look chime -- Made of a thin alloy, this delicate wind chime hangs from a bough of the tree. As the wind eddies and swirls, the wind chime responds with a dull flash of light from its multi-faceted surface. From the panther-shaped clapper suspended beneath its dome hangs a strip of hammered metal upon which you see some faded writing. Though much of the scribbling makes little sense, the name of Damaris, god of night and dreams, is prominently engraved. You recall that the hanging of wind chimes is considered a popular avenue of worship for his followers.

The altar is made of pure obsidian, its surface glassy. Two candles -- one black and one white -- have been placed on top of it. Etched into the altar on each side are images of panthers, the symbol of the god Damaris.

[Temple of Light, Alcove of Phelim]
Heavy black velvet drapery covers the walls, muffling sound and light. Blue, red and black models of Elanthia's moons hang from the ceiling. Each globe glows gently from some internal illumination. Peering at the black void above, twinkling white crystals form the constellations of the thirteen light aspects of the Immortals. A small onyx-topped altar rests in the center of the room. Padded pews set at a deep angle allow comfortable contemplation. You also see a polished onyx arch.
Obvious exits: none.

look arch -- Intricately carved glyphs filled with silver are etched into the sides of the arch.

It's pitch dark and you can't see a thing!
prep dr 6
You may not wish to disturb the shrine of the goddess of the All-Seeing Eye in her city.

[Temple of Darkness, Dergati's Alcove]
No permanent light fixtures have been set up anywhere in honor of the goddess of true darkness. Despite this, there is a definite air of tidiness -- someone has been polishing the floors and walls, and making sure that not a speck of dust mars the alabaster statue of Dergati that rests to the rear of the small shrine.
Obvious exits: east.

look stat -- Carved of alabaster, the pure white statue is free of the black bands and streaks that normally mar the soft stone. The third eye in the center of Dergati's forehead shines with an inset sapphire, while her other two are set with emeralds. A slight smile lingers on her thin lips.

Knives and daggers are mounted on the walls of this cavern, surrounding a mural of an Elven man with ebon skin and long black hair flecked with strands of silver. A night-black panther stalks by his side. Beneath the mural is a small statue of a sleeping child, a peaceful smile on his marble lips. You also see a black arch and a white arch.
Obvious exits: none.

look mural -- An Elven man with silver-flecked black hair and ebon skin stands with his hand resting on the head of a night-black panther, looking up at the stars. Damaris, the god of night and dreams, carries an assortment of knives, throwing daggers and other assassins tools, yet at the moment he simply... watches.

look statue -- A small child lies curled up under a scrap of a blanket, surrounded by razor edged knives and daggers. The edges of the blades all point carefully away from child, who slumbers on, unaware of danger.

A black arch reads:
All honor and reverence be given unto Dergati, that she may be patient with our foolishness and spare our souls from her vengeance.
Your vision blurs as you pass through the arch, and you see...
A shrike screeches in the night, as an exotic looking dark-haired woman gazes at you. With a start, you notice the third eye in her forehead, and the shadowy figures which writhe in the darkness behind her. Shuddering, you pass on through the arch.

A white arch reads:
May Phelim send me sweet dreams and true visions.
Your vision blurs as you pass through the arch, and you see...
A nightingale sings from a branch against the starry sky. A silver-eyed man with a bag of silvery sand at his hip gazes at you for a moment, before bidding you to pass on.

Books:
Excerpt from "A Book of Anlasaen" (MelBA) Aesry library:

Dergati's Bane -- This anlas is the peaking of the sun when Dergati's plans lie in greatest jeopardy. Preaching the aspects of light and dark, reverence and respect for both, clerics often would gather to teach the unknowing and remind the faithful.

Excerpt from "A Book of Anlasaen" (MelBA) Aesry library:

Phelim's Vigil -- The time before dreams, it was customary to share a glass of sanctified wine with a loved one or friend.

Festival items:

• a silver kathla of nine expertly enameled plates that depict events surrounding the life of Damaris (look) The plates depict in well-crafted detail many stories about the dark-haired god of shadows. They show him slaying powerful mortal rulers at the behest of other dieties, teaching the skills of hiding and backstabbing to thieves, and spreading his Dark Cloak of Woven Night over the world. - First Shard Festival - Banabu Garam's tent

• an onyx medallion engraved with an image of Damaris - Jeraya Lanival Festival - Pavilion Mystic tent

• a black velvet tabard embroidered in midnight blue thread with the emblem of the panther of Damaris - Jeraya Lanival Festival - silver tent

• a midnight blue bandolier embroidered in black with the stalking panther of Damaris - Web Festival - silver tent

• an epidote panther charm (look) The black translucent charm is carved from a slender prismatic crystal, and looks very fragile and brittle. An epidote panther charm reads: "Come Damaris, dark night and dreams, the panther protect me." - Web Festival - Pyff's tent

• a gracefully draped black velvet cloak with a silver border of stalking panthers (look) A narrow border worked in heavy silver thread depicts a repeating pattern of the great panther of Damaris. - Second Shard Festival - Crodean's Wagon

• a flowing deep grey velvet cloak beaded in obsidian crystal (look) Glittering arcs of falling stars rendered in dark crystal sweep across the cloak like Damaris' stars flung across the night skies. - Second Shard Festival - Crodean's Wagon

• a black jade amulet suspended from a narrow silver cord (look) Etched in the black jade of the amulet is a finely detailed image of a great panther carrying a laughing child on its back. Written upon it are the words, "Damaris, ward this child." (don't have the turned look) - Second Shard Festival - Gadelica's tent

• a midnight blue crystal amulet suspended from a narrow silver cord (look) Etched in the blue crystal of the amulet is a finely detailed image of a great panther curled protectively around a sleeping child. Written upon it are the words, "Little one, fear not the darkness. The lord of shadows protect thee."(don't have the turned look) - Second Shard Festival - Gadelica's tent

• a cambrinth pendant with the likeness of Damaris carved into it (look) Elegantly carved on the pendant is an image of Damaris sitting in quiet meditation, a black cambrinth panther at his feet. - Fest Of Eluned - Eye of Damaris

• an oaken icon of the god Damaris (look) A dark-haired man with black eyes leans against a wall. His dagger is raised, and blood drips from Yavash above his head into a reflecting pool at his feet. - Fest Of Eluned - Iormethani's Godly Objects

• a darkly tinted glass tailband (look) The tailband is etched along its surface with the image of a panther sleeping in a field amidst blooming nightshade, hemlock, and monkshood blossoms. Subtle silver tinting shows where the moon shines upon its form, and outlines the edges of the flowers around it. Along the inside of the tailband, the maker's mark has been engraved using an elegant script. - Ratha Carnival - Kymme & Derque's tent

• a gold medallion symbolizing dedication to Damaris (look) Etched into the face of the medallion is the god Damaris, hiding his features in a long dark hooded cloak. Lying at his feet is a sleek black panther playfully toying with a captured shrike, as a nightingale flies to the safety of a nearby tree. - Ice Fest - Gods Tent

• a scrimshawed ivory pendant hand-etched with the image of a watchful panther -- Deeply etched into the ivory is the likeness of a black panther with shiny golden eyes vigilantly guarding a small child sleeping at its feet. - Jaal Jeraya - Altared Visions

• a silver-dusted cambrinth orb etched with the likeness of a stalking panther set amidst the stars - Arthe Dale Mini-fest - Bunglefoot's Tent

• a midnight blue nightsilk prayer tapestry with elegant black fringe -- The form of a lithe panther has been embroidered in black thread over the surface of the tapestry. Two sparkling crystalline beads have been sewn in as eyes, just above a pair of sharp silver fangs protruding coyly from its smirking maw. - Temple Re-opening Fest - Sputkin's Splendors

• an opal medallion engraved with an image of Phelim - Jeraya Lanival Festival - Pavilion Mystic tent

• a tiny nightingale charm (look) The tiny bird has two even tinier diamonds set for its eyes, but those diamonds shine like the stars on the clearest summer nights. Something is engraved in the dark stone in minute letters. A tiny nightingale charm reads: "Sweet night, sweet flute, fiery stars, Phelim's Truth" - Web Festival - Pyff's tent

• a diamond-scattered cloak of deep blue silk clasped with a golden nightingale (look) Tiny diamonds are flung across the background of deep blue silk, scattered like Phelim's tears across the night skies. - Second Shard Festival - Crodean's Wagon

• a roseate crystal amulet suspended from a narrow silver cord (look) Etched into the roseate crystal of the amulet is the image of Phelim tenderly holding a baby nightingale as he fills the night with the sweetness of stars and happy dreams. Written upon it are the words, "Little one, fear not the darkness. The god of nightsong and dreams protect thee."(don't have the turned look) - Second Shard Festival - Gadelica's tent

• a white jade charm (look) Etched into the white jade of the charm is the image of Phelim tenderly holding a baby nightingale as he fills the night with the sweetness of stars and happy dreams. Written upon it are the words, "Little one, fear not the darkness. The god of nightsong and dreams protect thee." - Second Shard Festival - Gadelica's tent

• an oaken icon of the god Phelim (look) A silver-haired young man of serious mien scatters stars into the night-dark sky with his left hand, while a nightingale rests in his right. - Fest Of Eluned - Iormethani's Godly Objects

• a golden choker hung with a silk webbed ring surrounded by nightingale feathers (look) Within the diminutive ring, iridescent strands of silk create an intricate webbing that is laced with small diamond and emerald chips which sparkle in the ambient light. Four beads -- black, blue, red, and gold -- are set around the ring at the four main cardinal points. The white feathers are suspended loosely from the lower half of the ring and softly move with the gentlest breeze. A golden choker reads: "Phelim, olkan rae aman phofe, blarstil aman bolgphofe." - Ice Fest - Gods Tent

• a brooch depicting a nightingale with crystal tipped wings (look) A velvety black sky full of brilliant crystal stars sets the backdrop for Phelim's soaring nightingale on this enameled brooch. - ~ Make promises unbroken and vengeance unspoken ~. - Ice Fest - Women At Arms Tent

• a crystal-dusted cambrinth orb etched with the image of a nightingale fluttering over a sleeping dragon - Arthe Dale Mini-fest - Bunglefoot's Tent

• a dusky blue prayer tapestry appliqued with a silver silk nightingale --Tiny crystalline stars glitter along the edges of the prayer tapestry. - Temple Re-opening Fest - Sputkin's Splendors

• a black iron medallion engraved with an image of Dergati - Jeraya Lanival Festival - Pavilion Mystic tent

• a cloak dark as eventide worked in crimson silk with Dergati's all-seeing eye (look) Shadowed with the colors of the night, the only ornamentation on this silken cloak is a thin border of crimson embroidery depicting the third eye of Dergati, the unraveller of souls. - Second Shard Festival - Crodean's Wagon

• a smoky crystal amulet suspended from a narrow silver cord (look) Etched into the smoky crystal of the amulet is the image of a darkly beautiful woman with a wild-eyed shrike on her shoulder, one delicate hand lifted as she invokes phantasms and nightmares. Written upon it are the words, "Dergati, unraveller of souls, cry vengeance upon my enemies!"(don't have the turned look) - Second Shard Festival - Gadelica's tent

• a dark topaz charm (look)Etched into the dark topaz of the charm is the image of a darkly beautiful woman with a wild-eyed shrike on her shoulder, one delicate hand lifted as she invokes phantasms and nightmares. Written upon it are the words, "Dergati, unraveller of souls, cry vengeance upon my enemies!" - Second Shard Festival - Gadelica's tent

• an oaken icon of the goddess Dergati (look) A dark woman with black, flowing hair stands in a field of the dead or dying. Her mouth is wide in laughter, and tears flow from her utterly white eyes. - Fest Of Eluned - Iormethani's Godly Objects

• an onyx-dusted cambrinth orb etched with a large grey shrike silhouetted darkly in front of a rising moon - Arthe Dale Mini-fest - Bunglefoot's Tent

• a nightmare black prayer tapestry embroidered with three crystal green eyes -- The small form of a shrike with wings spread has been embroidered in silver thread just beneath the dominant three eyes. - Temple Re-opening Fest - Sputkin's Splendors

Mentor Event Items:

Altered Items:

Misc:
Misenseor Abbey, High Altar Chamber Columns You tap the Dergati column. - At first glance the smooth surface of this black column appears to have been left untouched. Gazing upon it in the flickering light you begin to notice what appear to be moving shifting shadows dancing upon its surface. The shadows never assume a defined shape, and yet you find yourself reminded of a long-forgotten childhood nightmare.

Crossings Cleric Guild Monk: The monk suddenly whirls about on his heels, shouting and waving his staff threateningly at a scruffy-looking boy who scurries off into the shadows. He grumbles to himself, "Cursed waif. May Damaris turn his hand into a wretched arthritic claw!"

Crossings Cleric Guild Monk:A dusky nightingale flutters into the area to perch atop one of the sculpted columns. It begins to warble a heart-rending melody, bringing a faint smile to the monk's lips.

prayer
You see: You bow your head and say in a hushed voice, "Damaris, guard and protect the children this night."
Others see: Mellisandre bows her head and mutters short prayer in a hushed voice. Raising her head, she glances to the shadows with a knowing smile.

Constellations:

The Panther is formed by a collection of twenty-six stars in the shape of a great, leaping cat.

Symbol of Dergati, avowed enemy of the sun, The Shrike appears above the western horizon for but an anlas in the late-night winter skies.

Visible in the early winter skies, this symbol of Phelim sits perched a few hours each night low on the northern horizon.

[Crossing Temple, Tower Tunnels]
Deep grooves have permanently marred the floor of the tunnel, evidence of the passage of a great weight. The once brightly polished walls now bear the scars and gouges of a battle with an unknown assailant. The sturdy riverstone was no match for that which has passed. An ornate tapestry once covering the western wall now lies in a tumbled heap, torn and shreded, home to countless rodents and vermin.
Obvious exits: northeast, south.

You tap an ornate tapestry. -- The dust-shrouded cloth still retains some of its original splendor. Images of children peacefully at sleep can be discerned; a dark figure keeps careful watch on them while they rest. In some of the images, the figure can be seen bending over a slumbering child to deliver a fatherly kiss.

Crossings Escape Tunnels

[Crossing Temple, Tower Tunnels]
Perhaps, in some time past, the tunnel was breached by nature's wrath, or by foe unknown; this section has seen recent reconstruction. New mortar stands out in stark contrast to the dull grey of the older stonework, giving a sense of hope and life to this otherwise dreary passageway. Torches burning brightly in brass sconces bring some semblance of warmth to the chill atmosphere of the tunnel.
Obvious exits: east, west.

look sconce -- This brass sconce has been forged by a craftsman whose attention to detail and intricate carving have served to bring a lifelike quality to the panther, as if the creature is ready to spring from the wall and stalk its prey.

Damaris Statue, Within Jadewater (open to the public in Plat)

You tap a Damaris statue.
look statue -- Odd. There's writing on the pedestal of this statue, but no statue itself. -Until you look away. Then, from the corner of your vision, a pair of silver eyes seems to materialize in midair where the statue should be. However, looking back reveals nothing but empty space and uneasy memories.
There appears to be something written on it.
A Damaris statue reads:
Damaris

Shard, Emerald Lane Open Market
You also see a statue of Damaris.
You see a very impressive statue of Damaris.
The statue is carved of black marble shot through with silver. The eyes of the god of Dreams gazes down upon the area, and a faint, faint smile touches his lips. Dressed in a vest and loose, baggy pants, the god's left, well-muscled arm catches the edge of his cloak as it swirls about his ankles, his right hand reaching for something that is concealed against his right thigh.
A statue of Damaris begins to brighten and shift, slowly changing from a visage of the god of Night and into a more benevolent image. (shifts to a statue of Faenella, and back to Damaris)

Damaryn pearls -- Svra'an pulls a pearl from a drawer and shows it to you. A pale shade of grey, faint blue striations shimmer within the depths of the gem. "Long ago, gems such as these were known as the 'Eye of Damaris.' Modern jewelers prefer to call it the damaryn pearl, however." He tucks the pearl carefully back into a velvet pouch in the drawer, locking it with the key he wears around his neck. (sold in ratha jewelry shop)

[Southern Trade Route, Traveler's Rest]
... A panoply of tents and bedrolls rest beneath the evening sky, the people slumbering within them reposing peacefully in the depths of Damaris' realm....

[Obsidian Pass, Guard House]
The night sky is rent by mountainscape darkness even more jagged and deep than the domain of Damaris....

Songs:

an excerpt from "Spring Serenade" By: Saesealm Faoilean

What would be the hope of us
But for the Panther's dreams?
What would be the sense of life
But for the sacrifice he deems?
Thus at the peak of night
At dark Damaris' time of year,
A link between the old and new,
We stand and join our fear.
From dark to day we watch
All eyes on Phelim's stars
For the promise of the Nightingale
Holds true, as we pass this candle far.

And pass this candle far,
A symbol of the stars,
The tears flung high for me and thee
A light for all to see!
And pass the candle on
And swift inhale its fire
For the pledge of light is there
For all the world to bear.

Starless Eyes - A Song of Damaris - By: Minuet Sableclaw and Mori saVere-Ashke

Starless eyes they look without
Never to dare within.
Starless eyes they stalk your soul,
They read your every sin.

Starless eyes, none walk away
Unaffected by their gaze,
Within their depths a bloody light--
It clouds a bloody haze.

Starless eyes, unmerciful,
Call many drawn to Death.
Starless eyes on star-filled nights
Silence a mortal's breath.

Starless eyes, they see no stars,
No Light eternal graces there.
Starless eyes gaze into yours,
Your soul belonging to their stare.

The room falls into unsettling quiet as the song ends.

 

Clever Meraud in his tall tower
Kept Hodierna locked in flower-strewn bower
Weeping she was, alone and ashamed
Wound up in twisting,
and twisting
Stone chains.

Kertigen stalked the halls of his home
Empty of laughter, lightless and alone
In siege were his men, his creatures, his ravens
Besieging the tower,
the tower,
With all his creations.

For two years they'd fought on trampled ground
For two years Meraud had beaten them down
His prisoner kept as his magic met the attack
With only Kertigen's words
his word
Sending them back.

And rapidly the war was closing too tight
And Kertigen it seemed must lose the fight
But now in the absence of the day's brilliant light
The Lord of Smiths called
he called
The bleak Lord of Night.

Nightclad he enters, and draws very near
Softly he speaks, saying, 'You called me here.
'To partake in a war that is not worth the fight.
'Yet you are in right,
'Our brother is not.
'And yes I will end it, for the right price.'

Kertigen glowers, but agrees for his woes
But the price he requires, Damaris does not disclose
Nodding he slips from the raven Lord's home
And turning he ventures
He ventures
Alone.

Through Kertigen's men he passes like a breeze
And approaches the tower with a swift, silent ease
Spreading his hands he melds with the stars
And drops sands of sleep
of dreams
On Meraud's creatures of war.

Now the tower is silent, for the golems have stopped
The warfield is empty, for his elementals have dropped
The engines that spewed fire, trouble no more
And now Damaris slips
he slips
Through Meraud's study door.

Meraud frowns in anger when he sees his brother's form
His rage gathers round him like a winter's chill storm
And brings down the lightning on Damaris' smiling face
Only to find
To scream at!
An illusion in the bleak god's place.

Damaris crept to the bower whilst his brother fought a shadow
And released Hodierna from her chains amidst the storm's glow
With a cry of joy she leapt from that place
Changing
and Changing
To a unicorn, home swiftly raced.

And back with her husband who drew her in his arms
And promised her no more would she come to harm
Till Damaris approached and reminded in voice soft
Of the bargain
that freed
Hodierna from Meraud's loft.

Damaris smiled as Kertigen clenched his fists
As the dark-eyed god took Hodierna by the wrist
'Do not take her!' said the raven Lord wise
But Damaris just laughed
And laughed
At his cries.

'This I must tell you.' (Damaris closer draws.)
'Your war I thought useless till your lady I saw.'
And kneeling he gazed at the lady many wished to command
And smiling he took her
by the wrist...

And merely kissed
the back of her hand.

Then like shadows he vanished, with a laugh and a smile
Leaving Kertigen and Hodierna bemused for a while
And when night's cloak is drawn down by Damaris' fist
Hodierna lifts her hand
gazing on it
and smiles....

As if it were kissed.

The song closes.