Drow Pantheon

[Mr. Cheez-It]

Despite what Lolth's priests might claim, evil drow deities other than the Spider Queen do exist:

Ghaunadaur, Kiaransalee, Selvetarm, Vhaeraun

[Mr. Cheez-It]

Ghaunadaur



That Which Lurks, the Elder Eye
Symbol:  Purplish eye on purple, violet, and black circles
Home Plane:  Demonweb Pits
Alignment:  Chaotic evil
Portfolio:  Ooozes, slimes, jellies, outcasts, ropers, rebels
Worshipers:  Aboleths, drow, fighters, oozes, outcasts, ropers
Favored Weapon:  An amorphous tentacle (warhammer)

Cleric Alignments:  CE, CN, NE
NwN Domains:  Cavern, Chaos, Drow, Evil, Hatred, Fungus, Ooze

History/Relationships:  Ghaunadaur is an ancient deity, said to have emerged from the primordial ooze.  Venerated by the largest slimes, oozes, slugs, and other crawling things, some of which as said to possess intelligence, albeit alien, Ghaunadaur struck most of them mad in a fit of fury for some transgression and stole their intellects.  As a result, many of its worshipers, and most of its power, ceased to exist.  Only in recent millennial have evil beings seeking an alternative to established deities begun to worship That Which Lurks, and it is only the veneration of drow disaffected with Lolth that places him within the drow pantheon.  Ghaunadaur has no allies.  He is opposed to nearly every deity with a presence in the Underdark as well as Malar and the various members of the Seldarine.

Dogma:  All creatures have their place, and all are fit to wield power.  Those who hunt weed out the weak and strengthen the stock of all.  Those who rebel or who walk apart find new ways and try new things and do most to advance their races.  Creatures of power best house the energy of life, which Ghaunadaur revers and represents.  Make sacrifices to the Eye, persuade others to sacrifice themselves to Ghaunadaur or in service to the Eye, further knowledge and fear of Ghaunadaur and in the end give yourself to Ghaunadaur in unresisting self-sacrifice.  Convert all beings to the worship of Ghaunadaur.  Slay all clergy of other faiths, plundering their temples and holdings for wealth to better your own lot and to further the worship of Ghaunadaur.

[Mr. Cheez-It]

Kiaransalee



Lady of the Dead, the Revenancer, the Vengeful Banshee
Symbol:  Female drow hand wearing silver rings
Home Plane:  Demonweb Pits
Alignment:  Chaotic Evil
Portfolio:  Undead, vengeance
Worshipers:  Drow, necromancers, undead
Favored Weapon:  â€œCold Heart” (dagger)

Cleric Alignments:  CE, CN, NE
NwN Domains:  Chaos, Drow, Evil, Undeath

History/Relationships:  Kiaransalee was once mortal, a powerful dark elven necromancer-queen from another plane.  She has long been an unwilling vassal of Lolth, capable of only small acts of rebellion.  In recent years, Kiaransalee seized the realm of Orcus, a demon lord of the undead, and is now consumed with efforts to eliminate every last trace of Orcus in any form.  Kiaransalee is loosely allied with many deities in hopes of loosening Lolth's web, including Hoar, Velsharoon, Malar, and Vhaeraun.  Her foes include Deep Duerra, Dumathoin, Elistraee, Kelemvor, Laduguer, and Jergal.

Dogma:  Death comes to all and cruel vengeance will be exacted on those who waster their lives on the petty concerns of this existence.  True power comes only from the unquestioning servitude of the once-dead.  Hunt, slay, and animate those who scron the Revenancer's power, and answer any slight a thousandfold, so that all may know the coming power of Kiaransalee.

[Mr. Cheez-It]

Selvetarm



Champion of Lolth, the Spider That Waits
Symbol:  Spider on a crossed sword and mace
Home Plane:  Demonweb Pits
Alignment:  Chaotic evil
Portfolio:  Drow warriors
Worshipers:  Barbarians, drow, fighters, those who lie to kill, warriors
Favored Weapon:  â€œVenommace” (heavy mace)

Cleric Alignments:  CE, CN, NE
NwN Domains:  Chaos, Drow, Evil, Spider, War

History/Relationships:  Selvetarm is the offspring of an ill-fated tryst between Vhaeraun and Zandilar (now an aspect of Sharess).  He walked a solitary way for many centuries, and was nearly turned to good by Eilistraee when Lolth convinced him to battle Zanassu, a demon lord with a fondness for spiders.  When Selvetarm defeated and absorbed the demon, he was overwhelmed by Zanassu's evil and fell into Lolth's mental traps.  He now serves her utterly.  He is allied only with Lolth and Garagos and opposes almost every other deity.

Dogma:  War is the ultimate expression of individual power, and only through battle and death can you realize the respect of your comrades.  Hone your fighting skills constantly and teach those who will follow into the fray.  Never give or receive quarter, and hope to die amid the bloodlust of battle against overwhelming odds.

[Mr. Cheez-It]

Vhaeraun



The Masked Lord, the Masked God of Night
Symbol:  A pair of black glass lenses that form a mask
Home Place:  Demonweb Pits
Alignment:  Chaotic evil
Portfolio:  Thievery, drow males, evil activity on the surface
Worshipers:  Assassins, male drow and half-drow, poisoners, shadowdancers, rogues, theives
Favored Weapon:  â€œShadowflash” (short sword)

Cleric Alignments:  CE, CN, NE
NwN Domains:  Chaos, Drow, Evil, Travel, Trickery

History/Relationships:  Vhaeraun is the son of Corellon and Araushnee (who became Lolth), brother to Eilistraee.  Cast out when his and his mother's treachery was discovered, he longs for the surface world he was once free to travel.  Allied with Mask, Shar, and Talona, he opposes the other Underdark gods, including his sister.  His feud with Lolth is subtle, as he lacks the power to oppose her directly.

Dogma:  The shadows of the Masked Lord must cast off the tyranny of the Spider Queen and forcibly reclaim their birthright and rightful place in the Night Above.  The existing drow matriarchies must be smashed, and the warring practices of twisted Lolth done away with, so that drow are welded into a united people, not a squabbling gaggle of rival Houses, clans, and aims.  Vhaeraun will lead his followers into a society where the drow once again reign supreme over the other, lesser races, and there is equality between males and females.