View source for A Treatise on the Wardens of the Webspinners

Among the most feared organizations in the Underdark is the Gnomish organization known as the Wardens of the Webspinners. Little is known about this organization outside of its members and few understand how it operates. Its members tend to operate in secret, often shedding their real name amongst outsiders in favor of an operative title that describes their work. However, as a member of the High Warden Council, I Warden Sage have penned this book to provide some knowledge to the inquiring mind without revealing the organizations many secrets. 

The organization began in response to the growth of the exile races within the Underdark. The Deep Brother, Callarduran Smoothhands led the Svirfneblin peoples into the earth willingly in search of the many gemstones he personally placed there. However, as conflicts on the surface expanded, the more vile and bestial surface dwellers were ultimately exiled below. Of these groups, the most dangerous have always been the Drow or Dark Elves, particularly those sworn to serve the spider queen- Lolth. With the Drow, came the growth of the slave trade and a renewed threat to the deep Gnomes.  

In response to the growing threat, Grotto Wardens gathered to form an alliance, which would become known as the Wardens of the Webspinners. This organization accomplished two critical goals. First, it connected disparate communities of Gnomes across the Underdark for the purposes of defense. Secondly, it provided a fighting force capable of mobilizing to push back the Drow incursion. As the evil denizens of the Underdark grew in number, the Wardens expanded their mission to include any significant threats to Gnomish peace and prosperity. 

As a fighting force, the Wardens of the Webspinners were fierce and unrelenting. Composed mainly of warriors and priests from within the Svirfneblin community, with the occasional Rock Gnomes of exemplary standing, the Wardens quickly became experts in Underdark combat. As masters of stealth, espionage, and ambush, the Wardens have stood as a guerrilla force, to slow the advance of the evil races of the Underdark and preserve the sanctity and security of Gnomish Grottos throughout Toril.

Little is known about the structure of the Wardens as an organization and this represents the first attempt to share their ways with outsiders. The Wardens are operated by local voting councils composed entirely of the Warden community within that Grotto. These councils answer to a higher council, whose headquarters is not shared beyond the ranks of the Wardens. Councils can admit new recruits at the rank of Guard. These guards are stationed within Grottos in order to patrol the community and the immediate surroundings. Guards who comport themselves well are given the rank of Warden, and immediately admitted to their local council. Wardens function as not only the leaders of the organization, but the advanced fighting force, engaging in far ranging patrols and organizing attacks and ambushes on known Drow settlements. 

Upon achieving the rank of Warden, there is an initiation ceremony that is presided over by the current Grotto Wardens and at least one priest of the Deep Brother. The vows that a new Warden takes on this solemn event do more to describe the organization than all the words I have penned up until now. 

""I swear today, before Baravar Cloakshadow, that I will keep the knowledge of all Grottos hidden from those who would do us harm. By his hand, I will conduct my battles in secret, and create cause for evil to fear the darkness.""

""I swear today before Gaerdal Ironhand that I will act as a shield for my fellow Svirfneblin, protecting our Grottos and our people as we confront the enemies within the darkness, especially the Drow and the vile spider queen Lolth.""

""I swear today, before Segojan Earthcaller, that I will respect those who have come before me and given their lives in this cause by honoring the orders of my fellow Wardens. With those past and present, we will aid Earthcaller in driving back the beasts beneath the earth, especially the Crawler below and those who follow him."" 

""Finally, I swear today, before Callarduran Smoothhands, the Deep Brother, that I will always place the needs of his people before my own and strive to insure security, peace, and prosperity for all of the Svirfneblin people, and all gnomes who travel beneath the earth.""

[At this point the book devolves into an extensive treatise on military tactics, ranging from the placement of traps and ambushes to the finer points of wielding a Svirfneblin rune hammer.]
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