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{{Location
 
{{Location
| type = Temple
+
| type = Temple/School
 
| name = Arach-Tinilith
 
| name = Arach-Tinilith
 
| image =
 
| image =
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| aliases =
 
| aliases =
 
| capital =
 
| capital =
| area =
+
| area = [[Menzoberranzan]], [[Northdark]]
 
| size =
 
| size =
 
| ruler1 = Mistress [[Triel Baenre]]<ref name="DotD-p2">{{Cite book/Daughter of the Drow|2}}</ref>
 
| ruler1 = Mistress [[Triel Baenre]]<ref name="DotD-p2">{{Cite book/Daughter of the Drow|2}}</ref>
 
| ruleryear1 = 1361
 
| ruleryear1 = 1361
| ruler2 = Mistress [[Quenthel Baenre]]<ref name="Diss">{{Cite book/Dissolution}}</ref>
+
| ruler2 = Mistress [[Quenthel Baenre]]<ref name="Diss-p17">{{Cite book/Dissolution/Paperback|17}}</ref>
 
| ruleryear2 = 1372
 
| ruleryear2 = 1372
 
| ruler3 =
 
| ruler3 =
Line 22: Line 22:
 
| languages =
 
| languages =
 
| races = [[Drow]]
 
| races = [[Drow]]
| religion =
+
| religion = [[Lolth]]
 
| currency =
 
| currency =
| reckoning =
+
| reckoning = DR
 
| population1 =
 
| population1 =
 
| popyear1 =
 
| popyear1 =
Line 42: Line 42:
 
| settlements =
 
| settlements =
 
}}
 
}}
'''Arach-Tinilith''' was the clerical school in the [[drow]] city of [[Menzoberranzan]] shaped in the form of a [[spider]].<ref name="RGLoD-p123">{{Cite book/A Reader's Guide to R. A. Salvatore's the Legend of Drizzt|123}}</ref>
+
'''Arach-Tinilith''' was the clerical school in the [[drow]] city of [[Menzoberranzan]]. Like the rest of the Academy, it was located in [[Tier Breche]].<ref name="RGLoD-p123">{{Cite book/A Reader's Guide to R. A. Salvatore's the Legend of Drizzt|123}}</ref>
   
 
==Structure==
 
==Structure==
 
The complex -- the largest of the Academy -- was located on the northern side of the [[Tier Breche]] cavern and was shaped like a spider. The "cephalothorax" of the spider housed the grandest chapels, the holiest altars, and the quarters of the senior priestesses.<ref name="Diss-p88">{{Cite book/Dissolution/Paperback|88}}</ref> The crowning gem of the complex was a the main chapel, carved from a single mass of black stone. Inside, seats surrounded circular platform, statue of spider with the head of drow female.<ref name="DotD-p195">{{Cite book/Daughter of the Drow/2003|195}}</ref>
Arach-Tinilith made up the largest and most powerful branch of the [[Tier Breche|Academy]], followed by [[Sorcere]] and lastly by [[Melee Magthere]].{{fact}}
 
   
 
The Mistress of the academy had an office on the highest level that had a tapestry of Lolth looming over a sacrificed surface elf.<ref name="RGLoD-p123"/>
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.<ref name="DotD-p195">{{Cite book/Daughter of the Drow/2003|195}}</ref>
 
   
  +
There were kitchens located in the lower levels, which seemed like dungeons. Slaves, such as the [[ogre]] slave [[Chirank]] in [[1361 DR]], were employed there.<ref name="DotD-p89">{{Cite book/Daughter of the Drow/2003}89}}</ref>
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.<ref name="RGLoD-p123"/>
 
   
There were kitchens located in the lower levels, which seemed like dungeons. Slaves, such as the [[ogre]] slave [[Chirank]], were employed there.<ref name="DotD-p89">{{Cite book/Daughter of the Drow/2003}89}}</ref>
+
A small library was located somewhere in the complex.<ref name="Diss-p240">{{Cite book/Dissolution/Paperback|240}}</ref>
   
 
==History==
 
==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 mother]]s banded together to form the Academy as a city guard, city executioner, and training center for all future [[fighter]]s, [[wizard]]s, and [[cleric]]s.{{fact}}
+
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 did anything that does not in some way benefit them, it was commonly thought that a group of long-dead [[matron mother]]s banded together to form the Academy as a city guard, city executioner, and training center for all future [[fighter]]s, [[wizard]]s, and [[cleric]]s.{{fact}}
  +
  +
In [[1372 DR]], the Mistress of Arach-Tinilith, [[Quenthel Baenre]], was attacked at the school by a number of demons intending to assassinate her. A number of novice priestesses and even instructors led by [[Drisinil Armgo]] believed that Quenthel had lost he favor of Lolth, and thus they planned to murder her. Quenthel discovered their plot and summoned hordes of spiders to kill them and demonstrate that she was in her goddess's favor (although that was during the [[Silence of Lolth]]).<ref name="Diss-p217">{{Cite book/Dissolution/Paperback|217}}</ref> In truth, unbeknownst to her, the demons had been sent by her brother, [[Gromph Baenre]], the [[Archmage of Menzoberranzan]].
   
 
==Schooling==
 
==Schooling==
Line 66: Line 68:
   
 
==Inhabitants==
 
==Inhabitants==
All female, the priestesses of Lolth went to Arach-Tinilith after being trained by their houses in the basics of worship of the [[Lolth|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.<ref>{{Cite book/Homeland|132}}</ref> By [[1361 DR]], priestesses were expected to enter Arach-Tinilith by age 25.<ref name="DotD-p40">{{Cite book/Daughter of the Drow/2003|40}}</ref>
+
All female, the priestesses of Lolth went to Arach-Tinilith after being trained by their houses in the basics of worship of the [[Lolth|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.<ref>{{Cite book/Homeland|132}}</ref> By [[1361 DR]], it appeared priestesses were expected to enter Arach-Tinilith by age 25.<ref name="DotD-p40">{{Cite book/Daughter of the Drow/2003|40}}</ref>
  +
 
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.{{fact}}
   
  +
It was a crime for males to enter Arach-Tinilith unsummoned.<ref name="Diss-p325">{{Cite book/Dissolution/Paperback|325}}</ref>
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.
 
   
 
===Notable inhabitants of Arach-Tinilith===
 
===Notable inhabitants of Arach-Tinilith===
 
====Matron Mistresses/Mistress Mothers====
 
====Matron Mistresses/Mistress Mothers====
  +
The Matron Mistress was often addressed as "Exalted Mother," a title also used for [[matron mothers]].<ref name="Diss-p242">{{Cite book/Dissolution/Paperback|242}}</ref>
* [[Triel Baenre]] in [[1361 DR]].<ref name="DotD-p2"/>
 
* [[Quenthel Baenre]] in [[1372 DR]].<ref name="Diss"/>
+
* [[Triel Baenre]] in [[1361 DR]],<ref name="DotD-p2"/> until Quenthel's ascension.<ref name="Diss-p126">{{Cite book/Dissolution/Paperback|126}}</ref>
 
* [[Quenthel Baenre]] in [[1372 DR]].<ref name="Diss-p17"/>
   
 
====Mistresses (teachers)====
 
====Mistresses (teachers)====
 
* [[Zeld Mizzrym]] ([[1361 DR]]).<ref name="DotD-p182">{{Cite book/Daughter of the Drow/2003|182}}</ref>
 
* [[Zeld Mizzrym]] ([[1361 DR]]).<ref name="DotD-p182">{{Cite book/Daughter of the Drow/2003|182}}</ref>
  +
* [[Lirdnolu]], an instructor at Arach-Tinilith who was murdered prior to [[1372 DR]]. She had a classroom in an indoor ampitheatre which was left unused for some time after her death.<ref name="Diss-p211">{{Cite book/Dissolution/Paperback|211}}</ref>
  +
* [[Quave]], senior instructor ([[1372 DR]]).<ref name="Diss-p186">{{Cite book/Dissolution/Paperback|186}}</ref>
  +
* [[Viconia Agrach Dyrr]], senior instructor ([[1372 DR]]).<ref name="Diss-p327">{{Cite book/Dissolution/Paperback|327}}</ref>
  +
* [[Vlondril Tuin'Tarl]] ([[1372 DR]]).<ref name="Diss-p125">{{Cite book/Dissolution/Paperback|125}}</ref>
   
====Students====
+
====Novice priestesses (students)====
 
* [[Liriel Baenre]] ([[1361 DR]]).<ref name="DotD">{{Cite book/Daughter of the Drow}}</ref>
 
* [[Liriel Baenre]] ([[1361 DR]]).<ref name="DotD">{{Cite book/Daughter of the Drow}}</ref>
 
* [[Shakti Hunzrin]] (?-[[1361 DR]]).<ref name="DotD"/>
 
* [[Shakti Hunzrin]] (?-[[1361 DR]]).<ref name="DotD"/>
  +
* [[Drisinil Armgo]], who plotted to kill Quenthel (?-[[1372 DR]]).<ref name="Diss-p19">{{Cite book/Dissolution/Paperback|19}}</ref>
  +
* [[Halavan Symryvvin]], who attempted to kill Quenthel (?-[[1372 DR]], deceased).<ref name="Diss-p185">{{Cite book/Dissolution/Paperback|185}}</ref>
  +
* [[Gaussra Kenafin]], who had black teeth ([[1372 DR]]).<ref name="Diss-p18">{{Cite book/Dissolution/Paperback|18}}</ref>
  +
* [[Jyslin]], a second-year novice priestess in [[1372 DR]].<ref name="Diss-p167">{{Cite book/Dissolution/Paperback|167}}</ref>
  +
* [[Minolin Fey-Branche]], a fifth-year novice priestess in [[1372 DR]].<ref name="Diss-p167"/>
  +
* [[Molvayas Armgo]] (?-[[1372 DR]]), deceased).<ref name="Diss-p150">{{Cite book/Dissolution/Paperback|150}}</ref>
  +
* [[Rilrae Zolond]] ([[1372 DR]]).<ref name="Diss-p240">{{Cite book/Dissolution/Paperback|240}}</ref>
  +
* [[T'risstree T'orgh]], a commoner warrior-priestess who wielded a falchion ([[1372 DR]]).<ref name="Diss-p126">{{Cite book/Dissolution/Paperback|126}}</ref>
   
==Appearances==
+
==Appendix==
===Novels===
+
===Appearances===
  +
====Novels====
 
*''[[Homeland]]
 
*''[[Homeland]]
 
*''[[Daughter of the Drow]]''
 
*''[[Daughter of the Drow]]''
Line 89: Line 107:
 
*''[[Dissolution]]''
 
*''[[Dissolution]]''
   
==See also==
+
===See also===
 
*[[Melee Magthere]]
 
*[[Melee Magthere]]
 
*[[Menzoberranzan]]
 
*[[Menzoberranzan]]
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*[[Tier Breche]]
 
*[[Tier Breche]]
   
==References==
+
===References===
 
{{refs}}
 
{{refs}}
   
===Sources===
+
====Sources====
 
*[[R.A. Salvatore]] (September, 1990). [[Homeland]]. [[Wizards of the Coast]]. ISBN 0-8803-8905-2.
 
*[[R.A. Salvatore]] (September, 1990). [[Homeland]]. [[Wizards of the Coast]]. ISBN 0-8803-8905-2.
   

Revision as of 23:59, 7 January 2014

Arach-Tinilith was the clerical school in the drow city of Menzoberranzan. Like the rest of the Academy, it was located in Tier Breche.[3]

Structure

The complex -- the largest of the Academy -- was located on the northern side of the Tier Breche cavern and was shaped like a spider. The "cephalothorax" of the spider housed the grandest chapels, the holiest altars, and the quarters of the senior priestesses.[4] The crowning gem of the complex was a the main chapel, carved from a single mass of black stone. Inside, seats surrounded circular platform, statue of spider with the head of drow female.[5]

The Mistress of the academy had an office on the highest level that had a tapestry of Lolth looming over a sacrificed surface elf.[3]

There were kitchens located in the lower levels, which seemed like dungeons. Slaves, such as the ogre slave Chirank in 1361 DR, were employed there.[6]

A small library was located somewhere in the complex.[7]

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 did anything that does not in some way benefit them, it was 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.[citation needed]

In 1372 DR, the Mistress of Arach-Tinilith, Quenthel Baenre, was attacked at the school by a number of demons intending to assassinate her. A number of novice priestesses and even instructors led by Drisinil Armgo believed that Quenthel had lost he favor of Lolth, and thus they planned to murder her. Quenthel discovered their plot and summoned hordes of spiders to kill them and demonstrate that she was in her goddess's favor (although that was during the Silence of Lolth).[8] In truth, unbeknownst to her, the demons had been sent by her brother, Gromph Baenre, the Archmage of Menzoberranzan.

Schooling

Novices wore black robes with red trim.[9]

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).[10]

Each day ended in the chapel in prayer and praise.[5]

Priestesses received training in weapon combat from older students of Melee-Magthere.[11]

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.[12] By 1361 DR, it appeared priestesses were expected to enter Arach-Tinilith by age 25.[13]

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.[citation needed]

It was a crime for males to enter Arach-Tinilith unsummoned.[14]

Notable inhabitants of Arach-Tinilith

Matron Mistresses/Mistress Mothers

The Matron Mistress was often addressed as "Exalted Mother," a title also used for matron mothers.[15]

Mistresses (teachers)

Novice priestesses (students)

Appendix

Appearances

Novels

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Warning: edition not specified for Daughter of the Drow
  2. 2.0 2.1 Richard Lee Byers (August 2003). Dissolution. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 17. ISBN 0-7869-2944-8.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Philip Athans (2008). A Reader's Guide to R. A. Salvatore's the Legend of Drizzt. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 123. ISBN 0-7869-4915-5.
  4. Richard Lee Byers (August 2003). Dissolution. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 88. ISBN 0-7869-2944-8.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Elaine Cunningham (July 2003). Daughter of the Drow (Mass Market Paperback). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 195. ISBN 978-0786929290.
  6. {{Cite book/Daughter of the Drow/2003}89}}
  7. 7.0 7.1 Richard Lee Byers (August 2003). Dissolution. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 240. ISBN 0-7869-2944-8.
  8. Richard Lee Byers (August 2003). Dissolution. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 217. ISBN 0-7869-2944-8.
  9. Elaine Cunningham (July 2003). Daughter of the Drow (Mass Market Paperback). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 86. ISBN 978-0786929290.
  10. Elaine Cunningham (July 2003). Daughter of the Drow (Mass Market Paperback). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 85. ISBN 978-0786929290.
  11. Elaine Cunningham (July 2003). Daughter of the Drow (Mass Market Paperback). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 140. ISBN 978-0786929290.
  12. Warning: edition not specified for Homeland
  13. Elaine Cunningham (July 2003). Daughter of the Drow (Mass Market Paperback). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 40. ISBN 978-0786929290.
  14. Richard Lee Byers (August 2003). Dissolution. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 325. ISBN 0-7869-2944-8.
  15. Richard Lee Byers (August 2003). Dissolution. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 242. ISBN 0-7869-2944-8.
  16. 16.0 16.1 Richard Lee Byers (August 2003). Dissolution. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 126. ISBN 0-7869-2944-8.
  17. Elaine Cunningham (July 2003). Daughter of the Drow (Mass Market Paperback). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 182. ISBN 978-0786929290.
  18. Richard Lee Byers (August 2003). Dissolution. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 211. ISBN 0-7869-2944-8.
  19. Richard Lee Byers (August 2003). Dissolution. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 186. ISBN 0-7869-2944-8.
  20. Richard Lee Byers (August 2003). Dissolution. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 327. ISBN 0-7869-2944-8.
  21. Richard Lee Byers (August 2003). Dissolution. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 125. ISBN 0-7869-2944-8.
  22. 22.0 22.1 Elaine Cunningham (July 2003). Daughter of the Drow (Mass Market Paperback). (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 978-0786929290.
  23. Richard Lee Byers (August 2003). Dissolution. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 19. ISBN 0-7869-2944-8.
  24. Richard Lee Byers (August 2003). Dissolution. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 185. ISBN 0-7869-2944-8.
  25. Richard Lee Byers (August 2003). Dissolution. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 18. ISBN 0-7869-2944-8.
  26. 26.0 26.1 Richard Lee Byers (August 2003). Dissolution. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 167. ISBN 0-7869-2944-8.
  27. Richard Lee Byers (August 2003). Dissolution. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 150. ISBN 0-7869-2944-8.

Sources