Meeting of Nations Deemed a Success

 

Delegates from the dwarven nation of Trollsgate, the dark elven nation of Tarza-terranzan and the lizardmen of the Mishrak Fens assembled in the Dragon’s Flagon on Saturday May 8, 604 to attempt to peacefully discuss recent military tensions near the Fens.

This meeting was set up at the request of Duke Sir Frost Vardik. King Kelanor represented the dwarves, Taji Ryujima and Velvrin Wendela represented the dark elves and Arsora represented the lizardmen. Duke Frost, Baroness Glenduria and Sir Jonothan were present for Ashbury.

Mishrak (who could not attend) and his lizardmen have been trying to secure the estate of Mishrak Fens for some time. The dark elves of House Ryujima have been aiding the lizardmen in this. Mishrak’s lizardmen had been under constant attack by the Ragniss, more commonly referred to as the Blood Dragons.

The Blood Dragons are a group of lizardmen that used to be valuable leaders under Mishrak. They were led until recently by an undead reptillon named Vanrakithis and a saurian vampire named Torgath (see accompanying article). But while Mishrak was missing for a stretch of time, the Blood Dragons fell to the path of necromancy with the help of the vampire dragon mage Loscarnos de Morganna. They now seek to control all the lizardmen and defeat Mishrak.

At the same time, King Kelanor and the dwarves of Trollsgate have been expanding their kingdom. According to the king, the land of Trollsgate is not nearly large enough to support the dwarven population. The former estate of Oliver had been under the control of the enemies of both Ashbury and Trollsgate for quite some time and King Kelanor took it upon himself to invade Oliver and annex it into his nation. The forces of Trollsgate then began to move into the former estate of the Mishrak Fens (though not into the actual Fens). There had already been a few very tense run ins between the dwarves of Trollsgate and the lizardmen in the Fens. A fragile armistice had been arranged pending the results of the meeting with Duke Frost.

The meeting lasted several hours and much drawing and redrawing of lines on the map occurred. An arrangement amicable to all was eventually reached, without war or hostility. In fact, the entire meeting seemed very diplomatic with hardly a raised voice, except for a few instances from King Kelanor. The results of the meeting are detailed further in the following public proclamation by His Grace:

 

Good People of Ashbury,

Let it be known that May 8, 604 has proven to be a momentous day in the future of Ashbury, Icenia and our allies.

I had requested our allies, the dwarves of Trollsgate and the dark elves of Tarzaterranzan, meet with me in order to discuss military and political matters of import. It is with great joy I announce the mutually beneficial results of this meeting.

King Kelanor and the dwarves of Trollsgate shall retain the estate of Oliver for integration into their kingdom. This will become part of Trollsgate. They will also integrate the southern part of the estate of The Mishrak Fens. Several other estates that currently are part of the Contested Lands will also be integrated into Trollsgate once they have been reclaimed from our enemies. This area is currently to be known as the Dwarven Expansion.

This will allow Trollsgate a corridor to the Plains of Rage, where further expansion may someday take place. Thus the Alliance between Icenia and Trollsgate has further been strengthened.

The Dark Elven Nation of Tarzaterranzan has been granted the northern part of The Mishrak Fens as a freehold, along with part of the Contested Lands that are adjacent to this area. This estate will now be considered part of Nordenn. The dark elves will also serve as liaisons between Mishrak and his lizardmen, who are also to be considered allies of Ashbury and Icenia. Lizardmen in general, however, are not considered a recognized race at this time.

In addition, I have renamed the estate of Deathwatch in the Ducal Fiefs. This estate will henceforth be known as Dara’s Grace, in memory of Her Grace, Duchess Dara Vardik. May her memory long remain in our hearts.

Long live our allies,

Duke Sir Frost Vardik

 

Meanwhile, in other related news, persisting rumors that forces of gray goblins and undead led by the vile Mastermind are massing in what was once the estate of Bristol in Corheim have many citizens worried.  Where these gray goblins came from, and where the green goblins have gone is a mystery.

“Squire” Blechin, a green goblin of the Golden Skulls, had this to say: “The gray ones are mean, they push us around. They are evil.  The remaining Golden Skulls are preparing for war! We will face them in the vile places that they breed and will destroy them.” 

He then shouted, “Thou shalt make war upon evil without cessation!” and then inexplicably shouted, “Ever vigilant!” He was later seen asking for directions to Bristol. 

 

The new map of the formerly contested region, gray areas being contested

 


 

Blood Dragons Attack Ashbury City Amidst Negotiations

 

Known for not being very subtle and often being rather arrogant, the Blood Dragon leader Vanrakithis launched an attack upon Ashbury city the evening of May 7th. His purpose seemed to be to kill any and all dark elves and lizardmen of Mishrak. He also seemed to have no compunction against killing anyone else that got in the way. There seemed to be no real plan except carnage. The adventurers of Ashbury successfully repulsed this attack.

Later that evening, a lizardman scout of Mishrak named Shaltar came to town looking for the dark elves of House Ryujima. Lord Find’rth was not present in Ashbury and leadership was in the hands of Taji and Velvrin. He informed them that Naga had kidnapped the delegate of the lizardmen, Arsora, and had taken her to a cave on the edge of town. The dark elves, including Taji, Trife, Marrek, Mia, Nym, Runaki, Nyeve, Kiri, Quilari and Tenamil soon followed the lizardman out of town. They returned quite some time later with Arsora, having had to enlist the aid of Lauroc and Dominic to destroy a circle of power that the lizardwoman had been trapped in. It is said they dispatched quite a few naga as well.

A large force of lizardmen attacked the city late Saturday morning. They numbered well into the hundreds, but were easily repulsed by the Ashbans.

Later Saturday, Shaltar returned to once again seek the dark elves. He led them to a tomb he had found on the outskirts of Ashbury, hidden by overgrown forest and guarded by undead. He had been watching it to see if it had anything to do with the Blood Dragons. 

He couldn’t get very close, but he did notice that a large, undead lizardman came out and looked very angry. Shaltar had seen the same lizardman exit the tomb the previous evening, but had never seen him enter it. He led the dark elves to the cave. The tomb was empty and still until the dark elves. But when the dark elves went, many powerful undead attacked them. 

They dispatched many undead in many chambers and finally came upon a bottle, which when identified proved to be a curse of undeath bottle. They brought the bottle back to Ashbury and left it in an empty ward for safekeeping. This bottle turned out to be the bottle of Vanrakithis, and when he was dispatched later in the playhouse (see accompanying article), he reformed in the ward. The dark elves, with the aid of many adventurers in Ashbury dispatched the creature over and over each time it reformed until it could reform no more.

On Sunday morning, a dark elf scout from House Ryujima came to town and reported to her superiors that she had been following a gaseous form the night before. She followed it to a small settlement outside of Ashbury. The form solidified into a lizardman and went inside one of the cottages. The dark elves quickly assembled and headed out. Once there, they began clearing out the cottages, each filled with undead. In the second cottage they found Torgath, vampire leader of the Blood Dragons. He was dispatched and staked. Thinks almost went awry when creatures from the other building began to attack from behind, but the dark elves emerged triumphant.

The two leaders of the Blood Dragons seem to have been permanently dispatched. Hopefully this will spell the end of the corrupted lizardmen as well as be a strike against the machinations of Loscarnos de Morganna.

 


Mithrauko, Vampires Active in Capital City

 

Late Friday evening Mithrauko of Dur Namarie arrived in Ashbury, accompanied by four of his higher ranking underlings. He informed the people that they had been tracking vampires since dusk and that their tracks had led to Ashbury. 

The only two citizens to attack were Braveroar Stonehammer and Kyril Flamebeard. Braveroar later claimed that he attacked one of the elves while under the effects of a vampire charm. When Braveroar was cut down effortlessly by the Mithrauko, his former buisness partner Kyril attacked the elf in defense of his friend. The elf dominated Kyril as he was being attacked until the dwarf, showing temper typical of the clan Flamefist, could have the situation explained to him. Braveroar was later heard apologizing to the elves for the attack to which Mithrauko snidely replied “What can you expect of a dwarf?”

Mithrauko later talked to the Ashbans for a bit and was warned that he should leave, as he was an enemy of Imladar and Ashbury. The smug “elf” did not seem to give this advice much credence.

As Mithrauko spoke to the crowd, the hobling Mugg and another were talking to a woman nearby. Suddenly one of them fell to the ground, dead. This provoked quite a commotion, but before the woman could be confronted she began to hurl insults at Mithrauko. It was revealed she was a vampiric minion of Morganna and her vampire lackeys were indeed in the town. A battle ensued between the elves of Dur Namarie and the vampires. The townsfolk slew vampires where they could, but mostly ignored the elves.

Many vampires were staked and permanently dispatched, but when Mithrauko attempted to stake the woman, later identified as Arienne, nothing happened. She later turned to mist and disappeared, presumably returning to her lair.

Soon after the vampires were dispatched, Mithrauko and his forces left Ashbury City. But before leaving, Mithrauko prisoned Sir Eros, telling the others present to remove the knight for “his own safety.”

This however was not to be the last Ashbury would see of the vampires. The next evening, an elven woman came to town, saying how she had been attending a play at a theatre outside of town when it had been descended upon by vampires and other undead. She pleaded with the adventurers for help, and the brave Ashbans once again heeded the call.

At the theatre, the adventurers faced a horde of undead, including the vampiress Arienne and Torgath and Vanrakithis, the leaders of the blood dragons. After a difficult and bloody battle, the Ashbans once again prevailed. They were once again unable to stake Arienne and did not get the opportunity to stake Torgath either. Vanrakithis was dispatched and soon permanently dispatched due to the Ashbans having his bottle.

 

 


Undoer Finally Defeated

 

During the attacks of the Blood Dragons Friday evening it was noticed that one of the lizardmen with them now possessed the hammer of the Undoer, a foe that had not been seen in Ashbury for several years (though it is said he was encountered in the alternate future timeline experienced by some of the adventurers of Ashbury). The Undoer is actually a weapon which possesses its owner, and has been seen in the hands of many races and beings.

During this battle, many adventurers were astonished to see Sparticous attacking the Undoer. The Ashban hero was thought to be permanently dead, but instead he returned by some account not made public, and helped to defeat the Undoer in this battle, along with the rest of the Blood Dragons at this time.

Some of the adventurers who traveled into the future timeline recalled visiting the home of a farmer where, in the farmer’s root cellar, a crypt had been discovered of a dwarven hero who had magically allowed the adventurers to enter into the hammer and ultimately defeat the Undoer in the future.  A group went to the farmer and received permission to search the cellar.  Gilwing used his magical dwarven Ring of Palin to carve into the cellar to find the crypt, and after a good half hour of digging, they discovered the remains of the hero. However, there was no spirit there to guide them, so a message was left and the crypt sealed back up.

The next day in the late afternoon, the Undoer returned, this time able to produce the dreaded hammer wights from his weapon. It is said the hammer wights are the cursed spirits of any and all people that have been permanently killed by the hammer. The truth of this is not known. The Ashbans fought a brave and difficult battle and eventually were able to take down the Undoer, who dissipated.

On Sunday afternoon, the lizardman leader Mishrak came to Ashbury and informed his dark elven allies that the Undoer was at the edge of town gathering his forces and that they should go and confront him. Mishrak said that he believed he had a way to defeat the Undoer, possibly permanently.

The adventuring forces were gathered and marched to Gwendolyn’s Field, where the Undoer and his cursed minions mustered. Battle ensued and eventually after much fighting the Undoer was taken down by the clever application of a disarm, confine and eviscerate by the gypsy Zymm. At this point, Mishrak used inexplicable spirit powers to send the adventurers into the hammer. Many of them were without shields or weapons, as the hammer wights had shattered them by the dozens.

Inside the hammer, the Ashbans fought more hammerwights and a black, crackling entity. Many adventurers were so taken with the affects of the hammerwights that they could do nothing but stay together and wait for the effects to wear off.  Baroness Glen gathered the fallen around her and some of her court along with other less experienced adventurers heroically protected the fallen while the more experienced bravely fought the crackling entity.

They eventually defeated this entity and were ejected forcibly from the hammer. Once outside, the Undoer again waited for them and attacked. When the first disarm spell hit the Undoer, all the hammer wights turned into dwarves, lizardmen, humans and even an elf. These creatures then turned on the Undoer and pummeled him.

The entire group just faded from view shortly thereafter.


Dwarves Discover Ancient Ruins Underground

 

by Creshin Oakhew

I have been asked by King Kelanor to report my findings to the Ashbury Times:

The recent expansion into the contested lands has unearthed the remains of an ancient dwarven city. A cave in the former estate of Oliver led deep underground, where a break in the earth connected it to a worked stone tunnel. The stonework was of exceptional quality, but cut in a style unlike anything Trollsgate has produced.

I was forced to flee from a group of deep trolls, and another cave passage brought me to the hills outside Ashbury.

With His Majesty King Kelanor’s permission, I came to the city to secure the aid of adventurers for a return visit. With me went the hero Gilwing of Trollsgate, and his companions: two high orcs named Rock and Garra, two humans Lauric and Michiko, and an elf they called Redcloud. All proved valiant warriors, as we battled through the darkness against bears and many a foul troll.

The trolls infested the caverns but seemed to avoid the worked passageway. The beasts are stupid, but even they must have felt the eerie chill that filled the ancient tunnel. We traveled on in disturbing silence, where nothing looked to have stirred for several hundred years.

I had barely the chance to lose my breath at the sight of ruined buildings so deep beneath Ashbury, when they set upon us. Dozens of horrid scarred beings leapt at us from ahead, behind, above and below.

They appeared nearly to be undead, but I swear by my own beard that they were dwarves! They did not crumble to dust as do the undead; no, these creatures simply faded back into the darkness of the city.

When the last of them were defeated, we made our way to what was once the Town Hall. This building stood largely intact, despite centuries of abandonment. We cautiously made our way inside the Hall, where four of those dwarf-like creatures stood attentively staring at us, as if they were waiting for something.

Suddenly one of them shouted “Death to the Blackaxes!” before hurling arcane energies at us. I myself was struck with paralysis, and could do nothing but stare at the horrid visage of the dwarf-creature that struck me down. There I fell and would have died had not Lauric restored life to my lifeless corpse.

While searching through the town hall, Gilwing noticed a section of floor was hollow. He extended his hand, upon which I noticed the fabled Ring of Palin! The legends of this ring are true, as through force of will alone did Gilwing push the stone floor away to reveal a hidden compartment beneath the hall.

The high orc named Rock then jumped down into the small chamber, where a living dwarf sat huddled in the corner! Somehow, this dwarf survived over three hundred years alone in room barely large enough to lay down outstretched. The dwarf was crazed, and knew nothing of who or where he was. He was eventually convinced to return with us to the surface, and to part with his “friend.” 

The friend turned out to be a tattered scrap of paper that might hold some clue as to what became of this civilization.

The dwarven survivor was taken to the local Sherrif’s office in Dockside and given a comfortable cell to spend the night.

I have reported my experiences with King Kelanor, and hope for permission to mount a return expedition to this city in the near future.

 


Eleventh Annual Tournament Announced

 

The Eleventh Annual Ashbury Tournament will be held on the last weekend of the month and looks to be an exciting event. The competition is open to all, noble and commoner alike, in groups of six.

A team gets one silver noble per team member for every point they receive in the Tournament, so it is clear that a winning team can turn quite a tidy profit.

A first place win in one category, worth five points, is thus worth three gold. There are nine competitions, so a team could conceivably earn 27 gold nobles. Even a team coming in 5th place in every event can still earn four and a half gold pieces without having to exert itself.

In addition, the teams win a pouch full of supplies, as well as possible suits of armor, weapons, or magical items. In previous years, magical swords have even be provided as prizes.

Duke Frost  Vardik will, as usual, judge the competition, and the entire duchy is hoping that nothing in his schedule will prevent this. 

He will continue a tradition started by his wife, and will be choosing a “champion” at the conclusion of the Tournament.  As her beloved Grace once said, this award goes to someone “who is not necessarily a winner of every event,” said Her Grace, “but someone who is fair, honorable, and who shows themselves well during the competition.” The winner will have the title of Champion until the next tournament.

It is rumored that travelers from the mists will be in competition this year.

The Tournament is open to everyone, citizen or visitor alike, and is always a time of great celebration and revelry. Merchants and visitors arrive to watch the proceedings, and the town of Ashbury has a festive atmosphere the entire weekend.

The first competition is on Saturday morning and the final competition is late on Sunday afternoon, so those who must leave on Sunday to travel may still participate.

As usual, Sir Eros will be overseeing the Tournament, as well as preparing the Hunt items and puzzles.

Rules for the Tournament are available in a treatise written by former Ashbury Times editor Eric Woolcott.  The article is publicly available in most learned libraries and the Sage’s Guild, along with advice on how to win each one.

There are nine competitions in total which seek to test all sorts of skills, including teamwork. Since the scores are generated per each competition, it is entirely possible to win the Tournament without ever winning any of the individual contests. The Tournament was designed this way in order to encourage teamwork and cooperation. A well rounded team will always do much better than one that excels in only one or two areas.

Teams may register at the very last minute but most contain exactly six participants.

The competitions will be held in this order:

 

Colors: This is the opening ceremony in which the teams present themselves to the Duke, introduce each team member, and show off their bearing, their finest clothing, their banners, and other displays. Gifts may be presented to His Grace but they will not be a part of his decision-making.

This will take place at noon on Saturday on Gwendolyn’s Field.

 

Combat: In this, each team presents three fighters who compete against another team  using padded weapons. This is a round robin competition in which each team will compete against each other team at least once. 

“This is not meant to be a three against three battle,” said Sir Eros. “You are not being judged on your individual skills, but on your teamwork.  There is nothing dishonorable about ganging up on the other team, and in fact, that is how teamwork works!”

This will be held immediately after Colors.

 

Hunt: In this competition, the team has to produce a number of items before the other teams — assuming they can figure out what the items are in the first place.

The Hunt list will be handed out immediately after the Combat competition is over, and will conclude at the very end of the entire Tournament on Sunday afternoon.

 

Entertainment: Here, the team has approximately five minutes to tell a story, perform a skit, sing a song, or otherwise entertain the audience.

Although a team may use people not specifically on their team in this competition, it will count against them unless they have used all six of their own members first. 

This will be held around 8 p.m. Saturday night.

 

Riddles: This could include puzzles and other mind games as well as riddles, and all six members should participate.  A riddle will be given to one team, and if they guess wrong, the next team will get a shot at that same riddle. Thus, wrong answers not only count against you but also help your opponents eliminate possible guesses.  Three wrong guesses eliminates a team.

This will be held immediately after Entertainment.

 

Spellcaster’s Battle: One spellcaster from each team will meet on the field and the last one standing is the winner. No harming spells or 9th level spells are allowed, and no magical items, potions, or scrolls are allowed to be used once the competition begins. 

This will start at noon on Sunday.

Archery: In this competition, one team member competes to get the bulls-eye more than his or her competitors. 

This will be held immediately after the Spellcaster’s Battle.

 

Race: This is an exciting relay race in which four of the team members compete against the other teams at the same time. 

This will be held immediately after the Archery competition.

 

Hero’s Battle: This is a one-on-one battle performed in the same manner as the Combat Tournament.   

This will take place around 4 in the afternoon on Sunday, and will be immediately followed by the submission of the Hunt list superlatives and the announcing of the winners.

 

Last year’s Tournament was most unusual in that there was a tie for first place  (between Ash Forest and Nordenn) as well as a tie for the following place (between the Biata Assembly, a group from Thrommel, and the Black Forest). 

Each of the three baronies will be sponsoring a team as usual. The Ash Forest and Nordenn have announced that any winnings they receive in the Tournament will be used to help the adventurers of Ashbury, and will be used to purchase scrolls, potions, gasses, elixirs and other supplies specifically for the new adventurers in town who are in need.

Gamblers who watch these things are carefully noting who might make up which teams.  “The new Blythedale team will probably include Regent Du’Gual, Squire Gabriel, and Sparticous,” said local oddsmaker Gesputchin Rook,  “and that is a combination almost certain to carry the battle competitions.  However, if Baron Morgasander decides to participate instead of just sponsor a team, they could give Blythedale a run for their money.  The Ash Forest is certain to have newly squired Rorii and Darlassia on their team but it is doubtful they could win the combat competition. At the same time, one cannot discount the Black Forest, who do very well in combat.”

Of course, combat is not the only competition, and it is entirely possible to win the Tournament while losing all of the combat portions. “Even the most inexperienced adventurers could win Riddles, The Hunt, Entertainment, Archery, and the Race, and thus the entire Tournament,” says Gesputchin. “In fact, if I remember correctly, the Ash Forest team did that about eight years ago, when Baroness Laurelin was in charge.”

Rumors have also circulated about a team of vansir being organized as well as the possibility of a return of the dark elven team called Shokan Ryujima, first place winners in both the 600 and 601 Tournaments.

 

 


Fire Ants Dispatched

 

A farmer came into town late recently seeking aid from the adventurer class. A small number consisting of Daedric, Gilbert, Osrick, Dominick, Aldric, and Styer ventured with the farmer to his steading at the outskirts of Ashbury City. The farmer told the assembled adventurers how his barn had become overrun by fire ants.

Opening the barn doors, the six  observed a handful of fire ants, the remnants of the farmer’s livestock, and a pit that the giant insects had been digging. Upon dispatching the fire ants that were aboveground, the adventurers attempted to refill the pit where the ants had been ascending from, but to no avail. With no other choice, the adventurers descended into the pit where they came across what appeared to be the beginnings of a hive complex, where they dispatched the last of the marauding beasts.

After the chore was done the farmer rewarded the adventurers and when asked what he was going to do with the nest he responded, “I think I will make it a root cellar.”

 


Renowned Fighter Assaulted, Magic Weapon Stolen!

 

On the second Sunday of the month Chara, a troll hunter renowned by the common folk, was attacked and robbed of her newly acquired magic weapon.  She was attacked in the northern part of the city not too far from her home, a powerful fighter, she was overcome quickly by a woman leading a moving statue made from silver.  She immediately reported this to the Lyle Zaradan, Olivia, Redcloud, and Osrick of the Town Guard who, along with many other adventurers, investigated the area of the attack.  Amani Ranger Scarn Whiteleaf pointed out that the tracks headed back into the city where they were lost. 

The investigation is continuing and Chara has offered a five gold coin reward for information leading to the return of her valuable blade.  The sword is described as having a symbol that looks like the letter A on the hilt. 

In other news of the underworld, small groups of orcs have been seen throwing what can only be described as necromantic gasses around the city. They seem to be targeting people who look like hardened warriors and those manifesting aura stealing weapons and coin. 

Thirty-two members of the underworld organization called the Fist were arrested in Dockside last month, the latest in a series of raids conducted by the Commoner Town Guard.  Sir Ryatt notes that a generous donation from Tieran Oza allowed him to salary a few additional common town guards for Ashbury city, thus allowing him to focus more on personally handling his own estate.


Farmer’s Daughter Rescued from Goblins

 

A beautiful day was shattered recently for a local farmer.  He had been told his daughter had been kidnapped and taken by a group of goblins.  The farmer went to Ashbury to enlist the help of some adventurers to get his daughter back.  Cora, Gilbert, Daedric, Styer, Owlie and Captain Benbow responded to the call. 

The farmer led them to the spot where his daughter was last seen and followed a path to a clearing where they found the goblins holding the girl hostage.  The little girl, however, thought she was attending a “tea party” with her “friends.”

The adventures tried to trick the goblins but the goblins did not fall for it. Cora tried luring the girl away from the goblins safely so that she wouldn’t witness the rest of the adventurers slaughtering her “friends” but that also didn’t work.

Cora finally surrendered to Gilbert’s idea of waylaying the girl and dragging her to safety while the rest of the adventurers took care of the goblins.

The little girl was unharmed and returned to her father. 


Sil Galad Returns

 

A tall elf dressed in a white and gold tunic and carrying a magic sword walked into the center of Ashbury City recently. He greeted people cheerfully and began to gather all the elves present.

He also began apologizing to many. His name was Sil Galad. Soon he had gathered many elves and they adjourned to a sunny spot in the field and talked for some time.

Before he left, he spoke privately with the Imladari elves Daralassia, Rorii and Alushtas. He was seen leaving town without his sword, and Rorii and Daralasia were both later seen wielding it.


Healer’s Guild Report

 

With an eye for the upcoming Tournament, the Healer’s Guild is once again offering water to all who attend. This is a free service. We also encourage each individual to bring plenty of water with them as well, in addition to keeping an eye on your friends. We had several cases of sunburn and heat stroke recently, and would like to prevent future occurrences.

The Healer’s Guild is also delighted to announce that the House Ryujima of the Dark Elven Nation of Tarzaterranzan has donated a Haven of the Living Scroll to protect the Guild. A Preserve Duration Scroll is to be used in conjunction with the Haven of the Living, its catalyst and reagents being received by the Guild from the Court of Blythdale and Assistant Healers Guildmistress Squire Glorianna of the Court of Nordenn, as well as many other adventurers. The Guild is extremely thankful to each and every person who has assisted in gathering the components. His Grace, the good Duke Sir Frost Vardik, has graciously consented to the casting of this ritual on the Healers guild building. In order to most efficiently cast the this, the Guild is requesting one dozen casters with the ability to cast an earth Circle of Power to gather during Tournament, to create a Circle of Power large enough to cast the Haven of the Living around the entire structure. The casting will occur as soon as possible Friday night. If you are interested in participating in this ritual, please contact Assistant Guildmaster Lauroc DerWyrvenhaus.

The Guild has also begun the first of many free lessons in Practical Healing Magic and Rituals. Free classes are offered on Saturdays. Topics will include Ritual Magics, Basic Field Combat Healing, Field Tactics for Healers, How to most efficiently guide the Spirits during Resurrections, and many others. All individuals interested in attending these classes are encouraged to gather at the Healer’s Guild each Saturday, or seek out information from either Assistant Guildmistress Glorianna or Lhasa, or Assistant Guildmaster Lauroc.

In addition to the above classes, the Guild wishes to remind the people in Ashbury that we offer many other services, including our free services of teaching earthen magics, performing esurrections, resurrection story and resurrection compatability listings, and purchasing of illegal necromantic Items for immediate destruction.  Our charged services include ritual casting and spellcrafting, sales of spell books and magic ink for individual spells, and potions.

We also wish to remind each person to keep their thoughts and hopes on our Beloved Guildmistress Shya Corak, who is currently battling the entity known as The One in Bloodstone. Her absence is felt by all. We wish her success and health in this difficult battle.

Lauroc DerWyrvenhaus


Letters

Dear Ashbans:

I wish to thank those brave new adventurers who helped to stand over those who were unable to fight after being infected by the hammerwights while in the Undoer’s hammer.  The heroism of the powerful adventurers should not be diminished, but I think I was prouder of those who could not do massive damage with their weapons who put their lives on the line to save those who could not fight. While others were out attacking the spirit of the Undoer and collecting treasure from the hammerwights, these brave people, for no reward other than knowing they were saving others, stood over the bodies of the fallen.

In their honor, I invite those who stood by me to protect the fallen to join with me on Friday night of the Tournament weekend to have a nice dinner with fine deserts in the Ash Forest manor hall.  I look forward to seeing you then to once again thank you for your service.

Baroness Glenduria Goodberry Manyave

 

Dear Gentlefolk of Ashbury,

I wish to thank you all for your warm welcome and enthusiastic response to the competition. I would especially like to thank my judges Sheriff Ryatt, Sir Jonothan, and Emilio for their service and their generosity.

To the performers, King Kelanor, Lauroc, Michiko and Quilari, thank you for your beautiful contributions. I appreciate the talent that is present in your fair city and I look forward to returning again soon. I will notify you in advance of my intentions and hope that doing so will afford you the time to practice.

Although the voice has seemingly been the instrument of choice, those of you whose talents lie with woodwinds, strings or drums are also invited to participate. Here I wish to acknowledge the winners of my first and second visits—Layla and Lhasa, respectively.

May you surround yourselves in beauty all of the days of your lives.

Hannah

 

I would like to take the time and thank you all who had attended my funeral, or who have sent their condolences to the “Order of the Black Unicorn” and my cousin Elocin.

As many of you have seen, I am very much alive again. I do remember what occurred in the graveyards, and at this time I do wish to keep it to myself.

Thanks is also needed for all the kind words that have been spoken of me. Thank you all!

Sparticous of the “Order of the Black Unicorn”

 

Dear Ashbans:

Allow me to say how wonderful my visit to your fine lands was recently.  I came expecting to have to deal with people who knew nothing of our needs or history, and found instead very caring and considerate folks who sincerely wanted to help the dwarves.  I am in debt to Duke Frost for working to make an acommodation between us and the dark elves over the contested lands north of you, and must say that although I thought none could replace Duke Aramis, I may have been mistaken.

King Kelanor IV, Trollsgate

 


A Little Birdie Told Me

 

by Sue D’Onym

Once more it is time for the News They Don’t Want You To Know! This column would be much better, by the way, if more of you would write to me.  Remember, if you want to see your enemies in here, or if you want to make sure your good deeds are mentioned, you have to let me know!

Is everything clear? Fine, let’s get started!

It seems parents were the order of the day recently, as both Braveroar and Cuar got visits. Braveroar’s mother Kalegerki came to town with other dwarves of Dwarrenagor, no doubt to help staunch the flow of letters coming from her boy. Cuar got visited by his father, and from what was seen, this went less than well. Something about Cuar race changing to a human was said to have been overheard.

Braveroar and Nikodemus and some others had an encounter with some brigands recently who claimed to be traders, stating “We’ll trade with you:  Your money or your life!” They were able to capture one of the thieves and bring him to justice but another one was able to run away.

Several unusual visitors were seen eating (or not eating) dinner at the Dragon’s Flagon recently. The dark elf auctioneer Kazz’d Karr was spending time with his kin and also schmoozing the crowd in anticipation for the auction. It was noticed that he was rather agitated when his meal didn’t arrive in a timely matter and muttered something about disrupting his business.  The blue man from Aquatiri was also seen speaking with the populace and enjoying dinner in the tavern.

It was also noticed that Dark Elven wine seems to carry a higher price tag at auction than many magic items. I guess Ashbury would rather be drunk. A bidding battle brewed between Taji and King Kelanor over one bottle of wine, but Kelanor finally bowed out, saying to Scarn “I don’t feel right taking away the man’s love for the drinks of his homeland.”

Duke Frost seemed to be displeased with quite a few people at his most recent meeting. Squires Gabriel and Glorianna, and the gypsy leader Sergio were publicly chastised by His Grace. The Duke was also seen holding several private conversations, including ones with Air Raaksa and Gilwing. Don’t people know you need to tread lightly around a man in mourning?

Congratulations are in order for Rorii and Darlassia of the Ash Forest on their recent elevations to being squires. Word has it that Teril Belayson and members of FOIL are once again gearing up to complain since they are both from Imladari instead of being Amani.

Speaking of Rorii, Sparticous was overheard talking to the Imlidari elf about his experience in the Graveyards. He claims that he found himself in the beautiful Elder Woods, but is not of elven blood. Anyone else notice that Sparticous was a little more chummy with the Ash Forest elves since his return? Still, one has to wonder if he returned from the dead because of a deal with a fey, right, Faust? (Don’t get Sparticous drunk, I am told, or he fights against invisible butterflies.)

Attempting to be more aggressive on the battlefield, Baroness Glen, observing the battle against the Undoer from her porch, ordered the town to back up so that healing would be readily available for those who needed it. However, she was unaware that the battle was turning in the town’s favor and her order caused the Undoer to rally and regroup. Sir Jonathan ordered all to ignore her (he can do that?) and later he apologized to the Baroness for it, but my reports say she was not happy with him. Still, she has decided that her place should be in the back making sure all get healed, and she was seen doing that when the battle was carried into the Undoer’s hammer the next day.

Emilio the biata somehow managed to worm his way into staying as a guest of the Ash Forest a few weeks ago until the Baroness found out that he had been convicted of necromancy in a distant land. It didn’t take long for him to be kicked out, but he didn’t seem to mind, and in fact seemed proud of his history.  Proof that necromancy destroys the mind, I guess.

Daedric revealed to many in Ashbury that he is a Lempur, and befuddled them with his skeletal hands. Several attempts were initiated to remove Daedric’s curse, but none were successful. Besides trying all weekend to find information about how to lift Glantri’s curse from the land of Lempur, Daedric also partook in several adventures, although not surprisingly, bad things seemed to happen to his group wherever they traveled.

Aldric Harrington-Corak has had a bit of a memory lapse recently. They also mentioned that when he came to, he was surrounded by a bunch of gypsies. Hmm!

Rongo the vansir had some of the dark elf visitors confused recently. “He has the feathers of a biata, horns of a mystic wood elf, fur of a sarr, feet of a hobling, smells like a vansir and he is almost as dark as we are...” said Mia.

Well, that’s all the news we have room for this issue, so until next time, remember: If you can’t say something nice about someone, come sit by me.

 

 


Public Notices

NEW ADVENTURERS in need of a Ward or other assistance, please contact the Court of the Ash Forest for aid.

 

ATTENTION ALL CITIZENS and Visiting Peoples. I will be in Ashbury City the weeks before and after the Ducal Tournament. I am now taking orders for Arms, Armor, and other metal supplies including boxes (strengthened or unstrengthened) and metal potion vials. I will still be able to take orders on demand, but orders placed in advance will be made first. Noble Courts, Merchants, and larger adventuring groups please contact me about discounts. To give an example of my skill, I can make the heaviest of suits, a sword, and a shield with only one trip to my forge. To give examples of my quality of arms, my arms and armor have been worn by Lords and Ladies in four different lands. Orders can be left for me at the Dragon’s Flagon in Ashbury City, or left at my forge. Threy’s Might to guide thee.  – Llyweilun of Sheep Tribe, Smith

 

WINE: On Friday and Saturday night during Tournament, I will be selling wine . The wine is human red, white and chardounay and possibly champagne.  – Osrick

 

SCROLLS AND CATALYSTS WANTED: The Order of the Black Unicorn is looking for the following Ritual Scrolls and Catalysts: Race Change, Channel, Enchant, Expanded Enchant, Monster Slayer, Spell Store, Protection Aura, Copy Formal Ritual, Preserve Duration, Permanent Duration, Regeneration, Elemental Blast, Elemental Aura, Damage Aura. We are also looking for the Catalysts for Permanent Duration, Race Change, and Copy Formal Ritual as well as any reagents. We are willing to buy or trade, please contact Sparticous or Paythin

 

GABRIEL: We will be together forever. Fear not. – Arienne

 

ATTENTION ALL BIATA: To those interested in furthering their understanding of the abilities inherent to our race, please join with your fellows andteach while you learn. All biata are welcome, whether well schooled in the mental arts or those who have not had the fortune of having access to a competant teacher. For further details please speak with Tieran or Shya.

 

CHILDREN OF CAMULOUS seeking safe passage by ship, seek Enko and Katyreena on the Children’s Song in Dockside or in Synvia. 

 

THE ASHBURY TOWN GUARD is looking to recruit those interested in protecting our city. It is the Town Guard’s responsibility not only to bring criminals to justice, but more importantly ensure that the common man, women and child feel safe and secure within Ashbury City and the surrounding area. The Town Guard has also been charged with organizing and providing for those who have only been in Ashbury City for a short time, are new to the ways of combat and magic, or are not part of a large  adventuring team. You too can be effective on the battlefield! Tactics training, weapons training, and a combat rally point are offered for defense during large scale conflicts. For more information, please contact: The Sheriff or any member of the Town Guard (Lyle, Olivia, Osrick,Redcloud).  They can be identified by a black and silver pennant attached to their belt.

 

I KNEW boss Sparticous wasn’t dead. I never bet against an immortal and this only further proves his
greatness. See you soon boss –Typhon

 

THRUST: I hear that you were in Ashbury reciently looking for me. I will be in town for the Tournament . – Zephrin

 

DOMINIC AND LAUROC: Thank you for your assistance. We will not forget. – Lord Find’rth T’Varian

 

MAYF, RONGO, and any other Vansir that will be present for the Ducal Tourney please contact me. I would like us to put together a tournament team that unlike the one Thunderbringer put together last year will actually show up at the events. – Llyweilun, Smith

 

CELESTIAL RITUALS PERFORMED.  Nominal fee required – Cedric Fruvous

 

IN NEED OF A WEAPON or armor, but you haven’t the coin? Speak with Sparticous or Paythin of the “Order of the Black Unicorn”. We have many arms and armor that we would be willing to suit you in.

 

LORD FAUST: I’m still alive. Have you forgotten my wish? Let me know the favor you need. – Sparticous