The Lolthtanchwi Games

All drow feel a sense of creeping unease as they progress in their careers. No matter what roles they've selected in life, all fear the day when they reach a level of achievement that catches the cruel attention of their grim goddess. Even the all-powerful priestesses are not immune to the dreaded Lolthtanchwi games - the "Punishments of Lolth." Lolth puts her worshipers through a number of terrifying games throughout their lives. Servants who fail Lolth (and there are many ways to fail the capricious goddess) are usually either slain or transformed into horrifying creatures.

Drow perceive when each game is about to descend on them. Their senses become painfully acute, and the world seems both more crisply real and more menacing. In some cases, horrifying visions preclude the start of a game, while in others, a sign, such as the sighting of a particular colored spider, indicates a new game has begun. Different tasks are required of the drow for each game, and they invariably require the drow to risk their life and all she has achieved in life to date.

The drow call these games "punishments" (chwi, in Drow) because there is no benefit to passing, other than being able to live. Drow who have managed to evade the terrifying web of Lolth's power by gaining the favor of another deity are not affected by these games, but they also become the target of every Lolth-worshiping drow. Upon completion of one of these games, a colored metal spider will approach the drow the next time they rest, and the spider will painfully embed itself into the drow's skin, marking them as a champion. Males are highly discouraged by Drow society from displaying their marks openly, which is why you rarely see them with short sleeves. Because of the cultural disdain for males, it is assumed that any male who bears a badge must have forged it, and is therefore blaspheming against Lolth and must be executed.

## The Lolthtanchwi Games

There are nine games. Each of them have Lolth "test" the Drow for a characteristic and instantly fail them if they show an undesired trait. Each carries its own form of grotesque punishment.

### Game 1

Chwineka: the Game of Darkness

Sign: Blue spider

Characteristic: Pride and Drive

Failure: Self-doubt or Feelings of unworthiness

Punishment: Transformation into an aracholoth

Game: Random great deed in view of others

### Game 2

Chwikezzar: the Game of Ambition

Sign: Green spider

Characteristic: Opportunism and Risk-taking

Failure: Hesitation or Acceptance

Punishment: Failure at any task and insanity

Game: Risky business opportunity depending on role

### Game 3

Chwidridera: the Game of the Drider

Sign: Red spider

Characteristic: Discipline and Respect

Failure: Paranoia or Poor self-control

Punishment: Transformation into a drider

Game: Endure harrowing visions of spiders

### Game 4

Chwiakrell: the Game of Lies

Sign: Purple spider

Characteristic: Guile and Charisma

Failure: Humiliation or Flippancy

Punishment: Inability to lie

Game: Start a rumor while protecting your reputation

### Game 5

Chwidencha: the Game of Sacrifice

Sign: Yellow spider

Characteristic: Will and Pain

Failure: Cowardice or Weakness

Punishment: Transformation into spiderleg horror

Game: Sacrifice something valuable designated by Lolth

### Game 6

Chwidevbril: the Game of Betrayal

Sign: Black spider

Characteristic: Ruthlessness and Resourcefulness

Failure: Love or Incompetence

Punishment: Death

Game: Betray a companion designated by Lolth

### Game 7

Chwihendrell: the Game of Domination

Sign: Lavendar spider

Characteristic: Leadership and Skill

Failure: Unknown

Punishment: Transformation into a Brood Mother

Game: Subjugate a group designated by Lolth

### Game 8

Chwisasshra: the Game of Vengeance

Sign: White spider

Characteristic: Power

Failure: Impotence

Punishment: Death

Game: Utterly destroy your worst enemy

### Game 9

Chwilolth: the Game of Lolth

Sign: Unknown

Characteristic: Unknown

Punishment: Oblivion

Game: Unknown

* No Drow has ever passed this test.