Ashbury and Trollsgate Citizens Solve Murder
King Kelanor IV of the dwarven nation of Trollsgate recently traveled north to Dwarrenagor along with his top knight, Lorehammer Smith. His goal was to meet the indigenous dwarves of Tar’Navarria and perhaps acquire some trade agreements.
King Kelanor graciously invited the nobles of Ashbury to accompany him to possibly establish their own treaties, and Duke Frost allowed each of the barons to have a presence if they wished. Baronesses Talin Gildenlily and Glenduria Manyave both attended personally and Baron Morgasander, busy in Blythedale, sent Glantri in his stead. Curiously, the dark elves Lord Find’rth T’Varian, Mia, Nym, Taji and Runaki of House Ryujima also attended.
The delegates gathered in the Mithril City, the former capital of Dwarrenagor when it was a united kingdom. As was reported in the last Ashbury Times, since the fall of Icenia 300 years ago, Dwarrenagor fell to infighting and invasion from the Bile Dens under the banner of a creature called Goretongue. The possibility of having them all agree on treaties seemed an impossible task.
The Ashban and Trollsgate delegates gathered in the Waylaid Adventurers Tavern where they met the various clan leaders of Dwarrenagor: Korik Redrock of the Flamefists, Kalgerki Stonehammer of the Whiterocks, Brenner Silvershield of the Steelbeards and Orit Blackaxe of the Blackaxes.
There was also a fairly large population of brown bearded dwarves in the area who were not aligned with any clan.
The clans were bickering and distrustful of one another. Many times that night words nearly turned to blows between the clans.
The one thing that most of the clans could agree on was a hatred for the Blackaxes, whom they considered to be no better than bandits. The Blackaxe leader, Orit, did nothing to help the image of his clan. He insulted the other clans, their leaders, and even the Ashbury delegates. Orit also suggested that he knew various secrets about each of the leaders, but he refused to elaborate. Also not helping Orit’s reputation was the fact that he was tossing coins for his pet bear to retrieve, often causing the bear to bump into the assembled delegates to retrieve them.
King Kelanor agreed to meet all of the clan leaders the next day at noon to discuss possible treaty arrangements.
When the time came, however, all of the delegates were present except for Orit. The other clan leaders advocated beginning the talks without him, but King Kelanor was firm, and demanded that all clans be present before the talks were to start. At that moment, Myrok Coalbeard, Orit’s second in command, arrived calling for a Life spell, saying that Orit was found slain in his bed.
The adventurers ran to the dwarf’s home. They founnd him permanently dead with his throat cut. His pet bear was pacing the room. The bear was removed and the home searched, but the only clues on the scene were an empty alchemy bottle and a bag of soot. Myrok pointed out that a large gem that Orit kept was missing.
Accusations immediately began to fly. Myrok told the assembled peoples that all the clans had a reason to see Orit dead.
He accused Korik of giving tactical information on the Whiterocks to Goretongue when he invaded, Brenner of having a perverted appetite for non hairy women, and Kalgerki of allowing her hobling advisor to embezzle from the clan.
The other clans countered with a motive for Myrok himself: with Orit dead, Myrok would become the head of the clan.
Naturally, all present denied the accusations and at times seemed ready to attack one another. It was Lorehammer Smith who was able to keep the situation calm and, being a neutral party, offered to investigate the matter, but only if all the clan leaders agreed. Reluctantly each of the clan leaders agreed and Smith immediately began his investigation.
Smith was quickly able to determine that the soot found was the same used by the Blackaxes to dye beards, but that it usually lasted for over a month. The use of certain alchemical ingredients could wash the dye out much quicker however.
Smith also found that Orit had a lady friend over the night before, but she left after four in the morning and he went to bed alone. The only dwarves seen in the area that night had black beards.
Next Smith attempted to learn where the clan leaders were that night. Kalgerki claimed that she met with her advisors and then went to bed alone, but Brenner claimed that he saw her walking around very late. In response, Kalgerki claimed that she was having trouble sleeping so she went for a walk. This met with more accusations and arguments until Smith calmed all down again.
Brenner claimed that he was meeting a woman, and that there weren’t any witnesses because he likes his privacy. Korik claimed that he was asleep in a common room with his clan members, but the other clan leaders dismissed this alibi, claiming Korik’s own clan would lie to cover for him.
Later in the day, Myrok angrily burst into the tavern dragging Thorik Scarletquill with him and claiming to have found the murderer. Thorik, a Flamefist with a red beard, had met the adventurers the previous night, but now his beard had been dyed black.
Thorik insisted that he dyed his beard to be with a Blackaxe woman named Cretes whom he loved. When Cretes claimed she had never seen him, Thorik admitted that he had only exchanged a love letter with Cretes and that he had dyed his beard to meet her in person and profess his love. Cretes admitted that she had been exchanging love letters with someone she had not met. Thorik’s story was futher proven when one of his letters surfaced. Evidently, Thorik had lost it the previous night in the tavern and had quietly been attempting to find it since that time. Given the evidence, Smith concluded that the matter should be investigated before a trial. Thorik was imprisoned in the basement of the Waylaid Adventurer.
Smith spent the rest of the day questioning witnesses, taking notes and trying to determine who the killer could be. He asked about the missing gem, but no information was forthcoming.
The following day, Smith was prepared to perform Thorik’s trial when suddenly the tavernkeeper of the Waylaid Adventurer ran outside yelling for a Life spell. Smith ran in, and Baroness Glen dispelled the Wizard Lock on the cell door and it was discovered that Thorik had been slain. He was given a Life spell, but had clearly been given an Amnesia elixir. This led to a new mystery as to who could have gotten through the Wizard Lock to give the killing blow.
Lord Jonathan had noticed a female dwarf with a brown beard leaving the scene hastily and gave chase. He and Kyril Flamebeard were able to corner the dwarf and observed her change to a half bear form, which was recognized as Orit’s pet bear.
The werebear gave a fierce fight, felling Kyril, and severely mauling Lord Jonathan before Jonathan could finally strike it unconscious. The werebear was captured and interrogated. The werebear was fully intelligent and admitted that it had been hired by one of the clan leaders to spy on and eventually slay Orit, but she refused to identify her employer.
After some discussion, Smith was able to convince Myrok to agree to execute the bear only once in exchange for the name of her employer. She named Korik Redrock.
Under scrutiny, Korik admitted that he had indeed sold out the Whiterocks in exchange for leaving the Flamefists alone when he invaded. He also admitted that he feared Orit would reveal the information and ordered the werebear to kill him. The clan leaders, as well as Thrar Bloodaxe (the next in line for leadership of the Flamefists) and Korik’s own wife Thala, determined Korik’s punishment. He was to be obliterated and exiled forever more from Dwarrenagor.
Though no official treaties were created, King Kelanor offered the services of Trollsgate to act as a mediator to settle the disputes between the clans so Dwarrenagor could again become one nation someday.
The clan leaders were very grateful for the assistance of Lorehammer Smith in solving the murder and accepted their offer. "The wounds between the clans run deep, and it will take some time for them to heal," Smith was heard to say. "But you are all of dwarven blood, and you have more in common than you do differences."
No treaties were signed with Ashbury either, but peace overtures were made, possibly paving the way to good relations in the future.
While in the dwarven nation of Dwarrenagor, the adventures of Ashbury noticed the vast number of undead that attacked the area. When they began to inquire about it of the local dwarves, they learned that the undead attacks were rather recent.
With the help of the Ashbans, each of the undead encountered were destroyed.
During the afternoon on Saturday, Shalet Berev of the Whiterock clan entered town seeking scholars of earth magic. She informed them that a nearby cave had undead in it rumored to have a new spell that allowed one to imbue a weapon with the power of earth or chaos for a single strike. A small group decided to scout the area but were overwhelmed. Runners were sent back for help.
Such a large force approaching was heard by the undead, who were prepared for conflict. A few adventurers were able to see into the cave and saw a large undead orc lying unconscious on a slab and a brown bearded dwarf inside a circle of power, as well as hordes of undead in the cave.
Since the Ashbans were heard approaching, the hordes of undead exited the cave and attacked. The battle was incredibly difficult, and in spite of several attempts, the Ashbans were not able to pierce enemy lines to enter the cave, and were forced to retreat.
Not long afterwards, it was surmised that the orc on the slab was indeed the dwarven enemy Goretongue.
The clan leaders were informed of this and after much discussion and persuasion from Lorehammer Smith along with pressure from the visiting nobles, decided that they would need to put aside their differences to work together to defeat this ancient enemy.
The only known weapon to ever harm Goretounge, an axe called the Bloodbane, was held by Flamebeard Thrar Bloodaxe. Too old to effectively wield it against the foul necromantic orc, Thrar loaned it to his fellow clansman, Kyril Flamebeard. With this weapon in hand and after studying spells anew, the adventurers, along with the leaders of the four clans, headed towards the cave.
The adventurers fought their way past the hordes of undead emerging from the cave, this time effectively smashing their lines and entering the cave. There they found the same brown bearded dwarf apparently engaged in some ritual to return Goretongue from the dead. The ritual was successful, culminating with the dwarf placing a crown of bones upon Goretongue’s head at which point he awoke, unaware of the time that had passed since his placement in that situation.
The dwarf identified himself to Goretongue as Hector, and devoted himself to serve the orc. Hector had preserved Goretongue as he built his undead army so that Goretongue could once again attack the dwarves.
Goretongue announced loudly to Hector that "You mean nothing to me" and instantly slew the dwarf and swallowed him whole, much to Hector’s surprise and demise.
Goretongue then marshalled the remaining undead and parlayed with the adventures, claiming that he would take his undead and leave for the Bile Dens. Luigie of the Black Forest suggested he take his forces north and investigate Dur Namarie. Though reluctant to allow him to escape, the clan leaders agreed to let Goretongue leave in return for not attacking their lands. As soon as Goretongue and his undead began to leave, the Ashbans attacked, killing many of the undead. Under a barrage of attacks, Goretongue retreated to his circle with his few surviving minions.
The undead were effectively blocked from escaping the narrow passage between the circle and the exit of the cave, but only a few adventurers could squeeze into the passage to attack. Lord Find’rth T’varian of Tarzaterranzan and Lord Du’Gual Darkfire McEwen of the Ash Forest were key in holding the passage, striking their powerful blows against the undead whenever the opportunity presented itself and taunting Goretongue and his minions mercilessly in an effort to get the undead to leave the circle of power. Taji, Gabriel Bruce, Nym, Lhasa Skamar and others provided timely spell support as well. In spite of the beliefs of the dwarves, other magical weapons were able to harm Goretongue. Slowly Goretongue’s minions were slain, leaving only Goretongue himself. Gortongue seemd content to wait in his circle indefinitely until Lord Find’rth began draw a circle around Goretongue’s circle and informed the undead orc that his circle was going to be destroyed. The abomination must have taken the dark elf’s words seriously, as he stepped from his circle and charged through the ranks in an attempt to exit the cave. He was quickly cut down, only the crown of bones remaining.
The crown was identified, and it did not appear to have any special properties except for being invulnerable to physical or magical attacks. It is unknown who Hector was, or why the crazed dwarf sought to return Goretongue to life. It is likewise unknown weather Goretongue is destroyed permanently or will surface to plague the dwarves again. Although many of the undead were indeed using Chaos Blade spells, the spell originally sought by Shalet does not seem to have been recovered.
The clans were grateful that the Ashbans helped defeat Goretongue. The assistance of the Ashbans helped to cement a working relationship that led to the possibility of peace in the region in the near future.
Since the adventurers of Ashbury journeyed to the future, many have taken a particular interest in the prophecy of the weapons the gnolls are gathering for their leader Gnashtooth. The hope is that by preventing him from obtaining this weapon, Gnashtooth will not be able to rally his fellow gnolls and will not be able to defeat the goblins and take back Trellheim. The future to which the adventurers traveled found gnolls as citizens because of this, and sarr as a monster race.
According to the gnoll’s prophecy, the completed weapon, made up of four other weapons merged into one, would eventually allow the gnolls to defeat the sarr of the kingdoms to the south of Ashbury.
The prophecy seemed to indicate that part of this weapon, a magical staff, would be found near the "spine of the earth." The gnoll expert Terrance Rigby and Sage’s Guildmaster Cedric Fruvous theorized that the spine of the earth may indicate the mountains.
With this in mind, many of Ashbury’s adventurers decided to keep their eyes and ears open while in the mountain kingdom of Dwarrenagor.
They quickly learned that a circle of power with a glowing staff in the center of it had been in the area as long as even the oldest dwarf could remember. Unable to enter or destroy the circle, the dwarves erected a building around it and placed a ritual similar to a Proscribe ritual that kept out all races except dwarves (though dwarves could recognize others into the building just like a Ward.)
While the adventurers were there they noticed a decided increase in gnoll activity in the area. Often times they attacked the adventurers, often without provocation, but the packs were each defeated.
Late Saturday night, a band of gnolls kidnapped a young dwarven girl. Baroness Talin and her courtiers Darlassia and Rorii attempted to foil the kidnapping, but they were bogged down by the attacking gnolls while others escaped with the girl. Soon after dispatching the gnolls covering the escape, the group attempted to track the gnolls, but was unable to locate the them or the girl. Fearing the gnolls would use the dwarven child to gain entrance into the Proscribed area containing the circle and staff, Lhasa Skamar and Kuwo Mushtee procured a ward for the building.
The next day the gnolls returned and attacked the tavern, cruelly dragging the dwarven girl around on a leash. The gnolls were led by a powerful necromancer, who had prepared to place the girl in a circle of power and use her as a hostage to acquire the staff.
Despite the strength of some of the gnolls, the Ashbans, thoroughly enraged at the abduction and treatment of the child, immediately attacked and were able to slay the creatures. One of the gnolls was Dominated and ordered to enter the Circle and retrieve the staff. The current whereabouts of the staff are unknown, but many are pleased that the gnolls were denied this weapon.
In two entirely separate incidents during the trade negotiations in Dwarrenagor, the citizens of Ashbury were faced with threats they were familiar with.
The Ashbans learned that for the previous couple of days, ogres would attack the city, claiming they were "teaching them a lesson" for attacking their caravans. The explanation later became clear. The Blackaxe clan of dwarves, famed for their skill and desire to raid towns and caravans, had been attacking Kanoredhil caravans bound for Imladar, and the mysterious elves sent the ogres in response.
Late in the evening Friday night, three Kanoredhil led two columns of ogres into the Mithril City in an attempt to lay waste to those that dared to attack them. When the local dwarves attempted to explain that the dwarves were of different clans, and that only the black bearded dwarves were attacking their caravans, they were dismissed and told that "all dwarves are the same."
Left with no option, the dwarves and Ashbans attacked the Kanoredhil and the ogres, slaying them to a man.
The second attack occurred on Saturday afternoon a group of gray goblins and undead under the banner of the Mastermind attacked the Mithril City. The Mastermind himself was not present, but his forces were still formidable.
Fully familiar with these creatures, the Ashbans defended the town, successfully slaying the goblins in spite of their strange abilities and (for goblins) advanced intelligence.
While in Dwarrenagor, some of Ashbury’s adventurers fell prey to a group of bandits that plagued the Mithril City. Among those so victimized was Braveroar Stonehammer, a native of Dwarrenagor who often adventures in Ashbury.
It seems that Braveroar was taking a carefree moment to sled in the snow when he was struck down by a mysterious brown bearded dwarf and relieved of his valuables. When he came to, Braveroar immediately began to attempt to find this mysterious dwarf. Early the next day the proprietor of the Waylaid Adventurer, Hrothgar Broadaxe, told Braveroar that he may have some idea of where the thief and his fellows stay.
Gathering Cuar, Ahoric, Aria Devonshire, and Scarn Whiteleaf, Braveroar led them to the building indicated by Hrothgar. After checking the entrances to the building for traps and finding none, the group entered. There they found several brown bearded dwarves sleeping. Braveroar quietly indicated which had robbed him, and Scarn administered a paralysis poison and the group dragged the dwarven thief back to town for punishment. On the way out, another of the dwarven thieves awakened and confronted the group, but while Aria kept him busy, Cuar knocked him unconscious with a blow to the head. The group did search the abode, but did not find any of the stolen goods.
Once back in town, the brown bearded dwarf admitted to robbing Braveroar. As punishment, Braveroar tattooed the dwarf’s chest, forever branding him a thief, and then let him go.
Unto the populace of Ashbury,
Duke Sir Frost Vardik will be arriving in Ashbury City upon the morn of April Fifth in the year Six Hundred and Three. His Grace will be holding court in the Dragon’s Flagon at the Tenth hour of the morning. All are welcome to petition His Grace at this time on any business they deem worthy of his attention. The court will last no longer than two hours.
All nobles of Ashbury that are in the capital city at that time are expected to attend His Grace. His Grace will hold private court with the nobles after his open court is concluded.
Sir Emerey Memminger, Ducal Seneschal
...
People of Ashbury:
I want to begin this by saying that I have been guilty of the stupidest, most hotheaded and ill thought out actions on the battlefield that have probably ever been committed. I’ve charged the enemy without support. I’ve circled around behind foes without knowing their strengths and found myself helpless and defeated. I’ve found myself frozen with indecision and missing valuable opportunities to take advantage of weak enemy positions.
I am not a general nor a strategist. However, I have some experience on the battlefield.
From the Fangthorn War and the Necropolis, to the more recent trouble with the Galanthians and minions of Panselore, the Mastermind and what all, if by nothing but the extent of my many mistakes and blunders I have gained the wisdom of experience.
Over the next year, we, the common adventurers of Ashbury, will be involved in conflicts that will require our strength, ingenuity and courage. But more than that, it will require our unity.
I have seen us at our strongest, when we as a people stood shoulder to shoulder and the enemy broke against our line. I have also seen us at our weakest, when the enemy charged that line and we broke like they weakest of reeds.
Let me tell you of what I’ve seen time and time again. Of those battles of the past when we have been gathered by our leaders and told of some great host come to burn, loot and kill our friends and families. And then the cliques are formed. Groups who have watched each other’s backs gather together and form their small little units. Its understandable of course, for in today’s society its hard to find those you trust enough to guard your back in a fight, to lift you up if you fall and stand by your side when the enemy charges. Still ... we as a people must do better than we have.
How many times in the dead of night have we looked around ourselves in the midst of battle and seen the enemy cut our little groups down one by one until none but the most powerful still stood, finding themselves so vastly outnumbered even they must retreat or die? How many times have we heard complaints of allies stepping over allies fallen on the ground in battle?
Is this our leader’s responsibility? Yes. But it is ours as well. In the end it is we commoners who will fight these battles. We must support our leaders, but we must also support ourselves. When they lead, we must follow as a united fist, not as a chaotic rabble.
Weeks ago in the northern dwarven lands, I witnessed a situation which illustrated that point. We found ourselves attacked by a powerful band of gnolls. As we fought on that icy day, I found myself making the same classic mistakes so many of us find ourselves committing. I was with a small group of three or four attempting to fight a like number of enemies. One by one, the gnoll band circled our small separated bands and eliminated us.
We fell because we did not work together.
One group still stood. As I lie there incapable of moving, with my blood darking the snow beneath me, I witnessed the Thorns in battle. They were surrounded while every other Ashban lay dead or dying, but they fought on. And they fought with unity. Healers in the center, fighters protecting them. Supporting one another as a team, a family. Do they have powerful members? Yes. But that’s not why they prevailed. Even Lord Du’Gual, as powerful as he is, goes down with death spell if he’s not ready. But if he did go down, then Lhasa would be at his shoulder to lend him aid and succor. When Baroness Glen had to step back to reload her bow, Lord Jonathan was there to parry the deathblow that could have ended her life. Scarn used opportunities to fell his enemies provided by the distractions lent by Gabriel and Kuwo.
They fought with heroism not heroics. With teamwork, not greedy opportunism. And they won the day, saving not only my life, but that of every other combatant that fell on the field during that cold afternoon.
To Baroness Glen and the Thorns, I would like to say thank you, but not just for getting my miserable hide out of the fire. That they have done time and time for countless others without asking for thanks (Nor receiving it, I might add). No, why I thank them is for setting an example.
I can already see the replies to this: "Well of course they still stood, look at how powerful they are." "Hey, if I had a magic weapon I could kick ass too." "Sorry I was too busy searching my kills to fight with anybody else."
That’s all rubbish. I’ve seen the same kind of results when I led the Star Brigade. We didn’t have a tenth of the amount of power that the Thorns wield. No magic weapons, no towering Earth columns. Just a lot of heart, courage and the willingness to work as a team. And we crushed our enemies and ground them into dust!
What we lack as adventurers right now is the willingness to band together fight like a team. All of our small groups banded together would be a force to be feared. Our enemies know this.
We are the sleeping giant, and we must wake up.
One day an enemy will come. He or she won’t need to be a genius of warfare. Just a fair amount of combat knowledge and an understanding of tactics. If we face that enemy as we are, we are dead! Be he Panselore, or the Mastermind, we must change.
Star
Public Notices
HEAR YE HEAR YE! The time for the Annual Tournament of Ashbury approaches once again! And again shall return the naming of The Duchess’s Champion! A Champion will be selected by Our Gracious Duchess! Competitors need not win the Tourney, but will be one who shows remarkable sportsmanship, courtesy, love of the game, and loyalty, in Her Grace’s name. Last year, the winner was Glantri - are you the next? The Champion recieves a favor and scroll from Duchess Dara herself. Do not miss the social event of the year! - A reminder from Her Grace, Duchess Dame Dara Vardik of Ashbury
VOLUNTEER! Any members of the Ducal forces or any adventurers are eligible to volunteer for a position amongst the decorated ranks of the Windwalkers. It is a dangerous and difficult task, and to qualify you must pass strenuous physical and mental tests, and show capable battle prowess. If you are interested, please contact Lieutenant Glantri.
TO ALL WHO VENTURED toDwarrenagor: It was interesting indeed to see how many acted in a foreign land while faced with many dillemas. The battle with Goretongue the Bellicose was especially revealing. I believe many true colors were shown. – Lord Find’rth T’Varian
DAGOREDHIL: I do hope the Winter left you well with its passing. May we see each other in the Spring. -Wenedhil
MANY THANKS to those who came to my aid in the Dwarven lands, when I was injured or dead. Your kindness will not be forgotten. - Baron Talin Gildenlily of Blythedale
LUUKIN fer Rask DurkMuun. He’s owr papadar. He’s kinda smal, tuff wit majeks, an wite. Witta blak muun on his fayse. Pees make him fine us.-Briqa an Braq
TEN GOLD REWARD for the capture of convicted Necromancer Bok’Rok, described as a high orc with one tusk, operating out of the Ashbury City area. See the Sheriff.
ARMOR AND WEAPONS made to order. Smithing for Nobles and Common alike! Place orders in the Tavern, ask for Llyweilun.
REWARD FOR INFORMATION. Help put criminals where they belong. All sources kept confidential, all rewards distributed quietly. You have my word as a noble to His Grace. See Sheriff Harrison for details. Reward relative to worth of information.
TO ONE AND ALL who came to Dwarrenagor, and helped keep evil at bay while my kin busily worked for peace, thank you. Without the skills of the land’s skilled adventurers, all would surely have been lost. These past few days have been incredibly happy ones for me. I cannot express how joyful I am, and I owe each and every one of you greatly. I hope one day I might be able to help all of you as much you have me. Thank you. - Braveroar Stonehammer