Oathring Stolen from Vansir Reclaim

 

by Thanos Greytongue

If you hear a Vansir swear something upon an oath ring, you can be assured that they will keep their word. Swearing upon an oath ring is the most binding of all promises among the Vansir, and one of their oldest traditions.

The original Oathring, sworn upon by Anadra War-Tongue in the old times and kept safe inside the inner most sanctums of the Reclaim’s Netherheim, was reported missing on the 21st night of the Turtle, 607. Initially protected within one of the Chambers of Lore within the great mountain, Shaman Vahn Spiritwalker was appalled to find the three Ghost tribe protectors of the Cave arriving as spirits in his circle for resurrection.

Among them, the blind Skald Nia ShadowSight seemed most distraught. She recounted that during the night, she could hear the other two of her company felled in the doorway of the cave as she sat vigil over the ring. In turn, she could only hear the scraping of stone, and the hot breath of something as it moved closer. Another set of footsteps, and words of eldritch magic left her as if having faced the mouth of a dragon twice over. What only felt like mere moments passed as another spell left her stuck to the spot, and suddenly she was awake inside the circle once more.

As Vahn called for the guard to return to the Cave, it was obvious what had happened. The granite statue of Anadra was cracked; and in turn the stone hands that held aloft the iron Oathring were now empty.

The news in turn spread through the tribes like wild fire, especially in light of the Ducal Individual Tournament formally being held this year in the Reclaim.

“This is a disgrace to our nation’s pride and people,” Chief Anund of the Fox tribe was heard saying as he shifted his tribe along the Reclaim’s western border in hope to keep the thief from seeking refuge in Partridge or Dwarvenholm.

Joining the search will also be Dryn BristleThorn, one of the great scouts of the Wolf tribe. It is said that her tracking ability is second to none, and in turn, after having looked over the entire cave, she has vowed that her  scouting party will not rest until she returns the Oathring to its rightful place.


Ancient Dwarven City Uncovered

 

Following the attack on Deathwatch a few months back, the trolls of Trellheim (or “Trollheim” as some locals are calling it these days) have struck into Dwarrenagor.

Some adventurers successfully defeated the trolls and destroyed several outposts, which wounded them quite a bit, but they were not to be undone.

After an earthquake caused a large lake to drain, the ruins of what appears to be an ancient dwarven city were uncovered near Bera’s Outpost, a bit north of Deathwatch. During excavation by the Icenian Institute of Archaeology, the troll attacks began. Like moths to a flame, the trolls seem to be drawn to the site, though the scholars there have yet to determine the reason.

Dwarves from Trollsgate, Dwarrenagor and Dwarvenholm are all planning to head Bera’s Outpost come spring to determine who has rights to the ruins and why the trolls are drawn to the area.

“An encampment has been set up and any adventurers who wish to assist are welcome,” stated dwarven King Kelanor of Trollsgate.  “There is even a rumor that His Grace may attend.”

 


Hero’s Tournament to be Held in Vansir Reclaim

 

As previously announced, the Annual Tournament will be split into two from now on: On even years, there will be the traditional Team competition, but on odd years, there will be a “Hero’s Tournament.”

Each one will also be held in a different estate in order to encourage travel around our fine duchy. This year, it will be at the Vansir Reclaim.

The Hero’s Tournament will consist of a number of competitions. Participants can choose which to enter and are not required to enter all. Each competition will be worth points as per the Team Tournament, and at the end of the event, whoever has the most points will be the winner.

Each indivdual winner would also be given an honorific title they can use until the next Hero’s Tournament.

All potential competitors will have to pre-register by early Saturday morning so that Sir Eros can determine whether elimination rounds may be needed.

All competitors will be limited to five competitions only; you cannot enter every single one.  This will not only keep each competition from being too crowded but will also prevent people from spreading out their talents too thin.

The events currently scheduled are listed below.  Unless stated otherwise, all use the same rules as the Team competition:

Combat: This will be an elimination competition as opposed to a “round robin” as it is expected that there will be many more people competing.  If you are a beginning adventurer, you may want to sit this one out.

Archery:  Because of the expected number of  competitors, each person will get only 5 arrows to shoot at the target.  Further rounds may be needed as tie breakers. You must be skilled in archery to compete.

Race:  Instead of a relay race, this will be a longer distance marathon. “Not too long though,” said Sir Eros.

Hunt:  This competition will be run by Squire Trevor with Sir Eros’ approval.

Entertainment:  As per the Team competition, you may use others to assist but the more you rely on them, the lesser your own score.  Individual competitiors can team up, but will be graded separately based on their contributions and talent. Elimination rounds may be needed if there are too many competitors.

Spellcasters:  There may be a limited number of participants in order to make this not too unweildly, and any eliminations will be based on the most powerful spell that a participant can cast.  Deals wherein spellcasters agree to eliminate others first will not be allowed, and any participant who appears to be showing bias in who to attack will be removed or eliminated from the competition.

Alchemist’s Battle:  This will follow the same rules as the spellcaster’s competition but will be limited to gasses.

Trap:  Individuals will have to pick a lock, disarm a trap, and retrieve a message within a box. Each participant will compete alone, away from the eyes of others, and will be timed.  

Trivia:  The exact details are being worked out, but this may end up being run similarly to the old Riddles competition, where a question is asked and it goes from person to person until someone gets it right or no one does. There may be a written test to narrow down the competitors depending on how many wish to participate. All trivia answers will be found in past issues of The Ashbury Times and in the Bardic College’s Amora Fortannis book.

It is also expected that many adventurers and merchants may set up their own games (a pie eating contest or a tug-of-war, for instance) and this is encouraged.

 


Sir Eros Speaks on Crime and Punishment

 

Recently, Redcloud the adventurer inquired from Sir Eros about his opinion concerning adventurers who believed that “a law can be overlooked when breaking it is in the better good of the community.” 

Redcloud disagreed with this philosophy  and asked the Lord Magistrate for his opinion, as well as for his opinion on what sorts of penalties might be appropriate for the adventuring class.

Sir Eros’ reply follows:

 

Justice is more important than laws, and in unjust societies, I believe it is right to fight against unjust laws — laws that, for instance, allow slavery or necromancy.

I do not believe Icenia is an unjust society. Yes, there are laws I disagree with — I believe Dominate spells should be illegal, for instance — but I do not believe that disagreeing with them means it is fine to ignore them or disobey them.

I agree with you that we cannot allow each individual to decide for him or herself whether a law is just or not, for to do so invites anarchy. Nor do I have much patience with people who weigh the law against the penalty and then decide that they will accept the penalty, but that is what criminals always do, isn’t it?

As for giving people tasks to do instead of fines, I am definitely against that. The point of a fine is punishment. That is why it is wrong to pay someone else’s fine for them as well.

Telling an adventurer to go kill some giant rats is not; in fact, if I merely asked a crowd of adventurers if anyone wished to take on that task, I would certainly have volunteers.

Making an adventurer dig a ditch, however, may be something to consider, since we do require many of our convicts to perform services like that. However, I would be willing to bet that a fine would be preferable to that.

When deciding punishments, I take into consideration many things: The criminal’s past record, their ability to pay the fine, the seriousness of the crime, whether there are any mitigating circumstances which would justify a reduced sentence, and so on. In this regard, I do not believe that justice is a “one size fits all” suit — it must be tailored to each individual.

 


 

Controversy in the Ash Forest Continues

 

As reported in the last issue of the Ashbury Times, when last the Amani Council appeared in Deathwatch, it was determined that Cedric Fruvous, head of the Ashbury Sage’s Guild and who was recently arrested for treason, would be tasked with drawing up the new treaty between the Ash Forest and Icenia.

This news has met with mixed reviews among the citizens of the forest. “Well, he’s the head of the Sage’s Guild, so he must have some knowledge of how these sort of things are done,” commented Ethalion L’thorin, an Amani from the estate of Waterwood.

Others are upset. Dame Glenduria Manyave exclaimed, “He was arrested for treason! How can he be writing a treaty?”

The Kiergani on the other hand seem uninterested in the current political situation “Nobody owns the forest. Barons and councils come and go.”


Attacks in Deathwatch

 

Residents of Deathwatch have become accustomed to Dominon attacks by now, but this new threat seems more sinister, according to local farmer Jonas Boswell.

“I came out in the morning and all my sheep look like they’d been ripped to shreds.”

Local magistrate Corbin Tell is concerned. “This doesn’t look like the Dominion’s style. It’s sloppy and wild. Which means we could have another threat on our hands.

A few local residents have turned up missing, with their clothes shredded and left behind. Citizens with any information are urged to speak to the Magistrate immediately.

 


News from Around the Duchy

 

Ashbury

Large herds of cattle have been mysteriously stampeded through villages in Connor. Locals fear that a mischevious prankster is at work and have called upon authorities to investigate the matter.

Troll attacks have increased dramatically in Tower Hills Citadel and military commanders are convinced that the Sunless Empire is pressing their attacks, figuring the the duchy’s forces are strung out in defense against the Dominion.

 

Ash Forest

An arsonist continues to evade authorities in Eldor and has been blamed for three more large fires.

Apparently, the cause of the mysterious disease in Forlindelin has been discovered. Local residents were plagued for weeks by a strange illness, but a member of Ash Forest’s baronial court linked the sickness to an herb tainted by what appears to be necromancy. Locals commonly used the herb as a spice in cooking, though officials have now destroyed all the remaining plants.

Anti-human graffiti continues to spring up around Entholm, baffling local officials.

 

Blythedale

Laborers on pigs farms in Denthor have staged a strike and are demanding better pay, creating a labor shortage and raising tensions throughout the community.

A highly skilled thief is at work in Ector, robbing several businesses and penetrating the treasury of at least one prominent local official. It is said that burgler left behind few clues, but one source reports the discovery of a feathered cap at one of the crime scenes.

 

Nordenn

Two companies are bidding aggressively for the rights to mine new gem deposits discovered in Crystal Falls, but neither company has received a contract.

An extensive audit continues in Hillcroft as the estate’s financials and tax policies are examined. No official report has been announced, but is expected in the Spring.

 


 

Corner of Chivalry: Fighting Evil

 

by Baron Ivan Drake

The fourth tenet of the Code of Chivalry, “Thou shalt make war against evil without cessation,” seems to be pretty straightforward.

However, I believe the usage of the word “war” in the tenet leads many people to believe that this section of the code is referring specifically to combat. Ashbury is often engaged in battle with evil enemy forces and we should fight those forces aggressively and valiantly, refusing to stop short of victory.

But evil takes form not just on the field of battle. Evil can manifest itself in everyday life as well. Is the local politician who is swayed by an underhanded bribe commiting an evil act? What of the shopkeeper who nefariously takes unfair advantage of his customers? Or even the man who steals pigs from his unsuspecting neighbor’s pen?

Battles against these forms of evil must also be fought, though in this context, the tenet’s wording of “make war” obviously should not be taken literally. You should make war against these offenses by bringing them to light and informing the appropriate authorities.

This tenet is also partnered by the third principle of the Code of Chivalry, “Thou shalt not recoil from thine enemy.” To not recoil on the field of battle is one facet of this tenet, but it also encompasses refusing to acknowledge evil when it is found. A devoted follower of the Code does not ignore the evil he or she discovers.

It is, therefore, imperative that we look for evil as we go about our everyday lives and “make war” against the injustices we find.