# Zerthimon's Teachings

The eight circles of Zerthimon tell of events in the history of the githzerai people, and include moral lessons to be learnt by the followers of Zerthimon.

### First Circle of Zerthimon

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“	The *illithids* were a race that had come not to *know* themselves. They had learned how to make other races not *know* themselves.	”

—First Circle of Zerthimon
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The First Circle tells of how the githzerai came to be, and came to be enslaved. When the People came to *know* themselves, they ceased to be only thought and became flesh. 

This transition brought the people doubt, greed and jealousy, which divided their minds and attracted the *illithids*, tentacled creatures of chaos who preyed on the minds of the githzerai, enslaving them as a source of labor and food.


### Second Circle of Zerthimon

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“	*Know* that flesh cannot mark steel. *Know* that steel may mark flesh. In *knowing* this, Zerthimon became free.	”

—Second Circle of Zerthimon
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The Second Circle introduces Zerthimon, who worked for the *illithids* in the Field of Husks. One day, he discovered the untouched corpse of a husk which awakened his curiosity. 

He wondered why it hadn't been devoured by the *illithids*, and discovered that it had been killed by a steel blade. He then understood that steel was stronger than flesh, a fact the *illithids* didn't think of because their tools were tools of flesh.



### Third Circle of Zerthimon

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“	He proved himself a slave in the *illithid* eyes while his heart remained free.	”

—Third Circle of Zerthimon
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The Third Circle tells of how Zerthimon accepted punishment for unfounded crimes by his *illithid* master, Arlathii Twice-Deceased instead of revealing his newfound *knowledge* and strength.

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### Fourth Circle of Zerthimon

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“	Vilquar came to *know* that when Vilquar's eye has nothing left to see, Vilquar's eye is useless.	”

—Fourth Circle of Zerthimon
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The Fourth Circle explains how Zerthimon organized the Rising of the People against the *illithid* in secret, teaching them the way to defeat their masters, the *knowledge* of steel, of how to protect their minds and use them as weapons. 

But Vilquar, instead of seeing freedom, saw opportunity and betrayed his people to his master, Zhijitaris, who used Vilquar's eye to locate dissenters and devour their brains. Zerthimon figured out what Vilquar was up to and hushed the brewing rebellion, making him believe it was over. 

Vilquar returned to his master for his promised reward, but was only devoured himself.


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### Fifth Circle of Zerthimon

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“	In hearing her words, he wished to *know* war. He *knew* not what afflicted him, but he *knew* he wished to join his blade to Gith. He wished to give his hate expression and share his pain with the *illithid.*	”

—Fifth Circle of Zerthimon
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The Fifth Circle tells of Gith, a warrior-queen and one of the People. She served as a soldier for the *illithids* and *knew* the ways of war, weapons and conquest. 

She *knew* the *illithids*, and *knew* how to defeat them in battle. So strong was her *knowing* of herself that she inspired others to *know* themselves and follow her. Even Zerthimon laid his blade at her feet.

### Sixth Circle of Zerthimon

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“	From Zerthimon came the Pronouncement of Two Skies. In the wake of his words came war.	”

—Sixth Circle of Zerthimon
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The Sixth Circle of Zerthimon tells of how after the rebellion led by Gith defeated the *illithid* masters, Gith wished to continue the war, and utterly exterminate the *illithids* at all corners of the multiverse, and then bring war to other races they encountered. 

Zerthimon spoke against Gith, and said that *knowing* freedom was enough, that the People should learn to *know* themselves again and mend the damage dealt to them. Both were strong voices and many followers. 

Thus started a civil war that continues to this day between the githzerai and the githyanki.

### Seventh Circle of Zerthimon

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“	All of these things and more the People built upon. In time, they came to *know* the whole.	”

—Seventh Circle of Zerthimon
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The Seventh Circle tells of the long preparation for the Rising, and the time it took for the People to learn the scripture of steel, the meaning of freedom, the observing of their masters' movements, and the gathering of steel for weapons.

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### Eighth Circle of Zerthimon

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“	A divided mind is one that does not *know* itself. When it is divided, it cleaves the body in two. When one has a single purpose, the body is strengthened. In *knowing* the self, grow strong.	”

—Eighth Circle of Zerthimon
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The last Circle speaks of: "focus and discipline... about how not *knowing* oneself can physically divide the man. It also speaks of the weaknesses that division causes. 

It seems to me that it tells one to not only *know* themselves and take strength from that, but that your focus can reveal weaknesses in your enemy."

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