"Why has she been silent for so long? What happened in the temple that the Matron Mother finds so hard to say?"
"Something must have happened to make her abandon the Kling Sacrifice. After promoting the Birthday for so long, she let the intended sacrifice stand beside her in the end. It's an insult to the goddess!"
"Goddess? Ha... Don't make me laugh. If you'd been involved in everything that happened at the temple like I was, you'd know that so-called goddess is nothing but a bully who cowers before anyone stronger!"
The murmurs in the crowd did not drown out the Spider Silk Matron Mother's voice. She gathered her thoughts and finally spoke:
"Some of you may already have heard fragments of what happened on the Birthday from those who were there.
"I ordered that no one speak of the truth. That is why you have heard only fragments and could not see the whole of that day.
"But now, after learning the truth about this world, the Spider Silk, Kling, Black Gland, and other families have discussed the matter. We have unanimously decided to share that truth openly with every citizen of Lightless City.
"Yes, you have the right to know it too.
"And I must tell you this—
"Our former goddess, Lolth the Spider Queen, cast us aside long ago. She abandoned us in this world, a world destined to be forgotten."
"What!?"
The moment she finished speaking, an uproar erupted in the crowd. It swelled into a clamor. "What does she mean, former goddess? Cast aside? A forgotten world?"
The truth was horrifying and cruel. Most Drow had worshiped Lolth, willingly or otherwise, since birth. Few could accept it at once.
But they had nowhere to turn, so they listened.
"Three hundred years ago, Night Shadow