Lolth, the Spider Queen

Basic Information

• Name: Lolth (pronounced "lalth" or "loath")
• Domains: Spiders, Chaos, Darkness, Drow, Evil
• Alignment: Chaotic Evil
• Symbol: A black spider with a female drow head

Lolth is the primary deity of the drow, a dark and twisted goddess who embodies treachery, cruelty, and the relentless pursuit of power. She rules over the drow with an iron grip, encouraging their society’s brutal hierarchy and endless scheming.

History and Mythology

Lolth’s origins trace back to the ancient history of the elves. She was once Araushnee, a member of the Seldarine, the elven pantheon, where she served as the goddess of destiny and artisans. Her ambition and jealousy drove her to betray her consort, Corellon Larethian, in a failed attempt to overthrow the elven gods.

• The Fall of Araushnee: After her betrayal was exposed, she was banished from the Seldarine to the Abyss. There, she transformed into Lolth, the Spider Queen, embracing chaos and evil as her domains.
• Creation of the Drow: Lolth corrupted a group of elves, twisting them into the drow and leading them into the Underdark. She shaped their society to reflect her values of deceit, domination, and survival of the fittest.
• The Demonweb Pits: Lolth now resides in the Demonweb Pits, a chaotic layer of the Abyss filled with webs, darkness, and demonic spiders, where she weaves her schemes against mortals and gods alike.

Key Events

• The Descent: This marked the drow’s exile into the Underdark, where they established their cities under Lolth’s influence.
• The Silence of Lolth: A period when Lolth withdrew her divine favor, testing the drow’s loyalty and sparking chaos among their houses.

Relationships

Lolth is a solitary and unpredictable deity, often clashing with Corellon Larethian and the Seldarine. She has a tense relationship with her daughter, Eilistraee, the drow goddess of redemption, who opposes Lolth’s tyranny and seeks to liberate the drow.

Worshipers and Church Structure

Lolth’s followers are predominantly drow, though some surface-dwelling devotees are drawn to her promises of chaos and power. Her church is a matriarchal theocracy, with priestesses reigning supreme in drow society.

• Clergy: The Priestesses of Lolth hold both religious and political authority, leading their houses with fear and cunning.
• Hierarchy:
• High Priestess: The supreme ruler of a drow city or house, often the matron mother.
• Yathrin: Senior priestesses who conduct rituals and enforce Lolth’s will.
• Novices: Young drow women training to join the priesthood, enduring harsh trials.
• Worship Practices:
• Rituals often include sacrifices of captives or rivals to satisfy Lolth’s bloodlust.
• The Test of Lolth is a brutal rite of passage for priestesses, proving their worth through treachery and strength.

Divine Realms and Sacred Locations

• Divine Realm: The Demonweb Pits in the Abyss is Lolth’s domain—a terrifying web-laden expanse inhabited by her demonic servants.
• Sacred Locations:
• Menzoberranzan: The most iconic drow city in the Underdark, a hub of Lolth’s worship and intrigue.
• The Fane of the Spider Queen: A grand temple in Menzoberranzan where major rituals are held.
• The Spider Swamp: A perilous Underdark region believed to be blessed by Lolth.

Gameplay Mechanics

Lolth’s influence is significant in Dungeons & Dragons, especially for campaigns involving drow or the Underdark:

• Cleric Domains: Trickery, War, Death
• Favored Weapon: Whip or dagger, often poisoned
• Divine Boons: Devotees may gain abilities like Spider Climb, Web, or Darkness spells, reflecting Lolth’s arachnid themes.
• Artifacts: Items like the Whip of Fangs or Lolth’s Egg are legendary relics tied to her power.

Campaign Hooks

• Drow Intrigue: Players might navigate the deadly politics of drow houses, caught in a web of betrayal.
• Underdark Expeditions: Quests to recover artifacts or free prisoners from Lolth’s temples offer high-stakes challenges.
• Redemption or Corruption: Encounters with drow seeking freedom from Lolth—or temptations of her dark power—add moral depth.

Summary

Lolth is a goddess of chaos and cruelty, thriving on the ambition and suffering of her followers. Her presence looms large in the Underdark, particularly in cities like Menzoberranzan, making her a formidable force in any campaign.