War on Ashbury's Northern Border

Rumors and reports continue to filter down from the Northern Marches concerning the fate of the sometimes Duchy of Ravenholt. It was only slightly more than a year ago that Ashbury's northern neighbor declared its independence from the Kingdom of Evendarr and became the Principality of Ravenholt. Some believe that declaration of independence was a form of "passive resistance" intended to protest the rule of King Joseph Saxony, whom Basil Ravenhurst, Ravenholt's Duke/Prince, had refused to recognize. (Basil may have also been upset because he was originally listed as one of the possible successors to the Throne.) However, this particular manner of protest may have worked against the people of that land as it seems the entire area has now dissolved into chaos.

No official word has been received from Ravenholt or the Royal Throne, but refugees fleeing the area claim that sometime near the end of October or beginning of November, Basil Ravenhurst was assassinated by members of two of his baronial courts, Capulus and Cumberland. Most reports seem to indicate that this was Basil's final death, as his wife, Lady Andrea Huntington, claimed she would take his place when the rebels were unable to produce a leader.

Soon after, Capulan forces began to push westward in a series of attacks against the Barony of Westmarch. Voltan, Rotarian, and Evandarran forces quickly harried them from the south and west while the Royal Navy assaulted the Capulan coastline. The land is now embroiled in a bitter civil war with many sides claiming to be in power.

It is important to note that Ravenholt is the youngest of Evendarr's duchies, and that it has been growing rather quickly over the past few years. In fact, forces of its two northernmost baronies were expanding their borders just this past summer; an action which brought them into conflict with many of the goblin tribes that reside to the north. Some sages speculate that Ravenholt simply grew too large for itself, and that collapse was inevitable. Others speculate that the Duke's acceptance of known necromancers in his court may have led to his downfall, although this hasn't seemed to have harmed Duke Vordan Nicademus of Niman.

Also worth noting is Ashbury's declaration of neutrality regarding matters of war between Evendarr and Ravenholt. After Basil Ravenhurst named his land a principality, former Duke Alaric Dragonhart firmly stated that he would not provide troops to his northern or southern neighbor. Alaric feared that Ashbury would become the battleground upon which the two forces fought, an unfair and unjust burden to place upon an already beleaguered populace. Duchess Mara, being a long-time friend and loyal vassal of King Joseph, has allowed some Royal troops to march through Ashbury but has made it clear that she does not plan to send her troops into the area.

Meanwhile, refugees from Ravenholt are fleeing into Blythedale and Nordenn to escape Capulus's attacks into Westmarch. Patrols on the two baronies' northern borders have confirmed massive troop movements within the barony of Westmarch. Baron Thomas also reported the mobilization of Rotaria's armies in Warwyck, probably in preparation for an assault upon Capulus. Trellheim was not spared an additional period of nervousness (see accompanying article on the border skirmish) as they observed Voltan forces in Zarkym gearing up for battle and moving east along the Ashbury River. It is unknown as to whom Duke Adrick intends to offer his aid.

Ravenholt's fate remains unknown for now, but many speculate that Rotaria and Volta may decide to claim what lands they can from the faltering fiefdom while the rest of the area returns to the wild, barbarian-ruled state they were in before the Duchy's formation.


Assassination Attempt on Duchess Fails

The evening revelry of the New Year's Eve party was jolted when Duchess Mara Tirane fell to the ground, having been poisoned with an Instant Death elixir. Fortunately, Guildmaster Isabella Nault had a Life spell ready and although the Duchess was very weak for a period after the attack, she survived and is now doing fine.

Baron Morgan quickly took control of the investigation and discovered that the mug with the poisoned ale had been handed to the Duchess by one of her own squires, Wilhelm Neumacht of the Brewers' Guild. Wilhelm seemed just as shocked by the incident as anyone.

The mug, which was Wilhelm's personal gigantic family mug, had been left unattended as had the bottles of fine champagne that Wilhelm had brought to the party. Sheriff Kelson and the Town Guard along with many of the party goers searched the area for more clues but none were found. Speculation that Wilhelm was trying to poison his liege seemed doubtful - why would he do so in such an obvious public place, leaving himself as an obvious suspect, when as her squire he could have easily done it privately? When it was suggested that perhaps someone had poisoned the cup in an attempt to kill Wilhelm, he looked surprised and then said "Ja! The Fist! They have vowed to get me!"

The Fist, a group of fiendish outlaws, had also recently been routed from an orphanage in Dover where they had been poisoning the small children with candy tainted with Euphoria. The children were then sold into slavery. The Fist leaders have escaped and are wanted.


Duchess Appoints Seneschal and New Paladin

Duchess Mara Tirane made two new needed appointments on New Year's Eve, thus further expanding her Court.

Citing the need for another Paladin, the Duchess named longtime friend Sir Thyren Vardik to the position. Noting that she had been Duchess for over six months now without a Seneschal, she named her Squire Laurelin to that position.

Sir Thyren was appointed his knighthood from King Joseph and had been granted the Royal Ashbury estate of Foxcastle where he currently resides. He has proven to be a loyal vassal to the King--which may seem ironic when it is considered that he first encountered Joseph while incarcerated as a war criminal.

Sir Thyren, a biata, had been captured by the Evendarr army in 569 in the Battle of Blood River. He was taken to Evendarr as a Prisoner of War and was eventually released to serve King Richard in the Royal Household. He eventually worked his way up to the position of Lieutenant in the Royal Guard and was made Squire to Sir Uriel Deerfield of Evendarr. His heroism in battle and strict adherence to the Code of Chivalry helped to establish his reputation at the Royal Castle.

During this time, he also made a name for himself as an avid poker player and master of many games, which not surprisingly won the attention of King Joseph and his gaming pals (which included then-Dame Mara). He spent many hours in their company playing cards and croquet and was knighted last year. Citizens of Foxcastle report that he is a fine and just leader.

Squire Laurelin's history is not as well known as she has not been active in Royal circles where attention is high. It is known that she is an Amani elf who was associated with the court of the Ash Forest as an Earth caster for quite some time until being captured and whisked away by the faerie ffolk last fall. When she returned weeks later, she found that she had been cursed by the faerie to be unable to cast healing spells, and has since taken up learning celestial magics.

Since she does not yet have a noble title, the title of "Lady Seneschal" is merely honorary. "She does not have the right to dispense justice or otherwise act as a noble," stated local law expert Quentin Dunbury, "but since the Duchess has given her the responsibility of this important position, it would not be a good idea for commoners or nobles to disobey her orders."


Border Skirmish Increases Niman/Ashbury Tensions

Early in the evening of December 27th, near the heavily guarded border between Ashbury and Niman, a contingent of the Baronial Army stationed at Shadowatch, one of Trellheim's border watchtowers, was participating in a field training exercise when a squad of Nimani Border Guards charged into the clearing and attacked.

The vicious combat which ensued was only broken off after half of the Nimani warriors were slain and the rest thoroughly routed. Although some Ashbury lives were lost, Captain Norrin Firepike, Commander of Shadowatch, commended his troops on their lightning quick reaction to the unprovoked attack.

Before Commander Norrin had an opportunity to report what had occurred to Baron Morgan Blackbourne (who was busy quelling minor attacks from trolls in the Tower Hills), swift-footed messengers from the court of Baron Vladimyr Post of Jennith arrived at the watchtower. These emissaries quickly explained that the entire incident was a grand, misfortunate mistake. One herald, Sir Hannis Qix, related how an intense manhunt for a group of escaped criminals led to the attack. The Nimani horsemen had been tracking the band across southern Jennith when, according to Dame Dynnas Greenwreath, the only surviving noble of the Nimani force, they unknowingly crossed the border. The soldiers, weary, cold, and still thinking themselves within their jurisdiction, sighted the Border Watch campfire, assumed it was their quarry, and mounted an assault. Neither Commander Norrin nor any in his command reported seeing anyone cross the border ahead of the Nimani horsemen.

After offering this explanation, Sir Hannis and his entourage withdrew, but not before pointing out that his visit was not an apology. He also made a number of off-handed remarks about the increasing hostility of Ashbury's citizenry, their disrespect of visiting nobility, and their unwarranted labelling of Duke Vordan as a necromancer. It is believed by some that this final remark was in reference to comments made by Baron Bryan Nordenn to a visiting Nimani paladin a few months prior.


Mages' Guild Changes Ritual I.D. Policy

The Ashbury Mages' Guild will no longer be charging a fee for earth ritual components brought in for identification. In the past the Guild has charged for the research of both celestial and earth ritual components even though it would not give any information about the earth components, other than that they were earth and had to be taken to the Ashbury Healers' Guild for further identification. This policy caused some quiet grumbling among the citizens of Ashbury and it appears the complaints made their way to the Sorceress, prompting her to change the Mages' Guild's charging policy.

The Guildmistress also announced that those who have been charged for identification of earth components in the past will have the fee refunded in full according to the guild's records. Citizens who believe they qualify for such a refund should visit Midnight Guildshall or speak to Sorceress Shalizar directly.


Prophecies Suggest Trouble For Ashbury

Three separate sources have relayed the worrisome message that Ashbury will be in for the battle of its lifetime within the next year or two.

A gypsy initiation ceremony on New Year's Eve--which usually end with the new gypsy having a vision--foretold of a great war upcoming in which three heroes would attempt to save the Duchy but would probably fail.

Meanwhile, biata from all over Ashbury all reported having similar nighmares. Each biata's dream was unique but all were of a battle and all reported seeing "a dove, a bat, and a hammer" doing battle with a great (and possibly undead) creature--and losing.

Meanwhile, Astrologer Solaris completed a chart for Ashbury and had warned of a great divide and turmoil within the next year.

What this all means at this point is up to individual interpretation, but none of it makes anyone in Ashbury very comfortable.


The Real News

by Cleo Smith

Hello everyone--it's wonderful me wishing all a Happy New Year!

I started my year off working hard, gathering info at the Duchess' New Year's Eve party.

Wilhelm (suspected in the poisoning of the Duchess) had commented earlier that "beer weakens the will" in a bit of advice to Squire Angus of Nordenn, perhaps reminiscing about past (and recent) romantic failures. Squire Angus seemed nonplussed but Sir Angus seems ready to try again. "Tetsubu showed me a few moves," he stated.

Apparently the Paladin has also taken to counseling others in the romantic arena as he was overheard advising Magistrate Laurelin "I'm sure the Duchess wouldn't kiss you; I'm sure I know her taste." (How is that, Sir Angus?) Laurelin's only comment about the conversation was "I'm not actively looking for someone but I wouldn't mind finding someone."

Well, it will certainly be easier for even a masked man than for Tale who would greatly appreciate being told of any bat scavenger sightings in your local area. And what of lonely Squire Aloryn who laments that he has "no time for women at all" while looking at the empty bottle of Voltan ale sitting next to him? He's been busy trying not to contract something deadly from the famous Korombos brothers. The last time they were seen was on their way out of town, mumbling something about avoiding being convicted.

I hope they didn't forget to teach poor adopted son Petey the "x" spell before leaving. I seriously doubt they'll be able to tote their prodigious spell book along on any prolonged journey. I don't think the Koromboses should worry too much though--in the words of one of our own Ashbury nobles, "Magic--all magic--is a tool. It is neither good nor evil."

Elias Triphammer and The Company might consider using a similar defense in their upcoming trial. Though if Elias thinks he's had a bad winter, he should look at fellow Company member Morlox. Just recently, Morlox "left" the Mist Wood Rangers and was temporarily banished from the Mages' Guild for "disobedience." He's also in less than good standing with Isabella Nault who reports that Morlox (1) stayed at the Healers' Guild, (2) disobeyed his hostess, (3) left a sizable mess, and (4) refused to pay the price of one copper to have a ritual component identified! It's a good thing Isabella does have a superior sense of humor (see Baron Morgan for details).

Morlox's frugality has already been outdone though--Baron Thomas paid some poor half-orc a measly four buttons for a ritual component. I saw the component and it was clearly worth at least eight buttons.

Also, if anyone knows of any secret organizations in town, of if you just belong to one, please tell citizen Alric. He really wants to know.

Coming next month: The touching story of the biata boy who fell down a well as admitted by Squire Sethric of Nordenn and emphatically denied by Nicademus Gotham (also of Nordenn). Until then, remember--if you can't say something nice about someone, come over and sit by me.


Public Notices

NIMAN: You will never take me alive! - Morgan Sunstar

MAGIC ITEM FOR SALE! The Ashbury Mages' Guild is auctioning off a temporary magic item which has the power of Restore Limb four times ever. Bids can be placed any time before April 30th at 9 pm. The item will be rewarded immediately thereafter based on the bid most useful to the Guild. This extended auction is open to all but the actual bids will remain secret. Contact Apprentice Faustus Neumacht of the Brewers to place your bids.