About Tunare's Benevolence
Meeting Places
Myths & Legends
Other Stuff
The Testing
In a small glade somewhere on Norrath, there is a little Inn with a crooked chimney and large oak door. From outside the inn, a traveler might hear the sound of muffled music, and the happy chatter of voices. The dark woods around the Inn are unusually alive with wild creatures. You can hear them breathing, eyes gleaming from under each bush, watching suspiciously everyone who approaches. Through the tinted windows is a warm glow from the fireside and the silhouettes of friends gathered in good cheer. This is Tunare's Inn. Are you tempted to come in? You are Welcome here.
Enter. There
by the fireside the great bard Saec has just ended a moving ballad about
love, adventure and heroic sacrifice. The member's of Tunare's Benevolence
are gathered, cheering and clapping at his song, and under the cover of
the din, one or two of the older and more grizzled warriors, surreptitiously
wipes a tear from his eye. As the applause subsides, a young woman by
the fireside shouts out "A story, Silxie… Tell us a Story!"
"I'm no bard, the only stories I can tell are histories" A gray-haired
druid woman stands up and makes her way to the fire. "If it is a
story you want my friends," she smiles at the people collected there.
"then I will tell you of hard times, and how we overcame them. I
will tell you of terrible losses and I will tell you of our Enemy and
of our Friendships. I tell you this story to remind you of who we are,
of what we stand for, and what we were created to stand against. Is this
a story you want to hear, my guildies?"
It is clear that the people gathered around this fire have heard this story many times, and heard this introduction too… for some of them are mouthing the words along with Silxie. Someone shouts… " Go on Silxie, tell us the story already!" Someone else orders another round of mead.
Silxie begins…
"It was after Gaiah went to live by Tunare's side in the Plane of Growth. We were saddened by her departure, although she is still with us in spirit. The mighty warrior Servane had taken up the burden of leadership. Attracted by the idea of Servane's strength in battle many new members had joined our ranks. Most everyone knew that with Servane at the head of our guild, we would become powerful and rich. Our enemies would fall before us. But one enemy, fearing Servane's sword, had no intention of meeting us in direct battle. Zebuxoruk, the Unbeliever, was gathering strength on Norrath and had dastardly plans to end the reign of the Gods forever.
Zebuxoruk,coward,
had tried to stop Servane's ascension to leadership with all his magic.
He hoped that with out Gaiah we would diband. First, he ambushed Servane
and I on the way to the ceremony, seizing Servane and flinging him up
into the sky to his death. However the combined powers of Saec the bard
and the beautiful cleric Lovelyann brought Servane back from the realm
of ghosts. During the ceremony of change, Zebuxoruk then perverted the
power of the Faydark Spires and flung our guild members violently to the
other end of the region. However, his magic was over powered by the great
wizard Serji whose understanding of the magic of the spires was profound.
He undid the foul magic and restored the spires so that the ceremony could
continue. Zebuxoruk was foiled.
Somwhere Zebuxoruk still lurks in his hidden city. Our rangers have combed
Norrath searching for it. We had heard a rumor that it might be hidden
under ocean fathoms, in the Timorous Deep. Ranger Taeasae has spent much
of her life swimming the depths of this vast ocean, tracking every trace
of Zebuxoruk and his minions… but so far, for naught.
One band of adventurers did finally find the city. Their names will be forever remembered. Two officers of our guild, the ranger Kevlar, and the paladin Stefan, led by a young shadowknight named Maloh. Alas! They used powerful magics to send a message to Servane, through the enchanter Papalegba. In doing so, Zebuxoruk became aware of their presence in his city. Before they could reveal any word of the location of the city, Zebuxoruk had found them and using his tainted magics had destroyed them. Because of his magical connection to them as they were slain, Papalegba, my best friend and eternal companion, was also killed. Not even Lovelyann's magic could return them to life… for their souls were killed too"
A solitary tear runs down Silxies face, her voice trembles a little. The room is silent. When she begins again, Silxie's voice is like steel, a cold anger forging each word.
"This was to be only the begining of the troubles our enemy caused. Our fallen friends had told us that Zebuxoruk had infiltrated our guild and was twisting our hearts away from Tunare and our Gods. It was his plot to turn the races of Norrath against each other. Good would fight Evil until, sick of the slaughter, people turned away from their Gods and embraced Zebuxoruk and the path of the Forsaken ones. For his plot to succeed, Tunare's Benevolence, the one guild created to foil his plans, must be distracted, divided, brought down.
Servane was deep in battle in Kael when the first messengers brought the disturbing news. War had indeed broken out on Norrath and the forces of Good and Evil had polarized. Many guilds were shattered in this time of bloodshed. Bosom companions were pitted against one another in deadly combat. It was Zebuxoruk's plan to divide our guild too… knowing that the followers of Tunare's Benevolence, though we be both good and evil in alignment, are all passionately committed to promoting the Faith in our Gods and Goddesses. But Servane had been warned, and he cautioned the guild against joining the War. There were some that fought anyways, and it is my belief that their gods were secretly pleased by the deeds they did in battle that day. After all, the gods do appreciate blood spilled in their name, despite their pledge to unify and assist in Tunare's cause.
In the arguing and dissent that resulted from the War it was possible for me to discern who among the new recruits that we had accepted into our family were, in fact, minions of Zebuxoruk. Those, we dealt with without mercy. To my great sorrow, there were many beloved members that were turned from our cause that day. Some have returned to us since and for this, my heart is truly glad. The others are still missed.
In the months that followed Zebuxoruk continued to wreak havok amongst us. His subtle magics clouded the minds of our guildies. He played upon the pride, the ambition and the greed that lies within each mortal heart and twisted us against one another. Servane's sword was mighty, and under his leadership we were able to win all the battles we fought. Servane led us to the brink of being capable of slaying even a god…..
But the true battle was the battle within our souls. There came a time where even Servane was tested. His ambition was an ambition for the guild to grow mighty. His pride was a pride in us. His greed was that our coffers might overflow. Temptation indeed, and well within reach, but the more powerful our guild grew, the stronger grew Zebuxoruk's influence among us, and the less time we spent helping those in need.
All our officers worked against this terrible influence, one of the hardest roles was that of discipline... and for their service in confronting injustice, the druid Brein and the shaman Nimisha shone bright. But, more then any one of us, it was our darling cleric Lovelyann, whose gentle touch kept Tunare's mission alive in our hearts. It was she who stood solid in our goal of extending a helping hand to Norrath, and it was her patience and guidance upon which Servane leaned in his internal battle against Zebuxoruk's cunning. We owe her a great debt."
(If you look to the back of the room you will see a beautiful blond woman blushing. Silxie always takes a moment at this part of the tale to embarrass Lovelyann.)
The battle against Zebuxoruk's forces left us all drained and weakened. Driven mad by grief over the loss of Papalegba, I had gone feral in wolf form, running wild in the hills with no recollection of my elven self. I abandoned my companions in a time of great crises. For this, I remain eternally regretful.
Lovelyann was soon exhausted and Servane even more so. The minions of Zebuxoruk were everywhere. And so, Servane came to a decision. His heart could no longer bear this struggle, though his sword was still unstoppable. The leadership of Tunare's Benevolence, must pass back to Tunare. Only someone in close communion with her could fight our enemy. He knew that the next battle would have to be won not with force, but with love. And so he turned his back on the power of leadership, rejecting his own ambition in a final act of selfless valor."
Silxie grins and points to the officer's table, where a stunning red-headed druid sits, hand in hand the warrior Dystar, whose love for her is legend. Dystar beams a proud smile at his lady, and orders another round of Tunare's Finest for the house.
"What Servane knew, and so do all of you, is that there is one among us who exemplifies Tunare's compassion. Who among us would not take the armor off their back to give to the poor if Lilliy wished it? Who among us has not been touched in some way by the gentle way that she sees into our hearts. The sound of her laughter makes seasoned mages and powerful necromancers giggle like children. Her gaze can make even the most humble monk or cleric feel like a hero. We watched her grow up, took joy in her discoveries. We rushed gladly to her side whenever she found some youngster in danger and launched a rescue mission. We witnessed her life's challenges and sorrows, and we know that, despite her famous kindness, inside her is the strength of an iron will. Who else could lead us back to Tunare's side?
Poor Lilliy, when Servane came to speak to you about the troubles of the guild you had no idea that by the end of the conversation you would be leading us. Knowing that Zebuxoruk had infiltrated the guild he would not risk another fine ceremony. You thought that it was your compassion he was looking for, and you gave it, wholeheartedly, as you always do. Before you knew it, the fate of Tunare's Benevolence was in your hands…. And the worst plot of our foe was yet to be unraveled.
With the departure of Servane I was shocked out of my grief. However before I could fully return to my duties and support Lilliy, I had my own mission to achieve - the proper laying to rest of my fallen companions' souls. Servane's victory over his own ambition made me realize that my grief was self-indulgence, and as much a triumph for our enemy as any bickering and division could be. Servane was a gruff warriorand sometimes stern leader. Not at all the gentle sort that Tunare's folk are used to… and yet, I admit, this one old wood-elf has a special place in her heart for him. I am so relieved that he has stayed close to us, although his God, Rallos Zek has set his feet upon a new and glorious path. Servane still shows up when we need him the most.
When I came back from my quest I learned of the final desperate plot of Zebuxoruk to make us abandon our cause. It is a mark of his strength that he was able to create such chaos amongst us, and a mark of his cunning that he struck so soon after Lilliy had taken the reins. Listen well my dear guildies, for this is the enemy that we face and after I tell this final part of the tale, you will know that he will stop at nothing to destroy us.
The day that Lilliy became leader, she knew that she needed more help. Zebuxoruk was gathering his forces and not even the Gods knew where he would strike next. She called the warriors Tiburones and Keane to her side, and they agreed to become our new officers of war and together, to keep Tunare's blade bright and bloody. But once again the Ungod chose to attack from the inside. Whispering in the dreams of some of our comrades he told stories of the wealth that Tunare had. He spoke of the glory of God-Slaying, he promised sweet riches to those that killed her… magical items that exceeded our imaginings, plucked from her lifeless corpse. Some were tempted.
Using his magical powers he distilled a poison to enrage the good hearts of Tunare's Benevolence and with it he polluted the cup from which we all drink. Unknowing of what they were doing, our guild became divided. Now when peace has been restored, we think back with horror upon that time. But under the influence of the poison we took sides with great fury. Those who loved Tunare defended her with great wrath. Those who had been visited with dreams of her riches and knew of her forgiving ways spoke out in wonderand were cast from our midst. Many followed. In the Plane of Growth, Tunare wept tears of blood and betrayal, and a great sorrow descended on us all. However, amidst it, we stood strong. How Zebuxoruk would have laughed to have seen Tunare slain by her own creation. He did not have that satisfaction...
For many of us these memories are painful. I do not have any pride when I recall how I left my guildies to fend for themselves while Zebuxoruk was at his most powerful. However, I believe there are things that we have to be proud of, for here we are, as strong in number as we were but more powerful, as devoted to helping all in need as we were, but more capable , and, as full of friendship and merriment and warmth among us as we could ever hope to be. In the end it was Zebuxoruk who lost his fight. In the end, it was Tunare's Benevolence that was tested and that passed. In the end, all that was broken was mended, those who were cast out were welcomed back with joy, those who left our ranks, or fell to the plots of Zebuxoruk are remembered with love. This is Tunare's way. This is Lilliy's way. This is OUR Way.
My Tale is ended… let us forget none of it for one day we may be
tested again."
