The Test of Loyalty:A relative or ally of the drow to be tested is granted a vision by Lolth, claiming that the subject of the test has turned against her and must be slain in ambush. As the attack begins, the subject hears Lolth’s voice telling her that she is being tested; she must prove willing to slay an ally at Lolth’s command.
The Test of Strength: This is simple combat against a rival drow or a monster of power equal to or greater than the subject of the test. Defeat, or showing mercy to the foe, results in failure of the test.
Although these are the most common Tests of Lolth, they are also the least important. Other tests that drow must occasion-ally endure include, but are not limited to, the following:
The Test of Lies: The subject must manipulate certain individuals—revealed to her by the voice of Lolth—into believing specific falsehoods. Even under threat and torture, she must continue to make these lies fully believable.
The Test of Mettle: The drow, in a confined space, is abruptly covered with swarms of venomous spiders. She must extricate herself without harming any of the arachnids, and survive their poisonous bites in the process.
The Test of Doubt: The drow is stripped of many, or even all, of her powers, including her racial abilities and spellcasting (both arcane and divine). This degradation can even include the sudden acquisition of negative levels. In a few instances, the drow is turned into a drider or other creature, as though she had already failed a test. The drow must not only survive, but thrive in her weakened state—often for days, weeks, or longer—without losing faith in Lolth. Only the most powerful and highly placed drow suffer this test, and those who pass are the stronger for it. (Any levels a drow gains to make up for her newfound vulnerabilities—for instance, a cleric stripped of her magic who gains several levels of rogue before her powers return—do not count against her for the purpose of multi-classing penalties.)