Spider Forest.
Returning here after so long, Soren found that everything had changed.
The most obvious change was that the area had been placed on military alert. Soren saw not only numerous patrolling elf rangers, but even army camps established by the forest elves. After the Time of Troubles erupted, the drow of the Underdark and the elves of the Surface World had already fought a war. Neither side had emerged victorious, but the fighting had only deepened their hatred. The avatars of the Elven Pantheon had yet to appear, but Soren had already seen quite a few elf priests here.
Most of them were clerics who served the Elven Overgod, Corellon Larethian.
These clerics shared one very distinct characteristic: male or female, they were all exceptionally beautiful, outstanding even among elves. The reason might have had something to do with the Elven Overgod's preferences, for he was a deity who could be either male or female. Other deities rarely used avatars of the opposite sex, but this Elven Overgod had appeared in female form on more than one occasion. It was said that beautiful elves were more likely to win his favor.
A battle between the Spider Queen, Lolth, and the Elven Overgod, Corellon Larethian, was inevitable!
This was also one reason the Time of Troubles was growing more intense.
Lolth's hatred over her banishment was fierce. She had originally been one of the most beautiful goddesses among the elves, but her banishment had transformed her into a spiderlike creature. The Spider Queen, Lolth, had suffered greatly at the Elven Overgod's hands, and their struggle over thousands of years had only intensified her hatred.
After banishing the Spider Queen, Lolth, the Elven Overgod, Corellon Larethian, had immediately found himself another wife.
Not a trace of affection remained between the