The Tale of Huno

I remember very little of my childhood, or where I came from.

One night only remains in my memory. My mother came to me and woke me. She was a fine lady of the Drushii, a High Priestess perhaps - who can say after all this time.

"Our time of testing is at hand, my son" she said. She bade me take up my blade and bow and go out into the tunnels and passages of the Underdark. "Do not return for three days!" I was instructed. "If danger threatens, call upon our Dark Mistress, and trust in her only."

She seemed sad and pre-occupied. I thought then that this was another test of my sterngth and valour, and that she was concerned that I should do well and bring her honour. So I was determined to do well, and went out with high hopes. How old I was, I cannot say now, but maybe eight or nine years, in the reckoning of the surface.

And so for many hours I wandered the passages and crevices in the darkness of the Night Below. So near to our city there were few truly dangerous creatures, or so I thought....

When the allotted time was up, I retraced my steps, expecting to be praised for my diligence. But that was not to be, for where our city had been, was now a smoking ruin. Not one stome was left upon another, and no sign remained of my people. To this day I do not know what occurred then, or why this devastation was visited on all that I had known. Only that I had been spared. I wandered, as in a dream, for many hours, searching the rubble for some sign, some keepsake, some small thing to cling to and call my own, but there was nothing.

I called upon the name of Lolth then: "Spare me and protect me, Mistress of all, and I will serve you always!" But I was alone and unheard.

She found me there, that great mother of spiders, and took me all unawares with the bite that brings unconsciousness, but not yet death. Perhaps I was to be the food of her children, or a plaything, or maybe something else: when I awoke I was in her web, far from any place I knew, and tightly bound in silk to await her pleasure or choice.

I struggled to be free, not ready for death, but with her venom in my veins, all sense and memory and forethought were lost to me. With my blade, I sawed at my bonds and escaped at last. While she was gone, I ran, looking for a clear path. But the deeper dark is no place for a lost child. All too soon, I was in dire straits again. An Oholeth barred my way, and would have made short work of me, but she was there again, and leapt past me to fight with it. Evenly matched, then took each other to death's gate and beyond, and I was left alone again, to walk away and wonder why.

For many days and weeks and months, I wandered without purpose. The Qua'val'Sharess had spared me, so I dedicated myself to her service. Eventually, I found myself on the surface, and there I spied on the pale ones and leant something of their ways and speech.

They caught me once and I was interrogated. When asked who I was, I had no good answer, but my reply was was noted down anyway and used thereafter. later, I escaped again, and came at last to Usgarard, but I still use the name they gave me then, as I have no other. When asked who I am, I reply,

"Huno z'Mnaym"