The Spider mage

Being the head of Spysong is not always fun. From time to time, you have to do paperwork. I had to sign the following report from Riordan about our most important source before Baron Dragonsbane gets it:

Jalynfein, who calls himself "The Spider Mage", has the jet-black skin, snow-white hair and red eyes of a typical drow male. He is lithe, slim, and graceful in build, features, and movements, much as surface elves. There is nothing remarkable about his appearance but he has a white facial tattoo around his right eye.

Jalynfein and his pet.

Like most drow, Jalynfein wears a magical, shielding cloak, called a “piwafwi.” Under its collar, he wears the typical drow neck-purse. In it, he carries the insignia of House Vandree. Jalynfein's noble status does not stem from Fini'theys decree. Like the other noble houses of Menzoberranzan, House Vandree is led by a matron mother: Anthiela. Her rule is absolute, enforced by the High Priestess Fini'they beneath her (who is her elder sister).

Social station is the most important thing in the world of the drow. Ascension to greater power is the ultimate goal in drow society. Given the fact that House Vandree is strongly matriarchal, with females holding all positions of power Jalynfein's options were to become an effective fighter, priest or wizard.  Below the daughters come the male officers of the House: the weapons master (leader of the fighters), (chief) House wizard, and the patron (current consort of the matron mother).

Jalynfein worships Lolth, the cruel, capricious Spider Queen. He refers to the goddess as “Lloth” which is common practice among the drow, dwelling in the cities of Menzoberranzan and Uluitur. 
At about the time he reached 6th level of wizardry, he was abducted by Fini'they. Conducting
a test of loyalties is the paramount duty of the priestesses of Lolth.

The details of the test are not known. But as far as we can say, testing always involves a thorough magical mind-reaming, so that no deception is possible. In rare cases, the individual is even magically transported to Abyssal layers controlled by Lolth, for her personal attention. Some die during The Test, or must be destroyed, but it is the intent of Lolth not to waste the energies of the “unfaithful.” Drow who fail the test are transformed by the will of Lolth into driders.

"Nice essay, Cousin. You put much effort into this. But ... What is the bottom line?" I asked.

"Jalynfein is the most powerful male drow in House Vandree." Riordan replied.

"and why don't you write this important message right at the beginning? You know, that the Baron has a short attention span and does not like to read lengthy dossiers."

Rural Endowment

Have I already mentioned that Cousin Riordan is a bard? Probably. When he came to Waterdeep, I introduced him as cornerstone of the Spysong scouting network. His specialty is to weave secret messages into songs. These messages travel with the bards performing the songs. Hence the name of our organisation Spysong.

The most important thing is, to create a catchy song. One that digs itself like a earwig through your ears into the brain so you can't forget it.

Well, that's what happend to me! I can't get the tune out of my head.

Ancient Text	Translation
Beatus ille, qui procul negotiis, ut prisca gens mortaliium, exercet paterna rura suis bobus, solutus omni foenore: nec miles excitatur truci classico, nec horret iratum mare; vitatque forum et superba limina potentiorum civium.	Happy he, who far from business, like the ancient race of mortals, cultivates his paternal fields with his own oxen, being free from every kind of usury: neither as a soldier is he roused by the harsh trumpet-blast, nor does he dread the angry sea; he also avoids the forum, and the proud thresholds of the more powerful citizens.