Ryld Argith

Ryld Argith was a drow weapons master and master of Melee Magthere in Menzoberranzan. During the War of the Spider Queen, he was dispatched along with fellow academy instructor Pharaun Mizzrym, a master of Sorcere, to investigate the disappearance of several young males of various noble houses. In so doing, the pair helped to uncover a plot against Menzoberranzan.

Physical Appearance
Ryld is unusual for a drow due to his burly build. He stands about five and a half feet (168cm) tall and is more heavily muscled than the average drow. Quite unlike a drow's sense of vanity, Ryld has a warrior's pragmatism, and keeps his hair close-cropped to prevent foes from grabbing it during combat.

History
Ryld grew up on the streets of Menzoberranzan often the witness to the atrocities that the drow nobles brought down. Growing into adolescence Ryld was accepted into Melee Magthere, where he trained in several fighting styles. At the academy he rose as high as was possible with his non-noble status.

During his years at the academy, Ryld befriended Pharaun Mizzrym, a mage from Sorcere of noble birth. They had as close a relationship as any drow could have. Unfortunately, this did not prevent Pharaun from leaving him to fend off and presumably die from pursuers while in a hideout that belonged to a branch of the Jaezred Chaulssin. Although he survived the encounter, it set a deep rift between them next time they met.

Ryld was then chosen as a member of a drow party that was sent to find out why Lolth had fallen silent. During the cataclysmic fall of Ched Nasad, the party met Halisstra Melarn and Danifae Yauntyrr, priestesses of Lolth. Hallistra, doomed survivor of a fallen house, had no choice but to follow the Menzoberranyr to find out the fate of their silent goddess. After a grueling fight against Lamias on the surface lands of Anauroch, Hallistra revealed her secret knowledge of drow bardic music, or Baeq'ueshel, to pull Ryld from the brink of death. After losing hope in the Abyss, the two eventually left to try and find a different life, devoid of drow corruption. They eventually decided to return to their former group as Halisstra was determined to destroy Lolth. Danifae later intercepted them on their sojourn, and set the draegloth Jeggred Baenre to hunt down and kill Ryld after deceptively separating the two. After a long and massive fight worthy of song, Jeggred eventually killed him and ate his heart.

Hallistra encounters Ryld's spirit as she comes upon a procession of souls in the Astral Sea. Ryld, regretting nothing, tells her he loved her, and gave up everything for her. Saying his last goodbyes, he continues his journey to the newly established Demonweb Pits to meet Lolth.

Equipment
Rather than wearing chain mail under the traditional piwafwi, as most drow do, Ryld wears black duergar plate mail. Ryld wielded a magical greatsword known as Splitter, which was capable of penetrating nearly any armor. Moments before his death, Jeggred sunders the blade with a magical axe taken from a soldier killed in the midst of the struggle. He also employs a wickedly sharp short sword for close encounters. It saves his life more than once during the series. He is also a decent shot with a bow, but doesn't carry one with him.

Appearances

 * War of the Spider Queen