#Harla Dar
Harla Dar "Returning to praise the Wurm Mother, child?"
"I would gladly praise her!"
Harla Dar "That pleases me greatly! Anyone can seek the strength of her wings, whether we are children of other gods, or had turned our backs upon her, previously."
"We're not talking about me anymore, are we?"
Harla Dar "Astute observation. I had been swayed from my path of leading others in her worship for a time, but after passing into Ethernere the scales of mourning and deception were removed from my eyes."
"You experienced an enlightenment."
Harla Dar "Precisely. One that often blesses us in the afterlife. I saw the worlds and my life with a newfound clarity. Veeshan had given me a gift with no equal. I just wish it hadn't cost my life."
"So, you're not angry about your death then?"
Harla Dar "There's no reason to be. I look back upon the mortals that valiantly fought me within the Temple of Scale as having done me a favor. I hold no ill will towards them, in fact, I would thank them if given the chance."
"An interesting stance, I admit."
Harla Dar "I sense you have not experienced her clarity, child. That must be why you feel so different to me, as if you are out of place."
"Actually, I don't belong here. I haven't died yet."
Harla Dar "Poor child, denial clouds your mind. You have not yet faced your own death. Allow me to help you along your path, as her priestess. Think of it as humoring an elder, if you need."
"How would you help me?"
Harla Dar "By granting you a meaningful revelation. Though, it will require some work on your part. Make a paste of talon root within the blessed basin near me, then consume it."
"Some talon root mash, coming right up!"
"Hail, Harla Dar"
Harla Dar "What revelations did you experience, Lest? Have you come to terms with your death?"
"My experience had nothing to do with me, Harla. I saw you within the Temple of Scale!"
Harla Dar "Then you witnessed a dark time. I had not expected your revelation would pertain to me, but if that is what the Wurm Mother chose to show you, I must accept it."
"You were a Priestess of the Awakened."
Harla Dar "Veeshan must want me to face my past. Bless the Mother! She set you on this path to help me."
"How did you become a Priestess for the Awakened?"
Harla Dar "Long, long ago, during the Elder Age, my mate, Jaled Dar, led a force of like-minded dragons out of our ancestral home of Velious to establish a new power base on the continent of Kunark."
"The Ring of Scale, right?"
Harla Dar "Yes. Our daughter, Phara, accompanied her father. She had always been so devoted to him. I can't say the same for myself. I felt my mate was wrong in his criticism of the Claws of Veeshan."
"So you stayed behind?"
Harla Dar "I remained in Velious with our young son, Fraka Dar. I was living out my days, hiding my sorrow over being abandoned by both mate and daughter, while taking joy from watching my son grow. Until that too was taken from me."
"What happened?"
Harla Dar "During the Age of Turmoil, Fraka, my precious treasure, disappeared. I assumed he had left to follow his sister, who had taken over the Ring of Scale following Jaled's death. But the truth was more devastating!"
"He hadn't joined the Ring of Scale?"
Harla Dar "Evidence was found that he had been killed by Zlandicar, a fellow child of Veeshan! He had eaten him."
"I'm sorry."
Harla Dar "My spirit shattered. The days held no meaning, and the nights only haunted me with memories. I hid myself in the ice caves of Velious, where it was my intention to wither and die."
"..."
Harla Dar "There I remained, wrapped in anguish and sorrow. I can't tell you how long I languished. I only know that was where he found me."
"Who found you?"
Harla Dar "None other than Kerafyrm, The Awakened. His words of hope and comfort coaxed me. Playing on my emotions, he told me he could bring my departed family back from the afterlife."
"That couldn't have been true."
Harla Dar "But it was what I desperately wanted to hear. I gladly followed him to the Overrealm, my dedication to the Claws of Veeshan having long been forgotten. He held me now."
"That's where the forces of Norrath faced you. "
Harla Dar "Released me! They destroyed his bonds over me, and delivered me to Ethernere. It was here where I was able to see Kerafyrm's manipulation."
"With Veeshan's Clarity."
Harla Dar "I realized he never intended to resurrect my child or mate, even if he had possessed the power to. He was using me, stringing me along with visions of Fraka and Jaled."
"And now you're here, a Priestess of Veeshan."
Harla Dar "Just as I had been in ages past. It was one of the reasons why I had been dedicated to the Claws of Veeshan, and had not gone off with my mate, when he founded the Ring of Scale."
"Oh, I had not known that."
Harla Dar "I devoted this isle to the Wurm Mother, giving the eternal brood a place to worship her. That is until it was almost lost to the Horde invasion. By the time we had won it back they had destroyed Veeshan's altar. "
"It looks like you've reconstructed it."
Harla Dar "You are absolutely right, Lest. But the pieces of the original altar remain scattered across Veeshenna Tol. Return them to me that I may properly dispose of them."
"You'll have the altar pieces shortly."
Harla Dar "You are weighed down by the pieces of Veeshan's altar. This is good news!"
"Yeah, I was able to find them all."
Harla Dar "Once again, Veeshan has blessed me! For without you, we would not have been able to cleanse this land for the Wurm Mother."
"I have been glad to assist."
Harla Dar "There is another renowned dragon, who has also experienced Veeshan's Clarity since arriving in Ethernere - Wuoshi."
"Wuoshi has also been enlightened?"
Harla Dar "Yes. Once, a power-crazed dragon, desperately clutching to an over-lived role, he came to Ethernere, full of anger. He claims to have experienced the clarity, yet he has not returned to the Mother."
You say to Harla Dar, "What do you mean?"
Harla Dar "He still clings to Growth, much as he did in Velious and later in Faydwer. That could leave him and his isle susceptible to the Harrowing Horde!"
"Maybe he is being influenced by them!?"
Harla Dar "An alarming prospect, Lest. He will not respond well to a personal inquiry from me. For the good of the Vesspyr Isles, will you speak with him on Aeterna Gardens?"
"I certainly will."
"Hail, Wuoshi"
Wuoshi "That was creative thinking, child. You have earned an audience with me."
"Some of your fellow dragons are concerned that the Harrowing Horde may be on Aeterna Gardens, and influencing you."
Wuoshi "Ha! There is no threat here. Do these "fellow dragons" have a name, little one? "
"Harla Dar."
Wuoshi "Harla! I should have guessed. No, no. The crazed beasts of the Horde have been unable to affect the flora on Aeterna Gardens, because I have been here strengthening it with the blessings of Growth."
"Harla mentioned that you remain faithful to Growth."
Wuoshi "With pride! Harla just cannot understand how a child of Veeshan can find other deities worthy of our worship, partially due to her past. Do not hold it against her."
"I'll try not to, Wuoshi."
Harla Dar "Have you spoken to Wuoshi, Lest?"
"He has not been influenced by the Horde. He remains devoted to Growth out of his own convictions."
Harla Dar "I am both relieved and saddened by this news. Thank you for your help."
"You're welcome."
Harla Dar "I wish to do something for you now, Lest."
"You're going to help me?"
Harla Dar "Yes, I am compelled to create something special for you, to help ease your transition to this existence."
"Keep talking."
Harla Dar "All it requires from you is gathering the fragile stalactite gems that grow on the underside of Little Veeshenna."
"That'll be easy!"
Harla Dar "Lest, I am under attack! Battle with me!"
Harla Dar "Your assistance was much appreciated, Lest."
"Who were those guys?"
Harla Dar "Not all of Veeshan's children here, in Ethernere, are anti-Kerafyrm."
"Ah! They're some of the Wayward Dracurians still loyal to the Awakened."
Harla Dar "Sadly, yes. Some of my kin who followed him in life of their own choosing, still do."
"Like who?"
Harla Dar "Lord Vyemm. He still carries a grudge against me, due to his failures in the Overrealm. He blames me for them."
"Why would he do that?"
Harla Dar "He and I were at odds due to his self-gratifying interpretation of the plans Kerafyrm had laid out for us. Mine was the voice of patience. As the Awakened Priestess my voice held weight amongst the army. It ended up splintering the forces."
"Giving the Norrathian forces a fighting chance."
Harla Dar "I am alarmed by his sudden brazenness. I want to take this fight back to him, but I am afraid that this is part of a cunning plan to lure me away or entrap me in the Droumlunds. Lord Vyemm has a conniving mind for battle."
"I'll take the battle to Lord Vyemm on your behalf!"
"Hail, Harla Dar"
Harla Dar "Thank the Mother, you return to me!"
"Harla, you will not believe the news!"
Harla Dar "Were you able to defeat Lord Vyemm?"
"No, he escaped me, but while I was trying to track him down, I found your son, Fraka Dar!"
Harla Dar "I warned you of this, Lest. Lord Vyemm's cunning knows no bounds. What you found was a trap set for me. You have proven he is trying to lure me away from Veeshenna Tol!"
"I don't think this was a trick."
Harla Dar "No, I will not be manipulated by his memory, ever again. I appreciate your sentiment, but I must insist you not speak of it, again."
"It won't stop me from investigating it, myself."
"Hail, Fraka Dar"
Fraka Dar "Who's there? You smell... different! You do not belong in my roost!"
"My name is Lest."
Fraka Dar "You do not belong here!"
Fraka Dar "You would have killed me, if I had not stopped you! You don't play well, do you?"
"You attacked me. Wait, what do you mean, killed you!?"
Fraka Dar "If you hurt someone too much they die. Didn't anyone teach you that? I've seen it happen."
" I am aware. Are you talking about an ethereal death?"
Fraka Dar "Ether... I don't know what you are talking about. Dead is dead. I don't want to be dead!"
"But you're already dead."
Fraka Dar "No. Dead things do not talk. I am talking with you."
"You died on Norrath, and now you're here in Ethernere, like your mother."
Fraka Dar "You don't even know my mother! She abandoned me, just like my father and sister. You know nothing! Lord Vyemm told me all about it."
"Lord Vyemm told you that?"
Fraka Dar "Yes, he tells me many stories! Most of them are exciting, full of battles, and magic, and whelps! Though some make me sad, or angry."
"I wouldn't believe everything you hear."
Fraka Dar "I don't hear anything anymore. Now he just sends those different kin to feed me. They never spend time with me. Wait! Are you one of those interfering whelps of lesser gods, who goes around killing and stealing?"
"I guess you could say that."
Fraka Dar "Really!? That's exciting! Wait... You're just making stuff up. You don't know my mother, and you don't know about dead. Adventuring whelps would know stuff."
"No, really I am, and I can prove it!"
Fraka Dar "Okay. Bring me back aerakyn invoker or realmstalker amulets as proof! They're very shiny!"
"I will. You'll see, Fraka."
Fraka Dar "Who's there? Oh! It is my adventuring whelp friend! Have you the shiny invoker amulets?"
"Here they are. Now do you believe me?"
Fraka Dar "These are so pretty! Look at the fine detail. Oh yes, I do believe you! I do!" (真好哄耶...)
"Well, there's that then."
Fraka Dar "You must have seen all sorts of lands and all sorts of creatures! Have you seen the terrible ice giants? What about the blue dwarves? I'd love to see a forest city of elves! Have you?"
"Slow down, Fraka! I've seen all that and more, but now is not the time."
Fraka Dar "Why not? I have been here a very long time. And I want to hear a story! Tell me a good one!"
"Wouldn't you rather go on your own adventures?"
Fraka Dar "Oh, yes! But no... I never leave my roost. It is not safe for me out there. Lord Vyemm has told me. Oh, what would he do if he found out!?"
"Do you mean that you are not allowed to leave?"
Fraka Dar "No. I just don't want to. Though I would like to see something other than these walls. *Yaawwwn* Maybe after my nap."
"You just woke up. There must be some arcane leash, or spell being used on you."
- Vizzeren "What brings you back to me, living one?"
"I've returned for the arcanum vision elixir. I believe that it may help me free Fraka Dar."
Vizzeren "You have found Fraka Dar within Vesspyr? The Priestess will be overjoyed! Yes, take it, Lest."
"Thank you."
Fraka Dar "Who's there? Oh! It is my adventuring friend! That was a good nap!"
"You're feeling better, Fraka?"
Fraka Dar "I am invigorated, my little friend! I want to leave this place! Why have I not done so before now? I am a mighty Dar!" (好棒棒!)
"Great! Follow me, Fraka! I'll lead you to your mother."
Fraka Dar "So, she is near, and she did miss me? You were not lying?"
"Not at all, Fraka. Trust me!"
Fraka Dar "Show me the way to my mother, I beg you! I don't wish to stay here any longer!"
"Follow me!"
- Fraka Dar " Mother! I have missed you!
Harla Dar "You brought me my son, Lest. Even when I had not believed you. Veeshan has rewarded me this day, like none other! I owe you more than I could ever repay."
You say to Harla Dar, "It was worth it."