look rock -- This rock is all that remains of a massive statue to the god Meraud, patron of those who practice the arcane arts. Exotic symbols are carved around it, their meanings lost on all but the highest order of magickers. Though the statue has long since disappeared, two stumps of molded clay still cling to its surface, resembling the forepaws of a large wolf.

Polished to a high gloss, one can almost see one's reflection within the black alabaster. An altar cloth embroidered with the image of a baying wolf divides the surface in two, delicately draping the front of the altar and protecting the lustrous finish.

[Ulf'Hara Keep, Chapel of Meraud]
You are in a small chapel, with an altar that bears no ornamentation save two morglay swords joined in the shape of an X, held upright by an iron brace. Thick tallow candles impaled on spikes that extend from the granite walls provide scant light, and leave much in the shadows. You hear sounds of soft lamentation from above, but it turns out merely to be an errant magpie chattering among the rafters. You also see an ebon-inlaid door.
Obvious exits: none.

look altar -- The altar is unadorned, attesting to the spartan values of those who worshipped here.

The stone altar is emblazoned with silver owls, its surface is carved with elegant runes. However, the owls have begun to tarnish to a dull grey and one is missing a ruby eye. The stone of the altar is cracked in places, and the runes have begun to fade.

[Temple of Light, Alcove of Firulf]
Elemental energy swirling through the room prickles the air. Light shining through a wall-sized stained glass portrait of Firulf watching mages in battle casts jeweled lights upon the altar centered in the chamber. The other walls are polished bare grey granite. Scarlet velvet floor pillows trimmed with gold braid provide seating for those who choose to meditate here. You also see a polished oak arch.
Obvious exits: none.

The arch is made of polished oak decorated with a statue of a grey granite owl perched at the top.

[Temple of Darkness, Kerenhappuch's Alcove]
An ivory statue of Kerenhappuch in full skirt and low-cut blouse is located at the end of this alcove, the lighting at her feet and casting interesting shadows, especially around her chiseled eyes, which dance in the wicked light. Gold leaf has been applied to her hair, and cinnamon incense cones lie burning at her feet, filling the air with a heady, spicy odor.
Obvious exits: east.

look statue -- The eyes of the statue watch you from their lofty perch, enticing you like a whispered promise that was never fulfilled.

dancing here is fun for the ladies... hehehe

Wooden shelves, cracking in the dampness from the cave, line the walls of the room. Books have been piled on every available surface, from grimoires filled with cryptic spells, to a rather sappy epic penned by a young bard. In the center of the room stands a statue of an aloof Elothean male, a black ironwood wolf at his side. You also see a black arch and a white arch.
Obvious exits: none.

look statue -- An aloof Elothean man stares arrogantly back at you. Meraud, god of foresight and the arcane, created the written language to record his often ruthless quest for knowledge.

A poetic epic reads:
"Her lips are like the ripest berry, My dearest darling sweetest Mary..." It just gets worse from there.

A black arch reads:
May Meraud's wisdom guard me from Kerenhappuch's wiles.
Female:
Your vision blurs as you pass through the arch, and you see...
A blonde woman dances awkwardly, a skirt of shifting colors billowing about her as she moves. You glare at her for a moment before stepping carefully between the bones which are strewn about the floor to pass on through the arch.
Male:
Your vision blurs as you pass through the arch, and you see...
A blonde woman dances sinuously, a skirt of shifting colors billowing about her as she moves. Her ruby lips call you, and you respond without demure -- until you notice the bones which strew the floor. Shuddering, you pass on through the arch.

A white arch reads:
May Firulf's foresight guide my path.
Your vision blurs as you pass through the arch, and you see...
A stern Mage gazes at you, a black staff marbled in silver in his hand. On his shoulder perches a grey horned owl, stretching its wings as its golden eyes gaze into your very soul. After a brief moment, a slight smile crosses his face, and he bids you to pass on.

Books:
Diana's Tale (BdcDT) Shard temple library
The story of how Diana Cumpstook (an Elven cleric) came to worship her gods- Hav'roth and Meraud.

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

Firulf's Flame -- The time of the strength of the day, the fire of the sun. Clerics believed that gaining a favor for themselves and instructing the young in the ways of gaining favor during this anlas was most likely to draw the attentions of the Immortals.

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

Meraud's Cloak -- The anlas of the sunset, the time the summer solstice sun sets. The followers are bidden to light and extinguish a candle and bless a stranger for their safekeeping in honor of Meraud.

Festival items:

• a silver kathla of eight expertly enameled grey plates that depict events surrounding the life of Meraud (look) Celebrated stories of the god of magic and knowledge are depicted on these plates. Enwrapped in his shadowy, hooded cloak, he appears time and again: changing an ignorant schoolmaster who challenged his wisdom into a slug; procuring a scale of the World Dragon at great peril, merely to study it; conveying the mysteries of writing to the people of Elanthia. The final plate displays his companion, the jet black wolf, Kleinzack, grinning directly at you as though in amusement at some secret thought.

• a grey doeskin tabard sewn in raised black thread with the emblem of the wolf of Meraud - Jeraya Lanival Festival - silver tent

• an oaken icon of the god Meraud (look) A grey figure stands in silhouette against a background sky of three moons. Its left hand is raised, holding a book. A wolf stands by its side. - Fest Of Eluned - Iormethani's Godly Objects

• a gold medallion symbolizing dedication to Meraud (look) Etched into the face of the medallion is the god Meraud, his features hidden in the safety of his long hooded cloak. Cradled in his arms is a thick book, opened to a page he appears to be studying intently. A wolf pounces on a shrew while bolts of lighting flash in the sky, one striking a nearby tree where a grey horned owl perches. - Ice Fest - Gods Tent

• a sculpted obsidian Meraud emblem suspended from a silver chain (look) Against the glassy, inky black of the obsidian stands a subtle cloaked figure, his face turned down to consider the massive tome he holds in both hands. A sleek wolf reclines at his feet and gazes ponderously outward. - Crossings Cleric Shop

• a scrimshawed ivory pendant hand-etched with the image of a snarling wolf -- Etched into the ivory is the figure of a jet-black wolf standing abreast of a shining golden orb, its teeth bared in a feral growl. - Jaal Jeraya - Altared Visions

• a silver-dusted cambrinth orb etched with the image of a jet-black wolf calling out to its mate - Arthe Dale Mini-fest - Bunglefoot's Tent

• a shadowy-black silk prayer mat painted with the image of a brilliant silver wolf - Temple Re-opening Fest - Sputkin's Splendors

• an oaken icon of the god Firulf (look) A tall dark man stands against a stormy backdrop, leaning on a staff that draws lightning from the skies. His glance is enigmatic. - Fest Of Eluned - Iormethani's Godly Objects

• a carved platinum ring (look) Detailed perfectly in burnished platinum, you discern every painstakingly carved feature - from the individual feathers to the unblinking, intelligent eyes of Firulf's grey horned owl. - Ice Fest - Women At Arms Tent

• a carved hematite Firulf emblem suspended from a blackened steel chain (look) Into the enchanting silvery black of the mineral is carved the imposing figure of a man, his enigmatic expression fixed intently on the horizon as if to discern something of it. In one hand, he clenches a dark staff, chiseled upon its surface with symbols for each of the elements. A horned owl perches upon his other arm, which is raised up to the heavens. - Crossings Cleric Shop

• a crystal-dusted cambrinth orb etched with a soaring grey horned owl tightly clasping a carved stick in its talons - Arthe Dale Mini-fest - Bunglefoot's Tent

• an inky black silk prayer cloth embroidered in golden thread with a wide-eyed horned owl -- The edges of the prayer cloth have been cut in a jagged fashion, evoking the erratic beauty of a lightning bolt. - Temple Re-opening Fest - Sputkin's Splendors

• an oaken icon of the goddess Kerenhappuch (look) A beautiful woman in a rainbow-colored skirt stands surrounded by swirling gales of mana, laughing exultantly. - Fest Of Eluned - Iormethani's Godly Objects

• a vibrantly painted Kerenhappuch emblem hung from a braided cord of many colors (look) Upon this circular pendant is rendered the striking form of a gorgeous blonde woman, her luminous eyes flashing amusement as a smirk plays across her ruby-colored lips. Three Dwarven men kneel before her, eyes fixed upon her multi-colored skirt, which she holds just out of their reach. A tiny shrew sits upon her graceful shoulder, its mischievous gaze directed at a small crowd of women in the background, their arms folded and chins raised. - Crossings Cleric Shop

• an onyx-dusted cambrinth orb etched with the visage of a shrew burrowing its pointy snout into an insect's nest - Arthe Dale Mini-fest - Bunglefoot's Tent

• a rainbow silk prayer tapestry appliqued with a dizzying myriad of fabrics and colors -- Beaded mahogany shrews adorn the borders of the prayer tapestry. - Temple Re-opening Fest - Sputkin's Splendors

Altered Items:

Misc:
Misenseor Abbey, High Altar Chamber Columns
a cinnabar Kerenhappuch carving (sold in Temple of Darkness in Shard) will have the same look as this column
You tap the Kerenhappuch column. - On the column a fanciful scene has been etched. A young maiden skips daintily through the streets of a small village, laughing gleefully to herself. Behind her follow several men, captivated by her beauty. An angry group of women, brandishing rolling pins and cooking pans, gives chase with wild-eyed jealousy.

Crossings Cleric Guild Monk: An elder cleric exits the rosewood door, replacing his helmet upon his head and fitting his fingers carefully into some mail gloves. The monk smiles to him, "Do have a fair hunt, good Shaman. I trust Meraud will guide your magic straight to the heart of those foul beasts!" The man smiles to the monk and departs upon his way.

prayer
You see: You glance heavenward and murmur to yourself, "Meraud strengthen my magic that it not fail me in my time of need!"
Others see: Mellisandre glances heavenward a moment, and utters a desperate prayer.

Constellations:

The Wolf, symbol of Meraud, god of magic, foresight, and the Elothean race, is formed by a cluster of fourteen stars in the shape of a seated, howling wolf. Some say when the Wolf howls at Katamba, Meraud himself walks the lands, hidden in the guise of an Elothean mage.

owl -- ?

shrew -- ?

War Mage Guild Tapestry

[Stairwell, Second Floor Landing]
The dark stone staircase briefly halts its upward journey here at a small landing. A brilliantly-colored green and gold patterened rug covers the stone floor of the landing, its surface slightly marred by the muddy tracks of a large cat. A large tapestry hangs upon the wall, its surface depicting the aspects of Meraud. You also see an announcement board.
Obvious exits: east, up, down.

look tapestry -- Firulf, god of elemental magic and patron of Warrior Mages, stands with arms upraised, a massive storm cloud gathering above his grasping hands. Meraud, his features hidden as always behind a hooded cloak, reads a stone tablet marked with arcane sigils, his hand absently scratching the neck of his black wolf. The Mad Mage Kerenhappuch dances in the court of a great palace, her skirt instantly enchanting the powerful nobles of the realm to fall in love with her.

This section of the tunnel has remained unvisited by maintenance workers for many years. Bronze oil lamps, green with verdigris, are fastened to the walls, their small beacons of light long since extinguished. In tattered shreds, the remains of an elegant tapestry hang from the wall. The once-luxurious fabric is fragile and rotted now, useful only as nesting material for vermin.
Obvious exits: east, west.

look lamp -- The lamps are covered with a thick layer of verdigris, indicating that they were originally crafted of brass or copper. Each one bears the faint outlines of an engraved wolf.

You tap a Meraud statue.
look statue -- Folded in a cloak of midnight black, even this figure's upper features are hidden from view. His feet are shod in winged sandals, and he seems to be caught in mid-stride. His right hand bears a book, and a rope belt tasseled with massively pointed thorns is in his left. There appears to be something written on it.
A Meraud statue reads:
"Meraud"

Damaris' Kiss - By: Silvyrfrost

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.