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(WIP, please do not edit.)
Also known as "The [[Gathering Cloth]]," the Tapestry of Dark Souls was a fell [[artifact]] [[guarded]] by [[Brother Dominic]]and the [[Order of the Guardians]] until its destruction<ref name="Champions of the Mists p. 42">[[Champions of the Mists]] p. 42</ref>  in [[735 BC]]<ref>[[Domains of Dread]] p. 17</ref>. The Cloth served to gather and hold [[Evil]] [[imprisoned]]. Although seemingly a good thing, the Tapestry was itself an object of [[dark desire]] because it imposed a [[corrupting]] effect on everyone nearby. It brought out and enhanced preexisting [[negative emotion]]s and [[sin]]s to the point that those around it entered states of moral degeneration. Moreover, it had such an alluring, [[captivating]] quality that many would [[steal]] and even [[murder]] to possess it. Those who felt [[the Calling]] of [[the Guardians]] were the only exceptions.<ref name="ToDS p. 41">[[Tapestry of Dark Souls]] p. 41</ref>
Also known as "The [[Gathering Cloth]]," the Tapestry of Dark Souls was a fell [[artifact]] [[guarded]] by [[Brother Dominic]]and the [[Order of the Guardians]] until its destruction<ref name="Champions of the Mists p. 42">[[Champions of the Mists]] p. 42</ref>  in [[735 BC]]<ref>[[Domains of Dread]] p. 17</ref>. The Cloth served to gather and hold [[Evil]] [[imprisoned]]. Although seemingly a good thing, the Tapestry was itself an object of [[dark desire]] because it imposed a [[corrupting]] effect on everyone nearby. It brought out and enhanced preexisting [[negative emotion]]s and [[sin]]s to the point that those around it entered states of moral degeneration. Moreover, it had such an alluring, [[captivating]] quality that many would [[steal]] and even [[murder]] to possess it. Those who felt [[the Calling]] of [[the Guardians]] were the only exceptions.<ref name="ToDS p. 41">[[Tapestry of Dark Souls]] p. 41</ref>


Beyond mundane [[thieves]] and [[murderer]]s, the Cloth also contained many beings of supernatural evil, such as [[undead]] and [[ycanthrope]]s. Am immensely powerful [[undead]] [[wizard]] {{Spec|and vampire}}, [[Morgoth]]] was perhaps the most powerful and most evil creature contained within. Yet not every [[soul]] held within the Tapestry deserved to be held in there. At least one soul, that of [[Leith]], had resisted its alluring [[corruption]] yet surrendered herself to it because of the [[curse]] of [[lycanthropy]] she suffered indirectly due to the tainted meddling of the Cloth.<ref>ToDS p. 86</ref> To potential [[victim]]s less willing, the Cloth could enfold itself around them and draw them into its weave.<ref name="ToDS p. 41">[[Tapestry of Dark Souls]] p. 41</ref>
Beyond mundane [[thieves]] and [[murderer]]s, the Cloth also contained many beings of supernatural evil, such as [[undead]] and [[lycanthrope]]s. Am immensely powerful [[undead]] [[wizard]] {{Spec|and vampire}}, [[Morgoth]]] was perhaps the most powerful and most evil creature contained within. Yet not every [[soul]] held within the Tapestry deserved to be held in there. At least one soul, that of [[Leith]], had resisted its alluring [[corruption]] yet surrendered herself to it because of the [[curse]] of [[lycanthropy]] she suffered indirectly due to the tainted meddling of the Cloth.<ref>ToDS p. 86</ref> To potential [[victim]]s less willing, the Cloth could enfold itself around them and draw them into its weave.<ref name="ToDS p. 41">[[Tapestry of Dark Souls]] p. 41</ref>


==History==
==History==
===Creation===
The [[silk]] for the Gathering Cloth was found by [[Skya]] in the [[Nightmare Lands]] and collected by her fellow [[Abber Nomads]].<ref>ToDS p.1-5</ref> The Abber Nomads traded the vast majority of it away to [[Welse]], a [[Nova Vaasan]] [[weaver]] in [[Arbora]]. He wove the silk into the Cloth and [[prideful]ly hung it in his shop. Despite numerous offers to buy it, two theft attempts, the loss of his son [[Moro]], and the begging of his wife [[Ronae]] to get rid of it, he refused. After the Tapestry was finally stolen, Welse [[murdered]] his other son [[Geryn]] for the role he played in its theft. When Welse confronted the thief in [[Egertus]], the thief simply handed it over to Welse with but a cryptic warning. Welse heeded not the warning, and the Cloth claimed him as its third victim.<ref name="The Weaver's Pride">[[The Weaver's Pride]], [[Tales of Ravenloft]] p. 251-265</ref> After this event, the thief reclaimed the Cloth, and it [[disappeared]], its whereabouts the subject of [[myth]] and [[legend]].<ref>[[ToDS p. 6</ref>
The [[silk]] for the Gathering Cloth was found by [[Skya]] in the [[Nightmare Lands]] and collected by her fellow [[Abber Nomads]].<ref>ToDS p.1-5</ref> The Abber Nomads traded the vast majority of it away to [[Welse]], a [[Nova Vaasan]] [[weaver]] in [[Arbora]]. He wove the silk into the Cloth and [[prideful]ly hung it in his shop. Despite numerous offers to buy it, two theft attempts, the loss of his son [[Moro]], and the begging of his wife [[Ronae]] to get rid of it, he refused. After the Tapestry was finally stolen, Welse [[murdered]] his other son [[Geryn]] for the role he played in its theft. When Welse confronted the thief in [[Egertus]], the thief simply handed it over to Welse with but a cryptic warning. Welse heeded not the warning, and the Cloth claimed him as its third victim.<ref name="The Weaver's Pride">[[The Weaver's Pride]], [[Tales of Ravenloft]] p. 251-265</ref> After this event, the thief reclaimed the Cloth, and it [[disappeared]], its whereabouts the subject of [[myth]] and [[legend]].<ref>[[ToDS p. 6</ref>


According to some [[tale]]s,  a [[warlock]] sought it out to imprison his enemies, paying a small fortune to buy it. Yet, as the wages of sin weighed upon his soul and he felt drawn to it, the warlock payed a fortune to get rid of it that was ten times larger than what he had purchased it for.<ref>ToDS p. 34</ref>
According to some [[tale]]s,  a [[warlock]] sought it out to imprison his enemies, paying a small fortune to buy it. Yet, as the wages of sin weighed upon his soul and he felt drawn to it, the warlock payed a fortune to get rid of it that was ten times larger than what he had purchased it for.<ref>ToDS p. 34</ref>


Regardless of whatever happened to it prior, the Cloth eventually ended up in the hands of the Guardians. The Guardians of that type were many and powerful<ref name="ToDS p. 90-91">ToDS p. 90-91</ref>, yet perhaps a little less [[wise]]. They venerated, even [[worshiped]] the Cloth. This changed when a powerful [[wizard]]<ref name="ToDS p. 90-91">ToDS p. 90-91</ref> named Morgoth upon the orders of his master. Morgoth made it to the Cloth, but he could neither penetrate its magical protections nor protect himself from it.<ref>ToDS p. 211</ref> Yet, at least according to Morgoth's testimony, it took him two days to find a way to free all the prisoners of the Cloth. Morgoth and the other freed souls brought the attack the Guardians and the wards that bound them inside the monastery.The Guardians prevailed<ref>ToDS p. 212</ref>, but at great cost. Only three of the youngest survived, one of which ([[Mattas]]) was still in the Order in the timeline of the [[Tapestry of Dark Souls novel]].<ref name="ToDS p. 90-91">ToDS p. 90-91</ref> A [[prophecy]] was given, that the Tapestry will be undone by ''corruption from within'', the "corruption" of love.
===The Cloth Resurfaces===
Regardless of whatever happened to it prior, the Cloth eventually ended up in the hands of the Guardians. The Guardians of that type were many and powerful<ref name="ToDS p. 90-91">ToDS p. 90-91</ref>, yet perhaps a little less [[wise]]. They venerated, even [[worshiped]] the Cloth. This changed when a powerful [[wizard]]<ref name="ToDS p. 90-91">ToDS p. 90-91</ref> named Morgoth upon the orders of his master. Morgoth made it to the Cloth, but he could neither penetrate its magical protections nor protect himself from it.<ref>ToDS p. 211</ref> Yet, at least according to Morgoth's testimony, it took him only two days to find a way to free all the prisoners of the Cloth. Morgoth and the other freed souls brought the attack the Guardians and the wards that bound them inside the monastery.The Guardians prevailed<ref>ToDS p. 212</ref>, but at great cost. Only three of the youngest survived, one of which ([[Mattas]]) was still in the Order in the timeline of the [[Tapestry of Dark Souls novel]].<ref name="ToDS p. 90-91">ToDS p. 90-91</ref> A [[prophecy]] was given, that the Tapestry will be undone by ''corruption from within'', the "corruption" of love.


The disaster brought the surviving [[monastic]]s to move to a place remote, to [[Markovia]]. They passed through [[Linde]] near the bordering side of [[Tepest]], staying a night at [[the Nocturne]], before moving onto Markovia. There they resided in seclusion within the [[warded]], fortified [[monastery in Markovia]].<ref name="ToDS p. 34-35">ToDS p. 34-35</ref> A handful of others would join them in time, coming at the behest of the Calling. Meanwhile, in nearby [[Tepest]], the Cloth became woven into local beliefs about the [[afterlife]], that the Tapestry somehow cleansed the world beyond as as a paradise after death.<ref name="ToDS p. 34-35">ToDS p. 34-35</ref>
The disaster brought the surviving [[monastic]]s to move to a place remote, to [[Markovia]]. They passed through [[Linde]] near the bordering side of [[Tepest]], staying a night at [[the Nocturne]], before moving onto Markovia. There they resided in seclusion within the [[warded]], fortified [[monastery in Markovia]].<ref name="ToDS p. 34-35">ToDS p. 34-35</ref> A handful of others would join them in time, coming at the behest of the Calling. Meanwhile, in nearby [[Tepest]], the Cloth became woven into local beliefs about the [[afterlife]], that the Tapestry somehow cleansed the world beyond as as a paradise after death.<ref name="ToDS p. 34-35">ToDS p. 34-35</ref>


In [[717 BC]]<ref>[[Domains of Dread]] p. 17 places the events of the Tapestry's destruction at [[735 BC]]. [[Jonathan (Son of Morgoth)]] is 17 at the time, which would make 717 BC the year of conception</ref> Morgoth called the [[outlander]]s [[Vhar]] and [[Leith]] from their homeworld to [[Markovia]], depositing near the [[Monastery in Markovia]].
===The Story of Leith and Vhar===
In [[717 BC]]<ref>[[Domains of Dread]] p. 17 places the events of the Tapestry's destruction at [[735 BC]]. [[Jonathan (Son of Morgoth)]] is 17 at the time, which would make 717 BC the year of conception</ref> Morgoth called the [[outlander]]s [[Vhar]] and [[Leith]] from their homeworld to [[Markovia]], depositing near the [[Monastery in Markovia]]. Lost, they approached the monastery and received shelter from the Guardians. Though they were given shelter, Vhar roused his wife early and bade both of them to flee the monastery for their lives.<ref>ToDS 9-23</ref> In reality, he had become ensnared by the [[corrupting]] qualities of the Tapestry. He had stolen it, concealed the [[treachery]] from his wife<ref>ToDS p. 30-33</ref>, and even stabbed a monk to death on his way out.<ref>ToDS p. 49</ref>
 
The couple fled over the border to [[Linde]], a hamlet in [[Tepest]]. At [[the Nocturne]] [[inn]], they met [[Maeve (Lycanthrope)|Maeve]], [[Ivar (of Tepest)]], [[Dirca]], and [[Andor Merriwite]]. Vhar became [[inebriated]] and spilled the beans about his [[transgression]] to the other people in [[the Nocturne]] inn. Leith discovered the Tapestry, which almost convinced her to [[murder]] her husband to escape him and keep it. However, she resisted the compulsion enough merely to try to leave with it. However, the Tapestry [[captured]] Vhar and [[imprisoned]] him inside it with the other [[transgressor]]s, trapping Vhar in a horrible state neither truly alive nor dead.
 
Th taking of her husband [[horrified]] Leith and disillusioned her from the Tapestry. She left with haste to return to the monastery in Markovia.<ref>ToDS p. 26-42</ref> From there, a long series of events triggered, ending with Leith being [[victimized]] twice in unconnected ways. Maeve [[infected]] Leith with [[lycanthropy]], and Morgoth reached through the Tapestry to impregnate her. With the assistants of the Guardians, Leith gave birth to [[Jonathan (Son of Morgoth)|Jonathan]] in [[718 BC]]. Shortly thereafter, she surrendered herself to the Cloth to escape falling under Maeve's domination.
 
The Guardians raised Jonathan as one of their own. They taught him a number of skills, the practice of [[wizardry]] among them.<ref>ToDS 112-119</ref> At the age of 17<ref>ToDS p. 117</ref>, Jon exerted his independence by withdrawing from the monastery and coming to live in the town of Linde.<ref>ToDS p.149-151</ref> Unknown to anyone but Morgoth himself, his [[manipulation]] of Jonathan had already begun.<ref>ToDS p. 112, 139, 149</ref>
 
===Morgoth's Scheme===
 




Revision as of 22:38, 16 September 2016

(WIP, please do not edit.) Also known as "The Gathering Cloth," the Tapestry of Dark Souls was a fell artifact guarded by Brother Dominicand the Order of the Guardians until its destruction[1] in 735 BC[2]. The Cloth served to gather and hold Evil imprisoned. Although seemingly a good thing, the Tapestry was itself an object of dark desire because it imposed a corrupting effect on everyone nearby. It brought out and enhanced preexisting negative emotions and sins to the point that those around it entered states of moral degeneration. Moreover, it had such an alluring, captivating quality that many would steal and even murder to possess it. Those who felt the Calling of the Guardians were the only exceptions.[3]

Beyond mundane thieves and murderers, the Cloth also contained many beings of supernatural evil, such as undead and lycanthropes. Am immensely powerful undead wizard and vampire, Morgoth] was perhaps the most powerful and most evil creature contained within. Yet not every soul held within the Tapestry deserved to be held in there. At least one soul, that of Leith, had resisted its alluring corruption yet surrendered herself to it because of the curse of lycanthropy she suffered indirectly due to the tainted meddling of the Cloth.[4] To potential victims less willing, the Cloth could enfold itself around them and draw them into its weave.[3]

History

Creation

The silk for the Gathering Cloth was found by Skya in the Nightmare Lands and collected by her fellow Abber Nomads.[5] The Abber Nomads traded the vast majority of it away to Welse, a Nova Vaasan weaver in Arbora. He wove the silk into the Cloth and [[prideful]ly hung it in his shop. Despite numerous offers to buy it, two theft attempts, the loss of his son Moro, and the begging of his wife Ronae to get rid of it, he refused. After the Tapestry was finally stolen, Welse murdered his other son Geryn for the role he played in its theft. When Welse confronted the thief in Egertus, the thief simply handed it over to Welse with but a cryptic warning. Welse heeded not the warning, and the Cloth claimed him as its third victim.[6] After this event, the thief reclaimed the Cloth, and it disappeared, its whereabouts the subject of myth and legend.[7]

According to some tales, a warlock sought it out to imprison his enemies, paying a small fortune to buy it. Yet, as the wages of sin weighed upon his soul and he felt drawn to it, the warlock payed a fortune to get rid of it that was ten times larger than what he had purchased it for.[8]

The Cloth Resurfaces

Regardless of whatever happened to it prior, the Cloth eventually ended up in the hands of the Guardians. The Guardians of that type were many and powerful[9], yet perhaps a little less wise. They venerated, even worshiped the Cloth. This changed when a powerful wizard[9] named Morgoth upon the orders of his master. Morgoth made it to the Cloth, but he could neither penetrate its magical protections nor protect himself from it.[10] Yet, at least according to Morgoth's testimony, it took him only two days to find a way to free all the prisoners of the Cloth. Morgoth and the other freed souls brought the attack the Guardians and the wards that bound them inside the monastery.The Guardians prevailed[11], but at great cost. Only three of the youngest survived, one of which (Mattas) was still in the Order in the timeline of the Tapestry of Dark Souls novel.[9] A prophecy was given, that the Tapestry will be undone by corruption from within, the "corruption" of love.

The disaster brought the surviving monastics to move to a place remote, to Markovia. They passed through Linde near the bordering side of Tepest, staying a night at the Nocturne, before moving onto Markovia. There they resided in seclusion within the warded, fortified monastery in Markovia.[12] A handful of others would join them in time, coming at the behest of the Calling. Meanwhile, in nearby Tepest, the Cloth became woven into local beliefs about the afterlife, that the Tapestry somehow cleansed the world beyond as as a paradise after death.[12]

The Story of Leith and Vhar

In 717 BC[13] Morgoth called the outlanders Vhar and Leith from their homeworld to Markovia, depositing near the Monastery in Markovia. Lost, they approached the monastery and received shelter from the Guardians. Though they were given shelter, Vhar roused his wife early and bade both of them to flee the monastery for their lives.[14] In reality, he had become ensnared by the corrupting qualities of the Tapestry. He had stolen it, concealed the treachery from his wife[15], and even stabbed a monk to death on his way out.[16]

The couple fled over the border to Linde, a hamlet in Tepest. At the Nocturne inn, they met Maeve, Ivar (of Tepest), Dirca, and Andor Merriwite. Vhar became inebriated and spilled the beans about his transgression to the other people in the Nocturne inn. Leith discovered the Tapestry, which almost convinced her to murder her husband to escape him and keep it. However, she resisted the compulsion enough merely to try to leave with it. However, the Tapestry captured Vhar and imprisoned him inside it with the other transgressors, trapping Vhar in a horrible state neither truly alive nor dead.

Th taking of her husband horrified Leith and disillusioned her from the Tapestry. She left with haste to return to the monastery in Markovia.[17] From there, a long series of events triggered, ending with Leith being victimized twice in unconnected ways. Maeve infected Leith with lycanthropy, and Morgoth reached through the Tapestry to impregnate her. With the assistants of the Guardians, Leith gave birth to Jonathan in 718 BC. Shortly thereafter, she surrendered herself to the Cloth to escape falling under Maeve's domination.

The Guardians raised Jonathan as one of their own. They taught him a number of skills, the practice of wizardry among them.[18] At the age of 17[19], Jon exerted his independence by withdrawing from the monastery and coming to live in the town of Linde.[20] Unknown to anyone but Morgoth himself, his manipulation of Jonathan had already begun.[21]

Morgoth's Scheme

Imprisoned Beings

Beings to known to have been imprisoned in the Tapestry:

References

  1. ↑ Champions of the Mists p. 42
  2. ↑ Domains of Dread p. 17
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Tapestry of Dark Souls p. 41
  4. ↑ ToDS p. 86
  5. ↑ ToDS p.1-5
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 The Weaver's Pride, Tales of Ravenloft p. 251-265
  7. ↑ [[ToDS p. 6
  8. ↑ ToDS p. 34
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 ToDS p. 90-91
  10. ↑ ToDS p. 211
  11. ↑ ToDS p. 212
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 ToDS p. 34-35
  13. ↑ Domains of Dread p. 17 places the events of the Tapestry's destruction at 735 BC. Jonathan (Son of Morgoth) is 17 at the time, which would make 717 BC the year of conception
  14. ↑ ToDS 9-23
  15. ↑ ToDS p. 30-33
  16. ↑ ToDS p. 49
  17. ↑ ToDS p. 26-42
  18. ↑ ToDS 112-119
  19. ↑ ToDS p. 117
  20. ↑ ToDS p.149-151
  21. ↑ ToDS p. 112, 139, 149
  22. ↑ ToDS p. 86
  23. ↑ ToDS p. 48

Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue

Tapestry of Dark Souls - throughout
Champions of the Mists - p42

Tapestry of Dark Souls - cover

Tapestry of Dark Souls - p

Tapestry of Dark Souls, The Tapestry of Dark Souls


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