Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Lilindith 12-28-07, 05:32 PM	I have a female drow priestess. She going to be graduating from Arach-Tinilith soon but there's only one thing I'm wondering... Exactly what is the Test of Lolth? See, I want her to experience it, but I'm hearing all sorts of answers. Ones that are vague like Lolth will send a priestess on a mission, usually on the surface world. I hear about this "bloodletting" type of deal, and I've heard more specific theories like Lolth will choose a test subject which will eventually result in whether they're willing to kill an ally in the name of Lolth or not. I can't finish my character's background without this type of information unless I'm settling for a vaguer background which I'm trying to avoid. Is there an absolute answer to this? If not, then what would be the common answer? I appreciate any replies. Thank you.
The_Shaman 12-28-07, 06:21 PM	I think it's unclear because the definition might have changed itself. For example, I think a 2nd edition book said it would usually include pitting two drow against each other, having both think the other has offended or forsaken the Spider Queen; usually the more promising one is put at a disadvantage, say by having a foe of slightly higher level or status. The 3.5 version of Drow of the Underdark speaks of several variations of the test, one of which - the test of loyalty - sounds nearly identical to the one I talked about but with the added twist of the opponents being kin or acquaintances; others include simply killing a powerful opponent, deceiving certain rivals, extricating oneself from a swarm of spiders without harming them, or surviving - and keeping faith in the Spider Queen - through unfavorable conditions, up to and including being turned into a drider. However keep in mind that unlike the previous DotU, the 3rd edition one is not automatically considered canon for the Forgotten Realms... Consider it more a source of ideas for your own campaign rather than a 100% accurate portrayal of what a drow in Menzoberranzan can expect. I wish I could tell you what to read, but to make things even better (read: completely FUBAR'd), lore changes may have rendered the old DotU not quite correct as well: iirc it mentions testing only for mages and includes a mention that Lloth may accept male clerics, although they are limited in their advancement to lvl 7 or so Anyway, previously the test of Lloth was administered to drow spellcasters around lvl 6 (why do you think driders have 6 levels in a casting class, eh?), regardless of what phase in their training/career they are at. It is quite likely that Lloth tests her devotees in other ways as well - heck, one of their prayers is basically asking the Spider Queen to test them, and I think she obliges often enough. In this context, the 6-level test is probably "The Big One" before they are given real power and responsibility.
Dravda 12-31-07, 01:36 AM	Given that the sources are all fuzzy on this topic, expect pain and terror coming at you from behind the DM screen... Good luck. -Count Dravda