Description -
A steep rope bridge leads from the walkway ledge to the uppermost level of the largest hanging tower, called the priestess's tower. The floor of this circular chamber is covered by dark silken mats with a pale web-strand pattern woven through them in silvery thread. In the middle of the chamber (at the center of the web) stands a broad pedestal carved from zurkhwood, with a 3m high sculpted spider at its head. The carving is so lifelike that anyone initially entering the chamber and seeing it in dim light must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check to recognize it. On a failure, a character mistakes it for a real Giant Spider.
This place is a shrine to Lolth, the Drow's spider goddess, and also serves as quarters for Asha, the junior priestess. She tends the shrine, overseeing routine rituals and offerings to Lolth.
Roll 1d6 when the characters enter the shrine to determine who they might meet.
Shrine Activity
| 1d6 | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | Asha is in the room alone, resting |
| 3-4 | |
| 5-6 | The shrine is empty |
The back half of the chamber, behind the altar, is piled with a semicircle of pillows and cushions. Resting among these is a Giant Spider trained and kept by the priestesses. The cushions give the spider sufficient concealment to hide from anyone entering the tower from the front. A character must succeed on a Wisdom (Perception) check contested by the spider's Dexterity (Stealth) check to spot it before it moves.
Enemies -
- Giant Spider 26hp
- Asha 27hp
| Time of Day | Drow HP | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 00:00 - 04:00 | 15,14,12,11 | |
| 04:00 - 08:00 | 12,11,17,17 | |
| 08:00 - 12:00 | 15,15,13,12 | |
| 12:00 - 16:00 | 15,15,15,14 | |
| 16:00 - 20:00 | 14,14,17,17 | |
| 20:00 - 24:00 | 14,14,13,12 |
Treasure -
The altar is flanked by a pair of heavy Silver Candlesticks worth 25 gp each. They hold thick black candles, lit only when a ritual is being performed in the shrine.
The eight "eyes" of the spider statue are eight pieces of polished Jet—four small ones worth 5 gp each and four larger ones worth 10 gp each. Any non-Drow who possesses these gems falls under a curse from Lolth. All spiders and spiderlike creatures attack the bearer of the stones on sight, and such creatures have advantage on checks to detect the possessor of the stones. The curse lasts until all the stones are given into the safekeeping of a Drow worshiper of Lolth or the gems are subject to a Remove Curse spell.
- Altar:
- 2 Silver Candlestick.
- 4 small cursed Jet worth 5gp each.
- 4 larger cursed Jet worth 10gp each.
- On each Drow there is a Hand Crossbow, a Shortsword, and a Chain shirt. If killed, the loot is on the relevant Drow's page.
- Asha has a Mace, and a Chain shirt. If killed, the loot is on her page.
- The Giant Spider's loot is on it's page.
Notes -
- The Jet stones are cursed.