Jalynfein Jalynfein was a male drow wizard from Menzoberranzan , and was perhaps the most powerful spellcaster in the city . He carefully cultivated a reputation of insanity and zealous devotion to Lolth , but truly hated the tyranny of the Spider Queen and opposed all forms of slavery . However , he was far too intelligent and skilled in the magical arts to ever betray these inner thoughts . From his position of seclusion , he was able to use scrying spells to spy on events in the city , and would sometimes sell information if offered enough magical items , gems , or gold . Sorcere . Jalynfein maintained a private tower in Sorcere , the arcane school of Tier Breche . His tower was heavily protected by spells of great power , and stocked with all of the wealth of the Spider Mage . This included many magical items , caches of gems and gold ( usually around 16 , 000 gp worth ) , and numerous healing potions . While in this secluded sanctuary , Jalynfein was virtually untouchable by any would - be attackers . Appearance . Jalynfein had a disfigured face , which he covered with a featureless grey cloth mask . This was his most distinguishing feature , and apart from this very little was known about him ; he kept himself immersed in mystery and protected by powerful spells , preventing anyone from spying on him by magical means or otherwise . Personality . Jalynfein was a mysterious but incredibly powerful wizard who kept himself well protected by magical means . He was very intelligent , a trait that allowed him to survive in the harsh society of the drow . The Spider Mage was reluctant to attack anyone until he learned who they are and where they ' re from . He was particularly interested in surface - world lands and the powerful wizards who dwelt there , and would even aid surface - folk in exchange for information on these lands . On the other hand , he was always alert for traps set by the high priestesses , and would not verbally betray his city , say ill against any House or priestess , or reveal his true feelings and interests . History . Jalynfein hailed from House Oblodra In his youth , Jalynfein spurned a priestess of Lolth , who in fury slashed open his face and doused the wounds with a corrosive distillate of arachnid venom . His face became a purplish , bloated ruin resembling a fungus - growth . She imprisoned the now unrecognisable youth in her chambers , making him her slave . It is this experience that turned Jalynfein against the tyranny of Lolth , and against any form of slavery ; he experienced first hand the cruelty of the priestesses , and suffered a life of servitude and entrapment . It was many years before he found a chance to take revenge on his captor ; when he did , it proved fatal for the priestess . Jalynfein escaped from his prison and fled into the Underdark , vowing to himself to return when he had magic enough to hold his own in cruel Menzoberranzan . He returned only a dozen years later ; where he went is a mystery - he will not speak of that chapter of his life , nor of how he gained his arcane abilities . All that is known is that when he returned , he was an accomplished mage , demonstrating this by besting three wizards at once in spell - combat , for the entertainment of a House Matron . In truth he first went to the mystical library of Gravenhollow The nickname " Spider Mage " , as he prefered to be known , comes from a bizarre spell - like power conferred on him long ago by a Yochlol : a " spider summoning " spell that turned his face into a writhing mass of spider legs while it is in effect . He also went through a process of intentionally imbibing increasingly large doses of spider venom , earning him a false reputation as a sickly and diseased mage , but in reality giving him a natural resistance to almost all forms of arachnid poison . Magic and Abilities . Once a day , Jalynfein could use his innate ability of Spider Summoning , with the side effect that his face was transformed into a writhing mass of long , spidery legs , lit by a flickering orange and purple faerie fire radiance . The Spider Mage was immune to most arachnid venom , and could unleash a burst of 24 Magic Missiles if he deliberately breaks a finger . He also had access to many magic items and has developed many new spells , including the 9th level wizard spell " Web of Shadows " . Jalynfein ' s innate abilities , combined with his considerable repertoire of spells and magic items , made him one of , if not the , most powerful magic users in the Underdark . His only rival in power was perhaps the archmage of Menzoberranzan himself , Gromph Baenre .