Er Rai

First Herbalist of The Dark Brotherhood

Matron of the Amber bloodline

The rank of herbalist will be passed down to the chosen daughter or granddaughter of the current herbalist and must stay within the Amber bloodline.

Er Rai was retired from the Herbalist position on August 19th, 2021, at the age of 6 years and 9 months. Her daughter, Sadatoni, inherited the position on the same day. Er Rai now spends the remainder of her life among her pack, caring for her last litter of puppies and telling stories to the next generation of the Brotherhood.

Er Rai passed away peacefully on September 6th, 2021. She left behind two daughters, a granddaughter, and her beloved stories. Rather than the standard Dark Brotherhood burial in the crypts beneath the Sanctuary, she was buried outside in the wilderness, so that her body could become one with the Earth and perhaps provide nutrients to the herbs she previously tended to so dutifully. May the Dread Father welcome her, and may she find peace within the Void.

After awhile of intermingling with the hustle and bustle of the Dark Brotherhood's initiates, you find yourself wandering away from the large center of the Dawnstar Sanctuary and toward a small tunnel near the back of the cavern.
You duck through the hanging lichen that sweeps over the tunnel entry, blinking away the sting in your eyes at the sudden elevation in brightness.
A low growl immediately rings in your ears, and you yelp as a harsh blow lands against the side of your skull.

"Who are you?" A strong voice snarls, spit flinging against your muzzle. You open one eye cautiously, blinking up at the muscled wolf that stands before you.
You stammer out your name, and the wolf's hackles fall flat against her haunches. You breathe a low sigh of relief, shaking away the pain.

"The Night Mother told me we'd have a visitor." She glares at you, stalking toward the center of the den you'd just stumbled into. "My name is Er Rai. I was once the Herbalist for the Brotherhood, but I've since retired."

"I met your daughter." You reply, recalling Sadatoni's hostility. "I see where she gets her temper from."

"You must be willing to bite if you want to survive here, stranger." Er Rai sits down, fur seeming to glow in the light that peeked in from the openings at the top of the cave. She thumps her tail against the mossy floor to beckon you forward.
You pad over, sitting beside her. Now that she's no longer threatening your life, you can see her old age peering through. She looks content, but weary. Somehow, she reminds you of someone you once knew.

"Do all elders retire to this den?" You inquire, taking a moment of look around. Piles of soft bedding are strewn about the cave, and small toys made of bones and feathers peek out from beneath nests. You don't see any other wolves except for Er Rai, but their scents are present.

"No, not all. These are Sithis' Chambers, where new mothers and their young reside until they are stable enough to re-enter the Brotherhood." Er Rai smiles at you. "I and a few other wolves help them out. It's a nice day, so they're all outside training in the sun. I'm a bit too stiff for that."
You nod. It's nice to hear that such a merciless group of wolves could even be capable of caring for their young. Maybe they weren't all bad.

"Say, stranger," she interrupts your thoughts, "why don't you stay awhile? I've got plenty of stories to tell, and the young ones are at that age where they'd rather wrestle than listen to their elders rabble on."

You pause, watching her. She sprawls out in a patch of sunlight, tail wagging ever so slightly as you look over. "Sure, Er Rai."
You lay down beside her, resting your head on your paws. The light soaks into your fur, warming your bones. You close your eyes, listening intently as Er Rai begins telling you about her initiation into the Dark Brotherhood. You smile, and you feel at peace.