This confuses the hell outta me, the Drow worship a Goddess that appears as, 1: a Female Drow, 2: a giant ass Spider with the head of a Female Drow or 3: Half-Spider, Half-Drow lady. But then she, and by extension the Drow, consider it a punishment to be transformed into a Drider? You’d think it would be a honor only reserved for those priestesses who earned her favor and passed her test, not a punishment for failure. They are literally becoming more like there goddess. 

I completely agree. I read this and was pretty confused.

I believe that the transformation into half-elven half-spider is just to look like lolth, for they were only transformed into Driders drows who followed Eilistraeean and were considered heretics and one of the greatest betrayals seen by the goddess as they explain in the article  a light in the darkness playing a drow character. I hope it can be usefull

Pretty sure the idea is that they are transformed into a drider so they can't refuse or question Lolth anymore.

The self-hate is strong with Lolth

This made me laugh so loud man. It’s funny because it’s true

It actually makes sense. Lolth is the Queen of Spiders. The drow who are transformed have failed her in some way, so she turns them into a monstrous spider so that they can never forget that she is their Queen. Also, it is a mark that is unmistakable and cannot be hidden, so it tells all other drow what they are. Finally, what else would she turn them into? Half-snake? Half-aardvark? Would that make more sense?

I should also point out that you are assuming that the in-group/out-group psychology of driders in drow society should be connected to their appearance and "resemblance" to one of Lolth's forms. In fact, it is a purely psychological distinction. Once a defined group is labeled as an enemy tribe, logic and reasoning go out the window. They are to be hated and shunned now, the reasons don't matter. Not trying to take the conversation in this direction, but our modern political climate is a perfect example.

The reason is drow think if you get help you are weak becoming a drider is basically you were so weak the very goddess you worship had to make you stronger

The transformation to a Drider, though yes makes the punished Drow more like Loth, it is considered a punishment because it's a sign of weakness. Imagine it more in the sense of "You are such a weakling, Loth, in her mercy, had to turn you into something more her so you may not be such a weakling" 

They can never procreate in this form. The ultimate punishment to any creature...your bloodline ends with you. Think about that.

Quote from Vampirelordx >>

This confuses the hell outta me, the Drow worship a Goddess that appears as, 1: a Female Drow, 2: a giant ass Spider with the head of a Female Drow or 3: Half-Spider, Half-Drow lady. But then she, and by extension the Drow, consider it a punishment to be transformed into a Drider? You’d think it would be a honor only reserved for those priestesses who earned her favor and passed her test, not a punishment for failure. They are literally becoming more like there goddess. 

 it's because it marks them as someone who has angered the goddess and had their mind twisted as a result. It's a bit like mockery, kind of saying that "if you have these beliefs you try being a deity"

Quote from Lone0wolf >>

They can never procreate in this form. The ultimate punishment to any creature...your bloodline ends with you. Think about that.

 This. The Drow society is ruled by "houses" or families. If you belong to one of these houses and fail Lolth, you bring shame and misfortune to your house (sometimes it would be the easy excuse for other houses to destroy your family) and everyone would recognize you as a wrongdoer, plus your lineage ends with you.

A drow who becomes a drider loses their independence and personality, and is dreadfully distorted by the transformation among a society that treasures physical beauty. It also serves as a permanent reminder that they failed the Spider Queen.

Yeah. I can see why some out right reject Lolth for Ellistraee. 

Remember, lolth loves chaos! Stuff doesn't have to make sense in her world. 

Dr-aardvark is now the main villain of my campaign

lol

Quote from Vampirelordx >>

This confuses the hell outta me, the Drow worship a Goddess that appears as, 1: a Female Drow, 2: a giant ass Spider with the head of a Female Drow or 3: Half-Spider, Half-Drow lady. But then she, and by extension the Drow, consider it a punishment to be transformed into a Drider? You’d think it would be a honor only reserved for those priestesses who earned her favor and passed her test, not a punishment for failure. They are literally becoming more like there goddess. 

A very good question.

As far as I can tell, the answer is that Lolth considers it a curse, because she doesn’t like being a big spider monster.  Deep lore is that it was a form forced on her by the gods of the surface elves.

Though, given how willing her servants are to otherwise play into the spider motif...who knows?

E

My friend decided to play as a drow, in hopes of eventually becoming a drider.

Sooooooooooooooooooo, that's a thing.