Ardulace Despana

Matron Mother Ardulace was a powerful drow cleric and the head of the Ust Natha branch of house Despana. She formed an alliance with Jon Irenicus with the intent of attacking the elves of Suldanessellar. Using the eggs of the silver dragon Adalon given to her by Irenicus, she was to buy the services of a powerful demon to lead the attack. However, her own daughter Phaere conspired (unsurprisingly) to murder her and take her place as matron mother.

In Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, Adalon will try to recruit the player character to infiltrate Ust Natha (disguised as drow) and retrieve her eggs. To do this, they must first show their ability by performing a number of tasks, after which they are brought to meet Ardulace. She will charge them with retrieving the blood of the leaders of one of the powerful rivals of the drow in the area - either kuo-toa, illithid or beholders. This will be used in summoning the demon. Phaere will ask the player character to steal the real eggs and replace them with fakes, so that she might be the one making the deal with the demon; it is also possible to give her another set of fakes, provided by Solaufein. Whichever option is chosen, Ardulace and Phaere will each be either be killed by the demon or turn hostile after it reveals the player's party's identity as surfacers.

Ardulace carries on her person several valuable jewels, a Ring of Spell Turning, and the Gorgon Plate, a plate mail with a +4 enhancement bonus that also grants the wearer resistance to fire and acid.