Thunder clashed in a mighty roar that deafened the senses. It was a night of strife, where gods of darkness battled those of light for supremacy of the sky. More than one battle was being fought though.

Far below the storm-wracked surface, in a chamber deep inside a mighty granite stalagmite, a different war raged. Not a war of weapons, but a war between two drow. A private war. A battle between mother and soon to be daughter.

Through the agonizing pain of being forced to leave a place known only as 'here' for the past months, a shrill cry split the air that did not go unnoticed by drow or gods alike. The scream that sounded a mother's happiness also heralded a call to arms, and as the angry father slit the throats of the guards at the gates, the invading army was ready.

Ever so silently and efficiently, the invading army had the outside of the compound secured. Not many put up a resistance, feeling secure and comfortable with their place. It was also a night of slaughter, where the only defense made was the defense in the house proper, where the Ilharess, slowly recovered.

Upon hearing the sounds of battle beyond the safe confines of the private chapel, a voice whispered in her mind to send the newborn to safety. Ordering a Yathrin to take the child and flee the compound, the Ilharess turned to enter the battle but the cause was already lost.

As the Yathrin fled through an underground passage reserved expressly for this purpose, she moved into the silent tunnels of the underground realm knowing that all now considered her an outcast and rogue. As she thought this over she came to a crystalline river that flowed through the silent world.

Looking at the small bundle in her hands and cursing the fate that brought her to this pass, she walked over to the side of the chasm and held out her arms. Looking one last time at the child she opened her hands with a simple, "aluve'" and the child plunged into darkness.

The Yathrin quite content with herself did not notice the figure step out of the shadows behind her. She didn't notice the cruel smile on his face as he plunged the dagger deep into her back.  But at least she was happy. As the drow turned his back to the carnage a small smile caressed his lips... It was done the house was eradicated.

As Lloth showed favor on one house she also showed favor on a child she intended for a greater purpose than an icy grave in the deep recesses of an underground realm. Lloth had looked into the future and in her infinite wisdom saw and recognized something in the child that was unlike others. Something that was worth saving.

Before the babe hit the icy stream, a large eight-legged form spun a quick web. Not a web of lies, but a soft silky web, a web of protection. This was it's purpose in life, this was the reason it existed, Lloth had given it this task, had imbued it with a special knowledge. The spider was first confused by this knowledge, this feeling of adoration towards the child. It had never been a mother to a drow and though it knew drow were special, motherhood was a bit much for it. But slowly time passed.

As I grew older in the silent darkness of the underground I called home, I had longings and feelings I couldn't explain. I was possessed with a temper and a quiet contemplation. I couldn't grasp why monthly I would bleed and be "possessed" even more. I felt there was more to life than this but I couldn't tell you what.

Day after day I would toil at my life, I would hunt, sleep, move, and hunt more, all the while being followed by my eight-legged silent friend. I felt loneliness and despair, anger and hatred at the fates that left me in this savage world.

Through my hunting I would come across camps or compounds of various creatures that also lived here in the eternal darkness.  Occasionally I would hide and watch their puzzling actions for hours. Soon I learned the strange noises, and the quick movements of hands and fingers meant they somehow communicated as I did with my companion. Deciding that I too should learn, I stalked and captured one of the small ones that seemed to obey those that looked like me. A goblin I learned later.

The small ugly looking creature did not know much. What it did know it taught me in a grudging way. I found I enjoyed beating it for information. The sullen attitude would turn to pleading whimpers of agreement. Growing tired of this game, I told it to go. Then I stalked the pathetic being and killed it with ease.

Learning from my spying, now knowing some of the strange sounds and hand movements as words, I was able to make things for myself. From the silk of the spider I fashioned clothes, and common sense taught me to make and arm myself with rough weapons. Although crude in nature they seemed to fit me.

There came a day though where I became the hunted and the world as I knew it slowly collapsed about me. Again I found myself spying upon ones like myself. Ebony skin and stark white hair so like my own. From behind I heard movement. Spinning around quickly I saw two moving stealthily towards me. I was fascinated and yet somehow repulsed by them. Then they spotted me. For a brief moment in time all three of us just stared at each other in surprise. When they began to circle me, one to each side, I knew the hunt was on.

I led them on a chase that lasted many hours until, at last, I reached a bridge that stretched over a chasm. Looking down I saw an icy stream. My eight-legged companion joined me then and turned to block the pursuers from me. I wanted to run to her but could only watch in horrid fascination as the two descended on her in a dance of death. I moved away from them as their shiny long weapons hacked her apart. Slipping back into the shadows, away from them, I felt arms wrap around me. A third!  A hand clamped over my mouth clasping me tight and a breath of sound whispered into my ear, "sleep".

I do not wish to remember all the things that occurred in that rogue's camp. Just that from other females like myself, I learned the language of the drow properly, and of Lloth. Our hatred and anger at the males who defied her burned deep inside us. Years passed and we waited much as my spider companion would within her web. Eventually our patience paid off and the blood ran deep in sacrifice to the Spider Goddess.

Only I survived to reach the outskirts of this great city called Rilauven. Something drew me towards a compound that scurried with activity. Looking upon the majestic spire that towered over it, it seemed I saw myself riding upon the back of my companion. Here is "home" whatever that word means. I felt a strong yearning to join with the others that moved about there.

Standing before the gates, I simply glared at the males who guarded them. One quickly ran within where I could not see. Soon a female arrived. Her beauty and stature, the power that emanated from her, awed me at her presence. I quickly fell to my knees not knowing what to say.

"Vendui' Zelghinna and welcome to Elythanar. I have been awaiting your arrival," her low husky voice sent a shiver down my spine. Many questions tumbled in my mind. How did she know my name?  How had she known I would come? These thoughts and more buzzed inside me, but I gave no voice to them. Instead I lowered my eyes and spoke, "Vendui' Malla Ilharess."

"Do rise dear and follow me, it has been a long journey for you."

From within the shadows Drathsin watched and waited, his blades settled gently in his hands. Drath walked slowly around the area looking for intruders on the young female’s training.

He had just come to the end of the tunnel when he heard the footsteps and the intricate sounds of magic being spoken. Merging with the shadows his silent footfalls took him towards the sounds quickly. His eyes glowed a fiery red as he saw the human, Niro.

From the shadows Drath burst out, his weapons coming up as his first dagger flew through the air. Niro stumbled backwards as the dagger sunk into his shoulder, but quickly recovered sliding behind a pillar. From behind he caught the sounds of quiet steps approaching and new it was the yathrin. Pushing thoughts of the female away, he went on after his victim. Levitating upward, he moved through the air towards the pillar that hid the human.

Niro had fought drow before and expected this, casting a fumble spell as Drath came around the pillar. Releasing a small, sticky net of his own, Drath dropped and rolled, trying to avoid the other's spell. Unfortunately the assassin was caught in it as he dropped.

Landing gently he still made it behind another pillar. Growling as he realized his movements had slowed, he tried to consider his alternatives. Then he heard the yathrin shout the words of a spell. Coming back around, he spotted the human falling back from the force of the yathrin’s spell, smiling Drath pulled another well-balanced blade from his boot and hit Niro from behind. The force of the blow knocked the human to the ground.

Niro rolled upon hitting the ground and began casting another spell, quicker than thought possible, both Drath and the yathrin jumped away.

Whatever spell the mage cast passed harmlessly over Drath as he ducked, but he heard a strangled gasp come from the yathrin. Running across the floor he spotted her. Her frozen form indicated she had been struck by a hold spell.

His fury building he ran at the human, firing two bolts from his hand-crossbow and catching Niro in the chest. His words sounding loud in his ears, he let go another dagger and watched as it raced across the area striking Niro. The smell of blood and sweat was strong. Drath's vision cleared as the blood-rage diminished and returned to normal. Walking softly towards the yathrin he stood guard and waited for her release from the binding spell.

As soon as the priestess was free, Drath returned to the still form. Sneering, he kicked the lifeless body before tossing it into the flow of sewage. With an evil grin he turned and disappeared into the shadows to continue his duty.