Helm of Spiders

Description
The helm of spiders was a unique and powerful helmet, of three unique parts, which was created long ago in Menzoberranzan. The helmet itself would bestow so much power upon the wielder, that the goddess Lolth utterly destroyed the helm's creator, along with the entirety of her House.

The three unique parts to the helm of spiders were:
 * The Helm: A unique helm, that by itself would grant the wearer magical protection.
 * The Gem of Lolth: A rare gem of infravision that depicted Lolth, lost to the ages
 * The Spider Crest: A beautifully crafted jade spider that could magically enhance the power of the helm

Powers
"When the Gem of Lolth is placed upon the crest, and the crest upon the helmet, the entire device might give one House power over all others."

- Rizzen Do'Urden

The helm of spiders, when complete, would imbue the wearer with magical protection and allow them to cast multiple offensive spells. The helmet itself had three stages, each in which would increase its power considerably. Its full potential could only be awakened by a high priestess of Lolth.

Helmet: magical protection for the wearer

Helmet + crest: ability to cast lightning bolts

Full helmet: ability to cast powerful gusts of wind, and unknown abilities when wielded by a high priestess of Lolth

Origin
The helm of spiders was created many years ago in Menzoberranzan. It was created by a high priestess of unknown name and House. The priestess hoped to use the power of the legendary helmet to unite the drow under her House, and lead assaults on both the Underdark and the surface world. The goddess Lolth, being a chaotic deity, despised such terrible ambition under the pretext of unity. Thus, she ordered the destruction of the creator, and the creator's House. The Queen of Spiders also erased the memory of those who were aware of the helm's existence.

Under orders of their goddess, the drow engaged in a raging battle with the unknown House, which was crushed. As a result, the mysterious helmet was split into its three components, and lost in time.

Recovery of individual parts
Aeons later, parts of the artifact were recovered. The base of the helmet was recovered by an innkeeper from Icewind Dale. Matron Baenre, upon finding out about this discovery, instructed the innkeeper to transport it to Menzoberranzan. He, however, had different ideas, and passed the item to a group of adventurers, heading to Menzoberranzan to rescue prisoners of their village. The group believed it to be an ordinary magical helmet, a gift to them from the innkeeper, for their efforts in fighting off a drow raid.

The adventuring group then, before heading into the Underdark, sought out a wise gem enchanter called Vermulean. He informed them that a trade caravan carrying gems had, mysteriously, gone missing to the east. The party finds four of these rare gems in a cavern of leucrottas. The druid then enchants the gems to allow the party to see in the Underdark. Unbeknown to the party and the druid, one of these gems was actually the Gem of Lolth.

After they made their way to the myconid caverns, the party were able to find the crest of the Helm, in the form of a spider carved of jade.

Distribution of the parts
When the party finally reached Menzoberranzan, still unaware of the properties of the helmet, they entered the bazaar to trade. Galentha, a well known drow merchant, offered the party a mystical healing music box, and a pair of magic candles. In need of healing after their strenuous journey, the party accepted the trade.

The group of adventurers later found a merchant, called Ssar Tarell, who specialised in the trade of information. Desperate to find the captive villagers, the party promised to free her beloved's soul from the drider curse, kept in the throne of Matron Baenre. Ssar Tarell sends them to Jalynfein, who has further information and a scroll to allow them to both access House Baenre, and to undo the drider curse.

Upon arrival of the throne of Matron Baenre, the curse was undone, and the party witnessed a meeting that took place between the innkeeper and the matron mother. She reprimands the innkeeper for not transporting it to her himself, and was about to execute the man. He, however, noticed the party he had given the helm to, and told the Matron Baenre. The party informed the matron mother that they traded it already, and she angrily demands them to retrieve it, or they will be slain.

"If I must send agents of my own House to retrieve it, then you shall pay the cost of their efforts with your blood."

- Matron Baenre

Acquisition of helm and crest by House Do'Urden
The party return to Galentha, who they found was struck by an assassin. The assassin then levitates to House Do'Urden. The adventurers then return to Ssar Tarell, who is joined by her love, free of the drider's curse. He tells the party that House Do'Urden, not only has the helmet, but is also keeping the prisoners of the adventurers' village.

As for the final part of her information, Galentha told the companions to seek out the House Fey-Branche wizard, Grumzsnar, who largely opposed House Do'Urden. He told the party to seek out Rizzen Do'Urden, a spy who secretly worked for House Fey-Branche. Before they left, the wizard transformed each of the party members into drow elves, to disguise them as a returning patrol. He also gave them the code word, santuary, to let Rizzen know who had sent them.

"The crest and the helmet may already be in Do'Urden's hands. Lolth cannot allow them to gain the gem as well - and if she will not. I will not"

- Grumsnzar Fey-Branche



For the final time, the adventurers stopped by Ssar Tarell to gain information on the gem that Grumsnzer had mentioned. She opens up a portal between the party and Vermulean, who identifies one of the gems the party carry to be the Gem of Lolth, the final part of the helm of spiders.

After finding Rizzen Do'Urden in Carpathian's Tavern, he provided them with a map of House Do'Urden, and a passphrase to get by the house guards. He told them that the final missing piece was a Hourse Do'Urden insignia, and the mercenary Jarlaxle could help them.

In exchange for a house insignia, the mercenary made an offer for the party. He asked them to retrieve a rare golden necklace from the Mantle caverns, a dangerous cavern filled with umber hulks and night hunters. Upon returning the necklace, Jarlaxle somewhat meets his promise, not giving them the insignia, but telling them where it could be found.

From Jarlaxle's directions, the party come across a patrol full of young Do'Urden nobles. The companions slay the group, pick up their insignia, and assume their identity.

Recreation of the whole helm of spiders
The adventurers from the surface, were now equipped to enter House Do'Urden. After getting passed the house guards, the party made its way to the noble's area. The party searched the upper part of the house extensively, and finally found the helmet with the crest attached. The companions attach the gem to the helm and crest, forming the full helm of spiders.

Upon acquisition of the full helm, the party is ambushed by Rizzen Do'Urden, who used the party as a pawn all along. Along with a high priestess and a group of drow fighters, they challenged the adventurers. However, with the full helm of spiders at their disposal, the adventurer's beat down Rizzen's force.

Eager to free the captives, the party of adventurers enter Matron Malice's sacrificial chamber. Malice angrily stops the ritual and sends her yochlol to defeat the party. Again, with the unique artifact, the adventurers slay the handmaiden of Lolth, and retrieve the prison key.

Before they moved on, it was clear that a rival house was invading House Do'Urden, and the party sought to escape. Here, they were confronted by high priestesses of House Fey-Branche, who congratulated them on opening the way to the destruction of House Do'Urden. The adventurers killed the priestesses, and met up wit. Drizzt Do'Urden. The renegade drow elf lead the party to the prison where the captives are held, and the villagers are free. Using Drizzt's extensive knowledge of the Underdark, the villagers and party made their way to the surface, with the helm of spiders in their possession.

Appearances

 * Computer games
 * Menzoberranzan
 * Menzoberranzan