The Ancestor

The Story Unfolds

As the two men walked back to Drizzt temporary home, Raiyll explained that he was on a mission to help Drizzt.  He explained that Drizzt was in danger of an attack by Lolth and that all of Drizzt's friends were equally in danger.  At first, Drizzt didn't believe Raiyll because Lolth had already tried this and it failed.  Raiyll explained that this attack would be different.  Lolth would target Drizzt's friends, taking them out one by one assassin-style, and then attack Mithral Hall with an undead army greater than anyone has ever seen.  This was very hard to swallow for Drizzt and he asked if Raiyll would speak to his friends at Mithral Hall.

The legendary Mithral Hall is an immense underground cavern carved out by dwarves of a previous age.  It is the home of Drizzt's dear friend and patriarch, Bruenor Battlehammer, king of the dwarves of this region.  Bruenor, a surly but kind-hearted dwarf, had taken in and protected Drizzt (a drow, feared by all races) when he first came to the surface and taught him how to be a good surface dweller.  Bruenor, Bruenor's adopted human daughter (Catti-brie), a halfling named Regis, and many others counted themselves among Drizzt's closest friends.  He trusted them and sought to get their advice on this new information.

As they entered the great hall of the dwarven realm, Raiyll immediately recognized someone standing to the side.  A most beautiful female elf, Alustriel Silverhand of Silverymoon stood in attendance at the side of the hall.  Raiyll approached the lady, looked into her eyes and proceeded to give her a warm and endearing embrace.  "My lady.  You are as beautiful as ever.  It is so good to see you."  Drizzt again taken back by the intense show of affection, watched as the lady stared at this man in disbelief.  "Raiyll?" she said.  "I never thought I would see you again.  What are you doing here?"  Raiyll said, "All will be explained if you would stay and listen."

Bruenor sat on his throne at the front of the great hall.  "When you're all done playing 'reunion' perhaps someone could tell me what's going on!"  Drizzt approached Bruenor and said, "This is Raiyll.  He has some information I would like to get your opinion on."

"Well, who is he?  Where is he from?  How well do you know him?  How can you trust him when you don't even know him?"  Drizzt could tell from Bruenor's questioning that he was rather irritated by the situation.  Normally Drizzt would never just walk a stranger into the midst of the dwarven halls.  Lady Alustriel stepped forward.  "I can vouch for him.  If he is here on a mission, you should endear to listen."

"Well, get on with it then."  Raiyll began explaining the details of the situation to the crowd intently listening.  Raiyll's god (Moulg) was the sister of Drizzt's original diety, Lolth the spider queen.  Drizzt now worships Mieliki, goddess of rangers, but Lolth had never truly deserted Drizzt since she is the queen of chaos and Drizzt's very existence exemplifies chaos.  Moulg is in love with Mieliki and Lolth is extremely jealous.  So she seeks to destroy not only Drizzt, but all of Drizzt's friends as well.  Lolth has been amassing an army of undead and shape shifters.  Her plan is to send shape shifters to one-by-one assassinate Drizzt friends and weaken Mithril Hall.  Then she will send her undead army to destroy the hall and everyone and everything in it.  Raiyll was sent by Moulg to save Drizzt and his friends.

The group sat in disbelief at this news.  For a moment, silence filled the room.  Then Bruenor said, "I don't believe it.  That witch has already made an attempt on this hall with the drow and failed.  I can't believe she would try it again." 

"Remember" said Railyll, "That was more of an attempt to destroy your hall by the drow with Lolth's support.  She herself had not organized the invasion.  It is different this time."

"Then we will stop her as well.  That's all there is to it.  Start the preparations.  How do we protect ourselves from the shape-shifters?"  Bruenor, proud and determined, was not thrilled by the thought of this battle, but he also was not willing to lose this hall which he worked and fought so valiantly to obtain.  Raiyll shook his head.  "What are you about?" said Bruenor.

"I don't believe you understand the depth or breadth of this threat.  She is a god.  Nothing will stop her and she will send everything within her power to accomplish her goal.  You cannot win fighting alone."

Bruenor stood up and stomped down the stairs toward Raiyll.  "Who do you think you are?  I am the king and I know what my people are capable of.  We have defended this hall before and we will do it again.  If we cannot do it alone, I will call in the aid of our allies and we will win!"

Again Raiyll shook his head.  Lady Alustriel approached Bruenor and calmly placed her hand on his shoulder.  "Please.   There is no place for pride in this new revelation.  Let us not underestimate the power of the gods, especially one as cruel as Lolth.  Perhaps we should gather our friends and discuss a plan to protect Drizzt and his friends.  That means you and I as well, Bruenor."  Bruenor looked into the lady's kind eyes and backed down.  He knew she was right, but it was still frustrating.

The conversation in the room continued and Raiyll explained that he was a special soldier for his god,  that his sole purpose in this life was to serve his god through these missions of good will.  At one point, the dwarves asked if it was possible to commune with their own gods to defend them against Lolth.  Raiyll explained that it didn't actually work that way.  Gods are incredibly whimsical and rarely intervene in their followers affairs.  It was different with Moulg because Raiyll is the only left of his people. 

Back in the corner of the room, hiding behind a tapestry was a strange little dwarf listening intently to the entire conversation.

In the end, after much discussion and discourse, they agreed to call a summit and send messengers to all their allies.  Bruenor then asked Drizzt to escort Raiyll to a guest room while they waited.  As the two men passed lady Alustriel, Raiyll said "Perhaps we could catch up a little later.  Are you staying?" 

"I must return home briefly to make preparations in my own city, but I will return.  It would be a pleasure to speak with you then."  Raiyll nodded and smiled as they walked away.