Chapter Summaries

Tristana persuaded Renato to consider returning to Samoriel City with her, while Renato used his quest experience to reach Chosen of Dakoul level 5 and learned Dakoul's Blessing. He examined the spell's protective effects and unusual ability to let him live without air, food, water, or sleep, then settled into meditation beside the campfire.

• Tristana urged Renato to escort her back to Samoriel City, promising to help him reach the surface through its Teleportation Circle.
• Tristana became absorbed in grand plans to return to her family and take control of the Ruling Council before exhaustion put her to sleep.
• Renato spent his 8,000 quest experience to advance to Chosen of Dakoul level 5 and received the spell Dakoul's Blessing.
• Klauthsura briefly stirred at the disturbance caused by Renato gaining the spell, but Renato concealed what had happened.
• Renato studied Dakoul's Blessing, noting its temporary hit points, damage to melee attackers, and Transcendent Nature feat.
• Renato grew drowsy and entered meditation as Tristana slept and Klauthsura contemplated by the fire.

Renato, Tristana, and Klauthsura reached the vast Drow city of Sammoril after traveling through the Underdark. Tristana announced her return at the gates, but the city gave no answer as its spider statues watched them.

• Renato and his companions emerged from a hidden tunnel into the cavern holding Sammoril, an immense and ominous Drow city.
• Tristana reminded Renato to speak Elvish, keep quiet, and act as a male Drow under her authority.
• Renato reflected that he needed Tristana's protection, while she needed him and Klauthsura to strengthen her position in the Nightwind Family.
• Tristana warned Renato about the magical traps around the city and led the group toward its adamantine gates.
• Tristana declared her name and rank, said she had returned after fulfilling Lolth's oracle, and demanded that the gates open.
• The gates remained silent as purple flames lit the eyes of the spider statues above the walls.

Fyvree decided to kill her younger sister Tristana rather than let her enter Samoriel City, fearing Tristana would threaten her position in the Nightwind Family. She ordered her loyal warriors to assemble and prepared to attack Tristana outside the gates.

• Matron Mother Delina identified Tristana in the crystal ball projection and asked Fyvree how she thought they should deal with her.
• Fyvree argued that Tristana had squandered the Nightwind Family's warriors and should be condemned, and Delina agreed to leave the matter to the family.
• Fyvree descended to the garrison barracks and resolved to kill Tristana before her mother learned what had happened.
• Fyvree ordered her captain to assemble the eleven warriors loyal to her and declared that the time for slaughter had come.

Renato, Tristana, and Klauthsura reached the gates of the Drow city, where armed Nightwind Family warriors attacked them instead of welcoming them. Tristana’s sister Fyvree confronted her in the name of Matron Mother Quelyn and declared that the weak must be weeded out.

• Tristana told Renato that a High-Rank Cleric at the city gate would verify her story and promised to help him return to the surface.
• Renato sensed danger behind the closed gates as the group waited outside the city.
• The gates opened, and Drow warriors emerged with weapons trained on the three travelers.
• Renato pulled Tristana behind him and deflected the warriors’ crossbow bolts with a Shadow Shield.
• Fyvree accused Tristana of leading a Raiding Party to its doom and said she was carrying out Matron Mother Quelyn’s will.

Renato fought through the Nightwind Family’s Drow warriors while Tristana battled her elder sister, Fyvree. He faced a skilled Drow swordsman, who cast Darkness and charged blindly as Renato prepared to strike using Dragonkind Senses.

• Renato charged the Drow spellcaster, defeated several warriors, and killed one by draining the life from his body with Touch of Dakoul.
• Klauthsura stunned and crushed Drow attackers with Mind Blast and telekinesis while Tristana exchanged divine spells with Fyvree.
• Renato challenged the scarred Drow swordsman, wounded his face, and learned that Fyvree was losing her fight against Tristana.
• The swordsman cast Darkness and charged Renato, who used Dragonkind Senses to track him and aimed his blade at the Drow’s face.

Renato and Tristana dealt with the Drow who had attacked them and prepared to enter Samoriel City, where Tristana warned him that her family might still be dangerous. As they approached the gates, Renato detected a powerful, malicious figure and ordered Klauthsura to prepare for battle.

• Renato killed the male Drow swordsman, claimed his enchanted Dark Elf Guard Sword, and stored it in his Space Ring.
• Klauthsura fed on a hypnotized Drow warrior while Tristana tortured Fyvree to learn that she had stolen Tristana's holdings and plotted to kill her.
• Tristana slit Fyvree's throat and stabbed her exposed heart, then warned Renato to stay close and avoid food or drink in Samoriel City.
• Renato noticed a nearly invisible figure near the city gates, sensed its immense malice, pulled Tristana behind him, and ordered Klauthsura to prepare for battle.

Renato met Matron Mother Delina, who tried to lure him to her estate before Matron Mother Quelyn intervened. Quelyn drove Delina away and ordered Tristana to return with her, leaving Renato under the watch of the newly arrived Matron Mother.

• Matron Mother Delina confronted Tristana and Renato, silenced Tristana, and questioned Renato about his name and origins.
• Delina touched Renato and invited him to dine at her estate and visit her bedroom, while Renato restrained himself from attacking her.
• When Tristana protested that Renato was her guard, Delina threatened to punish her.
• Matron Mother Quelyn arrived with armed Drow warriors and accused Delina of murdering one daughter and trying to steal another's guard.
• Quelyn attacked Delina with her nine-headed whip, but Delina blocked the strike and escaped with Word of Recall.
• Tristana explained Fyvree's death to Quelyn, who ordered her to bring Fyvree's corpse back as material for necromantic experiments.

Renato entered the Nightwind Family’s heavily fortified compound with Tristana and waited in her room while she reported to her mother. When Tristana failed to return, a sharp-eyed Drow questioned Renato about how he had met her.

• Renato saw a Nightwind Family guard lash a Half-Drow commoner for not moving aside quickly enough as he traveled through Samoriel City.
• Renato crossed the Nightwind Family’s guarded fortress and watched Klauthsura be taken for a twenty-four-hour quarantine.
• Tristana brought Renato to her bare stone room, told him to wait, and warned him to keep quiet about who he was.
• A female guard entered and scrutinized Renato, then asked whether he was mute when he refused to speak.
• Renato recognized the woman’s resemblance to Matron Mother Quelyn and suspected she had come to question him.
• The Female Drow demanded that Renato recount exactly how he had met Tristana.

Renato passed the Nightwind Family’s test, and Brichidi tried to recruit him away from Tristana with promises of wealth, power, and her favor. Tristana drove her sister off and took Renato to see the fortress, while Renato remained bound to the little cleric by their shared secrets and experiences.

• Renato gave his prepared testimony, concealed his identity, and passed the Nightwind Family’s magical examination.
• Brichidi introduced herself as Tristana’s eldest sister and praised Renato’s swordsmanship before offering him wealth, authority, and her favor if he joined her.
• Tristana rushed in, pulled Renato behind her, and insulted Brichidi for trying to seduce him.
• Brichidi left Renato in the Military Encampment and told Tristana to show him around the Family Fortress.
• Tristana warned Renato not to trust Brichidi, said she had only been tested on scripture by Matron Mother Quelyn, and led him outside the chapel.

Renato followed Tristana through the Nightwind Family fortress, where she explained the low status of half-elves and showed him the family’s magical treasure room. She offered him a magic trinket and arranged a private place for him to stay, leaving him to choose from a chest.

• Renato asked Tristana why the half-elf servants were afraid of her, and she said they were slaves rather than commoners.
• Tristana led Renato through a small armory and told him that she would not replace his weapons or armor.
• Tristana opened a magically sealed door with Lolth’s holy symbol and offered Renato a trinket from a treasure chest.
• Tristana explained that Narbondel’s rising flames kept time for the city and urged Renato to choose quickly.
• Tristana said Renato would stay in Fyvree’s vacant courtyard without servants and warned him not to act without consulting her.

Renato settled into the Nightwind Family’s fortified courtyard in Sammoril and tested the magical Gish Cloak, gaining access to Misty Step and Blur. He remained wary of the Drow city and ended the chapter meditating on guard.

• Renato examined his cleaned armor and new spider-silk clothing, then learned that the Nightwind crest marked him as enjoying Tristana’s favor.
• Renato inspected the Gish Cloak, which Quelyn had crafted from a Githyanki Gish, and read about its Misty Step and Blur spells.
• Renato used Misty Step to move from the mirror to the bed and considered how the spell could help him in battle.
• Renato dismissed Blur as less useful than his existing defenses and reflected on the dangers of Sammoril and the Drow.
• Renato closed his eyes and entered meditation while remaining on guard.

Renato went to meet Klauthsura at the workshop where the mind flayer was staying, but a young drow warrior barred his way. The warrior challenged Renato to prove his strength before allowing him inside.

• Renato questioned the servants and learned where Klauthsura was staying, then headed to the workshop.
• A young drow warrior recognized Renato as the one who killed Captain Loken and stopped him from entering.
• Klauthsura explained that Matron Mother Quelyn had only ordered the warrior to keep others safe, not to prevent Renato from visiting.
• The young warrior insisted Renato prove he could protect himself by fighting him, and Renato asked what the rules were.
• The young warrior agreed that Renato could knock him down and said he would try not to hit Renato's face to avoid Priest Tristana's anger.

Renato entered the Nightwind Family’s alchemy workshop and learned that Klauthsura had arranged a one-year potion-supply contract with Quelyn. Klauthsura gave Renato a successful Oil of Speed and asked him to gather local information, leaving them to cooperate in Sammoriel City.

• Renato knocked the young Drow warrior down with a kick and entered the workshop without drawing his sword.
• Klauthsura explained that Quelyn had provided a laboratory in exchange for a set supply of magical potions under a conventional one-year contract.
• Renato learned that Klauthsura was less than a year old and had little knowledge of Samoriel City; Klauthsura suggested eating Drow brains to acquire local memories.
• Renato rejected Klauthsura’s suggestion and agreed to seek information from locals instead.
• Klauthsura gave Renato a successful bottle of Oil of Speed and asked him to share information, and Renato agreed.

Renato questioned Tristana about returning to the Surface and learned how the Nightwind Family managed its peripheral holdings. He planned to use the family to build his strength and wealth while seeking a way back, as Tristana explained that priestesses had to retain their own holdings without relying on family support.

• Renato returned to his residence and found Tristana waiting angrily for him.
• Renato asked whether Tristana’s mother could arrange a Teleportation Circle, but Tristana said she needed to reclaim her seized holdings and raise gold first.
• Renato decided to use the Nightwind Family to learn about the city, grow stronger, and eventually seek help from drow archmages.
• Tristana explained that peripheral holdings belonged to individual priestesses, who managed them and paid tribute to the Nightwind Family.
• Tristana said commoner clerics served the family in exchange for access to its holdings, and that priestesses who lost their properties received no support.

Renato accompanied Tristana through Samoriel City as she reclaimed businesses that had shifted their allegiance to her dead sister Fyvree, while explaining the city’s rule that murder went unpunished if no one witnessed it. At the Breath of Tonnigat tavern, its owner tried to drug Renato with bloodwine and revealed hostile intent, leaving Tristana to confront her.

• Tristana explained to Renato that Samoriel City punished public murder but treated unwitnessed assassination as if it had never happened.
• Tristana suspected her eldest sister Brichidi had bribed a warrior to alert their mother when Fyvree died, and Renato agreed Brichidi had tried to divide them.
• Renato accompanied Tristana as businesses in the Commoners’ District renewed their allegiance, and Tristana punished one cook by cutting off her finger and raising her tribute.
• At the Breath of Tonnigat, Tristana checked the tavern’s accounts while its Half-Drow owner offered Renato a cup of bloodwine.
• Renato refused the wine, and Tristana called the owner a mongrel as the woman bared her teeth and threatened to kill him.

Renato killed a half-drow cleric of Ghaunadaur after she transformed into an ooze-like monster. When her armed followers rushed into the private room, he cut them down as well.

• Renato attacked the half-drow, who transformed into an ooze-like monster and prayed to Ghaunadaur.
• Renato and Tristana struck the monster with shadow and divine fire, and Renato cut her into pieces, killing her.
• Renato asked Tristana whether Ghaunadaur was an evil god.
• Half-drow warriors charged into the room, shouting in the name of the Ancient Eye.
• Renato swept his longsword through the warriors and the doorway, cutting them to pieces.

Renato and Tristana fought their way out of a Ghaunadaur cult stronghold and faced a massive ooze blocking their escape. They killed the aberration, but remained trapped underground amid the ruined stairwell.

• Renato cut down the half-drow mercenaries in the private room, then used Oil of Speed as Tristana prepared to follow him.
• Renato evaded crossbow bolts with a spell and killed the crossbow wielders waiting on the stairs.
• A huge ooze forced its way through the doorway and pursued Renato, clinging to the wall after the stone stairwell collapsed.
• Tristana struck the ooze with a sonic spell, knocking it from the ceiling and leaving it vulnerable.
• Renato cleaved the ooze while Tristana attacked it with her snake whip, and their combined assault destroyed the monster.

After a cult summoned a large ooze at the Breath of Tonnigat, Tristana warned Renato that the forbidden worship of Ghaunadaur had drawn the attention of Sammoril’s rulers. She gave Renato a magical mask to conceal his appearance as the Ruling Guard approached.

• Renato collected silver coins from the ruined tavern while Tristana condemned the cultists who had summoned the ooze.
• Renato asked Tristana why the cultists had targeted them, and she panicked when he named Ghaunadaur.
• Tristana explained that Sammoril forbade worship of the Hidden One and feared the ruling Matron Mothers would learn about the cult’s hideout.
• Tristana told Renato to let her handle the arriving Ruling Guard and gave him a mithral mask called the Consort’s Mask.
• Renato read the mask’s guide entry and learned it could cast Darkness using its charges.

Renato wore Tristana’s enchanted consort mask before the Lolth authorities moved to suppress a Ghaunadaur uprising in Sammoril. Later, he questioned Klauthsura about Ghaunadaur and learned that the Nightwind Family supplied the mind flayer with half-drow servants as food.

• Tristana gave Renato a consort mask enchanted with darkness, then warned him not to interrupt her in front of outsiders.
• Renato heard an army approaching the tavern, and Tristana pulled him behind her as Lolth’s forces and academy executioners surrounded the area.
• Renato returned to Klauthsura’s workshop while Tristana stayed to help Quelyn investigate the uprising.
• Klauthsura explained competing accounts of Ghaunadaur’s origins and said Zephros believed Ghaunadaur’s hostility with Lolth began when she usurped part of his authority.
• Klauthsura suggested that low-status half-drow might worship Ghaunadaur in hopes of gaining power, then revealed that the Nightwind Family regularly supplied him with half-drow servants.

Renato accepted and ate a skewer of Deep Dragon meat that Klauthsura had roasted, after confirming it was safe. The meal left him unusually full but caused no immediate harm, while Klauthsura considered whether dragon materials could inspire new potions.

• Klauthsura offered Renato a skewer made from uncontaminated Deep Dragon flesh, and Renato initially worried it came from an intelligent being.
• Klauthsura clarified the meat came from the Deep Dragon and offered Renato a staff enchanted with Detect Poison.
• Renato used the staff to confirm the dragon meat was nonpoisonous, then decided to taste it.
• Renato praised Klauthsura's cooking and asked whether eating the meat would change his body or enhance his abilities.
• Klauthsura explained that dragon meat might affect appetite and discussed exploring dragon-related potions.
• Renato felt a brief burning sensation and unusual fullness, while Klauthsura offered to pump his stomach if he became ill.