The Ashbury Times

May 608

“All The News That Fits, We Print”

 

Queen Missing at Sea

 

A diplomatic trip by Queen Sidraste to the Three Kingdoms has turned to tragedy.  As the scheduled date of arrival passed, scout ships from the Three Kingdoms and Icenia were sent to search.  What they found could not have been more horrifying.  The wreckage of Her Majesty’s flagship The Maiden’s Sword was found at sea along with the wreckage of the fleet’s three other ships and the wreckage of one Vacarran Corsair dreadnaught.  It was very obvious a large naval battle had taken place less than six nautical miles from the departure point.

Since the discovery, royal sailors and marines have begun resurrecting back in Icenia.  It has been reported that Queen Sidraste along with her knights Sir Tyler Banoch and Dame Beatrice Wyndham were taken as captives.  All other sailors and marines were sent to the bottom of the sea, along with several representatives of the Sarr nations.

Duke Broomis Bouchard of Brittington, Duchess Jacelyn Corellia of Evorra, Duke Colin Hendry of Falkirk, Duke Frost Vardik of Ashbury along with the remaining Royal Knights have met and determined Dame Sonia shall act as regent in this dark time.  Our own Duke Frost and Duke Colin strongly backed Dame Sonia, while others protested the decision.  Duke Broomis was especially vocal in pushing for himself as regent.

 


Vampire Apocalypse?

 

In 604, a strange stone pedestal appeared on the outskirts of the Ash Forest, within walking distance of the capital city.  Since that time, several other different but similar objects have appeared.  Another pedestal appeared in the town of Deathwatch in Trellheim in 606.  A small stone tower has appeared in Shadow Keep in Nordenn and a small stone crypt has risen from the ground in in Blythedale in the estate of River’s Edge.  On the morning of May 3, 608, a black marble obelisk erupted from the ground spewing smoke of many colors in Trellheim near the new settlement of Fairdale.  A plaque was attached to this obelisk which read:

 

Phoebus Vitiate shall rise throughout the land

and a new night shall dawn

 

Those forbidden to walk in the sun

shall rejoice as eternal night descends

 

The very power that chains them to the dark

shall fuel their ascension

 

And the living shall know fear

and their doom shall find them

 

The best attempts of learned scholars and mages were of no use in destroying or containing the obelisk.   The efforts of such notables as Aeon Nimbus, Guildmaster Aoysius, Symerille and Squire Ignatius Vex were to no avail.  Wards and other containing magics proved of little worth.

The next day, the bestial vampires that have come to be known as The Craven flocked to the obelisk, the sunlight seeming to not affect them.  The vampire General of Galanthia, Matros Lochaber was also seen in the vicinity and allegedly was staking the creatures and talking to various adventurers.  He claimed he has been hunting and destroying them, but he cannot keep up with their rate of infection.  He stated that the infection will turn a living person in one to two months and there is no saving them.  He also stated a person infected that dies will almost immediately turn.  Rumor has it the destroyed dragon mage vampire Loscarnos de Morganna is responsible for these obelisks.  Once the Craven attacks seemed to cease or at least slow down, Dame Glorianna of Nordenn insisted Lochaber leave, evidently not wanting to risk a fight with the powerful vampire after the grueling battle.  It seems a wise choice was made, as attacks by the Craven have continued though in smaller groups.

Reports indicate the other objects of necromantic power have led to similar but smaller attacks of the Craven and other undead.  Wraiths and ghosts and other non-corporeal have been seen in the daylight in larger and larger areas of Icenia, some as far as five miles from one of the objects.  The baronial and ducal armies have set up large forces around each of these objects, as the creatures seem drawn to them.  Citizens that live in the vicinity of any of these objects are encouraged to stay indoors, preferably in a ward or circle of power…or preferably to evacuate to safer areas.

The day before the daylight attack, a sergeant of the ducal rangers led a strike force of adventurers, including Ithaca, Khorwyn, Gwendara, Andros, Sun, Garathon and Lindiara to a nest of the Craven.  They were succesful in destroying perhaps a dozen of these creatures, including several very powerful ones.  At that time, the Craven still seemed to be shunning the sunlight.

 


Elementals Appear in Ashbury City

 

Apparently the Contested Lands are not the only place to find angry elementals; on Tuesday, the sixth of the Hawk, the guards were called to a strange disturbance inside of the city gates, where what look like a rift had torn itself open in the middle of Ashbury city, and began to pour out Ice Elementals. The rift soon closed behind them, and the Ice elementals asked who had summoned them. When no one answered, they became frustrated, and started demolishing some of the market place area. They were vanquished by the City guardsmen, but there was no rhyme or reason to their appearance.

City officials are still quiet, but some of the rumors about town are circulating that it has to do with the Barbarians of the Reclaim.


Dominion Surge in Bretton

 

After the loss of Bretton during last month’s raid, the Ducal Army has pulled their forces back after incurring huge losses from an attempt to flush out the Riedic Legion.  It would seem for now that Bretton is a lost cause; and already the Dominion has been seen building a wall along its southern border against Roderick’s Rest. A few Gryphons have also been seen flying in and out of the area, but no further word was given by the Ducal Army at this time. The number of Refugees leaving the Contested lands and coming over the river into Fairdale seems to be a greater number as of late, which has put a bit of a strain on Fairdale, where there is little to no room to house them.

The Ducal Army has warned commoners to remain cautious, and bear arms in the area of Fairdale in case of a Dominion attack.

 

 


Corner of Chivalry

 

By Baron Ivan Drake

Recently, there have been several in-depth discussions regarding forgiveness.  The Code of Chivalry does not specifically comment on the concept of forgiveness, but it does require that we be “everywhere and always the champion of the right and the good against injustice and evil.”  Therefore, in my opinion, forgiving someone who is truly repentant is an act of righteousness. 

The question then becomes this: Is it possible to never forgive certain people?  As a human, I am short-lived, so for me, “never” is quite a long time.  If an elf has spent 10 years of their life making evil choices, does that differ from a human making a month of mistakes?  Bear in mind also that one evil act does not make someone evil just as one good act does not make someone good.  People should be judged by how their character is presented over time

But in truth, I’m not sure that the amount of time nor even the depth of evil character determines whether or not one deserves forgiveness.  Is the perpetrator genuinely remorseful?  Have they accepted responsibility for their actions and repented?  Of course, one who has had a long history of evil would find the path to redemption to be long and often difficult.  I don’t think you can expect people to immediately forgive someone who has knowingly done wrong simply because they say they have repented.  It will take time for people to accept them. 

But I believe that at some point, the balance of one’s life choices can tip in favor of righteousness.  As a wise man once said, “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

 


Letters

 

To the Adventuring Community:

I seek an open forum at the next gathering at the Black Stag Inn.  There has been so much dissention in our dreams, and our blood is running so hot that we lash out at one another, instead of saving our fight for the enemy at hand.  Let us fight only in pursuit of peace... and not harm one another in deed, thought or words.  

My appreciation and respect for you all.

In Service

Lady Knight Glorianna Wyndancer Nordenn

 

Friends,

It feels good to be home in Icenia.  Five years is a long time to be gone, but my time spent training with the Candyman was unforgettable.  I cannot thank him enough for everything he taught me.  It was good to come home and see so many familiar faces again.  It was also a pleasure to meet a great many new faces.  There are a lot of young, talented individuals holding up the lines in Fairdale.

I have some news I wanted to share with you all.  Some of it is good, some of it is bad.  My first order of business was to reopen my bakery in South Point, but my return was not a happy one.  I never anticipated being gone for so long, so I left nearly everything behind.  Some time in the past five years my home was robbed of everything I have worked so hard to earn.  My life savings, my weapons (including an indestructible long sword given to me by Lady Azura), my alchemy -- all gone.  As you can imagine I was a bit overwhelmed by this, but I came back from Candyland eager to work in my bakery.  Not even this setback would stop me.

This brings me to the good news.  I was able to raise enough money from my time in Fairdale to open a new bakery.  I enjoyed my time in South Point, but I was hoping to move somewhere closer to Fairdale, yet still far from danger.

So I find myself back in Ashbury City.  I just opened my new bakery a few days ago, and business has been great.  I welcome all looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, as well as those simply in need of my delicious bread.  If you are in need of a special order, please stop by so we can discuss all the details.  I am eager to help you make any day a delicious day.

With things returning to normal, I do not plan on traveling to Fairdale often.  I do plan to send up treats in my absence, so be on the look out.  Running a business is a great responsibility, but you will be seeing me here and there when I get the urge to hang up the apron and pick up my gas globes.  Hopefully I will be in Fairdale for the tournament this summer.

One last thing!  I am in search of a race change scroll and catalyst.  I have thought about it for many years, and I have finally decided it's time to become a Hobling on the outside, not just in spirit.  While hard to explain, I feel like this is something that I have desired all my life, and it finally needs to be done.  I have also been told by many to seek out the elders amongst the hoblings, so it looks like I have some traveling to do.

Safe travels,

Perwin Poppinfresh

 

I am glad that the people of Icenia can bond together towards a common goal; that these cursed creatures will be brought to an end. A word of caution, however, to each and every adventurer willing to make the journey the Fairdale.

Be cautious; this is not some usual toil where the creatures we fight will care about being hit; either by steel, stone, or Earth Magic. They will come, and continue coming; as they are little more than rabid animals.

There is no cowardice in not coming; this is a battle where some of us will not return, so for those of you who do not have the strength, stay and live, so that you too may fight our fight someday, should we fail.

To those that come, I will bleed freely with you, and die beside you to make sure this plague never infests the Earth, ever again.

I do, however have a request.

To any and all who have a tendency to fight recklessly: This will not be the place for it. Understand that these creatures will draw and feed upon you without any remorse, and should you separate yourself from your group and be taken down, the only thing that will come of it is more lives lost from your recklessness. Those of us who heal will have no choice but to leave you behind. Please understand this, as it is very important; the potential of you running off alone will not work for this coming gather.

Please understand that in order to fight this force and succeed, the band of Adventurers MUST work together; else we will all be doomed to this plague. That means taking commands and listening to those in charge. That means making a tactical retreat if the front of the battle is lost. We fight now for so much more than just Fairdale; we fight for the survival of every man, woman, and child who calls Icenia their home. Their lives are in your hands.

To any and all who wish to help, please send missive to me with your strengths, and I will make recommendations accordingly. My group and I have fought undead for quite some time, and I have researched these creatures for a while now.

The time for action has come.

Aislynn Ravenshire

 

 

 


A Little Birdie Told Me

 

by Sue D’Onym

Hello, drearies.  Here is the latest News They Don’t Want You To Know!

Ithica came back from the bugbear “Kingdom” sporting a new armband…Is he planning on adding monsters to his ragtag mercenary army now? 

Noted Prophet Aeoun Nimbus was seen sharing trollweed with Rackmaster General Les’Grahk of the Broken Spear bugbears. Topics discussed were the war against the Dur’Namarie, how to cure Lycanthropy and asking if he could be whipped until he had a prophetic vision. And speaking of bugbears, what is this I hear about His Grace Frost Vardik inviting them to the Ducal ball?

And of course, people are already talking about the Ball, held this year in July. “Everybody loves the Duke’s balls!” says Dame Glorianna, who is planning the event, and probably taking her newest trophy, Squire Trevor. 

Great news for Baron Ivan Drake!  He has managed to hold onto his crown for an entire month. Kobolds asked about this turn of events declined to comment except to grin.  I heard that he is taking a necromancer to the Ball.  No, really!

The adventurers are starting to worry whenever Dame Sonia comes to town. She came in to investigate the release of the Dominion, then to announce the death of the king, and now to tell us that Queen Sidraste is missing. Does she ever have anything good to say?

Perwin the baker visited Fairdale recently, visiting many adventurers who had traveled with him long in the past, before he took time off to work at his bakery or something else equally boring.  Now he is searching to find a way to be race changed to a hobling.  And you think his wares are expensive now!

That’s all for this month, because not very many people contributed…So until next time, remember – If you can’t say something nice about someone, come sit by me.

 


Public Notices

 

LOOKING TO BUY components to defeat the undead and the bloodline for Morganna.  Please seek Lady Knight Glorianna Wyndancer Norden

 

THE SAGE’S GUILD will be opening a chapter in Fairdale and taking interviews for all those who wish to join the guild. Please contact me privately if you wish to have an interview. I will holding interviews on the last Saturday of this month in Fairdale at noon in the tavern. -- Aria Devonshire