House Xorlarrin House Xorlarrin was a drow house formerly of Menzoberranzan . It had been considered the " most magical " house of that city . The entire house relocated to Q ' Xorlarrin in Gauntlgrym in 1484 DR . Citadel Xorlarrin . Citadel Xorlarrin in Menzoberranzan housed Spelltower Xorlarrin . The citadel was located on the plateau of Qu ' ellarz ' orl . One of the major marvels of the city , akin in its awe inspiring majesty to Narbondel slowly marking time in the center of the city , the castle of Xorlarrin was a sight to behold . Although the family that occupied it were only fifth in the Menzoberranyr hierarchy , you would be challenged to find any other locale in all the Underdark ( or the world above for that matter ) that boasted such magnificence . The walls were striped in permanent and ever shifting faerie fire , with floating battlements set atop its high walls . It could be argued that the entire palace was a gigantic magical artifact in that marvels abound and magic was built into the most mundane of attributes both functional and decorative . The fortress loomed into the sky dwarfing the buildings around it , and was composed of a deceptive profile . The deceptively narrow facade terminated at a modest 55m ( 60 yards ) . Once a corner was rounded , however , the lateral faces of the citadel stretched for hundreds and hundreds of yards , stretching back to blend with the gloom and becoming lost to sight . This gave the citadel a top - down view of an exaggeratedly thin rectangle . Legend held that this bizarre architecture was purposefully planned in order to facilitate some eldritch power forgotten or lost by the current inhabitants . Members . The house was famous for its wizard s , even giving the males status near to the females , meaning they were one of the few groups that did not fit the paradigm of drow males in Menzoberranzan . Matron Mother Zeerith would even listen to the men , as she relied more on advisors than other matriarchs . The wizards had more arcane power than any other house , and those who had no skill would not survive childhood . Such talentless males were used as sacrifices . In 1361 DR , there were seven masters of Sorcere from House Xorlarrin . After the Spellplague , magic users of House Xorlarrin were known as " spellspinners " and utilized a different form of magic from those who practiced before the Spellplague . History . 14th and 15th centuries DR . By 1372 DR , House Xorlarrin was the fifth house . It was the primary assailant on House Agrach Dyrr after that house ' s betrayal of the city of the Jaezred Chaulssin and duergar armies during the Siege of Menzoberranzan . By the late 15th century DR , Xorlarrin had reached the position of third house of Menzoberranzan . House Xorlarrin was a strong supporter of Lolth ' s plan to create a Demon Weave . Many lesser wizards joined the Council of Spiders . The house itself was inclined to support the Council ' s cause , even at the cost of civil war . Q ' Xorlarrin . In 1463 DR , House Xorlarrin divined information from a private conversation between the brothers Jarlaxle and Gromph Baenre when the former was investigating the Dawn Titan ( primordial ) imprisoned in Gauntlgrym . Matron Zeerith sent out an expedition , lead by Ravel Xorlarrin , which sought to establish a new drow city in the dwarven ruins . This was something the house had long thought to do , but they were afraid of retribution from House Baenre and House Barrison Del ' Armgo . However , with the appointment of Tiago Baenre to the expedition , it was understood that House Xorlarrin would be permitted by Matron Quenthel Baenre to form a new city , so long as it served the Spider Queen . In 1484 DR , House Xorlarrin was finally permitted to leave Menzoberranzan and form a new city in Gauntlgrym called Q ' Xorlarrin , where they produced fine weapons at the Forge . They were obligated to trade with and pay tribute to Menzoberranzan and serve in House Baenre ' s army is called upon . In light of the house ' s departure , Quenthel Baenre restored House Do ' Urden with a number of drow nobles ( and later non - drow ) and made it a member of the Ruling Council . Activities . Slaves and soldiers of House Xolarrin mined Lustrum , a rich mithral mine 20 miles from the Pillars of Woe in the direction of Menzoberranzan . It was abandoned by 1372 DR . From 1463 DR onward , House Xorlarrin possessed the Forge and much of Gauntlgrym , where they created fine weapons to export to Menzoberranzan .