The Dark Dancer The Dark Dancer was a shrine dedicated to the drow goddess Eilistraee , called the Dark Dancer , located in the city of Ravens Bluff in the Vast . It had a troubled and controversial history . Location . The Dark Dancer was a converted warehouse that lay among a collection of warehouses just within the city wall of Ravens Bluff , within the Bitterstone neighborhood of the Harbor District . It stood at the corner of Morlgar ' s Ride and Westwall Way South . When banned from worship at their warehouse , the faithful of the Dark Dancer relocated to a field in the Seaglimpse neighborhood , also in the Harbor District . It was a popular spot for fairs and lovers ' trysts , and offered a good view of the moon over the water . Description . The Dark Dancer was a freshly rebuilt warehouse refurbished as a shrine to Eilistraee . Defenses . Given security concerns at the warehouse after the first riot , there were sturdy bars and shutters over the windows , a locked door constructed of bars , and another of stout , fireproofed oak . Many believed the renovations following the riot included defensive magic to protect against fire , and according to rumor the drow were digging tunnels underground to link up with the cellars of other buildings to allow safe , unseen access . History . The shrine was founded by Rebekkah Darklyte , who became its acting high priestess . Her aim was to promote peace between drow and other races . They were aided by the Yarvandar noble family , who were sympathetic to the cause . Beneath one of their houses , Yartowers , there were tunnels leading to regions of the Underdark controlled by followers of Eilistraee . The family provided them with covered wagons ( rented by Lord Emmelt Yarvandar ) to use to carry people and materials to Yarnar Close , the family ' s walled mansion in Raven ' s Bluff . Some of these wagons were guarded by adventurers ; one tried to peek inside and was struck blind for his temerity . The mansion gave the drow the chance to observe human society , from the rooftops , cellars , and sewers . The family estate of Vandarmere outside the city even gave the drow space to dance to Eilistraee in safety under the stars . In return , the drow provided the Yarvandars with various rare goods , like tasty edible mushrooms and luminescent Underdark fungi for use in alchemy , as well as salt - sweet black drow wine to sell , of which they divided the profits . The Yarvandars wisely moved these controversial goods on and sold them in Sembia , Telflamm , and Turmish , so they could not be traced back to Ravens Bluff or themselves . Thus aided , Rebekkah Darklyte and her followers rebuilt a warehouse in the Harbor District and renovated it as the shrine of The Dark Dancer . However , she did not obtain a charter from the Clerical Circle , a civic body comprising representatives of the existing temples , which regulated the construction of new temples and the licensing of sanctuaries . This was not — technically — illegal , however , as adapting an existing structure was not explicitly forbidden in city statutes , and other new faiths had bypassed the laws in the same way . But it did annoy the Circle , who were working to refine the laws and contested the legality of new temples . Work on the shrine and warehouse was completed in the Year of the Tankard , 1370 DR , and it was soon opened and made public . Shortly after , the shrine was attacked by an angry , drow - hating mob . Several regulars of the Ill Eagle Inn , a taproom notorious for strong prejudices against non - humans , had assembled the inn and marched toward The Dark Dancer , in protest against its opening . On the way , the mob swelled to over a hundred humans . A small race riot erupted , as the mob hurled rocks and debris at the warehouse . Dozens of officers of the City Watch moved in to quell the unrest . The building itself took little damage , but most of the food and clothing that had been gathered for the needy of Ravens Bluff was ruined and several Watchmen were injured . Rebekkah treated the wounded guards at the scene and vowed to continue her work . Despite this , many citizens remained hostile to the dark elves , and the Watch kept close watch on the warehouse to prevent further trouble . The event triggered quite a controversy within Ravens Bluff . The members of the Clerical Circle were furious that their authority had been circumvented , and banned all worship of Eilistraee at the shrine until a formal charter was issued . The representatives of the temples of Lathander and Tyr stated they would veto any authorization of a charter . Rumor was they had even started planning to order the shrine demolished . This news relieved many in the city , but a member of the Merchant Council was quoted as saying , " as long as those dancing elves pay their taxes and don ' t kill folk in the streets , what ' s to shout about ? " What ' s more , the revelation of the shrine revealed the truth of the Yarvandars ' involvement and the source of their wealth . They were called " drow lovers " and folk saw drow culture in all that they did . Yarnar Close was twice attacked with the intention of driving them out of the city , and some even called for a military assault on Vandarmere , though without success . Meanwhile , the luckless Eilistraeeans of The Dark Dancer were forced to perform their rites elsewhere . They took to dancing on a field in the Seaglimpse neighborhood . It wasn ' t long before another mob gathered with torches one night , confronting the Eilistraeeans and intending to " burn or drown the black - eared witches " . Fortunately , the Watch intervened in time to prevent a battle breaking out . Some citizens talked of banning religious activities and nonhumans from the area , and some even thought the drow should be killed on sight , and perhaps tried to do so , but officials made no restrictions on what the Eilistraeeans could do there . They found more success and acceptance in another area , with a demonstration ritual dance performed at the popular nightclub Cliff ' s Bard & Swill , among the other varied entertainments on offer . One patron called it " the ultimate thrill of my life " .