Lolth - Piety System Page

Goddess of Spiders, Matriarch of the Drow

Evil. A meaningless word, ever spat from the lips of those who have never been compelled by necessity.

Lolth is the goddess of spiders, matriarch of the drow pantheon and a demon queen of the abyss. From the Demonweb Pits, she is defined by her scheming, the dedication she requires of her worshippers, and her fierce advocacy for the drow abandoned and cursed by Corellon, the god who should have loved them best.

Lolth’s Champions (Drow only)

Alignment: Usually evil, often lawful
Suggested Classes: Cleric
Suggested Cleric Domains: Trickery, Order, War
Suggested Backgrounds: Drow only

Champions of Lolth are selected from amongst her most dedicated and faithful children.

Lolth’s Favor

Lolth knows firsthand that the world is unjust and unfair. To survive in such a world, hounded on all sides by monsters and surface-dwellers, her scions must work harder than everyone else, be better, stronger and more competitive. They must be the best. To achieve this, she cultivates an atmosphere of intense and constant struggle. Cruelty is kindness.

Lolth’s scions are forged in the crucible of her worship. Only the strongest can cast aside their siblings and rise to bask in the dark light of the goddess.

Why did Lolth seek you out as a champion? The following table offers a few suggestions.

d6	Circumstance
1	Lolth summoned you to the Demonweb Pits and you passed her unspeakable trials.
2	You killed a companion to prove the strength of your faith.
3	The goddess asked of you, and you answered. You currently hold her fickle affection.
4	The world cast you aside, but you would not be broken. The goddess has promised you revenge.
5	You have sacrificed great fountains of gold and blood to the goddess, and she has Chosen you.
6	You have an affinity for spiders. This has awakened something of a...kinship with the Goddess.

Devotion to Lolth

Following Lolth means dedicating yourself to her. As a follower of Lolth, consider the ideals below as alternatives to those suggested for your background.

d6	Ideals
1	Devotion. My devotion to my god is more important to me than what they stand for. (Any)
2	Courage. My fear of the goddess eclipses everything.
3	Excellence. I have no choice but to excel.
4	Kinship. My loyalty is to the drow, we have no-one else to rely on.
5	Duplicity. Morals are for those with the luxury to entertain them.
6	Power. Every shred of power I claw from my enemies is a tithe to Lolth.

Earning and Losing Piety

You increase your piety score to Lolth when you expand the god’s influence through:

• Advancing your own power or authority
• Sacrificing anything of sentiment to Lolth by way of thanks
• Setting in motion a long term plot or revenge

Your piety score to Lolth decreases if you diminish Lolth’s influence in the world or contradict her ideals through acts such as these:

• Allowing others to take what is rightfully yours
• Forgiving the transgressions of the distant past

Deity Traits

Favoured God: Lolth

Piety 3+ Lolth trait
You gain Inspiration when you make an offering to Lolth she finds pleasing.

Handmaidens

Piety 10+ Lolth trait
You can cast find familiar with this trait, requiring no components, summoning a demonic fiend in the shape of a spider. Once you cast the spell in this way, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for this spell. You may have a number of spider familiars at any one time equal to your Proficiency bonus.

No God But Thee

Piety 25+ Lolth trait
You are immune to negative terrain effects derived from hallowed, consecrated, cursed or otherwise supernaturally potent ground dedicated to other gods.

Chosen of Lolth

Piety 50+ Lolth trait
You can spend an inspiration die to cast bestow curse with this trait, requiring no material components and targeting a humanoid creature that has displeased Lolth. Once you cast the spell in this way, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell. The cursed creature becomes a drider.