The Ashbury Times

January – March 609

“All The News That Fits, We Print”

 

Formal Magic Stops Working!

 

Mages of both Earth and Celestial magic have found that they can no longer cast rituals. With a mysterious flash of light as the catastrophe’s only herald, mages are baffled. Is this another natural change in the Magics? Was it engineered by some extra-planar power? Has the well of formal magic power somehow dried up? Scholars across Fortannis continue to search for a cause, and hopefully a solution.

Apparently the block in ritual magic was not contained to the kingdom of Icenia. The other nations of Tar’Navaria are feeling the sting as well. Home’s ambassador to Ashbury, Lord Roldo Rounders, expressed his concerns over the welfare of his country’s enchanters. “Such ill times for hobling mages,” he told reporters, “Where now do they turn for income, eh?” Reports have poured in from across Tar’Navaria – formal magic is not working anywhere.

A Ducal Army officer, who wished to remain nameless, assured us that the block of formal magic is not a military catastrophe. According to intelligence reports, the Dominion was affected the same as Icenia. Let us hope that they do not regain the use of rituals before Icenia does.

A letter from the Royal Guild of Icenia concerning this issue follows.

 

An Open Letter to the People of Icenia

The fluxes in magic are always an exciting, yet harrowing time. As of right now ritual magic has ceased to function. Luckily, it seems rituals that were cast before the shift are still functional, and all guilds thus far have reported that their circles of power are still intact.

This is an ideal time for those who study celestial magic to join with the guild and pool their knowledge! It is often during these fluxes that battle magic changes dramatically. At times, spells we have used for years have stopped working. Other times new discoveries are made that result in new battle magic. The members of the royal guild have been working tirelessly to gather information and test theories, but fresh minds bring fresh ideas. Those interested in pursuing the celestial arts should seek out their local guildmaster or guildmistress and inquire about membership.

Lizarra Trynn

Guildmistress, Icenian Royal Mage’s Guild

 


A Still Empty Throne Worries Court Watchers

 

The throne of Icenia sits vacant; as of yet, no successor has been decided. At her Spirit Farewell, Her Majesty the late Queen Sidraste refused to name an heir, leaving such decisions for the living. Representatives of the four duchies agreed to deliberate on the matter. Since no announcement has yet been made, it can only be assumed that a stalemate has been reached.

Duke Broomis Bouchard of Brittington maintains his support of a bid for the throne by Duchess Jacelyn Correlia of Evorra, to whom his nephew is engaged. Duke Frost Vardik’s candidacy was called into question by Duke Broomis, despite the fact that His Grace was the only land-bonded noble present. Duke Colin Hendry of Falkirk has not yet announced a bid for the crown.

Icenia waits with baited breath for news of its next King or Queen. Meanwhile, Dame Sonia Forthiatis remains Regent of the kingdom.

 


Children Disappear

 

Throughout the ducal fiefs, children continue to wander into the woods and return mute. The returning children are completely unresponsive. Healers, ritualists, and mentalists alike are at a loss to discover a cause or a cure. Research continues, but as the months pass, they are loosing hope of ever returning these children to normal.

Parents, schools, and orphanages are advised to take extra precaution and keep their children close.

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Mages’ Guild Report

 

I would like to announce the first official meeting of the Fairdale Mages’ Guild under my authority as Guildmaster.

This meeting will take place in the new Mages’ Guildhall located in the Black Stag Tavern on Saturday, the Fourth of Dragon immediately following the Squire’s Meeting unless some disaster befalls the town or Royal Guildmistress Lizarra Trynn arrives and demands my attention.

It behooves both current members of the Guild as well as those interested in joining the Guild or learning more about the Celestial arts to attend this (and all Guild meetings) as we will be discussing the new Guild structure I have devised, the current state of Celestial Magic in Icenia, and more. Attendance and meeting notes will be recorded (members with frequent attendance can advance faster in the guild).

If anyone has any questions, or issues you would like discussed during the meeting, please contact me by missive or visit me in Fairdale. I have taken up residence at the guildhall until further notice.

Wizard Nathan Westwind

Guildmaster, Fairdale Mage’s Guild

Elemental Warden of Icenia

 

 


Letter

 

A letter to the Biata people of Dara’s Grace, and the future reclaimed Trellheim

To my people who fight and live throughout the war torn landscape of these Contested Lands, have you not felt it?  Has it not called out to you, and made its presence known?  Rare is it when we are given the chance to form a new community, one starting right here, on the land which you have lived and called home.  Let not the pressures of war, or the hardships of everyday life stop us from doing something great here.  I implore all those who are willing and able to band together and answer the call we have heard so clearly these last months.  Let us answer it as a people ready to turn this land into a place where our memories and those of future generations would be glad to call home.  Let us come together to protect it, and let us grow with it.  The Stone Speaks in Dreams.  Let us come together in the waking world for tradition, for protection, for blood, and for our people.  I await those who will take up the call of the stone in Fairdale.  Seek me out. 

Councilman Amaranthus Landcharmer 

 


News From Around the Duchy

 

The Barony of the Ash Forest

 

A band of organized horse thieves have struck again in Elindil, stealing 15 horses in a week’s time!  Authorities are trying to track the bandits, but recent rainy weather have made tracking difficult.

 

The residents of Nymphwood are complaining about a large baronial military presence in the estate.  One local official was overheard saying that it’s like being “occupied by a military force.”  There was no comment from the Ash Forest baronial court regarding the recent influx of soldiers in this estate.

 

In the estate of Tenebrous, a local logger was tragically killed when he was crushed underneath a felled tree.  Some local elves are claiming that this is a mystical sign predicting the fall of the barony.

 

Construction continues on a new watch tower in Kiri-Ashton, however, there have been significant delays in the schedule due to missing materials.  The result is that the project is over-budget and may be abandoned.

 

 

The Barony of Blythedale

 

In the estate of Amaranth, a small village named Thune was recently attacked and three local residents were killed.  Surprisingly, the local constable reports that the witnesses refuse to identify the attackers to the authorities!

 

A local guildmaster in Dragonhart claims that he was illegally held prisoner by the Blythedale baronial court!  A representative for Baron Ivan Drake states that this is not true, but no explanation for the accusation was offered.

 

The Metalfire Association, a local smithing guild in Ector, continues to gain power and influence.  It is reported that the guild now controls all smithing operations in the entire estate!

 

Mining operations have shut down for the second time in recent months following another tragic accident in a mine in Stony Brook.  Local workers are demanding safety inspections and have reportedly appealed to regional authorities.

 

 

The Barony of Nordenn

 

The three sisters of Barrowdowns who were accused of necromancy for animating their dead father have been convicted by trial.  All three are stubbornly protesting their innocence, claiming that none of them know how to cast earth magic.  Their sentencing is scheduled for next month.

 

Pig farmers in Fellsworth have refused to honor contracts to sell their pigs to local butcheries.  The farmers claim that the cost of raising the pigs has risen dramatically, but the butcheries refuse to pay more for the pigs.

 


Obituaries

 

ADMIRAL PARDUC NEGRIE died his permanent death fighting in Ironton, Vandlar. A spirit farewell will be held there in May for the beloved commander and friend.

 

WIZARD XAVIER CALDLOW committed suicide after discovering rituals were not working, taking it as a sign of the world’s ending.

 


Public Notices

 

NEED ELIXIRS? Seek out Cuar Hyanda for all your alchemy and needs. Also a trapsmith.