The talk of all of Ashbury during the past month has been the mysterious circle placed within the center of town by an alleged dragon mage by the name of Morganna. It at first appeared that the circle was merely some whim of interest of this powerful being, but it later was revealed to be some unusual tournament of a far more nefarious nature. Further puzzling was the presence of the golden cup and intricate bottle which stood in the circle's center.
The people of the city got their answers over the course of the final May weekend--but not many liked them.
The wheels of the dragon mage's machinations began turning when a band of gypsies arrived in town to rent the tavern from Camilla. They claimed to be from the estate of Capulus in Trellheim, and said they were meeting a number of friends. To compensate the townspeople for the inconvenience of being chased out of their favorite watering hole, the "Von Capulans" offered gold coins to anyone waiting outside. Unfortunately, these coins were cursed, and any who touched them were soon to suffer a terrible malady. Among those marked were Paladin Angus, Lupiticus of the Town Guard, Tsubatai, Mortimer, Michela and Quentin Silverfoxx of Blythedale, Ebon, and Royal Army Sergeant Tazir Xora Xai. Their malady caused them to grow pale and take on the appearance of an undead creature.
Other strange groups soon joined the Capulans in the Dragon's Flagon. Four clans of vampires descended upon Ashbury, responding like children to the call of their "father" Morganna. Vampirates of the Bloodwake, the Sons of the Unliving King Misrak the Lizardman King, and a group of undead elves under the guidance of former Ash Forest Baron Lorin Alfenwen all arrived at various times in the evening for a great gathering of nightfeeders.
Finally, the dragon mage himself arrived, and the few brave adventurers who listened outside the tavern learned that he was Loscarnos de Morgana, maker of the fabled Dagger of Morgana. It was also learned that the different groups who had gathered were all vampires, and that they were competing for the magic cup that Morgana had left in the circle.
After charging his "children" with the cup's retrieval, the different groups began solidifying power bases with different townspeople in order to get help in winning the artifact. The lizardmen, led by a powerful vampire named Rysa, approached the court of Blythedale and were very well received.
Rysa made his request for assistance as reasonable as possible, and might have won the barony over if not for the Lizardman attacks that have been plaguing Blythedale as of late and the mysterious disappearance of the Grandfather of Baron Thomas Grey.
Lorin Alfenwen, one-time hero and baron of the Ash Forest was also among the vampires who sought the cup. This surprising revelation shocked many of the amani elves in town. Lorin stated that he wanted the cup to save the elven Spirit Tree, but his wife Laureianne (also a vampire), when not under Lorin's control, made it clear that he wanted the cup so that he could use it to make a weapon that would destroy the elven Spirit Tree. This legendary tree, reputed to be linked to the spirits of all elves across the kingdom, is considered sacred, and none would allow Lorin near the cup for fear that he might succeed in his mission. A mysterious elf of the Mystic Wood gathered up champions to investigate Baron Lorin and had them don war paint to fight him should he gain the cup.
Because of Lorin's aspirations, no one wished to give the cup over to any of the vampires--not that any of the local citizenry were able to lower the circle. The city of Ashbury received something of a break at this time, as the circle lowered suddenly to allow the newly formed body of an undead creature to escape and enter the tavern. This creature, a death lord of some sort, taunted adventurers who were in the Dragon's Flagon, but unknowingly dropped a number of valuable clues as to how these newer, more dangerous vampires might be defeated. The vampires in town at the time exhibited powerful new abilities, and could not be slain as easily as those that had been encountered in the past. After speaking with the locals, the death lord returned to the circle, but not before being badly burned by the magic of Eldon Runeweaver.
The death lord called himself Creepshow but it was soon discovered that his real name was Tavish Capulus. As any schoolchild versed in Ashbury history knows, Tavish was the son of Baron Cerik Capulus of Trellheim, and had supposed to follow his father's footsteps as Baron back in 527. When Cerik named Bretton Darkwood as the next Baron, Tavish was outraged and left, never to be heard from again. Tavish admitted to those he spoke to that he had gone to Loscarnos and had made a deal to become an undead to exact his revenge. He managed to capture Bretton's spirit as the old man was dying and had bottled him to keep him in anguished torture forever. It was Bretton's bottle that was placed in the Circle. Unbeknownst to Creepshow, when he'd lowered the circle the first time, bat scavenger Tale of The Tribe had snuck inside and stolen the cup. Morgana's children could no longer find the prize they sought.
Unfortunately, this put the citizenry in a difficult position. The vampires were unable to find the cup, but they were more than happy to turn their ministrations upon the people, demanding the cup's return. The baronial court of Trellheim then came into possession of the cup and worked tirelessly to learn its secrets. Many wondered what the cup was and why the vampires wanted it. Baron Morgan believed the answer lay with a newly formed spirit inside the circle--the spirit of Bretton Darkwood.
Bretton offered to give Baron Morgan's court a recipe which could be mixed inside the cup and used to "anoint" a wooden stake for use as a weapon against the vampires. In return, Bretton demanded that a number of tasks be performed. These tasks ranged from the macabre (the heads of three lizard men) to the downright bizarre (at one point, half of town had joined Baron Morgan in a rousing rendition of the Trellheim Anthem).
Of course, things grew quite complicated while the adventuring community sought to perform Bretton's tasks and avoid the vampires. Rysa's brother Rigel, under the control of Amphisbaena, a snake-headed creature called a medusa, had come to slay him for becoming undead--something loathed and feared among the lizard man clans. To muddle things further, Amphisbaena claimed to be holding Baron Thomas's grandfather captive, and ordered the Baron to surrender himself to her. Unknown to the medusa, Baron Thomas was safe in Greenstone and Tsubatai and Mortimer were leading Blythedale.
The somewhat bizarre fixation with Thomas Grey seems to be derived from the persecution of the Lizardman population in the estate of Amaranth. One saurian named Shaantamar referred to a great slaughter of lizardmen at the hands of undead, led by a large skeletal being with glowing eyes. This massacre seems attributed to Mourna, and occurred at least four or five years ago.
Meanwhile, those who had been cursed were showing more signs of being an undead, including aversion to the sun and the growing of fangs. Due to Tsubatai's cursed condition, control of the baronial court was turned over to Squire Ariel, who accompanied Mortimer, Vaasa, Rowell, Kelial, and Ebon into Amphisbaena's lair to free Thomas II. There they learned of a way to remove the curse that had befallen them all.
Other problems arose when the pirates broke into two distinct factions, one led by their captain, another by his first mate. Captain Jolly John Mantacara, one time leader of these "vampirates," claimed that he could end the dispute and chase his undead crew off if he had the magic amulet which lay in the home of the wizard Ar.
Ar's home was deep in the swamp, but Wilhelm Neumacht and his valiant clan, along with Magistrate Aloryn and Ramius, were able to penetrate the mage's home and defeat the creatures which had infested it, thus winning the Amulet of Ar. The amulet was never returned to Jolly John, but the vampirates were largely destroyed in any event.
Meanwhile, the cup continued to remain an elusive mystery. Although in the possession of the townspeople, no one could exactly identify its properties. Sorceress Shalizar of the Mages' Guild made two attempts, but was struck with amnesia each time. Such backlashes often seem to accompany powerful artifacts, as was noted during her attempt to identify the Rod of Seven Rifts last year.
Finally, the recipe was complete, and one of the enchanted shards was anointed to become a "stake of woe," capable of permanently slaying a vampire. Sadly, no one was able to make use of the weapon as Rysa stole it immediately after its creation and fled. He then wrested the cup from Trellheim and presented it to Morganna. The undead lizard man had won the contest. As a result, the other vampires were put to death, and Morganna's threat to the town was ended. Unfortuantely, Morganna had one final piece of business to take care of.
Stealthy though she was, some of the local citizenry came across Morganna's mother, an undead creature who had come to town to "check up" on her son. Although she was not threatening or menacing, she did make a few fighters blush with her comments. Unfortunately, Baron Morgan was not terribly pleased with what she had to say, and he voiced his opinion. Word got back to Morganna, and the dragon mage refused to depart until Morgan was brought before him.
As waves of monsters attacked the town, search parties led by Squire Wilhelm and Magistrate Aloryn tried to find Baron Morgan Although they met with no success, Lord Tsubatai, who was coordinating the town's defense from the tavern, reported that Morganna had grown bored and departed. It is unknown if he will return for revenge.
It is an event which many have feared might one day come to pass, and in the darkest hour just before dawn on Monday May 30th, such fear gave way to nightmarish reality: Mourna the liche breached the circle of power surrounding the Ashbury Healer's Guild.
The horror began when Mourna arrived in town, possibly to investigate the necromantic circle of power which had been erected outside the tavern, and began to charm certain citizens whom she happened upon. She traveled across town in an effort to learn which buildings were protected by a Ward and who by a Wizard Lock. Her greatest success was probably when she came upon the Town Guard, whose feeble Wizard Lock was no match for Mourna's magic. After overcoming it, she charmed those she was interested in and departed with a sizable force, nearly half of all the townsfolk who were still awake.
Mourna then decided to play some games. She grabbed Wilhelm Neumacht and Blade the barbarian and placed four walls of force around them. She told them to fight to the death, saying she wanted to see someone die that night. Blade told Wilhelm just to kill him, but because Wilhelm refused. Mourna demanded that they fight or she would death both of them. The two tried to deceive Mourna by faking a battle but Mourna saw through the ruse and threw a Death spell at Wilhelm. She then took her vampire followers and head off to the Healers' Guild.
At the guild, Mourna webbed and confined Squire Tsubatai of Blythesdale and explained her anger at Ashbury. "I tried to help the people of Ashbury and I even tried to help the Duchess," she said, "but someone told Alaric what I had done. And now somebody has to die and if it's me or you, it is going to be you."
Mourna claimed that Alaric had ordered her to kill someone. Magistrate Aloryn, in a bold and chivalrous move, offered himself instead of Wilhelm, and allowed the fatal spell to be cast upon him.
Mourna quickly agreed and dropped his spell shield and then cast a death spell. The death of his squire must have been too much for Sir Angus, as he suddenly exploded into a spellcasting frenzy, hurling a small barrage of somewhat limited earth spells at the liche.
The vampires were upon him in an instant, and their efforts, combined with those of the mercenary, did the paladin in. Shocking as this was, what immediately followed was even more terrifying. Confused by the many calls to lower the circle and help fallen comrades, the Healer's Guild allowed the protective barrier to recede, and Mourna was able to enter.
The healers scrambled to escape, but had nowhere to go. Mourna took control of Maximus, who was able to control the circle, and began to rummage through the possessions of guild, taking all of the Guild's ritual scrolls and components.
Outside, the last of the freedom fighters prepared for a dangerous attack. Using all the steel and spell power they could muster, Wilhelm, Otto, Gwynn, and Faustus Neumacht joined Ramius in a desperate all out attack against the mercenary and single vampire which had not accompanied Mourna into the guild. The attack was devastating, and after pummeling the mercenary for what seemed like hours, the human finally fell. Unfortunately, his vampire companion had a Life spell ready, and after the killing blow had been dealt, the warrior was back on his feet. Ramius and the Neumachts had not the power to renew such an assault, and were forced to flee in the face of these two foes. Inside, Camilla continued to resist the undead attackers, attacking with her silver sword and doing everything in her power to stop them from fully taking over the guild. Her efforts nearly ended with her life, but the liche spared her when she realized how much information a local tavernkeeper could gather about the town. Poor Camilla was subdued and prepared for questioning.
In a final hour effort, Kelial the biata selflessly offered himself to Mourna if she would just spare the guild and the townsfolk. Intrigued by the scholar's offer, the liche agreed. Kelial was blindfolded and accosted by the vampires.
Outside, Lord Tsubatai of Blythedale had just risen from bed to investigate the noise when he came upon the mercenary who had routed the Neumachts. Realizing the danger this man presented, but sensing also his power, Tsubatai bravely assumed an attack stance and challenged him. Valiant though his effort was, he too was cut down.
As light began to gather in the eastern sky, Mourna exited the guild with Maximus and slew him with chaos. Diminishing shadows fled before her as she departed the town amidst cries of "Long live Queen Mourna!" and "Long Live Peppercorn!" with Kelial at her side. The damage to the guild is now being assessed, and all bordering estates have been alerted to the liche's presence and her deadly rampage. Kelial has still not returned and his whereabouts are unknown.
A new rift opened upon the tourney field on the western end of town late on Sunday, May 30th. The first to issue forth from this portal was none other than a not-always welcome and somewhat recurring visitor to Ashbury, iron golem wizard Avar Lychus.
Preordained by the life elemental Danathis (who was boldly rescued by Squire Andreas of Trellhiem), it was discovered that some being(s) of great power were tearing open the fabric of reality to open a rift in the center of the city. Piercing blasts of sound followed by bursts of blue light signaled the appearance of the rift and Avar Lychus.
Avar stormed into town and dumped two items into Duchess Mara's lap: the Rod of Seven Rifts and what appeared to be the "Book of the Dead." It was learned last year when a group of adventurers were pulled into the Plane of the Graveyards that the Registrar of the Graveyards keeps a book in which he records the deaths of those who have gone to their final rest. Avar Lychus had apparently stolen this book in another of his pathetic attempts to bring his dead wife back from the Graveyard of the Shattered Spirits.
Also eminating from the Rift were a huge group of elementals, undead, and other cursed beings. After leaving the items with Duchess Mara, Avar ran back to the rift and aided the city in an unlikely alliance against the creatures.
When the rift attack finally slowed, it was learned that Avar's wife Cassandra Bavdera had stepped through as well, and hot on both of their heels was an odd consortium of elemental leaders calling themselves The Foundation. Avar left immediately for parts unknown after discovering his wife was only a few steps behind.
Cassandra, now in the form of a banshee, was enraged at Avar. She claimed that his selfish attempts to bring her back from the dead had doomed her and were dooming the Duchy due to the Registrar's rage at having his Book of the Dead stolen. Cassandra spoke of the six Graveyards plus another known as the Graveyard of the Shattered Spirits that exists "beyond the gates" and exists for those spirits that refuse to take a place within the organized graveyards. Those who cross the Registrar or cannot rest due to some unfinished business live such an existence as cursed beings carrying out the Bureaucrat of Death's will or wrath.
Meanwhile, The Foundation attempted to obtain different results for the Book of the Dead. Some wanted the book's destruction and others wanted it recovered and returned. The different opinions were represented by the different elemental dichotomies. Even if the Duchess had wanted to return the book, she would have been unable, as Cassandra later revealed that it was a fake. The real Book was still in the hands of Avar. It seems that this time, at the very least, Avar was not quite so helpful. Fortunately another being seem more than interested in helping the town shut the rift that Sunday night. Wacky Mummy Emperor Ichorax of the Avalonium Imperium appeared and reported that he could shut the rift in exchange for the possession of his beloved Rod of Seven Rifts. The Rod had originally been stolen from the possession of Ichorax last fall when Avar Lychus took it in an attempt to get to the Graveyards.
After many discussions with the nobles of Ashbury and the blessing of Ichorax's so-called "Proconsul" Morgan Blackborne, the Duchess handed the Rod over to the Mummy King who then proceeded to shut the rift and prevent the Registrar from entering into the city.
Uttering the apparently mystic words "Shaba! Shaba! Shaba!" the rift disappeared and in a burst of speed unknown among many types of Undead, Ichorax ran into the darkness with his Rod in hand. His departure was marked by the attack of his minions. Several nobles needed to have their limbs restored.
By Monday morning, The Registrar appeared with the members of The Foundation under his command. He was still searching for his book but was bearing a strange spiraled notebook, which one citizen claimed to have seen titled as the "Notebook of the Dead." The Registrar "interviewed" many individuals in an attempt divine the real book's location.
Writing down many names in his notebook, The Registrar claimed that if the old book wasn't returned, many spirits would escaped and he would be forced to replace the spirits with others from Ashbury. To make good his threat, he took the spirits of several citizens as hostages until the book was returned.
Oggh of Blythedale and the father of Gorshaq Korenk were among those taken, but many relatives and love ones still remain within his grasp. With few clues as to the whereabouts of the town's favorite Iron Golem, the only thing The Registrar can do is keep writing and the only thing the people of Ashbury can do is worry.
Baron Morgan Blackbourne undertook the dangerous task of completely evacuating the area of the Tower Hills in preparation or anticipation of impending battles with the trolls. Local residents who were forced to move were unhappy, but in general the population is glad that the "troll problem" is being dealt with.
There have already been many attacks by the trolls in Trellheim in the past year, and the trolls have been extremely fierce and deadly in their attacks.
They are perhaps encouraged by the troll myths of the return of their long-dead leader Fangthorn who is supposed to lead the trolls back to victory. This Great Battle is supposed to take place in the near future.
The trolls have also learned of the visitation of humans from the future who spoke of a time where the trolls have been successful. In fact, it is that very future that may have encouraged Baron Morgan to beef up his defenses and mount an offense in an attempt to make sure that future never comes into being. Once the evacuation is completed, the Trellheim army will move into the area in force, rebuild defenses and otherwise prepare. Apparently no one wants that future to occur. There has also been some speculation that the trolls themselves were visited by trolls from the future.
Another rumor that the trolls are spreading is that Fangthorn has already returned in spirit form to guide them, and once enough of his bones are collected he will be able to reform physically to lead them to victory. However, no sightings of Fangthorn have yet been reported.
The Company of the Midnight Sun adventuring group won the first annual Commoner's Tournament by one point. The group was rewarded with many gold pieces as well as some magic items and other goodies provided by Duchess Mara.
The group, consisting of Talisian, Blade, Hawkwing, Roderick, Tsarbane, and Galen, placed first in many of the contests and had strong showings in many others.
Losing by only one point was the group calling itself "Five Wenches and an Aspiring Baron," composed primarily of gypsies from the Servenka clan.
Highlights of the Tournament included highly entertaining skits from the top two teams as well as very humorous and creative entries for some of the superlatives on the Hunt list.
The top two winners in the Entertainment portion of the competition both told traditional tales of their people, acted out by the group. The "wenches" told a grand tale with the moral "Never piss off a gypsy." Blade's telling of a traditional barbarian folk tale (acted out by the rest of his team) was most humorous and involved many bananas, little people, boats full of cucumbers and "evil, nasty celestial casters." In the Hunt, Talisan won for the "Biggest Lie" item when he said "I am most distressed that the Duchess would have me lie. I have never lied and I do not intend to do so now."
The Royal Army's rendition of a battle song for the entry "The Saddest Song" had the biggest effect on ex-Army member Duchess Mara.
The battle competitions were most exciting although were slightly disrupted by a group of traveling Voltans who loudly proclaimed "padded weapons? What kind of tournament is this? And where are the wrestling bears?"
The Nobles will compete in their own Tournament with the same contests and rules in September. Each Barony will field a team consisting of six knights or squires. A person who competed in the Commoner's Tournament who later becomes a squire cannot compete in the noble's tournament this year.
Duchess Mara announced that all citizens of Ashbury are invited to participate in a Gunther's Knee competition to be held in celebration of Knee Day.
The competition will be held in the Dragon's Flagon on the night of Saturday, June 18th at 9:00 p.m.
As all good citizens of Ashbury are aware, something happened to Baron Gunther Nordenn's knee back in 499 but exactly what it was has been lost to history. The town of Gunther's Knee holds an annual "Liar's Contest" where the person with the best story about what happened to poor Gunther's knee is rewarded with prizes.
Morgan Sunstar of the Royal Army is the proud owner of a magical sword, courtesy of Her Grace Duchess Mara Tirane.
The Duchess announced that she would be randomly giving away her magical short sword to one of her loyal subjects. Morgan's name was drawn randomly from a box.
As she handed the sword over, she explained to Morgan that the sword was given to her by the Duke of Niman. The sword, which bears the words "Slave Tamer" in biata, was apparently originally owned by a slaver. Duke Vordan had given the sword to Duchess Mara to prove that the slaver had been punished.
Duchess Mara stated that she felt that the sword should go to an adventurer since "the people of Ashbury won this sword by fighting the slave trade in Ashbury, and it is they and not me who deserve it." She also explained that she did not wish to carry a sword that labeled the user as a "slave tamer."
Morgan, a spellcaster who uses a staff, has made many people happy as he lends out his new magical sword.
What is the punishment for casting Necromancy within Ashbury? According to the Laws of Ashbury, "the first conviction requires a minimum punishment of death and the second conviction requires obliteration."
According to Sir Angus Grimsby, a three Gold fine. When a member of Blythedale admitted to casting Necromancy, she was given a fine instead of being executed. Is there a double standard between noble courts and commoners? Blythedale and Korombos?
What is Treason? According to the Laws of Ashbury, "any rebellious act that is taken against the lawful governing bodies of the duchy..." According to Acting-Baroness Laurelin, supposedly stealing a baronial treasury. On the word of just one commoner; without any other proof, five commoners were executed without being given a chance to defend themselves.
Even Necromancers (by this, I mean the Korombos Brothers) were given a trial to give evidence at.
Now, onto the Code of Chivalry:
Thou shalt make war against evil without cessation. How is that achieved in Ashbury? By giving a greater undead his most prized possession; a magical rod that can open and close rifts.
Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemies. In Ashbury, that means allowing undead with malign intent against the townspeople of the duchy to have free reign of the town.
The nobles of Ashbury have much to learn about honor. The laws of this duchy are twisted in ways that make my gut wrench. There are two different justice systems; we live in a double standard. Will the nobles of Ashbury please relearn their laws and codes and straighten out their act.
Rowell Ka'taan
THE ASHBURY TIMES congratulates Sir Angus McEwen and Lord Tsubatai for passing the tests of the Court of Chivalry. Serve the people of Ashbury well!
MOURNA: I owe you something. Can I meet with you at a time and a place of your choosing? - Sir Angus McEwen
SORCERESS SHALIZAR will be holding her second in a series of seminars on Celestial Ritual Magic at Midnight Guildshall on Saturday, June 18th. The seminar will begin promptly at one hour before noon. The seminar is open to Ashbury Mages' Guild members only. Since seating is limited, attendees should arrive early. The doors will close when the seminar begins, latecomers will not be admitted. Topics of this seminar are as follows: A Review of the Basics of Ritual Magic Casting (given by Morlox Nightshade) and The Mathematical Theory of Ritual Outcomes.
WANTED: Information on Rowell Ka'taan's wherabouts. I will pay according to the quality of the information. I must see him immediately. - Vassa
THE CHOSEN: We must have a meeting as soon as possible.
THE ASHBURY MERCHANTS' GUILD is open to all members of the Royal Army, Blythedale, Nordenn, and Trellheim, as well as to visitors to the Duchy. Lab and workshop space is available upon pre-arrangement.
SLAG: You have some minor information which I wish to purchase. Please send a representative to see Squire Hanson, Trellheim Manor House.
VAASA "THROMMEL" Just try and take my dagger. - Luka
BRING THE KIDS! It's story time with Uncle Angus. Saturday night in the Dragon's Flagon.
THE ASHBURY COMMONERS' GUILD can be found in the Dragon's Flagon tavern or in the Gypsy's home. Alchemy, armor, weapons, potions, scrolls, adventuring supplies and services. We are extremely honest. We guarantee it.
THE ASHBURY HEALERS' GUILD! Highly recommended as your one-stop shopping source for all your casting needs. - Queen Mourna.
WOLF-POOKA RUXPIN: You owe me a favor. You accepted my present and returned nothing as of yet. I will remind you if I see you again. And my pants are still valid barter for the items I asked of you. - Vassa Thrommel Merik
REWARD : 2 Gold Pieces for the Stolen Magic Dagger (temporary) of our friend, Sutherland Smith. He has authorized us to accept the return of this stolen artifact, which holds "sentimental" value. The reward is being offered by the Court of Trellheim.
WILHELM: Congratulations. You will shortly be receiving the perfect wedding present from me. - Your loving sister-in-law.
MOURNA: I wish Kelial back unharmed. He has done nothing to you and should not suffer for someone else's stupidity. His actions were extremely courageous and admirable, you should respect him for his deeds. - Vassa Thrommel Merik
KIEGAN - If you can't find someone to teach the skill you promised, you owe me two silvers. Pay me or the Healers' Guild. - Margoli Lupescu.
ANYBODY who has had a business transaction with Camilla in the past month, please contact Baron Thomas of Blythedale.
NIMANI DELENDA EST!
THE ASHBURY MAGES' GUILD would like to congratulate the following new Apprentice: Tatsu Maki Norowaresaino, Gold 'n Sword; and the following promotions to Guildsman: Kador, Red Diamond Company; Vaeyne Kayan-Yelva; Malhavoc, Barony of Trellheim