Anti-Icenian Cult Tries to Start a Rebellion;
“Butterfly” and Followers Thwarted by Heroes

With all the strange things in Ashbury, it might seem that a chaos rift, an evil Order Elemental, and a group of strung-out kids with questionable political goals are an almost inevitable part of a tournament weekend. And in fact, Ashbury acted with no particular alarm on Friday at either the small groups of protesters or at the Order Elemental who appeared to tell them that a rift was letting in undead just outside of Ashbury City.

The trouble began with a so-called “political activist” by the name of Rowan Butterfly (whose given name, sources reveal, was Ted). Rowan’s good looks and unerring ability to find mind-altering mushrooms assured him of a social position among the local wastrels, but he developed a political agenda when one of his friends was attacked by monsters inside the city.

Rowan believed that Duke Aramis and the adventurers of Ashbury City were attracting evil, because “wherever those people go, trouble follows.” Convinced that things would become worse when Ashbury came fully under the power of the Icenian nobility, Butterfly convinced a group of faithful followers to disrupt the government and disband adventuring groups, but, being generally lazy and incompetent, they were capable of only minor acts of vandalism and violence.

Things got more serious when an Order Elemental named Piper agreed to help Rowan with a necromantic ritual. According to Butterfly’s followers, the ritual was meant to be the highlight of an anti-governmental rally, and was supposed to raise the ghost of a dead woman named Tallaura; her case is a famous miscarriage of justice from Icenia’s past, and Rowan believed that her testimony would prove how awful it was to live under Icenian government.

Whether Piper botched the ritual or whether she meant to cause the chaos rift is unknown, but the ritual opened up a gateway which let through hundreds of ghosts of people who had been harmed by the ancient and unjust Icenian government. Delighted, Butterfly set about forming an army of undead to destroy the government he had tried (and failed) to harm by protesting.

Piper’s motives for helping Ashbury are unclear, but she arrived on Friday night.  She was introduced by the Order Elemental known as Taris who had helped Ashbury years before in closing the Chaos Rift that threatened the town. However, he left soon after introducing Piper, who told Shya Corak and Baron Jonathan about the chaos rift and the undead.

Piper claimed that she could offer limited help because her own magic would only worsen the chaos effects.

At the same time, adventurers were busy dealing with the more mundane effects of Butterfly’s agenda; several of his friends kidnapped Sir Eros as he returned home from sentencing Calis, but one of Eros’ escorts escaped and pointed the adventurers to a barn where Eros was being held. They found Butterfly’s human followers teamed up with undead that had already come through the rift. Eros was Imprisoned and was apparently being held for Butterfly’s arrival.

After supposedly checking with the rest of the Order Elementals, Piper returned the next day to tell the adventurers that they could close the rift by performing a symbolic ritual of order that would combat the chaos emanating from the rift.

Later that day, sentient undead who had left Butterfly’s army snuck into the city. They explained that the rift was on the site of an ancient and magical Icenian building, known as “the White,” which was capable of judging cases on its own. Something eventually went wrong with the building’s magic and it began to judge and execute people wrongfully. The ghosts, who had been unfairly sentenced and killed, were willing to give the adventurers pieces of the White if they would go into the past and right the wrongs that happened as a result of the building’s laws; if these pieces were used in the evening’s ritual, the seal on the rift would be stronger and more permanent.

Three of these pieces were obtained. A group consisting of Sareth El Noray, Taphus Azumandia, Ludo the half ogre, Gabriel, Ziggy, and Tarquin accompanied the first ghost into her past and tricked the town guard, preventing them from killing the ghost unfairly.

A second group made up of Parduc, Aldric, Dominick, Brice Longblade, Ikmoqs, and Paythin Alldrin broke into an artist’s workshop and took a painting to keep him from being executed for his treasonous artworks.

A third group consisting of Matthew Ravensong, Fim’bria, Perwin, Silent Aurac, Athgar, and Jessamy rescued a child who had been killed because the law said that orphans under working age were too expensive to keep alive at the government’s expense.

With three stones from the White and a practiced ritual, the adventurers were ready to close the rift on Saturday night.
When they arrived, however, they encountered Butterfly and his followers protecting the rift. A battle ensued, during which Ship, Bryce Longblade, Paythin, Taphus, Calis, Dominick, Onyx, and Shya Corak performed the ritual, believing that the battle would end when the rift was closed.

So few people trying to create order in the middle of a mass melee was not enough, however, and although the rift closed, the seal was not very strong.

The effects were not long in coming. The next morning, many adventurers found themselves acting strangely. Sage’s Guild member Cedric Fruvous was overheard arguing with Sir Polycarus, while at the other end of town, Black Unicorn member Cormac stood on the porch of the keep and shouted that everyone in Ashbury was a fool and each man could take care of himself without his help. Dame Azura lost her memory and could not recall basic facts. Books on law disappeared from the Sage’s Guild, and various townspeople suddenly felt dizzy and drunk.

Luckily, help was not long in coming; a Spinner whom the adventurers had helped last year revealed that the chaos had damaged the books which held Icenia’s past; in particular, judges were missing from the period just after the White was destroyed. The chaotic effects of the rift would lessen if the adventurers would step into the past and judge these cases; this would be a temporary patch until the Spinners could fix the problems.

Groups of citizens settled cases based on what the Spinner told them about the missing judges’ beliefs.

Afterwards, the chaos effects died down, and although a few tremors here and there could still be felt, everything returned to normal.

Butterfly was still unaccounted for, but showed up the next morning on the hillside just north of Ashbury with a large army of undead. Piper, too, appeared and fought on his side against the Ashbans.

Although the adventurers and nobles of Ashbury were able to quell this uprising, many of Butterfly’s followers are unaccounted for. Perhaps most disturbing, though, is our inability to account for the unlikely actions of the Order Elemental. Was she a true agent of Order gone wrong, or another creature in disguise?


Dark Elves Win 600 Tournament by Large Margin

The 600 Tournament was one of the best attended in recent memory, with seven teams participating. Competition was fierce and exciting, but in the end, the team called Shokan Ryujima, a team of dark elves, easily took first place.

Shokan Ryujima, led by Find’th T’Varian, also consisted of Jaquari Chiharu, Kestr'l T’Varian, Taji Shokuma, Trifineko K’Paxl, and Velvrin Wendela. They placed first in Riddles, The Race, The Spellcaster’s Battle,  and the Hunt.

In second place was the Black Unciorns, who participated for the third straight year. The Unicorn team consisted of Cormac, Faelyn, Johnny Falcon, Kiren Tobith, Saja, and Spartacus.

In third place was the Court of the Ash Forest, consisting of Baron Agnar Anti-tiburon, Auric, Draconius, Gage, Gilwing, and Luigi.

In fourth place was The Sage’s Guild with members Candalis, Cedric Fruvous, Diego Sabatini, Greywolf Everstar, Jessamy Vorik, and Parduc Negrie.

Fifth place went to the Keepers of the Way, a team which included Aldric Harrington, Bryce Longblade, Ludo, Sareth Elnoray, Taphis Zil’Azumandia, and Tarquin Tarpec.

Each competition in the Tournament is awarded points, from 5 for first place to 1 for fifth place. Under fifth place get no points.
The Tournament began with the Colors Competition, with all teams assembling on Gwendolyn’s Field. At the last minute, two other teams decided to participate — the Court of Nordenn and the Golden Skulls goblin tribe.

The goblins came as a bit of a surprise, but Sir Giff and his loyal “knights” were enthusiastic about participating, and His Grace allowed them to enter. The Golden Skulls, for those unaware, are a tribe which attempts in their limited understanding to follow the Code of Chivalry. Their cries of “ever vigilant!” were heard constantly through the weekend.

Colors was excellent, with all teams showing finery and presenting themselves regally to His Grace, and it was obvious that the decision making was difficult. In the end, Duke Aramis chose the Sage’s Guild as the best in this competition.

The members of the Guild team carried a banner and each wore a sash in a different language, representing the information available at the Guild. Each member then presented His Grace with a present from the culture that each language represented. However, this is the only competition in which the Sage’s Guild placed close to the top.

Second place went to the Black Unicorns and the dark elves took third. The Duke could not decide between Nordenn and the Ash Forest for 4th and 5th place, and so announced a tie, and the points were shared.

The next competition was Team Combat which was won by the Court of the Ash Forest. This consists of a battle of three fighters from each team competing against another team. Each team fights each other team at least once. There always seems to be some controversy here, and some observers boo’d the dark elves when they ganged up on individual members of their opposing team. “There is nothing inhonorable about that,” said Sir Eros, who managed much of the Tournament for His Grace. “It’s a team fight, not a series of one-on-one combats. As a team, you take advantages when they arise and work together to defeat your opponent.”

The Hunt list was handed out immediately after that competition, but the results of that would not be known until the very end of the Tournament.

The next competition was Riddles, held that night in the Dragon’s Flagon. There is a bit of luck involved in this competition, as the riddles are all arranged and read by Dimsdale in order, and some are admittedly harder than others. The Black Unicorns were especially hit hard in this competition, tying with the goblins for last place. First place went to Shokan Ryujima, followed by the Keepers of the Way and Nordenn.

The next day began with Nordenn announcing that they were dropping out of the Tournament, as they had been called to the front by Baron Olin and had to leave that night. They remained to help judge.

As the teams prepared for the Race, Shokan Ryujima was already almost four points ahead. The dark elves won this one as well,with the Black Unicorns a close second.

In the Spellcaster’s Battle, they also won, and the goblins showed a string second place win. Saja of the Black Unicorns pointed out that “the dark elf had one advantage on me: he could resist Sleep spells, and that turned the battle in his favor.”

The Black Unicorns rebounded in the Archery competition, as Faelynn carried the day without too much trouble. The dark elves came in second, and at this point were seven points ahead of their closest competitor.

That night, the Entertainment competition was held. All entries were good, but both the Unicorns and Ryujima were excellent. The Duke gathered some advisors and they voted, and the Black Unicorns won this by the slightest margin.

The Hero’s Battle was the next day, and this, like the other combat competition, was won by the Ash Forest.

The Hunt ended the Tournament as usual.  Shokan Ryujima won this as well, with a score of 59 in the Hunt. In second place was the Sage’s Guild with 39, followed by the Ash Forest with 38, the Black Unicorns with 34, and the Keepers of the Way with 28.

There were some difficult puzzles on this year’s Hunt list, and teams cooperated to share Hunt answers. Two of the hardest were anagrams. “The Duke’s Marigold Lounge” unscrambled into “Look under the Mage’s Guild” and “The Favorite Heroic Cycloid” became “Recite the Code of Chivalry.” Perhaps not surprisingly, the team that figured out the last one was the Golden Skulls, who recited the Code during their Entertainment entry, looking to the Magistrate (who was keeping the score for the Hunt) and saying “Did you get that?”

Other Hunt items could be figured out by listening to rumors that had been spread by actors hired for the Hunt, doing word search puzzles and seeing what items were missing from the search (and also seeing what the remaining letters spelled out), and organizing some random letters found hung around town.
 
 
 
Shokan Ryujima
Black Unicorns
Ash Forest
Sage's Guild
Keepers of the Way
Golden Skulls
Nordenn
Colors
3
4
1.5
5
0
0
1.5
Combat
4
3
5
1
0
0
2
Riddles
5
0
2
1
4
0
3
Race
5
4
3
2
1
0
 
Spellcasters
5
3
2
1
0
4
 
Archery
4
5
0
1
2
3
 
Entertainment
4
5
3
1
2
0
 
Hero's Battle
4
3
5
2
1
0
 
Hunt
5
2
3
4
1
0
 
TOTAL
39
29
24.5
18
11
7


The Battle Queen's Fate Discovered!

The Ashbury Sage’s Guild, most notably members Shya Corak and Cedric Fruvous, has been hard at work for the last year in an attempt to unlock the enigma of the Queen Sidraste Deeanan (pronounced SIH-DRAH-STAY DEE-AN-AN), the legendary ancient ruler of Icenia who had vanished suddenly a millennia ago and whose fate was never discovered.

It was foretold by the Virtuar that two special rulers, “The Sleeping Queen and King,” would one day be needed to restore and maintain the land’s magical and natural balance. Without this balance, life would begin to wane and eventually die. It is now known that Queen Sidraste is the “Sleeping Queen” and His Majesty King Gareth ap Moire was the “Sleeping King.”

It appears that Shya and Cedric have unraveled much of the enigma surrounding the disappearance of the “Lady Of Swords.” Apparently, Queen Sidraste somehow was trapped in the foul core of Amora Dun and has remained there for a thousand years or so. The Sage’s Guild has also discovered how to free Queen Sidraste and awaken her. It is said that the Queen’s legendary magical sword, Validus (pronounced VAL-EH-DUS), also missing since the Queen’s disappearance, is, literally, the key to freeing Her Majesty.

Citizens who wish to learn more about this important matter are urged to visit the Sage’s Guild in the ducal capitol of Ashbury.

Meanwhile, during the weekend of the Tournament, the Sage’s Guild discovered the location of the sword Validus. Shya and Cedric, through lengthy research and logical deduction, discovered that the Lady Of The Mists, our first friend and ally in the new world, knew of where the magical weapon lay. Guildmistress Zatarina assembled an adventuring party that also included Baron Jonathan Dragonhart of Blythedale, a young mystic wood elf adventurer named Skywolf, an unknown Orc who is a new adventurer and bodyguard of Zatarina. Borrowing the ducal artifact the Vessel Of Vapors, a gift to the duchy from the Lady Of The Mists which has the power to sometimes summon the Enchanted Mists, the group entered the swirling mists only to encounter the power of Amora Dun in their path...in the form of one of those hissing shades now so commonly seen throughout the kingdom. Unable to contend with the black spirit’s great powers, the Sage’s Guild returned from the mists and gathered the strength of the baronial courts present as well as every adventurer that could be found.

This mighty, eclectic band, led by the Ducal Warlord, Baron Agnar Anti-tiburon, entered the mists only to safely reemerge an hour later with no memory of what occurred.

Did the brave adventurers of Ashbury find the sword Validus? It is unknown at this time.



The History of the Battle Queen

By Guildsman Cedric Fruvous, Ashbury Sage’s Guild

It has come to the attention of the Sage’s Guild that few people in the kingdom understand the importance of getting the sword Validus and freeing Queen Sidraste from the depths of Amora Dun. As a result, Guildmistress Zatarina has asked me to explain it for the paper. What is recorded here is the result of over a year and a half of research by Guildmistress Shya Corak and over six months of research by me.

Countless millennia ago, two races of very powerful elementals existed. One of extreme benevolence and creativity called the Virtuar, and one of extreme evil and destruction called the Iniquitous.

For millenniums these two forces raged for control, but their power was too much for the world to handle. The friction of the two sides warring created a third race of powerful balance elementals called the Impartians, who saw the need for balance in the world. They created an army called the Temperate Sodality to weaken and bind both the Iniquitous and the Virtuar so their influence would be filtered into the world at a level that the world could handle. Each race was imprisoned beneath Tar N’Varia in separate enchanted lands.

The Virtuar were held within Amora Fortannis (which means “Heart of Fate”) and the Iniquitous were held within Amora Dun (which means “Heart of the Dark.”) The races still had creatures that served them on Tar N’Varia though, the Visitants were the soldiers for Iniquitous and the Etherians were the army for the Virtuar. From then on, every act of evil made the seals of Amora Dun weaker, and every act of good made the seals of Amora Fortannis weaker. It was theorized by ancient Icenian and Cuulanni scholars that if either side grew too strong the barrier holding them would crack.

For millions of years the situation remained thus, but the time came when a sacrifice was needed to keep the filters in place. To that end the Impartians decreed that a person of the purest good must be sacrificed to Amora Dun, while a person of the foulest evil must be imprisoned within Amora Fortannis. To accomplish this the foul and insane warrior Freejyn (founder of the Freejyn Horde) was imprisoned within Amora Fortannis while Queen Sidraste Deeanan was imprisoned within Amora Dun.

However, Amora Dun has now cracked, as the scholars of old suspected, the Iniquitous are free and have freed Freejyn from Amora Fortannis. The only way to balance this, and keep evil from engulfing the world (as well as the only way to cure King Gareth of the Monarch Malady according to the Etherians) is to free Queen Sidraste from Amora Dun.

Every piece of research that Shya and I have uncovered say that the sword Validus is the key to freeing her.

The sword Validus was created by the Lady of the Mists working with the Temperate Sodality and the Order of the Wyrm. This sword was imbued with mystical energy as well as part of the essence of Queen Aramantha Deeanan, the founder and first ruler of Icenia. This sword came to be wielded by all the queens of Icenia up to the disappearance of Queens Sidraste Deeanan (also known as the “Battle Queen” and the “Lady of Swords”) in the Icenian year 470, approximately 2,834 years ago.

Both Shya and I agree that when Sidraste was about to sacrifice herself to Amora Dun, the Lady of the Mists appeared to her to reclaim the sword until it was time for it to return to Tar N’Varia. We further suspect that only a woman can wield it. Indeed, no Deeanan King ever wielded the blade.

Recently, Ashbury traveled through the mists and one of Ashbury’s heroes (whose name is withheld so the forces of Amora Dun cannot hunt him or her down) was able to bond with the sword.

We hope to soon free Sidraste and the forces of Amora Fortannis will grow strong enough to force the balance of power back to a neutral point.

Despair not people of Icenia, there is hope yet!



Calis Obliterated

The treasonous Calis Blackheart, who stole the Vessel of Vapors and thus jeopardized all of Ashbury, returned to the city recently and turned himself in, stating that he has seen the damage wrought by Requin and wants no part of it.

After being sentenced by Lord, Magistrate Eros, Calis was Obliterated by Dimsdale’s magic jester cap — but Calis, being regenerated, merely rose back up again. Some citizens complained about this and stated that he had not been adequately punished, but His Grace replied that vengeance is not our way, and we should always encourage those who wish to redeem themselves.

Calis, who still wears the chaos symbol on his face and a tabard with the symbol for the “Knight of Darkness” (as he once called himself when he tride to encourage others to join in his treasonous actions), was seen traveling with the court of the Ash Forest.



An Open Letter From His Grace, Duke Aramis Llyrr of Ashbury, to Duchess Lilyth, deceased.

My Dearest Love,

From the first moment I saw you, that wondrous warm, nurturing fire called love flared for the first time in my heart. I knew that you had felt it as well, but we were still getting to know each other and there was so much conflict surrounding us, involving us...so much traumatic change for you that you had such a difficult time adjusting and were thus distant as a result. We never had an opportunity to see that love fully realized...and now we never shall. There are things I will never get to say to you, so I shall speak them here in this letter, before the good hearts of the people of Icenia, where I believe you now live.

My Lady,

What is a flower and all its colorful revels when compared to the beauty of your essence? All the roses of the world seem as wilted husks compared to the wonder of your lips blossoming in a smile.

And what need have I for the sun and all its golden glory when I have the brilliance of your eyes? What need for its heat when I have the fire of your touch to consume my body?

Let the sun, the stars and the moon burn out of existence and we shall not notice, for our passion shall set the whole of existence aflame till our love becomes the very stars present and future lovers shall wish upon...

Yes, Dear Lilyth, such I would have said to you if not for the foulest of actions made by the mad, rabid wolf, Count Requin Drager. My love, Count Requin, in his madness, believes that your death and the horrible means of its announcement would break my spirit and make me weak, thus cause me to be derelict in my duties as knight and duke.

Oh, My Love, how very, very wrong Requin is in this belief.

For such a man as Requin is empty shell, forged without the temperament of compassion and without the strength of love.

Therefore he does not know love’s great, inspiring power. He does not know that, though you are dead, My Dear Lilyth, I still carry you in my heart and I can still see that wondrous, royal steel in your spirit.

I can hear how you would never allow me to give up and grow weak. My Lady, from beyond the threshold of death, I hear the song of your love and it has sparked such a conflagration of courage and determination in my spirit.

In fact, My Love, by making it so personal, Requin has made my determination now a two-edged sword; upon that love to you, Lilyth, that I hold sacred, I, Aramis Llyrr, man and husband vow to fulfill the permanent death of Requin Drager. Upon my sense of duty, my dedication to the cause of justice and my love of the people, I, Aramis Llyrr, knight and duke, do vow to see my people safe and the machinations of Requin defeated.

My Lady, Requin can call upon and command all the powers of Amora Dun if he wishes. He will see the futility of such corruption before the utter and insurmountable determination of a good heart.

My Dear Lilyth, I am sorry for the time never granted us that would have seen our love truly blossom, but I am immensely grateful for whatever time the fates have allowed me to spend with you.

Lilyth, lovely lady of Icenia, how your absence fills the empty halls of my manor house.

I love you, My Lady.

In Truth, In Honor, In Love,

Duke Aramis Llyrr



Freejyn Horde Attack

The Freejyn Horde has been launching major attacks, including ones on the capital city, as apparent victory celebrations. Stating that they have the “Key of Fate,” these vile beings have left much blood in their wake.

The Key of Fate was retrieved by Ashbans over a month ago (see last month’s Ashbury Times); however, no one is quite certain what happened to it after it was turned over to the Etherians.

Many observers believe that the Freejyn Horde is lying about the Key of Fate, and certainly no Etherian has spoken to the Ashbury Times about it. 



Icenian Mage's Tower in Nordenn Restored

by Apprentice Cedric Fruvous

An Icenian man recently entered the Ashbury city Mage’s Guild seeking to research and possibly sell a component, then began complaining about the long walk he had to make.

Apparently, he only knew of a few Mage’s Guilds that were Icenian and were up and running. The last one he went to, located within what is now Shadowkeep, had a slight undead infestation.

When asked why he didn’t stop elsewhere to find services, he began saying how he didn’t trust the Ashban Mage’s Guilds. In fact, when he found Senior Guildsman Saja, who led him to the Guild, he was quite upset at the site our Guild. He thought he would find a tower that he claims existed exactly where our Guild is located today. He was upset to learn that we were not Icenian mages, but he was glad to see that we possessed a mirror that he remembers from days of old.

After he told the mages of the tower’s location in Shadowkeep (and after our business with him was completed), Senior Guildsman Saja, the Black Unicorns, and I traveled through the magical mirror inside the Midnight Guildhall and found ourselves outside Shadowkeep in Nordenn. In the distance, we gazed at the Icenian Mage’s Guild tower located there.

We quickly encountered a guardsman from town who said that every time they tried to get to the Guild, they were beaten back by undead and that he and his companions had just made an attempt but that he was the only survivor. He returned to town to see his friends resurrect and we proceeded on.

We were soon attacked by undead (led by a large rotting undead worm.) The fighting was very fierce, but we were able to defeat them and make our way to the tower. Once we got to the door we found it Warded. We were met by Senior Guildsman (and now I suppose Guildmaster) Tsuviel.

It turns out that he was casting a ritual when the Curse of Glantri hit. Through what must have been some sort of fluke, he became some sort of intangible specter. He wasn’t really undead, but he did not age and was not truly living either. He watched his friends (who were outside the circle for safety’s sake during the ritual) become cursed and turn into the blue, translucent creatures the Icenians were when we first arrived on this world.

He had been stuck in that state ever since. He also mentioned that he has spoken with members of the court of the Ash Forest in Shadowkeep at the 599 New Year.

Saja introduced us, and explained the current state of Icenia’s Mage’s Guilds and told him that we were there to erect the mirror and link Ashbury’s Guild to his.

He agreed and let us in. Saja performed the ritual flawlessly and the shard from our Guild grew into the mirror now located at his Guild. As soon as it did, Tsuviel immediately collapsed. We healed him up and he was returned to a normal human.

All of the ritual scrolls and components that were also in a ghost-like state with him were lost though, leaving his Guild without any resources of any kind.

He thanked us profusely for saving him from his cursed existence and then we entered the mirror to return to Ashbury.



Mage's Guild Report

The Guild would like to congratulate Apprentice Cedric Fruvous and Senior Guildsman Saja on the accomplishment mentioned in the accompanying article. With this, we grow ever closer to restoring our kingdom to its former glory.
Let it be known that Apprentice Cedric has achieved Guildsman status. May the stars guide you on your journey.
We are always looking to buy components and ritual scrolls. Please seek Saja or Rasq or myself during hours of Guild operation.

Ducal Mage Tiriflorn MacMannon
Master of Elements
Warlock of the Four Winds



Letters

Good People Of Ashbury,

I call upon all those of good heart, with the fire of bright courage in their spirits to lend our much-needed assistance to our sister-duchies...whom even now struggle, as we have, to rebuild and secure themselves against oppression and oblivion....as well as our new kingdom.

My people, as you are well aware, we have been set upon by many great forces...forces that have either sought to oppress us or destroy our way of life. So far, at great cost to life, limb and spirit, we have prevailed. But our armies, while brave and able soldiers, were never meant to stand against the forces of entire empires and colossal hordes that outnumber them twenty to one. Yet our soldiers have! But they grow weary, the ducal resources drained at an alarming rate.

We need to unify ourselves as a kingdom. We need to nurture it and help it grow to a maturity. Only then can our exhausted defenders be relieved and reinforced. Only then can we take the battle to our foes and drive them from our lands.

If we fail to build and support our kingdom, I promise you that all we love and cherish shall be doomed.

I have said long ago and I will say it here again: Together we are an insurmountable force against tyranny, divided we are an undisciplined mass to be herded by the whims of any conqueror.

Therefore, I invoke and call upon the legendary courage and fighting spirit of the adventurers of Ashbury to lend their efforts to supporting our sister-duchies as well as the Kingdom's new Expeditionary Force.

Let us stand together as we have always done and shout our collective defiance into the face of all those who would subdue us.

In Truth, In Honor,
Duke Aramis Llyrr
 

People of Ashbury:

The news reached my ears and I was appalled and then I became angry. The actions of this traitor Count Requin, this vile villain, this slayer of hearts, I cannot think I have known no person more evil ever in my time in Ashbury. I call all the citizenry of Ashbury to focus our attentions to removing this stain from the history of of our lands.

This man, if he can even be called that, is not worthy to walk our lands or even share the very air we breathe. To hurt someone as gentle and as caring as our beloved Duchess Lilith makes be boil over in rage. I will always remember her as beautiful as she was on the day she married my liege and my friend Duke Aramis. As a member of their ceremonial party on the day they wed, as Baron of Blythedale, as servant to liege, and as friend and soldier, I hereby swear this: That I will plunge my sword deep into Requin Drager’s heart, if he has one, as much as he surely drove one into the heart of our Duke Aramis.

Vengeance for Lilith,

One Sword to Keep Others in Their Sheathes,

Baron Jonathan Lornlyn Dragonheart
 

Requin Drager:

You have betrayed us, assaulted us, and defamed us, but never have your actions been so base and vile as now. You are nothing but a common murderer. Armies may clash, but this has trancended the Arts of War and is nothing but a personal attack upon someone who will always be a better soul than you could ever be.

You speak of Tyrra, your birthright, our homeland, but you lay with the Iniquitous like a common whore. What will you do when your shadowy madam finds someone new? Turn not to us for salvation, for you will only find contempt, vengeance, and certain and final death.

With Venom and Spite,

Squire Malfalin Brightflame



News From Around the Duchy

Elindil:  An outbreak of a new strain of rabies was contained by swift action by the Amani Rangers. Oddly enough, the disease only seemed to affect small woodland creatures.

Goldstone:  The Forderick Fists defeated a large group of Requin’s Maulers who attempted to raid a supply caravan.  It is said that Count Requin has placed a bounty of 20 Gold Crowns on the head of Comet Beukeboom and Claude LaRoche, the leaders of the band.

Grimsby: A domestic dispute between two celestial magi resulted in the destruction of two houses and a tavern.

Leicester: Two slighty unusual minstrels, Flansburgh and Linell, have set up camp in the Possible Goliath Tavern. The halls has been filled with fans of their offbeat music.

Oldtown: Recent burglaries in the area have been blamed on Luvo Piper due to a calling card left behind; however, observers point out that such thefts are not his style.

Tenebrous:  A bizarre sinkhole destroyed a farm belonging to a family of four. Tunnels underneath the ground speak to some unknown creature, but to dat no beast has been seen.

Vorak’s Peak:  Miners have discovered a small network of rooms and hallways in the mountain. Mysteriously, they have no apparent enterance or exit, and were discovered accidentally while digging a new tunnel.



Astrological Forecast

The Wane of Hawk brings us to a cusp between the dominance of Air and that of Chaos; in the Year of the Arbalest, this cannot portend peace and tranquility for Ashbans. The power of flux, chaotic change, destruction and confusion will be at their peak, under the guidance of the constellation who brings death with his arrows on behalf of the highest bidder. The Shadow-Twin gives way quickly (and thankfully, unlike last year) to the Moon, that most changeable of bodies: normally, her appearance amplifies the effect of this month's Chaos, but at the Wane of Hawk and Wax of Serpent she is, fortuitously, in her final quarter and thus less likely to play a part.

The Serpent brings unexpected change, just as in its life-cycle it moves from a ground crawler to a water-skimmer, and finally molts to a winged form and flings itself across the sky. Be wary of the possibility of sudden change among your human allies: like the Arbalest, they may prove mercenary and change sides. As always, if there is hope in this chaotic time it is in the opportunity that Chaos brings: your enemies, though exulting in their power, may make mistakes they do not foresee, and therein will be a chance for those not faint of heart to improve their fortune.



Adventuring Groups Honored

This month: The Company of the Black Unicorn; Chartered 598.

Perhaps the most famed of thechartered companies, the Company of the Black Unicorn has served the Duchy of Ashbury honorably and with distinction. They typically operate out of the Ashbury City Area, and few things occur in Ashbury that at least one member of the Company does not get involved with the solution. Devoted followers of His Grace, their leader Johnny Falcon has worked hard to return the Black Unicorns to their glory.  Their deeds are too many to list in  this short article.


A Little Birdie Told Me

by Sue D’Onym

Thanks to all who have submitted information to me this month. I am sure there is even more gossip out there that should be shared, but little old me cannot be everywhere and I need your contributions! I won’t reveal my sources, so send in those cards and letters!

A young lad named Par go into some trouble recently by grabbing the horns of a Mystic Wood Elf named Phoenix. Zatarina was soon seen giving him a stern talking to.

Cedric Fruvous got quite a few dirty looks for his team’s top ten list entitled “Top ten reasons Calis really came back into town.” At least he went over to shake hands with Calis afterwards to show that it was all in  good fun. Bets were soon made on how many times he would resurrect in the next year...

Speaking of Calis, he and Gilwing were seen recently spending almost an hour in the woods talking with an Iniquitous. No one knows what was said, but when a group led by Shya Corak entered the mists to retrieve the Sword Validus later that night they were blocked by an Iniquitous who knew they were coming. Piffel, the Lady of the Mists’ assistant, said it wasn’t there until a moment before they arrived. Coincidence? (Oh, and Calis, when you offer to trade something to someone from the Sage’s Guild in exchange for some wine, you probably shouldn’t offer a necklace that had been stolen from the Sage’s Guild a few months earlier.)

Diego recently eloquently proposed to Candalis, on his knees, then mysteriously left — no doubt to “work” on acquiring the gilded varda and stallion for her. No worry, it seems that Storm was more than eager to keep her company — is Candalis in the market for more than one stallion? (And speaking of eloquence, it seems many were taken with the newest man about town calling himself Sareth.)

Rich merchant Susan Stormholm, who was once romantically linked to Baron Jonathan, was arrested by Sir Eros and tried by Squire Scarn. She apparently had stolen items from the Bardic College. “I merely took back what they had stolen years before” was her inadequate defense. Baron Jonathan watched from afar and did not come forward to vouch for her or to testify in her behalf and she was found guilty and heavily fined. She was later seen spending a lot of time with Parduc.

Don’t tell any mystic wood elves, but Parduc was seen dominating Tarquin after Tarquin tried to “mint” Ikmoqs as a joke. It was explained to Tarquin that minting a gorbe is taking their free will away, so Parduc took Tarquin’s away (but but gave no commands).

Speaking of sarr, Saja was instrumental in the fight against Piper, imprisoning her as the battle looked lost. “I delivered a killing blow with Agnar’s magic sword,” he said, “but right before that someone from the Sage’s Guild was yelling not to kill her ‘cause they wanted her alive for some reason. I looked at Agnar and killed her anyway because when the Sage’s Guild gets information, doesn’t mean that they share it with the rest of the town.” Gee Saja, when you get treasure, do you share it with the rest of the town?

Baron Agnar meanwhile met with a member of the Gurahl tribe, who talked about FOIL being up to no good. The good Baron didn’t seem too concerned when he heard the Kiergani “might start to take matters into their own hands.”

Sir Dugal spent much time talking to Duke Aramis recently complaining about Dame Azura being too friendly with the Ash Forest. I don’t think it’s an understatement to say that Nordenn didn’t make many friends at the Tournament

Well, that is all for this month. Until next time, remember — If you can’t say something nice about someone, come sit by me.


Public Notices

HEAR YE ALL ABLE-BODIED ADVENTURERS! His Highness King Gareth Ap Moire and His Grace Duke Colin Hendry do hereby summon all those seeking glory and honor in combat against the Freejyn Horde to join the Royal Ashbury Expeditionary Force to Reclaim Falkirk. On the last day of the month, the Expeditionary Force will gather in Deeananburg, in the Ducal Feifs of Falkirk. For Falkirk! For Ashbury! For Icenia!

ATTENTION CITIZENS of Ashbury: The town guard is looking for a few good people to join our ranks. If you are interested in bringing justice to the unjust, then see either Sir Morgasander, Guardsman Hawkwood, or Glorianna

PERWIN’S DELICIOUS BAKED GOODS! Baked goods almost always available when I’m in town, like my famous baklava, but you can always stop by my bakery in South Point for fresh treats. I also take special orders, just contact me for details. –  Perwin the Baker

REWARD FOR INFORMATION. Help put criminals where they belong. All sources kept confidential. See Lord Magistrate Eros. Reward relative to worth of information.

CALIS: Thanks for being a good sport. – Sage’s Guild

KAZZ’D KARR: Our meeting was far too short. My family’s invitation still stands, and I will await your correspondence. Honorably, Seneschal Inari T’Varian of the Shokan Ryujima.

I HAVE BEEN CHARGED with creating as thorough and neutral a text as possible on the history of the Biata. Anyone with knowldge of or involved in Biata history in any time period please contact me and tell me your story. – Cedric Fruvous, Biata Emissary

I AM LOOKING FOR the following scrolls: Damage aura, permanence, and 2 major channels, cloak binding. All celestial. I am looking for the following components: 2 Channels, celestial; 2 rare celestials for secondary use. I have the following to trade: 1 celestial transfer primary; 1 celestial permanence primary; Gold;  Magic items. Please contact me if you wish to trade. – Find’rth T’Varian

LOOKING TO PURCHASE Ritual scrolls, Components and Magick Items of all kinds. See Parduc

SIR POLYCARUS: Thank you for your understanding and patience, the respect of the Paladins is very important to me, and I am deeply sorry.  – Cedric

TO SQUIRE SCARN AND SIR DUGAL: Thank you for watching me and Merrek’s back during the mysterious town disappearance; such acts of chilvary will not be soon forgotten. – Trife

THANK YOU BLACK UNICORNS for all the support and respect you have shown me.  Though it was tough at first, I truly feel like I am one of the team. – SkyWolf

DARK ELVES BEWARE: You may have killed me once, but I shall return to make more black boots.

REWARD: 100 GOLD CROWNS for the capture of the hobling bandit known as Luvo Piper. Let us return law and order to the Duchy. – Sponsored by the Ashbury Merchants Conglomerate

LOOKING for the Tail of a Comet. It is the primary for Celestial Regeneration. I have the Earth Regeneration Primary to trade for it or other things if you are interested. Please let me know as soon as possible. –  Luigi

WE ARE VERY SORRY that we did not get to interview everyone who wanted to join the Sage’s Guild recently. From now on interviews can be made by appointment from 9-12 each night. – Ashbury Sage’s Guild

JOIN F.O.I.L.! (Free Our contamInated Land). AElves of Ashbury, band together to rid society of the menace of the savage Wild Elves! Ward the Wold! Join the society of freethinking, civilized beings who will work to effect a better culture, unfettered by adulteration and horrid admixture. Send your names, requests for membership cards, contributions and letters of support to: Teril Belayson, President and Treasurer, Belayson’s Honey Farm, Elindil, Ash Forest.

GAGE: Thanks for your help. I’ll see if I can get that friend of mine to contact you as promised.

LOOKING FOR BULLYWUG COMPONENT. A Kingdom is at stake. Reward. See Saja

THE BARDIC COLLEGE is currently accepting applications for the upcoming academic year. Please contact Regent Kirsten of the Bardic College or see a member of the Sage’s Guild for more information.

EXPERIENCED NAVIGATOR with ship looking to hire out for Business expoditions. Contact Parduc Negrie

LOOKING FOR scrolls for Regenerate and Permanence. Will trade or pay gold. Contact Seneschal Inari T’Varian of the Shokan Ryujima.

NIGHTWOLF: Worry not, child. I will return soon. – L.

DUNKLEBURGER’S WILDERNESS OUTFITTERS is having a Summer Clothing Sale! Prices slashed to skeletal skinniness! Need a new pair of striped woolen short pants? We got ‘em! Looking for that perfect cloak to hide your pink tabard? No problem! Seeking a nightdress to impress that horned friend of yours in Nordenn? Take a look at our selection! Deals on socks, handkerchiefs and more! But hurry: One Day Only! Sale special: Resurrect in the Woodwash Guild on Sale Day, and receive a free pair of knickers! (Limit one per customer, one size fits most Barbarians). So drag your weak little girlyman (or wuman) body from your bed and get Outfitted!!! (Dunkleburger’s Wilderness Outfitters owned, managed and operated by Hammer, Dieter, Elsa, and Helmut Dunkleburger)

SHYA: If you’d helped me, I would’ve gotten that Baron for you. Keep it in mind.  – Piper

MISSIN: wOn BRudDr naEmD BrAq. LuKs liEk A biGgEr mE. pLeEEz rEetErn tO BRiQa. TaNks bErRy mUsH – BRiQa