<strong>Qu'ellarz'orl</strong><br/><br/>The structure of House Qu'larrin was vast, the stalagmite foundation of the main house surrounded by thick, tall walls of adamantine dug from the very bowels of the earth.  As the processions of the eight ruling houses came near, they were all greeted by a strange sight: that of the front gates wide open, their height nearly a spear's throw from the ground.  It was as if the Matron Mother was welcoming them with open arms, despite the strong presence of nearly every soldier that the ruling house had to offer.<br/><br/>As the procession from House Auvryzynge passed through, they were studied carefully by a quintet of wizards, their fierce red eyes studying the litter and its occupants with small pieces of gems placed to their eyes.  They were obviously enchanted to allow the viewers to determine any magical threats or traps, while the common foot soldiers studied them for more mundane weaponry.  But as they passed, they were not accosted on their path across the wide moat that led into the structure.  The bridge was wide enough to allow six drow to walk abreast, but was empty as the procession moved forward.<br/><br/>Following behind them were the represantatives of Barri'afin, the trio ushered along with the rest toward the towering structure that was the granduer of the ruling house of the city.  Other ruling houses made their way into the structure, the females eyeing one another warily, while their male lessers merely marched along, their eyes scanning the throng of drow gathered for any signs of weakness.  The entirety of the scene was like packs of wolves circling one another, held in place only by the threat of the greatest among them.<br/><br/>The great doors were sealed after the processions of matron mothers had entered, the adamantine doors echoing with a rumbling boom that could be felt through the hard stone floor as they closed.  Those gathered were directed to the Temple of Lolth, the normally private place of worship for House Qu'larrin.  The temple was shaped like a massive spider, with eight arches that stretched out to encompass nearly a third of the entire estate.  The space between each 'leg' was shaped into a wall of semi-translucent webbing, the substance magically altered to be as sticky as webbing, but as hard as steel, the better to ward off any potential attacks.  The temple grew in height from the front to the rear, the area where the spider's head would be acting as the entrance.  A set of stone mandibles glistened with runes and other arcane sigils, and eight massive glistening rubies had been set into place, portals for those within to peer out at any who entered.<br/><br/>Once inside, those gathered could see that more of House Qu'larrin's soldiers were in attendance, as well as the Matron Mother herself, along with her contingent of high priestesses.  They lined the walls, standing at each of the legs of the structure, while the Matron Mother sat in a white throne seemingly made of webs.  The pale chair was actually ivory carved to resemble a spider's web, and the cushioning was an exotic cotton weave from the surface, something both extravagant in the Underdark and exceptionally expensive to procure.<br/><br/>"Menzoberranzan is under attack..." the Matron Mother said finally, her voice magically enhanced to sound clearly through the temple.  Silence fell over the throng gathered, all of whom turned their attention to the female speaking.  "A great beast unknown to the Underdark has surfaced in Donigarten, and threatens our food supply there.  Reports confirm it is a kraken, a great sea beast from the Oceans Above.  How it came here is unknown.  But what is most disturbing is that the creature seems to be being controlled..."<br/><br/>She fell silent for a moment, letting the information linger, before she continued.<br/><br/>"But more disturbing is another threat that looms over our city.  Before her death, my sister Alin'raei beheld a vision of a coming darkness.  The Abyss has birthed something powerful, and even with her Gift of Sight, my sister could not see what it was.  She spoke strange portents of a demi-god birthed for one purpose...Menzoberranzan's destruction...'<br/><br/>Silence lingered yet again as her words faded into the minds of those houses gathered.  Just when it had stretched long enough to invite commentary, the Matron Mother spoke once more.<br/><br/>"I call upon the Ruling Council to offer their best priestesses, mages, and weapons masters to investigate this threat.  This will leave our Houses weakened, of course, but to help stabilize our city at such a tumultuous time, I hereby invoke the Proclomation of Peace.  For such a period of time necessary to destroy this new threat, no house shall visit violence upon another.  No drow shall commit treachery upon her neighbor.  By Lolth's Eight Eyes, any who do so shall be punished, and most severely.  The survival of Menzoberranzan depends on it."<br/><br/>As she finished speaking, a muttering began, followed quickly by challenges from the Matron Mothers of the Ruling Houses.  The high preistesses of House Qu'larrin all stood straighter, hands on various wands and other weapons, lest violence erupt.