In the Year 185, the Guild entered a time of great trouble with the news that Sherabas, the mother of all spiders had captured Tallisman and delivered him into the hands of the demon Openthax. In the time that followed a dark cloud hung over the Guild, and the Monks filled with sorrow, especially Tallisman's wife Schuyla, as plans were made to rescue him. Many parties set out to scout around Bellegost and several attempts were made, but it wasn't until the seer Calryssa made her prophecy that the way was shown.
The messages displayed below (as posted on the Monk's Guild Board) and the log of his rescue tell the harrowing tale of Tallisman's disapearance and the joy of his rescue.
Subject: Grim news...
Date: Tue, 09 November 1999 11:34 AM EST
From: SpriteHume
Message-id: <19991109113458.09420.00002297@ng-fp1.aol.com>
"Monks!" yelps a small voice, oviously in some pain.
"Please! You must help! Please god, please help!"
Schuyla turns, Shanathora's muscles ripple beneath her and she spies a wee
sprite, wings battered and torn, bloody and barely able to fly.
Quickly she gathers her powers and without question, goes about the monkly
business of healing. As wave after wave of energy flow into the sprite she
senses a wound that may never heal - a deep penetrating slice into the very
soul of the sprite.
The sprite, now able to move, his physical wounds all but mended, flits to
Schuyla's shoulder and begins to recite a grim turn of events...
"In Dirimloth we were, curbing the evil that lurks in that place, trying
to make the forest's safe once more for us sprites. Everything was going
to plan and many a bone devil was sent back to it's warped dimension.
"It was then they appeared... the spiders I mean... before we knew what had
happened, both of us were mindmazed, over and over... we couldn't move..."
The sprite shudders.
"At that point..."
The sprite begins to breathe heavily, his eyes round and white, showing a
deep set fear.
At Schuyla's urging, he conitnues in a quiet, almost inaudible voice. "The
Queen of the spiders it was.. Sherabas her name... she'd been seeking him
for many years. Oh, so many years. The things she said... my skin crawls...
I cannot tell all. The things she said to us - to him - filthy things..."
"Then she tore into him... oh Lady, his blood was everywhere! Time after
time her mandibles did bite, slashing, tearing... he couldn't fight, neither
of us could - we were constantly stunned. He.. he.. just had to stay there
while she... she rent him."
Schuyla's soul grows cold with dread and the sprite continues, wanting to
tell the whole story now as if it will somehow succor the wounds he has...
"Lady, do you not recognise me? Do you not know who I am?"
Schuyla shakes her head yet knowing in her heart what comes next will shake
her very being.
"Sherebas... hurt him. Deeply. And as he screamed and writhed in agony, she
laughed. She laughed! Her poison dripped on his skin and where it touched
it boiled and blistered..."
The sprites eyes glisten and tears stream down his cheeks.
"Then she stopped and took her brood back below ground leaving him lying
there, broken. My energy was so depleted I could not heal though I tried
over and over... "
"Schuyla..."
"This is not the worst. Before Sherebas departed she whispered a dark, old
tongue. The air thickened with evil... a rotten stench rose from the ground.
Birds in the trees died and fell to earth... ah Schuyla... they came... the
one's who are seeking him..."
"Schuyla I am Hume..."
Schuyla reels. Her world crashes down around her as the import of the sprites
name hits home.
"Openthax... Ikunanax... they have him now... they have him..."
"Schuyla, your husband, my brother, lies in constant torture at their hands.
If you don't rally the monks, Tallisman will be lost. Forever. This land
will never see him again. They seek what knowledge he has of the orb
he pieced together. I do not know how long he can hold against such evil...
I implore you... rally your monks..."
The sprite falls
silent.
Hume,
Sprite
Shaman.
Subject: Re: Grim news...
Date: Tue, 09 November 1999 07:32 PM EST
From: UubuDBGT
Message-id: <19991109193232.13752.00003406@ng-fw1.aol.com>
Thain clentches his fist and closes his eyes and speaks softly
"Guild or not....friends are forever and more!" Unshealting his katana and
reading his boa he teleports into
Bellegost.
Subject:
Re: Grim news...
Date: Wed, 10 November 1999 12:37 AM EST
From: FDoloughan
Message-id: <19991110003724.02578.00003070@ng-cn1.aol.com>
Ack!!!!
Mi'lady Schuyla, my hands an heart be at yer command to aid ye obtain his
release....
This be too much to tolerate!
Henry
Subject: Re: Grim news...
Date: Wed, 10 November 1999 08:44 PM EST
From: CPH05
Message-id: <19991110204400.11807.00003085@ng-fe1.aol.com>
Gasp.
Sneakers and Talli. My eyes may fail me but my mind is at your service.
Truth Talker Tessae, Priestess of
Light
Mad mentor 6 of
Spades
Lemony Freshness and wot.
Oddly Normal Monk
Tessa elf, Pie
Lady.
Subject: Tallisman
Date: Thu, 11 November 1999 03:39 AM EST
From: Openthax
Message-id: <19991111033935.01655.00003678@ng-bh1.aol.com>
Monks of Devardec,
Your precious maggot of light, Tallisman, grows tiresome in his resilience.
The time has come to offer you an ultimatum. Give up the orb into my hands
and seek the shards no more. If you fail to give up the secret in five days
and do not cease in searching for the shards I will deliver your GL back
to you in small pieces. His hands are already likened to smashed pulp, so
I will start with his fingers... Thereafter, a bloody piece of him will be
sent
to you daily until you give me what I want.
::Openthax runs a broken, festering nail across Tallisman's soul. Tallisman
bucks and heaves against his bonds and screams in primal agony::
Five days worms. Five days...
Openthax, a greater
devil.
Subject: Re: Tallisman
Date: Thu, 11 November 1999 06:25 AM EST
From: SpriteHume
Message-id: <19991111062551.10837.00000001@ng-bh1.aol.com>
Hume of the Wizards Guild sees Openthax's words and reels.
"Monk's hear me. Yester eve, I made contact with Talli at the urging of Dolendo
and Schuyla. He is weak, so, so weak; yet he lives. I could gain very little
knowledge but Openthax is prepared to smash your Guild in order to get what
he wants. Talli refuses to give up the secrets and whereabouts of the shards
but a fear builds in him for the safety of this Guild."
Hume sinks to the floor, the strength in his wings no longer able to keep
him aloft.
"Monk's I implore you to do whatever you can... my brother's life is in your
hands... Schuyla? Talli sends you a personal message..."
Hume takes Schuyla to one side and speaks thus "Talli said "Heart of mine,
the other half mine self, do not forsake me. Believe in me, hold the flame
of my soul close for only with your love will I prevail." Lady, his love
for you is a power that cannot be broken. It sustains him in this gimmest
of hours..."
Hume squeezes his sister-in-law and backs away. He stares into the night
and wails "Openthax! All greater devils, hear my words! You claimed blood
feud and blood fued you now have! I will not rest until the last of your
kind lies dead and sent back to whichever dimension spawned your foulness!"
The sprite falls silent and returns to his
Guild.
Hume,
Sprite
Shaman.
Subject: Re: Tallisman
Date: Thu, 11 November 1999 10:50 AM EST
From: Amusdtd1
Message-id: <19991111105006.01122.00000051@ng-fz1.aol.com>
Openthax,
there is no chance of us giving up our secrets. We will, however, free Tallisman
and do our best to destroy you. I personally vow every ounce of strength
left in my tortured soul to this
cause.
Missionary
Padow
Guardian of the Rings
I wrote this really really tiny
and gave it a funky color so you would have to strain your eyes and would
never figure out what it
said.
Subject: Re: Tallisman
Date: Thu, 11 November 1999 10:20 PM EST
From: Zona1234
Message-id: <19991111222038.01134.00000294@ng-fz1.aol.com>
::Reads the message left by Openthax and thinks before speaking
or repsonding::
My fellow monks, I think maybe we should give him what he wants.... Naw I
say we gather our strength and face him! Be it in physical conflict or Spiritual
support of Tallisman, We should focus our energies however we may can and
defeat thiis enemy of the Guild. But I will stress that Violence only begets
Violence... Sometimes the power of Positive attitude, Love, and the channeling
of ones own personal Ki is even a better weapon.
::Posts his note and walks off to Meditate on finding and saving
Tallisman::
~Kagetora~
Gigilo of Love
Last of the Silver
Circle
Silver Missionary of the Monk's Guild
Aroura's Rose of the House
of the Rose
Subject: Re: Tallisman
Date: Fri, 12 November 1999 04:30 AM EST
From: TerrisRIP
Message-id: <19991112043007.02099.00000415@ng-fc1.aol.com>
The hulking figure of Vibex lopes into the guild, spider ickor drips from
his snout and claws...
It is still night and 'the call' is still upon him and he cannot voice his
message. With great care he uses a talon to scratch his note..
'Her dead, no
Talli'
Vibex drops an eyeball and howls to the moon, turns and is quickly gone...
Subject: Re: Tallisman
Date: Fri, 12 November 1999 06:15 PM EST
From: UubuDBGT
Message-id: <19991112181541.15124.00000443@ng-fn1.aol.com>
Thain clentches his fist and his eyes grow red.
"W-What?! Come back here you damn beast!!!" Thain exclaims stalking after
Vibex with a blazing katana in
hand!
Subject: Re: Tallisman
Date: Sat, 13 November 1999 12:08 AM EST
From: Nelso47961
Message-id: <19991113000818.09198.00000509@ng-fy1.aol.com>
Just a question. Why in the world would Openthax want to bug me? First of
all, I'm Petina. Secondly, I'm not even strong enough to kill Openthax. Ok,
I am, but that doesn't matter. Third, I thought Openthax was after the masters
of the Guild. I've been around a long time, but I'm not really a master.
And if I am, you people should get around to telling the people about that
sort of thing.
Petina.
Subject: Re: Tallisman
Date: Sat, 13 November 1999 09:39 AM EST
From: Stoic Rain
Message-id: <19991113093959.04919.00000615@ng-cs1.aol.com>
So it begins....
There shall be nothing left of Openthax when I get ahold of him. Neither
pain, nor torment, nor death itself will cease me in my hunt for Openthax.
There is no threat in my words towards that foul creature, only promises...
Vex
Subject: Re: Tallisman
Date: Sat, 13 November 1999 11:55 AM EST
From: Openthax
Message-id: <19991113115523.10716.00000720@ng-bh1.aol.com>
The ring on the finger is half immersed in swollen flesh and shattered bone
where Openthax has concentrated his torturous attentions...
Openthax laughs again and his brother, Ikunanax, sneers at Tallisman's agony...
Ikunanax opens a chest and inside are instruments designed purely for the
function of inflicting pain on mortals. From the chest he pulls a pair of
steel pincers and immerses them in a glowing brazier..
Sherebas, cloaked in shadows in one corner, gloats with an almost physical
pleasure at seeing the one she sought so long finally succumbing to her
will.
Subject: Re: Tallisman
Date: Sat, 13 November 1999 01:54 PM EST
From: MilleniumMan2002
Message-id: <19991113135455.07421.00000763@ng-cf1.aol.com>
Where you the GLs??? Come on guys make a call! Are we just gonna stand idle
against openthax? We cant go out alone saying we will take him down cause
we won't. We need to band together and hunt him down or try to negotiate
or something of that sort. I've been waiting for you guys to step in and
do something but its been two of tallisman's five last days and you seem
to stand idle! Why dont you guys show some
leadership and do something?
Elightened
Brother Dolendo
Dawn of
Light
The Enlightened Monk
Subject: Re: Tallisman
Date: Sat, 13 November 1999 02:55 PM EST
From: Zona1234
Message-id: <19991113145545.02208.00000894@ng-ck1.aol.com>
Ver\y Well Dolendo, I have seen Schuyla step up and mention that
she wants and needs her husband. Is she not a G.L.? Have you heard her? Have
you heard her pain whne she speaks of Tallisman? Have you heard the hatred
in her voice for that Damned Openthax? I think not. But it is there. One
can only do so much when they know not
where the lair lies. Put your faith in your God or Goddess for they shall
see you through
this.
~Kagetora~
Spirit of Love
Last of the Original
Founders of the Silver
Circle
Silver Missionary of the Monk's Guild
Aroura's Rose of the House
of the Rose
Subject: Re: Tallisman
Date: Sat, 13 November 1999 05:04 PM EST
From: MilleniumMan2002
Message-id: <19991113170432.07432.00000865@ng-cf1.aol.com>
I would like to forward a public apoligy to the GLs and any one else this
might of offened. Sometimes when emotions are high and there is a lot of
stress you say things that you shouldn't. I hope you guys understand.
Elightened
Brother Dolendo
Dawn of
Light
The Enlightened Monk
Subject: Re: Tallisman
Date: Sat, 13 November 1999 10:40 PM EST
From: Zona1234
Message-id: <19991113224020.09073.00000407@ng-bk1.aol.com>
Dolendo,
Begins are such delicate times, You have not offended so there is nothing
to forgive. I have seen your passion and at one time I was very much as you
are. Eager, openly angry, and ready to fight the foes of the Guild. This
shows you are very worthy Monk if anything. Be well and never give up.
~Kagetora~
Spirit of Love
Last of the Original
Founders of the Silver
Circle
Silver Missionary of the Monk's Guild
Aroura's Rose of the House
of the Rose
Subject: Re: Tallisman
Date: Sun, 14 November 1999 06:13 AM EST
From: TerrisRIP
Message-id: <19991114061355.07352.00000988@ng-fl1.aol.com>
Vibex lopes into the Guild, many cuts and bites mark his fur...
I do what I can but I no match for Openthax on my own and he keeps bringing
Sherbot Dip back from the dead!
Vibex the Wolf
PeAdras
Hound
Subject: Monk's Hunt to Sherabas
Date: Sat, 13 November 1999 10:03 PM EST
From: MilleniumMan2002
Message-id: <19991113220307.01287.00000902@ng-fx1.aol.com>
Under the leadership of Radiance, and a drive to find clue's of Tallisman's
whereabouts, earlier today we conducted a hunt to sherabas. Upon the hunt
through the gauntlet, we ecounted Openthax and slain him. But, in the words
of Radiance "It will take more than one kill to get rid of him" (or something
along that). So if I'm correct its Monks 1 Openthax 0.
Elightened
Brother Dolendo
Dawn of
Light
The Enlightened Monk
Subject: Re: Monk's Hunt to Sherabas
Date: Sun, 14 November 1999 09:46 PM EST
From: UubuDBGT
Message-id: <19991114214627.23480.00001350@ng-fv1.aol.com>
I don't think you can get rid of him...as you would know, or should
now. The Doomagans worship the devils as if they were gods. My cousin found
out the hard way. Get if of the Doomagans, you get rid of the devils....or
something close to it....
Thain
The
Outsider
Subject: Re: Monk's Hunt to Sherabas
Date: Mon, 15 November 1999 08:30 AM EST
From: TerrisRIP
Message-id: <19991115083005.08207.00001941@ng-fi1.aol.com>
A soggy, smelly Vibex sloshes into the guild looking dejected. With a very
wet quil he writes a note on the boards.
Found a Doomigan boat so
though to kill em and get devil etc. Unfortunately the lag killed me, the
lag between me thinking and doing! They then shoot me full of arrows!
Not feeling too good just at the mo, going to
bed.
You notice the ink starting to run down the board and drip onto the floor.
Subject:
The Rescue...
Date: Mon, 15 November 1999 10:18 AM EST
From: HeatherSnt
Message-id: <19991115101823.21710.00001338@ng-fb1.aol.com>
Schuyla lies upon the cot in the house she shares with Tallisman, sleeping
fitfully. A frown is etched upon her brow, one that seems to have been there
for weeks now, as she tosses and turns amid the dreams. The blasted dreams,
if only she could stop them...
Colors swirl, images fade, screams of terror and anguish amid squeals
of glee. A whip is brought back by a gnarled hand and lands upon a well-loved
shoulder.
NOOOOOO.....
She throws the covers back and rolls to one side, moaning in her sleep.
The voice, the evil..."maggot
of light"...a cackling
laugh...
Screaming his name, she pounds the pillow, still asleep and in the throes
of her nightmare.
A spell being cast...his
soul slowly being leeched from him...the clittering sound of legs upon
stone...
Perspiration marks her brow as the images crowd her brain, so tired as she
has tried to desperately to hold her courage and faith strong...
The spiders descent...the
form a circle around his body...a ring of
spiders...
Screaming in terror, she wakes, her body soaked with sweat. She bolts up
in the bed, crying his name for the thousandth time, sobbing when she realizes
again he is not there.
She rises from the bed, and to his desk, touching the scrolls he last touched
reverently, wishing there was some clue. Then a brilliant light flashes in
her mind, and she knows. She knows. She sits at the desk, and draws a quill
from the holder, and writes.
"Monks of Devardec,
Ask not how I know, but I am sure where Tallisman lies. Many of you were
headed in the right direction. Sherabas surely took him and brought him to
her lair, but Openthax would be too smart to leave him there. I know not
how I am certain, but we must seek out Sherabas first. And from there, we
will find the Way.
The images of my dream...they mean something...but what I am not sure. I
ask you to help me. Study them, think what it could mean. Perhaps there is
a way to open doors we do not see, to pass through portals we did not know
were there. But my mind is weary, and I cannot think...
Monks...my dearest friends and family...we start this eve. Our quest to find
the man who is my husband, who loves you all, will begin. We will need you
all, then and now to seek the truth in the dreams. Stand with me...we will
never fall...
Schuyla
Runs with Scissors
Schuyla
Paladin of Hope, Monks
GL
Subject: Re: The Rescue...
Date: Mon, 15 November 1999 12:25 PM EST
From: RADlANCE
Message-id: <19991115122537.00112.00001301@ng-ff1.aol.com>
My dear friend, Schuyla, I'm
afraid I may not be able to be here when you seek your husband tonight. I
will do my best, but if I am not here, know that I go with you in spirit
and heart, and I pray that any courage and strength I possess may be felt
by you and that it may encourage you.
Radiance
Radiance's Light
page
Subject: Why do you summon me?
Date: Tue, 16 November 1999 01:44 AM EST
From: Calryssa
Message-id: <19991116014433.10455.00001513@ng-fa1.aol.com>
Seek ye the one with the sun and the moon?
Is it love that brings thee to me?
To where the light of the stars sprinkle down,
and open eyes to what will be.
I cast my light upon the shadowed stillness,
gazing into the lucid flame.
Looking deep for that one in the devil's grasp,
screaming in torment and pain.
Look into your soul on the darkest of nights,
with only the darkest of eyes.
In that wee small corner of a troubled heart,
you will hear his tortured cries.
What light summons beyond the dark veil,
breaking a reverie deep?
What powerful angel is moved by prayer to pull
ancient powers asleep?
Awakening now to the red streaked dawn
stars fading across the sky.
The distant sun casting embers of truth,
I look with guarded eye.
There is a stone base of blackened onyx
in a room of death and decay.
Stone upon stone, as in step upon step,
you will open the way.
A darker place crosses the path murky red,
bloody rivulets dripping down.
A morbid collection replete, yet completed
by an instrument of reknown.
The whispered souls of the dead and dying
mixed in heady despair.
A devil's laugh, a scornful phrase, as sarcasm
chimes through the air.
The souls move on in tormented glee, followers
all of the powers that be.
They are blocking a path that no weapon can clear,
until their souls are free.
Acid burning the fire-scorched flesh,
as the body slowly decays.
Deamons dancing upon the hearth, as the
woman in love kneels and prays.
Reach out your hand, but not your hand,
as the webbing takes it toll.
To fight the lady requires a skill, or a tool
she cannot control.
The sun fills the sky, it's power restoring
fortunes of travellers bold.
While the angel retires, in mournful sleep,
her prophecies foretold.
I stand at the entrance, the light I protect, with
power from monks of old.
Be warned, the love in your hearts and your minds,
is all that you hold.
Calryssa, Oracle of
Elaina
Ancient Seer and
Prophetess
Subject: Re: Why do you summon me?
Date: Tue, 16 November 1999 08:50 AM EST
From: HeatherSnt
Message-id: <19991116085011.16535.00000010@ng-tx1.aol.com>
Schuyla reads the Oracle's words again and again, each time gleaning a bit
more from them...
"please, everyone, read her words...help me to solve the puzzle. Where is
Tallisman, and what do we need to reach him?"
Runs with Scissors
Schuyla
Paladin of Hope, Monks
GL
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