Lessons of the Whip

What is recorded here is an alleged meeting and lesson with Harith Caerines, the Whip of Mularos. If it is an accurate accounting, it comes from a time only short weeks before her death. It is rumored to be the first detailed record of her physical form.

Early in the Evening…

You feel a light sting on your throat before a bead of blood wells up and trickles down the side of your neck.

A harsh voice whispers into the back of your mind, "Student mine, I may require your services later tonight... accompanied by your first lesson."

A lash of pain suddenly blazes over the back of your neck, accompanied by a harsh whisper of, "Do you care who sees you submit? Do public eyes scare you so much?"

A harsh voice whispers in the back of your mind, "You have much to learn..." before the presence fades.

You focus your mind on Harith and think:
"Does tha Illistimi bother ye, M'lady? If so... ah cin do tae 'im wha' ah did tae Xanthias sev'ral nights prior, in thy name."

You focus your mind on Harith and think:
"An'... ah woul' 'ave ye know tha' ah donnae fear repercussions o' me service tae Mularos. 'owe'er, thair wir eyes an' ears in tha' place whae might've attempted tae cease our werkings t'night befer they'd begun."

You hear the faint thoughts of Harith touch your mind:
"Abide. I will attend to you momentarily."

You focus your mind on Harith and think:
"As ye will it."

You focus your mind on Siwas and think:
"She calls."

You focus your mind on Siwas and think:
"Dae ye feel it, pulsin' in yer blood, risin' wif tha beatin' o' tha heart?"

You hear the faint thoughts of Siwas touch your mind:
"I hope she brings you enlightenment."

You focus your mind on Siwas and think:
"Thair shall be great werks done this night."

And later…

[Ta'Illistim, BriarStone Court]
Set well back from the court stands a small stonework building, its grey granite doorpost and window embrasures heavily carved with grinning gargoyles. A dark mithglin plaque swings from a rod mounted beside the building's thick ironwood door. A single lantern mounted on a nearby post casts a dull yellow glow across the area. You also see a field mouse that is sitting and an ironwork signpost.
Obvious paths: northeast, south

Brave Adventurer Questing:

Harith

You focus your mind on Harith and think:
"They seem tae be quite willin' tae make use o' thair amulets, e'en tae mock tha Alliance, whin ye'renae afoot, M'lady."

You hear the faint thoughts of Harith touch your mind:
"And in this truth, you know why I hide my presence, do you not?"

You hear the faint thoughts of Harith touch your mind:
"But the whip bites sharper when they think they can get away with such matters...."

You focus your mind on Harith and think:
"Some seek ye. Like tha Prophet Ulstram."

You focus your mind on Harith and think:
"'e arrived two nights prior."

A swirling grey-blue mist slowly fills the area. It begins to spin faster and faster, congealing into a large upright disk. The mist slows its spinning and within the swirling vapors you can make out an opening.

Pyrocite steps out of the swirling mist.
The swirling mist begins to speed up as it spirals back into the opening and fades away.

Pyrocite glances at you.

You focus your mind on Harith and think:
"In a glowin' orb. Ferst, 'e suggested tha' 'e wis on tha verge o' discoverin' yer presence."

You turn to face Pyrocite.

You nod to Pyrocite in greeting.

You ask, "Yes?"

Pyrocite nods to you.

Pyrocite pets her field mouse.

You hear the faint thoughts of Harith touch your mind:
"So I have heard... but he will not think so long. I am ready to renew my wards, and then, after a short time, to move location yet again..."

Pyrocite quietly says, "He's been waiting here for me."

Pyrocite quietly says, "Pardon."

Lady Pyrocite just went south.

You focus your mind on Harith and think:
"A wise choice." The mental voice is full of reverence, but it brims with worry as it continues, "'owe'er, a mer pressin' matter comes tae me mind."

You focus your mind on Harith and think:
"M'lady Harith... Ulstram suggests tha' 'e'll soon find a cure fer tha psionic cripplin'."

You hear the faint thoughts of Harith touch your mind:
"What a mockery."

You hear the faint thoughts of Harith touch your mind:
"If it were only a crippling, he well might... but it is not."

Kinshack just arrived.

Kinshack nods curtly to you.

Kinshack says, "I wanted to ask you something."

Kinshack asks, "You're called Tierus, are you not?"

You say, "Quite truly so, aye."

You focus your mind on Harith and think:
"Then... all is well."

You see Kinshack Starblade the Guardian.
He appears to be a Giantman of the Grot'karesh Clan.
He appears to be young and robust and taller than average. He has piercing steel grey eyes and tanned skin. He has cropped, straight steel grey hair with lighter streaks. He has a clean-shaven face, a hooked nose and broad shoulders.
He is in good shape.
He is wearing a gold ring, a jet black vultite shield, a flowing black spidersilk cape, a dingy canvas sack, a crimson glaes armband, some mithril bracers, a crystal amulet, a heavy leather axe harness, a grey stone amulet, a black spidersilk vest, some shiny black shoes, some black velvet breeches, a heavy black back sheath, a pair of heavy vruul skin gauntlets set with copper knuckle-spikes, a gore-spattered breastplate, an iron greathelm, and some iron leg guards.

Kinshack asks, "It was your voice I heard over the amulet then, when you were speaking of letting Naamit rot. I was wondering why? Are you not allied by your bond with your god?"

You frown at Kinshack.

You say, "Naamit b'lieves tha' Eryael, whom ah serve, isnae Mularos's true priest."

You say, "Such is blasphemy. Eryael is ordained by Mularos."

Kinshack says, "Ah."

Kinshack says, "There is similar division among those who throw their support to Sheru and in counterpart to Draezir."

You nod to Kinshack.

You say, "Led by Nanna. Yes."

You wryly say, "We know 'ow e'en-'eaded they are."

Kinshack says, "It often amazes me, the amount of division that takes place in the darker pantheon's followers."

You ask, "Indeed?"

You say, "'Tis tha nature o' Lornon. Tha strong survive."

You say, "Tha weak perish."

Kinshack says, "The followers of the lighter pantheon don't seem to be as divided, at least not in regards to where they throw their faith."

Kinshack says, "Though they squabble more than any of your kind."

You laugh softly, trying to hide your amusement.

You say, "Truth."

You say, "Tha children o' Liabo are..."

(Tierus frowns, evidently at a loss for words.)

You say, "Simple."

Your mind is fresh and clear.
Kinshack says, "I was once a devout follower of Kai."

Kinshack suddenly screams in agony and slumps forward, eyes bugging out with pain.

Kinshack says, "That wench Harith just destroyed my ability to think."

You say, "Oh, my."

You turn to face Kinshack.

You say, "She is me priestess."

You say, "Speak nae ill o' 'er..."

Kinshack says, "She needs to be less liberal with her 'punishment'."

You ask, "'owe'er, if'n ye'd like tae surrender tae 'er?"

You peer quizzically at Kinshack.

Kinshack says, "I will surrender nothing."

You frown.

Kinshack says, "Work with her, perhaps."

Kinshack says, "Never submit."

You say, "P'raps ye... misun'erstand tha surrender."

You say, "'tis merely an acknowledgement tha' ye shall do nae a bit o' harm tae tha Alliance."

Kinshack says, "That is not the case."

You say, "An', yes, tha' ye bend knee tae Harith as its agent."

Kinshack says, "As soon as the Alliance steps on my toes I shall see its members gutted before me."

Tierus smiles slightly as he admonishes, "Be'er tae bend than tae be broken."

Kinshack says, "Unfortunately, Harith stepped on my toes twice now."

You say, "Unfort'nately, only Harith cin reverse tha block."

Kinshack says, "I suppose she needs to be removed then, because it is rather inconvenient."

Kinshack asks, "Why follow her, when you have Eryael?"

Kinshack raises an eyebrow.

He asks Kinshack, "Why dun' ye jus' accept Harith?"Tierus smiles in a warm, friendly manner. He asks Kinshack, "Why dun' ye jus' accept Harith?"

Pyrocite whispers, "I sense your lady about."

You say, "Eryael is tha Rose. Harith is tha Whip."

Kinshack says, "Harith will not use my mind to commit her trivial misdeeds."

You say, "Loyalty isnae mutually exclusive."

whisper pyrocite Indeed, she is.You whisper quietly to Pyrocite.

Kinshack says, "I have learned in my experience not to divide my loyalties."

Kinshack says, "They often clash."

Kinshack says, "And cause internal conflict."

You say, "If ye shall kneel tae Harith, ah cin guarantee tha full restoration o' yer thoughts."

Pyrocite leans back.

Pyrocite quietly asks, "Oh, another one with his priviledges revoked?"

Pyrocite raises an eyebrow in your direction.

Kinshack says, "The restoration of my ability to use this amulet is trivial compared to the disrespect your 'Whip' has shown."

You focus your mind on Harith and think:
"Truly, these cripples arenae worthy o' mercy. 'ow verrah callous tae tha Alliance's cause they are."

You say, "She is tha Whip. 'er word is as law."

You nod to Pyrocite.

Kinshack says, "I think she has alienated would-be allies by her lack of discretion."

You hear the faint thoughts of Harith touch your mind:
"Every life is worthwhile, if only because it can suffer."

You say, "Ah endeavour tae aid 'im in seein' tha light."

You say, "P'raps, goodman, ye misun'erstand Harith."

Kinshack says, "I care not to understand Harith."

Pyrocite glances at Kinshack.

Pyrocite quietly says, "You know..."

You say, "She gives pain as a tool."

You say, "She means nae tae offend."

Kinshack says, "Well her meaning is lost on this particular recipient."

Pyrocite quietly says, "One tolerates the differences of opinion with friends. So must be done with allies."

You say, "Ah beg pardon. Ah shall return shortly."

You ask, "Or... p'raps ye shall find me out, if'n ye wish tae reconsider?"

You peer quizzically at Kinshack.

You trace a series of glowing runes while chanting the phrase for Invisibility...
Your spell is ready.

You gesture.
You become invisible.

Kinshack says, "I will reconsider when she bows down and begs my forgiveness."

You say, "Ah cin only offer me prayers tae Mularos tha' ye shall bend."

Then, I traveled to...

[Sylvarraend Road]
The road bends slightly here without much fanfaire as it winds along its course between the two great cities. The cobblestones, each looking like the last, provide for an easy passage for travellers to continue on their way.
Obvious paths: east, northwest

Before...

A harsh voice whispers in the back of your mind, "I will send a messenger for you shortly."

You say, "As ye wish, M'lady."

I made a quick journey to...

[Sylvarraend, Foehn Var]
The small wooden bridge spans a cheerfully bubbling brook, its water tumbling over various rocks and fallen limbs in its giddy haste to arrive at its destination. A small bench is set beneath the bridge's railing, providing a peaceful spot for a few minutes' contemplation. You also see a small bench.
Obvious paths: southeast
You kneel down.

You become visible again.

You think to yourself, "Tonight it is..."

You think to yourself, "Tonight, I shall take the first step in a journey... and only Jastev and Gosaena can know where it shall end."

Tierus is brimming with emotions. Fierce pride clashes with deep-seated insecurity. Worry wars with torrents of excitement, anxiety at the prospects of the night. His mind focuses on one material item, trapped in a locket so recently returned to him.

You remove a silver book locket from in your spidersilk cloak.

Ok, it opened.

You stare at your book locket.

look locket
The locket is cunningly crafted in the shape of a tiny closed book. Each detail is perfect, right down to the miniscule markings on the front and along the spine. Even the edges of the pages can be seen and the silver surface is dimpled to look like leather. The front cover of the book can be opened to access the tiny storage space inside.
look sapphireIt is difficult to see the black star sapphire clearly from this distance.

Tierus wishes for the sapphire to be out of his sight.

You exclaim, "Stop lookin' at me. Ronan's eye ye may be, bu' blind!"

You stare at your book locket.

(Tierus holds the locket away from his chest, shuddering with revulsion.)

You put a silver book locket in your spidersilk cloak.

You say, "Ah shall come tae Harith bare o' magic, or defense."

You think to yourself, "How true that advice, that nothing ever completes but lives on in an endless cycle."

You murmur some prayers under your breath.
You hear the faint whisper of Charna saying, "Brother.. are.. ye there?"

You hear the faint thoughts of Songowl echo in your mind:
"hmm.. there was an acolyte just out here"

You focus your mind on Charna and think:
"Alwiys... bu' ano'er demands me attention, sweetlin'."

You stand back up.

You focus your mind on Songowl and think:
"Whair?"

At the Node, of course.

[Sylvarraend, Town Commons]
Nestled just off the town square, this tree-shaded knoll provides ample opportunity for rest and reflection. Towering maorals spread their branches overhead, the thick leaves rustling gently with each stir of the air about them. An intricately carved wooden bench rests beneath one tree. You also see a scarred white-robed acolyte, some aloeas stem, some wolifrew lichen, some ephlox moss, some torban leaf, some sovyn clove, some acantha leaf, some wolifrew lichen, some torban leaf, some sovyn clove, some cactacae spine, some haphip root, some cactacae spine and a wooden barrel.
Also here: Azorack, Lord Calean, Demiloa, Krisstal who is sitting
Obvious paths: southeast

A scarred white-robed acolyte says softly, "There."

You nod to Azorack in greeting.

Azorack nods to you in greeting.

(Tierus bows low before the acolyte.)

You hear the faint thoughts of Songowl echo in your mind:
"I ran past it on Sylvarrend Road.. prepared myself.. went back, it was gone"

Azorack says, "Evening, magus."

A scarred white-robed acolyte stares intensely at you.

You say, "A moment o' repose befer tha brook an' bridge, fellow beneath tha Sorrower."

You hear the faint whisper of Charna saying, "When.. ye kin.. I.." Her voice cracks on the wind, the tenor of it trailing and failing in the air that carries it. "When ye kin."

You hear the faint thoughts of Songowl echo in your mind:
"didn't get a good look, but he had scars.. and a white robe"

A scarred white-robed acolyte says softly, "No, there is no way to avoid such things...."

Demiloa asks, "avoid what things?"

A scarred white-robed acolyte says softly, "Pain."

Demiloa turns an inquisitive ear towards a scarred white-robed acolyte.

A scarred white-robed acolyte smiles at Demiloa.

Demiloa nods.

Krisstal flinches.

(Tierus frowns, looking toward the acolyte with piercing sapphire eyes.)

You say, "Pain is life."

Calean says, "I have not met ye before Acolyte, please explain"

Demiloa says, "i am no stranger to pain"

Calean asks, "Messanger?"

You hear the faint thoughts of Songowl echo in your mind:
"maybe it was just passing through"

Demiloa says, "what do we honor this visit to"

A scarred white-robed acolyte says softly, "Perhaps you should ask Tierus of it... when my Mistress has finished her will with him."

Krisstal says, "what message do you bring"

You say, "We are all messengers o' Mularos."

Calean asks, "What is ye message, Pain?"

A scarred white-robed acolyte says softly, "Come, Tierus. The Whip of Mularos is waiting."

A scarred white-robed acolyte just went southeast.

southeast
[Sylvarraend, Town Commons]
The hamlet's small but thriving commons boasts two storefronts, neatly kept stone cottages with hand-carved wooden signs affixed to their exterior walls. Few residents are about, and only a handful of travelers can be seen, moving purposefully across the square. A small stone statue rests in the center of the commons, surrounded by a small but well-kept bed of peonies. You also see a scarred white-robed acolyte, a small stone cottage and a grey flagstone cottage.
Obvious paths: northeast, south, west, northwest

A scarred white-robed acolyte just went south.

south
[Sylvarraend, Town Commons]
Situated to one side of the square rests the local tavern, from which sounds of talk and merriment drift at irregular intervals. A lantern swings from a nearby post, illuminating the silver-framed sign swinging from the awning above the front door. You also see a scarred white-robed acolyte.
Obvious paths: north, west

You hear the faint thoughts of Clintmire echo in your mind:
"I nae know who this critter Harith is but how dare it order a Noble Goat Herder to surrender to anything. May the goats of the world dine on its flesh tonight!"

You say, "Ah am shamed tae keep 'er waitin'."

You say, "One speaks in me mind. An' shoul' be silenced."

A scarred white-robed acolyte reaches out to touch your forehead lightly and looks deeply into your eyes.

You say, "'e speaks o' Harith wif some disres--"

You slowly and deliberately empty your filled lungs.

You hear the faint thoughts of Tamral echo in your mind:
"harith isnt a critter, its a eunuch, commanded by one, at least"

A scarred white-robed acolyte bows his head and speaks a few low words of magic.

You hear the faint thoughts of Clintmire echo in your mind:
"A low down slimy critter to me."

You close your eyes for a moment.

A scarred white-robed acolyte gestures gracefully, and your world changes....

You feel yourself being pulled away...
[Sanctuary]
A red-veined white swirling mist surrounds you, its tendrils creeping around your feet and twisting into a thick, translucent mass that vaguely forms a curved wall around the chamber. An electrical sense of anticipation seethes through the back of your mind, although you sense that nothing may pass the faintly luminescent barrier.
Also here: Harith
Obvious exits: none

You bow to Harith.

You see Harith Caerines the Mularosian Whip.
She appears to be mature and taller than average. She has brooding pale grey eyes and alabaster skin. She has chin length, braided sandy blonde hair. She has a broad face, an aquiline nose and slender wrists.
She has painfully deep scars carved into most of her exposed skin.
She is in good shape.
She is wearing a hooded pale grey spidersilk cloak hemmed with embroidered hawthorn twigs, a ragged white spidersilk tunic, a narrow black leather cord belt, a barbed razern chain bracelet, and a pair of black ankle-tie sandals.

You kneel down.
Harith nods in approval.

Harith harshly says, "So, you have come to me."
Harith smiles slowly.

You say, "Ah come as commanded."

(Tierus bows his head.)

Harith removes a slim ora-handled cat'o'ninetails with razern-tipped black leather lashes from in her leather cord belt.

Harith tilts the cat'o'ninetails in her hand and studies it for a long, thoughtful moment.

Harith put a slim ora-handled cat'o'ninetails with razern-tipped black leather lashes in her leather cord belt.

Harith harshly asks, "What weapons do you bear?"

You tap a barbed black glaes paingrip.

You put a barbed black glaes paingrip in your spidersilk cloak.

You say, "An axe, as well. An' a dagger in me wristlet."

Harith nods slightly in approval.

Harith harshly says, "The dagger."

You say, "Ah once bore a longsword wif dragons on tha hilt..."

You say, "Bu' 'twas lost due tae me own foolishness, last eventide."

Harith extends a hand palm-up.

You remove a coral-hilted bracelet dagger from in your silver hawthorn wristlet.

Harith harshly says, "Hand it to me."

You offer your bracelet dagger to Harith, who has 30 seconds to accept the offer. Type CANCEL to prematurely cancel the offer.

Harith has accepted your offer and is now holding a coral-hilted bracelet dagger.

Harith runs a scarred fingertip slowly across the surface of the dagger without breaking her skin.

Harith harshly says, "You wished to learn."

You say, "Aye, indeed."

You say, "M'lady... befer we begin..."

Harith stares at you.

(Tierus keeps his head lowered, eyes upon the ground as he speaks.)

You say, "One wishes tae surrender tae ye."
Harith harshly says, "The matter can wait."

You say, "Azorack, tha Tehir." He takes a deep breath, then haltingly concludes, "Yes. It can."

You slowly and deliberately empty your filled lungs.

Harith harshly says, "He will have his chance."

Tierus is filled with a wild combination of panic and anticipation.

Harith chuckles in a rasping tone. It sounds as if her throat is almost as scarred as her physical form.

Harith paces slowly around you, but her steps make no sound in the creeping mist.

Harith harshly says, "Tell me, Tierus."

Harith harshly asks, "Under what circumstances is one follower's pain more valuable than another's?"

(Tierus clasps his hands together tightly, so much so that his knuckles drain of color and blood begins to flow from the meeting of his wristlets and skin.)

You say, "Ah know nae, M'lady."

You think to yourself, "Do not attempt to bluff. Only answer with truth."

Harith nods as she turns the bracelet dagger between her fingertips.

Harith harshly says, "Yes. You do not know."

You think to yourself, "She knows more than you can possibly grasp. Time, Tierus. Time is your friend, and knowledge is your enemy."

Harith harshly says, "Therefore, it is required that a student of Mularos's will be humble..."

Harith harshly says, "Before the sacred Lord first and foremost, and humble to other students secondly, unless they have been designated and blessed by our Lord."

Harith harshly says, "Not all who serve Mularos dominate, but all submit."

Harith crosses behind you and rests the flat of the dagger blade lightly on the back of your neck.

Tierus is held rapt by the grating of Harith's voice. His mind almost manages to drift away from the locket in his cloak and its Ronanite treasure.

Harith harshly says, "Your first lesson is this... the lesson of humility."

You close your eyes for a moment.

Harith harshly says, "Never forget that you are intended to be humble."

You say, "As ye command..."

Harith harshly says, "Never forget that you, too, must submit... and that what you dominate, you dominate only with His will."

Tierus mentally finishes the thought, "...so shall I do."

Harith slowly turns the blade so that the edge rather than the flat is against the skin on the back of your neck.

You shiver.

Harith harshly says, "In order to remind you what you will do..."

Harith suddenly removes the touch of the knife entirely.

You blink.

Harith strides to stand before you once again.

(Tierus attempts to remain as still as possible, stilling the shaking of his hands.)

Harith harshly says, "I will use another to reinforce this ward... one equally deserving, but one aware of this lesson."

You think to yourself, "I am me."

Harith tosses the dagger to the ground.

You think to yourself, "She is my Lady, and Eryael my Lord. Cowardice serves neither, nor does it please my Master."

Harith harshly says, "You fear that you will fear the pain... you pray that you will embrace it..."

Harith harshly says, "Only the barbs of knowledge will you suffer, for now... the knowledge that I rejected you. THIS time."

(Tierus seems to have regained a measure of control over his own body. He nods, slowly, at Harith's words, but still keeps his eyes locked with the ground.)

Harith harshly says, "There will be another time, student."

You think to yourself, "I have failed."

Harith harshly says, "Everyone fails... at first."

Harith harshly says, "Remain humble, and all that you wish to earn, of pleasure and pain... shall be yours."

You say, "As ye command, so shall ah do."

A harsh voice whispers into the back of your mind, "And Eryael shall know it."

The swirling mists dissolve around you....

You feel yourself being pulled away...
[Sylvarraend, Town Commons]
Situated to one side of the square rests the local tavern, from which sounds of talk and merriment drift at irregular intervals. A lantern swings from a nearby post, illuminating the silver-framed sign swinging from the awning above the front door.
Obvious paths: north, west

(Tierus allows the edge of a smile to light his face.)

You slowly and deliberately empty your filled lungs.

You stand back up.

A dagger clatters to the ground beside you.

You think to yourself, "Failure and fool. You should have been the acception."

You pick up a coral-hilted bracelet dagger.

(Tierus runs his finger along the edge of the blade. A single droplet of blood beads out of it, staining the blade.)

You think to yourself, "You are always the acception, Tierus... why, now, does learning come so poorly to you?"

A scarred white-robed acolyte steps silently out of the doorway of the tavern.

A scarred white-robed acolyte nods slightly to you before turning away.

(Tierus bows low to the acolyte.)

A scarred white-robed acolyte just went north.

You sigh slightly.

You say, "Fool, Tierus. Stupid, stupid fool."

You place your hand on your pearl and wire Mularos symbol.

You say, "Mularos, make me worthier, an' readier fer tha next lesson o' yer Whip."

(Tierus clenches his fist, sniffs back his emotions, and nods.)

You say, "Ah shall succeed, next time."

You say, "Harith, 'ear me. Ah shallnae fail twice."

A single bead of blood wells up on your neck and trickles silently down.

Go back to the Lesser Scrolls.