Lolth

D&D 2024 deity: Lolth. Source: Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn. pantheon Faerûnian Much of the Underdark is ensnared in the figurative web of Lolth, god of spiders. Lolth considers herself the true god of drow, though other members of the drow pantheon disagree. Lolth is a cruel god who encourages her followers to backstab and betray each other, reveling in their treachery. Lolth was once known as Araushnee, spouse of the elven deity Corellon Larethian. After attempting to overthrow Corellon with an army of spirits, Araushnee was banished to the Abyss. There, she fashioned an arachnid form for herself and took her current name. Spiders of all kinds are seen as omens of Lolth, especially in the Underdark. Lolth often sends Yochlol, her signature demons, as messengers or spies. Lolth's worship has an iron grip on the social structure of many drow cities in the Underdark. Recently folk unassociated with the Underdark have heard the spider god's call, guided by trails of spiders to join aboveground cults dedicated to Lolth. Disciples of Lolth proudly wear web-patterned clothing and practice blood sacrifice, preferring unwilling creatures. Their doctrine teaches them to find and kill non-worshipers. Lolth's followers aren't permitted to pray to other gods apart from Kiaransalee and Selvetarm, Lolth's two allies in the drow pantheon. The stone walls of Lolth's grandest temples are adorned with floor-to-ceiling bas-reliefs of webbing. As a reflection of the matriarchy of spiders, Lolth's faith permits only women to rise to the priesthood. In the Underdark, drow priests of Lolth rule the noble houses of drow cities like Menzoberranzan, where they wield absolute power. Some of these cities' residents despise the tyranny of Lolth's organization, fleeing to the surface or to drow communities that serve more lenient gods of the drow pantheon. When one of Lolth's worshipers shows great promise, Lolth summons them to the Demonweb Pits for a test of faith and strength. Those...