Updated: Aug. 15, 2024, 6 a.m.
Berg'inyon Baenre stood in the heart of Menzoberranzan, the underground city of the drow, where shadows whispered secrets and the air was thick with the scent of dark magic. The cavernous city thrummed with life, but Berg'inyon's focus was solely on the ancient artifact before him, an obsidian pedestal etched with runes that seemed to shift and writhe under his gaze.
In his hand, he clutched the Horn of Summoning, a relic of immense power that had been passed down through the Baenre lineage. It was a beautifully crafted instrument, adorned with intricate designs that told tales of battles fought and won, of demons bound and released. The horn's surface was cold to the touch, yet it pulsed with an inner warmth, as if eager to unleash its potential.
Berg'inyon took a deep breath, centering himself. He knew that the artifact before him, known as the Eye of Lolth, held the key to unlocking untold power. The drow matron mothers had long sought its secrets, but none had succeeded. Now, it was his turn to try, and he could feel the weight of his family's expectations pressing down on him.
He raised the Horn of Summoning to his lips, feeling the cold metal against his skin. The cavern around him seemed to grow quieter, the usual bustle of Menzoberranzan fading into a distant hum. Berg'inyon closed his eyes, allowing the ancient incantations of his ancestors to flow through his mind, and then he blew into the horn.
A deep, resonant note filled the air, vibrating through the very stone of the cavern. The runes on the pedestal glowed with a dark light, and a ripple of energy spread outwards, causing the shadows to dance and twist. Berg'inyon felt a surge of power coursing through him, connecting him to the artifact in a way he had never experienced before.
The Eye of Lolth responded to the call of the horn, and the runes began to shift and align, forming a complex pattern that seemed to unlock a doorway between realms. A portal of swirling darkness opened above the pedestal, and from within emerged a figure cloaked in shadow. Its eyes glowed with an eerie red light, and its presence exuded an aura of ancient malice.
Berg'inyon lowered the horn, his heart pounding in his chest. He had done it—he had summoned a servant of Lolth, a creature of immense power that could tip the balance of power in Menzoberranzan in favor of House Baenre. The shadowy figure bowed its head, acknowledging Berg'inyon's mastery over the artifact.
"Speak your command, master," the creature intoned, its voice a whisper that seemed to echo from the depths of the abyss.
Berg'inyon considered his options, the weight of responsibility settling upon him. He knew that wielding such power came with great risk, but the potential rewards were too great to ignore. As he stood there, in the heart of Menzoberranzan, with the Horn of Summoning in his hand and the Eye of Lolth before him, he felt a surge of determination.
"Serve House Baenre," he commanded, his voice steady and resolute. "And ensure our dominance over Menzoberranzan."
The shadowy figure nodded, its form shifting and blending with the darkness around it. "As you command, so shall it be."
With that, the creature vanished, leaving Berg'inyon alone with the artifact. He knew that this was only the beginning, that the path ahead would be fraught with danger and intrigue. But for now, he had unlocked the power of the Eye of Lolth, and with it, the fate of Menzoberranzan lay in his hands.