Scourge

Scourges were an exotic variety of whips.

"Personally, I find the scourge to be of great value in temple worship. It is also a great motivator."

- Leeahn, Priestess of Loviatar, Mistress of Pain

Description
Scourges were short, multi-tailed whips laced with barbs. A variety of sharp materials could be used for the barbs, such as bits of metal, broken shards of glass, nails, or even bone.

Weaponology
The barbs on scourges were often dipped in poisons that could be delivered through injury, such as greenblood oil, medium spider venom, and large scorpion venom. Beyond lashing opponents with them, scourges could be used to disarm someone.

Varieties

 * Ebon lash: an enchanted type of scourge that was developed by the Red Wizards of Thay to inflict intense agony upon their foes.
 * Scourge of fangs: an enchanted type of scourge used exclusively by evil clerics. They had adamantine handles and five construct snakes in place of the normal cords.
 * Scourge of pain: a type of scourge typically known to be used by priestesses of Loviatar.
 * Scourge of Tiamat: a variant of the scourge of fangs that used vipers in place of standard snakes.

Religions

 * The goddess Beshaba was known to wield a scourge by the name of Ill Fortune.
 * Scourges were a favored weapon among cultists that worshiped the archduke Glasya, who held the weapon as her holy symbol and was known to wield one herself.
 * Loviatar was typically associated with the scourge. She bore the title of "Scourge Mistress," had the weapon as her holy symbol, and her specialty priests typically fought with them. She was also known to be capable of manifesting a long scourge at will.
 * Scourges were a favored weapon among cultists who worshiped the archdevil Moloch. Moloch himself was known to wield a six-tailed scourge made of rare alloys.
 * Drow priestesses of Lolth were typically known to wield scourges in combat.
 * The demon lord Malcanthet was known to wield an adamantine scourge.
 * Painbearers, a form of speciality priest devoted to the worship of Ilmater, were known to often be trained in the use of scourges.

Races & Monsters

 * Azer Taskmasters were known to wield scourges tipped with flames.
 * Balor were considered some of the most frequent users of scourges.
 * Derro savants were occasionally known to fight with scourges.
 * Pain devils were typically known to wield scourges.