Fangthorn's Army Faces Opposition in Trellheim
Fangthorn's armies, composed of both alive and undead trolls and other goblinoid races, have attacked in earnest all over Ashbury but have put their strongest efforts into retaking the Tower Hills in Trellheim. Although they have won many battles, they have yet to completely take over a city or estate.
Baron Morgan's armies have been well trained in preparation for these skirmishes and many fortresses have proved their battle-readiness. The trolls seemed surprised by such fierce defenses and although they have the benefit of size and the addition of undead members in their ranks, have not yet made major inroads into retaking the land they believe is theirs.
Fangthorn himself has not yet been seen although rumors have placed him in the background at many battles. Some of his major officers have fallen and though it is assumed they have been resurrected, it appears that most have at least not reappeared in the front ranks.
However, many soldiers are not optimistic. "The trolls seem to be merely toying with us, testing our defenses," stated one officer who wished to remain anonymous. "I am sure they have their eyes on taking the capital city eventually and may be holding back their resources for a major attack."
Other observers note that the battle so far is a stalemate; although the trolls have not gained any significant amount, neither has Ashbury, and the losses have been tremendous on both sides.
The people of the Tower Hills have barricaded themselves within the citadel and have at various times rebelled against the Baron for his apparent lack of concern for their well being in his zeal to get the trolls. Other towns have been hit very hard by surprise attacks as the trolls burn and pillage in an often necromantic manner. The trolls in general seem to regard death lightly and seem more than willing to run suicidally into battle. The return of their great hero Fangthorn has revitalized them and made most of them fanatics for the cause.
"Trolls are intelligent beings who just do not know how to act civilized," stated Professor Eric Kir'Loristira of Lake Hollym's College of Arcane Arts. "They see themselves as the downtrodden victims who have had their land taken away from them and are unable to see that if they acted peacefully and cooperatively with other races, they could conceivably become citizens and productive members of society."
Still, the battles rage on, and another worry is on the horizon. The warm weather Ashbury was experiencing before the turn of Winterseve made battles easier, but now that the winds have changed, the citizens of Ashbury are at a definite disadvantage. "Undead armies like it freezing cold," complained Corporal Frin Bedir, "but bad weather is an extra enemy to us. We need more rest and heavy padding and that makes fighting friggin' difficult."
"Too bad," laughed one troll while torturing a poor victim. "Perhaps you humies should be gathering Oliver bones!"
Accompanied by his two aides, former knights Thaddeous Fentin and Regina Mason, Greenmarch Trade Ambassador and ex-Duke Alaric Dragonhart attempted to improve his reputation at the New Year's Eve celebration in the Dragon's Flagon but was hindered slightly by the actions of some of his supporters.
Former members of his Ducal Guard came forward, pledged their allegiance to their former liege, and then demanded his reinstatement as Duke. Alaric seemed surprised and befuddled at their appearance and immediately disclaimed their cause. He denounced their fanaticism and seemed horrified that they would make such unreasonable demands.
The loyalists ignored his pleas and began slandering all of the Ashbury nobles, calling them unfit for leadership. At this point, Baron Bryan stepped forward and challenged one of the leaders, a spellcaster named Kaelis Nightwalker, to an honor duel.
After a brief volley of spells, Baron Bryan was confined and Kaelis stepped forward to kill his foe.
Alaric, Regina, and Thaddeous immediately blocked his way and demanded him to withdraw. Alaric made it clear that he did not sanction this combat and that he would not allow the death of Baron Bryan. Kaelis, confused, wondered aloud if Alaric were under some sort of influence, for surely his Alaric would never have passed up the opportunity.
Eventually and after much arguing, all calmed down. Sethric Nordenn convinced Alaric to not take action against his "loyalists" as Thaddeous spoke to the guards and convinced them that their attempted coup was foolhardy and unwelcome. The guards left dejected, but many wondered if they were convinced of Alaric's sincerity.
As the party progressed, Alaric made small talk with many in the tavern while attempting to reinstall his damaged reputation among the populace. Even Alaric's estranged cousin Jonathan Dragonhart seemed to be on good terms with the ex-Duke. Alaric personally congratulated Baron Bryan on his upcoming nuptials to Duchess Mara, and was invited by the Baron to visit the barony of Nordenn. Baron Thomas also made an invitation to Alaric. Both Duchess Mara and Baroness Laurelin were too ill to attend, and Baron Morgan was apparently busy with the troll wars in his barony.
Ex-Baronial knight Regina Mason did her best to improve relations with those in town by being very friendly and polite to many of the guests, including her ex-liege Baron Bryan. This seemed odd to some court watchers as Baron Bryan had condemned all of his knights for participating in the conspiracy with Alaric and had done nothing to stop their execution in 593.
Alaric brought Winterseve gifts to a few in town, most notably to his Guildmistress Isabella Nault. The gift to her turned out to be a primary component needed to perform a race change. Isabella has commented before that she might wish to transform some biata who are not up to her high standards. "If that's not assault then I don't know what is," commented legal expert Quentin Dunbury when told of this.
Isabella then announced that since Alaric had been an invested member of the Ashbury Healers' Guild since his days as Duke and since he was the highest ranking invested guild member, she was appointing him to be in charge of the guild when she is absent. This announcement did not please many present guild members.
Wizard Morlox is now the proud owner of a Create Bone Golem ritual scroll thanks largely to the fact that he plays chess less poorly than Spiro the gypsy.
Morlox's good fortune came about after Harlequin surprised party-goers at the annual Dragon's Flagon New Year's Eve party with promise of a contest sponsored by "Mr. C."
For those unaware, Harlequin is the jester construct created by a strange Dragon mage known only as "The Chessmaster." The Chessmaster is an individual who seems totally obsessed with games and challenges. He has been known to appear around Evendarr from time to time and force people to play his often cruel games. Because Harlequin "escaped" to Ashbury a year and a half ago and found that most citizens treated her fairly, the Chessmaster has been more kind to our Duchy than he has been known to have been in other areas.
"Harley" announced that Mr. C would be rewarding a ritual scroll to whoever solved his puzzle. Well, what was the puzzle? "If I tell you that, it wouldn't be a puzzle," responded the construct.
As it turned out, the puzzle involved solving various riddles that Harley gave throughout the night. If one guessed the riddle correctly, Harlequin would whisper a word, and if one answered incorrectly she would whisper a different word. Players were unaware whether they had answered correctly based merely on what word Harley whispered.
As the time neared midnight, the Chessmaster appeared. He seemed more subdued and more bored than on previous occassions and he stated that he only showed up to please Harley, who wanted to visit Ashbury again.
He called for all who had a guess to appear and whisper their answer to him. Those who guessed wrong were subjected to binding spells that increased in severity as more people guessed. Since only a few accepted the challenge, it is not known how severe the "punishments" would have become.
Morlox, Spiro, and Templeton Neumacht all correctly deduced that the scroll was Create Bone Golem. To break the tie, the Chessmaster announced that the winners would play chess. When Templeton announced that he didn't know how, the Chessmaster quickly dismissed him and went on with the other two, refusing any pleas from Templeton or his friends, and Silencing them when they continued to beg. Although they understood the rules, neither Morlox nor Spiro showed any great skill in the game and the Chessmaster's sarcastic taunts didn't reduce the pressure. Eventually Morlox was able to defeat Spiro and the Chessmaster awarded Morlox the scroll. He then made Spiro pick up the chessboard, and with a flourish of Dragon magic, spirit stored the chessboard to the hapless gypsy.
While there, the Chessmaster was offered a number of challenges but none met with his approval. Maximus offered his "spirit" if he lost a game, but the Chessmaster said he had no use for spirits. He did offer to take Maximus and turn him into one of his Fear "elementals," but Maximus wisely decided not to accept that offer.
"Give me a real challenge with some prize that interests me and I may accept," the Chessmaster stated to all who challenged him. Sorcerss Shalizar made an offer that he seemed interested in and he said he would get back to her. However, the citizens of Ashbury had better hope that he does not accept the offer and, acting true to his history, force the town into a dangerous and deadly game it does not wish to play.
The notoriuous liar and undead abomination mummy Ichorax appeared in the Dragon's Flagon on New Year's Eve and taunted the good citizens of Ashbury with his outlandish posturing and necromantic fabrications.
The scum-of-Tyrra being, known to wither and kill innocent people just for the kicks of it even when he promises not to, said that he now possessed the Talon Scrolls thanks to Morlox and that he would be creating a "necropolis." He did not elaborate too much but no one with an ounce of brains took his lies too seriously (although they did heed his threats).
Sorceress Shalizar caught him in at least one major lie when he stated that his magical rod had certain powers when he had in fact told her differently earlier. He is of course known for promising the people of Ashbury that if his Rod were returned to him, he would retreat back to his grave and stay there, never to bother Ashbury again. So much for that promise.
Ichorax's undead minions were quickly destroyed by Hanson and other brave heroes while Baron Thomas distracted the mummy, but Ichorax himself, safely inside his Circle of Power, merely spirit walked away from the tavern after spewing his lies.
Only commenting that the meeting was a success because "nobody died," Isabella Nault and some of the other biata in town further alienated themselves from the other races by their mysterious actions.
Shortly before midnight at the New Year's Eve party, the biata at the party met in one of the Dragon's Flagon's back rooms. Guards were posted outside of the door, but unconfirmed sources state that inside were Guildmistress Isabella, Sir Kelial Vardik, his sister Selina Vardik, Vassa Thrommel, Harayan Merik, and Sethric Nordenn. Conspicuous by his absence at the meeting was Baron Bryan.
Apparently, according to the unnamed source, the biata in town have formed a kind of government or council. They were meeting to discuss some problems that they were trying to work out among themselves, particularly regarding the recent appearances of a number of powerful gryphons.
There were many loud voices and shouting and one guard stated that he thought he heard a gryphon squawking. Suddenly spells were flying--and then Sir Keliel was being dragged out into the main room, obviously paralyzed. Sethric was posing him in amusing ways, much to the enjoyment of the tavernfolk.
One bemused bystander made the most astute observation of the evening when she said "Perhaps if the biata could learn to live with each other they might be able to live better with the rest of the inhabitants of Tyrra."
by Lord Magistrate Faustus Neumacht
A slew of petty crimes marred the New Year's Eve celebrations at the Dragon's Flagon. There were several displays of public drunkenness, and consequently several citizens spent the rest of the night in the dungeon. Later, a lumberjack's attempt to cut another citizen's long hair with a butter knife escalated into a large brawl. The man responsible was charged with Assault and fined one gold.
Payment was waived as the lumberjack and his comrades had been robbed after being rendered unconscious and only some of their money could be found and returned.
Several merchants from Niman were captured while pursuing an escaped slave. As they lacked the official papers required by treaty to conduct such a search, they were imprisoned and shall be handed over to the Nimani authorities. Also, a former partisan of Alaric was found guilty of Mockery of a Noble Title and fined two gold for spreading false and malicious slurs about the nobles of our fair duchy.
The most serious incident was a premeditated attack on the Dragon's Flagon owner Tawane Runeweaver. Due to the swift intervention of several citizens, notably Templeton Neumacht, who was waylaid for his noble efforts, the pair of assailants were apprehended. Then with the aid of Dame Sonya Dawntreader, the prisoners were separated and interrogated. Thus unable to coordinate their stories or even their aliases, it was a simple matter to expose their conspiracy. The pair were executed.
Finally, let it be known that Truxton has been named Ashbury's Sheriff, with the Duchess' approval. There are none I can conceive of who are as brave and well-suited to rebuilding Ashbury's Town Guard as he.
A LARGE REWARD will be paid to any person with information leading to the discovery of a method to transform a willing human into a hobling. If you are the rumored lucky owner of magical components capable of such a feat, you will be paid Hansonly for them. Please see Gadlen Chimeran.
WE CAN MAKE YOU RICH! The Ashbury branch of the Avalon Trading Company is looking for junior partners, security experts, and ship captains. Prior experience a must! Please inquire with Shankar Vorg, Senior Partner.
RESEARCH DONE. Legal representation and advice. Potions and elixirs identified, scrolls read, jewelry evaluated. Quentin Dunbury.
ASHBURY REGISTRY OF TEACHERS. Referrrals for a wide range of skills. Discretion assured. Teachers: get students without spending all your time recruiting. See Prof. Turlough Kuranes.
NECROMANTIC ITEMS PURCHASED for disposal. Why give these items away when you can deem them in for cash? Items will be removed from the Kingdom of Evendarr. See Rowell Ka'taan.
POEMS FOR ALL OCCASIONS! Reasonable rates. Love sonnets a specialty. See Turlough the Bard.
THE ASHBURY MAGES' GUILD would like to congratulate the following new Apprentice: Modi Thadeus Ioki; and the following promotions to Guildsman: Daniel Stromgaard, and Jericho, Barony of Nordenn.