House Strighym: Matron Mother Nedvyllanna Strighym
The Matron of House Strighym is notoriously materialistic and vain, which is saying a lot considering Lolthites are generally considered materialistic and vain. Her long silver hair is tied up in an elaborate braid pattern which resembles, to no one's surprise, a spider. Four braids from each side come to the center in the back to form an eight strand braid, which is then loosely rolled up as a bun to create a long abdomen of the spider, and held together at the top by a decorative comb to be the thorax.
She favors dark and elegant flowing gowns with dramatically flared sleeves, some portions made purposely sheer like spider webs to show off some skin. Fine jewelry adorns her hair and lines her ears. It drapes around her neck and wrists and sparkles on her fingers. A few fingers are clad in delicate-looking filigree claws, but many members of House Strighym, especially consorts, will assure they draw blood just as easily as any blade.
She has hobbies of her own, although unlike her crafters who turn their hobbies into job skills to support the House, Nedvyllanna's hobbies are purely for her own benefit. She cultivates poisonous fungi and flora, as well as fungi and flora which can be used to create pigment powders for makeup. She also breeds rats to feed her large dragazhar, Nacta, and occasionally he is allowed to pick off a deep bat from the livestock. Slaves who have offended Nedvyllanna and are particularly unlucky may also find themselves becoming a meal for her dragazhar, and the other deep bats if Nacta allows it--a gruesome sight that quickly reminds every witness of their place in the House.
Nacta is fiercely loyal to Nedvyllanna, not unlike a guard dog, except he has a seven-and-a-half foot wingspan and a sharp tail which can be used as a weapon in addition to its wing claws and teeth. Even when he is not immediately visible or attempting to sit on Nedvyllanna's shoulders, Nacta is almost always close by, watching for danger. His piercing shriek of a bird-like call is not only chilling but genuinely terrifying to anyone not used to hearing it.
She is a powerful Trickery Domain Cleric of Lolth, specializing in enchantments. Although all of her subjects are expected to be loyal, this does not stop Nedvyllanna from using Enchantment magic to make them a little extra pliable. Consorts are especially likely to be magicked in this manner. While many Matrons choose consorts from people they believe they can trust, Nedvyllanna is far more shallow.
Repeated exposure to these enchantment and charming spells over a long period of time can have altering affects on the mind, leading to confusion, and making it difficult to identify which emotions are genuine and which are enhanced--or supplied--by the magic itself. Dalamus' skewed perception of Nedvyllanna's affection and care for him is likely due to a combination of her manipulation and magic.
Appearances are everything to her and she does not tolerate being given any less respect than she believes she deserves. However, this also means that placating her is sometimes possible through adoration, flattery, or even straight-up begging, as it reminds her that she is powerful and in control.
Lolthite rules demand that she have enough guardsmen, soldiers, and instructors to supply some to patrols, the army, and the Academies. Nedvyllanna fills at least a portion of these ranks with those she can hire, rather than training them at the House.
She values beauty and expensive materials, gathering the best artists in Menzoberranzan to work for her and increase not only her House's wealth, but her own personal collection of art, fashion, and jewelry. Many Houses are strict with hair and dress code, but House Strighym allows some uniqueness among her artists and crafters so as not to stifle the creativity for which they were hired.
That said, her expectations for those in her House are still high. This leeway given to the crafters is only to help spur them to perform their best. If they do not, she has no use for them. It is not uncommon to see crafters who have begun to repeatedly under-perform with their work be hauled away by guardsmen at her behest, never to be seen again. Death is a very real possibility should anyone talk back to her or otherwise embarrass her.
She has no maternal instincts; she hates being pregnant, and has no patience for children. Children constantly want and need, without the capacity to give anything useful back. It is probably merciful, then, that her first was a daughter, Pellandra. Still, she wastes no time in sending her children to a private caretaker within the House, rather than deal with them herself. Zektyrr is planned to be the House's Master of Assassins if he shows aptitude for the skills necessary. Until then, Nedvyllanna has little use for him.
Nedvyllanna is frequently flirtatious and seemingly affectionate to her Patron, although it is largely a ruse to maintain loyalty, taking advantage of Dalamus' (and indeed most male drow's) touch-starved state. Only she may initiate touch or physical "affection"--it is given if he has done something she approves of, thereby conditioning him to succumb to her will and fulfill her desires if he wished to be treated softly. Even then, it was not guaranteed, as she cannot let them believe she is soft.
She prefers never to risk being overpowered, even by her consorts, and will use enchantment to assure their placidity. It was not uncommon for Dalamus to leave the bedchambers with small wounds from her nails. She does not indulge in aftercare or pillowtalk. Whether she even likes her consorts at all is a question made difficult to answer by Lolthites' skewed views on attachment and affection. Every Patron feels as though they are truly favored and trusted by her, and by virtue of their position, it is assumed they are. And appearances are very important to her.
