House Baenre
The First House of Menzoberranzan. Oldest. Most powerful. Most patient.
Faction Info
| Type | Drow Noble House |
| City | Menzoberranzan |
| Standing | First House |
| Deity | Lolth |
| Status | Active |
House Baenre is the undisputed First House of Menzoberranzan — the most powerful and politically dominant of the drow noble houses, with a matriarch who serves as the de facto ruler of the city. All other houses operate in House Baenre's shadow, by design or by fear.
Their interest in the surface world tends to be strategic rather than personal — but when House Baenre moves, it moves with purpose.
Known Members
| Member | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lireal | Exile / former daughter | Born Liriel Baenre; raised in House Baenre; exiled or escaped; traveling with party |
| Jarlaxle Baenre | Renegade son | Formally exiled; leads Bregan D'aerthe; operates on the surface |
| Zilnath | Field assassin; Othorion's cousin | Led road ambush on party (A14); accused Othorion of murder; active in Luskan (B-arc) |
| Quenthel Baenre | Matron Mother | Current Matron Mother; has sent personal correspondence to Othorion offering him a place in Menzoberranzan |
Connection to the Party
House Baenre's primary campaign connection is through Lireal — their exiled daughter — and through Othorion, who used the name "Othorion Baenre" in the Gum Gum contract.
That name has not gone unnoticed. House Baenre assassins (including Zilnath) attacked Othorion and Pip in Neverwinter; Drizzt Do'Urden intervened and saved them.
Threads
- Quenthel's offer: The Matron Mother has contacted Othorion directly — what is she building, and why does she need him specifically?
- Is Lolth genuinely diminished? If so, what does that mean for all Lolth-dependent threads across the campaign?
- Did Quenthel actually free the driders from Lolth's curse — and if so, what power is she drawing on?
- Does Quenthel know about Jarlaxle's covert operations protecting Othorion? Does she approve or is she working around him?
- Does the Matron Mother know Lireal is traveling with the party?
- What is the Drow weave in Othorion's bloodline ("a crown with no king yet") — and is Quenthel's offer connected to it?
- Jarlaxle and Lireal are both House Baenre — do they know each other from before, and how does Quenthel relate to both of them?