The capital of Ashbury was attacked by hordes of undead this past Halloween weekend. Monsters of all kinds haunted the streets and alleyways looking for fresh blood. Fortunately, the citizens managed to pull together and defend themselves quite well. The undead were eventually driven off late Saturday night, and have not returned since.
On Friday night the attacks were sporadic and seemed very unorganized. The Mages' Guild was attacked while Grand Sorceress Shalazar was beginning a Formal Ritual for the court of Trellhiem. The force was controlled by a lesser vampire who was himself a celestial caster of considerable power. Fortunately, the undead were decimated when the townspeople responded to the sounds of battle.
Another lesser vampire surprisingly actually came to the aid of Ashbury. He warned the Duchess that liche Mourna would be in Ashbury on the following night. Afterwards, he was seen dispatching some undead that were attacking townspeople, and attempted to destroy the Harlequin construct. However, he was eventually killed in the tavern despite all his good deeds.
The undead continued to attack until early Saturday morning. Eventually they departed - perhaps three or four hours before sunrise. Some people speculated that they were withdrawing to a secure location where they could hide from the sunlight of a new day. Whatever the reason, the town was grateful for an end to the madness. Unfortunately, on Saturday night the undead returned to continue the assault.
Moments before the hour of midnight that would herald the start of Halloween, a large force of undead marched into the center of town. The creatures were lead by a stalwart skeletal monstrosity with glowing red eyes. The creature later revealed that his name was Pansolore, and that he was once a barbarian chieftain of the Tiger Tribe. Several necromancers were also working with the undead, and used Desecrate spells to keep the citizens at bay.
The group of undead raised a foul flag at half mast, indicating that the evil liche Mourna ruled the land. The flag was later removed, but not until ten spectres were defeated. The spectres had remained hidden underground, and had risen up to defend the flag when they detected life energy near it. The same force was later attacked while attempting to leave town. The battle was instigated by Baron Bryan and Baron Thomas, and lasted for quite some time. The creature named Pansolore was almost destroyed, and had to sink into the ground to escape. However, it reappeared later and its wounds had vanished completely. No doubt some wicked necromancer (or perhaps Mourna herself) had called upon the powers of chaos to "heal" the creature. It was determined that only magical weapons could harm it, and that it could resist battle magic several times.
Mourna was meanwhile seen wandering through town with her new "friend Harlequin. When asked if the foul undead that were attacking the town were hers, she replied vaguely "I don't know; they all look alike to me." Mourna teased and taunted the townspeople of Ashbury but never directly attacked. Somewhat surprisingly, Mourna remained untouched as well. Baron Thomas explained that attacking her would be a bad move strategically, as the town would surely lose many able fighters in the probably unsuccessful attempt and that any attempt would likely bring down Mourna's great wrath upon the town.
Dame Arianna Therenberg, a Paladin of the Duchy of Niman, encountered much resistance when she traveled through Ashbury recently in an attempt to capture wanted escaped "criminals" from Niman.
According to a mutual treaty between Ashbury and Niman, escaped criminals are to be returned to their place of escape for trial.
Because Niman allows slavery, it was assumed by many that she was merely attempting to recapture escaped slaves. In fact, Dame Arianna had two slave servants with her, although she did not seem happy about that fact and claimed that they had been "assigned" to her by her liege.
She was able to locate three of the names on her vast list but made no attempt to capture or otherwise retrieve them. "According to the treaty, we must have the Duchess' permission first," she replied.
Those on the list that were found included Squire Gabriel of Nordenn, Daphne Green of the Healers' Guild, and Morgan Sunstar. Squire Gabriel behaved as a true noble by standing before Dame Arianna and refusing to run; Morgan hid in the woods and Daphne refused to leave the Healers' circle. (As an aside, it may be noted that Squire Gabriel has since "taken a leave" from his Baron and is now away.)
Duchess Mara did not want to allow the accused criminals to be taken and first suggested that the criminals could be tried by an Ashbury magistrate. Dame Arianna refused, stating that such an agreement would violate the treaty. Duchess Mara then suggested that Dame Arianna perform the trial herself, but the Paladin refused to do so without the consent of her liege, Duke Vordan of Niman.
Duchess Mara then pointed out that since the treaty was signed by her predecessor, ex-Duke Alaric, she was not obligated to abide by it. This point did not sit well with the Paladin.
To make tensions worse between the two duchies, an altercation between Dame Arianna and Baron Bryan almost came to blows which surely would have started an interducal incident. Besides the fact that Vishulaun, one of Baron Bryan's squires, had lied to Dame Arianna about the location of one of the wanted, Baron Bryan himself called the Paladin a "slaver," said he would never cooperate with her even if the Duchess ordered it, and called Duke Vordan a necromancer. This last accusation was quelled somewhat when Dame Arianna pointed out that Baron Bryan had served under the convicted necromancer Alaric Dragonhart for many years.
(It may be pointed out in an aside that Duke Vordan of Niman is rumored to be an undead but this cannot be confirmed.)
Dame Arianna was forced to leave empty-handed and return to her home with the message for her Duke.
The rifts that have plagued Ashbury since Avar Lychus took the Rod of Seven Rifts into the Graveyard of Shattered Spirits continue to confound and complicate the local citizens. The most recent known example concerns a lone red-haired stranger who entered the Dragon's Flagon and gathered stares as she made her way to the roaring fireplace and began to drink glasses and glasses of hot water.
A group of curious adventurers, including Squire Mortimus of Blythedale, Kador, and others, approached the woman to inquire about her peculiar behavior. Over the course of the evening they learned that her name was Aqua and that she was from another plane--a plane almost entirely made of water--where she had been taken against her will and brought to Ashbury. She told a heartbreaking story of her near drowning in a magical wave of water as she gathered seashells along the sandy beach of her island home with her sister. She spoke of her subsequent awakening on the docks of Ashbury City. As the cold October weather quickly sapped her of warmth and water, the adventurers questioned her about her home in an effort to help her return home.
After much discussion, it was determined that it was a rift that brought her here and therefore a rift that would return her to her island paradise. The only way known to open the rift was the Rod of Seven Rifts but it was believed that the dragon Ganderfax would be able to direct the adventurers to the device.
While some of the group searched for the dragon, others mounted a round-the-clock effort to keep her from dieing of cold and dehydration. The next morning, when the Faerie Bunny returned to town, it was discovered that another key to the rifts existed, broken into four pieces and given out by the bunny in return for carrots. However, for some reason the bunny did not wish Aqua or any of the group that helped her to aquire the key pieces themselves.
Other adventurers were able to convince the bunny that they could be trusted with them and managed to open the rift on the far side of the city. As expected, the rift opened to a world of water, but what came through was not as friendly as Aqua. Large blue creatures made entirely of water sprang from the rift and began attacking the adventurers immediately.
After the creatures were defeated, it was discovered by the coral they carried that they were indeed from the same plane as the "mermaid." Without a word, she disappeared into the wall of water and minutes later another group of blue creatures attacked before a brave adventurer was able to pull out the key, closing the rift forever.
It is unknown whether Aqua was killed by the water creatures or was in some allied with them.
Ganderfax, "The Master of Dreams," entered Ashbury on Saturday October 30th to reclaim his stolen sword. The sword, called Dragon's Doom, was taken from the silver mines of Oliver earlier in the month. Duchess Mara was presented with the weapon, but gave it to Baron Bryan. Many believe that the sword was an engagement present.
The drake, in the guise of a human wizard, attempted to purchase the sword. He offered Baron Bryan a huge block of silver in trade. The block was evaluated to be worth forty gold. Unfortunately, Baron Bryan quickly declined the offer, and said that the wizard would have to pay twice that amount for the weapon.
Finally Ganderfax approached the Duchess. He stated that he had selected the mines as his home ages before the Kingdom of Evendarr had annexed these lands. Furthermore, he claimed that the sword was his property. He insisted that the weapon be returned or else he would burn the city to the ground. Baron Bryan quickly changed his mind, and found the block of silver a very fair price for the weapon.
Ganderfax spend the remainder of the day walking throughout the capital, and talking with the citizens of Ashbury. Many requested that he enchant magic items for them, but none of these requests were fulfilled. He was seen talking to Grand Sorceress Shalazar for some time, and she seemed completely enamored of him. Some citizens were heard to say that she has finally found her true love.
Many citizens witnessed the drake spit fireballs at creatures which were foolish enough to attack him. After one such battle, he became surrounded by townspeople. He requested that everyone back away, but his warning was not headed. Finally he shouted "Begone!", and many did just that. Those that were protected by a Shield Magic or Reflect Magic spell were unaffected. However, the remainder were put to sleep, and many of them were sent to the Realm of Dreams.
Those sent to the Dream World by Ganderfax included Bryan Stonefist, Dillian Spellblazer, Kerrugan, Otto Neumacht, Ralishaz, Roul the Blunt, Templeton and Victor. Although most of what happened has remained a secret, it is believed that they visited The Dark Tower of Balernor.
Apparently, the Tower is home to a Greater Nightmare Elemental named Oradel. Many townspeople witnessed them collapse when some unseen desecrated creature moved through Ashbury on Sunday morning. Each was visited by a similar nightmare warning them that Oradell would seek revenge for their trespass.
On October 21, the Astrologers' Guild sighted a meteor plummeting towards Tyrra. They were unable to determine the exact location of the crash site, but managed to narrow the search to within seven miles of Ashbury city. No public announcement was made, because the Guild did not want to create wide-spread panic. However, they did comb the entire area in search of the stone for days. After an extensive week long search proved fruitless, they decided to post a reward of 10 gold for the return of the meteor.
The meteor was eventually recovered from a nest of vicious giant ants. The ants had been mutated by the weird energy of the meteor, and had began a siege against the capital. Local townspeople were alerted to the nests location by a distraught farmer. Apparently, the ants had an appetite for the farmer's corn, and were devouring his fall harvest at an alarming rate. A brave group of adventurers managed to fight off several waves of worker ants and locate an egg chamber beyond. The eggs were defended by a large queen ant and several of the warrior ants. The casualties were heavy, but the heroic group managed to secure the chamber. The meteor was found near the body of the dead queen.
Unfortunately, all of the eggs were destroyed in the melee. Otherwise, some additional experiments could have been conducted to learn more about the affects of prolonged exposure to the meteor.
The guild has reported that the meteor continues to radiate a strange power, and so it will remain in a lead shielded box for safety purposes. Some believe that the meteor was sent to Tyrra as an attack of some kind, but the guild has refused to comment. Since the meteor was in such excellent condition, they increased the reward to 12 gold. The reward was given to a lion sarr named Tsar who turned the meteor over to a guild official on Sunday October 31.
On October 29th, the trolls of the Tower Hills launched a massive assault on the duchy. For several days prior to the attack, the war trolls were organizing small groups of hill trolls, and they created a sizable force. They attacked at dawn and many managed to escape the front lines. These small war parties headed in different directions, as though each had a set mission in mind. Luckily, the combined forces of the Ashbury Royal Army and the Trellhiem Militia was able to hunt down many of these groups.
The targets of these groups are as yet unclear. Several troll war parties attempted to destroy Medecia's Bridge, but found the construction more formidable than expected. The bridge suffered only minor cosmetic damage, and Baron Morgan has already ordered for the necessary reconstruction. Furthermore, some groups of trolls were seen headed for additional targets in Trellhiem, Ash Forest and Nordenn.
Unfortunately, some of the war parties managed to make it all the way to the capital. They attacked the townspeople, and created quite a panic. Many people were injured, but no deaths related to the troll attacks have been reported. The troll attacks ended by nightfall. However, a few more trolls were seen on Sunday.
Baron Morgan Blackbourne has reported that the remaining trolls have been either killed or confined to the hills, but adds that they may return.
(This article was written by visiting sage Corwin deGiles of Evendarr, noted Authority on Court Etiquette and Protocol, who happened to witness the event.)
On the 6th day of November, 593, Wilhelm, Faustus, and Otto Neumacht swore an oath of vassalage to the liege, the Duchess of Ashbury.
Wilhelm, the author of the rite, correctly observed its traditional tripartite structure. First, he "commended" himself, also known as giving homage or self-surrender. In Evendarr, the vassal would do this by symbolically placing his hands within the hands of his lord and expressing his intention to serve. Hailing from the warlike south, Wilhelm followed a slight variant: he unsheathed his sword, knelt before the Duchess, and uttered the following words: "In good faith, we commend ourselves to Your Grace and offer the hilts of our family blade as a token of our homage."
Second, after the Duchess had indicated assent, he pledged fealty or fidelity. In Evendarr, fidelity has a passive and active side: the vassal would promise to refrain from doing his lord any injury as well as offering his "aid and counsel." Wilhelm, however, used a less legalistic, Blackstone formula characterized by antithesis ad other rhetorical flourishes: "Here we do swear and service to Ashbury and to Your Grace, the Duchess and Lord of the realm, to speak and be silent, to do and to let be, to come and go, in need or plenty, in peace or war, in living or dying, from this hour henceforth, until our lord release us, or death take us, or the world end. So say I, Wilhelm Cornelius Aprippa Neumacht of Blackstone, son of Conrad der Erstem Braumeister and Clan Patriarch." Then Faustus and Otto, heads of the other two lines of the Neumacht family, spoke similar lines.
Third, Wilhelm swore an oath over sacred "relics," in this case, the family beer stein. In Evendarr, where the people are less superstitious, we often dispense with this last step and simply confirm the ritual with a ceremonial sword to the shoulder. The gypsies, I am told, go to the opposite extreme and perform the archaic bloodbath. Wilhelm's version, while a bit whimsical, nonetheless conforms to an age-old precedent set by Blackstone brewers: "To seal and sanctify this vow of homage and fealty, each of us shall drink from the sacred beerstein and swear in our Muttersprache a most mighty oath." Their oaths translated as "By my beer, I swear that I will ever be faithful to the Duchess, in good faith and without guile." The Duchess then took the proffered stein, drank from it, and accepted the three brewers into her household.
According to Blackstone custom, such an oath is not binding until the beerstein is fully drained, and so the Neumachts completed this formality with much gusto.
The Fey Faerie Folk visited Ashbury this weekend, and opened a market to trade magic items for spirits.
Many people entered a huge earthen mound after they gave carrots to a pooka rabbit. However, few people exited the mound without some complaint. The Fey did not lie to anyone, but they deceived many into trading temporary ownership of certain aspects of their spirit for items a great power.
Furthermore, some people even volunteered to participate in an experiment in exchange for a one-times-ever item of their choice. Many suffered strange side affects as a result of the experiments, while others seemed to be unaffected. Although no one has made their transactions a matter of public record, it is believed that a member of the brewers got a magic shield of protection aura. Also, a member of the court of Trellhiem traded his courage for a two handed sword of damage aura.
Early in the fall, it was discovered that a thief had managed to gain access to the Diron Mages' Guild circle of power and steal five pages of Sorceress Shalizar's personal diary. Adventuring parties, including The Pride and Tribe began searching for the stolen pages immediately.
When the torn pages began surfacing in Ashbury, the two groups and many others returned those found to the worried Sorceress in return for monetary reward. Although two were captured in connection with the pages, it became obvious that someone far more powerful than they were behind the theft.
Currently only half a page remains unreturned and no explanation for their being taken or their obvious release into Ashbury has been determined.
Three brave solders of Quentari entered the capital on Saturday evening. They had been hunting a pack of werewolves for several months, and had tracked them to Ashbury. Apparently, the pack of wolves had attacked some people in the city of Helevorn, Quentari and escaped into Niman. They tracked the wolves into Volta, and eventually to Ashbury.
The solders were able to capture several thieves that were working with the werewolves, and reclaim the magic amulet that they had stolen from a Quentari citizen. Furthermore, they managed to kill two of the werewolves, but the third was nowhere to be found. They returned to Quentari after having food, drink and a massage at the Dragon's Flagon.
Apparently, the solders were treated quite well by the townspeople of Ashbury. The magistrate of Helevorn has dispatched public notices thanking the nobles of Ashbury for their hospitality. Politicians and economists are hoping that this could stimulate trade between the elven kingdom and Evendarr. Unfortunately, the same solders were treated very poorly in the duchy of Niman. Nobody from the court of Niman could be reached for comment.
by Cleo Smith
If you want to know just how nasty Quentari elves really are, you can either go talk to Squire Gabriel of Nordenn and experience it first-hand, or go ask Sheriff Kelson why he left Din-Oth. Apparently, his socially traumatic childhood there has soured him against wood elves also as well as done permanent damage to his arm with a bow. The wood elves shouldn't feel too slighted by the Sheriff though--they can always petition their number one fan, guardsman Xavier Kimball. If a second opinion is necessary of Quentari elf distemper, go and speak to Max Maniaz the alchemist.
Perhaps the remaining Q elves in town could sway this generally bad opinion of their race. For starters, Ruby of the Massage Parlor could try paying the back rent she owes the tavern.
The court of Trellheim has been spending a lot of time in the tavern lately. Baron Morgan was seen gulping down cheap Rotarian wine. Squire/Seneschal Hanson spent some time serving drinks like a good citizen and Squire Malhavoc relaxed enough to wear some of Camilla's clothing!
Poor Squire Pinaeus has been unsuccessfully wooing Sorceress Shalizar lately. Knowing sources suggest trying magic weapons instead of flowers.
Rumors about Lithitar Drakkar stealing ritual stuff from the Mages' Guild for Avar Lychus have proved unfounded. The Sorceress herself reports that nothing is missing. Also, love-sick Avar's disappearance into a rift with his precious Rod of Seven Rifts might be a slight hindrance to that plan.
Speaking of rods currently inaccessible, Kelial seemed awfully upset when Hyperius tore it out of his hands--but wasn't the Rod capable of storing only necromantic spells? The town will simply have to forgive Kelial's perpetually bad temper. He's currently nursing an unrequited and obviously unreturned love.
Perhaps he could find solace by talking to Wilhelm Neumacht who was recently married and lost his wife all in one day! This is one man who is unlucky in love. How will he ever "continue the line"?
Has anyone ever noticed that the Nordenn court has no women on it? (Neither does Trellheim or Blythedale for that matter.) Maybe the women are afraid of being fed to the orcs. Although if any are brave enough to join, Baron Bryan will be more than happy to adjust their armor for them.
Kerrugan of the Pride recently announced that he was "going to seduce Mourna" (but won't Harlequin get jealous?). Perhaps he should take some advice from Victor, who, in case you haven't noticed, proudly wears no pants. (Victor may be able to advise Solaris who claims he can't find a mate because of his limp mane.)
Citizen Corbin beat the pants off of Duchess Mara, Magistrate Lornlin and Vassa of the Merchant's Guild in a low stakes poker game in the tavern recently. Will he eventually clean out the entire town when Vassa starts his high-stakes game?
The Duchess, by the way, has been having very private meetings with Sir Thyren of Evendarr, who is also Lord of Foxcastle. Chasing foxes, Your Grace?
Lastly, so he won't feel neglected, I shall speak of Sir Angus who in a fit of jealousy rebuked the Magistrate. Does it have something to do with those smooches the Magistrate has been giving out?
And remember--if you can't say something nice about someone, come sit by me.
SQUIRES OF ASHBURY! I would like to offer an apology to those of you who have not yet been tested. With the recent change of power and political upheaval in our Duchy (and lack of Paladins), I am required to be in many places at many times. I swear that I shall dedicate this winter to Ashbury's potential knights. And come spring, when all is in order, your final testing will begin in earnest. - Sir Angus Grimsby
ROYAL ARMY recruits wanted. Good pay, good benefits. See the world when you're ordered to. Contact your recruiter now!
TO CYRELIA, keeper of thw well and my lawfully wedded wife. Where are you, my love? I am heartbroken! I swear by my beer that I will search for you to the ends of the earth. - your hubby, Wilhelm.
MY THANKS to the anonymous healer who cast the Purify Blood over the arm of the vampyre, under the arm of the ghoul, and onto the lap of Apprentice Justice during the undead attack on the Ashbury Mages' Guild. Please come forward so that I can learn your name and can personally repay you for your competence. - Sorceress Shalizar.
SIR HIERONYMOUS and Mother Merry: Thank you for your assistance in my time of need. I am indebted to you both. Please do not forget my humble request, Sir Hieronymous. - Aloryn Runeweaver.
BARON THOMAS: You, your seneschal, and your Blackstonian friend will follow the infidel Darin Ilthranis into a cold, muddy grave. You're on our list.
ARMORSMITH WANTED. Earn great pay, work reasonable hours. Room and board. Contact the Merchant's Guild.
HEALERS: All noviates who wish to be invested in the circle must submit a written request to the Guildmistress. Please include your name, favorite study/subject/speciality, the reason you feel you should be invested, and the location where a messenger can reach you. If you don't know who the Guildmistress is, don't study and can't read, don't bother responding to this announcement.
REWARD of a silver and a half to the person who returns my Mages' Guild amulet. No questions asked. Kador Blackskie, Apprentice of the Ashbury Mages' Guild and Mist Wood Ranger.
TRELLHEIM: Thanks for the gold. Too bad you couldn't afford to save both of your squires, but business is business. Maybe next time you will take me more seriously! Cail "The Merciless" of Mara's Marauders
TEMPLETON: I shall make your life an unending torment for your betrayal. In the end you will welcome the silence of final death!
THE ASHBURY MAGES' GUILD would like to congratulate the following new Apprentices: Pinaes Brightblade, Barony of Blythedale; Corbin; Faustus III, Neumacht Clan; Talisian Greywind, Company of the Midnight Sun; Malhavoc, Barony of Trellheim; Narc McEwan, Clan McEwen; Caliandros Morcana, Barony of Blythedale; And the following promotions to Guildsman: Ariel, Butterfly Gypsy Clan; Lithitar Drakkar; Vishulaun, Barony of Nordenn; And the following promotion to Senior Guildsman: Ilrick, Les Coqueluche des Dames.