Dungeons and Dragons Lore: Demonweb Pits

[@Zasek2112]

Quite often the BIG spider that owns a web doesn't sit in the middle. They sit on the edge where you can't see it just feeling the vibrations. It makes sense (at least to me) that Lolth wouldn't be in a predictable and obvious spot.

[@AJPickett]

For those of you who have not encountered a New Zealander going into "speaking faster than a were-squirrel" that two minute summary of the Abyss was fast even by my standards.

[@zimattack9994]

So whens the were spuirrel vid my mind is all ready coming up with ideas!

[@dboot8886]

Huh, well... Lore Librarian Ability: "I'll Summarize" As a Quick Action the lore librarian can add a temporary modifier equal to their Int bonus to another character's skill bonus. They will forget this lesson after the next use of that skill, should have taken notes!

[@AJPickett]

@@dboot8886 that is awesome 😎

[@StraboSE]

You haven't met someone from Indiana have you?

[@Luirru55]

What is the creature it contains? Draeden? Where can I read more about this?

[@Greenscyth22]

Seeing as how the Demonweb Pit is such a soul crushing plane, I can’t tell whether any Drow would consider it a blessing to walk amongst it’s sticky strands of doom. Almost all Drow wish to be so close to their deity, but seeing as how Lolth treats her own subjects so harshly I can’t imagine how long your basic Drow would last down there. Dressing in arachnid motifs and sacrificing hapless innocents can only carry so much weight in the Demonweb Pits, it sure as hell won’t stop stray monstrosities from preying on a unsuspecting Drow.

[@AJPickett]

Drow are rarely completely at ease, some find the plane close to comfortable, they don't mind spiders crawling over them and having webs all over their body, others, not so much. One drow felt like the entire plane was seeking to cocoon them in webs, down to the very air being filled with invisible strands of web that were coating the lungs.

[@FFStalin]

All weak ilythiiri must perish, Lolth tlu Malla!

[@strike732]

Omg this is perfect - my part is going here soon omg I was gonna have to research it my self - you are a god send

[@AJPickett]

Angel or Archon (or bolt of lightning)?

[@anthonyromasco3528]

Kwakul Anansi, though chaotic neutral,would be an interesting deity to bring into a plot involving Lolth.

[@stain1095]

@@AJPickett Archon

[@BrotherSlow]

6:25 - Absolutely killed me. The sheer whiplash of hearing AJ talk about Eldridge horrors, to then seeing a picture of Spongebob, and then realizing it's a goatse reference. Magnificent.

[@AJPickett]

THANK YOU!

[@robk8463]

The War of the Spider Queen series was really good! The characters descending the plane on MASSIVE spiderwebs was so cool!

[@nomadjensen8276]

Love of DnD and the war of the spider queen books brought me here. I hate spiders but I can't get enough of the dark elves lore and anything underdark related.

[@fatguyfrommy8421]

Demon Weeb Pit....now that is more terrifying.

[@stephenclements6158]

I'm not even 10 minutes into the video, and the amount of cosmos-breaking knowledge you've dropped on me it astounding! Drinking from my TMG mug as I listen. :)

[@AJPickett]

A fitting vessel for a Mighty Brew!

[@MrCoryinnocence]

I love the art on the cover of "Queen of the demonweb pits".

[@AngelusAnsell]

Every time you mention those old old modules, I feel like old DnD was more complex, and likely a lot harder. I also find myself really wanting to try out the ancient ways of playing the game...even though I have hardly any actual playing experience with even modern DnD.

[@robk8463]

2nd Edition AD&D is for me the truest form of D&D. I think it requires more roleplaying and was more a theater of the mind. It was exciting!

[@neonavaro25]

Can we take a second to appreciate how far Aj has come, being able to summarize the Blood War situation in a neat 1 minute and 10 seconds? 2:25

[@AJPickett]

Was it that fast? Holy shit... !

[@thinking-ape6483]

According to Monsters and Mythology, Kanchelsis is a full-blown Intermediate Power, not a demi-power, unless something has changed since then and I missed something, which I very well may have.

[@gigatwin5298]

You've peeked my interest with that eclipse order of vampires sworn to some kind of vampire demon lord. Now where's the button to learn more?

[@AJPickett]

The subscribe button my friend

[@gigatwin5298]

@@AJPickett but I'm already subscribed

[@havilar3095]

i heard the name Vlad my my my mind screamed Vlad Tepes Vlad the Impaler Dacula then it said or Vlad the bunny who makes cookies! yus now i look forward to a video about the eclipse order!

[@shamusfarmer]

LOVE these descriptions of abyssal layers, can't wait to hear more. There's too little of this. This and the Franz Urbloob or whatever vid are some of my favorites because of that.

[@josephsorrendino9645]

Played these modules when I was 13. Made friendships that have lasted to this day. Glad to see that there's still interest in it. Oh yeah I'm old😁

[@skrog907]

A new video from AJ? Gotta love it.

[@ryanulrich2147]

This Spider Week(s) 🕸 series is the best ever!!! I love hearing about the Abyss. Keep it up!

[@brightglory5734]

This is a fine video Mr. Pickett.

[@shamusfarmer]

I really wish you had rattled off weird encounter locations all day!

[@AJPickett]

Well... I do a podcasty series of videos where I may do that sort of thing.

[@shamusfarmer]

@@AJPickett You know what? I watch your normal videos religiously, but I don't think I've ever watched one of your podcasts. Maybe I'm biased against them because I've seen in other live shows and podcasts and such the people tend to go way off topic, rambling on for hours. If they would just focus on the subject at hand i'd be far more interested. But maybe yours aren't like that? Maybe I should give your podcasts a try...

[@torbjornlekberg7756]

She entered the creatures ... body opening ... to make a deal. How very drow.

[@AJPickett]

Right?

[@basicallyafk7494]

This is exactly what I've been waiting for!!!!! Love it, the Drow, Lolth and the entire pantheon!! My campaign involves the affects from the temporary death of Lolth herself. So this gives my mind more fuel about the setting before my party goes snooping!

[@elwoodbrown7005]

You have me fasinated with ghuanadaur and tharizdan and the origins of the planes.

[@AJPickett]

Correct.

[@jgr7487]

•Lolth is one of the 4 Fearsome Ladies (along with the Lady of Pain, Pale Night, & the Raven Queen, all of the 3 are far more powerful & important than we imagine); •Lolth has one of the biggest & most intricate Abyssal domains; •Lolth is just a subracial supreme deity. one of these doesn't match the other 2.

[@philurbaniak1811]

Something in my gut is telling me that far more than we know is centered around Our Queen and it is unsettling.

[@OroborosDuskcrow]

The last time I was this early, Tharizdun was still sane. :)

[@zenvariety9383]

And now he's trying to break free and may use Caleb Widowgast and Beauregaurd Lionett to achieve his goal. Pretty sure he's masquerading as the Somnovem.

[@AJPickett]

100% on topic joke, 50 points Ravenclaw house.

[@nyarparablepsis872]

That was a fascinating exploration of a place I always skipped over! Thank you, oh mighty sage :)

[@AJPickett]

You are most welcome Nyar

[@brianh4880]

An alliance between Lolth and Vecna...that is a few steps past terrifying and i honestly don't want to think about it. Well done sir.

[@johngleeman8347]

Lolth: I'll teach those impudent adventurers the price of defying me. Fire the photon torpedos! XD

[@jacobmendonca8571]

Lolth: release the spiderKraken!

[@Mixedpuppy]

Wow your detail and explanation on this subject was amazing. I read a number of books but the detail of the material and what is known is great. Thank you.

[@AJPickett]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AJPickett]

@@AncientRylanor69 forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Bebilith

[@AJPickett]

@@AncientRylanor69 To betray somebody or use treachery. Saying "he turned stag" is about the worst thing that can be said about a cutter. mimir.net/culture/languages/cant-dictionary/

[@anthonyromasco3528]

Scariest team-up ever? Lolth, and Anthraxus. I know, he's not the oinodaemon any more, but he totally rocked. Venom and pestilence, the ultimate nightmare

[@ProgZombie]

Thank you so much AJ, rediscovered your channel after a few years away from D&D and you've completely reignited my passion for the hobby and even got me DMing again. I'll be supporting you more directly henceforth but thought you also might like to know you'll be featuring in my campaign as a wandering monster ecologist. Thank you again!

[@boldbearings]

Terrifyingly terrific. And great art selection.

[@Arius_Astronomy]

The Abyss is basically the meat grinder campaign setting. Everything could kill you. Short rests are few and far between. If you live long it will only be long enough for you to see yourself become the villain... or a mad man... or undead if you piss of Orcus.

[@TheKing-qz9wd]

Or if you're insane you may have put yourself in the strangest, most brutal war yet.

[@jtjames79]

I'm a mad man and a villain already, so I should be fine.

[@TheKing-qz9wd]

@@jtjames79 Wanna team up and deicide the pantheons? Should be able to consume all of the abyss as well.

[@Arius_Astronomy]

@@jtjames79 lol. Might as well add undead to that.

[@ProgZombie]

Thanks AJ. Just finished my campaign with a heavy focus on Lolth and the Demonweb pits are this video helped me to no end. You rock!

[@AJPickett]

Glad I could help!

[@Insane-Howl-Cowl]

I like the way you are building up to Lloth.

[@Insane-Howl-Cowl]

The method actually makes me think WE are trapped in her web and she's just slowly making her way over to devour us.

[@smilingbear7430]

A video on vhaeraun would be amazing!

[@AJPickett]

Demi-human gods are my favourites.

[@PattPlays]

21:40 so organic matter is chaotic in nature dope. Makes you wonder where the obyrith came from in their own world, and if they were as we are.

[@jameswright4640]

I loved the giants/drow series when it came out and I spent my paper route money on each module. I dm'd it, our party played it and loved it. So much fun! I remember the guy that played a Paladin coming up to me after the fire giants saying hey, this is going to get a little easier, right? And I don't remember what I said but apparently I laughed so evilly that we had two new players the very next time. Good times, good memories. New subscriber, really enjoying your videos. Great stuff!

[@A_real_Ha_So]

God of The Ropers? I shouldve known Norman Fell was associated with an evil Deity 😂😂😄😄😊😊😞 .. Don't judge me for being old enough to know why that's funny

[@BaneRain]

People with ropes around their necks don't always hang. Even a filthy beggar like that has a protecting angel. A golden-haired angel watches over him.

[@JohnDowson100]

28:05 oh that's cool. When did it happen? Are Ghaunadaur and Juiblex aspects of Tharidzun in the end? Was it ever confirmed?

[@AJPickett]

It's an good an explanation as I ever found.

[@cheayunju]

Gosh, the Drayden, that is a great fantasy concept^^

[@Wraithing]

You're a marvel, AJ Pickett. Like an alchemist, creating a distilled concentrate of listenable researched lore, where previously was a, much conflicted, mangle of sourcebooks and adventures. Thanks 👍

[@cordelking6110]

Thank you sir, perfect to get some more info on lolth since im running out of the abyss, having 3 drow players, lolth has had a huge impact thank you🕸🕷

[@almitrahopkins1873]

3 Drow players? How many new characters have the other players had to make so far?

[@AshersAesera]

3:26 Wait, where can I learn more of the celestials becoming devils? o _ o Do you have a video on that?

[@venkelos6996]

The Drow are a weird topic for me. I've been into D&D for the better part of 30 years, reading monster manuals, and lore sources; mostly Forgotten Realms, but because the 2e Drow were such Saturday morning cartoon villains, and on the other side Drizzt was basically just a giant fan-meme, I didn't pay too much attention to them. It's funny because, since I love FRCS, I feel I actually know a decent amount about the Drow, but since so much of them seems to be the RA Salvatore books, I know next to nothing about the Drow of NOT Faerun. I think that Oerth has an Underdark, too, but without things like Drizzt, the Baenres, and Menzobarannzen, it can be tough to find details about the Drow of the Greyhawk setting. I know Eclavadra, but only because she is in my 3e ELHB, and nothing else comes to mind. 😊 At some recent point, however, the Drow drew an incredible amount of focus from me, and a number of story characters I have written, or backup characters I might want to have for unexpected gaming opportunities, have been Drow. I'm nor sure if it's because of the recent push to steamroll their current lore, to replace it with "kinder" fare, which I mostly don't support, or just because my mindset can eek out various RP opportunities with them, but they have strolled around in my head a lot,of late. As to Lolth's domain, I personally find it a difficult place to make use of. I find it funny that OotA suggests having the party of that campaign storm the Demonweb, and seek revenge on Lolth, as if theyvare leveled for the exercise, and striking a deity in their home plane is simple, but I'm not sure how to do anything with it. I'm also somewhat surprised that none of the other Demon Lords can't try and seize it from Her, since ownership of layers can, and does change, and a bit surprised that Lolth never found an opportunity to co-opt the Spider-Fiends to Her service, with Miska MIA, and the Queen of Chaos sort of doing nothing, these days.

[@Tazdingoyahahahahaha]

They don’t seize the pits from Lolth because she absolutely dwarfs them in power. That and there’s already more prominent and existing rivalries in the abyss that occupy the strongest of the demon lords. None of these include Lolth, Orcus and Demogorgon obviously hate eachother, and Graz’zt kinda just waits for the right opportunity to seize layers.

[@lenardf.1683]

Wow thanks for this Video! Will you do a Video on the draeden, the ancient evils etc that were there before every thing else?

[@AJPickett]

Seems to be a popular demand for it.

[@kendrickrochelanzot2053]

Lolth when heroes enter her lair: execute order 66

[@rutgerkemperman2830]

Awesome video as always AJ! Couldn't help but take special notice of you naming Tharizdun and his agents in this video; one of my players has Shothragot, Tharizdun's greatest servant, as his otherwordly patron. I was wondering, any chance you know more about him or got plans for a future vid on Shothragot? It's very difficult to find more on him online heh

[@AJPickett]

I'll take a look into it, sure :)

[@AJPickett]

Rutger Kemperman you may want to... ahem... take a look at this, and wait until the penny drops. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2HNm4d3bMZkfKM

[@samuelciprispuches9548]

Thanks Rutger! Shothragot is the BBEG of my campaign and i would like to know more too.

[@rutgerkemperman2830]

@@AJPickett Fantastic! I totally missed this one when looking around, I had seen the one on Tharizdun but I think I accidentally skipped over the one from Shoth... thanks for pointing me AJ :)

[@kramooo9666]

can you please do a video on the one Good Drow Goddess Eilistraee

[@AJPickett]

Yes I can.

[@brianbrianbification]

"wheezing, splattering, sphincter" with the SpongeBob.. Has me crying

[@KitKatWiffleBallBat]

Thank you, sir! That was rather informative. Imagine that army of Bone Dragons! Terrifying if you were on the wrong end of thar war, to say the least. I doubt I could keep my composure in such company. Winning that ordeal would require divine intervention. "Lolth, darling. We need to talk about your recent hobbies..."

[@MrCSeay]

Love these realm/ God reviews

[@stunity1767]

Thanks AJ. Loving all these spider videos.

[@andreasfr1]

22:48 What is a Bibbeleth and where can I learn more?

[@Rose-fj5fb]

Aj has another video on the Bebileth and Pale Night, very good watch

[@Torlonus]

I was wondering if you could do a video on the the well of darkness, I can't find much on it but the idea of a prison in the abyss seems interesting.

[@charlesjameskelly7689]

Please do more on elder evils and far realm stars

[@brightglory5734]

War of the Spider Queen is a fun series for anyone interested in drow or their pantheon.

[@idylehandz3911]

currently working through for the 2nd time. audible this go

[@itzybitzyspyder]

Always found the concept of a web to be too lawful for the Abyss but it's still terrifying

[@jupiterrising887]

Depends on the spider. Some webs are extremely orderly and patterned. Others (such as a black widow) are extremely chaotic and messy.

[@itzybitzyspyder]

@@jupiterrising887 I mean the concept of a web. It's essentially planning for the future and lying in wait as a constant. I guess what they are going for is how the web interrupts the normalcy of what it's connected to but that would almost require law to juxtapose the web as chaotic.

[@itzybitzyspyder]

@@Fgway yeah. I like that.

[@victorvaldez8869]

I wonder how Loth views the Drow of Eberron & their worship of Vulkoor; the Scorpion God, and vice versa?

[@AJPickett]

Unknown, she is probably less interested in the world of Eberron as conquering it would be a lot of bother.

[@iainzo7]

Please do more of those encounters. They are really interesting. I'd love to play in this setting. I'd love a 5e module of it

[@jonmichael6746]

AJ, random question I've been meaning to ask you, have you ever done a video about the Girallon?

[@AJPickett]

Not yet

[@jonmichael6746]

@@AJPickett YET!

[@Kholan95]

I was surprised that Zarassu wasn't brought up 🤔

[@HowtoRPG]

Thanks AJ.

[@samuelciprispuches9548]

Beautiful video! As always I should say. Can you do a video on Ghaunadaur? I would like to know more about this sneaky god

[@jongreene5000]

Wondering if you have read the trilogy of novels.... White Plume Mountain.... Descent into the Depths of the Earth... and Queen of the Demonweb Pits..... Lilith actually dies towards the end of the Demonweb Pits.... The books are a fantastic read.... Paul Kidd wrote those and did a great job.....

[@jongreene5000]

Your reviews are so spot on...... Do a review of the books.....

[@dragonlord498]

interesting video gets me thinking what would be the best way to get rid of that spider web

[@AJPickett]

Megaversal Solvent

[@simmonslucas]

So deep so nerdy 💯

[@miketerran4140]

I shouldn't be amazed but as always the great D&D repository that is TMG and it's world renowned Curator A.J. Pickett leave me in awe.

[@gabrieladerre2862]

This is so awesome! I'd love to see invidual videos on the Dark Selendrine! As well as the expanded, and updated, videos on dragons! Particularly the Chromatic, including Deep/Purple Dragons. I personally don't care about the good ones! They're not as fun, in my opinion! Hope you're well, AJ! I've not commented much, lately, but I'm still watching, and loving, your work!!!

[@AJPickett]

Hey stranger, yes it has been a long while since I heard from you! I will have more elf stuff soon, demi-human deities and more visits to exotic realms.. and dragons :)

[@greenstomp3096]

Right in time while I was looking into this one for a new campaign.

[@purplehaze2358]

I only just now realized that the nine hells were likely a recaptured layer of the abyss thanks to this video. It honestly makes too much sense that they’re a complete shithole for more reasons than just the devils therein.

[@BaneRain]

I always thought baator was another planet

[@HenriFaust]

It's also said to be a planet seized from the prime material plane.

[@AJPickett]

Now imagine a campaign where the nine Hells become the 11 hell's and Lolth loses the Demon web.

[@almitrahopkins1873]

@@AJPickett Imagine a campaign where a layer of the abyss is spat out if the conquering demon lord is any alignment other than chaotic evil. A lawful good paladin kills a minor demon lord of a layer and suddenly there is a new layer of Celestia...

[@samsamsamsamsamanilla5281]

Awesome job per normal AJ, keep up the great work😊

[@zmishiymishi5349]

Im finding a new respect for Lolth here

[@skylance25]

This is one best vids yet

[@sickofwashington]

All the spidery things leading to the Queen herself! 😊🤓🕷

[@nicolaezenoaga9756]

Thanks.

[@zacharyhawley1693]

The Abyss is okay, the B&B's aren't the greatest but if you can block out the screams of the damned its easily 7/10

[@AJPickett]

I don't know what that was in my latte.. but it wasn't milk.

[@almitrahopkins1873]

The only thing on the TV was Cats, for some reason...

[@Thorn99855]

So Oogershek is the name of the disgusting portal in the Demonweb Pits; And it is also the name of this Drayden that lets Lolth dig around in its brain for forgotten memories? In exchange for letting it know if she finds where the other Drayden are located? If I got any of that wrong, please clarify. This one was kinda hard to follow.

[@AJPickett]

Sounds like you got it.

[@Thorn99855]

@@AJPickett Ok cool. My brain was trying hard to wrap itself around the concept.

[@lunar_lotus4841]

When I heard that a branch of the lower pits led to ''a dimension of yellow sand and purple scry, formed out of chaos stuff- located there was a massive machine fortress in the shape of a colossal spider. Said to be where Lolth's lair resides.'' I immediately thought of Achaea, a 'MUD' text based rpg game that's played on line. Basically it's a spinoff of Pathfinder's Dark/Black Sun.

[@daniell1483]

The recent videos concerning the Drow make me wonder if you are possibly going to be talking about elves and their lore in the future?

[@AJPickett]

Yes, the time has come.

[@daniell1483]

@@AJPickett I've been waiting a long time! can't wait to see what comes next!

[@1337karm]

I can’t wait for deep dives on Ghaunadaur and Vhaeraun. Unless I somehow missed them?

[@DominicMaez]

Ave amicus! Made me want to go back and read the war or the spider queen again!noice

[@justafloofbean2342]

I'm watching this to refresh myself and I realized something I didn't know the first time I watched this At the time I didn't know what a bebilith was Now that I do.... The fire suddenly starts to make more sense.......

[@johntheherbalistg8756]

Wonderful, you uploaded right on time! 🤙🤙🤙

[@JohnA...]

This lore is good, its so very twistingly intricate and well created... why does it have to be spiders though.

[@AJPickett]

"Snakes, why does it have to be snakes" *Indiana Jones*

[@weiswolf]

Wow, great video!

[@Scortch-lo3xy]

oh snap i have been waiting for this one chief

[@erickhart8046]

Ooh the dark web.

[@Z0nK89]

i love this kind of lore thanks a lot!

[@agingerbeard]

Love this channel

[@squirrellordsgaming2772]

Nice, very nice.

[@davidjarkeld2333]

Could I recommend Dragon Magazine 298 for more info on Lolth and the Drow as well as the Vault of the Drow.

[@delenaa9312]

You talk about the chromatic dragon devils

[@soldierprincess8422]

12:06 it’s below the Hell furnace mountain range

[@delenaa9312]

Your next video should talk about the Belly of death Thanatos

[@bayoubilly5176]

To be fair if we're talking faerun after war of the spider queen... Lolth kicked Ghaunadar several times mocked him for being a mewling whiny jealous simp then as he spazzed tossed him back to his hole and sealed it shut.(much like the eiliastrean(sp?) priestesses did to his oozes and avatar).

[@jacobfreeman5444]

Which shows you how brave the spider queen is. Ghaunadar is stronger than she is then and now. It is her skill that won her that exchange and some measure of respect from the ancient being. Lolth shows how savvy she is in mocking a superior opponent into throwing such a shiz fit that he couldn't extract himself before ruining himself. She did the godly version of giving a big greesy nerd a nuclear wedgie then laughed while he soiled himself.

[@carlborneke8641]

How do you spell the name of the god/primordial mentioned at 5:27 ?

[@AJPickett]

Ghaunadaur ( pronounced: /ˈ g ɒn ɑː d aʊər / GON-ah-dowr or: /ˈ g ɒn ɑː d ʊər / GON-ah-door)

[@carlborneke8641]

@@AJPickett Thanks 😊

[@frankyflowers]

i thought of a cool video for you to make. spells from early dnd that are now possible in reality because of technology. i thought of this watching an fpv drone and that flying eyeball spell. the self aiming rifle is kind of like magic missile fireworks and leds are catnip dancing lights. stuff like that.

[@AJPickett]

Hmmm, like Sending!

[@squirrellordsgaming2772]

As a fan of horror, I could use and abuse a dark and scary setting like this one. My poor players (Evil Smile Intensifying).....

[@AJPickett]

Tell me oh lord of the nuts, what do you know of were-squirrels?

[@LokiFar]

@@AJPickett Were-squirrels?! That sounds like fun.

[@squirrellordsgaming2772]

@@LokiFar Yes, Yes, Killer squirrels. I remember a comedy game where you play as Chitulu who was forced to become an Adventurer to save the world. I remember the swarm of undead murder squirrels was one of the tougher early game fights.

[@squirrellordsgaming2772]

@@AJPickett I think you've just gave me enough ideas for a good home-brew for a group of hired hit-men for an evil Druid villain. Thank you very much!