Icthlarin
 | |
| Icthlarin | |
|---|---|
| Release date | 26 April 2005 (Update) |
| Also called | Iccy, Icthy-aly-rin, The Stranger |
| Race | Dog |
| Members | Yes |
| Quest NPC | |
| Location(s) | Klenter's Pyramid, Empyrean Citadel, Grim Underworld |
| Gender | Male |
| Actions | Talk-to, Examine |
| Examine | A jackal-headed demi god. |
| ? (edit) | |
| Advanced data | |
| NPC ID | ? (edit) |
| Links | MRND |
| Infobox • Talk page | |
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Icthlarin is the Menaphite god of the dead, son of Tumeken and Elidinis, and brother of Amascut, the Devourer, and one of the four major gods of the Desert Pantheon. He was the original leader of the Mahjarrat when they first came to Gielinor. His role as a god is not concerned with the act of death, but with the caretaking of the dead, ensuring that the souls reach the afterlife. Icthlarin's only act is to help the spirits of the dead pass through the Grim Underworld safely so they can reach the afterlife where they can rest peacefully in their next life. His task is impeded by his sister, however, because Amascut's goal is to destroy and consume the souls of the dead before they reach the underworld so they are erased completely. To this end, he is important in the funeral rites of those who worship him. This role as a protector of souls often brings Icthlarin into conflict with his sister goddess. He was featured in 2015 Halloween event alongside with Death and Amascut.
Cats are guardians of Icthlarin, as Amascut is terrified of them, and as the Sphinx protects the cats, so too does Icthlarin protect the Sphinx.
Deity info[edit | edit source]
| Icthlarin | |
|---|---|
| Alignment | Life and death |
| Symbol |  |
| Ascended by | Infused with divine energy from Tumeken and Elidinis[1] |
| Tier | 6[2] |
| Animal aspect | Jackal |
| Colours | Ochre |
| Adjective | ? (edit) |
| Databox • Talk page | |
Personality[edit | edit source]
Icthlarin is a benevolent demi-god who maintains the afterlife. He gets along well with Death for this reason, as the two work together to maintain the balance on Gielinor; Death brings Icthlarin the souls of the deceased to the Underworld, who in turn guides them to their according afterlife. While he appeared to be on good terms with his sister Amascut, after she went mad, Icthlarin is now forced to spend most of his time defending the souls he transports from her soul devourers.
He firmly believes that those whose time have come should remain in the afterlife, although he gives exceedingly rare exceptions to this depending on the situation, such as a mortal whose life was controlled by a god or world-ending threats. While he possesses plenty of power, Icthlarin chooses not to use it for his own gain. He also respects the mortal races' decisions, as shown by him not pressing them to fight for a world they had no interests in despite the universe-ending threat.
Most notable of Icthlarin's personality is his distrust of the Mahjarrat race due to his ideals conflicting with Sliske. While he initially tolerated his revival of the dead to defend against the Zarosian Empire, after the threat was eliminated, he took all of Sliske's wights against his protests, leading to the embittered Mahjarrat joining forces with the enemy and convincing many others to do so. Even after thousands of years, he still finds them hard to trust, believing they all have ulterior motives.
History[edit | edit source]
Origins[edit | edit source]
Icthlarin began his life in the household of Tumeken and Elidinis. However, as hard as they tried, Tumeken and Elidinis could never bear children together so one day, they each took a piece of their divine energy and infused into what they considered to be their next closest family, their beloved pet dog and cat. The dog would then become Icthlarin and the cat Amascut.
In this way Icthlarin became the son of Tumeken and Elidinis, the founding deities of the Menaphite Pantheon and the gods of light and fertility respectively, along with his sister Amascut, who was the goddess of rebirth. The two would work together to watch over the dead. Harold Death would deposit souls in the underworld, bringing them across the River Noumenon with the demon Alathazdrar as the ferryman up to a certain point, and Icthlarin would guide those that wished to move on to the afterlife while Amascut would escort those who desired to be reincarnated to their new bodies.
Together with the other gods of the Menaphite Pantheon, Icthlarin helped establish and rule the Kharidian empire, one of the most prosperous areas on Gielinor at the time. Tumeken would appoint Icthlarin as his heir and so he would play a critical role during the early Second Age, ruling both the living and the dead.
War with Zaros and Recruiting Allies[edit | edit source]
During the Second Age, the peace of the desert became threatened when Zaros, god of control, sought to expand his already vast empire into Menaphite territory, beginning a long and bloody conflict known as the Kharidian - Zarosian War.[3] Icthlarin and the rest of the Pantheon fought to defend the empire, but even they combined struggled to resist the might of the Empty Lord, and slowly but surely more ground was lost to the invaders.
Eventually, as the situation began to become particularly dire, Icthlarin realised that they alone could not turn the tide of battle, and resolved to find allies who could. Leaving Gielinor, Icthlarin eventually came upon the war-torn world of Freneskae, home of the powerful and near-immortal race known as the Mahjarrat. Here, he was able to convince a number of them (though not all[4]) to join him and help bring an end to the Zarosian incursion.
With the Mahjarrat in tow, Icthlarin returned to Gielinor in the midst of battle.[5] Almost immediately, the tide of the war began to change as the Mahjarrat - dubbed the "Stern Judges of Icthlarin" by the Kharidian defenders - quickly started decimating Zaros' forces. For the first time since the war began, the Kharidians were on the offensive.
Ultimately, the Kharidian army and its Mahjarrat allies, under the leadership of Icthlarin[6] were able to successfully expel the Zarosians from the desert, the war culminating in a clash between the two forces at a narrow mountain path in the north which saw the Kharidians victorious at last. Peace, albeit a temporary one, had returned to the desert.
For his actions, Icthlarin became highly respected by the desert folk[7], but the same could not be said for everyone.
Losing the Mahjarrat[edit | edit source]
Following the war, Icthlarin faced new trouble in the form of his own Stern Judges. Despite enjoying the victory against Zaros, the Mahjarrat quickly grew restless with the newfound peace of the desert, while Icthlarin himself became increasingly concerned about one of them in particular - the devious Sliske. During the war, Sliske had collected for himself a number of wight minions out of Zarosians he had snatched via the Shadow Realm. Due to the desperate situation, Icthlarin had been forced to overlook his discomfort with Sliske's actions, but with the war over, Icthlarin - as god of the dead - could not stand by any longer. When Sliske refused to hand over his wights, Icthlarin took them by force, relinquishing their souls to the Grim Underworld. This, however, did not sit well with Sliske, who promptly defected from the desert god's service and offered his allegiance to the Menaphites' enemy: Zaros.[8][9]
Over time, the other Mahjarrat would all follow Sliske's example, steady abandoning Icthlarin for the Empty Lord, until a final mass defection took place, where many of the Mahjarrat promptly left Icthlarin's service for that of the Zarosian Empire, one of the most critical moments in the Second Age. A few Mahjarrat, such as Temekel, continued to maintain their loyalty to Icthlarin and the desert, although it is not known if he was aware of them.
Rivalry with Amascut[edit | edit source]
Around this time, Icthlarin also began to face trouble from within his own family. His sister Amascut, the then-goddess of rebirth, had seen the power of the Mahjarrat (or alternatively, as implied by Mahjarrat Memories, the power of the Elder Goddess Mah) and become disturbed by it, to the point it drove her insane. Amascut declared herself The Devourer, intent on feasting upon the souls of the deceased[10] and reap destruction upon the land, in direct opposition to her brother and the rest of the Pantheon, whom she now held with great contempt. Icthlarin and Amascut have been locked in a rivalry ever since.
Sometime after her metamorphosis, Amascut began to destroy her own temples and clergy. In response, her followers, including Neite - then one of Amascut's chief priestesses - rose up against her, cursing her that her name would be forgotten, any body she held would cast her out before long, and never again could she assemble willing disciples. Amascut, however, retaliated with a curse of her own, binding her priests in her own form, dooming them to walk the world as cats, which she in turn grew deathly afraid of.
Icthlarin, seeking to protect Neite and the others from his sister's wrath, brought them under his wing, gifting them with immortality that they may never die from natural causes.[11] Around the same time, Icthlarin also appointed the Sphinx as the guardian of feline kind, safeguarding them against the agents of the Devourer in return for eternal life.[12]
Amascut's insanity would cause great problems for Icthlarin, as in addition to causing troubles on the surface, she had created beasts to prowl the underworld, eager for souls to devour. This meant that escorting and guarding souls through the underworld took up more of Icthlarin's time, and meant that he would not always be successful, with many souls being devoured by Amascut's beasts. Icthlarin's role now consumes so much of his time that he has little time to devote to what happens on the surface, only interfering when he absolutely must.
The Struggle for Klenter's Soul[edit | edit source]
| “ | What's this? A mortal thieving from my domain? This will not do. | ” |
| — Icthlarin, confronting his sister's latest pawn | ||
In the year 169 of the Fifth Age, Amascut sought to obtain the soul of Klenter, a former High Priest of Icthlarin. To this end, Amascut - disguised as The Wanderer, hypnotised a passing adventurer into infiltrating his tomb and stealing one of the canopic jars. This act of depravity, however, did not go unnoticed by the god of the dead, prompting Icthlarin himself to appear before his sister's latest tool and relinquish the Devourer's hold over them, denying Amascut Klenter's soul.
Kidnapping of Death and Sliske's Grand Ascension[edit | edit source]
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In year 1 of the Sixth Age, Icthlarin called upon the help of the adventurer as Death is missing. On receiving an invitation box to Sliske's ascension, Icthlarin realised it was him who kidnapped Death. The adventurer opened the box and the two teleported to the Empyrean Citadel. As only the gods were actually invited, Icthlarin proceeded into the citadel while the adventurer was forced another way in. After passing three trials, the adventurer infiltrated the main room after getting an invitation and Sliske released the dragonkin Strisath, who shot balls of fire at Icthlarin and the adventurer as they attempted to release Death from his cage. After Death's release, Icthlarin's magical shield faded and Death teleported them out of the Citadel before an approaching fireball hit them.
Gauntlet of Souls[edit | edit source]
After Tuska's death at the hands of Vorago, Tuska plunged into the ocean between Karamja and the Khardian Desert. An excess of souls that had been trapped alongside the debris orbitting the now-dead god-beast, were released into Gielinor's Underworld, putting Icthlarin under a greater pressure than usual. Amascut sought to use this to her advantage, she did however not have much success in stealing these souls from Icthlarin, as Death went to the surface world, to gather allies to help stop Amascut.
Icthlarin demonstrated how he usually escorted souls to safety from his sister so they can move on. He had to pass numerous soul devourers scattered across the bridge across the mythical River Noumenon, always out for the souls. On the other side of the bridge, Amascut appeared occasionally and used her avatar, a massive powerful lion-headed apparition to block the entrance, although the avatar was repeatedly defeated by Icthlarin and his allies, Amascut soon returned with a new manifestation of the avatar to continue her endless hunt for souls.
Nomad's Threat[edit | edit source]
Icthlarin is first seen when the World Guardian ended up in Death's office after an explosion killed them and Zimberfizz while investigating Nomad's throne room at his temple. He explained to them that Nomad created an army, took the Soul obelisk, and invaded his fortress. Meanwhile, Nomad began to grab the souls of everyone that died in Gielinor to fuel his plans, and Icthlarin attempted to shield as much as he could but is not enough. He told the adventurer to meet him at his headquarters right outside his fortress to discuss a plan.
After the plan is made, he besieges his fortress, taken by Nomad, along with the World G uardian, Death, and a few other "dead" allies. After facing heavy Ascension resistance, they encounter the abomination that Nomad was creating. Icthlarin helped out by using the many spirits inside the fortress to increase his own strength so he could defend himself from Gielinor's attacks and reflect it back at the abomination. After Nomad is defeated, he or Death kills Gielinor, after which Sliske arrives. If Icthlarin killed Gielinor, he will obtain an invitation ticket from him, and before Icthlarin and Death can exact revenge on Nomad, Sliske takes him away.
Back at headquarters, after the World Guardian said farewell to their friends, Icthlarin offered them a chance to allow Zanik to return to the mortal realm temporarily since her life was cut short due to Bandos' actions. In addition, the Soul Obelisk was somehow still intact and both Death and Icthlarin needed someone to watch it just in case someone else tried to use it for their plans. The World Guardian could decide whether she can return or not, and after their decision is made, he returns to his duties.
Sliske's Endgame[edit | edit source]
Icthlarin is first seen together with Death in his office when the World Guardian is tasked with sending out the invitation to his game to all gods. Icthlarin and Death explained that they have no intentions of obtaining the Stone of Jas for themselves as it would serve to only distract them from their purpose on Gielinor. They do however, agree to work together to support them to their fullest extent during Sliske's game.
During the game, Sliske managed to depower all the gods within his labyrinth. Icthlarin was the first one to be found by the World Guardian within the maze. He was slowly losing his divinity and started reverting back to his canine origin. They could choose to help Icthlarin where by he will then follow them for the rest of the labyrinth. Icthlarin can be talked to at any time during the maze where he will display his slow memory degradation and increasingly canine behaviour.
After the defeat of Sliske and his subsequent escape from the labyrinth, Icthlarin thanks and guides the World Guardian to Relomia in Draynor Village to break the news of Sliske's demise.
After the quest, Icthlarin can then be found permanently in the Underworld, on the bank of River Noumenon opposite his fortress next to the war table. The World Guardian can talk to him to find out how he feels about the quest and his canine origins under Tumeken and Elidinis.
Defending Gielinor[edit | edit source]
With the threat of the Elder Gods looming following the Battle of the Monolith, Azzanadra told the World Guardian to ask Icthlarin for aid. They found him in Seren's council, where he expressed concern over Seren's influencing aura. The World Guardian told him of the threat; Icthlarin did not trust Azzanadra due to the Mahjarrat race turning on him thousands of year ago, but promised that he would help find other alternatives for them.
While the rest of the forces were fighting the Elders' forces on a losing battle, Icthlarin traveled the multiverse, arriving at other worlds and informing them of the threat on Gielinor. Unsurprisingly, none of these forces wished to assist, as they were only concerned for their own well-being and believed they could put up a fight. Icthlarin arrived at Senntisten with the alliance fighting off all four forces - the Nodon dragonkin, glacors, Croesus' fungi and the TzekHaar. Seren and Armadyl were pleased to see him, while Saradomin and Zamorak wondered what he had been doing.
Icthlarin explained what he had been doing to support the cause and noted the group had resorted to necromancy to supplement their forces. While he normally disliked such tactics, he tolerated it due to the severity of the situation outside. He then proposed an alternative to necromancy - an amulet once held by his brother Het, who had it locked away and hidden in ruins at the Duel Arena. Icthlarin promised to retrieve the amulet, but warned them that its powers might not be suitable for this battle and that he wanted supervision over the amulet to prevent it from being misused.
When Icthlarin arrived at the Duel Arena, he was surprised to find that it had been destroyed and turned into an oasis. With the World Guardian's help, Icthlarin was able to recover the amulet and held onto it as requested. The World Guardian also found evidence that one of the gods was responsible for its destruction. As they began to investigate the gods, Khazard ambushed Icthlarin and stole the amulet.
After Zamorak's deception was revealed, the World Guardian returned to Het's Oasis to check in on Icthlarin per Azzanadra's request. Icthlarin cursed the entirety of the Mahjarrat to the void and asked them what happened to the amulet. He was horrified to learn Zamorak had destroyed it, although somewhat relieved as it could no longer be misused. The World Guardian also informed him of worse news in that Zamorak had abandoned his post. With little time left, Icthlarin gave the World Guardian some rewards and left for the Underworld to make preparations.
Powers and Abilities[edit | edit source]
As a demigod, Icthlarin is of lesser power than most major gods. He is still very powerful compared to mortals, as he must regularly exercise his power defending souls from Amascut until they reach the underworld. His role is crucial to the cycle of life and death on Gielinor. He presumably, like his sister, has the ability to possess or hypnotise mortals but has not done such so far. He is capable of creating mental links with mortals he has met in person, allowing for quick communication if needs be.[13]
Icthlarin's control over the undead far exceeds that of most necromancers and he can normally dispatch dozens of undead with a wave of his hand.[14][15]Icthlarin is also capable of creating shields that can protect from dragonfire from an enraged Dragonkin[16] or deflect attack against a forged god[17] for a time, though not indefinitely.
Icthlarin is theoretically able to tap into the power flowing through the Underworld and rival any of the major gods, even Saradomin, but he chooses not to.[18]
Dialogue[edit | edit source]
Graphical updates[edit | edit source]
Icthlarin's model has been updated in 2013 with the release of Missing, Presumed Death and has replaced the old model used in Icthlarin's Little Helper. The model has been updated again with the release of Sliske's Endgame in 2016 and has been used to replace the one in Missing, Presumed Death. However new quests continue to use the 2013 model.
Icthlarin after 15 October 2013 (update)
Icthlarin after 19 December 2016 (update)
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Icthlarin's chathead after 15 October 2013 (update)
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Update history[edit | edit source]
- patch 27 February 2023 (Update):
- The Icthlarin cutscene in Icthlarin's Little Helper now uses his latest character model.
- patch 31 January 2022 (Update):
- The Duel Arena destruction cutscene will now automatically play when talking to Icthlarin by the entrance, instead of when entering the area.
- 13 December 2021 (Update):
- Icthlarin was added to the cathedral in the Elder God Wars Dungeon.
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- Icthlarin is probably based on the ancient Egyptian god Anubis, the wolf-headed (commonly misinterpreted as jackal-headed) god of the dead, and Bastet, goddess of cats and protection.
- His symbol is an ankh (☥), an ancient Egyptian symbol which was popular with pharaohs' tombs. It means 'life'.
- The examination text for Icthlarin in a dog-like state is possibly a reference to Man's best friend, a common phrase about domestic dogs.
- In Sliske's Endgame, Death can be asked how Icthlarin would die. Death cryptically states: "Poor Icthlarin, I feared looking into his future... His end is painful. The rending of teeth, the taste of blood. He dies fearing for others, and that is what truly kills him. Though it breaks my oath, I will never let that happen. I can't let him feel that kind of pain. Not Icthlarin."
References[edit | edit source]
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- Non-player characters
- Dogs
- Male characters
- Quest NPCs
- Interactive characters
- Non-interactive characters
- Gods
- Icthlarin's Little Helper
- Missing, Presumed Death
- Nomad's Elegy
- Sliske's Endgame
- Desperate Times
- Desperate Measures
- Azzanadra's Quest
- City of Senntisten
- Elder God Wars Dungeon
- 2015 Halloween event
- Tumeken's Dream
- Roots in the Community
- Eye of Het I
- Eye of Het II
- Twilight of the Gods