Fangthorn Returns as Undead Abomination

Heralded by the Fangthorn witnesses, the return of Fangthorn occurred with dazzling display on a recent brisk November evening.

As every schoolchild knows, the troll King Fangthorn had been destroyed by Duke Oliver Songbringer almost a hundred years ago. However, the ritual that destroyed him somehow kept his energy alive within his bones, and the trolls finally found a way to "bring him back." However, for their ritual to be successful they would have to gather as many bones as possible; the more bones, the greater the chance of success.

Ashbury has apparently found new allies among the "Sunless Empire," a kingdom of grey-skinned trolls living beneath the Tower Hills. The deep trolls sent their emperor Ghorak as an emissary in an attempt to build an alliance with Ashbury, both groups anticipating the resurrection of the evil abomination Fangthorn. Ghorak, accompanied by his Aspect Warriors, was brash, crude, and cruel, but he and his followers displayed honorable behavior. Leading several of Ashbury's most powerful citizens, the deep trolls led an assault to recover Fangthorn's skull. Even with a powerful earth wizard reputedly from Jhivante fighting against them, the assembled heroes of Ashbury, including both guildmistresses, defeated the trolls and won the skull.

Taking the skull immediately to the Healer's Guild, the Emperor's Aspect Warrior of the Earth attempted to destroy it but in actuality he released the spirit of Fangthorn. Intoning the words, "I have returned! Your destruction is at hand!" Fangthorn's elated spirit ran about town obnoxiously threatening our citizens.

It was not immediately known exactly what kind of being Fangthorn is in his present form. He has a ghostly pale look about him but does not seem to be any sort of undead encountered previously in Ashbury.

Perhaps the most unsettling thing about Fangthorn's return was the intense conversation he had with the dreaded vampire Lorin Alfenwen, his former foe from ages past. The patriarch of the Blood Dragons, with the aid of his Clanmembers, chased most of the town behind their wards, in an effort to obtain the stakes of woe that destroy their kind.

Town members fought side by side using teamwork and efficiency as they dispatched our racial enemies. Fangthorn berated the town through his circle of power as he watched his forces ground into dust by our sturdy town citizens.

Then, in a display of vast power, Fangthorn joined forces with his elite bodyguard, ironically called "The Hammer," and immediately attacked the Emperor of the Sunless Empire. With a crackling blue bolt that came dangerously close to Squire Francis of Trellheim, Fangthorn obliterated the emperor and sent him on a one way trip to the Healer's Guild. With the disappearance of his spirit-linked sword, we can assume that the Emperor resurrected. Fangthorn and his elite guard kept on the move all during the battle, carving a deadly swath through our nobles and greatest heroes.

Fighting alongside the trolls were a number of human mercenaries, most of whom were spellcasters. It is unknown as to whether these humans had been charmed or otherwise forced to attack on the side of the trolls.

One of the few groups to meet Fangthorn head to head was the Shield of Vandemor, as Regent Devon and Bashar Unrok sparred with Fangthorn himself, but were eventually overwhelmed and forced to withdraw. Many victims of Fangthorn were raised as undead during the middle of the battle, including Sir Konrad, who had the honor of becoming a Charnal Juggernaut for a few minutes. Life spells carefully administered by the Life Plebian Castel saved many of these unfortunates, but his help was lost when the Vital Senate member was cut down by a human necromancer.

The trolls also seemed to be targeting citizens with gloves, and were seen to rip the gloves off of some of the victims' hands afterwards. It is speculated that they were searching for the "bat, hammer and dove" of the Talon Prophecies. Those three are supposedly the keys to finally destroying Fangthorn for good, and the three beings who fill the prophecy are to be identified by strange symbols on their hands. So far, no one knows if these beings even exist.

Courage, bravery and dedication finally led to a tremendous victory where Fangthorn was forced to fade into the ground, his sword glowing brightly, and left the rest of his army to the wolves of Ashbury.

Clearly, not being able to draw on the vast population of trolls in Trellheim on such short notice was to Fangthorn's disadvantage, but nonetheless Ashbury clearly was the last force on a bloody battlefield littered with brown and grey corpses.


Mourna Kills Many After Attack by Nordenn

"It was Peppercorn all over again," commented Safehaven militiaman Tristan Gorgerunner. Tristan had the misfortune of being in the city of Peppercorn in the month of April of this year, when the foul liche Mourna had her forces march through and decimate the town for perceived insults levelled by the Barony of Nordenn. Many had hoped that this would be the last time Mourna brought her dark fist down upon a city in Ashbury. The events of October 9th proved them wrong.

The liche appeared during the misty evening hours of that fateful Sunday and casually strolled up the steps leading into the Healer's Guild with an entourage consisting of no less than a death knight, three vampires, some minor undead, and her most feared of undead bodyguards, the dreaded Pansalore. Those inside scrambled for safety, but the liche did not seem interested in penetrating the circle of power this time. Instead she returned the box she'd stolen from the guild during her last visit, a gesture which threw Guildmistress Isabella Nault and many others present off guard.

Without further ado (or threat of any kind), Mourna departed for the Dragon's Flagon where she mounted the stage and started making demands which she claimed were given to her as orders by Dinayr A'Vaughn, ex-baron of Blythedale. The first of these was a request for a member of the Barony of Nordenn to come forth.

Although none were in the tavern at the time, each baronial court quickly assembled in the Dragon's Flagon when they learned where Mourna had gotten to. Notably absent was the court of Ash Forest, who had previous commitments outside the city, and Barons Morgan and Thomas, each on sabbatical after recovering the Duchess's lost sword earlier that weekend. Notably present were Sir Kirath Mournblade, who it was learned just two weeks before was charged with a lifequest that would end only with Mourna's destruction, then-squire Kelial Vardik of Blythedale, whom Mourna and the undead seemed friendly with, and a number of brave retainers from the Commoner's Guild.

When enough of the townsfolk were present, Baron Bryan defiantly stated that he would not surrender any of his court members. A short explosion of activity followed the remark.

Town Guardsman Truxton leapt forward and viciously attacked Mourna. Lightning fast though his attack was, he was struck by magical fear from one of the vampires and forced to retreat. While this happened, Baron Bryan immediately launched a volley of spells. Phasing and spell protectives saved one vampire from the first wave of magic, but Guildmistress Isabella Nault was his salvation thereafter. To everyone's surprise, she cast a Paralyze spell at her fellow biata, presumably to stop him from attacking the undead. Baron Bryan was not held long, as Paladin Sir Thyren and Sir Kirath immediately demanded that she release him. It appeared she had incapacitated the baron in an attempt to stop him from committing what she and a few others saw as suicide. The two lords would hear nothing of it, and they cut her down at once.

The Baron of Nordenn stayed his hand from further attacks and then ordered Mourna to leave the town or be destroyed. To the surprise of many, the liche complied with a smile and withdrew. Confusion reigned until the witching hour approached.

Mourna had returned, this time with an even larger complement of undead, some of whom she allowed to wander freely to cause havoc while she restated the demands handed down to her from Dinayr A'Vaughn. Local defenders could not rally quickly enough this time, and the first to fall was Sir Bretton Moore, who refused to submit to the liche's will. Dougal McEwan, half-orc member of the brave knight's court, half-heartedly complied while trying to find some way to revive Bretton. The undead then humiliated the warrior by making him clean the tavern floor with Sir Bretton's tabard.

Meanwhile, Mourna began to list her other demands, among them the presentation of at least one or two members of the court of Trellheim. Kelial and Isabella arrived and tried desperately to stop the liche from harming anyone else, as they seemed the only ones whom she and her kindred would not attack. Perhaps their efforts were diversionary in nature, for at that moment, forces were gathering in the back room of the tavern, and an attack was almost certainly in the offing.

Sir Angus McEwen led these bold warriors into the tavern's common room and immediately cut through the ranks of lesser undead, a path which would take him, Baron Bryan, and a few others right toward Mourna. Warlock Marius Atreides leaped atop a table and supported the attack with a Magic Storm while Squire Kadorr Blacksie joined a local group of commoners led by half-orc Olin.

Their efforts were daring and admirable, but they were each cut down in turn, Kadorr being one of the last even as he recited aloud the Code of Chivalry. Baron Bryan, Sir Thyren Vardik, and the few who were still alive fled as quickly as the life force from those who had been slain.

Mourna then proceeded to initiate the second of her orders, to drag a member of the court of Trellheim through the streets in a thoroughly humiliating fashion, after which she announced her final demand. One estate in the Duchy of Ashbury was to be renamed, "Mourna" in her honor, and she would collect taxes for it this very night.

It is unknown at this time whether these demands had been met when the liche finally departed. Before withdrawing, however, she had managed to somehow charm Sir Kirath, her former nemesis, into cooperating fully with her. The ensorcelled elf happily turned over the enchanted mace Doomgrinder to Pansalore and escorted Mourna out of the town. Commoners are now calling Sir Kirath "Kirath Mourna-blade" after this unfortunate incident.

Mere hours after leaving, militiamen from the estates of Safehaven and College arrived, alerted to the city's plight by Baron Bryan, who'd run through the towns calling for help. They quickly dispatched the lesser undead left behind by Mourna and aided as many persons as they possibly could. Other noble efforts included those of Squire Kelial, whom Duchess Mara knighted on the spot for his valorous actions in saving lives during the attack.

"Next time," Militiaman Tristan promised. "Things'll be different." Indeed, a summit was later held during the wake of Kadorr, who'd suffered his permanent death, wherein Sorceress Shalizar, Sir Bretton, Sir Angus, and Warlock Marius swore to find a way to defeat Mourna, perhaps before her next "visit."


Ashbury Battles to Protect the Four Winds

As Halloween neared and the loss of the Book of the Dead had yet to be rectified, Ashbury prepared for the worst.

The Book of the Dead had been stolen by Avar Lychus from the Registrar over a year earlier. The Registrar demanded its return, threatening that if it were not returned, he would not allow anyone to resurrect and would hold their spirit. So far he has not done so, although recent deaths of Squires Kadorr and Colin, and Paladin Angus seem to indicate that he may be willing to take them when they only have "a few stones in the bag" as the saying goes.

Halloween came and went without any noticable increase in troubles, but soon after, Ashbury was assaulted by the now freed Guardians of the Four Winds. Each Wind had been personally constructed by the Registrar in order to keep evil spirits within the Graveyards. As the duration of the Registrar's separation with the Book of the Dead increases, his grasp upon the Graveyards seems to becoming more tenuous at best.

With the feel of Halloween still in the air, the Four Winds deserted their posts and traveled the planes to the place where Avar had taken the Book--Ashbury city.

The first being to appear was a creature looking similar to the scarecrows that populate the cornfields of our great Duchy. After hurling puffs of poisonous fumes, it clearly revealed itself as the South Wind. Many fell to the manipulations of the Scarecrow; Otto Neumacht valiantly attempted to destroy the being himself but was overcome by the sheer force of a Guardian created to keep back the nefarious spirits that have plagued Tyrra for over a thousand years.

The Archvile, or the East Wind, drained the essence of its victims and infused them with raw chaos. Immediately becoming undead, these Ashburians sought their essences and found them around the neck of the infamous Jaded Cabinet of Rotaria, returned from the dead with conquest on their mind. Rising from the grave, these evil beings, lead by Baron Manson Cabot of Baltaria, attempted to invade and take over Ashbury. They would have succeeded had it not been for the valaint courage of paladins Sir Konrad and Sir Angus, with the assembled courts of Blythedale and Trellhiem supported by a host of townsfolk. The former husband of Anoria Cabot slew Sir Angus himself, permanently killing him. In a raw unbridled fury that ignited the town for hours, Squire Sonya and the Court of Trellhiem helped drive back the Death Knights and saved Ashbury. It was for her leadership and bravery in this and other actions that the remaining Paladins gave their approval, and the Duchess soon afterwards knighted Dame Sonya.

The North Wind, refered to as the Frost Queen, captured unfortunates and impregnated them with the spirits of beings that could only be seen as the dredges of the races to which they were born. Morlox of the Red Diamond was infused with the spirit of Braddock Boulderholder, the dwarven traitor of Trollsgate. Knowledgable historians might remember that the dwarves were driven from Trollsgate by the trolls earlier this century. Braddock was driven out of the dwarven kingdoms for allowing the trolls to pass through a gate in exchange for his own worthless hide. Morlox died at the end of the weekend and ressurected, but his body (or that of Braddock's) was seen leaving town just after the battle with Fangthorn. Another member of Red Diamond was possessed with the spirit of a Barbarian celestial scholar known as Dranax, who hunted members of the Sand Tiger, Dragon, and Wolf clans for nearly fifty years until killed.

The West Wind, discovered to be called the Neuromancer, imbued unfortuantes that crossed its path with hideous vulnerabilities with no apparent cure. A being called a psycree was seen wandering about town on saturday evening with a cureall of sorts. The being cured many members of the town, and also ministered Life spells so desperately needed during the battle with the Jaded Cabinet. It is not clear what price the victims paid to be cured, but the being appeared benign enough--even with its squid-like head.

On Saturday night after the defeat of the Cabinet, the city witnessed a direct manifestation of the Four Winds as the Graveyard appeared but began to disintegrate rapidly.

The Life "Elemental" Danathis, having perished in a battle with Folsom of the Chaosium, appeared in the Healers' Guild declaring that the Amalgamation was about to occur and the destruction of the Graveyard was at hand. Local adventurers gathered with the Duchess on the field to prevent each of the winds from reaching the center of the Graveyard. Three of the winds managed to elude or trick the town, and assemble in the center of the Graveyard. The Neuromancer, the apparently weakest of the winds, was the last to attempt to gather. Casters of both earth and celestial bombarded the guardian with awaken spells, its apparent weakness, until the apparition was destroyed.

While the results of a possible defeat may never be known, for now the Graveyard has been preserved--but the Book still remains in Avar's hands and the compact between the elemental lords remains threatened.


Visions of the Phoenix Help Local Heroes

On the night of Friday, October seventh, a man came into town who would cast Life spells only if someone nearby would promise that they would give up a part of their life force to him at a later time. The five who so volunteered themselves were Sir Bretton Moore, Sir Aloryn Runeweaver, Paladin Sir Konrad Valinor, Justice McCoy, and Squire Sonya Dawntreader.

This turned out to be a test of integrity. When the five people arrived at the appointed hour they were led by the stranger five miles out of town to a circle drawn on the ground. Here they were asked to remove all their belongings and step into the circle. Once inside they were asked not to resist, and none of the Five did as they each were killed.

They were then led by this person to have five spirit visions.

In the first vision, they saw a woman with Dragon Magic grant her son, a man named Dragor, a fraction of her powers. She said to him that she was doing so because she was tired and ready to leave. He was made invulnerable to ice, fire, and lightning. She also granted him skin of stone, the strength of giants, and a pendant which she spirit linked to him.

In the second vision, the Five saw this man ruling a kingdom ruthlessly, ordering his court to decimate the lands and starve the people of a barony simply because the Baron could not pay his taxes. This execution was performed by a Celestial caster using Doom spells, revealing that these visions had taken place in the past.

The third vision revealed a light of hope in a man by the name of Jericho. He was leading a revolution against Dragor, hoping to stop him somehow.

In the fourth vision, Jericho and Dragor battled. Each time Jericho, though growing weak, was able to beat Dragor down and drive a killing blow through his heart. Each time the Dragon Mage arose and attacked again.

In the final vision, the Five saw Jericho as a bone golem, standing over the body of Dragor in a Circle of Power. It appeared that a caster who was also in the circle planned to imprison Dragor using crystals. Jericho's presence insured that Dragor could not escape before the ritual was cast.

After this final vision, the Five were led by the stranger, who had aged significantly during the time that they had been there, to a cave. Inside this cave they battled an obsidian golem and retrieved a crystal that looked very similar to two crystals that had been found earlier that weekend in other parts of the city.

One of these other crystals had been found by Templeton and a party of his friends while they were investigating some abandoned caves benesath the city. The other was found by Squire Kadorr on his Mages' Guild task, in the tower of a man called the Summoner.

After the battle with the obsidian golem the Five left the cave to find that their new friend had fallen to the ground and died. All attempts to heal him failed.

Then, in a great blast of fire, the stranger transformed into a Phoenix, which was suspected to be his true form. He restored all of those present to their full strength before flying away.

The Five returned to town to have Grand Sorceress Shalizar identify the crystal. But, as had happened with the other crystals, it was not identifiable since it temporarily lowered the Circle of Power.


Bottled Lovers Reunited Thanks to Ashbury Citizens

A spirit walked into Ashbury one Saturday late in the evening. She was shattered in a way similar to Cassandra Bavdera, the wife of the controversial iron golem Avar Lychus, and was able to speak and pass through Wards and Circles of Power with no trouble.

The woman, named Larissa, revealed to members of Trellheim that she was the daughter of Jericho of the Phoenix Visions. She said that thousands of years ago she and her betrothed, Tarel, had met by the shore of Lake Hollym when they were beset by bandits. Both were bottled and Tarel was Obliterated.

On Sunday morning a farmer named Norbert came into town asking if anyone would help him save his flock of sheep from ravaging grey goblins that lived in a cave near his home. A small party of people, made up of those few who were awake, went with him.

The party, made up of local townspeople Curran Rattcliffe, Ramius, Alderon Trapspringer Porchfighter, Silas, Heron the Elf, and Squire Sonya Dawntreader, followed this man and his trusty hoe, Betsy, to the cave. Inside they went through a few caverns and battled grey goblins.

They came into a room finally in which there were no goblins but quite a few traps and two bottles. Heron accidently tripped an explosive trap while holding the bottles, and though many of his possessions were disintegrated, the bottles remained unscathed.

The party members agreed that there had to be something about those bottles if they were unshatterable so Heron, a member of the Mages' Guild, took the bottles to be indentified.

It turned out that the bottles stored spirits, and that one of them was in some way flawed.

That night, when the spirit of Jericho's daughter returned, she and the bottles were brought to Guild Mistress Isabella and it was learned that the flawed bottle contained part of Larissa herself. It was concluded that the other contained her lover, Tarel.

Also found in this cave were many pages of a diary written in some other language. They were shown to Larissa, who translated them.

Many of the pages were about meaningless things, but one page told of how the writer, Tarel's father, had hired a group of bandits to capture his son and his son's fiancee. Neither of the betrotheds' fathers approved of their engagement.

The spirits were eventually freed from the bottles and the two lovers, together again after many years, were married by Baron Bryan Nordenn.


The Hole Truth?

On the morning of Monday, October 10th, a group of Sessuar were found to be digging a large hole in Gwendolyn's Field. They apparently were after some of the materials that had been found in the ancient caves discovered under the city.

They were ordered to stop by Baron Bryan but refused to obey. Not surprisingly, they attacked in force.

Once again the front line was almost entirely made up of the brave members of the Barony of Nordenn, who even after their total defeat in the battle against Mourna the night before showed no fear in the face of the multiple Death spells that claimed many of their number. One of those to fall was Squire Colin McEwan, whose resurrection failed. This good orc was knighted post-humously.

During the battle a bone golem emerged from the hole and attacked the Sessuar soldiers. Squire Sonya Dawntreader was the first to order no one to attack this creature, for she had recognized it to be the man Jericho from the Phoenix Visions.

Jericho said that he could allow no more than three people to enter the mouth of the passageway. Justice, Sir Bretton, Squire Sonya, and Sir Aloryn immediately volunteered to go, but Aloryn backed down for he was too spent from the previous battles with the Sessuar and Mourna. They took with them the three crystals, for Jericho said that these were the keys.

What happened in those tunnels beneath the earth has not been revealed by those three individuals who have sworn to secrecy.


Ex-Duke Alaric Named Trade Ambassador

Ex-Duke Alaric Dragonhart, one of Ashbury's most controversial figures, arrived in the capital city recently as the guest of Baron Morgan Blackbourne. Surrounded by his entourage consisting of ex-Paladin Harrison Rodyn, ex-Seneschal Fletcher Suvina, ex-Knight Thaddeous Fentin, and his consort Bianca Greer, he strode into town conveniently just after Fangthorn was defeated.

He was stopped by Baron Thomas Grey who had orders from Duchess Mara Tirane to arrest Alaric. When Alaric was brought to the Duchess, Baron Morgan presented the Duchess with papers from Evendarr stating that since there was no direct evidence of Alaric's actions in any of the crimes committed after his removal, he was pardoned by Royal decree.

The Duchess asked why these papers had not been presented to her before and Baron Morgan replied that he had been given the papers by Sir Thyren and had been keeping them for him. The Duchess did not look pleased at this.

Alaric then presented her with a new document from Princess Rotari's court which listed him as a trade ambassador from Rotaria.

Since this is not a noble title and since Alaric does not hold an estate, this position does not conflict with the judgement passed against him last year when he was obliterated and removed of his title for using necromancy in the war against the trolls.

Baron Morgan told the Duchess that he believed that Alaric had been framed for the crimes for which he had been obliterated. Both he and Alaric refuted a letter that was presented into evidence at his trial that implicated himself and several members of his court in the necromantic actions. This letter, although not the pivotal piece of evidence in his trial, was the only article written in his own hand that was presented by the King's Court of Chivalry.

Baron Bryan also came forward and reviewed Alaric's documents, warning Alaric to notify him each time Alaric planned on traveling through Nordenn "for his own protection."

Alaric and his court later joined Trellheim in their manor house for drinks. Later that afternoon, Alaric, still an invested member of the Healers' Guild, joined Guildmistress Isabella Nault in the Guild to help her in the divestment ritual of former Brother Maximus.


Duchess' Sword Recovered, Then Lost Again

Many heroes heeded the Duchess' call to investigate the lizardman lairs north of the city in search of her missing magic sword, but only one small group was able to actually figure out how to get to the place where the sword was being held.

Barons Thomas and Morgan, Sir Aloryn, Sir Kelial, Hanson, and Marius used a magical chair to spirit walk to a circle far outside of town where the lizardmen were in the process of performing a ritual that would transfer the powers of the Duchess' sword into another weapon. After many battles with undead lizardmen and much negotiating with the ritual caster, the six were able to leave with the sword--but were then attacked and chased back into town by a large contingent of undead lizardmen.

The combined forces of the adventurers of the city were able to hold back the lizardmen tide, and the Duchess well rewarded the heroes who had retrieved her weapon.

A month later, it was gone again when ex-Baroness Alicia Hollymsong, now a vampire controlled by Mourna, talked her way into the Manor House where no one thought to cast healing spells upon her.

Once inside, she lowered the Ward and allowed her father, the vampire Lorin Alfenwen, to enter and attack those gathered in search of the Stake of Woe. All inside, including the Duchess and much of her court, were left poisoned and unconscious. Unfortunately, Sir Eridan died and had to be resurrected.

The vampires (accompanied by the lizard-men Rysa and Rigel) took the magical swords of both the Duchess and Otto Neumacht, although Otto's was later recovered.


Commoners Celebrate

The nobles of Ashbury have been working very hard to improve the lives of their citizens, and recently, many citizens responded in kind.

Duchess Mara was given honorary celebrations in the town of Anaria.

Baroness Laurelin Goldsong was given a feast in her honor at the town of Aldin Mirk, and many citizens of Entholm were pleased when she ordered the arrest of the Mayor there and sent in troops to keep order.

Baron Morgan Blackbourne was honored in the town of Fellsworth, and Baron Bryan Nordenn was honored once again in Barrowdowns.

However, all is not well everywhere. The citizens of Yegril revolted against the King for not paying more attention to their estate, and citizens in a few towns in Blythedale also rioted.


Baroness' Marriage Annulled

The marriage between Baroness Laurelin Goldsong and Sir Eridan Talairane of the Ash Forest has been formally anulled.

The action was taken at the request of both parties and with the consent of their liege. The marriage was declared null and void to eliminate the confusion that has occured within the Amani homeland between the legal state of marriage and the Amani custom of handfasting.

Baroness Laurelin remains the sole ruler of the Ash Forest and Sir Eridan retains his title as a Knight of the Ash Forest.


No More Resurrections?

A message from Guildmistress Isabella Nault

Citizens of Ashbury:

It has recently come to my attention that there is some grumbling among the populace regarding the length of time it has been taking to complete resurrections. Some of this delay is due to a lack of competent guild members to complete resurrections once they have been started by an invested member. However, for the most part, the delays have been caused by a lack of a component needed to start the resurrection. This component is silver. I have been supplementing donations to the poor creatures' fund with money from the guild estates. Your liege, Duchess Mara Tirane, has also been generous with her funds. However, in general we are performing resurrections much faster than we can locate the silver.

Many people have been careful to keep their accounts with the guild current, including all of the baronies. However, even the baronies are paying the fees in gold, which has to be exchanged for silver before resurrections can be performed.

A few creatures have not kept their accounts up to date. For the amusement and consideration of the town, the following is a list of those owing at least ten silver (as opposed to one gold) to the Healers' Guild: Dugan, Heron, Morlox, Colin, Darius, Feyd, Taur, Quevven, Margoli, Lithitar, Jagger, Ohhg, and Kadorr.

Several of these entities have since taken permanant deaths while still owing for previous services. Anyone who wishes to clear an account in one of these names may do so by stopping by the Guild and speaking with an invested member. This would be much more convenient than either hiring a collection agent (whose fee would be added to the current debt) or pressing charges of theft of services with the magistrate (who will, hopefully, add penalty fees to the debt). Those who require resurrections while owing a prior debt to the guild will be resurrected by a new guild member requiring practice in various techniques.


Interview With the Mummy

by Eric Woolcott

Well, today we're having an interview with um - a mummy - one Emperor Ichorax of the Avalonium Empire. I might add this is not an interview we intended to have, but the Emperor has promised to restore my three withered limbs after the publication of this interview.

Good morning emperor Ichorax. You seemed to be out with a vengeance recently. Any reason for it?

gReEtings mY FinE PubliSHER. It iS nice oF yOu to seE mE toDAy. I aM SaDdened By thE faTE SoON to BeFAll ashBURY.

What exactly are you speaking of, Emperor? The Four Winds were recaptured, Fangthorn was defeated, and at least for now Mourna is nowhere to be seen.

UNFortunaTely AsHbuRY is THe pErFECt locAtion for My NeW EmPire. I HavE BeEn TaLKing wiTH sEvEral BroKerS wHo TeLl me ThAT ThIs Is GoiNg to bE pRime ReaL EsTAte iN the nExT FeW centuries. ThAnkS to My DisCovery of ThE TaLon ScroLLs, gooD HeLP woN't be HaRD to FiNd.

You have the Talon Scrolls, Mr. Emperor?

YeS.

Oh. (Gulp.)

I sEE I hAve PiQUed Your INTerest, SiR. haVe I MenTioned that THE ScrOLLs are VeRy necroMANTIc? In FAct I am juST LivIng to try the NEW NECROPOLIS rItUAl conTAIned wiTHin. . .

Before you inevitably unravel your master plan before the people of Ashbury, where did you find the scrolls? They must have been buried with Oliver Songbringer. Not above a little graverobbery yourself, are you Emperor Ichorax? In fact I recall from several undisclosed sources that you attacked many people who apparently "looted your tombs" and unjustly assaulted members of the Praetorian guard of your Proconsul Morgan Blackborne! All this to uncover the scrolls? I thought you were going to destroy yourself anyway.

FirST. I MisSEd My ForMative YeARS as A BoY and NEed to gEt in ToUch with My INner ChIld, and for THat KinD of PEace I nEEd it QuIet. DEathly QuiET. ToO ManY tOUrists TromPing aBout My TombS and SucH GEts me A liTTLe IRaTe, tHeREfore EvEry one NeeDS to UnDerStand wheN I MAkE the NECROPOLIS, NoOne will Be SiCK, NoONe WilL be NoiSY, ANd NoONe will EVeR NEEd woRRY AboUt AnyTHinG AgaiN.

SeCONd. If YoU cRoSS mE, ConsIdEr YourSElf LuCky iF aLL YoU LoSe aRe YOur LiMbs.

tHiRd. eVery One nEEDS tO vEnT sOmEtimES. Try LOSing All YOUr SilverwARE, NaPkin RInGs, and TAblecLOths tO a BuNCh oF SnOOty elvES and SEe hOW you MiGHT ReacT. aS for RED DIAMOND: MorLox, your COnneCTion with LOrd DarIEN iLThrANIs wilL NoT saVE You AgAIn. MoRGan BlAckBourNE, I WiLl Be SUre To SeND MoNty To teLl YoU thE NexT tiME I Am in ToWn so THat YoU anD mY PrAeToRian GUArd CaN SaFEly Be ConVenIentlY AwAY. TEll YOuR CaSTeR I miStOoK him FOr A MembeR of The IrrevERENT aNd RuDe ReD DiAmOnd, and I WiLL noT KilL HiM AgAin.

One of the reasons you "asked" for this interview, Mr. Emperor, was so that Ashbury could learn more about the "Man behind the Mummy." What advice can you give to those who aspire to undeadhood?

STicK AroUnd aShBURy till NEXT SPRING and YoU cAn GeT AlL tHE AdVIce YoU CaN handlE!

Well there you have it, Emperor Ichorax bares his heart in a bold and beautiful interview. Now, emperor, you'll, uh, restore my limbs?

ThERe is ONe morE thInG, MisTer Eric Sir. CallIng mE the "Wacky Emperor Ichorax" in ThE JuNE AshBuRy TiMes WaS a CaPItAl OffeNse! (Nine wither! Nine wither! Nine wither! Spell Strike Death!)


Magistrate's Report

By Lord Magistrate Faustus Neumacht

As a civic duty, the Ashbury Times has given me a monthly column to detail major legal cases. Hopefully, this public reporting will engender greater faith in the fairness and justice of Ashbury's legal system.

Maximus' Case: The most shocking charge of Conspiracy to Commit Assassination was against noted healer Maximus. He was observed hiring an assassin to slay fellow healer Sir Kelial for 10 gold. 5 gold actually changed hands, but Maximus later called the assassination off after speaking with Sir Kelial. Nevertheless, based on extensive eavesdropping evidence, some personally collected, he was found guilty of Conspiracy.

Maximus confessed all at Solicitor Quentin Dunbury's counsel. Because of this, and Maximus' own reluctance to go through with the deed, he was not executed. Rather, he was fined 10 gold and was ordered to cast 12 levels of healing/defensives on the Town Guard every day for six months.

Slavetamer: There was also a difficult arbitration concerning the magic sword "Slave-tamer," which had been stolen by monsters from Morgan Sunstar and later purchased by the Shield of Vendamor. The sword was stolen property, but the Shield clearly deserved some recompense for what they had paid to retrieve it. After the Shield left the city, Morgan offered an item superior to that originally traded, and I have faith that the Shield of Vendamor will accept this reward and give the blade back, as required by law. [The Duchess herself had her sword stolen again, and probably favors the precedent of such items being returned. - Editor]

In other cases, a robber who attacked the half-orc Endar was executed, and Roul the Blunt of the Company of the Red Diamond was found guilty of Manslaughter after slaying a downed citizen. Leniency was shown and only a 3 gold fine applied as he had realized his mistake, had the person Lifed, and then confessed. Charges of Robbery against Dax and Derek Dreamweaver remain pending.


Letter to the Editor

Editor:

On the night of November fourth, the undead members of the Jaded Cabinet came to Ashbury. They killed and raised as undead citizens of Ashbury, including several members of Blythedale, myself, and Sir Angus Grimsby. Some of us were Lifed, and some had to resurrect. Sir Angus did not make it.

Sir Angus Grimsby was a great man. I have never before met anyone with as much honor or compassion as he, and I never will again. He was fair to everyone, noble and commoner alike. I only hope that someday I will be as good an example of the Code of Chivalry as he was.

Everyone in Ashbury lost something when he died, but we gained something through knowing him. Ashbury will not be the same without him.

Dame Sonya Dawntreader


Obituaries

SIR ANGUS GRIMSBY: A ducal paladin and lord of Easton and Greyhill Peak, Sir Angus was slain on Saturday evening of the fifth day of November, 594, by death lords belonging to the Jaded Cabinet; also known in life as the Court of Baltaria. Sir Angus was the son of former Blythedale Baron Orson Grimsby, but was sent away to Endarr just before his family's mysterious demise, also at the hands of marauding undead. He became a member of the Royal Army in Ashbury, eventually obtaining the rank of knight under Baron Dinayr A'Vaughn. He was appointed to the position of paladin after Duke Alaric's removal in July of 593. Sir Angus is not survived by wife or child.

SQUIRE COLIN McEWEN: A half-orc who rose through the ranks of the Barony of Nordenn to become squire to Baron Bryan, Colin of the Clan McEwen was an able fighter and loyal citizen. He died his final death protecting the city from the attacks of the Sessuar invaders on the tenth day of October, 594. He is survived by the members of the Clan McEwen.

SQUIRE KADORR BLACKSKIE: Kadorr Blackskie, 17, died his final death on the ninth day of October, 594, while fighting Mourna and her minions. He died honorably, quoting the Code of Chivalry as he fought and fell. A member of the Ashbury Mages' Guild and a Squire to Baron Thomas Grey of the Court of Blythdale, he is survived by his parents and two brothers, all citizens of Greystone, Blythdale.


Public Notices

CONGRATULATIONS to Sir Eridan Taliaraine, Sir Kelial Vardik, Sir Pineaus Brightblade, and Dame Sonya Dawntreader for their well deserved titles.

THE DUCAL COURT seeks to buy Transform components for several races. Transform to Elf especially wanted.

I AM STILL teaching the art of First Aid for free. First Aid is a real life saver. - Maximus.

MORGAN - Thanks for being my "first." I hope you don't come to regret it. - Isabella. P.S. I won't tell Shalizar if you don't.

NECROMANTIC ITEMS PURCHASED for disposal. Why give these magic items away when you can deem them in for cash? Items will be removed from the Kingdom of Evendarr. See Rowell Ka'taan.

ANAKIN, I would like to apologize again for those charges of necromancy being brought against you. I think we have everything straightened out, so you don't have to worry about being arrested.

COLIN McEWEN: Sarah misses you. Will come back soon. - Sarah

HEAR YE HEAR YE! The Shield of Vendamor will be accepting new wedges in the spring of 595 for the position of healer. All are welcome to apply. Please talk with myself or with Regeant Deven Du'Leges about traveling with us in the spring. - Quizat Dellwyn Thornbleeder

IN ASHBURY is Ni Kulturni. Margoli Lupescu is going back to Volta.

WE CAN MAKE YOU RICH! The Ashbury branch of the Avalon Trading Company is looking for junior partners, security experts, and ship captains. Prior experience a must! Please inquire with Shankar Vorg, Senior Partner, often found in the Dragon's Flagon on weekends.

TO THAT CUTE LITTLE Mystic Wood Elf: I going to make a carving out of your bones.

SHALIZAR: the rumors that I created undead to send after you, the Duchess and the Gypsies are not true. I would never send undead after you. Professional Courtesy.

POEMS FOR ALL OCCASIONS! Reasonable rates. Love sonnets a specialty. See Turlough the Bard.

TO JUSTICE McCOY: A true noble spirit! Thank you for your aid in my time of need and your sage advice in my time of confusion. - The Stalker.

TAUR STONECUTTER of Clan Battle Axe wants to thank Trellheim for their help in the recovery of the Lost Axe of King Kelanor.

GUILDSMAN KADOR BLACKSKIE: You will be remembered at the Ashbury Mages' Guild. May your aim always be true.

THE SHIELD OF VENDAMOR would like to offer their deepest and most sincere condolences to the friends and family of Sir Angus Grimsby. He was a just and good man, and will be missed by all the members of the Shield. - Quizat Dellwyn Thornbleeder

A REWARD is being offered by D. Gadlen J. Chimeran for the services of a ritual magic scroll. A ritual scroll and accompanying ritual components are sought to change a willing participant from human to hobling. If you know the whereabouts of such items, please call upon Mr. Chimeran. Reward monies will be arranged according to the exact nature of the scroll and components.

TO JUSTICE AND SONYA and too many others to name: We thank you from the depths of our finally joined hearts! - Larissa and Tarell.

WANTED: RED CARBUNKLE. Stolen from the King's coffers. Large jewel is a favorite of His Majesty. Contact the Royal Army. Reward.

ASHBURY REGISTRY OF TEACHERS. Referrrals for a wide range of skills. Discretion assured. Teachers: get students without spending all your time recruiting. See Prof. Turlough Kuranes.

THE EXECUTIONER is back!

THE ASHBURY MAGES' GUILD would like to congratulate the following new Apprentices: Zachary Blane, Barony of the Ash Forest; Radric Helfax, Ducal Court; Dugal McEwan, Clan McEwan; Mordechai; Heron Streakwind.

CORRECTION: Squire Kelson Darktread was not executed for Conspiracy to Commit Necromany as reported in the last Ashbury Times. He was not involved with those accused in any way. The elf involved was actually Heron Streakwind. The Times regrets its error.