Shakti Hunzrin

Shakti Hunzrin was a powerful Menzoberranyr traitor-priestess of Lolth and Vhaeraun. She hated Liriel Baenre, pursuing her across Faerun and trying to kill her several times, but she was not successful.

Description
Shakti was solid by drow standards, even plump, and had hard red eyes. She was nearsighted from birth, but in 1361 DR she was able to heal herself by the power of Lolth and Vhaeraun. During her time in the Abyss, she was reshaped and became lithe and more attractive, which was noted with surprise by Gromph Baenre.

Personality
Shakti had no sense of humor.

Shakti's greatest passion was rothe farming -- she was in charge of House Hunzrin's rothe herds on the Isle of Rothe in Lake Donigarten. In fact, she didn't really want to be a priestess originally, but she appreciated the power it gave her.

History
While seeking revenge against her rival Liriel, Shakti approached Nisstyre, a known follower of Vhaeraun, and offered to become a "traitor priestess" serving both Lolth and Vhaeraun and offering her services to Nisstyre. She placed a magic ruby on Nisstryre's forehead, allowing her to see through it, speak with Nisstryre and even to mentally harm him. He would monitor his activities with it until his demise.

In 1361 DR, Shakti was ordained a high priestess, despite having not completed all her years at Arach-Tinilith. She was tasked with returning Liriel to Menzoberrazan, which prompted her alliance with Rethnor and the Kraken Society. After failing to capture Liriel, she met her again in Ascarle, where she challenged her to a nai'shedareth, but Liriel swiftly dispatched her by sending her into the Abyss. She would wander amidst the mists, defending herself from demons and incubus until a yoschlol appeared before her. She gave her a piwafwi, a soul bubble, a spider-silk dress and enchanted her whip, bringing it back as an undead weapon. They would then cross a portal, where she would go back to the Material Plane.

After her sojourn in the Abyss, she went back to Menzoberrazan, where she told Triel Baenre of her failure to retrieve Liriel, but showing her that she still had the favour of Lolth. She also allied with Gromph Baenre, telling him that Liriel died and that she could take her place as an informant and ally. Everyone showed her much more respect and deference once she went back. With her older sister dead of a wasting disease, which she was implied to be involved, she passed to be the eldest daughter, which become matron mother one day.

By 1484 DR, Shakti had become matron mother of House Hunzrin, the Eleventh House. She was strongly allied with House Barrison Del'Armgo.

Possessions
Shakti's weapon of choice, like that of her family, was an enchanted pitchfork, although she later relied more on her snake-headed whip conferred upon her when she became a high priestess. All the snake heads from her whip died in her confrontation with Liriel and later deteriorated to bones, but they were enchanted as undead snakes and functioned as the regular whip of a high priestess. These snakes could also go hunt on their own.

Allies
Shakti allied herself with many others in her pursuit of Liriel, including Matron Mother Triel Baenre, Gromph Baenre, Nisstyre and the Dragon's Hoard, the illithid Vestress of Ascarle, High Captain Rethnor of Luskan, and Gorlist.

Novels
Starlight & Shadows trilogy:
 * 1) Daughter of the Drow
 * 2) Tangled Webs
 * 3) Windwalker

Other:
 * Night of the Hunter (mentioned)