Arach-Tinilith

Arach-Tinilith was the clerical school in the drow city of Menzoberranzan shaped in the form of a spider.

Structure
Arach-Tinilith made up the largest and most powerful branch of the Academy, followed by Sorcere and lastly by Melee Magthere.

The central part of the spider-shaped complex was a chapel carved from a single mass of black stone. Inside, seats surrounded circular platform, statue of spider with the head of drow female.

The matron mistress of the academy had an office on the highest level that had a tapestry of Lolth looming over a sacrificed surface elf.

There were kitchens located in the lower levels, which seemed like dungeons. Slaves, such as the ogre slave Chirank, were employed there.

History
As with Menzoberranzan and the Academy, little was known about Arach-Tinilith's origins except it was ancient, probably starting soon after Menzoberranzan was formed. What is known, or at least speculated, is that Arach-Tinilith was formed with the rest of the Academy as a sort of general civil-service for Menzoberranzan. Since the individual houses rarely do anything that does not in some way benefit them, it is commonly thought that a group of long-dead matron mothers banded together to form the Academy as a city guard, city executioner, and training center for all future fighters, wizards, and clerics.

Schooling
Novices wore black robes with red trim.

Most new priestesses had to share rooms with one or two others until the fifth year (although Liriel Baenre was able to secure her own room).

Each day ended in the chapel in prayer and praise.

Priestesses received training in weapon combat from older students of Melee-Magthere.

Inhabitants
All female, the priestesses of Lolth went to Arach-Tinilith after being trained by their houses in the basics of worship of the Spider Queen. This usually happened around the age of 40, and they were to spend 50 years studying under the tutelage of the mistresses there. By 1361 DR, priestesses were expected to enter Arach-Tinilith by age 25.

Priestesses helped fulfill the duty of Arach-Tinilith and the Academy by enacting healing spells, serving as part of the guard of Menzoberranzan, praying to Lolth to keep the city in her favor, and providing religious instruction to other students of the Academy.

Matron Mistresses/Mistress Mothers

 * Triel Baenre in 1361 DR.
 * Quenthel Baenre in 1372 DR.

Mistresses (teachers)

 * Zeld Mizzrym (1361 DR).

Students

 * Liriel Baenre (1361 DR).
 * Shakti Hunzrin (?-1361 DR).

Novels

 * ''Homeland
 * Daughter of the Drow
 * Windwalker
 * Dissolution