen he raises a jeweled spider-dagger over you, the same kind used in sacrifices.


Dripping from it is the blood of Halolinara.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

End of the vision. You are returned.

Lomith was in her room, preparing to write her thoughts onto a piece of parchment, as she had done over many previous progressions, for so long that she had lost count. It helped her somewhat quiet the raging battle within her own mind. This past progression had been different, where she had been afraid of what she would write. She lifted the webbird quill off of her desk and dipped it in the ink before committing words to parchment.

Lolth has given me a divine mission that she demands to be fulfilled at any cost. I however, am left wanting. Do I have the strength to enact her will this time, or am I too weak? Am I the heretic that she named me? Will I falter if I get the chance to commit her will? I have spent the majority of my long life in hatred for the path Halolinara chose, yet now she demands that I spread that feeling to my long deceased father? Will she show heresy from Xullra'raema next? The problem is, she did. His death, as with the majority of our family as Vasra stated it, came due to my mentor's actions.

Lomith palmed the silver and emerald ring that Shynt had given her, and lightly set it down on the table.

Despite what Lolth has shown me, I cannot hate the dead. I think she asks too much of my tired mind... I should detail the vision. Perhaps it will help me make sense of it all.

Lomith brushed the still-angry, circular scar on her neck, and the vision came flooding back. She then to the best of her ability began to write it down onto the parchment.

The first vision was the final memories of an orbb, a mere cycle before my ordination. It witnessed Halolinara at her weakest, and the near-sympathy Shynt had shown her, before he chose the family against her. I had never seen it before then, but Shynt favoured us both inexplicably, something Halolinara's daughter Vierdra has faced and failed to fight, and something I also failed to fight regarding Xeyn. Vierdra succumbed to those feelings with a Vhaeraunite spy that we later learned was feeding information from our Qu'ellar to Bregan Daerthe. Despite what the male was, Vierdra favoured him, and when I originally thought I had caught the right male, I got her to throw him on the altar. She did this easily, but Kuma was always a distraction to avert my eyes away from what was really happening and nothing more. This Vhaeraunite spy eventually met an untimely demise, surprisingly not at the hands of my agents. Vierdra then proceeded to travel with his corpse from priests to priestesses of multiple faiths, looking to bring him back from the dead. She even approached Eilistraee. I eventually discovered this, and in my rage, fear and disgust I called upon Mechrolavloss, our yochlol to deliver appropriate punishment onto her. All I saw in my blind rage was her mother. During that time, when I was not thinking straight, I consigned Vierdra to the demonweb pits. A mistake I have come to regret. She hates me now with every fiber of her being, and her ultimate goal is my painful, excruciating death. I cannot blame her. I may deserve my death by her hand.

A reader could see a dried watermark at this point, as if a single tear had hit the page. At the end of the line there is a rip, as if she had decided to rip the page into pieces, but chose not to instead.

Then came my trial. We were searching the stonespear caverns for the source of the ability of the gol to explode after death. It has been strategically important to divine the nature of the weapons our local enemies possess, As suddenly having gol raiders with their ogres, ettins and trolls screaming in the halls one cycle is something I have wished to avoid. They are just gol, but underestimating their natural ability to set ambushes nearly doomed the mining of this site despite its highly defensible location. During the search and cull of the gol horde, Aniarithe had the bright idea to defile their shrine to Maglubiyet, in the most spectacular way. She threw a hellball at the shrine, which destabilized the cavern. I would have died, if Xeyn had not rushed in and saved me from death, sacrificing himself in the process. A good Lolthite would have left him dead. Instead we dug him out of the rubble, and took him back to the compound, the gol being the last thing on my mind at the time. I had come to depend on the male, perhaps too much. Before the following events, I had even planned to raise him as my patron. I frantically tried to bring him back, but he had already died too many times in my service, and my spells would not work. So I placed him on the altar, and called to Mechrolavloss. The creature came through the portal in all of her terrible beauty, and instantly divined what was occuring. She saw Xeyn's body on the altar, and she was annoyed that she had been interrupted from her most recent session with Vierdra. I tried to make excuses, but the yochlol saw right through me. Despite this, she agreed to bring Xeyn back, and before I could respond she transformed into her spider form and lunged at me, sinking her large fangs deep into my flesh. At first I was confused but then the stark terror of what was happening settled in. I thought I was dying, and normally with fangs going through your neck and breast it would mean death. Instead I fell into a motionless sleep for at leasat a tenday. During that time, with the yochlol's venom pumping through my body was when I had my vision. The nature of it cannot be denied, it was from Lolth herself.

The second part of the vision was a more recent memory at the time of my sleep. It was the final memories of another orbb, one of the ones that had built Vierdras cocoon under the direction of Mechrolavloss. In the background I could hear Xeyn roaring ferally while Jhaldrym screamed in pain, as if he was being eaten alive. Then the orbb got kicked into a wall by Vierdra, and the last words it heard were Lolth Tlu Malla. I later upon awaking learned that Xeyn was slowly being transformed into a haszak without having been implanted with a tadpole. We did everything in our power to stop the process, and just as we were about to lose Xeyn for good, I followed my vision, and attempted to break Vierdra out of her room and the demonweb. I ultimately failed, but Jhaldrym, who had always been an expert at dismantling the weave inspected it. We managed to dismantle the protection on the web, yet that had an undesired effect. We had been attempting to get Vierdra out without killing all the spiders, but upon the enchantment disolving, the spiders began to drop dead one by one, and their web began to disintegrate. I felt a crack in my mind form at that point and it felt like the whole house shook with a terrifying scream. We ultimately freed Xeyn from his curse but at what cost?

I believe the third part of the vision was Lolth herself, or a powerful agents of hers. She wore Jhaldrym's face as she presented me my priestly vestments, but marred by a symbol of Eilistraee. Did I choose the right path in ignoring the song within? Then Lolth belittled my mother using Vasra's face, claiming she wore vestments like these when she died. She then stated that I would meet a similar fate at the hands of my hated enemy, the illithid. Then, she morphed into the face of an archmage I know very little of, but whose face is etched into my memory. It was the only time I had actually slaughtered a child in front of their parent's eyes. It had struck a chord within me, as I had been able to put myself in his position. I had watched my first born daughter get butchered when I was powerless to stop it. I am surprised that I have been in Sshamath this long without him finding me, considering the desire for vengeance the powerful human likely holds. Lolth, using the archmage's voice, named me a heretic, and promised to turn Xeyn against me. Then, the vision ended with the clear task given to me by Lolth. I must kill my sister, at any cost. But am I willing to risk my life, what little is left of my sanity, and my future on the whims of my fickle goddess?

I am a shebali and I have fallen out of Lolth's favour. I have dragged a once noble house, down into the dirt due to my own lust for power, wealth and foolishness. I never should have claimed the mantle of matron, as I do not deserve it.

[Moridin]

Lomith was sitting in her bedchambers, a place she once found comfort in but no longer did. She brushed her fingers over the now old but vicious scars that she had earned over a progression past, and the pain and terror all came flooding back. She put her quill to parchment again.

I remember my thoughts towards my champion Xeyn, and how I was at the time willing to do anything to bring him back, due to both his loyalty, and a lingering feeling that I had been about to lose someone I could actually depend upon, perhaps even trust. What a fool I had been. I had brought Mechrolavloss out of the Demonweb Pits and had nearly begged the demon to bring him back after he had sacrificed himself to save me. I still remember the yochlol laughing in my face, likely at my blatant weakness, and that it had promised to bring him back... Then that was when it had lunged. I could still feel the searing pain as the fangs ruptured the skin on my neck and breast each the size of my wrist. I still remember the pure terror I had felt as life slipped away from me. It hadn't been death, even though the wounds should have been fatal. I remember awakening after to a pile of slaughtered slaves and a looming war.

The scars ever serve as a reminder of the divine mission Lolth has given me, but I am conflicted. My hatred for Halolinara and her kind had fed my fervour to Lolth, yet through the vision I have seen the past from another perspective. Lolth had first depicted Shynt, my father, as a heretic, and then painted my mother as one too. Then she named me a heretic as well. She was dredging up ghosts from a by gone era, to perhaps manipulate me into continuing being an orc in her game of sava. I already was. I am starting to be tired of being an orc to anyone. Lolth is ultimately an arbiter of chaos, and it is my duty and life's work to attempt to enact her will. Or is it?

Then there was what happened with Vierdra. I let my rage against her mother, my fear of myself, and my disgust at her weakness cloud my judgement. In those moments, I saw her mother in front of me, and I almost had landed a killing blow, but something had held back my hand. I could have crushed her many many times... But I did not. I instead allowed the yochlol to have her in the demonweb as a plaything, and I kept on telling myself as I had Mechrolavloss, that Vierdra was vital to my plans for my sister... A plan I never attempted to enact in the four progressions since she arrived to Sshamath.

It will likely take several tendays until one of you enters my room unbidden. To whoever reads these parchments first, I have left to undertake a journey involving the final part of my vision and I may potentially never return. I have dragged the house through the mud with the shared past of Vierdra, Sev'ltas and myself. If it is Xeyn who reads this, I fully understand what you must think of me, though I know you will come after me despite that. Whether to assist or to hunt I do not know. If it is Vierdra and you have not pieced the puzzle together yet... Your mother, who you have never met, is Halolinara. She is a heretic. She was when you were born. She is a priestess of Eilistraee, and I have tried to turn you into a proper Lolthite to spite her and cause her anguish. Perhaps to make her try to rescue you. In doing so, I have alienated you and made you into an enemy.

Lomith set down the quill and began packing. She packed some rations, a flint, a handaxe and a thin blanket. She slipped on her dragon scale armour and appraised herself in the mirror before clasping her cloak around her neck. There were two flails sitting on the wall, a silver one that sucked the light in and the other made of pure adamantine. She sheathed her flails, and then took her lightweight tower shield off of the wall.

"I won't be using this when hunting, but it will be useful when fighting more dangerous foes." She stated out loud.

Then she packed up two of her knives, one a ritual dagger, the other for skinning. Then finally, with her tower shield tied over her shoulder snugly with a rope, she put on her tiara that doubled as her holy symbol. This time it pricked her, drawing a little blood. She had almost forgotten the silvermead. She quickly packed that into her belt as well as a few crystal cups for it. She let the small drop of blood run down her face as she left the house. Some guards did move to stop her, likely to ask if she needed an escort, but upon seeing her determined face they let her go through completely unhindered.

[Moridin]

Yet another parchment is in the pile.

I remember it like it was yesterday. The curse had lifted when we went against Lolth's wishes in destroying the wards on Vierdra's bed chambers, but the elder brain still held sway over Xeyn due to his time he had spent having nearly transformed into a haszak. His bodily changes had reversed due to the lifting of Lolth's curse, but in place of Xeyn a feral beast had remained. I worked cycle after cycle to get through to him, until one cycle, after failing to expunge the curse from him again, I had let my emotions through. I had let myself trust him, despite his sordid state. I had entered his prison, while he pulled the chains taut, snapping his jaw at me like a rabid hell hound. I had appealed to the man he was, and had nearly broken in front of him, but as he roared in my face, I saw the black smoke leaving his body. Every part of my being was screaming at myself to close the cage and leave, but instead I had approached him. I somehow got through to him by stating that in his current state he would be both useless to myself and our queen. When he went limp on the chains and his wounds began to close, I knew I had gotten through to him. What I did was stupid, but it somehow worked. I unlocked his left hand and his hand shot out, nearly catching me by the neck. He demanded vengeance, blood and death for what he had been through, and I would not deny him. The hell we had been dragged through the months prior demanded blood. He tried to snap for my neck again, but then he realized who I was. I placed one hand on his shoulder to calm him, and unlocked the chain on his right wrist. I helped the powerful male to the floor as his wounds continued to seal. As he looked me in the eye, he threw his right arm forward and bit his hand, spraying my face. He demanded that they should pay and that he could still hear the voices, and I assured him that they would. I had stated that both of us had been through trials that most Drow would never face, let alone survive. I proclaimed him as my ilharn right in the temple, in the very same room Mechrolavloss had skewered me. Was it to spite Lolth after the hell she had dragged us through, or was it that I was that relieved that he was alive? I may never know.

I remember the male in his terrible glory, like a wraith hungry for nothing but vengeance. I followed along behind him as he had had a singular purpose, to cull the haszak and injure their elder brain. We smashed our way through the entirety of the mines, slaughtering everything that stood in front of us, barely being slowed by the haszak ambushes. My new ilharn with his regenerative capabilities soaked it all in. Xeyn was nearly in a rage-induced trance, and it was nearly impossible to stop him. Like I would have tried. Then we entered the hive. His singular purpose drove us through several haszak, intellect devourers, golems and even mind witnesses. The only time we came to a stop was when Xeyn went through the thrall cages executing dominated thralls. Xeyn continued his straight path to the brain after that, his determination would leave others in shame. Then we came upon the brain itself. We killed its guardians and then flooded the brine pool with acid and fire. The elder brain was injured, and we had killed several of the tadpoles. It had been enough to get it to sever its connection to Xeyn. I guess one can say that my taking of him was sanctified in blood? Oddly fitting due to the life we have led to this point.

[Moridin]

The letter on the parchment continued onward after that point.

We traveled back to Sshamath, with the blood of the haszak still drying on our armour. Once there, we climbed up the spire that yet hosts The Great Elixir on it's peak, and took seats near the bar. The waitress had brought us wine while we discussed our predicament. He had many questions, because he believed he had done everything right. He had. I was the one who failed, and he suffered because of it. I had laid the blame at the many feet of the weaver, as she had to have ultimately been behind my vision and his curse. I had told him at least as I believe to be true, that Lolth had not wanted him alive... I had. This only confused him, as his knowledge concerned his skill on the battlefield, not trying to interpret the fickle whims of a cruel mother. I could tell however, that he knew that I was holding information close to myself. Every time I opened my mouth to tell him, I thought of Lolth's closing words to me, about how she would turn Xeyn against me, and how he would happily kill me for her. Despite this, he eventually cracked through and I told him of my vision, about the ghosts the spider

At this point in the letter you see a word crossed out to the point of being illegible.

dredged up, her promise to exterminate what remained of my kin, that she wore Jhaldrym's face while presenting me my robes, marred with the symbol of Eilistraee. I gave as much detail as I could, without outright describing it. My ilharn surprised me then, by speaking of his past.

Xeyn was a son of a powerful noble house in Menzoberranzan, called Agrach Dyrr. He and his sister Kiyata were tasked with defending an outpost between Menzoberranzan and Gracklstugh, though something unexpected had occurred. Soldiers of his own house came to execute the pair, and especially the priestess he was guarding at the time. The priestess died, Xeyn and Kiyata became separated, and then he tracked the soldiers to Sshamath, where he eliminated them all. At that, it had only been fair for me to tell him my story.

I had explained to him that despite Qu'ellar Zau'afin being a house from Sschindylryn, that I was born in the vast city of Guallidurth. I told him that I was both a shebali and an ilharess at the same time, and then revealed my original house name to him, Dy'nesen. He stared intently at me as I detailed the past, my upbringing under Halolinara and her eventual fall. The disaster that struck our family during the first attempt at my ordination, and then the elimination of the Qu'ellar by the hands of Qu'ellar Pharafein. Then I told him of Vasra. She is perhaps the only person I have hated more than Halolinara, and she holds a special place in what is left of me. She made me watch it happen. Then she used it against me. She battered me with their deaths over and over, until she believed she had broken that weakness within me, after killing my first child in front of me. Then, she tried to make me be her... she had nearly succeeded. However, we were eventually separated when my new ilharess, Umraeril Despval, began to see me as a wasted asset, and made me responsible for some of the house's slaves. I was stuck dealing with the droves of gol the house possessed for many progressions. It reached the point where it seemed that I would never get out of my situation. Then the perfect opportunity had come. The house was planning renewed raids on villages in Calimshan and Tethyr, and I volunteered. I was bitter, angry, nearly feral and half-mad. I needed blood.

I spent many more progressions leading small warbands up onto the surface in the dark, only to return to the underdark before the delayed blast fireball reached the sky. With my last raid I committed on the surfacers of that region, I rightfully angered a wizard, by killing his daughter in front of him. Something I regret doing. Perhaps I had gone too far? The moment I killed her I was every bit what Vasra wanted me to be, but then I had looked into the wizards eyes. Vasra's training had backfired, for I understood for a moment, what the wizard felt. Even though he was a lowly human there was a shred of something? I remember dropping the knife, and leaving the wizard alive, since I couldn't bring myself to kill him, both due to my hatred of Vasra and what she had done. It came back to bite me later that cycle. The wizard came prepared and had set an ambush for our slave-burdened party just as the fireball was rising out of the ground. I remember being blinded, and how the light from the fireball pierced even through my eyelids. The wizard and his apprentice killed all of my soldiers and left me alive. I had tried to attack his apprentice while he was freeing our slaves, but he instead subdued me. When he approached me with a dagger, my dagger, I expected him to kill me, but he instead had sheathed the dagger back into my belt, and then teleported us into a tunnel far away. When I was confused as to his intentions... He told me, as he stood near the entrance to Sshamath, that death would have been too easy, and would be a release that I did not deserve. He then had left me in Varallas Passage, still a half-mad firebrand.

For the first three years, I spent more time out in the wilds than I did near other Drow. Much of it was spent learning the region and getting lost, but I also hasd the goal of catching Halolinara. It was when I discovered that I preferred killing in the wilds over communicating with most Drow. Despite this, I still found a way to be heavily involved in the lower end of the politics of Sshamath, especially since I had made several attempts to become a part of the clergy of the temple. I had wished to restore it. Then, a house arrived from Sschindylryn, chasing after the mad yath'tallar Eclav. They never found her, but they did adopt me. Zau'afin, the children of the web. Within a year I had replaced the matron of the house. that was when I let leak that I was looking for an Eilistraeen named Halolinara and Caldor eventually found a large group of Eilistraeeans heading north. Using his information, I, Irrtana and Isendur caught up with them and we cut our way through several of the commoners until the priestesses arrived. We were overwhelmed and ultimately we found her. Despitevthis, we failed in trying to capture her. We were in her captivity for several hours, and she eventually left us naked in the wilds. I'll add that she must have done something to me while unconscious, because I have been able to think clearer ever since.

I then reminded Xeyn of the feats I had performed both as his ilharess and prior to being his ilharess, and how the broken shell of a woman who had come to Sshamath would never have done the things I did. After I had listed them, the dread guard slammed his fists on the table. He reaffirmed his loyalty to both myself and our house. Is it a house though? Or is it a group of shebali, trying to make names for themselves in a world where it would be nearly impossible to do so?

[Moridin]

It has been long since I wrote my thoughts down, nearly an entire progression. I had left the Zau'afin estate in a hurry, and had left many things behind. I have spent much time out alone in the wilds in the past but this time was different. It was far more difficult due to Lolth. Previously I had depended on Lolth in aiding my survival. Everytime I would wake her power would envelop me and I would feel complete. In this trek Lolth was not there... well not completely. I still had access to some of her power but I was forced to rely more on my wands, scrolls and instincts. I have had much time to let the initial shock of Lolth's vision settle.

I have come to Sshamath once more, to seek the aid of my former enemies in Bregan. They were enemies for the same reason I approach them now. They cannot defend me from the divine will of Lolth; if she turns me into a drider there is nothing that I could even do. What they can do is defend me from her agents. Surely in the eyes of the clergy I am seen as a heretic now. Three progressions past I would have happily hunted my present self down and fed the heretic's heart to the flames. I know at least, that Bregan will accept my coins.

The trail my sister left went cold many progressions past, it would take a miracle to find her once more. I had tried to kill her and was so driven by my rage at the time that even my companions had thought I had been feral. I still remember that cycle vividly as we butchered our way through the travelling Eilistraeeans. We ultimately failed and I only breathe because Hal went against what the other priestesses wanted from us... which was death. I still do not know what she saw in me, had we switched positions she would be dead.

I know the task Lolth has laid out for me, and I know the punishment for failure. If I willfully defy her I will be hunted down by my former house and later on by others if I survive them. If I manage to fail unintentionally she would turn me into a drider. This is something I must do alone if I would even desire to obtain her favour again. The problem is I no longer know if I have the will or ability to complete her task. To me this situation she has thrown me into feels like the deepest form of betrayal. I have worked as her dutiful little orc in her game of sava for longer than most priestesses have lived. I devoted my life to her and she has tossed me aside, and promised the end of my line. If I fail it is the end... Or is it?

There has been another whispering in my ear since I returned. Forcing me to contemplate issues I have never put much thought into prior. Forcing me to look inward for answers during this trying time. This other also wishes for me to contact my sister, but beyond Shynt's gift to me I do not know how to do that. This other skillfully manipulated a necromancer last cycle to put the thought in my head. His logic was misguided, but there was truth in it. He stated that "True evil lies in doing what you are told, not what you wish." We were speaking of the blood thirsty surfacers named paladins at the time, but the comment stuck.

Why do I follow the will of my cruel and capricious goddess? Not why I began to, but why. Is it due to my hatred for my sister, since I blame her for the destruction of our house? Is it fear of the Spider Queen's wrath being cast upon me? Is it the lessons Vasra instilled in me, after Hal's flight from Guallidurth? I need to answer this question despite its heretical nature. However, I fear the answer. It sits on the edge of my psyche, nipping away but unable to be caught. It is just like a phase spider hunting particularly dangerous prey.

[Moridin]

I have severed my connection to Lolth. Her symbol, the one I used to channel her power through, lies in pieces in the cavern outside. If she wishes to turn me into a drider, then let her do it! I will no longer be an orc for her to sacrifice on her board. I will no longer let my fear control me.

I met an Eilistraeean, last cycle, here. In the compound of Bregan Daerthe. One of the reasons I used to name them enemies. I was so ruled by my fear of the wrath of the queen of spiders, that I didn't figure out her faith at first, I just assumed her to be another heretic. She spoke ill of Lolth, and relished in the death of spiders. She was actively killing them. Yet when one had walked onto my hand, I had sat, paralyzed with fear. I had stared at the spider, wondering if she was watching. Just as she had watched my sister and father through the eyes of a spider. It had eventually crawled off of my hand.

I do not know what drove me, but I knew she was not a servant of Lolth, so I shared my story with her. She began to ask me why I care about her will, and I tried to explain it to her... But the particular female also was once a matron. She understood. She took me out into Varallas passage, outside of the compound and told me to draw her sword. That was when I discovered she was an Eilistraeean. Part of me wanted her dead right then, and it took much willpower to not stab her through immediately. I wanted to hear what she had to say. She then guided the marked bastard sword over to her throat, as if beckoning me to kill her. At first I thought of her as foolish and weak... However, she exuded confidence, even more than I had ever witnessed from any matron in the past. She had told me "You have a moon dancer at sword point. I have spat in her eyes twice. I offer myself as a prize." I hesitated.

I held the blade at her throat for what seemed like an eternity, as I had contemplated the meaning of it all. What is Lolth's favour worth, if she would take it away in but an instant? What is the meaning behind gathering power in her name, when it depends on her fickle whims? At the same time, would killing this heretic sate Lolth's hunger? Or would she only continue to demand more until all that remains of myself is an empty shell? Lolth's hunger was not sated by the hundreds I gave to her, or all the Eilistraeeans I have killed. I used to see it as a personal mission from the Dark Mother to end the dancing of her daughter's followers, yet I still lifted the blade from her throat. Her death would have been pointless. This Eilistraeean then introduced herself, and I responded in kind. I gave her my original house name.

My first dread guard, Dilarra, discovered us at that point. The discussion with her was what convinced me to break my diadem. When everything is taken from you, why is it instilled in us to bend the knee? Why is it seen as a strength to kneel down and beg forgiveness from our goddess? She has none. She has already denounced me as a heretic, and demands that I grovel at her feet. The Eilistraeean told me that it is strength to stand up and fight, which I intend to do.

The Eilistraeean told me of a place, up on the surface. She told me to go there when the moon rises high above the ground, and to meditate. I am not certain of if that will do any more than meditating in Bregan's compound, yet my curiosity is just as powerful as my fear of Lolth.