Ust Natha

Timer warning:	Various stages of Phaere & Solaufein’s quests have time limits, some of which are three days long, some are only a few in-game hours. Make haste in the progress else the drow city will become hostile, closing all related quests.

Ust Natha

Map
Notes

Area

Type

City

Authority

House Despana

Worships

Lolth

Missable

Only during Chapter 5, before reaching Elven Temple at Underdark Exitchapter_requirement = 5

Services and goods

Services

Inns
Stores

Inhabitants

People

Drow
Spiders

Transitions

South to

Underdark

Other information

Area code

AR2200.are

Ust Natha is a drow city in the Underdark located beneath the surface kingdom of Tethyr.

Backstory[]

Ust Natha is partially walled fortress city mostly built on a series of interconnected platforms above the natural bottom of its cavern, many supported on stalagmites, with most on the same elevation, but a few above the others. Buildings of note in the city include guilds for female and male fighters, a tavern, and a temple of Lolth. This city is run on the basis of several competing houses led by matron mothers.

The elven temple in Tethyr and city are fought over regularly by the drow and surface elves, though the silver dragon Adalon guards the area and tries to limit the hostilities, often successfully.

Behavior of the drow in the city[]

This is a Drow city. It has a specific hierarchy and order to society. Drow females are the upper echelon of their society, followed by drow males. Almost all creatures native to the city are regarded as either drow citizens of Ust Natha, allowed visitors, or property (slaves, prisoners). The game has a script attached to many city inhabitants. This script covers several events which may occur, including a failed pick pocket attempt (even by a familiar) and drow inhabitants being attacked.

If the party doesn't meet quest timer deadlines, it will turn the city hostile as shown in the screenshot (left).

In most cases, attacking a citizen creature in the city will lead to near instant hostility by the inhabitants. As the drow's patron deity Lolth favors arachnids, killing a Giant Spider in the city is also considered a hostile act.

Killing a slave is most likely not going to provoke a hostile reaction. Killing prisoners seems to be allowed, without much fanfare or complaint, the exception being the Trapped Djinni, Dola Fadoon.

Killing a wandering dog or Kobold seems OK, and even killing the visiting Mind Flayers or Githyanki is not going to cause a big reaction. There are some exceptions, so to be on the safe side, do not kill indiscriminately while under the Silver Dragon's Illusion enchantment. If the party makes the city hostile, then many quests will be closed, your illusion will be destroyed, and Adalon's task unfulfilled. Your party has failed its mission.

On the map[]

Automap Marker "Exit" {transition to Underdark AR2100) ^(1101.3538)
Automap Marker "Ust Natha Bazaar" ^(1096.3173)
Automap Marker "Aboleth Tank" ^(814.3026)
Automap Marker "Tavern" ^(1772.2555)
Automap Marker "Female Fighters' Society" ^(2507.2052)
Automap Marker "Quilue's Home" ^(2729.1923)
Automap Marker "To Upper Levels" ^(2513.1776)
Automap Marker "Male Fighters' Society" ^(3491.1595)
Automap Marker "House Jae'llat" ^(3371.1410)
Automap Marker "Deirex's Tower" ^(3585.2669)
Automap Marker "Temple of Lolth" ^(4280.2298)

Locations[]

Sub-maps[]

On the map[]

City Gate connected to the "entrance platform" or "Bazaar". This is the only means of entry or egress to Ust Natha.
Beast Merchant's Platform. Part of the Ust Natha Bazaar North west of Bazaar.
Drow Spelljammer Ship. North east corner on the upper level. Accessed from the Stairs to Upper Level.
Ust Natha Bazaar. In south west corner.
Unnamed platform Circle. South east of Deirex's Tower. Site of Find the Worshippers of Ghaunadaur, and other action.
Slave Pen Platform. North West.
Spider's Buffet Platform. North east of Male Fighters' Society.
Stairs to Upper Level. Above the entrance to the Female Fighters' Society.
Torture Platform. Immediately east of the Bazaar.

Shops/merchants in the city[]

There are three drow merchants in the Ust Natha Bazaar platform buying and selling goods. Have a look at the items offered, as there are some unique items that are only found here in the game saga. Examples are the Staff of Earth, or the Firetooth (dagger), and others. These one-of-a-kind items are only available here, so decide if they are worth buying or attempt to steal them. Once the drow city is made hostile or the party leaves the underdark the opportunity to shop here is unavailable.

Gameplay and walkthrough (abbreviated)[]

Get into the city without alarming the drow[]

Once the party has obtained their illusionary facade and the Recover the Silver Dragon's Eggs quest - they may attempt to enter Ust Natha. As the party approaches the main gate (they'll cross a hidden trigger point), which will produce a drow official who then challenges the party, forcefully saying: "Intruders without cause will be killed where they stand! Speak your purpose!".

The player may remember what Adalon told your party what to say and how to behave as "drow" from Ched Nasad. If Viconia is in the party, she'll chime in and help with the dialogue. However, if the player decides to not follow the advice and go with other certain dialogue responses, it is possible to foul up the process of convincing the official to let the party pass. This will doom your entry into the city, causing a failure to the silver dragon's required quest and resulting in a series of other failures for the party. So, pay attention to the dialogue, and try and steer clear of the obviously problematic responses.

If done properly, the gate official will allow entry and instruct "Enter quickly, and be sure that you seek Solaufein's counsel. He of the Male Fighters' Society will instruct you on your conduct within Ust Natha."

First area of Ust Natha[]

The party may pass through the gate and transition within the city of Ust Natha. Your goal is to find Solaufein, as instructed by the gate official.

When first going into the area, the player will observe a male drow complaining about a duergar slave, and then swiftly slays it. Seconds later a female arrives on scene and informs the male that the slave was valuable property, and he overstepped his bounds, and is slain in-turn as punishment. She killed her son to make a point. This illustrates the drow way of thinking in their society. Disobedience or incompetence to one's superior is punished.

The party can explore and look around if they wish, and there are some merchants on the entrance platform open for trading. But the main first task is to report in to Solaufein. He is further on deeper in the city - You'll find him on the main pathway adjacent to the Male Fighters' Society spire.

Make contact with Solaufein[]

When close to the male drow fighter Solaufein, he'll initiate conversation with:

"Ahh. You are the newcomers that have been sent my way, I see. As if I do not have enough to accomplish in a day without suffering for the welfare of the weak!"

Dialogue will continue, and the party may answer with selective responses that reflect the party's bearing, or perhaps ask some follow-up questions. In the end, he makes it clear that he's in charge of the party, and as unvouched visitors from Ched Nasad, you are to follow his commands.

Eventually he'll say: "One of the matron mothers has taken an interest in your arrival and wishes to avail herself of your skills. She has sent a Handmaiden to speak with you at the entrance platform to the city. I shall be there, no doubt, to herd you on your mission like a nursing mother. I will go to seek her out now. If you are intelligent, you will go to the entrance platform quickly. The Handmaidens are notoriously impatient. "

The party has its next short-term goal, and that is to go back to the entrance platform and seek out Solaufein who will be with a Handmaiden. It seems that perhaps there may be a task to be assigned or other service the party will be ordered to perform. Note that there is a time limit for this (so do not tarry for more than 12 game hours) to find Solaufein again. The party may as well press on and get their mission going as soon as practical, as delay can cause consequences.

Meet with Solaufein and the Handmaiden[]

At the entrance platform/Bazaar area, the player will observe Solaufein and the Handmaiden Imrae. They're both waiting on a circular raised "patio" platform with a staircase leading up to them. Your party spokesperson should initiate conversation with either of them. Regardless of which one is spoken to first results in a tongue lashing from Imrae, with threats and various insults delivered, which is common from the Handmaidens of Lolth. She'll eventually say:

"You are fortunate indeed that many of our finest warriors are busy with... preparations. Elsewhere. Fortunate enough that a matron mother has decided to make use of you. Cling to that sole hope, worms, and do not fail the matron mother... for if you do, the horrors of your punishment shall be far more terrible than had we beset you at the gate! Explain what has occurred, Solaufein. And be quick about it, male, for the Spider Queen demands my attention."

Solaufein takes over and has dialogue with party about your upcoming task. You learn that the Illithids have captured a daughter of the Matron Mother, and the party and Solaufein are to rescue her. Solaufein says:

"A matron mother's eldest daughter ran afoul of devourers while scouting. Her fool companions fled or were slaughtered, and she was taken captive. They know a prize when they have one, the devourers. They will bring the daughter to their city, and should they reach it, she shall be lost forever. With the... preparations... of the armies, we are the only ones who can intercept these devourers. We must go to their cavern entrance and wait for them. Handmaiden Imrae has given me a blessed item of Lolth that will pull the devourers from their astral travel there... and it is there we must pounce."

Solaufein says that he'll scout ahead, and the party is to meet him in the area southeast of Ust Natha. He explains that you have up to 12 hours to rest or other pursuits, but to ensure you aren't late for the planned rescue.

Note:	For organizational purposes, this Rescue Mission will be covered in the Inside the Drow City article.

The Githyanki visitors[]

Nearby the front gate entrance to the city the player may observe two Githyanki creatures. One wields a bastard sword and the other looks as if it has an enchanted long sword. One of the creatures is a ship captain, and the other is a sailor of some type.

If you initiate conversation with the sailor, it'll reply: "Haaaa... speaking you your tongues, if you must, speaking to our captain must you be. Dealing with you I will not. I am but a sailor on the astral seas, faithful of the ethereal winds, drowling. City here is but a port for our battered ship. Leaving soon are we, surely. Leaving me alone you will, drow. We githyanki be here only because having no choice, us, with damaged ship."

Speaking with the captain allows the party to ask some questions of this unusual creature (unusual to surfacers). The captain isn't very thrilled to be talking with what he believes are drow. He may say:

"''Be standing back, drowling. Ship almost ready is... will not have dark hands of yours defiling it, will I." or if further pressed by more questions: "Encountered we a vortex in the astral seas, and damaged we came limping to the Prime. Restored and sealed, the hull must be, before we can be leaving."

Eventually the party won't get any further information from these Gith's, and they obviously have no love for the drow. You'll tell them that you are going to be on your way, to which the captain may say:

"Having no interest in your tongued conversation have I, drowling. Stepping away from my ship will you be, before skinning you alive am I!"

Note: These two are targets for pickpocketing random treasure. If your party is the blood thirsty sort, then attacking them will lead to a fight.

The Illithid ambassadors[]

Adjacent to the Ust Natha Tavern is a staircase descending down to a smallish circular platform. The party will be able to observe two male drow mages, and a female drow fighter. They seem to be engaged in a parlay or conference with two Illithid's dressed in some fancy robed attire. There is some on-screen conversation that can be overheard, if a party member gets close enough to the group. If you dare - then a party member must interrupt the group and initiate conversation. "Is this a good idea?", you may ask yourself.

If you address one of the drow mages and ask what is happening, he may reply: "It would be better if you left the liaison alone. Dealing with illithids is tiring at best.". If you try the other mage: "Do not disturb the liaison. She has much to contemplate."

If you try and speak with either illithid you find they ignore you, with a quick flick of a tentacle towards you - as if to wave you away.

Butting in and asking the female drow liaison about this meeting will earn a sharp rebuke:

"Mind your own affairs, fool. Do not test my wrath."

If you speak to her again, the anger will be heightened. And if done a third time? The party will find out the hard way.

After a somewhat short parley, the entire group will eventually break up and leave the platform with their meeting concluded.

In a brazen and risky move it may be possible to attack the illithids, who naturally will become hostile and defend themselves. Remember, Adalon warned not to draw attention to yourself and jeopardize the hunt for her eggs.

The pursuit of the Elven Mage[]

Further along on one of the pathways of the city, the party will observe a female surface elf, wearing the robes of a mage. She is sprinting, dodging and weaving around any traveling on the pathway. You'll see her wild eyes and frightened face as she breathlessly says to no one in particular:

"Gods help me! Get out of my way!"

Soon after a male Drow Leader wearing adamantine chain mail and wielding a drawn scimitar will stop and ask the party:

"Ho there! Have you seen the surface bitch? 'Tis fine sport, but she's quick on her feet."

The party can answer the leader by telling a lie and letting him know she went the opposite direction, or tell the truth, or say that you haven't seen anything. Each response will have a different reply from the leader. Perhaps you feel sorry for the elf, being hunted by the drow. Or maybe you are ambivalent and don't care, or do not wish to be involved. The choice is up to the party. The repercussions of this encounter are unclear at the moment. You do know that if caught, the elf will be in for a painful experience.

Note that if you try and speak with the surface elf, she is too panicked to speak and won't hold still.

The spider buffet[]

Further into the city past the Male Fighters society, the party will observe a male drow fighter standing sentry and guarding passage into a circular platform. Within the platform is a grisly scene - a duregar, kobold, wild dog and dwarf are struggling against a group of Giant Spiders. If you address the drow, he'll reply:

"I greet you. Do you enjoy watching the spiders feed? 'Tis one of the few pleasures of guard duty."

The party can ask some questions and or make some comments to the guard about this event. If the party makes it known that they do not approve of this slaughter by the spiders, then the guard will warn to not interfere, as these prisoners are condemned to die by the spiders of Lolth.

The combat log will display text coming from the prisoners in the midst of the spiders such as:

Kobold: "Help meeeeeee!"
Dwarf: "Clangeddin damn ye, drow! I'll not die simpering like a whipped dog!"
Duergar: "Gods, how I be hatin' spiders!"

The party may still decide to save the prisoners by trying to slay the spiders before than can kill the unfortunate victims. Based on what the party knows of drow society, their cruelty, and worship of Lolth - they should know that disobeying a city official and destroying the revered giant spiders may provoke a response from the drow. Proceed with caution player - you were warned.

The duergar impasse[]

If the party takes the passage (its marked on the map as "To Upper Levels") to the upper part of Ust Natha, then as they venture along a pathway, they will observe a pedestrian traffic jam ahead. Three duergar accompanied by two male drow fighters meet a drow priestess, trying to move in the opposite direction. At this point a animation cut scene takes over showing various text messages of the encounter. The priestess announces to the group:

"Out of my way, male. Your pets block my path." A drow replies: "Yes, mistress. Move it, you filth!". A duergar says: "What? Which way?". The angered priestess shrills: "Move them NOW, male!"

And so, this bottleneck and various confusion continues a bit longer until the priestess finally says:

"Enough of this insolence!", and she casts some kind of divine spell upon the other group, slaying them all. She then mutters "Hrmph!" and carries on, walking over the twitching mass of bodies.

If the party is inclined, they may sort through the fallen creature's gear for loot. They most likely won't be needing it any longer. Waste not, want not.

The Spelljammer dock[]

Continuing on past the duergar debacle, the party will arrive on another platform where an odd ship-like vessel with a sail is docked. Standing before it is a male fighter-mage clad in armor. If desired speak with the Ship captain. He'll say:

"Greetings to you, <MALEFEMALE>. You like the look of my ship? A fine astral vessel. Been working the flows since I hijacked this rig in Krynnspace twenty years ago."

This drow is quite less moody and recalcitrant than others the party has spoken with. He has a certain affable flair and confidence about him, with a mischievous gleam in his eye. In fact, he will offer some stories, and various answers to his current situation, and even offer to hire the party as crew. If the party gets through all the dialogue offered, then various "Forgotten Realms" and Dungeons and Dragons lore and trivia will be mentioned. You spy a bulging purse hanging from his belt as well.

Containers[]

On the main level of Ust Natha can be found seven separate containers that can be examined to see if there are any items to find within (or used for temporary storage by the party). There may be various Random treasure that's free for the taking - as well as a difficult to identify pair of bracers - which might be magically imbued with unknown power.

Creatures and NPC's[]

People involved[]

Other neutral creatures and NPC's not in buildings[]

Commoner (Drow) (×2) UDCOM01, 02
Drow Spider's Guard UDDROW26
Drow Beast Merchant UDDROW16
Drow Qilue's House Guard UDDOOR03
Drow Leader hunting surface elf DADROW06
Drow Priestess (×2) DADROW20
Drow Torturer (×4) DADROW08 - 11
Drow Warrior (×4) DADROW32, 33
Drow Wizard UDDROW34 (×2)
Duergar (×5) DADUER2, 3, 4a, 4b, 4c
Dwarf (Spider Pit) DADWARF
Elven Mage (running) DAELF
Giant Spider (×11)
Githyanki (Ust Natha)
Githyanki Captain (Ust Natha)
Gnoll DAGNOLL
Kobold DAKOBOLD
Mind Flayer (×2) DAMIND1, 2
Priestess of Lolth UDDROW35
Slave (×8)
Slave Boy DASLAVE3
Slave Girl DASLAVE4
Troll DATROLL
Spirit Troll DASPITRO
Umber Hulk DAUMBER
Wild Dog (×2) UDDOG

Potential enemies[]

Treasure and quest items[]

Solaufein[]

Drow Piwafwi Cloak

Visaj[]

Gilded Rope

Deirex[]

Deirex's Tower[]

Matron Mother Ardulace[]

Quests and encounters[]

Recover the Silver Dragon's Eggs, quest acquired from Adalon, necessary to enter Ust Natha.
Inside the Drow City, First introduced when entering the city, progressed by initial contact with Solaufein.
The Drow Summoning Ritual, quest acquired from Matron Mother Ardulace Despana, necessary to complete Recover the Silver Dragon's Eggs and to depart Ust Natha after a certain juncture.

Side quests and encounters[]

Gallery[]

Mod content[]

This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.

Tactical content[]

Installation of the Sword Coast Stratagems Mod makes some changes to the Drow in the Underdark and within Ust Natha, if you install the "Improved Drow" Component, the following is from the Mod author's Readme description of this component:

Improved Drow

This component makes a number of small improvements to the drow of chapter 5 (it doesn't affect the drow of Sendai's enclave). It slightly increases the combat proficiency of drow soldiers, it adds a few extra drow to one of the Underdark ambushes and a few extra priests to the Ghaunadans; it improves the drow battlegroup defending the doors to the Underdark; it slightly optimizes House Jae'llat nobles and adds one more noble and a few commoner priests and mages.
Notably, it also dramatically beefs up the defenses of Ust Natha (as of SCS version 8). The place is a drow city, not the kind of place that even a 15th level adventuring party should be able to wipe out. Now, more defenders will continuously spawn. Initially, this will be disorganized, low-level groups. After that, the drow will get more organized and start sending serious war-parties against the party. Eventually truly powerful groups of mages and high priestesses will turn up.
Warning: this component is not intended to make the conquest of the drow city somewhat more interesting and challenging: it is meant to make it virtually impossible, especially on higher difficulty settings. It's possible to beat the drow and conquer Ust Natha without exploits, but it will be extremely difficult and it's not the intended playstyle (i.e., if you manage to do it, don't complain to me that it's too difficult or time-consuming!) The sane thing to do is to get out as soon as you can; even that will probably be a bit trickier than usual.
This component is sensitive to the difficulty setting:

BASIC: Ust Natha is defended by two disorganized groups of drow and one elite force of mages and clerics.
IMPROVED: Ust Natha is defended by four disorganized groups of drow and one elite force of mages and clerics.
TACTICAL: Ust Natha is defended by four disorganized groups, an organized war party and three elite groups.
HARDCORE: Ust Natha is defended by four disorganized groups, three organized war parties, an elite group of mages, and a Matron Mother with demonic allies.
INSANE: Ust Natha is defended by four disorganized groups, seven organized war parties, two elite groups of mages and clerics, an elite group of mages, and a Matron Mother with demonic allies.

SCS improved drow component gallery[]

The Golem Construction for Spellcasters Mod will place a "Perfect Clay Golem" to assist in defending House Jae'llat. A Greater Stone Golem and Greater Clay Golem are present in the Temple of Lolth treasury room.

Quest and other Mods with Ust Natha content[]

Installation of the Adalon's Blood Mod allows you to make some choices, and if you choose to ask the Silver Dragon for her blood (rather than not getting any at all or trying to slay her for it), she will promise to give you some - if you slay the Aboleth for her. The battle to get rid of this abomination of evil will take place in the Bazaar area, and trigger near the Aboleth's Tank.

During the meeting where you receive the Rescue Phaere task, you will be introduced to mod added Xulaye, who can join your party for the Ust Natha sequence of the game. She is a sister of Phaere with her very own agenda that adds further variations and choices to intrigues among the drow. One way or other, her time with the party will end when Ust Natha's main plot is done. (Note: If you take her in the party, make the NPC you kick out wait at the Bazaar platform to pick him or her up when you finally leave the drow.)

The Mod Afaaq the Djinni Companion has extensive extra content in the Underdark and Ust Natha. This includes a challenging quest, some choices to make, much dialogue, and possibly a conquest of another drow House in the city. New areas and maps are introduced.

Mod gallery of people involved[]

Portraits from Portraits Portraits Everywhere

Player party character drow appearance mod portraits[]

These portraits will replace the ones of your core Bioware and Beamdog party portraits after Adalon places her illusion on you so you can enter Ust Natha. Your portraits will revert back to normal after advancing to the appropriate juncture in the questline.

Portraits from artist Isandir in the Baldur's Gate II Drow Portraits modification or click here for our own internal wiki gateway page Portraits Portraits Everywhere for similar party portrait options to be loaded into your game.