The Lair of the Silkbound — The Loom of Stillness
Harz Detri Forest
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Overview
Hidden high within the upper canopy and descending deep into root-hollows below, The Loom of Stillness is a vast, vertical spider-lair woven from mana-reactive silk and living wood. It is not merely a nest—it is a thinking structure, shaped by generations of Silkbound spiders.
The forest grows unnaturally quiet within several hundred feet of the lair. Sound dulls. Spells feel muffled. Violent intent is felt.
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Approach
Web-Gated Canopy: Silvery threads span between ancient trees, invisible until disturbed.
Thought-Sensitive Silk: Webs tighten or loosen based on hostility.
Suspended Silence: Creatures entering experience muted footfalls and slowed breathing.
Failing to control emotions causes the lair to respond aggressively.
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Lair Structure (Vertical Dungeon)
🌲 Upper Canopy – The Listening Web
A vast web-net stretched between massive branches.
Silk vibrates with surface thoughts
Moving too quickly triggers alert pulses
Cocooned forest beasts hang like ornaments
Encounter:
Silkbound Scouts (non-hostile unless provoked)
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🕳 Mid Roots – The Still Galleries
Natural hollows reinforced with webbing.
Cocoons contain living captives in stasis
Some captives have been here for decades
Time moves unevenly
Environmental Effect:
Short rests take half time; long rests risk prophetic dreams.
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🕸 The Negotiation Veil
A curtain of black-and-silver silk blocking deeper access.
Requires calm intent or tribute
Burning or cutting alerts the Matriarch
Used for diplomacy with elves
NPC:
Vaelith of the Silkbound may appear here.
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🕯 The Brood Sanctum
A cathedral-sized chamber.
Massive egg-clusters glow faintly
Mana flows visibly through silk
Spider attendants maintain web-lines
Lair Action:
Silk can restrain, redirect spells, or dampen aggression.
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👁 The Matriarch’s Throne — Arachne Myr’eth
An ancient Silkbound Matriarch fused with a heart-tree root.
Vast, immobile, and hyper-intelligent
Speaks through vibration and psychic whispers
Knows pre-Labyrinth history
She believes:
The Labyrinth beneath Elaris Glade is waking
Princess Elysid is a seal, not a victim
Goblins seek to burn the seal open
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Lair Effects
While within the Loom of Stillness:
Hostile actions provoke environmental restraint
Spells using fear or rage are weakened
Stealth and diplomacy are empowered
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Treasures & Rewards
Silkbound Thread: Craft legendary light armor or bows
Stasis Cocoons: Rescue ancient NPCs
Web-Seals: One-use anti-Labyrinth ward
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Quest Hooks
Rescue a cocooned Imperial scout
Negotiate alliance between elves and Silkbound
Stop goblins from torching the lower roots
Learn the truth about Princess Elysid
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Consequences
Killing the Matriarch destabilizes Harz Detri
Ally with the Silkbound → forest becomes safer
Betray them → spiders hunt party silently