Ki'Willis wakes from her reverie and spends a quiet moment in prayer to Lolth. It's been a habit of hers her whole life and 600 year old habits die hard, even though her faith might be waning.
Lolth's silence is not a mere test. Deities depend on the faith of their worshipers for power, and no Goddess or God would ever act against that necessity. It's one thing to terrorise and slaughter some of your worshipers to inspire greater faith in others, quite another to simply vanish and let your flock, and your power, disperse. Even if Lolth returns her strength will be diminished and the damage dealt to the Drow civilisation on Toril will take centuries to repair. Whatever fanatical terror she might be able to inspire in the remainders of her worshipers will not compensate for the loss of untold thousands of devoted souls. It is obvious to Ki'Willis, and has been for some time, that Lolth is not silent because she wants to be, but because of weakness. Whatever her fate, whatever her whereabouts she has shown herself weak. And if there's anything Lolth has taught the Drow it is that weakness should be exploited or expunged, hated, loathed and held in contempt, not worshiped or respected.
But ancient institutions can hold a power of their own even though their foundations have withered away. The church of Lolth, the Matriarchy of the Drow, the entire social hierarchy that Lolth created are the underpinnings of Ki'Willis’ own power. Abandoning Lolth would risk too much, and old habits die hard.
Having finished with her prayer she dons the rest of her equipment and addresses the wizard. Have you Identified all the magical items we found on Sarduel and the Illithid? Were any of the items of significant value or usefulness?
ooc: He would have had the time to do that the evening before, if he had bought the components for it.