House Xorlarrin

The Third House of Menzoberranzan. Mages first, priests second. Lolth tolerates this because their power is too useful to punish.

House Xorlarrin occupies the third seat among Menzoberranzan's Ruling Eight — the eight houses that determine the city's political order. Where most great houses rely on martial strength and Lolth's direct favour, Xorlarrin has always leaned toward arcane mastery. Their daughters include sorceresses and wizards of rare ability. Even their priestesses tend to layer divine magic over a foundation of arcane study.

This makes them unusual, occasionally suspect, and extremely dangerous. Lolth tolerates their arcane emphasis because the house's power is genuine, their piety performative enough to satisfy the church, and their enemies many enough to keep them in line.

Current Leadership

Saribel Xorlarrin is the current Matron Mother. Her predecessor, Matron Zeerith Xorlarrin, is no longer at the house's head — the transition's details are unestablished.

Known Members

Connection to the Party

House Xorlarrin's campaign significance is almost entirely GM-side. The party does not know that Othorion's biological mother is now the Matron Mother of the Third House. They believe his mother was "Sarabell Zalaran" — a misidentification from the pendant found at Velkynvelve.

Threads

• Does Saribel know what Othorion has become? Does she watch from Menzoberranzan, or has she chosen not to look?
• Is there a surviving connection between Saribel and Jarlaxle — the man who raised her child?
• What did it take for Saribel to become Matron Mother? Did any of it involve protecting her secret?
• House Xorlarrin is the Third House. If Othorion's existence ever becomes public knowledge, the political consequences for Saribel — and the entire house — are catastrophic.