Quiet Harmony: Reflections on Lord Nocht and the Harbingers

By Stratas Shee-Slaugh

 

--Songs and Silence: An Introduction--

As Mother Night spreads her dark shroud over the skies, a strange silence settles over the Basin of Life. A stillness and sense of quietude permeates the air. But the silence is nothing more than an illusion, a deception to trick the weak minded, for when Mother Night spreads her dark shroud over the skies, the Basin comes to life with a veritable symphony of noise. The thrum of insects, the calls of nocturnal predators, the shriek of hunting bats. The night-time thrives with its own dark music.

Like His creation, the Silent Lord Nocht provides an interesting juxtaposition of quietude and music. As one whose title is no mere laudatory epithet, He is well known for His somewhat reticent demeanour. And yet, for countless years He has been the Patron of the Harbinger's guild, the bards, musicians, and mortal Keepers of the Song of Mahalla. One might find it strange that One who is well known for His quiet nature would be so drawn to a group of mortals whose primary purpose and expression is the safeguarding and utilization of sound. But this again is a deception for the weak minded. The Silent Lord is no stranger to sound, and indeed, His teachings are complimentary to those of the Fallen Mahalla, for whom the Harbingers are Heralds.

Mahalla was once an Elder Goddess, an Artist of the Fourth Circle, and one of those tasked with Keeping the Great Song of Creation alive. While the extent of Her accomplishments while alive may never be fully known, what is known of Her is Her death, and Her accomplishments thereafter. As the Soulless Gods raged across the First World, they sought the power of the Great Song, wishing to devour it to satiate Their own endless hunger. Many Keepers fell, and much of the Great Song was lost. Yet some were willing to do the unthinkable, and sever Themselves from Their Voice, instructing Its endowed consciousness to preserve the Song at all costs. The Elders Themselves then fled, either dying to the Soulless, or becoming lost in the Void.

Mahalla was one to suffer this fate, Her form becoming lost within the Void and eventually succumbing, while Her Voice travelled the First World, ever seeking to protect the Song. But the death of Mahalla had a profound impact on Her severed Voice. She had died, yet Her Song lived on. Perhaps there was a way to always circumvent death itself. And so the Voice of Mahalla searched, and in Her search She found mortals. As She studied them, with their weak soul shards that could somehow transcend death itself, returning time and time again, She realized that mortals held the key to Her goal. If mortal shards could survive death, even being devoured by a Soulless God only to return, then perhaps Her Song could be kept by them. She watched, and She waited, seeking a group of mortals strong enough and capable enough to ensure the survival of Her Song. And as She did, She developed a system of strengthening the mortal soul: Her Shadowed Concerto.

Like with any concerto, the Shadowed Concerto consists of three movements, independent but part of a greater whole. Each movement focuses on certain themes, and each provides a different way of strengthening the soul shard, either one's own, or those of others. The Concerto is Her gift to the Harbingers who follow Her, and like Her Song, it is their tool to use. Yet it is not simply a tool, but also a way of looking at the world. And when The Silent Lord and His seven shrouds are examined in view of the Concerto, their complimentary nature makes His patronage a clear choice.

--Nocturnes of Beauty and Twilight--

What does it mean to inspire? What value is there in bringing one's influence to bear upon another, or dazzling them with creative designs? These are things of vital import to the Haunting Nocturne, first of the Concerto's movements.

The Haunting Nocturne carries inspiration at its core, and much of the movement is dedicated to exploring different way to bring about this inspiration. Art, design, and crafting form a large part of the exploration, as does dramatics and stage-work. But that is only one aspect of inspiration. Influence, the ability to lead, to change minds through debate, and to make others follow one's will. These, also, are a form of inspiration.

But Mahalla teaches not simply of artsy techniques or pithy words. Inspiring others is done with a sincerity of spirit. That doesn't mean there is no place for deceit, or manipulation. Rather, inspiration in any of its forms is a product of the soul first, and the mind second. The flames of the divine spark within must be fanned, until the energy overwhelms the vessel and pours out. The energy is then channelled - into an evocative design, beautiful music, a rallying speech, a complex subterfuge, a moving play. By baring the full force of their soul onto another vessel, the Harbinger's divine spark grows stronger, and true death is staved off.

The Haunting Nocturne and its themes permeate the Wyrd, inspiring beauty and creativity, political manoeuvrings, and subtle manipulations. So there is no great surprise to find these themes mirrored in the shrouds of the Silent Lord. And within this resonance to the Song, the Silent Lord teaches of the power of Beauty, and Twilight.

Beauty is a founding cornerstone of the Harbingers, spoken from the very beginning, in the song 'Heart of Darkness' that woke the Voice of Mahalla from Her slumber. "There is no beauty like Glomdoring's dark," the song begins, but that line continues on into the Wyrd for-evermore, an axiomatic truth. Thus it is with the Shroud of Beauty. Even if there is beauty in all things, it pales in comparison to the beauty of Glomdoring. Wyrden beauty must be drawn forth, and shown to the world, so they might know of the Forest's glory, and their failings. In this way, the Wyrd inspires itself, and the world around it.

But just as the Wyrden song is beautiful from beginning to end, so too is Night beautiful from the final glow of dusk to the first blush of dawn. But even her Twilight is a thing of beauty, as she either leads Father Sun on a chase he cannot win, or mockingly casts her cloak behind him as he passes. Twilight is a beginning, and an end, but also a transition, and a means. As Night comes, she teaches of her glory, and so we teach others, moulding their minds and instilling them with the lessons vital to their survival, for ours is a Forest that demands, and expects, no mercy. But even though morning twilight slowly reveals the land around us to the untrained eye, it is still Night's domain. Within these times of partial clarity, people can be easily tricked and deceived, more certain than they ought to be about what the truth really is.

Heed the Haunting Nocturne, and its subtle themes of inspiration and deceit. The Shadowbeat is the music of the Wyrd, heard in every rustle of leaves, every scream amidst the trees, every caw of a crow. Its beauty is beyond compare, as it is the sound of the Forest itself. The Nocturne teaches, not gently, but not violently, bringing about a dark rebirth without death. But the Nocturne lies, and therein is its greatest lesson. Truth is a fiction, only as real as a play upon a stage. Within Twilight's shroud, people will see only what they want to see, and so that is what they will be shown.

--Elegies of Refinement and Silence--

As the Concerto's second movement begins, the Song of Mahalla becomes introspective, and the themes it resounds more reflective on the surrounding world. It is a song of sorrow, ever mournful of things lost. But it is a song of purpose and drive as it looks forward to things to come.

The Umbral Elegy is a song of learning. As mortals look to the past, they become filled with regret. Careless mistakes, poor choices, weakness when there should be strength - these things hound them, and if ignored they become like a barghest, paralysing with its howl. The desire for a better future becomes consuming, as all desires do, but as the weaknesses remain, they will only bring downfall. The Umbral Elegy looks to the past as well, laying bare each moment like a note on a grand score. Their placement is to be studied, and their lessons learned, so that as the song progresses forward it will change for the better. The understanding gained can then be used for the good of the Wyrd. A stronger, more perfect song, in a stronger, more perfect Forest.

In this, the sounds of the Umbral Elegy cleave closely to the Silent Lord. Compared to other movements, the Elegy is quiet indeed, as it turns inward, and its themes focus on serious meditations. So too does the Silent Lord teach with His shrouds of Refinement and Silence.

Like many things in the natural world, mortals carry crude impurities within themselves, and these impurities beget weakness. When faced with stress, the impure will crack and crumble. Yet perfection is not ridding oneself of all things. Iron when pure is soft and malleable, making it near useless. Yet when properly smelted it becomes sturdy, strong steel. Refinement, then, is the art of removing that which makes one weak, while keeping that which makes one strong. Refinement is a challenging process, for it teaches things about oneself that many would prefer to never know. But knowledge of weakness is valuable, for all have weaknesses, and the ability to see them means the ability to exploit them. Those who are strong will exploit the weak, and so natural order is preserved.

Silence stands as perhaps the most perplexing of the shrouds, as comes to the Shadowbeat and those who sing it. Misunderstanding, however, is not truth. Silence is not a lack of outward noise. It refers instead to a quiet mind, calm and undisturbed even during the most raucous of occasions. The Silent mind is a mind of patience. It knows the value of timing, of choice words and carefully considered actions. It is not rushed, but neither is it slow. Free from distraction, the Silent mind can work at whatever pace is appropriate to the task. The Silent mind is a discerning mind, able to analyse and assess with alacrity and grace until the opportune moment arises. With proper timing, judicious words, and careful inflection, a quiet chanteur can quell a storm.

Listen for the Umbral Elegy, and its themes of understanding the past to beget strong action for the future. Action, intention, purpose, achievement and failure - each of these notes forms the great Song that guides the Basin and those who dwell within it. To see from whence it came means to guide where it is going. But to do that the Wyrden Song must be stripped of weakness and refined until all that remains is strength. And it must bide its time, knowing when to act and when to retreat; when to fight and when to speak; when to teach and when to learn. Free from impurity and noisome distraction, the Wyrd will prevail.

--Requiems of Shadow and Sacrifice--

Inspiration is meaningless without action. Knowledge serves no purpose if it is not put to use. As the Concerto enters the third movement, it becomes fierce and driven. Its bold rhythms stride forward with keen intent of a deadly Hunter, and its themes teach of the strength of the Wyrd, once subtle, but now made overt.

The Carrion Requiem is no sad lament that breeds weepy, melodramatic soldiers who cry over death. Its melodies and harmonies are those of passion - passion for the Voice of Mahalla and Her Song, passion for the Wyrd, passion for Glomdoring. Every pounding beat, every soaring note, every intense chord, all cry out with one voice, "Nothing Matters But Glomdoring!" as they drive at the weakness in the world, purging it with the glory of shadows. A requiem is a song of repose, sending the dead to their rest. So is the Carrion Requiem, culling the weak without mercy so they will be troubled with their patheticness no more. Those whose souls stand strong before the onslaught still fall, but their Requiem is one of glory - their is soul bared before the Wyrd, and it is judged. Those of weak mind and will will continue to run, and the Carrion Requiem will continue to sing of their demise. The strong souls cry out "Glory be to Glomdoring!" and embrace the Wyrd.

What are the passions of the Silent Lord? Where does He draw the Wyrden woods to bear upon the foes of His Night? A survivor of the Soulless Wars, He is no stranger to conflict. But in His wisdom, He teaches us how to control our passions, and focus them to the greatest extent. Thus does He share His shrouds of Shadow and Sacrifice.

Shadows permeate the Glomdoring, informing every action of the commune. At twilight, Mother Night spreads her shadowy cloak over the Forest, bringing out its true beauty and strength. During the day, the trees themselves twine their skeletal branches together to block the burning hatred of Father Sun. The Forest fae are cloaked in shadow, bound in shadow, and living in shadow. The Heart of Darkness beats with shadows, for shadows are strong. Father Sun's light burns with a rage that will one day consume him, and then he will be gone, but shadows will remain. Mother Moon's light is weak and feeble, and if shadows draw back, they do so to mock her. Shadows will always survive, for shadows are cunning. They know when to advance, and when to retreat. They watch their foes from the corners always, learning about them and adapting, changing, so when the moment is right and they strike, their foes will be unable to defend themselves. And above all, shadows are patient. Their time will come, and when it does, they will stand ready.

The Wyrd gives its chosen great power, but only to those willing to Sacrifice for it. The whole of Glomdoring is built on sacrifice. Everything one has - money, possession, friends, family, status, even one's life - it is nothing compared to the glory of Glomdoring, and so every Dark Forestal must know in their hearts and in their minds that Nothing Matters But Glomdoring, and they must be willing to give up everything they have, and everything they are, if the Wyrd requires it of them. Putting the Dark Forest first in one's heart gives perspective. If all of these things are meaningless to those who serve the Wyrd, then how much more meaningless to those who oppose it. If they cannot willingly sacrifice what they hold dear, then the Wyrden woods will make a sacrifice of it themselves.

Feel the Carrion Requiem as it ignites the passion that lives with you. But do not let that passion run wild. Take to heart the lessons of the shadows, and be as strong as they, as cunning as they, and as patient as they. The Song of the Shadows will never end, and even if it fades to a lull, it will one day come roaring back in a grand crescendo. Fight as the shadows do, taking losses in stride for they are just part of the Sacrifice one must make to glorify the Wyrd. Life, death, and rebirth form an endless cycle, but in order to be reborn, one must first die. Those of the Dark Heart know this, and rejoice in their death. Bring this rebirth to your foes, and rejoice in their death as well.

--Amalgam: A Conclusion--

A concerto is a specific type of musical composition, consisting of three separate but linked movements. Each can stand on its own, but the themes of one play on the themes of another, and it cannot be truly experienced without hearing each in succession. In every concerto, one instrument stands at the fore, but it is not alone. Numerous instruments play the harmonies, complimenting the solo instrument, expanding its themes, and making something much stronger, much more powerful than the one instrument could do on its own.

The Shadowed Concerto stands no less. The themes all resound within the Wyrd, but each is independent. Each can be experienced separately, and studied separately. But one cannot truly know the Shadowbeat without understanding them all. The whole is greater even than the sum of its parts. Likewise the journey of the Herald of the Song. Though they walk their path by themselves, they are not alone. The entire Forest walks with them, supporting them, making them more powerful and stronger than they could be on their own. And in return, they support the Forest, joining its song in unison with the others to create a beautiful, perfect piece.

So too does the Silent Lord remind us. We are not alone. We are not one. We are all part of a greater whole, a grand Amalgam that together surpasses even the combined efforts of the individuals. And so we must always be, ever united for the Glory of Glomdoring. A single wasp is an annoyance, easily crushed. But a hive of wasps is a deadly threat to even the largest of animals, and few are willing to risk the hive's ire. When we act together, we are the most dangerous force in the Basin, and such has been proven time and time again.

Amalgam is not sameness, for sameness is stagnation. Rather, Amalgam brings together unique pieces, and finds what makes them complimentary, so they not only fit together, but work synergistically to strengthen each other. So it is with the Silent Lord. His teachings are not the same as those of Lady Mahalla. But they do not conflict. Instead, they work together in harmony, bolstering each other and leading the Harbingers to greater heights - heights from which they raise up their brethren in the Forest in support, and so are brought higher still.

As each note combines to form chords, and each chord combines to form a harmony, and harmonies play against the melody to produce a song far more beautiful than any single tone could dream of being, so to does every element of our lives combine to form who we are, and every life, and death, and rebirth within the Forest ring together to become the eternal song of shadows. Through it all runs the Shadowed Concerto, just as through it all runs the teachings of Lord Nocht. Keep the both in your heart, even if you keep nothing else, for they are the sounds of the Heart of Darkness which beats for the Wyrden woods. In the end, nothing matters but Glomdoring.