It had been the snowiest winter in Ashbury's 100 year history, but all were hoping for a warm spring to thaw out the duchy. It did not happen, and when snow began falling early on the morning of March 29th, calls of "Not again!" rang through the city. However, the reason for the abnormal weather that had plagued Ashbury for the past four months soon became perfectly clear.
Late that evening, in the middle of Gwendolyn's Field, a group of beings rifted into sight. Included in this group were The Snow Queen and her minion Jack Frost, Bellayne and her minion Tempest, and Arnos--the representatives of the seasons that came to Ashbury last December. Also with this group were some strangers. A large man in red robes with the mark of fire around one eye stood opposite the Snow Queen, but the most fearsome of all was the central figure, a large man in white and silver robes, bearing a two handed sword that glistened with frost.
The folk of the town gathered around and heard him speak. He declared that he was Season, the one who is four, the living spirit of the four seasons and that since Ashbury saw fit to interfere in the natural progression of the great cycle in December, now here at the end of March, Ashbury would serve as the sight for the next competition. He then declared the great contest begun, and with this he began to shimmer and split into four separate beings: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn. Each one called their minions to them. Winter called the Snow Queen and Jack Frost, Spring called Bellayne and Tempest, Autumn called Arnos, and Summer called the large man in red robes.
Winter appeared as the same being who called himself Season only moments before, but a bluish snowflake design was now present around one eye. Spring was a tall man in forest green robes covered in green leaves, with a green leaf design around one eye. Autumn was a large man with brown robes covered in red and orange leaves with a brown leaf about his eye. Summer wore red and yellow robes covered in flame patterns, and a sun image encircled his eye.
Summer stepped forward and summoned three large fire elementals to his side. Autumn stepped forward and summoned three large earth elementals to his side. Summer then declared that by the power of Summer the great contest had begun, Autumn then declared that by the power of Autumn the great contest had begun. Winter then stated that since Spring's minions saw fit to have Jack Frost killed four times last December, he now laid claim to Spring's time of existence as well as his own. Spring replied that the time was his as the great cycle intended it to be and that he maintains his claim on it. After that, all in attendance rifted away from sight before anyone in Ashbury could speak to them.
Summer was the first to be encountered again by the townsfolk, as members of the court of Trellheim found him wandering the woods. They took the time to converse with him and to learn of the great endless battle between the four seasons. He introduced his companions as Sol, the hot summer wind, and two unnamed knights of the Inferno.
He informed Trellheim that all present would have to decide who to support in the coming battle. When asked where Spring was, he told them that most likely he was out looking for the first green leaf of spring, the symbol of his power.
It was then learned that to claim their time, each of the four seasons needs an item which indicates the change from one season to the next. In order to even attempt to superseded the previous season, that item must be found. When asked what would happen if Spring did not get the leaf, Summer said that he and Winter would have to fight three months hence for dominion; however, he informed Trellheim that if that were to come to pass, the battle would be much more catastrophic as direct opposites would be fighting.
Lastly they asked what Summer's role in all this would be, he told them that he and Autumn were simply here to mediate the conflict, not to involve themselves.
Other adventurers reported similar conversations with Autumn, who was also found wandering about the city.
Bellayne was meanwhile trying to recruit the help of the people of Ashbury. She wanted the progression of seasons to take place. She claimed to have learned from her mistakes of last year that the great cycle must be maintained. She convinced many to support her cause.
It was about an hour later when the severity of the conflict was made apparent. Spring and Winter came to the middle of the town and faced each other. Spring came alone; however, Winter brought Jack Frost with him and summoned several water elementals to stand with him. Spring accused Winter of cheating in the competition, having stolen his leaf, Winter said that he simply acted in proper vengeance and that this would insure his time would continue. He told Spring that he had not enlisted the aid of any of the mortals present and that any who got in his way would be crushed in his icy grip. Spring informed Winter that if he planned on harming these people that he would stand forth as their protector.
At this point Lord Magistrate Naerfin stepped forward to try and peacefully mediate the dispute. Winter said that he would talk--but the talk consisted of one command to his minions: "Kill them." Winter himself began the assault by hurling a huge sphere of elemental ice at Naerfin, dropping him instantly to the ground. The fight was short with many injuries being taken by the townsfolk but Winter realized that he was outnumbered and rifted away with Jack Frost.
Spring then spoke at length to the people of Ashbury, explaining what had happened. Winter had moved quickly and dispatched his minions to take the first green leaf before Spring's forces could find it. Spring's forces came upon them carrying the leaf away. A fight ensued in which Winter's forces were victorious. Several of Spring's minions hid and followed those who held the leaf, and when they saw where it was hidden, they made a map to lead others back. That was when Winter's forces found them. Unable to return to Spring with the map, they ripped it into pieces and scattered and hid them. Only one of Spring's knights of the Abyss returned to tell of what happened and to give Spring a single piece.
Spring asked the Ashbans to find the pieces so he could retrieve the needed leaf. He told them that if not all of the pieces were found, he could use his power to reconstruct the map_but that the fewer pieces he had, the more power he would have to use to reconstruct the map, and the less he would then have to face Winter--thus the harder the battle would be.
The townsfolk agreed to search for the pieces and began to do so. They were plagued throughout the night by seemingly random attacks by Winter's forces, primarily water elementals hurling large bolts of ice, and dread Yeti who could make those of stout heart run in fear. The cold weather for that time of year was certainly the result of Winter's obsession, and it too hindered many attempts at constant surveillance.
Several of the townsfolk seemed to have problems in dealing with Summer and Autumn's positions as neutral mediators. They presented themselves as the watchers over the contest and let nothing interfere with them, but this cavalier attitude towards the townfolk upset some greatly. Autumn (who wasn't one to deal with human politeness) offended Baron Bretton at one point, who then told Autumn that here he would be polite or be "dealt with." Summer overheard this and informed the Baron that a threat against one of the seasons would be dealt with by all. "Only Winter and Spring are involved in the contest and only they would interact with the mortals on their level," stated Summer.
A similar incident occurred between Autumn and Lord Hanson when Lord Hanson verbally accosted Autumn demanding to know his identity. A series of remarks were exchanged between the two which ended in Autumn telling his knight of the Crucible to kill Hanson. They fought a long a difficult fight, with members of the court of Trellheim coming to Hanson's aid_though none raised a hand against Autumn himself. Squire Caleb pleaded with Autumn to stop his minion, to which Autumn replied that he required an apology for the insult against him. Hanson refused and the fight continued, the huge elemental shrugging off the greatest of blows and resisting the force of many spells. Finally Hanson and his companions were victorious, but Autumn still demanded an apology. Hanson still refused, at this point, Autumn summoned another knight of the Crucible to fight, and again asked Hanson for an apology. Hanson replied that he did not insult him but he was sorry if he took it that way. This seemed to be good enough for Autumn, who then left, taking his knight with him.
Throughout the night, the town had to deal with more attacks from yeti, trolls, and water elementals all proclaiming that winter would not end. Come morning, the quest truly began for the pieces of the map. Several were recovered from water elementals, others were recovered in the hands of goblins, trolls, and other monsters native to the area, and one or two were even found lying out in the woods.
In the end, twelve pieces were found and it appeared that only one was still missing, Spring told the town that he could easily reform the entire map without placing a drain on his power. The map was reassembled and the entire town went off to find Spring's leaf.
Following the map led them into the farmlands surrounding the city of Ashbury, where they came upon a large dome of ice standing in a clearing. As the Ashbans approached, hoards of elementals and Yeti sprang from the side, along with two strange beings made of ice. The battle was difficult and dangerous, with many waves emerging from the dome.
It was discovered that those people who searched the ice men found themselves spirit linked to an icicle, and between waves it was noticed that there were six icicle-sized holes in the structure.
In the end, there was one person with an icicle for each hole in the dome. The six who approached the holes were Sir Konrad, Squires Algar, Jaret and Radric, Lord Agnar, and Dax. They each put their icicles into the holes and passed through the dome. While inside, other waves of creatures hit the town.
Inside, the six faced an elemental and several yeti. Squire Jaret fell under the effect of the yeti's fear and ran screaming out the dome, no longer in possession of his icicle. However when the next wave of monsters emerged from the dome, there was again an ice man with it. A half orc new to Ashbury linked to the icicle but before he could enter the dome, it began to melt as those inside emerged victorious, carrying the first green leaf of spring.
The group approached Spring with the leaf, and in exchange, Spring gave them the leaf of a dryad's tree. Once Spring had the leaf he declared that he could now face Winter. He then approached Squire Lupiticus and asked him if he would stand as his champion for this contest. Squire Lupiticus was chosen for his willingness to face the battle, and for his friendship shown to Spring throughout the last day. Lupiticus agreed and was handed Spring's polearm, which Spring informed them would allow him to channel a Lightning Storm eight times each day and to Cloak Ice four times each day. Lupiticus took his position very seriously and did not use the powers frivolously, instead saving them for the expected final confrontation with Winter.
Spring then left to direct his forces, and throughout the rest of the day Winter and his forces attacked, trying to weaken the town. At one point late Saturday night, Winter and several knights of the Abyss faced off a large group of townsfolk across the Ash River. They were eventually defeated and Winter himself was killed; however, some of the knights got away and many people needed Life spells.
Come morning, Spring returned for the final confrontation. The town's nobles and adventurers gathered beside him, many preparing to aid him directly by carrying Lightning Storm scrolls which would heal him. Baron Bretton attempted to get Summer to aid the people and the natural order of things, volunteering to be champion to Summer. Summer told him that he was neutral in this affair and would only fight if attacked. Sir Faustus attempted a similar strategy with Autumn, claiming that Autumn was his favorite time of year, but the results were the same.
From across Gwendolyn's Field, hordes of creatures were seen approaching and the heroes of Ashbury braced to fight them. Yetis attacked with powers not before seen. Several of the yetis were said to be champions of their race, using the skills normally associated with adventurers. All in all, four waves came across the town before Winter was seen. Lupiticus showed his worth as Spring's champion by saving Spring's life.
Finally Winter came forth and the battle was truly engaged. Many Life spells were used in this deadly battle. Winter was finally defeated by Lord Hanson and a traveler from Ravenholt named Blaze, who approached him and kept hurling and channeling Imprisons at him until he could resist them no longer. The fight continued around him however, and a brave adventurer named Darwin Xavier sadly died his final death.
Once the battle was done, the townsfolk gathered around Winter and the Imprison was dropped and a killing blow delivered. Winter was defeated, but could never be killed. Spring, Summer, and Autumn then gathered around as Winter again appeared next to them. Autumn and Summer declared Spring the winner of the great contest and gave to him dominion over the next three months. Then they walked into each other and merged into one being, this time with Spring's appearance. He summoned the polearm from Lupiticus' hands and told the town that he was Season. He suggested that in the future they abstain from interfering in the great cycle--and then he faded from view.
Spring is now in the air and astrologers' predictions have changed from snow to warm sunny days.
A strange being calling himself Lord Sethete, "Ruler of the Multiverse" appeared in Ashbury recently, searching for prisoners who had escaped from his dungeons. He claimed that the prisoners had tried to overthrow him and remove him from his rightful rule.
The prisoners had appeared in Ashbury a few hours earlier. They included a scar-faced man named Yvale, a man with strange markings on his face named Verathin, a blue and white faced man who spoke in four distinct voices named Legion, and a female hobling who apparently gave several false names. In addition, many people had reported hearing a female voice in their head who called herself Aura.
Upon arriving, Sethete was brought to Sir Faustus who, believing his claim, led him to the Duchess. Sethete seemed annoyed at the primitive state of this plane but met with Her Grace.
By this time, the escapees had made friends among the populace and those friends stood by them, believing their tales of a despot who held sway over many planes and ruled with an iron fist and a cruel demeanor. The town refused to turn the prisoners over to Sethete.
This angered the being who stalked onto the field and told the town that he gave them five minutes to bring the prisoners or he would bring the "force of the law" down upon them. When five minutes had passed with no response, he raised his hand called forth a number of golems of all types.
Sir Angus and the McEwans fought one bone golem that seemed to have a spirit stored within, being able to dodge spells and mighty blows. Across the entire field similar things were seen as golems were hurling spells and using weapons with proficiency. Sethete indeed had powerful forces under his control.
When the town had defeated these, Sethete decided that the lesson had not been strong enough and he brought in more golems. Attempts to attack Sethete himself were useless, as he seemed to be completely intangible and everything--including weapons and spells--simply passed through him.
When the battles were finished, Sethete told the townsfolk that they had best gather his prisoners quickly or he would grind this plane beneath his heel and take it as one of his minor holdings.
The waves of golems revealed the truth behind the many golem sightings of late. Some had thought that it was the Golem Maker sending his creations to search for Brianna, but it now appears that it was in fact Sethete looking for his escaped prisoners.
As it turned out, each one of the five prisoners held part of the key for defeating or at least hurting Sethete. Each one could open what they called a "Traveler's Rift" in order to take them where they had to go to achieve their goals. Each could do this only once and Yvale had already used his to allow the group to escape the prison. Each of the five let the townsfolk know how they could help, though some were more forthcoming with this knowledge than others.
Aura was in fact Sethete's daughter and knew how to retrieve a scroll which would banish him to his home plane. She recruited many of the newer adventurers in town to aid her as the scroll was guarded by a system which responded to the strength of spirit of those within it. She reasoned that at the lowest setting, the area would be easiest to penetrate.
For the next day she continued to speak to those about the town who she thought would be able to help her, some of which had already gathered most of the components together to perform the ritual.
Late Saturday night, Aura gathered her forces. Among those chosen were All'x Doomhaven, Narc McEwan, Freya and Drakonis the Wild Elves, and several members from the court of Dragonshire in Ravenholt. She opened a large rift and took them to Caer Tournelle, Sethete's castle.
The adventurers appeared in a large stone hallway and Aura stood among them, this time visible to all. She appeared as a young woman and surprised everyone when any weapon she picked up began to glow as if imbued with a damage aura. She led them through the chambers of the castle and they fought many small constructs including iron men, stone golems, and homonculi. At one point they fought a group of vegetable creatures which grew when hit by lightning.
Finally they confronted one of Sethete's guardians with a group of constructs. They fought and with Aura's help they beat the creature. While there, they took the scroll to banish Sethete to his home plane of Stromvia and also recovered the tooth of a celestial hound, one of the needed components.
In order to bring Sethete fully onto this plane to defeat him, the aid of Verathin was needed. Verathin is a member of a race called the Tethak. According to Verathin, Sethete has hunted his race to all but extinction. The race are planarly transcendent, which means that they exist on more than one plane at a time and have powers over rifts. For this reason Sethete considered them a danger so he hunted them down.
Verathin quickly was nicknamed "The Riftmaster" by the town. He was more than willing to help, but before he could, he had to evolve to the next stage of his existence. This required many things: he had to consume elementals, he had to immerse himself in the "blood of the world" and he had to have many spells, both earth and celestial, cast into him.
Members of the court of Trellheim and their companions, including Lord Hanson, Morgan Sunstar, Radric, Azreal, Blaze, and Caleb, aided him in this endeavor and went with him as he entered the center of the world through a rift he opened. There they fought their way through many elementals--first earth, then fire--to a place where a lava flow ran. Here Verathin immersed himself within and as they waited for him to emerge, were set upon by strange black-skinned creatures with red streaks across their faces. The heroes returned to the surface just as Winter's forces were attacking.
Legion, meanwhile, brought a group of adventurers to try and destroy Sethete's golem factory. Legion turned out to be a group of four individuals who had plotted against Sethete and were in punishment cursed by him to remain together forever merged into one body. In order to destroy this curse of order, he needed a distillation of chaos, and the substance Sethete used as lubricant in his golem factory provided just such a substance.
Legion looked for people who could match skills with the individuals who were trapped within him. He chose Lord Hanson, Lord Morgan, Sir Faustus, Sir Konrad, Hamlet, and Thorn to go with him on this task, knowing it would be difficult in the extreme. He opened a rift that led directly to the main room of the factory. Here the group fought some of Sethete's golem guardians. When the heroes had a chance to look about the room, they saw a panel of switches and two glowing walls that appeared similar to walls of force.
Sethete, according to Legion, liked to test his minions. He would place puzzles in the way of them getting to where they shouldn't as a test of both loyalty and skill. This, Legion said, left him with complacent minions and eliminated the trouble makers and the idiots. Legion himself had been captured after getting through one of these tests. The heroes were able to solve the problems and continue into the factory as well as retrieve the needed lubricant. They found themselves faced with many doors, each leading into a different production room. They entered one and fought their way through the golems guarding it, smashing the mechanisms as they went. Bits of iron flew from the gears and belts as they did this, after this they went to the next room where bits of stone flew from the gearing. Apparently they destroyed the ability of Sethete to make more Iron Men and Stone Golems, as very few were seen in town after that.
When the group returned, Legion drank the lubricant and was indeed split--however the chaos had an unexpected side effect: the four were turned into Death Knights! The town quickly killed them and after their bodies turned to dust, they reformed as dead bodies which were then Lifed. The four then had a cheerful non-reunion.
Yvale proved to be of utmost importance to the whole plan to stop Sethete. Yvale was of a race called the "spirit leech." They survive by draining small portions of other's spirits. This causes a small weakening of the body for one day, and is apparently the cause of the mysterious new "illness" that had been affected local townsfolk. The Court of the Ash Forest figured out what was happening, and Yvale told them that if they keep him alive, he could do the same thing to Sethete. After this many folk volunteered part of their lifeforce to sustain him, including the entire Ducal Court, the Court of the Ash Forest, and the members of Clan McEwan. Baron Thomas refused, thinking it a trick.
Late Saturday night, Sethete returned to once again demand his prisoners and send in another attack by golems. Suddenly, Verathin appeared beside him, grabbed him, and ripped him onto our plane. Yvale then grabbed him from behind and began to drain his power. As this happened, waves of energy rolled off Sethete and pushed back the entire town. Sethete screamed for "the law" and golems of all types rifted in around him. They attacked the town, one obsidian mage taunting Narc McEwan by shattering his kilt and Deathing him, and then creating him into a zombie. Several waves hit the town before the repulsion stopped, and any spell thrown at Sethete while this field was up had no effect.
Finally the draining was over and Sethete moved out with his golems, and even drained of power, it took mighty blows to hurt him. After a long hard fight, he was finally Imprisoned. Squire Algar was about to give a killing blow when Sir Konrad stopped it and they went to the Mages' Guild to perform the banishment.
As soon as the ritual began, the female hobling (who was apparently actually named Tevias) took a group of adventurers through a rift to Sethete's treasure room at Caer Tournelle. Tevias has almost made it through herself the first time she tried, and with help she thought she could succeed to get to the final treasure room where Sethete kept his Rod of Travel. It was this rod that allowed Sethete access to other planes not in his control. If they could destroy it, they could stop him from ever returning. She took Ryvel, Nevar, Derrek and Darwin with her. They had the duration of the ritual to get in and out before they would have to face Sethete. Within Caer Tournelle, they found rooms filled with many deadly traps of all kinds, although many were fakes put there to distract them. They worked their way through, and with less then ten minutes to go entered the final chamber. Ryvel stopped to disarm one trap in the way to the rod, but Tevias stepped over it and quickly and grabbed the rod, using its own power to rift out with it. The group then had to retreat out the rift before it was too late.
Discussions with the other former prisoners revealed that Tevias was native to Tyrra and billed herself as this plane's greatest thief. Now that she has an item that lets her rift, she may start laying claim to other planes as well.
Recently, many creatures with whom Ashbury has been at peace again fell to open hostilities. Claiming that Ashbury wasn't keeping the treaties, these monsters have been attacking random wandering farmers and adventurers and leaving threatening messages. Among the monsters involved were the local bullywogs and the Open Hand of Peace Tribe of hobgoblins.
Some understanding of the broken treaty was brought when some emissaries of the tribes came to speak with the Duchess. Bulp-Dulp, a leader among the bullywogs, and Cruz, the headman of The Open Hand of Peace, came to tell their story.
They said that during the difficult winter, humans and elves came to give them aid while claiming that the people of Ashbury would not help them. These aid-givers said that the people of Ashbury were trying to pose as friends while really trying to destroy them. Indeed, as winter progressed, people in the tabards of the baronies attacked the monsters, and these new humans and elves helped push them back.
After telling their tale, Bulp-Dulp, Cruz, and some sympathetic Ashbans were led to the reformed Bloody Hand tribe of hobgoblins, where they helped to restore proper rule to the Open Hand of Peace tribe. While there, the people found a piece of a note indicating that there was going to be a major attack sometime that Sunday. At the end of the note was a single block letter H.
The next morning Bulp-Dulp returned and had a picnic breakfast with the townsfolk. He served raw worms and fish and those who showed tolerance to the different ways of the bullywogs by partaking of their food were recruited to aid the frog-like beings. Bulp-Dulp led Alexandria the dark elf and a group of newly arrived adventurers into the swamps to destroy the spiders who were eating the bullywog's eggs. The adventurers' aid helped to foster peace with Ashbury once more.
They fought their way in and destroyed all of the spiders, finding at the end a man encased in web. When they freed him, he immediately started to squirm, discomforted by the presence of the bullywog. He lectured the Ashbans on the disgusting nature of these monsters and the need to destroy them.
The man told the adventurers of a group called HARD (Humans Against Racial Diversity). He said they had nothing against any of the elven races, or the biata, or the half races, which they considered civilized. They just hated the monster races and said that peacewith them just fostered the chance for them to grow in power till they can fight the town again.
He mentioned the fact that the bullywogs, having been taught how to read magic by the Duchess' men, were an example of Ashbury's slow "suicide" from the monsters. He claimed that the monsters had no intention of keeping peace.
When the group decided to take him to the nobles, he killing blowed himself before they could stop him. Among his possessions, they found a paper which explained that there would soon be a large attack by the "peaceful monsters" to help break up the treaties. Again at the end was a single block letter H.
There was no indication of when or where this attack would be other than the previous note indicating Sunday. More information was not uncovered by anyone in Ashbury, and that Sunday, at 2:30 in the morning, a large group of hobgoblins, bullywogs, and trolls overran a small farming community in Partridge. The death toll was great, and those resurrecting reported that they had seen humans and elves hiding in the darkness, watching the carnage.
Attempts are now being made to track down the members of this organization. Anyone with any information about this treasonous group should contact the local authorities.
The gypsies of Ashbury have been plagued for the last several months by attacks by a strange creature called the Marhime which seems to be some sort of gypsy pantherghast. The local gypsies have also been given information by the gypsies known as the Puzzlemaster, the Wanderer, and the Prophet. It was known that the creator of this Marhime and the ultimate danger to the gypsies was someone named Angelica. At last Angelica's identity has been revealed, but it seems the problems are just starting for the gypsies.
When the Marhime appeared in Ashbury recently seeking the gypsies, several of the gypsies tried to fight it, including Natasha who hurled Web spells at it to no effect, and Istvaan and Finndrago, who attacked it from behind using enchanted blades. None of these seemed to do much damage. Eventually it left town, only to return again later and harass the gypsies some more. Many tried to get it to let down its field of repulsion, but it ignored them, sniffing out gypsies only.
Later that night, the Puzzlemaster returned to town to spread his unique form of entertainment again. He was told of the Marhime's attacks and he appeared to be worried over the fate of his people.
Nothing more was seen until late the next night when a gypsy named Adam ran into the central city saying that he saw a yellow skinned creature with the word Marhime written across his face capture the Puzzlemaster and take him into a cave. He tried to gather all the gypsy adventurers in town and would not let others come along. The only gypsies who could be found at that late hour were Dax, Istvaan, Finndrago, Kylara, Petra, Camilla, and Javier.
They went off, with several townsfolk following surrepptitiously behind. All of the gypsies except Adam and Camilla had entered the cave when the entrance suddenly collapsed, trapping the six inside. Camilla and the others tried to beat their way through the fallen boulders but with no success.
The trapped gypsies continued into the caves until they came to a passage with an eerie red light. A woman's voice beckoned them inside. As Findrago peeked around the corner, he saw a frightening sight. Lounging on a divan was a beautiful woman with white blonde hair, dressed in black and silver leathers, and carrying a glowing staff. Across each side of the staff were blue and green runes, and the head of each end of the staff held a grinning skull. Also about the room were several large non-corporeal undead, a large black skinned man with huge curling black horns, and a pair of rotting wolf-like beasts.
"Come in," she told them, and when they wouldn't, she sent her minions out to get them. Dax hurled a Confine at the undead to no effect. A short battle ensued before the gypsies decided that they stood no chance and came in to face their doom.
Angelica then berated them and said that they were beneath her. She said that she would soon destroy their race. She considered making the local gypsies part of the "Lost Tribe" and claimed that the fabled Lost Tribe of gypsies were now all undead serving under her. When the local gypsies pointed out that the lost tribe had disappeared on Amys near Jhivantane, she responded "Isn't that obvious? Of course I'm from Jhivantane."
Javier turned to her and begged to ask a question. "Why do you hate us so?" he asked.
"You're gypsies," she responded.
"And why do you hate gypsies?" he asked.
One of her minions, the large one named Jarl, answered him. "Because of that damned vampire."
"What vampire?" was Javier's return.
"Strikna you idiot! Don't you know anything?" said the minion with a mocking tone.
At this point Angelica interupted the banter. "I think it's time to get rid of them now, but first one last thing. I want to introduce you to my newest creation, the Barghest." At that one of the huge rotting wolves leapt to her feet. "Aren't they beautiful?" she asked. "My new hounds of death, you'll be seeing more of these around soon." She laughed evily and had her minions attack them all, draining their life to the core.
She then had them brought to conciousness and had the undead take them out and remove the boulders. The minions escorted the drained gypsies into town, saying "Fear me and mine, and know that the Marhime hunts you and you will all die eventually."
They brought the gypsies to the Dragon's Flagon where they were seen by Ryvel, who, being intelligent, promptly ran away. No one tried to stop them, though Robert Oakwood and several others anxiously fingered their weapons.
The group of undead then walked about Ashbury city but were not confronted by anyone. They spoke to Sir Faustus, Squire Florin and Squire Wilhelm through a ward, and told them who Angelica was. after which they left.
Now the gypsies finally know who hunts them. Many questions face them--as does a difficult enemy.
The Chaos Rift that has plagued Ashbury since early November has finally been closed, hopefully permanently.
Although many of the people needed for the ritual to close the rift had been present in Ashbury for some time, none were able to perform the ritual needed to close the abomination. Finally, the appearance of the Order Elemental Rigel allowed the ritual to be performed.
Rigel stated that Taris had become so tainted with chaos from his trip to the Way Station that he was unable to perform the closing ritual. He met with Unrok who gathered Sir Faustus and the others needed to perform the ritual--Hamlet, Daphne, Rake, and Ivan.
Missing were Darius and Kheldar, the two traitors who had conspired to keep the rift open in the first place.
In order to perform the ritual, Rigel had to place a Circle of Power around the rift and have the participants stand in pre-arranged areas. Lord Hanson drew the symbol on the ground for the Order Elemental--a dangerous task considering that the rift continued to spit out random spells and effects.
The aspects threw spells at Rigel and each other to keep themslves conscious during the 15 minute long ritual, and at the end of it, a large explosion erupted from the rift as spells flew in all directions.
Finally, all was calm as the rift faded away into nothingness. Rigel reported however that, not surprisingly because of the rift itself, there was a flaw from the ritual.
A recent attack on the local Mages' Guild appears to be part of a larger plot involving a number of mages across the land. Sorceress Shalizar was the subject of an attempted kidnapping by some brigands who managed to gain entrance into the Guild through subterfuge. They quickly took down the dark elf All'x before trying to subdue Shalizar, who managed to hold them off until Squire Wilhelm and Deven arrived with reinforcements.
A furious yet short battle ensued as the townspeople engaged these men as they tried to escape with Shalizar in tow.
Shalizar later gathered more information about this plot against mages. She met with a mage from the College of Arcane Arts and a traveling merchant named Boze. From them, she learned of a sarr named Damon who had come into town along with a strong force of sarr warriors and had rented a small mansion in the outskirts of town. Apparently, he was behind the attacks.
It is unknown exactly what happened at that mansion, but unconfirmed reports state that Shalizar and her entourage emerged victorius, with Damon in tow.
Several members of the nobility were surprised recently when three goblins came in to town and presented themselves at the manor house as Knights of the Golden Skull. Their leader was Sir Gork, with him were his squires Courage, and Gaff. They surprised the gathered people when as a test, Squire Courage recited the code of chivalry from memory. Sir Konrad was heard to remark that he did so as well as the Duke himself.
The goblins apparently were from a local tribe that once followed their own anti-human code. The code was stolen a few years ago by members of the court of Trellheim and Nordenn and replaced with the Code of Chivalry. The goblins have been apparently following this, assuming it to be their own code.
The three said that they were led by the great knight Sir Giff and that they wished to spread the truth of the code to all goblins. In spirit of friendship, the goblins gave the town a piece of the map of Spring, which they had found in the woods. Sir Konrad decided that this was indeed a noble goal and they left Ashbury unharmed.
NANTES: An increase in yeti activity has resulted in an odd alliance between these "snow ogres" and the trolls of the Tower Hills. So far, such groupings have been small, but an attack by a mixed group of yeti and trolls was reported near the town of Blackbourne.
GRIMSBY: A band of elves attacked and drove off a Rotarian knight and his party when they visited the estate in order to enjoy the ducal hunting preserve. The attack appeared to be a protest which guards and militiamen broke up within an hour.
JARED: A raid upon the warehouse of Sonya Dell'anar, a prominent merchant dealing in grain and vegetables, may have been the work of the Fist. A hired mercenary who was magically restrained during the theft reported that the raiders swiftly and efficiently emptied the cash stores which were scheduled for transport to Lady Dell'anar's mansion in Goldstone the next day and departed before spells of Silence they had cast on other mercenaries had even expired.
TOLMAN HEAD: Sightings of a creature which may or may not be a dinosaur have increased during the past month. Half ogres living there often boast of a "thunder lizard" that they fear and respect, and trampled fences near the border of Two Towers may be the work of this beast, which is rumored to look something like a house sized lizard man.
KIRI-ASHTON: Elves and hoblings living on this estate were able to stop the spread of a horrible plague when they discovered that a certain strain of mushroom was responsible for a series of bizzare deaths in the area. An Astikir mushroom cultivater claimed responsibility for the deadly fungi, which release spores into the air and cause those that inhale it to begin mindlessly attacking, after which they fall into a deep sickness ending in death. Gardeners report that all dangerous mushrooms have been destroyed.
JANITRIA, LAKE HOLLYM: Disaster was narrowly averted at the Royal Academy of Arcane Arts & Sciences earlier this month when a small but powerful group of creatures escaped the confines of a Circle of Power, causing a number of deaths and considerable damage to several buildings before the island was secured by units of the 75th Assault Regiment. Brigadier Lord Morran Bartholomew-Saneth, Commander of the 75th, reported that in addition to the destruction caused on the island itself, several of the Water Elementals which guard Janitria at their stations in the lake had to be pacified through the recasting of Rituals.
DILLIGATH, VOLTA: In the last three months, at least forty persons, many of them children, have disappeared from this mining town in the Anymdin Mountains, victims of small but powerful raiding parties which many of the local residents believe are Nimani slavers. Striking with lightning speed and only at night, they targeted outlying farms at first. By the beginning of March, even families on the outskirts of town were being carried off. A company of the Baronial Guard has been dispatched to the area, and a source in the Court of Baron Freedan Barnae has sent word to Count Tenwyn Dalton of Lower Volta that the marauding has ceased, at least for the moment.
Citizens,
As you may know, Her Grace recently appointed me the Lord Chancellor of Ashbury. I shall endeavor to rule the Duchy wisely when Their Graces are absent, and shall try to expedite affairs of state when they are present. There are four primary initiatives I am undertaking to this end:
Public Announcements: Once a month, generally on a Friday at 10 pm, the Ducal Household will make public announcements relevant to the citizenry. This brief ceremony will take place in the amphitheater on the outskirts of town. All citizens are asked to attend.
Review of the Laws: The Duke has ordered a legal review to improve our laws. We have made several changes already; outlawing Love 9 poisons and torture, tightening the Mockery laws, as well as placing heavy taxes on Nimani slavers. According to treaty, we cannot forbid their slavers from traveling through Ashbury, but we can tax them heavily for protection (as Slavery is rightly so unpopular here.) No doubt this foul trade will soon become unprofitable. The legal review is ongoing, and if citizens wish to put forth proposed changes to the law, they should contact me personally. Ideas of merit will go directly before Their Graces, who value the opinions of their citizens.
Squire Training Program: Each month, each Barony will submit one Squire to attend Her Grace for two hours. The Squires shall be tested by being asked their advice on handling matters of state, and by their skill in guarding the Duchess. This way the Duchess will also personally know all the Duchy's Squires. Results will be forwarded to the Paladins. Sir Balynthalas was the first to go through the pilot Squire Training Program last year, and distinguished himself. Other Squires will now have the opportunity to imitate his excellent example on the path to knighthood.
Court Audience Time: Supplicants wishing an audience before Their Graces should arrange this with me. If I am able to attend to their problems personally, I will--if not, I will schedule an official audience before the Ducal Court. Audience time is scheduled for 12-1 (longer if needed) on one Saturday a month, in the Dragon's Flagon. This policy will be enforced; Their Graces will turn down non-urgent requests for audiences and refer them to me for rescheduling during this Audience time.
These four reforms are merely the beginning, as I endeavor to serve as your Chancellor. I will be aided in these duties by my capable Squires Naerfen (now our new Lord Magistrate) and Florin. I stand ready to answer any questions or address any problems about our just and orderly regime, and to aid as a liaison between the citizens and Their Graces. It is an honor to serve my Duchy in this fashion.
Lord Chancellor Faustus von Neumacht
Several citizens have asked what the Lord Magistrate and His Grace the Duke meant when they referred to fine money being placed in the "Fund" after recent trials.
Moneys and items collected as fines have always been kept completely separate from the Ducal court treasury and always will be. It is my firm belief that such funds are taken from those who have harmed the Duchy and its citizens and should be used to benefit the entire Duchy.
Disbursements from this fund have fallen into the following categories:
Rewards for information gathered or services rendered the Duchy.
Compensation for victims of crimes.
Allocation to the Poor Creatures Fund of the Healer's Guild.
A small stipend to the Lord Magistrate if he has spent many hours on a crime.
The most ever given in this manner has been four gold for purchase of components to be used in the Obliteration of enemies of the Duchy.
Her Grace Duchess Mara Tirane Nordenn
by Lord Magistrate Naerfen Kel-tier'lin
As many of you know, I have taken the position of Lord Magistrate of Ashbury as of the month of March. I look forward to serving as the Lord Magistrate of this fine estate, and serving the people therein.
The first case that came to trial under my watch was that of two well known people in the duchy, William and Modi. They were both accused of multiple counts of murder, assault, and treason in connection with the tavern massacre earlier in the month. They were both found guilty of the crimes accused and sentenced to four deaths and 75 gold each. Two of these deaths were served for each man and the other two will be held on the record in case they are convicted of another crime in the future.
We all must make every effort we can to prevent things like this from ever happening. I urge any of you to come to me if something suspicious is happening that you feel I should be aware of.
Another case that is open, and will be closed shortly, is the case against Galoran. Galoran is accused of two accounts of assault on a ducal Knight and two accounts of assault on a squire. A decision will be levied in this case within two weeks time. If anyone has information pertaining to this case, I ask that you bring it to my attention immediately.
by Killian Drake
As you know, Taris the Starmage went a little crazy at the Way Station. Here are the top 10 signs that he is still tainted with chaos.
by Sue D'Onym
Hello everyone! It's me again with the latest News They Don't Want You To Know.
Camilla was outraged when Wilhelm came to talk to her about future purchases of his brew for the Dragon's Flagon. Apparently, the fact that Wilhelm's representative Modi had killed many of the Flagon's patrons along with some of its staff soured Camilla on doing any further business with the Brewer's Guild. Wilhelm claimed that Modi would no longer be part of "his family" but reports are that nothing has changed.
To make matters worse, within hours after his trial, Modi was awarded a number of breweries in Hopewell from Baron Thomas. I wonder what he gave the other murderer William ApRhys.
Wilhelm meanwhile held a meeting as Neumacht Clan Patriarch to decide whether to transform his son into a human. Gypsy wife Kylara was adamant against this, but Wilhelm claimed that as heir, no one in Blackstone would respect a gypsy. Gwynne finally changed his mind when she pointed out that giving in to "tradition" would be seen as a sign of weakness.
Speaking of gypsies, have you noticed how Dax and Kylara were snuggled up next to the Flagon's fire, along with Brynn and the Mystic Wood Elf Dream, while Lexi played them lullabies? How cute! But where was hubby Wilhelm during all this? And who was that MWE with him?
Congratulations to new knights Balynthalis and Kittery and our condolences to all those who did not pass the rigerous tests of Chivalry. The fact that both Paladins (Konrad and Eridan) are amani elves, that Kittery is the wife of one of them, that she is from the court of the Ash Forest, and that Balynthalis is the lover of the amani Baroness Laurelin had absoluetly no bearing on their appointment! How dare anyone suggest otherwise!
Killian Drake's performance recently at the Flagon had everyone laughing (especially during his and Natasha's performance of the "Noble Shuffle"), but he was a bit disappointed that the beautiful Emerald the gypsy made more tips during her relatively shorter belly dancing than he did for all his hard work. "That does it!," he said. "Next time, I'm taking my clothes off."
By the way, if it seems that I have a lot here this month about gypsies, it's because they're the only ones who wrote to me with their gossip! If you want to see your name (or your enemies' names) here, you have to keep me informed!
That's all for this time, and until next month, remember--If you can't say something nice about someone, come sit by me.
Darwin Xavier, known to some as "Gypsy Toy," died his final death heroically on the last day of March. He was a hard worker, a competent bodyguard, and a beloved friend to many. He will be missed.
ASHBURY CITY has formed an Amani town council. While we are not a governing body, we are here for those young Amani who seek Tenguar, and we wish to address any issues that the Ashbury city Amani may have that are of a local nature only, rather than Ducal or Baronial. Amani and Kyrgani petioners are welcome to present themselves to Baroness Laurelin should they seek an audience with the council.
DAPHNE: You will not be forgiven. This is the final insult! - Camilla
A DEBT OF GRATITUDE: The Court of Trellheim wishes to thank the citizens of Ashbury for their generosity and assistance within the Tower Hills Citadel. Countless individuals rallied to our noble cause, displaying infinite acts of chivalry and benevolence. Although the reconstruction and healing has just begun, your altruism has rekindled the spirit of the estate's citizens. A long road remains before the Tower Hills Citadel is fully restored to its previous greatness, but your courage and kindness will never be forgotten. - Squire Radric Hellfax, General of the Baronial Army of Trellheim
I WISH I was married to a paladin so that I could become a lord.
THERE WILL BE A MEETING of all gypsies to discuss our race's continued existence in the Dragon's Lair on Friday night, April 26th, after the Ducal Proclamations. - KSN
CITIZENS OF ASHBURY: I shall be gathering together a group of Ashbury adventurers to form a mercenary unit in the coming months. I'm looking for courageous and loyal soldiers to fill the ranks. Interested citizens should inquire with me for a personal interview. All training, equipment, and additional benefits will be provided. Men and women of every race, class, and level of expertise are welcome to apply. - Lord Morgan Blackbourne
WITH THE CLOSING of the chaos rift, the Ashbury Healers' Guild is now available for the casting of ritual earth magic. Citizens who wish to have rituals cast should consult with the Guild about the availability of scrolls, components and ritual casters of the appropriate level. Rituals must be scheduled in advance. - Daphne Green, Guildmistress, Ashbury Royal Healers' Guild
THE DRAGON'S LAIR is now open during the day, incorporating most town Guilds: Astrologer, Commoner, Armorer, Weaponsmith, Brewer, Tavernworker, Deliverer, Solicitor, and more.
ASHBURY REGISTRY OF TEACHERS. Referrals for a wide range of skills. Discretion assured. Teachers: get students without spending all your time recruiting. See Prof. Turlough Kuranes.
DAME SONYA: I regret the notice that I had put in an earlier issue of the Ashbury Times. It was a curlish and mean spirited statement. Please forgive me. - Maximus.
THE DUCHY is always interested in purchasing Rare Earth components to be used in Obliterations, particulary those specific to that Ritual. Please see the Lord Magistrate if you have such a component for sale.
SQUIRE JARET: Thank you for your most generous help and companionship. I will be seeing you soon; save room for dessert. - Petra
FREE DETECT MAGICS cast at the Ashbury Mages' Guild every hour on the half hour during Guild hours. (Listen for the bell). Hours are noon - 6 pm and 8 pm - midnight. Also: Magic items Identified, Ritual Components researched, scrolls bought and sold, and Rituals cast. Hot tea and cocoa for our chilled customers.
ATTENTION EARTH CASTERS! I am looking for people who are interested in honing their skills as battlefield healers. I have just recently started a Guild dedicated to the philosophy that Earth Casters can be an aggressive fighting force in battle as well as a source of healing and protective spells. The Ashbury Battle Casters Earth Guild will be holding training sessions on Battle Tactics, Effective Methods of Choosing Spells, Aura Formation and other tricks of the trade. If you are interested in joining us, then please see Janduin Freeman in Ashbury.
MAXIMUS will teach for free the skill of First Aid to any living creature that would learn it, and Read Magic to any young Healer that does not have access to Earth 5.
WANTED: Ritual components and scrolls; Anyone who wishes to sell, please contact me. - Anakin
THE ASHBURY MAGES' GUILD would like to congratulate the following promotions to Guildsman: Hanson,Corinne Dufore; and the following promotion to Senior Guildsman: Kittery Ann Holindarn