Way Station Rift Closed
Good news spreads quickly, and people from all over Ashbury are happy that progress has been made towards closing the Chaos Rift in the center of the city--its counterpart in the Way Station has been closed!
Taris the Starmage had promised to take the different aspects back to the crossroads of the planes known as the Way Station in order to close that rift. As many of us remember, countless citizens were rifted from their homes and taken to this strange and alien place last June against their own free will. Due to the machinations of a certain Klaus von Shrect, the Ashbans inadvertently aided in destroying the four eternal seals of Life, Death, Order and Chaos and released the forces of primal Chaos that were safely held in check by the above mentioned seals. Ashbury and its surrounding territories have suffered heavily due to the wave of chaos that eventually made its way to our beloved home plane, opening the Chaos Rift and causing untold side effects.
This time, however, the aspects volunteered willingly to return to the Way Station with the help of Taris the Starmage to reseal the chaos, lest Tyrra be destroyed by its overpowering energies.
They met on the Saturday of the Ashbury Centennial Celebration. The festive nature of the town was already in swing as banners flew and beer flowed. Citizens of all types had crowded into Gwendolyn's Field, many strangely attracted to that new tourist attraction, the Chaos Rift. Town Guard stood by in preparation, held back the onlookers, and attacked whenever something strange came out of the rift.
In the midst of all this "chaos," Taris appeared and spoke to those he needed to send back to the Way Station. According to Taris, the adventurers he would send to the Way Station would have to find eight "essences"--one of each of the aspects (pure Order, Order and Life, Order and Death, pure Chaos, Chaos and Life, Chaos and Death, pure Life, and pure Death.)
Much negotiation ensued when Sundra of the Harvest Moon, an aspect of Death that was needed for the ritual to send the heroes to the Station, demanded compensation. Eventually, an agreement was reached and Taris performed the ritual.
The presence of the Chaos Rift however disrupted the ritual, and instead of only eight traveling, more than 70 citizens were sent back to the Way Station. Although this went against Taris' plans, it actually worked to Ashbury's benefit, as these brave adventurers were able to assist in the destruction of the Chaos Rift at the Way Station.
What the brave Ashbans did not realize upon arriving was the effect the chaos would have upon the time continuum. This fact was quickly realized when, just a few short hours after journeying to the Way Station, the minions of Pansolore rifted in from 150 years in the future to recruit beings to join in Pansolore's chaos horde.
Led by an undead former Duke Alaric Dragonhart and an undead former Baron Morgan Blackbourne, they entered the station and began speaking as if they too did not realize what the chaos had done to the time stream. Ex-Baron Morgan became the first to realize when and where they were as he recognized many of the individuals whom he had thought long dead.
Both Guildmistress Shalizar and Lord Magistrate Faustus began to speak with the undead abominations in order to ascertain what was happening. Lord Hanson, however, was busy gauging the strength of the undead and, though he was feared at least six times, kept them on their toes by returning time and again to circle behind them.
Lord Morgan, once again proclaiming himself Baron of Trellheim, spoke in earnest with the citizens telling them that they had already failed and their actions were for naught. Alaric, informing all that he was the Count of Trellheim and Nordenn, seemed to be watching the citizens for possible attack.
In this future that Morgan spoke of, Pansolore had become Duke and the nobles consisted of Lorin, the Baron of the Ash Forest, Rysa and his undead lizardmen controlling Blythedale, and Douglas Nordenn as Baron of Nordenn. Ashbury had become an undead duchy.
Alaric turned to Hanson at one point and told him what a shame it was that he had to killed him in the past. Count Alaric then promised to inform Pansolore of their pitiful attempts to close the chaos rift, and that they would return. They then rifted out in unison.
If this wasn't enough to disturb the Ashbans, a future version of Baron Thomas Grey later rifted in along with the biata Selina Vardik, to ask for aid in the far future. He spoke of Kelial Vardik, his own court healer, usurping the Barony with the aid of gryphons only for the Barony to later fall to Rysa when the gryphon left him to prevent the Mummy Queen Baracus-Kul from taking the Biata homeland.
Thomas said that he was one of the few left living, spared only by Kelial's betrayal, to lead a ragtag group of freedom fighters in the far future.
Taking with him Sir Konrad, Hanson, Caleb, Faustus, Colin and Agnar, they were rifted into the future to aid Thomas in his endeavor. They returned shortly thereafter with news of failure, though Thomas had given them the ashes of Mourna the Liche, which would provide the seal for chaos and death.
The following day Thomas returned again, rifted from the future, only this time from a mere eighty years away from the present. Accompanied by the dark elf Gazrith, and squire Florin the stone elf, he called himself Thornin the Grey and offered to assist in sealing the chaos rift. None of the three appeared aware that Thomas had already rifted himself in from the future, though they all shared the knowledge that Pansolore had become the Duke of Ashbury shortly after the citizens failed to close the rift in their future.
They offered to take several adventurers into the Ash Forest, and to Tir Nan og, the (future) home of the fey. They found many willing individuals, but settled upon Sir Eridan and Squire Algar of the Ash Forest Court, Sir Aloryn Runeweaver, Duke Bryan himself, as well as Sir Konrad and Agnar, who had were already quite accustomed to rifting in time. After their trials and tribulations they returned with the seal of Chaos and Life.
Meanwhile, other adventurers searched for the rest of the seals.
Although the chaos unleashing had badly damages the stability of the various political "Houses" that governed the planes, representatives of all of the Houses were present and many spoke to those who had previously pledged to them upon the last visit to the Way Station.
A member of House Anchorite, the House of Peace and Fellowship, explained to those who would listen about the state of chaos. He told them that the Way Station was not originally a bar, but a container for chaos, and that the blue-skinned being called the Traveler was in fact a Guardian, a member of the race sworn to guard the Way Station and keep the chaos from escaping. Long ago, the chaos built up enough power to escape, and in this escape all the Guardians lost their memories. When they came to, they had no idea what they were or where they were, and so turned the place into the bar known to Ashbans as the Way Station.
One member of this race of Guardians, a woman named Tsirana, had been kidnapped by a cannibalistic race known as the Mohrg. Since the Guardians do not die and have self-replenishing bodies, the Mohrg kept Tsirana on one of their ships where they constantly consumed her.
The Anchorite asked that a team of Ashbans, primarily members of House Anchorite, volunteer to rescue Serana, as there was also a chance that she knew how to obtain the necessary essence of Order and Life. Morgan Sunstar, who had pledged to House Anchorite upon his first visit to the Way Station, joined with Tutall the Hobling, Smith the Dwarf, Nextor, Corrine DuFore, and Kit Waterwise to attempt the rescue.
After rifting from the Way Station, the six found themselves on a barren desert plain, before a ship that hovered above the ground. They climbed a rope ladder to the deck of the ship, where they encountered numerous Mohrg, who stank of rotting flesh and attacked and ate anything that held still.
Although the Mohrg seemed intelligent, they were unwilling to discuss peace or negotiate with the members of House Anchorite, and instead attacked on sight. They were fierce fighters, and at one point all of the group except Corrine DuFore were unconscious.
Morgan captured one Mohrg, who revealed that Tsirana was below the deck, and the group set him free. He proceeded to eat his dead comrades.
Below, the six encountered more Mohrg. The walls were lined with a viscous, sticky substance that was hard to rip free from. Nonetheless, the group defeated the waves of Mohrg, finding such grisly things as disembodied hands on the bodies of fallen enemies. As ambassadors of House Anchorite, pledged to pacifism, the Ashbans tried to keep as many Mohrg from death as possible, and administered no killing blows.
While the warriors fought the Mohrg, Kit and Corrine found Tsirana, who was missing an arm and half-dead. After Kit restored Tsirana's arm, Tsirana was able to heal and break free of her chains. Suddenly, one Mohrg broke free of the battle and ran into another room. The clanking of chains were heard, and the ship, which had drifted from its moorings during the first battle on the deck began to sail directly into a sun. Quickly, Serana led the Ashbans to the deck, where the unconscious Traveler lay, and rifted them all back to the Way Station.
When questioned, Tsirana knew nothing of the essence of Order and Life. Upon further discussion with the Traveler, however, during which the Traveler told Serana the strange history of the Way Station and revealed that they were not beings of Balance, but beings of Order, the two realized that one of them could sacrifice their life to create the necessary essence. The Traveler valiantly gave up his life for this purpose, asking in return only that the people of the Prime Material Plane forgive his race for their mistakes. He thus became the essence of Life by sacrificing his spirit to form one of the eight seals.
Though the citizens of Ashbury found themselves overwhelmed by, and sometime assaulted by, the diverse races of the planes, they sallied forth to continue to collect as many of the remaining eight seals as they could find.
One journey took some citizens to the very sun itself, where they were led by a being that called itself the living Tribunal. He rifted into the station with his fiery companions, and blamed the Ashbans for what had happened to his world. Setting forth a task that took them to the fiery orb itself, he rifted Colin, Agnar, Algar, Kittery, and Gwynne to his home world, Tyrra's own sun. Gwynne had to be rifted back because she bore no atmospheric adjuster and risked being burned alive.
She later returned to aid them, and they returned with the Tribunal's rod, a living piece of the sun that would provide them with the seal for order and life.
Meanwhile, two emissaries from House Justicar arrived seeking "witnesses" to aid them by giving testimonials at a trial. House Justicar, a house of Pure Order which is governed by a strict caste system regulated by even stricter laws, had scheduled a trial on the admission of Chaotic Action of the General Populace being allowed for by their judicial system for the sake of change over stagnation.
Lord High Solicitor Rebekka, a silver golem-like being whose race is known as the Govoxi, was the Senior Solicitor for the Defense. She sought out individuals to testify against the allowance of chaotic action in society. Her three chosen witnesses were Lady Kittery, Squire Jarrett and Squire Gwynne Neumacht.
The Junior Solicitor for the Prosecution also, sought out three witnesses, these to testify for the allowance of "chaos for the sake of change over stagnation." The three chosen to accompany him were Lord Hanson, Sir Aloryn, and Squire Radric.
While briefing their witnesses on the judicial proceedings before them, rumors abounded that those of House Caitiff (dedicated to pure Chaos) would attempt to either assassinate the two solicitors, or in other ways attempt to disrupt court proceedings. Lady Kittery then made it a point to inform the Tyrran nobles present of the intentions of the Caitiff, and luckily, nothing occurred prior to the six of them being rifted to the Courthouse by the two Solicitors.
The trial got off to a good start, with both solicitors giving their opening remarks to the one they introduced as the High Lord Justicar clearly and concisely. Afterwards, the senior called as her first witness for the defense Lady Kittery, who took the stand for questioning. Soon, the questioning became harsh, with the two solicitors bringing up many points of InterPlanar law to substantiate the testimonials of their witnesses or support their objections.
There was one disruption by the Caitiff, early during the trial. One of the two who attacked the solicitors through the use of Silence poisons was sentenced by the High Lord Justicar to "Greater Obliteration, while the other one was only sentenced to one death for actually entering the courtroom and for physically touching the Senior Solicitor. When those present questioned the verdict rendered, they were told that the crimes, based on "relative worth," merited such sentences.
After this one disruption, the trial continued smoothly. Although all six witnesses spoke eloquently for their respective sides, the Defense won the case by a narrow margin. Upon pronouncing the verdict, the High Lord Justicar proclaimed that each Solicitor had provided a service, and so had the witnesses. For their service, they were granted the essence of Pure Order in the hopes of it being of aid to them in the closing of the chaos rift.
Members of the House Pedagogia were present at the Way Station, even though their house was rumored to have collapsed under the forces of chaos. It became clear that, although their house was in disarray, they were still a House recognized by the federation.
Many of the younger House members, it was soon discovered, had become zealots--fanatics dedicated to an extreme noninvolvement policy. Few remained of the "old guard." Genevieve, one of those few, lamenting the sad state of their House, and she sought out Gwynne, Faustus, Talesian and Anakin, who had sworn to her House upon their last visit to the Way Station.
She was highly upset over the fact that the Archives, where all of the knowledge of the multiverse has been stored for eons by House Pedagogia had fallen into the hands of the minions of chaos. Upon hearing this, Faustus immediately declared that they must find a way to retake the Archives from these beings of chaos, and return it to the keeping of the Pedagogians. The others agreed that they, also, should go to aid in the retaking. Genevieve agreed to rift them and three other individuals of their choice, to the Archives. If they were able to reclaim it, she said, perhaps they could use the archives to research a way for them to close the chaos rift.
Soon after, she rifted the three, along with Sir Eridan, Squire Algar and Squire Jonathan.
Upon opening the door, the party was met by a group of chaos elementals who were apparently quartered within and who attacked on sight. Once past this obstacle, the party entered further into the building, where they met a group of zealot Pedagogians. This group ordered them to leave, but made no move to attack the Ashbans. After a lengthy dialogue, Faustus, Anakin and Talesian were able to convince them to allow the three of them admittance further into the Archives themselves through the use of logic. The other three then awaited the return of their companions at the entrance.
Finally inside, the three spared no time in their attempt to convince the Keeper of the Archives to grant them permission to research what was needed in the closing of the chaos rift. After lengthy debate, and through the use of logic alone, they were finally granted permission to research the Ritual of Binding, along with any other pertinent information to the closing of the rift.
Upon completion of their research, they were returned to the Way Station by Genevieve, who thanked them for their assistance before departing.
Finally all of the seals were combined together and the binding ritual was cast by Tsirana.
During the ritual casting, much as they had promised, Morgan and Alaric returned from the future with a horde of undead to stop the closing of the chaos rift. Accompanied by Hawkwing, a vampire in the future, they tore into the poor Ashbans and attempted to halt the casting.
Many chaos elementals and creature beyond description entered the fray as well, but it was all for naught. The binding succeeded, and the rift was closed. All the future incarnations faded from existence, including the future Thomas, Gazrith, and Florin, as the chaos rift was sealed once and for all.
Since Squire Caleb Hand was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death, many citizens of Ashbury have begun to closely examine the laws and debate the fine points.
Caleb was found guilty of killing some dark elves who had attacked Lady Talia Grey, including one who had not participated in the attack at all but who had also done nothing to prevent it.
Comments about the case have sometimes been fierce and angry, and many of Caleb's friends have argued for leniency.
Not surprisingly, the strongest objectors are the members of the Shield of Vendamor, who proudly state that they do not agree with the laws of Ashbury but follow a higher law known as the Code of Man.
Unrok Garror argued that Caleb did the right thing, since the dark elves di not deserve to live. "Every dark elf that died that day deserved a prompt and swift death," he said. "Had I witnessed this event, I would have done the same. It is a shame that this hero, Squire Caleb Hand, must be executed for saving his love, Ladia Talia Grey." He then asked all citizens to protest the execution.
Duke Bryan responded by saying "I publicly commend the person who defended Lady Talia and Squire Florin from their drae assailants, but I abhor the person who killed all the drae without a trial. The law must be meted out in a wise and conscientous manner--otherwise if we fail the people the people and simply degenerate into a chaotic morass of might makes right."
Local solicitor Quentin Dunbury argued against the Code of Man's basic anti-nobility tenets, saying "Your argument fails to take into consideration that (1) the nobility take oaths to protect and serve the people and nobles who disregard this responsibility are removed of their noble position; and (b) anyone can become a noble if they can prove themselves worthy. Even those born of noble parents do not automatically become nobles able to dispense justice. Nobility is something that has to be earned.
"We have a government based on the rule by those who have proven their leadership, their heroism, their love of the common man, and their concern for their well-being. Your Code of Man would replace this with an 'every man for himself' government, where decisions are made not by the enlightened but by the powerful."
Lord Hanson commented that certainly the law did not mean that one could not kill attackers, but Quentin responded by insulting Lord Hanson's knowledge of the law and saying that he did not deserve to be a noble if he felt that way.
The Duchess finally posted messages in local taverns and meeting halls with a large message about the case, reproduced here:
This public discussion of Caleb's trial and sentencing is troubling in that it reveals how little understood the process, and, more to the point, the purpose of the law is. Almost all of the arguments in Caleb's favor sum up to the statement "Those Dark Elves deserved to die; why are we punishing Caleb for killing them?"
Note that, with the exception of Caleb himself and a few well-intentioned members of his Court, no one is disputing that Caleb indeed committed the actions that he is accused of. Even before the trial, many of Caleb's supporters began their arguments with the acknowledgement that Caleb had killed the elves in question. The public dispute centers over whether those actions constitute a crime.
No one, least of all the Lord Magistrate, the Duke, or myself, questions the correctness of Caleb's actions in coming to the defense of Ladia Talia and the other victims of the Dark Elves' attack. He is to be commended for his quickness to action and his prowess in single-handedly subduing five foes. Everyone who is listening to or reading my words will concur that they would have done the same in coming to the defense of a loved one or friend.
Furthermore, it was Caleb's duty as a Squire of the Court of Trellheim to come to the defense of any citizen or guest of our Duchy whom he found in similiar circumstances of distress. I would expect him or any other well-meaning citizen to do the same if possible, whether the victim was a friend, a stranger, or a convicted necromancer--the principle is the same. I have never known Caleb to fail in his duties to his friends, his Liege Lord or his Duchy. He is a good man.
Being a good man and wanting to defend your friends does not give you the right to kill people in this Duchy. Everyone has the right to defend himself, and Caleb was acting correctly up until the point that he walked up to each of the five helpless people he had subdued and plunged a weapon into their bodies. At that point, the danger to Caleb, Talia, and anyone else present was over, and Caleb's actions turned from rescue to murder.
We cannot allow to exist in this or any civilized Duchy a state of anarchy in which each person has the right to decide who will live and who will die. Most of the people of Ashbury are well-intentioned, and would under most circumstances make the correct decision. But while each of you hearing or reading this would say to yourselves that you are capable of doing the right thing, how many of you are confident that everyone would?
How many of you can say with confidence that there is no person who would disagree with your actions? And would you truly feel safe living in an environment where you cannot be sure that your own actions would be misconstrued by others as a reason to cause your death?
Long ago, people banded together to form a body of law that would protect all of the people who live under its rule. The Law is not perfect; nothing on this world is. But it is the best standard that mortal men can construct to allow all peoples, with their differing opinions on what is right and wrong and what is proper, to live together in the same place. It is the fundamental basis of the safety of the peoples of this Duchy, and to willfully undermine its sanctity is to threaten the Duchy itself. The people who administer the law were chosen to do so because they have sworn their lives in the service of the people of Ashbury. They are also sworn to gather all of the facts to the best of their abilities to determine what is fair and just.
When you choose to live in the Duchy of Ashbury, you are making the choice to abide by our Laws. Anyone who is not willing to do so is not welcome in this Duchy. You are free to live someplace where justice can be obtained by the man with the swiftest blade or the largest pouch of gold. You may not believe in our laws, but you are obliged to follow them. I truly believe that it takes only a little effort to comply with the laws of Ashbury while also holding true to other ethical standards that the many citizens of this Duchy may follow in their hearts.
Not everyone is going to agree with the decisions made by our system of justice all of the time. But it is also obvious from what I have heard that many of the people who have commented publicly on this case are not aware of all of the facts. Many of them do not seem to care about the facts; they just don't want Caleb to suffer a death. All that Caleb, or any citizen in a similiar situation, had to do to avoid prosecution in this case was to stay his hand once the crisis was over and notify a proper authority as to what had happened. If no authorities were available, he could have left them incapacitated while he fetched the authorities. It is unlikely anyone would question him for leaving the Dark Elves completely helpless, weaponless with broken limbs and spirits barely clinging to their bodies, given the odds of five to one, while he escorted Lady Talia to the safety of her home. Under other circumstances, it would be ruled that he was responsible for their safety after he had felled them. But not at five in the morning, with five to one odds; Caleb would not have been required to continue to risk his life to safeguard theirs.
Yes, this would have been inconvenient. Inconvenience is not an excuse for murder.
It is up to the noble courts of Ashbury to set an example to all the people in upholding the Laws. Caleb, as a Squire of Trellheim, cannot be excused from being held to the same standards that we would hold any other citizen to. I deeply regret that Caleb acted as he did; but there is little question that he did commit the acts he is accused of. He has had every opportunity to speak up for himself and clear his name. This matter has been prolonged unnaturally by our desire to be absolutely certain that we could not find grounds for clemency and by our reluctance to see a good man die. The time of debate is over. Caleb will die by my hand.
Mara Tirane Nordenn
Duchess of Ashbury
Lord of the Four Peoples
The Royal Academy of Arcane Arts and Sciences ended months of secrecy to announce the existance of many new rituals previously known to only a select few in the higher ranks of the school.
Dean Rorik Ballistrane invited representatives of the Royal Guilds, independent merchant houses, and the press to a conference to announce these discoveries, finally ending the rumors that had been swirling about over the winter months. None went away disappointed.
The ritual that caused the most excitement among the crowd gathered was the celestial Spirit Forge, which allows a person to forget all of their known skills and start learning anew, retaining the same capacity for learning as previously aquired. The unfortunate side effect of this forging is that it causes the person's spirit to immediately die, requiring resurrection.
Of almost equal excitement was the announcement of the discovery of a Minor Expanded Enchantment and Major Expanded Enchantment ritual of both schools, allowing the caster to enchant once per day with up to 3rd level spells and up to 6th level spells respectively. The Expanded Enchantment ritual already in existance is the only way to enchant any known battle magic spell into an item or person.
With the Chaos rift opening in nearby Ashbury city, the discovery of the Summon Order Elemental and Summon Chaos Elemental rituals came as no surprise to anyone. Ritual casters have also created Control Order Elemental and Control Chaos Elemental rituals to control the independent minded creatures.
What was a surprise was the recent creation of a Summon/Control ritual that works as both a Summon and a Control ritual at once. The Royal Academy has produced scrolls that Summon/Control all eight different types of elementals. "But what's the fun in that?" asked Wizard Rayik "Wildman" Polk.
The Royal Academy also announced with great concern that the nefarious necromancers in our midst have been busy over the winter as well, creating two new vile rituals to perform their evil deeds. An earth Cloak of Darkness ritual has been reported to the Academy as allowing an undead to walk about in the day as if it were a living creature, thus making the discovery of these abominations more difficult.
An earth Reverse Life Force ritual has also been reported as allowing a living person to have the metabolism of an undead, resistant to gases and elixers and curable only through chaos. Naturally the Royal Academy does not condone either of these rituals and will not make nor sell these rituals.
In an effort to avoid the havoc in the ritual market that such announcements create, driving the prices of ritual scrolls to unnaturally high levels, the Royal Academy, Royal Guilds and independent merchant houses have all agreed to not begin trading these new ritual scrolls until March 29, 596.
In a surprising show of unity, all parties promised to adhere to the stay of trading until the aforementioned date. The Royal Academy has in turn promised that prior to the start of trading, they will distribute as many of the scrolls as possible through known channels to prepare for what is expected to be a flurry of buying and selling.
In Ashbury, both the Mages' Guild and Healers' Guild are preparing for the bids their customers are expected to place.
The Avalon Trading Company, a relatively new merchant house that has established a presence in Ashbury, has also stated that it is gearing up for the ritual scroll purchases. When asked if the independent merchant house would be selling necromantic scrolls as well, Avalon representative Dimitri Smoke replied "Now what do you think?"
During Ashbury's visit to the Way Station, several beings rifted there offering their aid in ending the chaos threat.
Among these beings, a creature known as Barda the Feraxi spoke of serving order and providing a cure for the chaos plague that had affected several of the adventurers that had journeyed to this crossroad of the planes. He gathered the blood of several citizens, amongst them Unrok and Sir Faustus. Creating a circle of power, he then informed the citizens that he served chaos and proceeded to use the blood to summon a pantherghast.
The blood of the race to be targeted is the last ingredient to this particular ritual, and of the two vials he choose the one containing human blood. The pantherghast was unleashed, but quickly vanquished due to the aid of Hanson's magic, imprisoning blade.
Barda managed to use his sleep gaze to down several citizens before he himself was dispatched.
Another such race, calling themselves the Thorn, rifted in late Saturday and spoke of creating the seal of life. By claiming the essence of several individuals, they would cast the ritual that would allow the seal to be called into being. Appearing as stone elves with a strange arrow-like mark upon their right eyes, they claimed the essences of Roland Valinor, Sir Faustus Neumacht, Morgan Sunstar, Anakin Winterbrook, and Septorian the warrior. Their lie became apparent when several others spoke of giving up their essence and were denied, the creatures saying that they required only a few slaves to fill their needs. They then rifted out and the citizens rifted with them.
Though the citizens returned the following day, they acted as though they had been gone for years. All of them had apparently been bottled in a spear-like artifact that was used to rift them out and bind them to some alien world. Morgan and the future Florin almost came to blows when the arrow mark was seen sported upon his own right eye. The future Florin seemed to have no idea as to what Morgan was speaking of when he accused him of being a slaver.
On Sunday the 25th, Siege the Drae challenged Robert Oakwood to Honor Combat after Robert asked for the money Siege allegedly stole from him. (Siege was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery against Robert in November; Faustus commented that he would have been convicted of a greater crime if not for the lack of evidence.)
When the time came for the duel, Robert was called outside to fight; he said that he needed to speak to Faustus to have the battle made legal. The wait was obviously unacceptable to one of the planar travelers at the Way Station, for he Imprisoned Robert and carried him out to the cheering crowds outside. The throng of people in the arena outside the Way Station were very excited about the duel. Harvest Moon was taking bets on who the winner would be; at one point the odds on Robert were 10 to 1.
When the creature finally lowered the Imprison on Robert, the terms were agreed upon: a fight to the unconsciousness using only swords. Robert stipulated that he would agree not to use his spells if Siege would not use his gas poisons. Robert also insisted that Siege not use any Chaos powers he might have gained from a being known as Giz , whom Siege was seen consorting with and called "his mistress."
Daphne Green loaned Siege one of her gloves, which Siege threw at Robert's feet and again challenged him. Robert said that he had no wish to harm Siege, but simply wanted his money back. Siege denied the allegations of theft and said that for insulting his honor he would "hunt down Robert and kill him like the dog he is" if Robert did not fight him. Robert agreed to fight Siege and, after securing healing for the loser, the two combatants stepped into the Arena.
Once the bloodthirsty crowd (whose minds had obviously been affected by the rampant Chaos; many usually peaceful people were screaming for the fight to be to the death) had been cleared, the battle was on! The battle raged for almost ten minutes as the two duelists circled one another like ravenous wolves, striking whenever there was an opening. The two both fought well, but in the end Robert stood sorely wounded but victorious. He raised his sword into the air and let out a victory cry, before bowing to the cheering crowd around him.
Many were happy at Robert's victory; it is not known whether this is due to the great deal of money many made on the fight, or personal feelings for Robert or against Siege.
A conglomeration of guilds has organized and opened a small shop in the heart of Ashbury, calling itself collectively "The Dragon's Lair."
Incorporated into this building are guilds representing adventurers, brewers, alchemists, smiths, teachers, actors, and tavern workers. Other guilds are invited to join.
By putting all of the guilds under one roof, the intent is to better serve the adventuring community. Plans are currently underway to organize a similar set up for farmers and merchants.
The Dragon's Lair will provide laboratory space for those wishing to make elixirs, potions, scrolls, weapons, or armor, but this space is limited. Customers may reserve space in advance.
There will also be set hours in which items of use to adventurers will be for sale, such as potions, weapons, and even ritual components (when available).
The building will also house an "Adventurer's Guild," which will attempt to serve those just starting out in an adventuring career. Advice, training, and supplies will be available for a small fee. The Adventurer's Guild will also attempt to obtain employment for those in need.
Also present in the building will be a representative from the Avalon Trading Company, who will post regular hours for those wishing to invest in foreign trade.
The Dragon's Lair is being organized by Camilla Zatar, Selina Vardik, and Modi Ioki. Those who wish to join or assist should contact them.
During a recent Gypsy party at the Dragon's Flagon, the partygoers were surprised when an intangible white figure appeared and was instantly recognized as Mortimer Fallon. Mortimer was a trusted companion to Baron Thomas Grey until he took his permanent death fighting the Brood last November.
Mortimer was unable to utter a sound but he tried to communicate with Jonathon Dragonhart, a former companion from Blythedale. With the help of Istvaan and Brightfeather, Mortimer was able to communicate by spelling out the words he was trying to say in a book used to teach one to read.
The story that emerged was that he was searching for the spirit of his wife Clara. Clara had died three times each in childbirth and she died her final death after the third. When Mortimer stood before the Registrar, the Registrar stated that he would not let Mortimer rest without finding the missing spirit of his dead wife. She apparently had never arrived in the graveyards and Mortimer was unable to suggest what may have happened. He said that her body was missing from its grave and perhaps she still walked Tyrra as undead.
His only suggestion was to find his brothers, whose locations are currently unknown. Mortimer fled after seeing his reflection in a mirror and reacting with horror at what he now was.
Three green-skinned hag-like sisters, calling themselves "The Norn," arrived at the Way Station on the same afternoon as the citizens of Ashbury. The three introduced themselves as Backwash, Cruedah and Rothvomit. When asked about their home plane, they answered "Dearie, it's been so long since we been there, we almost forgot where there was!"
They made no bones about the fact that they were at the Way Station seeking men for "companionship." They spent some time scouting the various prospects available amongst the Ashbans present. They walked around conversing with any male that caught their fancy, offering them a gift for a "few moments of fun and games." Considering that their appearance is, at least to most Ashbans, considered hideous in the extreme, it is surprising that they each found a mate within a half hour.
Roland Valinor, Darwin Xavier, and Nextor were the lucky--or unlucky, depending on your point of view--who found themselves married to the Norn, according to InterPlanar Law. Upon hearing of his cousin's "marriage," Sir Konrad wished the happy couple well. Nextor even has plans to have a binding marriage ceremony performed according to the laws of Ashbury when his lovely wife visits him, as she has promised to do in the future. Darwin, however, feels that being married according to the laws his wife follows is quite acceptable and binding enough.
The "gifts" given to them by their respective brides has yet to be disclosed by the men involved, but each of them have been Marked.
by Lord Magistrate Sir Faustus von Neumacht
Order has triumphed over the primeval Chaos. Ashbury has triumphed. Working through the interplanar houses of the Waystation, we were able to reassemble the elemental essences, and perform the Ritual of Binding upon the raw Chaos which had escaped. Thus, we rebuilt the seals created after the First Elemental War, accomplishing an act of cosmic significance for the entire Multiverse.
As one who worked from the beginning to coordinate this as an aspect of Order, I was proud of the unity Ashbury showed in the face of doom. Many Ashbans who traveled to the Waystation played an important role either by seeking the elemental essences, or by combating the hordes of Chaotic beasts. All these brave spirits deserve our recognition, and so I shall direct a monumental plaque to be created to commemorate the event.
Many sacrifices were made by citizens in this united effort. In particular I commend my cousin Gwynne Neumacht, who voluntarily accepted a terrible Chaos curse (which made her unable to be healed normally) that we might retrieve the stolen essence of Life. Sudra of the Harvest Moon too deserves praise, for he allowed us to use an elemental "connection" which enabled us to travel to the Waystation.
Taris the Starmage of Order also deserves our thanks. Many have questioned him, yet his word was true--our own research showed the way to reach the Waystation, but it was only through his elemental ritual, combined with Sudra's connection, that we were able to travel there. In the end the Chaos corrupted Taris, and he behaved erratically, attacking some citizens. But we of Ashbury picked up the fallen standard of Order and completed the task ourselves. Still, we deceive ourselves if we think that we could have triumphed without the aid of elemental Order. This aid will not be forgotten.
Recent evidence (from four sources) indicates that the so-called Brotherhood--the band from Ravenholt which visited Ashbury in November--was instrumental in opening the Chaos rift. It was they who captured Hamlet (who was essential to closing the rift).
They lured him outside town, and murdered him. While Hamlet was originally accused of Treason for fleeing town, I have dropped these charges now that the truth of his murder is clear. He had behaved like a criminal, sending ransom demands to us rather than pleas for his innocence. Still, Hamlet's return to fight the Chaos, facilitated by Solicitor Quentin Dunbury, is a gesture deserving praise. No charges stand against him, and he is to be treated as any other citizen.
Given the need for anonymity and the Brotherhood's disappearance, a closed trial was held in absentia. The charges against the Brotherhood members range from Treason (helping open the rift and preventing its closure), Murder (against Hamlet), and Necromancy (undead creation). The two leaders of the murderous band, Kheldar and Malcolm, are sentenced to Obliteration and a fine to be determined. All others of that group are sentenced to two deaths and 6 gold each, as testimony makes clear that all were aware of the plans for opening the rift.
I have known this information for some time, but was waiting to see if the Brotherhood might return, that we might catch them and dispense justice. At the time when the town confronted the Brotherhood in November, we lacked the evidence to go forward, having only one source.
Further, this source was contradicted by the lies of Siobahn McElwain. She plotted to keep the rift open to retain her Chaotic powers, and her deception spared the Brotherhood that day. Yet Siobahn later discovered the error of her ways, and independently worked to help us at the Waystation. Hence, some mercy is in order--she is sentenced to but one death and a 10 gold fine.
We made the right decision not to attack the Brotherhood that day on the hill, even if we suspected them to be guilty--even though the suspicion was true. Our system demands evidence; we did not have it then. We do have it now. By following our laws, the truth has come out, and we have not compromised the legal foundation of our society.
Additionally, Malcolm of the Brotherhood faces numerous charges of Mockery of a Noble Title and Libel for his childish, venomous writings against me. This matter will be judged by another, given my personal involvement. Any fine monies shall from this case shall be donated to the Healers' Guild Poor Creatures' Fund. In a larger sense, I regard the complaints of criminals and those with no respect for the law as a badge of success; they would not show such "concern" through their lies if they did not fear the law.
Siege the dark elf would have been executed upon return to Ashbury for working to steal an elemental essence for the forces of Chaos. He committed ritual suicide before then and failed to resurrect. So should perish all who plot Treason.
With the final Brotherhood trial complete, I announce my resignation from the Magistracy, effective March 29, 596. My year and a half tenure has been marked by controversy, but also--I hope--by principle and fairness. Recall such cases as the Dax murder trial, the Maximus "sting" operation, the return of the magic sword Slave Tamer to its rightful owners, the execution of Tiercel the Gryphon, the capture of Acromar, the leader of the Fist, the Harvest Moon executions, the Caleb trial, and finally the mass trial of the Brotherhood. There have been dozens of other trials--and crimes which were prevented through quick intervention. I have also attempted to refine the law and make its more vague portions more clear to the people. In the months ahead I shall be advising Quentin in updating his "Laws of Ashbury" summary. Finally, I feel my role as an aspect of Order in our apocalyptic battle to contain the Chaos is a fitting capstone to my legal service.
I shall continue to serve my lieges, the Duke and Duchess of Ashbury in whatever capacity they desire. My successor shall be Loremaster Naerfen Kel-tier'lin, who shall also become my Squire. I wish to thank all who have given aid in my duties over the past year and a half--particularly those many who served as anonymous witnesses and cannot be publicly acknowledged. Please continue to give your support to Lord Magistrate Naerfen--I have no doubt that he shall uphold the law in an exemplary fashion. It has been an honor to have served as your Magistrate.
A new column for Healers' Guild Announcements and Commentary
by Guildmistress Daphne Green
Hours: The Ashbury city Royal Healers' Guild is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. The Guild provides the following services: healing, resurrections, protective spells, potions, prenatal counseling and midwife services, earth ritual scroll orders, and identification and purchase of ritual components. However, no rituals will be cast within the Guild until the Chaos rift is closed.
Notes on payment: Money for services provided by the Guild (resurrections, potions, identification of ritual components) is paid into the Guild treasury. Money for services provided by Guild members is paid to the Guild member providing the service. Donations to the Healer's Guild Charitable Fund, formerly the "Poor Creatures' Fund," are kept separate from the Guild treasury and should be designated as such when the donations are made.)
Tainted with Chaos?: Sir Faustus Neumacht, under guidance from Taris the Starmage, recently expressed the opinion that certain non-necromantic spells were tainted with chaos, and supported this theory with citations from his research. I have made inquries at the Evendarr Royal Healers' Guild as to the accuracy of this theory and received a lengthy reply, of which I quote some excerpts:
This Starmage...is incorrect in his judgment of these magics...The effect is "chaotic" only in that each of these spells causes something to end or be disrupted. They are completely unrelated to the element of chaos. With all due respect to the authors of the works you cited, they are mostly celestial mages or pure scholars who do not use magic at all. They have no true understanding of the opposing forces of earth and chaos. Of course this is simply the opinion of the Guild and there are those who disagree.
Lady Eleanor Tuttle, my correspondent, advises that we read the treatise Of Earth and Chaos: A Study of Opposites, by Elewain McCrory, and the works of Father Theo Vorlain (which are, I believe, only available in Evendarr). These writings indicate that it is only invocation of chaos that increases the power of chaos on this plane.
Although I feel that in this time of great danger we should all try to work together, and am willing to avoid such spells temporarily even on the chance that it could do some good, I personally was skeptical of this theory from the start, and it seems that I was right to be so. Those who were concerned about chaotic taints on those spells which have been so useful to our citizens should not worry any longer.
Ordering Ritual Scrolls: It has been brought to my attention that some people have ordered ritual scrolls and received neither scrolls nor a reply. Since I reply to every scroll request that I receive, this means that I have not been receiving these requests.
If you send me a ritual scroll request via swift messenger and do not receive an acknowledgment within 48 hours, it means I did not receive it (whether the messenger comes back to you or not), and you should resend the message. (This does not include those times when I may be expected to be away from the Guild.) If you make such a request in person, I will write it down along with your instructions about delivery.
If you believe that a ritual scroll request is missing, lost, or ignored, please ask me about it, either by mail or in person. Please do not start a whispering campaign, try to cause trouble for me with the Evendarr Royal Healers' Guild, or cast aspersions upon my honesty. These actions do not speed up the scroll ordering process; they merely take up my time and annoy me.
And speaking of annoyances, any person who is ill-informed enough to try to order a necromantic scroll from the Healers' Guild will be reported promptly to the Magistrate or the Paladins, whichever is appropriate.
Ashbury: Ashbury Al, the goblin who is famous for sticking his head out of a cave on Goblin Day and predicting how much longer Winter will be, was rudely surprised on this past February 2nd when none other then Jack Frost appeared and hurled huge bolts of ice at the helpless goblin. Jack stood over Al's body until his spirit fled to ressurect. From all this and the events of last December where the Snow Queen fought Belayne of Spring, we can assume that we may have significantly more than six weeks of WInter left. Speculations are flying as to whether or not the change in seasons may occur at all this year.
Diron: A strange illness is afflicting elves, sometimes resulting in their death. Unlike the illness that started in Diron last year afflicting only humans, this one has no visible effects. This new illness only occurs in male elves and comes upon them suddenly with a pain to the back of their head and sudden unconscousness. Most of the elves have recovered, though some have resurrected in the capital of Ashbury. In response to this latest disease, Captain Goraq Korenk of the Diron Town Guard has shut the borders of Diron to all male elves. Those within Diron are not being allowed to leave until a cure is found. Those attempting to enter the estate are being stopped at the border and forcedly restrained from entry. Although the disease has not appeared elsewhere, healers are concerned that those who resurrected may cause its spread beyond the immediate area.
Jared: The large wraith-like creature that has been terrorizing Ashbury attacked this trading town recently, causing much damage and quite a few deaths, including that of "Ol' Dogsled," a noted hero who admittedly was too old for a frontal assault against the creature. Apparenlty, the creature was released by Morganna from a weapon once owned by the Shield of Vandemor.
Reeves: A mysterious and powerful so-called "Subway of the Living Dead" was shut down and destroyed after a number of Ashbury citizens discovered it. The magical transportation was a production of Jhivantane, and it apparently would have allowed Jhivantane troops to travel to all parts of Tyrra.
Tower Hills: Despite the actions of many of Ashbury's most experienced adventurers to bring peace to this region, the citizens are still up in arms. Baron Justice has called in some of his army, but it has not produced any progress, and in fact has alienated and angered many of the peasants here in this mountaneous region. Effigies of the Baron have been burned in public squares, and the estate's defenses have been damaged noticeably. Despite all this or perhaps because of it, the Baron has still refused to put any money into rebuilding the area.
by Sue D'Onym
Hello everyone! It's me again with the latest News They Don't Want You To Know! Remember, I guarantee to the best of my ability that the facts listed here are as true as I can determine them to be--or at least true from someone's point of view.
A recent gypsy party in the Dragon's Flagon provided everyone with a fine old time (and me with plenty of gossip). Despite the complaints about the noise from the undead who came in from the Chaos Rift, there were no major problems.
Mystic Wood Elves Azura, Lore and Brightfeather were all seen rubbing horns and enjoying themselves immensely, although Azura kept trying to change the game from poker to strip poker. It was a bit too cold for that I believe.
Ta'waneÆ was, as usual, cozying up to Algar, although she did also rub the horns of the Mystic Wood Elf guests, and was also seen giving a massage not only to Algar, but to Sir Eridan as well! Now there's one busy little Gypsy!
Hawkwing, also present, simply enjoyed watching all of the shenanigans--and winning everyone's money, since everyone else was far too busy to care if they won or lost the various card games!
At one point Duchess Mara ordered Hawkwing to dance with Ta'wane and Findrago, as she feels that the squire needed to "loosen up" a bit, and then she lamented that Squire Ivan needs more than just a little "loosening."
Isstvan and Petra kept the party hopping, serving drinks, and making sure that the bards kept playing. Many unusual card games were played--one called "Pit" that night was introduced by the Duchess, and another called "Monster Maker" was introduced by Hawkwing on the following day. Of course, you didn't expect the party to only last one day, now did you?
It's nice to see the gypsies getting along so well when, once behind their closed vardas they are constantly sniping at each other. Whoops! I'm not supposed to know this! It seems that Ta'waneÆ has been coming on a bit too strong for some people and gypsies, after all, hate to be told what to do. Ta'waneÆ is thinking of breaking away and starting her own tribe, and has the support of Modi already who plans to work for her benefit. Say, isn't Modi supposed to be helping Camilla in her new business venture? My, that dwarf knows how to play both sides of the net!
Bizrak the Sarr wanted to join the Mages' Guild and finally had his interview with Shalizar. He supposedly did well, which is a good thing, considering that the last Sarr she interviewed didn't know that the proper response to her famous "which is more important" question. Anyone who does not automatically say "Celestial" can kiss their future in the Guild goodbye!
Meanwhile, a group of Guild members, led by Modi, were behind the scenes working very hard on a Mages' Guild task. No, it wasn't their task, silly! They were working to keep Eldon from passing his task! Eldon is known to be a stern taskmaster (like his wife?) and this has apparently angered a lot of Guild members.
Back in the real world, Caleb prepares bravely for his upcoming execution while others debate his already decided fate! The Shield of Vendamor, through its spokesman Unrok, argue that to execute someone who acted so heroically and bravely against the "brutish" violates their Code of Man, while others stick to the letter of the law if not the spirit. Baron Justice, sick of the whole thing and completely supportive of his squire, has urged everyone to boycott Quentin's services for the slander Quentin made to Lord Hanson's reputation. Isn't the law fascinating!
The Shield by the way loudly announced that they had disbanded, but apparently all they've done is change their name. I'm not sure what they've changed it to, but I have a few suggestions: "The Shield of Misspelling," "The Green and Toothless," and "The Brute Squad" (not to be confused with "The Brutish Squad"). Whaddya think?
Hanson and Sir Aloryn may look a little strange lately, but it's probably because they made some deals with a fey when they were visiting Ravenholt recently. Maybe that's why they argued in favor of chaos at the Way Station.
Robert Oakwood, who died at the Way Station and probably holds the record for Most Deaths But Still Alive (tied with Hamlet), spent a bit of time recently following up on the rumor that some knife merchants had dumped their goods in the river after chaos possessed them; turns out there was no truth to it which is just as well--that water's cold!
Alaric Dragonhart has been busy lately, training new Army recruits in Nib. Can you imagine what he has to tell them? Now, Alaric, dearie, remember: necromancy is illegal!
Baron Thomas Grey has a new look: leafy tattoos on his face! Is he turning into an Amani elf or what? Let's hope this rage doesn't catch on--I would look terrible with my face covered in designs. On the other hand, there are some half ogres I know...
Well, that's all the gossip I have for you this month. Until we meet again, remember--If you can't say something nice about someone, come sit by me.
GYPSY PARTIES every Saturday night in the Dragon's Flagon or outside at gypsy camp if the weather is nice! Come one, come all, or just come!
JJ: WE HAVE IT. Contact me ASAP.
ALL ELVEN MALES who are not citizens of Diron are hereby not allowed into the confines of Diron due to a dread disease which is infecting them. All Elven males currently within the confines of Diron will not be allowed to exit until a cure for this disease is found and administered to them. Any Elves who enter, do so at their own risk!
THE SHADOW GAME BEGINS! Will all members report as soon as possible.
ALWAYS LOOKING for a few good people to work the tavern! Good pay, benefits, wonderful fellow employees! Tips! Learn useful job skills. Must be friendly and good with people. If you're not, come work as a bouncer! Cooks also needed, show off your flair for food! See Natasha to apply.
HARVEST MOON: You should not have hurt the mosafer. Soon you will all be morde. Ghassab i Faramush
FREE DETECT MAGICS cast at the Ashbury Mages' Guild every hour on the half hour during Guild hours. (Listen for the bell). Hours are noon - 6 pm and 8 pm - midnight. Magic items Identified, Ritual Components researched, scrolls bought and sold, and Rituals cast. Hot tea and cocoa for our chilled customers.
DO YOU NEED MONEY? Respect? Honorable companions? The Dragon's Lair is looking for a few good adventurers! We're looking for bodyguards, messengers, traders, merchants, tavern workers, and ritual components.
LORD HANSON: Make me a better offer! - Squire Truxton the Immortal
HAMLET: I could almost pity you for your foolishness in daring to attack me, but it would be a waste in your case. Rule number one: Do your homework and know your enemy. - Ta'wane
CHECKMATE is taking offers on a unicorn horn, a rare earth ritual component. It is the primary for Summon Control Order Elemental, primary for Summon Order Elemental, and secondary for Permanence. We are interested in trading for just about anything except money. - Zev-Sartane
PEOPLE OF THE FOREST: I am seeking the Defender known as Parl. If you have contact with this person who with any other Defender of Tyrra, contact me as soon as possible. - Squire Olin Redbeard
I AM INTERESTED in trading the bow Stormseeker for a non-ranged weapon. Stormseeker is a permanent item, 2x/day cloak lightning, 1x/day spell strike Magic Storm, and arrows which are fired from it are +1 magic (as per damage aura). I am looking for a +1 damage aura permanent weapon, type doesn't matter (as long as it is a hand to hand weapon, and not a thrown weapon). - Angus