Temple of Lolth

UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The Temple of Lolth is an imposing building in Ust Natha city. It is currently presided over by a high priestess matron mother and handmaidens of Lolth linked to House Despana, the most influential House in Ust Natha.
Upon entry to the temple, the party's nostrils fill with the slightly acrid and sickly-sweet aroma of strange spices - intermingled with the faint pall of smoldering incense. A barely discernable rhythmic chant can be heard from unknown chambers below.
The tall ceilings disappear into the shadows, where black eyes glisten from hundreds of fist-sized spiders above - eerily accompanied by arachnoid chittering and clicks. 
Grotesque and lurid frescoes on the walls depict Driders on the hunt, and scenes of surfacers being slaughtered. The intricately placed tiles and mosaic floor decor is stunningly detailed.
== Gameplay ==
The temple of Lolth is staffed by various guardians, and one Handmaiden of Lolth. The treasury doors are locked inside, with sentries posted. 
All interior drow are currently neutral to visitors, and they do not seek out or initiate interaction. Speaking with the various creatures within nets the party mostly polite but stern comments that make it understood that this temple is not a tourist destination, and no funny business is tolerated. Causing any trouble or initiating hostile actions would be foolish.
Unlike temples on the surface, the temple of Lolth in Ust Natha has no attending cleric to administer temple services.
If the party is visiting the temple because Phaere has told you that Matron Mother Ardulace wants to speak with Veldrin, see the note below:
=== The Treasury room ===
Special mention to the treasury room is made here. The room cannot be accessed without a special key obtained from Phaere. 
There are two unique Egg Guard sentries posted at the foot of a small staircase leading to the room. The guards will become hostile if attacked, or if the treasury door is opened with the key. If the treasury door is opened and the guards are then made hostile because of this action, that does not mean the entire temple or city of Ust Natha will also become hostile. These guards can be bypassed with stealth (and left in a hostile state) or even better, slain. 
Intuitively this may seem impossible, as an alarm would be raised, right? Well, no it does not. If the guards are attacked without the key in possession of the party, then the guards will become hostile and trip the city-wide alarm. Also, if for some reason the city alarm has already been triggered, then these guards will be hostile too, just like almost all other drow Ust Natha inhabitants.
If entry is made into the treasury chamber, the guards become hostile, and a number of golems are observed within. The golems are not hostile until the container within has been pilfered of the contents - which are the Dragon Eggs. Removal will make the golems hostile, and they will attack any detected intruders. If the party wishes to dispose of the golems then they can be fought and destroyed. Alternatively, the party could maintain stealth throughout the pilfering process, say with Sanctuary, or re-apply Invisibility after the eggs are taken - and then move outside the chamber, close the door behind, and just flee the area. There is more than one way to crack an egg. 
==People involved==
=== Creatures ===
*Egg Guard 
*Executioner
*Handmaiden of Lolth 
*Matron's Guard 
*Matron Mother Ardulace Despana (The Drow Summoning Ritual)
*Phaere (The Drow Summoning Ritual)
*Ritual Guard 
*Clay Golem 
*Stone Golem 
==Gallery==
:Portraits from Portraits Portraits Everywhere'
PHAERE.jpg|thumb|Phaere - "You will go to the temple and meet me and Mother Ardulace there. Do not delay, Veldrin... Mother Ardulace wishes to speak with you immediately."
MATRON.jpg|thumb|Matron Mother Ardulace Despana - "Ahhh... the Spider Queen smiles upon us. Our gamble does not go unwasted, daughter. Your champion has brought us the blood that we need!"
UDDROW03.jpg|Ritual Guard - "We protect the matron mother with our lives, if need be. Do not anger the matron or the Spider Queen, and you shall have nothing to fear from us."
UDDROW36.jpg|Handmaiden of Lolth - "I warn you, <MALEFEMALE>. The Handmaidens of the Queen of Spiders do not brook imbeciles. Lolth's angry gaze will fall on you if you continue to be impertinent."
==Quests==
*The Drow Summoning Ritual
== Treasure ==
*Dragon Eggs
== Mod content ==
With the Sword Coast Stratagems mod all the guards, except the Egg Guard sentries, are assigned smarter AI scripts as well as revised weapon proficiencies and fighting styles commensurate with their class and experience level. The Hand Maiden of Lolth will use appropriate spell buffs if hostilities break out. Note that the "Seek and Destroy" scripts given to many golems in the game by SCS aren't used in this Temple, for plot mechanic reasons.
The Golem Construction for Spellcasters mod makes changes to the guardian golems in the temple treasury. Instead of the ordinary Stone and Clay golems, two are replaced with "Greater" Stone and Greater Clay Golems. These new varieties make for a tougher and harder hitting challenge. The Clay golems still use Golem Haste, and the Stone use Golem Slow innate abilities. The mod has some surprising "On hit" effects by these golem types not seen in the unmodified game. 
===Mod screenshots===
UN Executioner.png|thumb|The Executioner is one of the first defenders to attack if the party has made the drow hostile during The Drow Summoning Ritual.
UN Temple of Lolth Guards.png|Enemy drow race to the party in the Temple of Lolth. The Ritual Guard and Matron's Guard warriors attack. 
Handmaiden of Lolth.png|One of several Handmaiden of Lolth defenders can be fought after the drow are hostile. Spells will be cast, and creatures summoned.
Drow Reinforcement 2.png|With Sword Coast Stratagems improved drow component, defenders will constantly spawn. Even getting out of the temple can waste precious time. The longer the party takes, the more defenders start accumulating.
Drow Reinforcements 4.png|The defenders keep coming,.. wizards, priests and more warriors are becoming more common. The party can't afford to hang around trying to fight everything, and just needs to get moving into Ust Natha's streets and head to the city exit. There will be many more groups blocking the way, no doubt.
== Sources & references ==