Fane of Lolth

The Fane of Lolth was a temple dedicated to Lolth in Szith Morcane and was open for the denizens of the settlement to come and worship.

Location
Located above the seat of House Morcane in Szith Morcane, the Fane of Lolth was reached only by ascending one of its eight spiderweb ladders.

Structure
The Fane of Lolth was constructed in the semblance of an enormous spider. Eight spiderweb ladders comprised its legs and descended to House Morcane beneath it.

Interior
Inside the Fane of Lolth, the temple was separated into the outer fane (which comprised the forepart of the spider-structure) and the inner fane (which comprised the abdomen section of the spider-structure). These two sections were divided by a heavy iron gate that could only be passed safely by female drow worshippers of Lolth.

The outer fane was shaped to appear like the front section of a gigantic spider. An altar on a raised platform resided in the area that was constructed in the likeness of the spiders fangs.

The inner fane comprised of a pair of short, curved walls within which was a long sacrificial altar. Plush carpets covered the floor and were adorned with numerous pillows and cushions. Behind the back wall of the inner fane was a small vestry that housed the temples sacred texts, clerical vestments and ceremonial items.

Services
As the centre of worship for the inhabitants of Szith Morcane, the fane of lolth admitted worshippers of Lolth into the outer fane daily. Within the inner fane, rites of summoning and sacrifice took place among the clergy.

Defenses
Merely accessing the fane of lolth was a test of faith. Eight spiderweb ladders led to the temple but each ladder was enchanted with an effect that entangled any creature that did not worship Lolth upon touching. The webs were especially difficult to avoid due to the narrow crawlspace and were seemingly immune to burning.

The altar in the inner fane was warded with an effect that would sap the life from any living creature that touched it. In addition after losing contact with the altar the body of any creature slain by the altar would then rise as a spectre.

In addition, the heavy iron gate that separated the inner and outer fanes would summon a bebilith to attack any who touched the gate unless they were female drow priestess of Lolth.

History
In 1372 DR, during the Silence of Lolth, the Fane of Lolth was stormed by the worshippers of Kiaransalee and had the entirety of its inhabitants slaughtered. Although the gate to the inner fane was shattered, the potent magical wards still persisted in the temple. Many of the bodies of the priestess were risen as quth-maren and much of the valuable items were sent back to Maerimydra. Only the high priestess, Alisannara Morcane, remained to guard the temple in unlife as a keening spirit.

Notable Inhabitants

 * Alisannara Morcane, High Priestess