Within a month of the new year, Duke Frost’s initiative to reclaim areas of Trellhiem was instituted to success.

After Ashbury was first pulled to Fortannis, Baron Radric took his army and abandoned his land, traveling into the mists. The traitor Count Requin Dragor was able to unite Trellhiem under his banner in the war against Ashbury. After Requin was imprisoned in Amora Fortannis, the estate fell into a series of small states ruled by either Requin’s former generals, Deep Trolls of the Sunless Empire, the Kanoredhil of Dur Namarie, the Vampire Dragonmage Morganna, or the Galanthians.

Though these lands were lost under Duke Aramis, at that time, Ashbury faced the far greater perils of creating a new Icenia, fighting the Freejyn Horde, and fending off incursions from Ashbury’s enemies. By the time Duke Frost came to power, however, the other Icenian duchies became self sufficient, and Ashbury has begun to take steps to reclaim the lands of Trellhiem.

This major achievement was begun in the estate of Deathwatch, just over the border from  Woodwash.

In the years since Requin was defeated, Deathwatch had fallen to four leaders who each had a distinct area of control.

The largest of the territories, nearly half of the estate, was controlled by a former general of Requin’s, Warlord Mathias, who ruled his lands with an iron fist.

The other half of the estate was divided in to three separate territories. The largest and most powerful of the three was controlled by another of Requin’s former officers, General Maximillian Farhill. A former squire, General Maximillian did his best to live by the Code of Chivalry and keep the peace between the other two regional leaders, Overlord Reginald Margrave and Sheriff Sebastian Foxmorton.

After Requin was defeated and the estate fell into chaos, the various farmers and merchants beseeched Sheriff Sebastian to take control of the area and protect them. Reluctantly the Sheriff agreed, and has maintained the safety of his people since then.

Overlord Reginald Margrave was a former officer in Requin’s army and after Requin vanished, he was able to gain a substantial following of Requin’s soldiers and claim a part of the state for himself.

Though technically each of the territories had their own autonomy, General Maximillian had the largest and most powerful territory, and both Overlord Reginald and Sheriff Sebastian respected and mostly obeyed the general.

Led by a promising young Ducal sergeant named Rig Vilmund, a group of brave adventurers answered His Grace’s call to arms. Sergeant Rig explained to them that their primary tasks were to scout the area, establish relations with the leaders of the lands, and slay any monster races that were present.

Fighting their way past powerful trolls, the adventurers found the town overrun with goblins. The creatures were quickly dispatched, and it was not long before the Ashbans met Warlord Mathias and his right hand man, a Galanthian Sword of Lore named Shuar Jathorym.

They were informed that the area was being plagued by black masked figures called the Dark Enforcers as well as many mysterious disappearances in the area. The bold Dark Enforcers even stole many items from the adventurers while they were in the town.

During the course of the day, fierce troll attacks plagued the town, but the adventurers defeated each foray. Unused to such fierce
resistance from the villagers, a troll named Chieftain Grimbriar led his minons on a fierce attack of the town. During the fierce fighting, a visiting soldier from Caldaria named Gannicus Gaius Falco slipped behind enemy lines and was able to put the beast down. It turned out to be the troll chief’s final death. Troll attacks throughout the area did not end entirely, but they seemed less organized and less frequent.

Clearly without their leader, the trolls were floundering.

Late that night, Enko Queeko, a chimpanzee scavenger from Synvia, surreptitiously followed a Dark Enforcer back to one of their safe houses. Gathering the aid of Kerrigwen, Aeoun Nimbus, Osrick, and Cuar, Enko investigated the bandits. It quickly became apparent that the bandits were hostile however, and a fight broke out.

Ultimately, a bloody standoff resulted. Osrick and two of the bandits were slain and forced to resurrect. The bandits were able to steal the weapons of several of the adventurers and told the surviving adventurers to leave. Weakened, lacking enough weapons, and with one of their number already slain, the heroes withdrew. Some took note that, though masked, one of the bandits looked a bit like Shuar.

All became clear the next day. Sergeant Rig ordered some of the adventurers to break into the Warlord’s office to gather intelligence. A group consisting of Grandeurous Delirium, Vox, Nagetier Kronkild, Kier Wyldwynd, Jin Mei, Aeoun, Shard Darksun, and Celeste undertook the task.

At the office, the adventurers found a trio of guards who were quickly rendered unconscious. Beyond them, they found the office heavily trapped. Having no trapsmiths handy, Grandeurous and Nagetier bravely charged through the traps, trusting the healers to keep them from dying. Inside they found a locked desk, and Aeoun administered a Shatter spell to destroy the lock. This revealed a letter that indicated that Warlord Mathias was allied with the Galanthian Empire. According to the incriminating letter, Shuar was the intermediary between the Warlord and the Galanthians and he also lead the Dark Enforcers. In exchange for the goods stolen from the people of Deathwatch by the Enforcers, and one slave per month sent to Galanthia, Warlord Mathias received goods and supplies from the empire and discounts on illegal items which allowed him to maintain his power in the area.

When this was reported to Sergeant Rig, he requested that all of the adventurers gather to him for an announcement. When all were gathered, Sergeant Rig read the letter to all present and revealed the fourth part of his orders: to re-conquer Deathwatch for Ashbury.

Removing a ducal tabard from under his shirt and putting it on, he informed the adventurers that he would lead them in the attack to defeat the Warlord.

The battle was not long in coming though. By this point, Warlord Mathias had received word that his office had been broken into and had gathered his forces to march on the town. Sergeant Rig ordered the Warlord to stand down and surrender, but Warlord Mathias refused, and ordered his forces to attack.

The fighting was fierce and difficult, and throughout the battle Sergeant Rig exchanged taunts and insults with the warlord and his officers. However, this did not cause Rig’s concentration or determination to waver, and he skillfully led the adventurers to victory.

Warlord Mathias’ forces were killed to a man, including Shuar.

A runner was quickly sent over the border with news of the battle, and before long a force of ducal soldiers arrived to secure the area. Reports indicate that the bodies of neither the warlord nor his men reformed, so it is presumed that they all resurrected.

The adventurers were ordered to press on to the area now known as Foxmorton and attempt a peaceful reintegration there. During their march, they were ambushed by a force of trolls, screaming about vengeance for their fallen leader. Without Chieftain Grimbriar’s leadership, however, the attack was easily repelled.

When the adventurers arrived in Foxmorton, they met Sheriff Sebastian Foxmorton. The Sheriff told the adventurers that he had attempted to follow the laws of Icenia in his land, and he would support a reunification with Ashbury, as long as it would be in the interest of his people.

At that moment, a runner arrived for the sheriff bringing terrible news that his daughter had been kidnapped. Sheriff Sebastian immediately suspected Overlord Reginald of the crime, as the two had many disputes with one another over the recent years.

It was not long before General Maximillian and Overlord Reginald, as well as the overlord’s righthand man Bradley Monix, arrived in Foxmorton. They were confronted by the sheriff with the accusation. The sheriff and the overlord immediately began to argue with one another. Sheriff Sebastian demanded the return of his daughter, and Overlord Reginald denied having anything to do with it, and demanded an apology.

It did not take long for the two men to begin posturing and threatening war with one another, and at this, General Maximillian and several adventurers stepped in to try to calm the leaders down.

Seeing that some of the Ashbans desired to keep the peace, and surely suspecting that if the Ashbans were instrumental in such a feat that it would aid the re-unification with Icenia, the General appointed Olivia Delrune, the previously mentioned Gannicus, and Kostintinos the gypsy to mediate the dispute. The group retired to the Sloshed Spell tavern to discuss the situation.

The talks were very difficult, and often descended into shouting matches, despite the best efforts of the adventurers. It was proposed that the Overlord allow some of Sheriff Sebastian’s troops into his land to search for the girl, but this was totally unacceptable to Reginald, as he feared the troops would be used to begin a war. After much debate, and the near collapse of the talks, it was agreed that General Maximillian would send a small search party for the girl into both Foxmorton and Margrave.

The next day, several troops claiming to be serving Overlord Reginald attacked the adventurers. Each of the attacks were defeated. Overlord Reginald furiously denied that he had ordered the attacks furiously.

Ultimately the secret came out when a captain and two of his men were captured. Once secured, the man was healed and interrogated.

Although originally claiming that the order to attack the town came from Overlord Reginald, he eventually relented and revealed that he and his soldiers were part of something called only “The Movement” that was dedicated to ensuring that the reunification with Icenia failed.

When pressed about his leader, the captain admitted that he served Bradley Monix. The prisoners were secured, but somehow escaped.

The Overlord dismissed this idea immediately, confident that his lieutenant was loyal, and had Bradley sent for. When word came back that Bradley had secured himself in a nearby stronghold and refused to report, the overlord had to admit that the evidence was quite damning. The General requested that the adventurers travel to the stronghold to defeat Bradley, but he demanded that he be taken alive.

The adventurers rallied around Olivia Delrune and marched on the stronghold. The Ashbans quickly overwhelmed the guards at the gates, and stormed the courtyard demanding the return of Sheriff Sebastian’s daughter. In spite of trickery on the part of Bradley’s men, the young girl was quickly rescued by the mystic wood elf Zeph, but he was spotted by some soldiers and fled around a building.

Seeing many downed adventurers, and knowing that he could not carry the girl and fend off his pursuers, he instructed her to play dead and the two lay among the bodies. The ruse seemed to work, and seeing the girl and Zeph apparently dead, the soldiers rejoined the main battle.

The battle was quite fierce, as more and more soldiers kept pouring from the many barracks in the structure. At one point, nearly half of the adventurers lay bleeding upon the ground, but eventually Bradley and the last of his men were defeated, and healers were able to attend to all of the fallen. Bradley was taken back to General Maximillian and Overlord Reginald for punishment.

The adventurers returned to the town and presented the three regional leaders with the prone form of the traitor Bradley. Sheriff Sebastian bowed before the Ashbans and vowed that he would support a reunification with Icenia in light of the risk the adventurers had taken to rescue his daughter.

Overlord Reginald echoed the Sheriff’s words and actions, indicating that if not for the Ashbans, he never would have realized Bradley’s treachery until it was too late. General Maximillian bowed before Olivia Delrune, whom he called the closest person to an Ashbury noble or army official present, and surrendered his sword to her. He stated that he would readily reunite with Icenia, provided that his people were cared for and asked only to speak with the nobles of Ashbury to work with them on the unification.

When asked to comment on the expeditions Goodwoman Oliva simply said “I would like to thank how everyone here from different lands pulled together to form a feeling of camraderie to get to the bottom of things and do good.”
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King Kelanor of Trollsgate, accompanied by his most trusted knight Smith, is traveling to the northern dwarven lands of Dwarrenagor. Kelanor, who like most Ashbans is originally from the world of Tyrra, has never met his brethren and is hoping to make trade agreements. He has invited the nobility and adventurers of Ashbury to join him.

“I plan on being at the Mithril Thane on the last day of the month,” stated His Majesty.  “There are some neutral inns there and a tavern for meeting.”

“Non-dwarven visitors would be well advised not to treat the dwarven people as some sort of stereotype,” said one dwarf who wished to remain anonymous. “We don’t all live and work underground, you know. We still need to plant crops, raise livestock, fish the streams and lumber the woods to get by just like anyone else.”

Visitors should be made aware that these dwarves, being from Tar’Navarria, have never met biata or fought a troll.

It should take approximately twelve days to travel to Dwarrenagor, assuming you have a good horse and are not carrying too many provisions.  It is advised that travelers follow the Border Road through Falkirk, keeping Cuulanis to the east, so as to avoid the Plains of Rage as much as possible.

Dwarrenagor was once a united land housing five separate dwarven clans.  Each clan had its own area, and in the central was the ruling clan, which was called the Mithril Clan. They kept the peace between the constantly arguing clans with the help of the barony of Falkirk. However, after the Curse of Glantri and the removal of Falkirk, Dwarrenagor fell back on its old ways and was easy prey for the attacking orcs, led by a twisted undead known as Goretongue.

The central area is still known as the Mithral Thane but is now a neutral ground where the dwarves meet for trade. There is no law there but the dwarves do not wish to start a war, so generally things are peaceful. Still, it is a hiding place for thieves and villains, and visitors are warned to be suspicious and careful.

When King Kelanor made it known that he wished to meet the dwarves of Dwarrenagor, the only meeting place that all clans could agree upon was the Mithril Thane.

Each clan of Dwarrenagor is identifiable by their beard color. The dwarves dye their beards to match their clan, and it would be unthinkable to disgrace the clan by not doing so.

There are four main clans, not counting the now-lost Mithril Clan:

The Flamefist clan is made up of numerous families, each with its own area of expertise. Each family’s elders choose a family leader, and the leaders of the most prominent families sit on a council who elects the leader for the entire clan.

Korik Redrock is the clan leader, a middle-aged dwarf known for his patience and tendency to explore every option available to him. Though patient, his temper can be roused by anyone who calls him slow, or implies he takes too long to decide on issues. He holds this position for life, and Korik’s wisdom and hard work have given him the support of the prominent families of the clan.

The Flamefists are known primarily for their lumbering and woodworking skills, and their forts and buildings can be found still standing in all of the dwarven lands.

Dwarves of the Whiterock clan are organized much like merchant houses. Wealth is a measure of honor, and power is held by a committee of the wealthiest merchants. There are presently three members of this committee, known as Lord Proprietors.

Kalegerki Stonehammer owns the most profitable quarries in all of Dwarrenagor. It was from these quarries that the granite and marble used to build the Mithril Hall was excavated, and when Kalegerk gained control of them, she inherited a fantastic amount of wealth.

The Blackaxe raiders are “traders” and obtainers of foreign goods. They travel much more than any other clan, but fortunately tend to go after the Freejyn and monsters of the Plains of Rage and the Bile Dens.  They have lately even been known to attack the ogre military caravans from nearby Dur Namarie traveling to Imladar.

The Blackaxes are led by a Council of Elders, the most senior member being a robust fellow named Orit Blackaxe.

The Steelbeard society is centered around the city they built on the edge of Dwarrenagor City. Their chief administrator is Lord Mayor Brenner Silvershield. The Steelbeards are known for their scholarly ways, and many are spellcasters, sages, and historians (as well as being the best cooks in Dwarrenagor). However, don’t be fooled into thinking they are weak, as they have a strong militia and are all well versed in battle skills, which they study with as much dedication and detail as they do any treatise.

The following legend of the origin of Dwarrenagor may help visitors to the land understand the citizens better:

Originally, the dwarves were four distinct people; one group all had black hair and beards, another gray, the third white, and the fourth was red. When they first met, they openly embraced each other as kindred beings, but the clans were entirely separated.

To celebrate some occasion long forgotten, the (very drunk) leaders of the clans declared an act of unity among them, and each swore marriage to a dwarf from another clan. From every last one of these unions, the children born had brown hair and beards. This result shocked the dwarves, and they really didn’t know how to deal with it. Members of all clans debated what this brown coloring meant about themselves, and what they should do about it for years. Meanwhile these brown-bearded dwarves grew up lacking a sense of identity.

Eventually, things probably would have been worked out if it weren’t for one of the brown-haired dwarves who got the idea that since the clans are aligned by beard color, then the brown-beards should become their own clan. The majority of his brown-bearded kin liked the idea and formed the Earthchilde clan.  Things got out of hand when the ruler of this new clan realized they greatly outnumbered any other clan, and his people were all the age of a warrior’s prime. Power corrupted, and the Earthchildes tried to conquer the other clans.

The leaders of the Earthchilde clan were banished forever from the dwarves’ lands; but most of the fledgling clan were allowed to return to their parent clan. There they did not go unpunished, and perhaps the greatest punishment was that they were all forced to dye their beards to conform to their clan’s, costing them their newfound identity.

To this day there has never been another clan of brown-haired dwarves. And while most dwarves born today still have brown hair, they are required to dye them to that of their clan.

The Chaos Rift that appeared a few months ago in Ashbury City has been permanently closed.  (See last month’s Ashbury Times for more details.)

It was a mystery as to how to close the rift, but most were sure that a strange black box had something to do with it. The box, which was being held for safekeeping by Guildmistress Shya, had been the subject of many proposals and suggestions, but without absolute knowledge it was felt that any action would be too dangerous to attempt.

In early December, Sage’s Guildmaster Cedric Fruvous performed a ritual which gave him clues as to how to close the rift.

The ritual indicated that the box would need to be moved slowly over the rift, which would then be healed like a wound closing after a curing spell.

His Grace Duke Frost, after being informed of this, requested Shya to return the box and she did.

Soon afterwards, His Grace met with his  army and asked for a volunteer to attempt the procedure. Glantri stepped forward.

Glantri, who as many know has been working with Baron Morgasander and the  Windwalkers to rid the lands of the Crix, was   immediately objected to by some who had read of the “future history” and thus did not trust him, but Glantri insisted. Baron Morgasander pointed out the danegerousness of the mission, and the possibility that Glantri may be lost permanently, but Glantri insisted and His Grace allowed him to close the rift.

The process was very slow and difficult, as creatures kept emerging from the rift.  However, these were contained by the soldiers present, though not without a few resurrections, and eventually the rift was closed.

His Grace has kept the box in a safe and secure location. It is hopes that this will be the end of the problems caused by this previously unknown chaos being.

Recently, several Galanthians have been spotted entering into the Ducal Fiefs. They laid down their weapons, and advanced on the border guard begging for sanctuary. When the officers who were stationed there questioned the Galanthians, they said the Crix was moving at amazing speed and actually appeared to chase them in the direction of the Ducal Fiefs.

Some of the Galanthians crossing over were ex-slaves; however, a few were also Swords of Lore veterans. Reports have spotted a few of the Swords of Lore hopping over walls and entering the fiefs illegally, so all citizens should be on the look out for any Galanthians carrying visible weapons. The ones who entered legally were taken into custody and it is not known what their status is at this time.

As for the ex-slaves who entered, a few of them have been seen asking for work. Some of them are laborers, craftsmen, and farm hands. Some Ashbans wanted nothing to do with any Galanthian, slave or not;  however, other Ashbans were willing to hire the ex-slaves and gave them wages and a place to stay.

One report came in of a group of Ashbans lynching one of the ex-slave farmers. Details are still sought for by the authorities of the lynching and if anyone has any info tied to the death of the Galanthian, a reward will be given if it leads to an arrest.

Many scholars have been baffled as to the Gaffe’s whereabouts. Professor Othedius Mallace from the Bardic College has been studying the cloud and other strange phenomena. He  said, “It has been traced and tracked and it appears to have been lost. It is believed to have cut clean across the Duchy and eventually found itself in the Plains of Rage. From there, it went North-North-East. Hopefully, we’ll never see it again! Or if this Cedric fellow gets himself together, maybe he can finally figure this out and contain it!”

Good Gentles of Ashbury and Esteemed Visitors,

Let it be known that the chaos rift that had infected our fine capital city has successfully been closed. This has been a direct result of the actions of many of Ashbury’s adventurers and nobles. Thanks to one and all who contributed to the elimination of this threat to our fair duchy. Condolences to those who lost their friends and loved ones.

Thanks also to all those that travelled to Bartersville and helped to alleviate the issues there as well. Many of you showed excellent diplomacy in the mostly peaceful management of that affair.

In Service to Ashbury and Icenia,
Duke Sir Frost Vardik

...

To those concerned about the gossip column:

My name is Eric Woolcott and I am the editor of the Ashbury Times. Sue D’Onym’s column is based entirely on what people submit to her and what people see and observe. She is not there watching all of this happening, and can only depend on what people say. If only one side of a story is submitted to her, then that is all she has to go by. I resent the accusation that she is lying. Her column is a representation of what the local gossips in town are saying. She is merely reporting.

Each month, she requests people to send her their version of the incidents that people are talking about. If you do not, and someone else does, then you cannot complain that your side of the story was not represented.

The gossip column is about the nobles and the adventuring class, who are of course the most prominent people in the duchy. (No one really wants to read gossip about the local stableboy or miller.) You have placed yourself willingly in the public eye by choosing your profession. You often receive wonderful thanks and admiration for your accomplishments in my paper. You have to take the good with the bad.

I suggest that any who object to what was printed in Sue’s column should write a letter to her explaining where the information she received was wrong and what really happened according to you. May I also suggest that you do so with the understanding that as a reporter, she wants her information to be truthful and correct. I am certain that calling her a liar is not the best way to get her to listen to you any more than it would if someone were to instantly accuse you of lying when you make a statement that to the best of your knowledge was true.

After giving her your side of the story, if she finds that she has made a mistake, she may decide to print a retraction in a future column and may decide that the source which provided the original information should never be trusted again.

I will stand by my reporters and vouch for their attempts to get the story to all of our readers. If you do not like the reporting that they do, you do not have to read my paper. In fact, there is no law preventing you from starting your own paper if you wish.

Eric Woolcott

...

To the travelers from Ashbury,

You claimed that you came to Deathwatch to help me and my people against the trolls and other threats posed against us. You are a bunch of liars! You were a military scouting group all along! How dare you come into my lands, disrupt my people’s way of life, and remove me under false pretenses! In Requin’s name, I will be avenged!

Warlord Mathias

by Sue D’Onym

Let’s see, what’s the latest News They Don’t Want You To Know?

It seems little old me caused quite a controversy with my last column! I had received a message from Tavia Tregowan announcing her engagement to Greyesmere but I mistakenly wrote “Roden” instead of Greyesmere. Well! You should have seen the way she reacted, as if I were trying to destroy her, when all it was was a simple mistake! She threatened me with death for such a thing, and then later threatened and insulted the nobility in town and specifically Baroness Talin (who pointed out how brave people are posting their messages in the safety of the “dream world” while never saying any such thing in person).

The most vociferous response to this young child came from Ator who called her a “sniveling little snot” — and that was one of the nicest things he said!

Sir Eros and Baroness Talin then ordered Tavia to appear before them. Her companions apparently later calmed her down, and I understand that she did apologize to the nobles. Whether they accepted or not is a different matter.

Greyesmere then complained about what was said but hey, I just report what people give me. He also complained about my spelling of his name, but as Drakonios pointed out, his own letter contained numerous spelling errors. Lyle Zaradan, however, wrote a very nice letter  disagreeing with what was reported, pointing out that the information given to me was incorrect in that the Black Forest was otherwise engaged and was not ignoring the town’s needs. Lord Jonathan also confirmed that Glory Road and Gilwing were most helpful and willing to contribute.  Good for them!

Editor Eric Woolcott finally had to respond to all of these accusations, and he put his letter here in the paper for you to read (taking room away from me! How dare he!).

Anyway, apparently one of the reasons Tavia was calling Baroness Talin a liar is because the Black Forest now claims that the magical weapon the Baroness uses belongs to them because it was once owned by Baron Agnar of the Ash Forest. The Baroness states that it was a gift. So hm, who should we believe?  A nobleperson who swears by the Code of Chivalry, or a bunch of commoners, many of whom have criminal records? Or perhaps ex-Baron Agnar who resigned his title and stated that he did not plan on following the Code of Chivalry any more? Besides, if it was the property of the Ash Forest, then shouldn’t Baroness Glen have first rights to it?

And speaking of the Black Forest, I have heard through the proverbial grapevine that Guildmistress Shya has removed herself from the Black Forest Mercenary Company and is now following Baron Morgasander as a member of the court of Nordenn! Perhaps now more citizens will use the Ashbury City Healer’s Guild.

Until next month, remember — If you can’t say something nice about someone, come sit by me.

VOLUNTEER!  Any members of the Ducal forces or any adventurers are eligible to volunteer for a position amongst the decorated ranks of the Windwalkers. It is a dangerous and difficult task, and to qualify you must pass strenuous physical and mental tests, and show capable battle prowess. If you are interested, please contact Lieutenant Glantri.

MORGANNA: I am not difficult to find. I go where the Ashbans go and where his grace asks me to travel. Find me there or in Ashbury. I’ll be watching for you

INFORMATION WANTED. If anyone has any information regarding the location of the fire cloud known both as Penthantos’ Gaffe and Ator’s Gaffe, please send information to Cedric Fruvous, care of the Ashbury Sage’s Guild.

TEN GOLD REWARD for the capture of convicted Necromancer Bok’Rok, described as a high orc with one tusk, operating out of the Ashbury City area. See the Sheriff.

I AM LOOKING FOR the following scrolls: damage aura, copy formal ritual, and components. My family is willing to trade other scrolls and/or items. Seek out members of the oasi for details - Haytham, scribed by Mitya Izzati

ARMOR AND WEAPONS made to order. Smithing for Nobles and Common alike! Place orders in the Tavern, ask for Llyweilun.

TO THE COUSIN who feeds my child: Cheese is good ... cheese is good ... You helped save my child from being no more. You fed him and made him not die by others who kill us. You will be given much when we see you next. - The Rat King

ALCHEMISTS: Join an organization to help train and supply your needs. Contact Ikmoqs or Jorge at The Cove.