The Spider's Silk By: Dagus Carthus

Disclaimer: I do not own Lolth or any other aspects or ideas of Wizards of the Coast.

Chapter 1

Meziroth wasn't your typical drow city-state. Among the most prominent differences was the fact that it was carved out of a mountain. Over many millennia, the dark elves that inhabited the beautiful city had gone to great lengths to shape the stone into an intricate and functional maze of castles, shops, and institutes. Complete with smooth roads, gardens, and plazas, Meziroth was without a doubt a tribute to the ingenuity and cunning that was a trademark of the dark inhabitants of the palatial nation of cruel and malicious elves.

Secondly, the residents of Meziroth had never been forced to live in the Underdark. They had succeeded in overpowering their faerie elf cousins. Any survivors had long since fled. Without any other enemies to pour out their wrath on, the drow had raided the outlying villages of humans and enslaved them. Any tribes of goblinoids that had ventured too close to the mountain met the same fate.

Another interesting oddity was the trade that prospered between the braver merchants of the surface world and the drow nation of Meziroth. The slave trade was an easy way for a traveling merchant to get rich quick. The drow of Meziroth loved a good romp at the slave stockade, just as much as any other drow. Since the elves of this city were self-sufficient bartering was to be expected for some deals. Meziroth was fabled amongst the vile races as being the best source of reliable arms and armor. They mass-produced vials of poison, potions, and magical trinkets. After all, magic was innate to elves so why not cash in on it.

House Xaltiir, the First House of the City of the Spiders Silk, was held in the highest regards amongst the denizens of that dark nation. Matron Mother Xaltiir, a high priestess of Lolth, had lived for nearly six hundred years as the venomous, razor-tipped voice of their deity. Her family was always the First House of Meziroth, since it's founding. As was the way of her family, she commanded the other houses with impudence and flippant disregard, secure in the knowledge that she like all Xaltiir females before her were favored by their cruel and capricious goddess.

Matron Xaltiir was tall, lithe, and possessed of a stately beauty that was ethereal and deceptive of her true age. Her thick, stark white mane of hair was tightly braided into exquisite patterns. She was known for her extravagant, stylish wardrobe. Her favorite ensemble was a form fitting gossamer gown that was a pale periwinkle color. It had small gems sewn into the fabric, adding star-like twinkles when she walked.

Matron Xaltiir had five children: Velina, Jepis, Llisidra, Drasna, and Illyfein. Velina was Mistress of Ssrilreshin, Meziroth's largest temple dedicated to teaching drow females the ways of the vile goddess Lolth. Jepis was First Boy of House Xaltiir, House Weapons Master, and a Master at Crenzibar, the fighter's school. Llisidra was also a high priestess and taught at Ssrilreshin. Drasna, enjoying the safety and comfort of the family castle, was able to take Llisidra's place as the family's chapel custodian. There she kept the family's genealogy records, made the day-to- day offerings and prayers, and kept up with the inner workings of the household.

Then there was Illyfein. He was the family's House Wizard and Second Boy. Illyfein had just recently graduated from the wizard's academy, Ssrozbidel. Duplicitous and debonair, he was the family's playboy. Being the youngest, he had the least amount of responsibility. Matron mother Xaltiir, was always aware of his escapades, but lacked the time in the day to reprimand him. He was loyal to his mother and siblings, as they had inadvertently provided him with his ardent lifestyle. He had never openly disobeyed his mother and was in good standing with her as far as he could tell.

Illyfein like his siblings strongly resembled his mother. He was tall with a powerful musculature. Although not broad shouldered like his warrior brother, he was supple of limb, graceful, and lithe. He was like most highborn nobles a picturesque example of drow beauty. He possessed a thick mane of finely coitured white hair. His glossy nails were always finely manicured. His only unique feature that set him apart from most drow was his vibrant, deep green eyes. They sparkled with a hunger for life that was usually burned out of drow of either gender at a young age.

When he wasn't doing experiments in the laboratory, scouring scrolls and manuscripts, or scrying on the other nobles, he would go shopping and spend the day preening and primping at the posh spa's that were open all day, every day. For all his wit and charm, he was foppish beyond belief. He spent more money on himself then most drowess did. After all, he had a reputation for attention to detail that was to be maintained at all costs. That's probably why he was the most sought after drow in all of Meziroth.

Today, Illyfein had taken it upon himself to apply to the wizards' academy as a master. He strode up to the Councils antechamber, confident as always, with every intention of admitting himself without prior notice. Normally, such an action would trigger the runes and glyphs that protected the private sanctum of the elder wizards; however, wanting to prove a point, the haughty drow concentrated and made a series of arcane gestures. The ensuing flash of light that followed told him his demonstration of power had dispelled the spells that had ensorcelled the heavy double doors. Smiling craftily, he flung the doors wide.

A diminutive male, small even by drow standards, snarled at the audacious prince, "What is the meaning of this! Illyfein Xaltiir! Have you lost your mind? You will be punished for this impudence. I'll demand that Matron Xaltiir."

"You talk to much, Master Quezli. You guys should really do something about those doors. Anyone could just walk right in you know." said the pretentious wizard.

"What is your business, Illyfein? This brash display of power isn't your style. You graduated top of your class. Why ruin your reputation with Ssrozbidel by coming here and attacking the Council?" a middle-aged drow of noble birth addressed the younger Illyfein.

"Oh, I am not attacking you by any means. That's foolish." replied Illyfein to the Archmage of Meziroth, his former mentor and father. Renzin T'le'drineth was the First Boy of the Second House and the consort of Matron Xaltiir. " I was simply hoping to become a Master, such as yourself. As you can see, I do not lack in arcane know how. So my dearly revered elders, would you be so kind as to deliberate amongst yourselves? I will tarry outside while you consider my offer."

Spinning on his heels, he deftly spun about. Passing through the heavy doors, he slammed them behind himself. He straightened his garments and smoothed back a loose lock of hair. Looking around he noticed the expensive tapestries hanging on the wall; surely they were magical in nature. He peered closer, but before he could investigate the doors to the Councils chamber opened.

Illyfein raised an eyebrow and wondered what the outcome would be. If they refused he would be at a loss. His plans involved the privacy that the walls of the academy would offer. The salary earned could help him procure things he wasn't able to purchase with the allotment of money his mother provided alone. He would need a base of operations, and a haven from his snooping sisters and overbearing brother.

"Second Boy of House Xaltiir, you may enter now.", called his father.