#--Minthara Baenre Lore 🕷️💜🕸️--

[mintharabaenrelore]

Today we're analyzing Minthara's appearance.

(This post contains a lot of screenshots. Thank you so much to all the people who took them!)

Height

Drow, on average, are smaller than other elves, shorter and thinner, with "wiry", "athletic" bodies.

"Reports varied on the physical differences between the drow sexes. Some purported that females were generally bigger and stronger than males, while others claimed that males had superior strength. Both sexes varied in height from 4 feet and 7 inches to 5 feet and 5 inches (140 to 170 centimeters), averaging at 5 feet (150 centimeters). Males weighed between 87 to 157 pounds (39 to 71.2 kilograms), averaging 109.5 pounds (49.67 kilograms), while females were a bit lighter, weighing between 82 to 152 pounds (37 to 68.9 kilograms) and averaging 104.5 pounds (47.4 kilograms)."- Forgotten Realms Wiki.

@krembruleed made a lovely height comparison between of the companions based off in-game models.

Astarion is a good reference, as he is canonically aproximately 5'11. Larian has confirmed he is only 5'9.

I'm just speculating here, as (I think) Shadowheart, Jaheira, and Minthara share the same heights and the same body model.

According to lore, though, Minthara is quite small, and this is backed up by the scene directly after Act II, when the whole group is gathered. She looked significantly shorter than the others there, in my game.

It also makes sense genetically- take Triel Baenre, who was less than 5 feet tall, or Jarlaxle Baenre, who is rather slender.

Hair Length

Her hair has to be long. Have you seen the size of that bun?

(Picture above by @northernolddragon!)

(Picture above by @swordopera!)

Drow generally keep their hair long, often decorating it with pins and webbing made of precious medals. Also take note of the color of her hair, as drow women's hair turns pale yellow with age, and this is a useful clue. (Canonically, she is quite young, Emma Gregory says this herself, so I personally think it's white and just looks yellow in certain lights.)

When you click on a mirror as Minthara, she says, "Not a hair out of place," so I assume she has a reason for keeping her hair as it is- that reason being practicality. If her hair is anywhere near as long as I think it is, fighting with it down would be a hassle!

I think there is also some psychology to be found in her hair, though. Her choosing to keep it as a messy bun could be seen as an act of rebellion, when compared to elaborate Menzoberranzan hairstyles such as Triel Baenre's... or it could be seen as her holding onto her past.

(I can't get enough of seeing pictures of her with it down, though.)

Scars

Before we discuss her scars, I just have to mention that she has freckles. I love her freckles.

The wonderful @mogruith checked out Minthara's unmodded face and did not see any noteworthy markings.

It's hard to tell what are sunspots/freckles and what may be scars, but I did my best.

I looked at a screenshot by @missgamerin and circled what seem, to me, like scars.

That potential scar on her cheek can also be seen in a screenshot by @ilikedetectives.

Eyes

Drow eyes could be of any color, with bright red being the most common. [...] The color of a drow's eyes could also be indicative of their current mental or physical state; drow eyes reddened when they were angry, and turned yellow when they were sick, poisoned, or under some negative magical influence."- Forgotten Realms Wiki

This information suggests Minthara's eyes should have been yellow while under the Absolute's control, and perhaps even all the time, as she doses herself with poison. I haven't noticed her eyes changing color during the game, but perhaps you have?

Tattoo

We've reached what I deem the most fascinating part of Minthara's appearance- the tattoo on the right side of her neck.

(The picture above is by @exehtml!)

(The picture above is the same one you saw earlier, by @ilikedetectives!)

Her tattoo, as I assume you know, is the seal of House Baenre, her family and the First House of Menzoberranzan.

"A drow house insignia was often crafted as a brooch with a sculpted image on it. This image was the glyph of the noble house the drow was attached to. [...] A drow house insignia's powers could only be safely employed by someone who received an attunementspell, which was part of the attunementritual, which was a well-known fact among priestesses of Lolth. The powers of an insignia were activated by touch with bare flesh while concentrating on which power was to be activated or with a command word. [...] A drow house insignia was a reliable way to locate an individual, provided the diviner was taught how to trace it—usually by the Matron Mother, High Priestess, or House Wizard. This was because each insignia was slightly different, even those from the same noble house] The wizards, who were also the insignia's creators, were capable of protecting themselves from such tracing."- Forgotten Realms Wiki.

A drow house insignia is a magical item, and I have never seen a mention of a tattoo functioning as one. Uthegentel Del'Armgo, as @lunastrophe says in a post on Minthara's tattoo, which I highly recommend, wore his house emblem pinned to his bare neck. That still isn't the same as it being part of his bare neck, though.

In Menzoberranzan, is it truly safe to flaunt your family's status on your neck?

"Drow took special care to keep their drow house insignia safe. Only the nobles from the First House wore them openly while all others wore them in ways known only to their households."

Minthara is a noble from the First House; this could explain it. I personally think it is a mark of pride, as- based on how often Minthara quotes her family's saying and discusses how powerful they are- Minthara is, or used to be, very proud of her heritage. Is it the wisest decision? No, but Minthara herself has said she is aware of her flaws, and knows pride is certainly among them.

What are your theories? I hope you enjoyed this post!

[thehousepatron]

If you’re coming over here from my main blog @whitegoldtower (I am deeply sorry) you probably don’t need to read all this. For those of you, however, who have chosen death…

Hi.

I’m Afallach, this is me and my silly little (s)elf insert, Zilvantar.

🕷️As House Patron, I have a few rules.🕷️

Under 18’s, please do not interact with me. I’m an adult and I’m not comfortable discussing adult things with kids. It’s weird.

Don’t be poisoning the air over here with any sort of -phobia. Particularly transphobia. I am a proud, intersex transgender man and I do not take kindly to being trifled with.

If you have arachnophobia, look away now. This is a drow-themed special interest blog: there will be spiders. And I do not wish to give anybody nightmares… unless their name is Marcus.

Fuck you, Marcus.

Everything I write about on here is purely either for fun or educational. I will be writing about some nasty things like poisons and what they do to a human body. This is not your incentive to attempt a DIY. Likewise, if you find a mushroom in the wild, DO NOT eat it unless you’re 1000% certain you know what it is.

If you’re not comfortable with topics such as BDSM and Monsterfucking, this is likely not the blog for you: the majority of the time, my brain is drowning his sorrows in Menzoberranzan’s filthiest gutters.

🕸️Made it this far? Great!🕸️

🕷️This my house. Entry, please. 🕷️

I have a lot of special interests. This blog is for this portion of them:

#mushrooms lichen and fungi

#Drow Lore

#Poisons

#Spiders (and some other arachnids)

#Crystals

#BG3 Stuff that fits the vibe

#Alchemy and Medieval Medicine

🕷️🕸️🕷️

If you’ve read all the way to the bottom of this post, thanks. Here, take this. It’s dangerous to go alone. 💜

My Drow Tavs/Durges:

Malhounnet Do’Urden: Circle of Spores Druid/Bard, Noble, MTF Transfem

Tam’lin Baenre: Szarkai Gloomstalker Ranger, Noble/Folk Hero, Minthara’s Cousin, Descendant of Gromph Baenre

Vesz: Bhaalspawn Barbarian/Monk (War-Priest of Lolth), Haunted One, Resist Durge, Intersex FTM

Zilvantar Arkentyl: Wizard/Sorcerer (Arachnomancer), Noble/Sage, favourite of Alak’niss Rilynath (my DnD OC, Archmage of Sorcere, who is also an Arachnomancer and dethroned/usurped Pharaun Mizzrym)

Yazdaer Mizzrym: Rogue/Hexblade Warlock (Zhentarim), Noble/Charlatan, Descendant of Greyanna Mizzrym and Pharaun Mizzrym.

Nathurra Agelenidae: Blood Sorcerer, Embrace (?) Durge - still working on her. Haunted One, my almost murder hobo (her name is literally based on the Hobo Spider). Minthara’s lover. Is going to scalp Orin’s braid off her head when she gets her hands on her. Sister rivalry but make it 🎀worse🎀

My D&D OC:

Alak’niss Rilynath: FTM noble, Sorcerer/Wizard Arachnomancer and Arch-Mage of Sorcere. Had a dalliance with Gromph Baenre, and assassinated the arch-mage who succeeded him (Pharaun Mizzrym) to assume the title of Archmage at Sorcere, having an advantage in doing so for his female anatomy. Fearfully referred to as the ‘Spider King’, as rumours say he is a ‘Consort of Lolth’, having been ‘kissed by the Spider Queen,’ as the only House Patron to be given the advantage of being blessed with a female form at birth, part of his body also naturally armoured with a spider-like carapace, which spread with his use of magic. He is also feared for his jet black hair, which, in Drow Society, is said to be a bad omen - and a bad omen he was, indeed, for the Rilynath House, as when they sought to eliminate him for the ‘treachery’ of his transition, he picked them off one by one until only he was left.

“My bloodline ends with me.”

Lawful Evil/True Neutral.

Read Alak’niss’ Fic Here!

[mintharabaenrelore]

Minthara's Parents

"I'm sure my mother has missed me- she likes competition."-Minthara

I've been working on this post awhile and I'm so excited to share it with you. I referenced @lunastrophe's excellent post on the topic for several details, and R.A. Salvatore's "Homeland" played a crucial role.

*I will make an individual post on Minthara's relationship to her mother later on, particularly the psychology of it, as it is fascinating and utterly tragic.

Minthara is- or was- unusually close to her mother, who taught her how to 'survive the perils of society', but she says there was 'no love to be found.' Minthara's mother saved her daughter's life by shielding her with her own body when Minthara was an infant, and yet she later tried to kill her. Minthara intends to kill her- "[...] I only regret that I left before enjoying a matricide. That would be a memory to cherish."- but says it is 'returning the favor.'

What do we know?

House Devir fell from Lolth's favor in 1297 DR, when they were destroyed by House Do'Urden, due to Viconia's actions. Minthara describes herself as having been young and impressionable at this time, so she must have been in the early decades of her life. Therefore, she was likely born around 1270-1290 DR, leaving her approximately 222 years old in 1492 DR, the year Baldur's Gate III is set in.

Minthara is a Baenre. Her mother is confirmed to be Baenre, as in the epilogue, if you romance Minthara (I highly recommend it) she says her name is her mother's.

When Minthara is asked if her mother is still alive, she replies, "I expect so. If the world were to end, I think my mother would survive to rule over the ruins." At the epilogue party, she tells Origin Karlach, "I have a war of my own to fight, against my mother and her people [...]" which both confirms that her mother is alive and suggests that she is in a position of great power.

Minthara's mother is competitive (Minthara says this herself), resilient, and ambitious (Minthara says her mother likes Neverwinter because it is "ripe for conquering"), much like her daughter.

Minthara and her mother were unusually close- she held her as a child, taught her to "talk, walk, and then kill" and how to "survive the perils of society", gave her a torture rack for her 13th birthday, and they appear to have conversed frequently.

The fact that Minthara has committed avunculicide (the killing of one's uncle) confirms one of her parents had a brother. She also 'picked off' her 'siblings one by one', and Orin claims Minthara murdered her sister in the cradle to secure her inheritance.The first part of her name, "Min", means lesser/second, suggesting she is a 2nd child.

I believe Minthara's father is alive for the following reasons:

1. During the dryad love test, she lists her "-icides", (androcide, senicide and avunculicide). She does not mention patricide. She tells Wyll that patricide is the first step to greatness but she does not say she has done so herself.

2. When Minthara is describing how she and Orin are similar in some ways, she says that they both have "parents" who protect them with one hand and torment them with the other, rather than "mothers".

3. Minthara says (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vYBaYJgz_c, at 43:50) "I'll spot my father too, with any luck" at some point; @mogruith's research suggests that this line was mistakenly given to Minthara when it should have gone to Wyll, so it is not solid evidence.

But Minthara never mentions him- not even once.

So, who is Minthara's mother? *I don't think it's possible to figure out who her father is with the information I have

It cannot be Yvonnel or Triel Baenre, who are dead. Liriel Baenre is out of the question. Noori Baenre, I believe, is too young.

Yovnnel Baenre had 15 daughters, each a high priestess, acording to R.A. Salvatore's "Homeland".  The majority were alive, it seemed, around 1297 DR. The only two remaining in 1480 DR and thus during Baldur's Gate III were Quenthel and Sos'Umtpu. So could it be one of them?

Quenthel: No.

The firstborn of Quenthel Baenre is Myrineyl Baenre. In 1480 DR, 12 years prior to the events of Baldur's Gate III, she is in her last year at Arach-Tinilith. Baldur's Gate takes place in 1492 DR. It is obvious that Minthara is older than her, so she can't be Quenthel's daughter.

Sos'Umptu: Probably not, unfortunately. (I adore Sos'Umptu.)

Sos'Umptu, the keeper of the Baenre chapel, has been described as 'one of the least ambitious drow females her mother had ever known.' Minthara has also mentioned her mother having visited surface cities before, while Sos'Umptu hardly leaves the chapel if she can help it. These facts contrast with Minthara's portrayal of her mother as power-hungry and world-wise. Plus, I have never seen a mention of Sos'Umptu having had children.

@lunastrophe says in her post, "It seems that daughters of House Baenre – at least the eldest and the most important ones – were not allowed to have their own children while the matron mother of their house was still alive (from Siege of Darkness). Triel was free to have children only after she ascended to the position of matron mother, and the same went for Quenthel."

This all heavily suggests it is not Sos'Umptu- but it's not out of the question.

Could it perhaps be Merith Baenre, the second-most-powerful priestess of her House as of 1361 DR, considered for the role of the next Mistress of Arach-Tinilith? Perhaps- but Minthara has never implied that her mother is adopted rather than a genetic Baenre, and Merith used to be the daughter of a street sweeper before her clerical powers caught Yvonnel Baenre's eye and caused her to adopt her as a daughter.

So, who could it be?

I am inclined to think...

Zal'Therra Baenre: Zal'Therra Baenre- a cousin of Triel, and commander of the rearguard of the Army of the Black Spider in 1372 DR. The most promising of Triel's cousins, she seems to fit Minthara's implications that her mother is ambitious, brutal, and powerful, as the highest ranking House Baenre member of the army.

Not only is the description right, she is similar to Minthara as a warrior the leader of an army. Even the second half of her name, 'Therra', is similar to Minthara's 'Thara'. Plus, everything about her is so vague that it's plausible she had children aside from Minthara- the 'siblings' she mentioned.

I have yet to read "Condemnation", though, so correct me if I'm wrong about anything.

Final notes: if Zal'Therra Baenre is a cousin of Triel, that would make Sos'Umptu, Quenthel, Jarlaxle and others Minthara's aunts and uncles.

[mintharabaenrelore]

Minthara & the High Priestess of House Vandree

A breathtaking- literally- portrayal of this relationship and its sad ending by @faun-draws.

I asked @lunastrophe about this at one point; her answer was a huge help for this!

We know about Minthara's first lover from Act 3 banter, if the player character is romancing her.

Karlach: It's funny seeing you so smitten, Minthara. Didn't think you were able.

Minthara: I took my first lover before you were a spark in your father's eye, child.

Karlach: Go on.

Minthara: She was a high priestess of House Vandree. Beautiful, elegant, ruthless.

Minthara: I adored her, and had been sharing her bed for some time when the order came that she must die.

Minthara: I stayed with her while the poison did its work, and whispered words of comfort as she slipped away.

Karlach: Oh no.

So, there's the information, but what can we infer?

As this was Minthara's first lover, it was before any of her many suitors ("I had a thousand suitors. Some were only attracted by my status, many wanted my body, and a rare few wanted all of me") and before she graduated Arach-Tinilith, part of Tier Breche.

Minthara likely joined Arach-Tinilith at age 40, being born around 1280 DR and likely adhering to that custom rather than the one of 1361 that had students enter by 25 years old. (Reminder that, either way, Minthara was very young for a drow at this time!)

Priestesses are expected to study there for 50 years.

I'm not sure when Minthara's romance with the high priestess occurred. I have two theories:

When Minthara was beginning her education there.

The Ceremony of Graduation.

We'll discuss the Ceremony of Graduation later.

Minthara states she was sharing her bed, so we can infer she was going to her bedroom, not the other way around. Only older priestesses and instructors have single rooms, while novices have to share with one or two others for the first several years. Considering the relationship lasted for "some time", I think this confirms that the high priestess was a fellow student, and quite a bit older- although the fact that she was a high priestess in the first place (which takes some time to do) makes that obvious.

I don't think it was one of Minthara's instructors at the school because I can't think of any who match the description- House Vandree, high priestess, etc.

There is a power imbalance in this relationship, as @lunastrophe pointed out to me. House Vandree is by no means unimportant, but House Baenre is the most powerful family in Menzoberranzan, by far- by 1480 DR, House Vandree was at their most powerful as a member of the Ruling Council, but still several spots below House Baenre. Then again, Minthara's lover was older and a high priestess.

If they were sleeping together for "some time", if Minthara "adored" her, and if House Baenre and House Vandree were allies, why was Minthara ordered to kill her?

Perhaps Minthara got too attached. Perhaps the high priestess was deemed a threat. Perhaps it was just the sadistic whim of someone in power. Maybe it was just a test- to see if Minthara had what it took to be a "soldier in Lolth's service", a paladin. A Baenre princess. Perhaps it was a test from Lolth herself.

Knowing how close Minthara was to her mother, I assume- if it was an order from the Ruling Council- it would have come directly from her.

How did Minthara kill her, is the question? I like to speculate that, since Minthara was clearly keen on granting her mercy- why bother with words of comfort if you wanted to make the death unpleasant?- the poison was in Ulaver wine, a delicacy in Menzoberranzan. Most likely, the poison was something obscure and expensive, as 1. a Baenre could afford such a thing and 2. Minthara is not the only drow to dose herself with toxins to build up immunity. I imagine it was Belbol d'Elghinn ("Gift of Death"), as it is a powerful poison drow nobles prize for assassinations, one that works remarkably swiftly.

Of course, it's possible that it was her famous poisoned kiss, but as darkly romantic as that would be, it's unlikely considering that if Minthara used such powerful poison, she could have died in the process.

The aftermath was probably... minimal. Approval from Lolth and her mother, fear and respect from her peers. The drow philosophy is basically "If we can't prove it, it never happened" and considering that Minthara says she "slipped away", not "loudly screamed and flailed and summoned all of Menzoberranzan to her aid", I think that's about it. I'm not sure how the high priestess would have been dealt with after death- most likely used as a food source for spiders, as she died in subtlety and disgrace.

A very unlikely theory that I have- wishful thinking, really- is that the High Priestess betrayed Lolth by turning to Eilistraee, and Lolth punished her by having her lover, Minthara, end her, and in those dying moments, Minthara learned the word "Alurlssrin" from her.

Remember, Minthara is praying to Lolth in the prisons of Moonrise Towers up until the PC rescues her, and then she turns her back on her goddess- abruptly, it seems, but is it really? Did this test, if it was a test, if it originated from Lolth, sow the seeds of rebellion in a young Minthara? Perhaps the abandonment in her hour of need was just the final push.

It's unusual that Minthara stayed with her lover as she died, offering comfort- risking Lolth's wrath, and defying drow culture in general. This proves she wasn't exaggerating things when she said she'd "adored" her- she did, and does, if her praise is anything to go by. In Minthara's world, it wasn't an act of cruelty to kill her; a betrayal, yes, but it was mercy for it to have been Minthara rather than someone who would have done it far more brutally and with far less remorse. If Minthara had tried to reject this order, things would have gone worse for them both.

About the Ceremony of Graduation: This high priestess having been Minthara's first lover aligns with the theory that their laison began at the infamous ceremony. Minthara's only dialogue about that is this: "Straj. This reminds me of my ceremony of graduation. *laugh* What a day that was" which I found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vYBaYJgz_c. @mogruith discovered that line triggers in Philgraves Mansion.

Anyways, the Ceremony of Graduation is a drow rite of passage for the graduates of Tier Breche as of early 14th century DR (which aligns with Minthara's timeline, if I'm not mistaken). I won't go into details about the Ceremony of Graduation, as I'm going to make a separate post about Minthara's role in said Ceremony, but it's worth noting.

Minthara appears to remember this fleeting romance vividly, which is telling. This relationship evidently, left a lasting mark on the young Minthara- from her anxieties about poison and her paranoia when it comes to lovers and people in general.

Remember, Minthara- if romanced- doses the PC with poison, to help them build an immunity. She says it's in case they visit Menzoberranzan, but I'm not so sure that's her only motive. I think she's trying to protect them from her first lover's tragic fate.

For a beautiful- and sad- portrayal of this story, I suggest "Her Priestess" by @faun-draws on AO3.

(And by the way... could this story be a nod to the tale of Sosdrielle Vandree and Gromph Baenre?)

[mintharabaenrelore]

(Screenshot above is by @mogruith!)

Torture @ Moonrise Towers

This is a brief post, but I did promise a post about the torture Minthara endured in Moonrise Towers. (For those of you who haven't gotten to that point yet, 1. spoilers and 2. if you knocked her out/helped her in Act I, you will see her again in Moonrise Towers in Act II, at which point she will be taken to the dungeons and subjected to torture on "General" Ketheric Thorm's orders by Questioner Jasin and Questioner Sumera.)

Reminder- this was not just torture, this was intended to be an execution, to erase her mind and free will as punishment for her "failure". "[...] Whatever is useful we will leave intact."- Questioner Sumera. In other words, she was to be repurposed, killed mentally but not physically. Painfully. (Emma Gregory killed that scene; she's so talented.)

Minthara is familiar with torture- she's "performed a thousand interrogations"- but this sort likely isn't what she's used to.

Here is dialogue, inside and outside of the cutscene, and my notes on it.

Questioner Jasin: Do you yet recall your name, prisoner

Minthara: Minthara Baenre.

Questioner Sumera: We will take it from you soon.

Minthara: Queen of Spiders, I beseech of you the strength to destroy my foes.

Questioner Sumera: Lolth cannot hear you. She has forsaken you.

Questioner Jasin: There are no gods left to you, Minthara. You are alone.

*This one confuses me, because it suggests that in between this moment, in which Minthara still prayed to Lolth, and 2 seconds later when she says "There are no gods left to me" and decides she hates Lolth, Minthara turned from the goddess she devoted her life to and spent centuries worshipping. Was there some buildup to that? A secreted desire, much like her delight in breaking her Oath, for freedom, there under the surface- get it?- all along?

**This one is also significant because it reinforces the fact that this incident did get in Minthara's head. This and her experiences with the cult made her wary of mind magic, wary of the Absolute, and curious as to how she could exploit these new threats. Her famous line- "There are no gods left to me"- is her repeating what her torturer said; it isn't a conclusion she came to herself, but one that was brutally forced upon her.

Questioner Sumera: You are despised, Minthara.

Questioner Jasin: A blemish in the Absolute's design.

Questioner Sumera: We will cleanse you.

*This is some masterfully manipulative stuff- playing on Minthara's own fears and desires. Her dreams of having a purpose ("I thought I had found a home, and a purpose"). Her belief that everyone despises her- her many enemies, and her so-called allies.

Questioner Jasin: How can you hope to resist the voice of a god?

Nightwarden Minthara: It is no god.

Questioner Sumera: Blasphemer!

*Take a moment to appreciate Minthara's willpower here. On her knees, being tortured, discovering she's been mind controlled for a while, her faith utterly shattered, abandoned, but she still resists.

I believe there was also something about how her disobedience had finally caught up to her, but I can't remember it exactly. This combined with Adept Merim's comment on Minthara- "She was fierce, and erratic"- and Nere's notes on her "reckless raids" show us what kind of leader she was while under the Absolute's command.

Questioner Jasin and Questioner Sumera criticize Minthara's "own desires"- "bloodlust, murder, chaos." Knowing that Minthara is a rational person who rarely desires those three things for their own sake, I like to speculate she was influenced by the traits of "her" Chosen, Orin the Red.

"The drow's mind is resilient, even now," a statement made Questioner Sumera, suggests this is not the first time this has happened, though never to this extent.

And here are some facts you may not have picked up on:

Drow are sensitive to psionic magic. Minthara says this herself, so I can only imagine how horrid that torture must have felt to her.

Minthara was crying during that. Adept Ghulen claims the prisoners have been "especially sobby today", and if you listen to the audio for long enough, you can hear it, or if you pay close attention to the gasping afterwards, once you promise to help her. Of course, she could have just been out of breath and screaming at the same time. More on this once a video with the suitable part of audio to link.

Jasin and Sumera are deep gnomes. As drow and deep gnomes do not usually get along in the Underdark, it is probable Jasin and Sumera took a special delight in tormenting Minthara, a Baenre of all people, and dismantling her faith in the Spider Queen.

[mintharabaenrelore]

Minthara Baenre Timeline

(The screenshot above is by @ilikedetectives!)

I made a version of this on my @mischievousseagull blog, but this one is more detailed- and neater, I hope!

Minthara: "Min" = lesser, second, "Thara" = glyph, marke, rune. This name leads me to speculate that she is a second child.

Baenre: First House of Menzoberranzan.

💜 She was young and impressionable when Viconia DeVir was cast out, which was before 1297, so she must have been born between 1270 and 1290 DR and named shortly after birth in Menzoberranzan (the tallest point of Qu'ellarz'orl, the Place of Nobles). According to Orin, 'Minthara murdered her way out of the womb'- possibly chad-zak, as it is called in the drow tongue? Orin also claims Minthara 'killed' her 'sister in the crib to secure' her 'inheritance'.

💜 She survived an assassination attempt on her as an infant (perhaps by a relative); her mother protected her by covering her body with her own. A blade almost punctured her heart, and she received a scar

💜 At ten years old, there was an attempt on her life in a 'dim-lit hall', and she was 'soaked in the blood of the assassin sent to kill her'. She used a knife to kill this person.

💜 She grew up with her House training her to be a soldier in Lolth's service; Emma Gregory states she was 'brought up by her whole community' and that her upbringing was 'very brutal'. In banter with Lae'zel, Minthara says a child should be set upon mortal combat 'The moment it can hold a blade' and 'may even test its resilience against some common poisons while still in the womb.' These sound like references to her own childhood

💜 I originally thought Minthara's mother attempted to kill her around the 'Blooding' (a drow rite of passage), but I was watching Emma Gregory's interviews and she repeatedly stated this incident occurred around five years old and involved a sword. Minthara's mother received a scar to match the one received while protecting Minthara as an infant

💜 She receives a torture rack for her 13th birthday from her mother (drow...)

💜 Drow females have a social rite of passages around the 16th birthday (thank you, @lunastrophe!)

💜 After being trained in her House about the basics of Lolth worship, she likely joins school at Arach-Tinilith around age 40 (by 1361 DR, it was expected to enter by age 25, but Minthara was born in 1280, so she likely adhered to the first custom)

💜 Priestesses are expected to study there for 50 years, so we can assume she did so- I believe she got her tattoo of House Baenre's symbol during this time

💜 Her first lover, a High Priestess from House Vandree, who is 'beautiful, elegant, ruthless'; Minthara 'adored' her and shared her bed for some time. This relationship likely began at the infamous Arach-Tilinith graduation. As it is said Minthara was sharing her bed, we can assume she was going to her bedroom, not the other way around. As only older priestesses and instructors have single rooms, she must have been one of the two

💜 The order came that the High Priestess must die, so Minthara poisoned her and 'whispered words of comfort' as she slipped away

💜 She most likely swore her Oath to Lolth soon after the graduation, as she states she took up her Oath 'long ago'

💜 The drow rite of passage, the 'Blooding', in which one hunts down and kills an intelligent creature from the surface, often an elf (around age 80)

💜  Minthara was likely now a High Priestess as well as a paladin of Lolth. Her Oath was 'bloody vengeance' against Lolth's enemies, so we can assume she spent much of her time punishing supposed heretics. She says she has performed a thousand interrogations ('squeezing out the most guarded secrets held in heart, mind and soul'; this must be the period in which she did so; she sometimes left the Underdark to 'raid' and 'pillage', though not often. She states she is 'accustomed to leading, not following'; this, along with the retinue she originally left Menzoberranzan with, tells us a lot

💜 She states 'I have hosted gatherings of House Matrons and High Priestesses who wanted nothing more than to murder each other before the night was done. I have negotiated the handover of hostages and smiled politely while sensing a dagger at my back.' She has poisoned people at parties, most likely, as she states 'Parties are the perfect opportunity for a poisoning.'

💜 During her time in Menzoberranzan, she had 'a thousand suitors' and many lovers. She states some only desired her status, many just wanted her body, and a rare few wanted all of her. Emma Gregory states 'She's had partnerships before, but I don't think she's someone that- she's always used them for a purpose [...]'. She says she fears a romance will be 'another story written in scars'. She does not yet have a consort. She hasn't had a partner in a while, in fact, aside from maybe Orin, as the dryad says, 'And know that you made one whose heart was long quiet beat with love anew.' Partly from her behavior and also from Emma Gregory saying 'One of the most wonderful and delightful journeys for her is making friends and understanding what companionship is,' I think she was quite a loner- even less social than your average drow.

💜 She has read about Baldur's Gate in history books. In Menzoberranzan, she has in fact visited Braeryn or "the Stenchstreets"- likely as part of a Hunt there, a popular sport for nobles involving murder (obviously). She also says 'My mother visited, during one of her grand tours of the surface world. She claimed the streets were almost as varied and full of danger as those in Dutchloim. I had not believed her til now.'

💜 During her time in Menzoberranzan, she underwent many losses- friends, family, and lovers alike, taken too soon (as well as enemies)

💜 It was probably in Menzoberranzan that she started dosing herself with poison to build immunity. It is likely venom of some sort, as in a banter with Gale, he states he found an empty bottle of venom and she confirms it belongs to her and she has been using it to dose her lover (the PC) in case they visited her hometown.

💜 In Menzoberranzan, she picked off her siblings one by one. Also, she commited androcide (the systematic killing of men, boys, males in general), senicide (the killing of an elderly person), and avunculicide (the killing of one's uncle). She tells Wyll that patricide (the killing of one's father) is the first step to greatness, but as she does not list that when she describes her 'icides', I presume she has not done so... yet. She intends to commit matricide.

💜 Sometime in 1492 (most likely), a True Soul (Agent Xilvre, or True Soul 113) and 2 novices came to Menzoberranzan, sent by Ketheric Thorm, 'preaching a message of togetherness'. Minthara killed them and hung their bodies in her garden (as one does)

💜  She used a 'simple act of necromancy', presumably Speak to the Dead (but corpses don't speak to who personally killed them, so I'm uncertain how she did this) and they informed her where to strike. Moonrise Towers. Driven by curiosity and anger, she went to Moonrise with a retinue of warriors and assassins- the best House Baenre had to offer. As she referred to them as 'her men', I assume they were all male

 💜 She met Ketheric at a feast, and he proposed an alliance between Moonrise and Menzoberranzan. She was 'captivated' by him, though still wary, particularly of poison. Orin, at the foot of the table, then said her name and climbed across the table, 'a dagger in each hand'. She skipped toward her, 'slicing' the throats of her men as she passed by them. Ketheric held Minthara still with a hand on her shoulder, 'the grip tight enough to crack bone'. Orin stood before her and touched a dagger to her eye, 'drawing out a tear of blood'. She then said, 'I want this one.' Ketheric nodded his permission, and Minthara was taken 'below'.

💜 Minthara was kept for days in the mind flayer colony by Orin herself, forced to watch as her men were processed as food and thralls. Two contrasting statements are made about how Minthara was tadpoled- either Orin placed a tadpole in Minthara's eye herself, or Orin held her down in a 'cocoon of flesh' and laughed at her fear as a mind flayer forced a parasite into her brain. Whatever the case, she has 'grim' memories of the place (this memory was later messed up, as during banter with Shadowheart, Minthara notes 'I am glad my memories of the infection are not so clear')

💜 After the tadpole, Minthara viewed the Absolute as less an entity and more an idea- pure love, total power. Orin was by her side, and told her the Absolute had chosen her to be a True Soul, 'blessed and adored'; she 'worshipped' Orin.

💜 Throughout all this, Minthara and Orin may or may not have had romantic relations. But remember, Minthara was under mind control and did not willingly consent to anything the two may have done. Romantic or not, Minthara 'worshipped that woman.' It is confirmed Orin physically harmed her- 'Orin... I will dissect her for laying her blade on me again'; 'I have faced Orin before and she left scars on me that will never heal.'

💜 She was chosen as a commander by Ketheric early on- perhaps this is what caused Z'rell to dislike her and ask for the privilege of killing her early on. Anyways, Minthara's words- 'Ketheric recognized me as a soldier, and took me into his army immediately. First, I fought alongside him, and then I was given a command of my own. That is where we first met.' Minthara witnessed and was awed by his invulnerability during a battle

💜 Before the Emerald Grove, there were massacres of religious communities (mostly) who refused to convert and, according to Nere, 'reckless raids'; her title as Nightwarden suggests they were at night

💜 She was likely in the cult for several months (during which many of her memories, particularly the one of her indoctrination, were altered or absent), or perhaps longer- as she says '[...] So much has happened since I left the Underdark is like a dream of somebody else's life. I... do not know myself anymore.' It is unclear what else happened during her time in the cult, but she is disturbed by the memories that return to her, the things she did, and the things that were done to her. She committed a lot of murder; she calls herself 'the Absolute's dagger', and remembers all the blood she was forced to spill. While speaking about Orin, she says 'I was like her once, when we first met and before you ever knew me. A madwoman, butchering prey in the name of a god who would discard me without a thought once I was no longer of use.' Sadly, this seems to apply to both her time in the cult and her time in Menzoberranzan. While brainwashed, she states, she 'could choose nothing' and that the Absolute and tadpole 'worked together like a drug'. She believed she was 'ecstatic to serve'.

💜 She met Kar'niss at some point. She also saw Enver Gortash at some point, as she states- upon seeing a portrait of him- 'His smile looks more genuine rendered in paint than it does in the flesh.'

💜 Minthara left Moonrise as a commander in the Absolute's army, with direct orders to locate the prism. She was 'honored' to lead a 'pack of goblins' due to the mind control.

💜 She spent time in the goblin camp alongside Dror Ragzlin and Priestess Gut (presumably, she never found out about Klagga's crush on her). There, she was mainly referred to as "the drow". She appears to have been the one who wrote the letter on the Dissected Drow's body (found in the Emerald Grove, where Nettie is). The goblins fear her, but, based off of how they speak to her during her trial at Moonrise Towers ('You scrag!' 'Bye-bye, princess...') they seem to have some level of resentment towards her. Dror Ragzlin seems to view her as a rival ('The damned drow was right... can't let her have all the glory') and is aware of her whereabouts and actions. One the other hand, he says they work together due to the Absolute and a goblin calls her 'Ragzlin's drow friend'

💜 She planned how to slaughter the Emerald Grove and what she believes are its unbelievers, and how to locate the artifact (the Astral Prism, in Shadowheart's possession by this point in time) amongst the ashes

💜 At the exact point of the Nautiloid crash, she is standing on a balcony at the goblin camp, reading a scroll, beside Dror Ragzlin; Priestess Gut is not there, for some reason (or she's just too short to see)

This brings us to when she is first encountered in Baldur's Gate III. By this point, she is 202-222 years old, making her young in drow terms.

Extra

🕷️ She likes Ulaver wine 🕷️ Minthara's Speak to the Dead dialogue (from EA) suggests she was intended to be Matron Mother of House Baenre and states she has a daughter; this dialogue no longer exists, but it's interesting to speculate whether Minthara has/had a child 🕷️ 'Alurlssrin' is an Eilistraee word, so it is strange that Minthara knows it. I think she may have had access to "heretical" texts, as when you repeatedly click on her, she makes a blasphemous joke in Drow about Lolth's laughter She dislikes wizards, thinking them 'poor conversationalists' with exceedingly short lifespans; is this perhaps connected to Gromph Baenre? 🕷️ From her dialogue, she has definitely seen both Lake Donigarten and Tier Breche 🕷️ She was unusually close to her mother, who personally nursed her and taught her to 'guard her heart' and survive 'the perils of society' 🕷️ She has 'a way with mimics' and Scratch reminds her of her first displacer beast, suggesting she has had multiple displacer beasts as pets. She views them as 'noble' 🕷️ According to her statement at Raphael's House of Hope, she has always wanted to go to Hell. (What?) Upon clicking the portal to Neverwinter in the House of Hope, she says her mother likes Neverwinter, as it is 'ripe for conquering'. In a similar vein, she says she was always told Wasterdeep is 'everything Baldur's Gate is not'. And on Luskan, she says she last heard the drow mercenary Jarlaxe was stationed there. 🕷️ In dialogue with Wyll, Minthara states 'I was taught that any man who spoke out of line, or above his lowly station, should be punished. I called that justice.' She also describes herself as both victim and monster. 🕷️ Minthara's VA Emma Gregory describes her upbringing as 'very brutal' 🕷️ Since when you originally meet her in the goblin camp she is wielding two maces, I like to theorize she is ambidexterous 🕷️ Minthara is an oddity in Menzoberranzan- monogamous, believes in working off debts, close to her mother, etc. 🕷️ She has a Spider's Lyre, and as there is audio of her humming while drunk, I believe she can sing 🕷️ Minthara gardens- not only does she mention her garden, but there is an idle animation of her tending her mushrooms 🕷️ Minthara has 'elegant' handwriting 🕷️ Minthara has survived an impressive amount of assassination attempts; her life has been spent expecting a knife at her back. She states 'A night without an assassin is a dull night indeed' in conversation with Astarion 🕷️ She thinks the Society of Brilliance's peaceful endeavors are amusing 🕷️ She dislikes House DeVir, thinking them cowardly 🕷️ She has a scar on her forehead and throat 🕷️ She does not like water 🕷️ She says her mother likes competition. She also says her name belongs to her mother.

🕷️ Minthara once saw a ship docked at Moonrise Towers

🕷️ Minthara was a childhood champion of Jin-Kente- a drow game involving guts

🕷️ Minthara had a chest with a false bottom in which to hide poisons at some point

This note, "Attracting Drow Exiles", can be found in Ketheric's room and gives us more information on how Minthara was "reruited". “Sweeping up individual drow renegades is not giving us the cadre of Lolth-trained veterans I want for our staff and officer corps; we must be more ambitious. Agent Xilvre, True Soul 113, will be commanded to infiltrate Menzoberranzan itself, ideally House Baenre, ostensibly to proselytise on the behalf of the divine Absolute. I think Xilvre will be convincing in this role.

This intrusion will excite outrage among the Baenre matrons, who can be counted upon to send a warband to exterminate whoever was so rash as to promote anti-Lolth apostasy in their home. Xilvre will have left a clear trail back here to Moonrise Towers, where the warband will find, not a circle of ragtag heretics, but an army in the making. I will parley with the drow leader, but as we negotiate her warband will be ambushed, and every drow warrior we capture will be tadpoled. This accomplished, the warband leader will meet the same fate, and thus we shall acquire our cadre of hardened Underdark warriors. And all it will cost us is the life of loyal Agent Xilvre, but he is, truth be told, a tedious enthusiast and I will not miss him.”

What events did she potentially witness in Menzoberranzan? *assuming she was born in 1290 DR

•             The attack on House Do’Urden by House Hun’ett in 1337 DR •             The destruction of House Do’Urden by her own House Baenre in the Year of the Weeping Moon, 1339 DR •             The attempt to become First House of Menzoberranzan by House Oblodra in 1359 •             The march on Mithral Hall in 1358 DR •             The victory against Blingdenstone in 1371 DR •             The Silence of Lolth in 1372 DR •             An invasion on Uktar 15, 1372 DR •             The Scoured Legion’s exit on Ches 30, 1373 DR •             Quenthel Baenre killing Triel, taking her place as the leader of the House in 1383 DR

What was her home like?

The Baenre Compound:

“House Baenre occupied the highest tier, a ledge called Qu'ellarz'orl, in the main cavern of Menzoberranzan. It was made up of twenty stalagmites and thirty stalactites. A central stalagmite, called the Great Mound, housed the Baenre nobles and the house chapel. There was a balcony surrounding the Great Mound where stalagmites and stalactites met.

The compound was roughly oval in shape, three-eighths of a mile long and a quarter mile wide, and surrounded by a magnificent and magical fence, appearing as a silvery spider's web around the general blue hues of the Baenre compound. This fence stood 20 feet high and acted as the house's main defense; anything touching the fence would become stuck fast until the Matron Mother willed it released. It was impossible to pass through the enchanted fence without the aid of the spider mask, a magical item in the possession of Gromph, the Archmage of Menzoberranzan—assuming, of course, that one was able to avoid the guards posted around the fence. The house chapel was a domed shape and featured an illusion created by Gromph that switched from spider to drow female. This statue was based on Gromph's lover, Sosdrielle Vandree, but it once took on the appearance of Liriel Baenre as sign of Lolth's favor. The matron mother's throne was formed of an enormous adamantine spider. It was magical and contained a symbol repelling any attack.” -             The Forgotten Realms wiki Menzoberranzan as a whole is too complex for me to describe here, but R.A. Salvatore’s books and the Forgotten Realms wiki are excellent sources.

Who might she have known?

She canonically knows of Drizzt Do’Urden. She may have known Liriel Baenre (who left the city in 1361 DR), Maignith Baenre, (captain of the Baenre house guard who was killed around 1373 DR), Myrineyl Baenre (Quenthel’s eldest daughter), Quenthel Baenre, Gromph Baenre, Sos’Umptu Baenre, and many others.

What was her time at Arach-Tinilith like?

•             Most new priestesses (novices) must share rooms with one or two others until the fifth year, although as Liriel Baenre was able to secure her own room, perhaps Minthara could. Novices wore black robes with red trim. •             Each day ended in the chapel- praying and praising Lolth. •             Priestesses received training in weapons combat from the elder students of Melee-Magthere. •             All female drow noblewomen go to Arach-Tinilith after being trained by their Houses in the basic worship of Lolth. They were to spend 50 years studying there. By 1361 DR, priestesses were expected to enter by age 25, but prior to that it occurred around age 40; if Minthara was born around 1280, she probably adhered to the first custom. •             It is a crime for males to enter unsummoned. •             Priestesses provided religious instruction to other students.

What was her status like?

Being a member of the first and most powerful House in Menzoberranzan, she was automatically one of the highest-ranking nobles in the city, but her status within House Baenre is less obvious. Considering she was a paladin, probably a priestess or High Priestess, and had enough power to be entrusted with drow troops and leadership, she must have ranked high in drow society. That is, of course, before the Absolute fiasco. Now, she is an “exile”, who is (probably) marked for death and would be killed on sight, or tortured, ritually killed, or changed into a drider. There it is! Please enjoy and ask whatever questions you'd like!

[mintharabaenrelore]

My Lore Posts, Upcoming & Info🕸️🕷️💜

Lore Posts Check here for new lore posts and sometimes question answers! Minthara Baenre Timeline Minthara Baenre Timeline I made a version of this on my @mischievousseagull blog, but this one is more detailed- and neater, I... – @mintharabaenrelore on Tumblr

Minthara's Parents

Minthara's Parents "I'm sure my mother has missed me- she likes competition."-Minthara I've been working on this post awhile and... – @mintharabaenrelore on Tumblr

Minthara & the High Priestess of House Vandree

Minthara & the High Priestess of House Vandree A breathtaking- literally- portrayal of this relationship and its sad ending by... – @mintharabaenrelore on Tumblr

Minthara's Tent

minthara – @mintharabaenrelore on Tumblr

Minthara & Nere https://www.tumblr.com/mintharabaenrelore/763816665251250176/minthara-nere-i-was-curious-about?source=share

Minthara & Orin (V.2)

I wasn't satisfied with my previous post on Orin and Minthara, so here is the updated, more organized version. Remember, on the... – @mintharabaenrelore on Tumblr

The Minthara & Orin Scene: Analysis

The Minthara & Orin Scene: Analysis *If you have theories about this scene, PLEASE message me or reblog this post, I have so... – @mintharabaenrelore on Tumblr

Torture @ Moonrise Towers

Torture @ Moonrise Towers This is a brief post, but I did promise a post about the torture Minthara endured in Moonrise Towers.... – @mintharabaenrelore on Tumblr

Minthara's Handwriting

Minthara's Handwriting "Drow's Letter", carried by the Dissected Drow (Ned Cir'annis) in the Enclave Library: Track the druid,... – @mintharabaenrelore on Tumblr

Upcoming 💜 Minthara & Moonrise Towers guards 💜 What her house in Menzoberranzan is/was like 💜 Her age 💜 Her garden 💜 What her time at Arach-Tinilith was like 💜 Her role in the infamous drow graduation ceremony 💜 Why she became a paladin, not a cleric 💜 The nature of her Oath 💜 What she wore in Menzoberranzan 💜 Her past lovers 💜 Her past pets 💜 Her siblings 💜 Her early life & career 💜 The psychology of leading/following 💜 Her time in the goblin camp 💜 Her powers 💜 Poison 💜 Sleep or rather "trance" 💜 The Absolute's brand... or lack thereof?

Special 💜 Fanfiction reccomendations 💜 Moodboard Info What I do here is make posts about Minthara Baenre's lore. (She's a lovely character from Baldur's Gate III.) I also love answering questions about her! I will answer questions to the following characters in regard to their relationship with Minthara- any of the origin companions, Halsin, Zevlor, Jaheira, Minsc, Scratch, the Dark Urge, Orin the Red, Enver Gortash, Ketheric Thorm, Nere, Z'rell, Balthazar, Narvass, Viconia DeVir, Kar'niss, Araj Oblodra, Ned'Cirannis (Dissected Drow), Questioner Sumera, Questioner Jasin, Priestess Gut, Dror Ragzlin, Sszaryn (Dead Drow Raider) any goblin (especially Klagga), the priestess of House Vandree, and Zealot Malik. If you want a question to be answered in-character, by Minthara, I suggest the wonderful @spiderwarden or @menzoberranzanprincess. I hope you enjoy my content! 💜

"[...] She's not just a killing machine; she is that, but there is much more to her, many more layers, I think, and reasons for why she is who she is considering where she comes from and her upbringing."- Emma Gregory, Minthara's infinitely talented voice actress

This week's art spotlight!

in her name – @muhomorovna on Tumblr

Breathtaking Minthara art by @muhomorovna! The color scheme is stunning, not to mention the House Baenre flag. As a lore-lover, I am squealing.