- Paradise exists within the Underdark, a vale bathed in bioluminescent light.
- Punish all who would disobey the word of Lolth and her faith.
- Love and respect are useless feelings that none can lean on, but fear is as strong as steel.
It is said that Araushnee betrayed her husband Corellon due to his in-action during the Desolate Cascade. Along with her, other gods rebelled against Corellon and their pantheon, believing he was to blame for causing the destruction of the surface world. These Betrayer Gods took control of the Underdark to watch over the elves that escaped there. Rather then abandoning them like her husband, Araushnee sought to help these lost elves by embracing the power of the Underdark. Using her new found power of shadows and darkness, she would transform in to Lolth the Spider Queen, turning the elves in to drow, the Netherii.
Lolth and her children preach her right to rule the Underdark, dubbing her the savior of the Netherii people. Her worshipers are known for weaving complicated webs of schemes and treachery, deceiving allies and enemies alike to gain power. Sects of the Dark Seldarine heavily consist of female drows, as only females can become priestesses in their society. They are also seen as social leaders, rulers, and highly ranked members of drow society and due to their authority, can punish those whom they wish in Lolth's name. Drow matriarchs often work alongside Dark Seldarine churches to gain power and influence.
Pantheon
Netherii Deities |
Alignment |
Domain |
Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
Lolth, goddess of death, deceit, shadows, and spiders |
CE |
Death, Trickery, War |
Spider |
Eilistraee, goddess of moonlight, swordwork, and hunting. |
CG |
Light, Nature, Life |
Female drow dancing before a full moon with a silver sword |
Ghaunadaur, god of oozes, slimes, and outcasts |
CE |
War |
Purple eye with black sclera |
Kiaransalee, goddess of necromancy |
CE |
Arcana, Death |
Drow hand wearing many silver rings |
Selvetarm, god of warriors and slaughter | CE | War | Spider over crossed sword and mace |
Vhaeraun, god of defense against the surface, territory, thievery, and arrogance. | CN | Trickery, War | Black mask with blue glasses inset over eyes |
Malyk, god of chaos, rebellion, and wild magic. | CE | Tempest, Trickery | Flame in a tear or a multihued vortex |
Symbol
A common symbol for the Dark Seldarine is that of a jeweled spider.
Rites
Priestesses honor the Spider Queen by conducting rituals, leading sacrifices and spreading the faith. Sacrifices of surface elves occur monthly, usually as an insult to Corellon the rest of the Seldarine.
Temples
The Fane of Lolth is the largest temple dedicated to the worship of Lolth and the Dark Seldarine. Its walls are covered in webs, and sacrifices take place within while priestesses pray to the Spider Queen.