Ereves Tae'Vareth

Ereves Tae'Vareth, also called The Black Spider, emerged from inner drow society some 30 years ago as head of the merchant clan known as Tae'Vareth (he changed his surname when he aligned with them). His nominal purpose on the surface is to gather riches for the drow of the underdark, however, he is jaded and bitter about drow society and has taken it upon himself to try and make a name in certain circles on the surface. Until now, he has been traveling, sowing networks of people who could send him information about any magical resources or artifacts.

When Ereves caught wind of the lost mines, he wanted control badly. He set the wheels in motion to capture the Rockseeker brothers- not with the intention to kill them, but simply to procure the maps. He asked his ally King Grol and the Cragmaw Goblins to capture the Dwarves and send their maps to him. When the adventurers began to meddle in hiss business, Ereves asked his other connection, Iarno Albrek and the Redbrands to run them out of town.

He is now in the forge, waiting for backup from the Tae'Vareth Clan.

## Background:

Ereves grew up in a powerful drow household in the underdark. As in all drow society, males are regarded as livestock, close to worthless other than for breeding. His mother groomed him toward a path of power, or at least relative freedom, by sending him to train with arachnomancers. Compared to other males he had a fairly privileged upbringing, but where many allowed the starvation from affection to make them cold and bitter, he became ambitious. He longed to be treated with respect. He sought favor with females of different clans, becoming a consort to various females in different houses, drawing the attention of priestesses and various lower level politicians for his beauty, budding magical abilities, and his propensity to produce female offspring. Eventually he became a consort to a high noble, Risha, who he became infatuated with. Her mother, grew jealous and suspicious of being overthrown and challenged her daughter for the male as a challenge of strength. They fought, and when it became clear Risha would lose, she snapped Ereves’s neck to show she had lost interest. Somehow Ereves survived. Heartbroken and angry with his people’s culture, he aligned himself with a merchant clan. Though this was seen as disgraceful, he realized that as a male in his society he would never truly gain respect or achieve worth in their eyes. He wanted more.

Ereves became part of a black market for magical goods and literature, quickly climbing the ranks in a society where he was dreaded and beautiful, where males could be equal to females.

He craves acceptance and power from both worlds and is truly accepted in neither. But he is at least able to wield his differences to his advantage out here.

He has connections in the Zhentharim and the Lords’ Alliance, willing to trade information and secrets for more of the same.

## Importance to the Party

* He located the assassin who was sent to kill Yinric's wife. He can tap into his network to find out where he might be after they come to an agreement. (Calimport)
* He knows what an Arcana Hedron is. He knows they can be forged in mines like this one, and that they must be forged because no more exist. He is unsure how to forge them, but believes there are several ancient spellbooks in existence that could describe the process.

## Characteristics:

Voice- Like Gilmore

Personality traits:

* Curious
* Careful listener
* Proud
* Careful not to get bound by promises
* Pacifist, doesn’t like to kill, though doesn't mind hiring others to do so if need be
* romantic

art source: https://www.deviantart.com/oldmanphoenix/ (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/627055948099765568/)

## Stat Block

https://5e.tools/bestiary/drow-arachnomancer-mtf.html