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
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
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
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.
.
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
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
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.