|
The Tale of Sir Tallica
1. The Youth
Tallica was born to a common blacksmith in a small
town located in central Perrigor. Under his father's tutelage,
Tallica learned the ways of the sword and shield. Young Tallica
dreamt of one day becoming the greatest knight the land has known. Of
course Tallica's father let him continue his dreams, knowing full
well the destiny that lay before Tallica's feet. Tallica lead a
happy, if not secluded, childhood. The lands of Perrigor were, for
the most part, peaceful and the small town that Tallica grew up in
had never known war before. This all changed one fateful day when
Tallica's town was besieged by a neighboring tyrant. Tallica, a young
lad of 15 now, strongly wished to join the town's guards in defense,
yet his father forbade it. Instead Tallica's father escaped with
several townspeople into the nearby forest as they left their home
behind them, no tears came to Tallica's eyes. The group travelled to
the distant northeast, to the lands of Mal Motsha to start a new
life. To a town called Sanction.
2. The Darkness
Tallica enjoyed his new life in Sanction, located in
southern Mal Motsha. He quickly learned the ways of battle and soon
became the leader of Sanction. As the town prospered, so did Tallica.
Things remained peaceful in the new city, however Tallica was haunted
by nightmares of the fall of his childhood home. He vowed never to
turn and flee again, but to stand and fight. But for what, what cause
should I fight for, Tallica thought. As the years slipped away,
Tallica became bored. Desires of becoming a knight and fighting for a
cause, for a lord, steadily grew within him. Tallica began searching
for something, but what, he did not know. One day a fateful messenger
came to the gates of Sanction, offering Tallica the opportunity to
join in a great alliance. Tallica instantly knew this was a ruse, he
recognized the messenger from the besieging party that took his old
home from him. He shunned the man and kicked him out of his home.
That night a curse struck Sanction and Tallica's father died. It was
then that the darkness struck.
3. The Savior
For many years, Tallica wallowed in darkness; no
drive, no purpose, no cause. The town of Sanction was falling into
disarray. It's people mostly gone back to lands in the south, it's
soldiers grown fat and lazy from lack of organization and exercise.
It was truly dark times. This all came to an end when a new messenger
from lands far to the northwest came calling. This messenger told of
a lord, seeking able people to join his cause: the reunification of
Kal Tirikan. Tallica's dream had just slapped him in the face, the
darkness was over, Tallica's savior had arrived. Taking what people
would go with him, Tallica followed the messenger to new lands, lands
where Tallica could be happy once more, where he could serve a
greater purpose. Tallica founded a new city, naming it Sanction, a
place where Tallica could have a second chance.
4. The Vision
As Tallica's influence and power increased, he could
tell that things were good and getting better. It wasn't long before
Tallica's superiors began to see his ability and began giving him
promotions and sending him great gifts. Tallica was thrilled to have
new challenges to conquer and set off first to survey his new
surroundings. Tallica met several of the locals and won their hearts,
one by one. In his travels, Tallica came upon a special place, with a
great lake in the distance. It was here that he had a vision: A
kingdom spread out across this land as far as he could see, filled
with happy citizens and towns with abundant coffers. Tallica marked
the spot and returned home, a smile on his face and new plans in
mind.
5. The First Step
Tallica conferred with his superiors, he knew he
needed support in order to accomplish his vision. He offered to scour
the land and look for those who are oppressed and suffering, those
who are as he was before. He would bring the people here, to this
promised land, to live a life of happiness and freedom. He would
create a grand kingdom for his leaders. His leaders agreed, this was
a great idea; Tallica received a new promotion, was granted the right
to settle a new town and recieved his sword: Chrysaor. Tallica,
returning home, began a grand celebration, lowered his taxes and sent
several of his most extremist populace northward, to locate his
marker and settle the land. A new town was founded: Neraka, home of
the vision.
6. The Fall
As plans moved ahead for expansion and development,
Tallica was granted the title of Master Strategist, and was told to lead
the people. Taking his new title and role, he sent messengers far and
wide to tell people of the lands of prosperity
in Kal Tirikan. One by one, answers were received to his call, and the
land quickly filled with hopeful colonists. Tallica's vision was quickly
becoming a reality. But this reality would be short lived... It wasn't
long until this great expansion was noticed
by a few over-looked, pre-existing populaces. Too late was Tallica in
realizing this land was not free for the taking. Too late Tallica saw
that quick peace talks and calming diplomacy was needed. Angered
citizens rose up and struck back, aimed right at Tallica
himself. In a last ditch effort a cry for help was made to those loyal
to his alliance. Help came and saved the day, yet as the smoke cleared
the damage had been done. Tallica's alliance was torn asunder.
7. The Divide
Tallica's alliace was split in twain. The two great
leaders of his alliance, now leaders of separate alliances. Civil unrest
lay heavy in the area, what can Tallica do to best ease the hearts of
the people? What should he do to save himself
from utter dispair? Thoughts of reunification entered his mind, yet in
his heart he knew that would be near impossible. An uneasy peace with
the foreign populace was all that was holding things together. Slowly,
in Tallica's mind, a new vision, a new plan
started to form, one that would break his heart. Preparations would
need to be made, plans hashed out with those closest to him. Letters
were sent out as preparations began. Things moved along slowly at first,
then too quickly, but ever in the proper direction.
Tallica had yet again shaped the fate of the land. Where once there was
one strong alliance, now lay the foundations for three, plus the
outside alliance, the over-looked ones. The land would see much turmoil
and unrest, that much was certain. Tallica had
done all that he could do to limit this certainty. Yet he knew the path
ahead of him. He called for an exodus for himself and his leader. The
call was heard..... 8. The Exodus Tallica and his
leader left the people in the able hands of their most prestigeous
officer, and left the lands of Kal Tirikan forever. They bid each other
farewell, good luck and godspeed and that was the last that Tallica
would see of his former leader. Aimlessly, Tallica wandered with the
straggling remnants of his great city, Sanction. After several days of
wandering, a new vision appeared, a great bird afire. It headed far into
the east where it disappeared. Tallica decided he would follow this new
vision. Days turned to weeks, weeks to months, before long time was
meaningless to Tallica and his people. On they marched, ever searching
for a peaceful land to settle and live. One day, Tallica came upon a
small village where lived a shaman. Tallica decided to meet with the
shaman, to discuss his vision. Tallica told the tale of his past, his
vision and his journey. The shaman nodded and lead Tallica into a back
room where, miraculously there perched on a stand was the great
firebird. The shaman told Tallica: "This is a phoenix, greatest of all
birds. This is the bird of life, this is what you have been searching
for...". The shaman went on to explain the story of the phoenix, and
that his desire was to unite the scattered people of this land. Tallica
knew then, he had found his new land and leader. 9. The Phoenix Tallica
began setting up a base near the shaman's village. Determined to help
the shaman achieve unity in the land, Tallica sent out messengers in all
directions. The messengers were told to travel city to city, spreading
the message of the phoenix. One such messenger happened upon a cluster
of townships, claiming a mutual existance, helping eachother as best as
they could. The messenger met with each town leader and gathered their
stories. Then he spoke of his leader, Tallica, of Tallica's story and of
the shaman seeking unity. The town leaders were weary of trusting this
newcomer and this small town shaman. They had problems of their own and
were both afraid of involving more people and uncertain as to the help
that Tallica could provide. The messenger left them with some gifts and
uplifting words and returned home. Meanwhile, Tallica set to making
plans for the unity and settlement of the land. As the messengers
steadily returned home, he heard great stories of the people. He knew
that the land needed guidance, it needed a strong leader to unite them.
Tallica wondered if he had the resolve, the strength to pull them all
together. He knew the strength that unity could provide, but feared the
crumbling that may follow. Tallica decided it was time for change, he
left leadership of his towns to the shaman and went on a quest. 10. The Interim
The shaman
took charge of Tallica's holdings, his dealings in the land and set to
forming and organizing a new regime in the land of Qarosslan. He would
set down the greateset of foundations for the building and unification
of the land. He was determined to have things prepared for when Tallica
returned. He sent out for some of Tallica's old serfs as well as for
some new talents gaining prestige in the land. Leaders were needed,
leaders were found. Slowly, steadily the new regime was formed and
solidified. The people were strengthened as the economy was boosted by
new leadership, new workers and a new goal. The shaman then set up a new
council, a council of the phoenix, a council to, fairly, make governing
rules to protect and guide the people. New messengers were sent out,
new recruits were found, people began moving to Qarosslan. Old events
began occurring anew... 11. The Quest Tallica
journeyed from the land of Qarosslan, he was on a quest. The was
seeking an item...no, he was seeking....something.......... He wasn't
sure what it was, or where to find it, but he knew it would be needed
for the peace and unity to be secure. And so, he journeyed from the
land, taking with him his trusty sword, Chrysaor, and a handful of
faithful knights from Palanthas, his new capital. The group headed back
toward Tallica's roots, back to Mal Motsha. They visited the ruins of
Old Sanction, and met an old beggar still living there. They spoke and
learned of the dire fate that had befallen Old Sanction after Tallica
had taken his leave. It seems that the first messenger that had visited
Tallica and his father had returned with an army and razed the town,
leaving naught but smoking rubble. The handful of surviving civilians
had tried to rebuild, tried to scratch a meager living in the town, but
with no leader, no protection and no guidance, it was in vain. Deeply
shaken, Tallica trudged on with his stalwart knights, it was time to
revisit Perrigor. It was time to seek back to Tallica's beginnings. 12. The Realization
After months of searching, Tallica found the ruins of
his hometown. While sifting through the rubble Tallica spotted a
nearby town and decided to head there. As Tallica had been gone from
his home of Palanthas for quite some time, he needed news. Tallica
sent out a rider for Palanthas prior to entering the town with word
of his whereabouts and what he had learned so far. Upon entering the
town, Tallica went in search of the nearest pub, so as to ascertain
the latest gossip as well as warm his gullet with some mead. The next
morning Tallica awoke on a cold, damp stone floor in a dimly lit
room. Quickly coming too, Tallica realized he was imprisoned.
13. The Prison
It was cold, and getting colder. Winter was coming
and the cell Tallica had found himself in served as no respite from
the chilling cold. Tallica's only hope lie in the speedy messenger he
sent out to Palanthas, but he knew at the earliest they wouldn't come
looking for him until late Spring. Tallica would have to make due
with his current predicament. Not losing hope, he decided to gather
what information he could, try to remember what he had done and
learned that night in the pub and just what events might have led to
his being here. After a cursory exploration of his cell, he found an
old "journal", if it could be called such. He decided to
flip through it when he could, try to converse with his guards when
he could, and try to stay warm. 14. The Winter
Days inched
along and Tallica learned very little from his captors. Meanwhile,
Tallica's messenger marched north towards Palanthas, unaware of
Tallica's capture. As winter settled in, the messenger's speed was
drastically reduced, so he decided to press harder, longer marching
days. Unfortunately, one night he chose to make camp at some nearby
standing stones. That night the dead arose all across Illy and the
messenger was the first of many to meet an early end. News would never
reach Tallica's cities or friends that he had been taken. Tallica would
never know that help would not be coming. The winter can be so cold
sometimes. 15. The Messenger
Tallica had already been gone months before his
capture, the night that he discovered the ruins of his hometown, the
shaman passed to the spirit world. Tallica's towns were then left in the
hands of a simple steward. Messengers were sent to
track Tallica and inform him of the grave news. Yet, it seems that
there was a very dark moon above Tallica's head.... The messenger took a
wrong turn and wander aimlessly for days. While wandering one night,
the messenger saw a campfire nearby some standing
stones and went to ask for aid. As he approached the lone figure, the
dead arose right under the messenger's feet. Ironically, both of
Tallica's messenger's met the same fate, on the same night, at the same
location. Fate, it seems, can be so cruel.
16. The Homeland
With the passing of the shaman, leadership in
Qarosslan was left empty. The people were restless as they awaited news
and it wasn't long before whispered voices could be heard in the
streets. Some said Tallica had met a gruesome fate, others
that he would return any day. Discussions and debates arouse all across
the land, a leader was needed. While those in Qarosslan sat idle, those
on the outside took notice, and action. Armies marched and towns
burned. However, this was the much needed spark
and the people finally came together as one, fended off the attackers
and set up a strong base of operations. Tallica's people were divided,
yet most of them saw the evidence at hand, no word had been received
from Tallica, and none sent to search for him
came back with any news of him. Many of Tallica's people joined the new
organization, while a handful set off in search of their caring and
fearless leader. 17. The Thing
As the remnants of Tallica's grand cities marched
southward, other great leaders had learned of his disappearance and
began gathering information and searching for him. It was a long winter
in a chilly cell with nothing of note in it, besides
a, now, scrawny and taut figure of a man in rags. Tallica hadn't heard
much from his captors and had yet to discover who held him and why. What
he did know was that they were searching for something, something they
believed Tallica had taken with him when
he left all those years before. Of course, Tallica was little more than
a boy when he left his hometown and had no knowledge of what his
imprisoners desired. Whatever it was, Tallica was very interested in
figuring it out as well. But first, how to get out
of this cell...
18. The Journal
Seldom, torturers were sent to Tallica's cell to
retrieve him for more questions. Most often he was left completely and
utterly alone. Fed once a day, a meager meal consisting of watery soup
and stale moldy bread. Perhaps a fine meal for any
orc, but not a large man such as Tallica. During one of Tallica's
“interview” sessions, he managed to conceal a nail, a slender nine inch
long metal spike. Upon returning to his cell, Tallica was able to
fashion a crude knife. The next time those torturers
would come for him, he would be ready. Tallica went back to perusing
the old journal, an interesting tale it contained. Tallica vowed to one
day make a memorial for this mystery writer. Much of the writing was
faded or smudged away. Tallica could only guess
at what it was written with, but what he could read certainly served to
keep his sanity intact during the long, cold and lonely days and nights
in the cell. Yet the days were starting to get warmer. 19. The Escape
'Today, the jailers come. Today, I escape.' He had
his makeshift knife, he knew where the guards armor was weak, he knew
where to strike. He had learned which direction to go, which way
would lead him to open ground. Tallica was ready. As the door slowly
opened and the guards, only two of them this time, entered the room,
Tallica made his move. One guard had keys and was, luckily, unarmed.
The other smelt of dwarven ale, lavender and.....something else. He
must have had an interesting night, and his reflexes are sure to be
slow this morning. Tallica struck like lightning. In a matter of
seconds both guards were on the ground, red pools quickly filling the
cracks in the floor. Tallica hastily donned what armor he could fit
into, these guards were rather portly. Tallica dashed into the prison
corridors.
The Escape (cont.)
Tallica ran through unfamiliar halls, he was certain
he was traveling in the correct direction. Strangely, he came across
no guards in his flight, where was everyone? He stumbled upon a
storeroom and decided to quickly peruse the goods. He hastily donned
some leather armors and found a slightly more suitable weapon.
Snatching up some grub as he dashed back out the doors, he continued
his escape. As he finally neared the exit, he could hear sounds of
battle from without. 'What could be happening up here?' Tallica had
no choice, he would not head back down, his blood warmed as he burst
through the prison doors.
|