Sindrai'el

The mad Dark Elven goddess better known as the Spider Queen. The goddess of Spiders, Lust, Chaos and Murder, She is the absolute head of the Drow Pantheon. She was not always such, however. In the far mists of time, she was once known as Araennia, and was the consort of Larenthia Brightblade, making her Queen of the Orlythae. She gave birth to two children by Larenthia, Vhaeraun and Eilistraee. As Araennia, her epithet was the Weaver of Fate, and was the Elven goddess of destiny. She was also the patron of weavers. Larenthia entrusted to her the destiny of the Dark Elves, who shared her darkly beautiful features. In time, however, Araennia grew covetous of Larenthia's status as the Elven Allfather, and sought control of the Orlythae and the entire Elven race. She raised a host of infernal creatures and made war upon the Orlythae, joined by Vhaeraun and her underling Kiaransalee. Larenthia and the Orlythae were victorious, and he named Araennia Sindrai'el the Deceiver, cursing her and casting her forth from Eldamaar. Sindrai'el, consumed by hatred and madness, has plotted vengeance ever since.

Beliefs and Practices

Sindrai'el's worship is marked by orgies of blood sacrifice in which the hearts of the victims are carved out and thrown into flaming braziers (a practice later adapted by the followers of Torak). Surface Elves are especially desirable sacrificial victims, and are killed in higher numbers during days sacred to the Elven Gods as a mockery of their traditions. Dark Elves do not follow Sindrai'el out of a sense of love or commitment, but rather for the power She bestows upon those in Her favor. Priestesses spend their every waking moment living to please the Spider Queen, deciphering Her capricious will and carrying out Her often contradictory edicts. Successful priestesses enjoy power, wealth, and prestige and their houses obtain great rank. Sindrai'el's Favor is a fickle thing, however, and is just as quickly taken away as it is given. Ara'yathrin who ride high one season can be cast down in the next, and cunning priestesses never take it for granted. Those who die in Her favor are transformed into demonesses known as yochlol or the Handmaidens of Sindrai'el, who serve as messengers between the Spider Queen and her priestesses. Those unfortunates who die outside Her favor are tortured by the yochlol for eternity.

Sindrai'el's primary teachings are threefold: one, the Drow are eminently superior to all other races; two, females are eminently superior to males, who are weak, stupid, and incapable of independent thought; and finally, Power is Life and must be pursued at all costs.

Priesthood

Sindrai'el's priesthood consists entirely of females; males are barred from serving Her as priests, though they may and do serve as temple soldiers. Her priestesses are known as Ara'yathrin and stand atop the power hierarchy in Drow cities.

Her three Disciples are:

Ambika Everhate, the Dread Lady of Zhanduril

Pellanistra Rilyn'tar, Spider Matron of Karsoulithyl

Korathe S'raet, Assassin Queen of Maerimydra.