Ash Forest Wins Annual Tournament;

Chessmaster Enters Team

 

 

The barony of the Ash Forest beat all expectations, surprised all betters, and easily won the 604 Annual Ducal Tournament.

The team, which was sponsored by Baroness Glenduria Manyave, consisted of Mithglin Esgalithil, Roriiathanderhil Colaenlothrodarhil, Daralassia Fairseer, Cedric Fruvous, Madeline Thimblefoot, and Koshinara Theon.

“There are no words to say how proud I am of my barony,” said the Baroness. “We went into the tournament hoping that we could possibly make third or fourth.”

The team has already started to use the money collected as the reward for purchasing potions, scrolls, and other supplies to be distributed to newer adventurers in need.

In second place, five points behind, was the Black Forest, who semi-sponsored three teams this year. Close behind them was a team calling itself Lawgiver, led by Squire Glorianna,  which was primarily composed of members of the court of Nordenn.

The Tournament began as usual with the Colors competition. Everyone was surprised to see that there were more teams participating than had ever done so since the Tournaments were established by Duchess Mara.

An even greater surprise was the appearance of the dragon mage known as the Chessmaster, who had brought with him a number of chesspiece golems he had created to enter in the event.

The Chessmaster is known as an egotistical meglamaniac who generally forces Ashbury to play his games against their will. He paints his face in a checkerboard pattern and shows no patience for anyone who crosses him. However, he was (for him) fairly cordial and deferential throughout the proceedings, despite once throwng a death spell at Paythin when he thought Paythin was not showing the proper respect.

The Chessmaster continually kept referring to himself as a friend of Ashbury and hinted that since he had done so much for Ashbury over the years that certainly Ashbury would return the favor to him when he needed it. Everyone was on pins and needles expecting that favor to be “requested” at the conclusion of the Tournament but none came, and now speculation is running as to what it could be and when it might come.

The Ash Forest won the Colors Competition, followed by Lawgiver, a group calling itself the “Ladies of the Spiderwood Fauna”, led by Kheritana, and another called “Bryan’s Star” named after heroic Duke Bryan Nordenn and led by Ezri.  The Chessmaster placed last, which prompted him to scream in anger for a minute and then compose himself and thank Ashbury for that honor.

The chart below shows the points each team received for each competition. A first place win was worth 5 points, second was worth 4, and so on.

The next competition was the Battle, in which three fighters from a team face off against three from another.  Because each team gets to fight against each other at least once (more if there are tie breakers), there were many battles. Not surprisingly, the Black Forest won this, followed by Glory Road, Blythedale, and the Ash Forest. 

The Hunt list was then handed out, and the teams ran around trying to figure out what they needed and trying to turn them in first.  At this point, the Ahs Forest was in first place with 7 points, followed by a tie at second between the Black Forest and Lawgiver with 5 points each.

The Spellcaster’s Competition was held after dinner so that the spellcasters had all their spells at hand.  The Chessmaster was frustrated that he could not use his dragon magic power or any of his magical defenses, but played by the rules.  The three teams associated with the Black Forest cooperated and made sure they were the last teams standing, and as such, Luigie of the Black Forest won this followed by Glory Road and Spiderwood Fauna. Some observers thought that this sort of cooperation was against the spirit of the competition, but since it was not against the rules, no one could legitimately do anything about it.

At the end of this competition, the Black Forest was ahead by one point.

Next came Entertainment. When the Ash Forest performed their very serious story about the origin of Sil-Galad, everyone was certain that this would win. However, the gypsies of Lawgiver performed a wonderful song that had everyone in the audience laughing and singing along, there was no longer a question. Although it was obvious more work had been done for the Ash Forest play, the song certainly was more entertaining, and that’s the name of the competition after all.

The three Black Forest-associated teams all did humorous sketches which relied heavily on inside jokes, and as such they did not score too highly with His Grace. Bryan’s Star did a fine humorous sketch based on the three little pigs. Blythedale, for some reason, did not enter this competition.

Next came Riddles. Everyone expected the Chessmaster to win this, and certainly whenever a riddle came to him, he answered it bruskly and dismissively as if it were beneath him to even have to think about the answer. However, one riddle caused a problem. The riddle was  “What is boiled then cooled, sweetened then soured?”  The Chessmaster said “hot tea with lemon” but it was declared wrong. “Oh all right, cold tea with lemon then. You heat it, you add ice, you add sugar and then you add lemon.”  He got very upset when he was still ruled wrong, claiming that it obvious he knew the answer so should be given credit, and after much fuming, decided this was not worth his time and rifted out, leaving his chess golems to compete for him.

The next riddle that came to them was answered “Pawn takes King’s Rook” which was of course wrong. After that, they were asked the riddle “What can you sit on, sleep on, and brush your teeth with?” and answered “The Queen.” (The correct answer, as supplied by Lawgiver, was “A chair, a bed, and a toothbrush.”)

Riddles was eventually won by Lawgiver, followed by the Chessmaster and the Ash Forest.

As the teams rested for the night to prepare for the second day of the Tournament, Lawgiver, thanks to their two wins, had moved up to tie the Ash Forest for first place with 16 points each. The Black Forest was third with 12 and the rest were all in the single digits.

The Race began the second day’s events.  The Chessmaster’s team was doing fairly well until the Chessmaster realized that he had placed a knight in the final position, who could only move by taking two steps ahead followed by one to the side. The Race was won by Lawgiver, giving them three wins in a row, followed by the Black Forest and the Ash Forest. Lawgiver was now in first place.

Archery was next.  There was no contest here, as the elven archer Mithglin of the Ash Forest hit an amazing number of bulls eyes and got the highest score in Archery ever for any Tournament. The blacksmith Lweilyun is making him a strengthened silver bow as a trophy of this honor.

Far behind were Sir Du’Gual of Blythedale and in third place was one of the Chessmaster’s chess pieces, which surprised many. This competition pushed the Ash Forest back into first place with 24 points. Lawgiver did not even place 5th in this competition, which knocked them back down to second place overall with 21 points. The Black Forest was third with 18 points.

The Hero’s Battle was next and, for the third (or is it fourth?) year in a row, this was won by Sparticous who was fighting for the Blythedale team. In second place was the Black Forest, followed by Glory Road.

The Hunt was next, and all teams turned in their superlative items. One item, the Best Poem About Her Grace, produced many tears of memory for the beloved Duchess Dara, and His Grace, with a tear in his eye, stated that he appreciated all the entries but would not assume to judge and no points were awarded for that item.

The Top Ten list was won, surprisingly enough, by the Chessmaster whose Top Ten List is included here.

The Hunt was won by the Ash Forest, but they were so far ahead by that point, they could have come in fourth and still won the Tournament.

Duke Frost thanked all of the participants in this year’s Tournament and commented on how well everyone had behaved, in stark contrast to last year’s. He said he was proud of everyone and proud to be an Ashban, and there was much celebration.

 

 

Ash Forest

Black Forest

Lawgiver

Blythedale

Glory Road

Spiderwood Fauna

Chess- Master

Bryan’s Star

Colors

5

0

4

1

0

3

0

2

Battle

2

5

1

3

4

0

0

0

Spellcaster’s

2

5

1

0

4

3

0

0

Entertainment

4

1

5

0

0

2

0

3

Riddles

3

1

5

2

0

0

4

0

Race

3

4

5

0

1

0

0

2

Archery

5

2

0

4

1

0

3

0

Hero’s Battle

2

4

0

5

3

1

0

0

The Hunt

5

4

2

3

0

0

1

0

TOTAL

31

26

23

18

13

9

8

7

 

 

Top Ten Things You Don’t Want to Hear When you Resurrect

by the Chessmaster

10.  “Prepare to Die!”

9. “Gee, I hope the amnesia worked.”

8.  “Was he missing an arm before?”

7.  “Put him in the pile with the other ones, the Dark Lord will eat him later.”

6. “Gee, it must be cold out.”

5.  “I hope I can do this resurrection while under the effects of a Hallucinate. Look! A Dragon!” (throws spells at body)

4.  “Report to Sir Eros for the second phase of your sentence.”

3.  “Instead of guiding you though your resurrection like I normally would do, tonight I’m going to perform a medely of popular show tunes!”

2.      “Hi, I’m the Registrar, welcome to the Graveyard of the Four Winds.”

1.  “This is what happens when you piss off a dragon mage.”


Plane Touched Attack Ashbury City

 

The dreaded Plane Touched, led by the One, interrupted his Grace’s annual Tournament during the archery competition. Over the sounds of revelry, camaraderie and good sportsmanship, the all too familiar chant of “Hail and Kill!” was heard. Within a few moments, a spellcaster amongst the Plane Touched cast a spellcrafted limited Circle of Power while the rest attacked. Apparently, the Plane Touched, though originally thought of as the Freejyn Horde returned, are very different from the Horde, and much deadlier.

The battle was fierce but short. The gathered Ashbans and visitors quickly gained the upper hand and defeated the Plane Touched. His Grace was seen furiously attacking the One in what some are saying appeared to be a mad fury. The term The Battle of Frost’s Rage was heard several times in the retelling of the fight. His Grace even invoked the power of the Land Bond. And though its effects have yet to be measured, initial intelligence reports suggest that the Plane Touched have now lost the ability to resist elemental magics cast upon them. 

After the battle had been won, Duke Sir Frost was seen speaking alone with Sir Jonathan Dragonhart. The matters that they discussed seemed private. 

In other Plane Touched reports:  In what appears to have been a desperate move, an unaffiliated large armed force of biata was seen entering the Planes of Rage. Very little is known, but it is suspected that the force was led by the enigmatic biata known as Brendon. Just scant weeks later, attacks on Bloodstone and Hopewell resumed with a renewed vigor with the One boasting of a complete slaughter in the Planes. “If that is the best you have to offer, this should be over quickly.” he was heard to say. 

Overall it seems the Plane Touched attacks are coming with less and less frequency; the Duke’s Forces, mostly human, repel the bulk of the attacks and suffer the bulk of the casualties whenever the Plane Touched attack. 


Dwarven Civilization Discovered, Curse Lifted

 

The recently uncovered ruins were revisited last month, on the eve before this year’s Ducal Tournament. The expedition was at the request of King Kelanor of Trollsgate, and was led by Braveroar Stonehammer of Clan Whiterock. This time adventurers delved further underground, and discovered that the previous discovery was only a part of a much larger city called Stonehollow. According to adventurers’ reports, the city appeared abandoned for hundreds of years. 

The exploring adventurers encountered more of the dwarven creatures, cursed beings that were dubbed “shadow dwarves.” As the adventurers traveled building to building, the shadow dwarves would rise from their homes or shops and attack. Finally, the adventurers made their way to a large hall, where numerous shadow dwarves assailed them. It was in this hall where the kiergani Redcloud first found the Vessel of Light, and upon touching it caused hundreds of shadow dwarves to swarm the adventurers from all sides.

Barely able to escape with their lives, the Vessel was left behind. The shadow dwarves pursued the adventurers to the surface, and attacked Ashbury City. During the attacks, they were heard to demand the return of the Vessel. 

At the combat event of the tournament, interim Dean Calwan Graem met with Braveroar and discussed the events of the night before. The Dean appeared quite intrigued by the underground city, and the connection the shadow dwarves had with this mysterious vessel. “We talked at some length about a strategy for another venture into the dwarven city, and how to avoid another attack from the dwarves if possible. I suggested multiple teams to more quickly cover the area of the city, but it was Braveroar’s idea to avoid the hall containing the Vessel and seek out a Record Hall or other repository of knowledge,” Dean Calwan told the Ashbury Times.

Dean Calwan led two exploratory teams back to Stonehollow, consisting of members of the court of the Ash Forest and the Black Forest Mercenary Company. Each team covered a different quarter before meeting up outside the city’s entrance. Both groups found fragments of a stone tablet scattered all across the city. Pieced together, they detailed a means to relight the dwarven vessel. A third group of adventurers, also accompanied by Dean Calwan, were able to retrieve the vessel in a quick raid and escape the dwarven city.

Following the instructions on the stone tablet, the vessel was relit through the casting of fifty light and endow spells cast over a period of two days. Each night, Ashbury was again besieged by these shadow dwarves who demanded the return of their vessel. All attempts to reason with these beings were met with hostility. On the third night of the dwarven attacks, Braveroar held the lit vessel and offered it to the dwarves, but they seemed to have been repelled by the vessel, and they continued their attacks. During the ensuing battle, a small group of adventurers led by Braveroar and Sparticous of the Black Unicorns took the vessel and ran toward Stonehollow. 

When they entered the city with the Vessel of Light, all of the shadow dwarves attacking Ashbury vanished, returning instantly to their city to assault the encroaching adventurers. Another larger group of adventurers also left for Stonehollow, about fifteen minutes behind the first. The two groups of adventurers met up outside the hall that housed the Vessel, and Braveroar one again led the charge as they battled the endless waves of dwarves. Shunned by the light of the Vessel, the shadow dwarves could do little to prevent Braveroar from returning it to its proper resting place.

Once restored a brilliant flash of light, as bright as the noonday sun, erupted from the vessel. As the light washed over the shadow dwarves, they were restored to a normal life. The dwarves were highly confused, and seemed to have little or no memory of who they are or anything that happened. The adventurers did their best to explain the events of the last few days, and promised to return with food and other vital supplies, but otherwise leaves the dwarves alone to recover themselves.

The following morning, two dwarves from Stonehollow were seen entering Ashbury city. They spoke at length with Braveroar, and shared a few drinks. The dwarves made their way around the city, pausing to thank the adventurers for all their efforts in restoring the dwarves of Stonehollow.

 


Bounty Hunters Cause Havoc

 

On Saturday night of the Duke’s Tournament, Ashbury was abuzz with rumors of an infamous necromancer, a large reward, a pirate attack and undead all within an hour.

No sooner had the Riddles portion of the Ducal Tournament ended when two sailors were spotted on the road near the Dragon’s Flagon. The sailors identified themselves as Captain Jonesy Roth and First Mate Izabelle Drakon of the Red Wake. They were seen talking to Dominic, Alexander, Luigie, and other members of the Black Forest Mercenary Company.

Jonesy explained that they had been sailing on the sea near a land called Valynsport when their ship was enveloped in a mist.  When they came out of the mist they were near Dockside and almost crashed into one of its many docks. The two had walked to Ashbury in hopes of finding someone who could give them information as to where they were as Ashbury was not on any of their nautical maps.

Capitan Jonesy had explained that he and Izabelle were hot on the trail of an Infamous necromancer named Veron. Many were interested in hearing more about this necromancer, especially when Jonesy mentioned a 150 gold bounty on Veron’s head!   

While Jonesy was giving a description of Veron to the Black Forest, a group of pirates entered Ashbury as well.  Their leader, Captain Barnaby, made a mention that he wanted the Pieces of Eight, and that if the Ashbans had them they would hand them over or face dire consequences. 

Jonesy and Izabelle stepped forward and flat out told Barnaby that he had no claim to the Pieces of Eight and they would be taken out.  Barnaby seemed quite uneasy when Jonesy and Izabelle stated their names, but he quickly hid his fear and led the attack.

In a swift fight, Barnaby’s crew was taken out by the assembled Ashbans with the aid of Jonesy and Izabelle; although some mistook Jonesy and Izabelle for pirates as well (Something they both denied repeatedly).

When the battle was over, Jonesy explained the Pieces of Eight is a long lost treasure in their lands, something that most pirates vie for and many claim to have. Jonesy even pointed out that his polearm and Izabelle’s bracelet are rumored to be two of the pieces.

The two newcomers were getting along well with the Ashbans and many of the male adventurers started to compete for First Mate Izabell’s attention. The visiting romany Gregor was adamant with his wooing of Izabelle when Jonesy stated that they really must return to their ship. Many of the adventurers wanted Jonesy and Izabelle to stay a bit longer and tried to prevent them from leaving.

Eventually so they could be on their way, Izabelle attempted to waylay one of the adventurers. This led to an instant changing of emotions and the Ashbans attacked both Jonesy and Izabelle. Several spells and poisons were launched at them but to no avail. Some weaker blows did not seem to harm Izabelle, and Jonesy was shrugging off blows from normal weapons.  Thinking them undead, the adventurers changed their strategy and quickly struck down the two, who simply disappeared when taken down. 


Goblin Mastermind Completes Ritual; Becomes Undead

 

The gray goblin calling itself the Mastermind was sighted outside of Ashbury city several times throughout the weekend of the Duke’s Annual Tournament.

In one encounter, Squire Glorianna gathered some some adventurers to patrol the outskirts of the city. Among those accompanying her were Tieran Oza, Symerille Strongbow, Gaaruda, Daedric and Ashrik. They encountered some grey goblins on the outskirts of town. They were dispatched with some difficulty and the adventurers decided to search the area, where they discovered a ramshackled building. Inside, they encountered the Mastermind’s brain, defended by some strange goblonoids. With the help of Symerille’s Magic Storm, all were dispatched. The Brain, a powerful necromantic item, was then swiftly destroyed by Squire Glorianna in the Healer’s Guild Circle with the Anvil of Purity.

The Mastermind’s strongest forces were eventually routed by the adventurers of Ashbury led by Sir Regent Du’gal of Blythedale. Apparently, Sir Du’Gal was alerted to the Mastermind’s presence by a Lt. Cornellieus of the Ducal Army who informed the Regent that the Mastermind was conducting some sort of ritual less than a few miles outside of town, and that a smaller force of mindless undead was seen entering Ashbury from the south. 

It was decided to split the forces. The Ashban attack force would go and prevent the Mastermind from completing his ritual, while a defensive force was left behind rallying around the Haven of the Living which had been cast earlier around the Healer’s Guild to defend the countless defenseless commoners in the City. 

As if this wasn’t enough bad news, the beautiful sunny weather that had smiled upon His Grace’s Tournament was no where to be seen on this chilly, rainy day. Some say that only the effects of powerful chaos magics could have brought the rain on so suddenly.

The defensive group consisted of mostly newer adventurers and was lead by Koshi, a member of the Court of the Ash Forest. Apparently the struggle was fierce, as at least two Ashbans were seen down in the street for quite some time. The barbarian Kerak was dragged around and gnawed on by several creatures, as was the member of the new (or is that newly returned) adventuring group No-Code, Malichi. Just when things seemed bleakest for the defending adventurers, Black Forest’s Chef Luigi burst out of their manor house in time to Life Kerak, and rally the remaining adventurers to victory! 

The assault on the Mastermind wasn’t as successful. Though the Mastermind’s forces were soundly defeated, the creature completed its ritual only a few moments after the battle, and before Squire Glorianna could complete the Destroy Magic ritual she was casting on his Circle.

The details of the ritual are sketchy at best, but the Mastermind had a glowing red heart, which vanished at the end of the ritual. The Mastermind was seen to change into some skeletal undead creature before the eyes of the gathered adventurers. Then, claiming to have “all knowledge of the future,” the creature spirit recalled. It was first the recipient of a round of curses by Dominic and Glorrianna. 

Apparently the Mastermind was near Ashbury, and having his gray goblins scout the area to try to find several pieces of his “future” self. Adventurers managed to stop him from getting his cloak, and his brain, but apparently he was able to get his hart which was enough to let him complete his ritual.

Scholars who have read the History of the Future take note that the Mastermind became a liche in the horrible future that some adventurers were forced to live through. Could it be that he has become a liche again? This leads one to wonder how weakened his spirit is since he was apparently defeated several times in that future, and has been killed a number of times in the here-and-now as well.

Two weeks after this incident, a troupe of travelling gypsies called “the Orchestral Pallet” were attacked just south of the Bile Dens by a group of undead led by none other than the Mastermind. Nearly all of the 10 person troupe resurrected before Rom Baro Milosh Azurenyte, the eldest in the group, finally gave in to the Mastermind’s commands. To avoid having his youngest daughter Gemile killed, he removed one of the creature’s curses. The creature then let them go with a cold warning to stay out of “his” lands.

 


Successful Strike Into Glenrake

 

In the early morning hours of May 31st, 604, Duke Sir Frost Vardik of Ashbury and Baroness Mathilda Romwing led elements of the Ashbury Ducal Army and the Romwing Baronial Army over the border into Glenrake in a lightning raid upon the undead forces.

The Glenrake forces were taken very much by surprise, as all intelligence had Duke Frost and his forces as being in Ashbury at the time. The participating Ducal Phalanx, “Oliver” of the “Gryphon’s Beak” legion, is known as being comprised of rangers, specializing in moving silently and swiftly over any terrain. How long they had been preparing in Romwing is unknown.

Initial reports indicate that many thousands of undead were destroyed and several key figures in Glenrake’s military were sent back to their bottles, including Colonel Angus Deathgroom and Sir Thomas Wraithborn.

Very few losses were reported amongst the Icenian Troops and the attack is being viewed as a huge military victory. It is hoped this will take some of the pressure off of our Moorgravian allies who are dealing with unrest amongst their own people over the recent ban upon the use of necromancy.


Sage’s Guild Report

 

by Guildmaster Cedric Fruvous

The Sage’s Guild is pleased to announce the promotion of Kuwo Mushtee and Aria Devonshire to the rank of Senior Guildsman. Both have recently completed some written works for our library and are very deserving of their promotions.

The Sage’s Guild is currently working on the following issues: the Kanoredhil, The Plaine Touched (aka Freejyn Horde,) The curse upon Lempur, the Book of the Dawn, and the Grey Goblins; if you have any information on these topics please stop by and speak with us.

The Sage’s Guild sells Wards at the price of one gold crown and Wizard’s Locks at the price of five silver nobles and we guarantee discretion as to which you get. If you wish to reserve a Ward speak to Guildmaster Cedric.

Wards and Wizard’s Locks are reserved on a first come first served basis. The Sage’s Guild also sells potions, weapons, armor and alchemy and wine when we have some available.

The Sage’s Guild also can teach skills to newer adventurers for a nominal fee. If you find yourself without your spell or recipe book the Sage’s guild can rent you ours. And, of course, we offer the use of our library for research.

The Sage’s Guild is looking to purchase Lore, Vision, Circle of Power, and Investiture ritual scrolls.

 


Letters

 

To the Intrepid Citizens of Ashbury and Esteemed Visitors,

Sunday evening as I mounted my steed for the hard ride to Romwing, my heart was full of joy and pride at what I had witnessed at the Tournament of 604. In all my days as a noble, since the tender age of sixteen, I have never before felt the true spirit, kinship and honor of a people as I felt during my time with all of you.

As dawn approached, I drew my sword and prepared to give the order to advance. I knew that I fought for a just and true people, that my blade was to be bloodied for the right and for the good.

Carry on, good people. You make your duke proud.

In Sincerest Service,

Duke Sir Frost Vardik

 

To all who competed in this years Tournament,

My congratulations to the Ash Forest for their victory in this years Ducal Tournament, and to all who competed.  This was truly one of the best Tournaments that I have had the privilege to watch and judge.  I look forward to seeing many more such tournaments in the future.  Again Congratulations to you all!!

Sir Indorian Silverleaf

Ducal Wizard

 

To all of those who kept Kariguen and myself safe during Mithrauko’s temper-tantrum, I thank you deeply. I would mention your names but announcing where we were would not be wise for his next ‘visit’.

I would also like to thank Katerina, Olivia, and darling Skywolf, for accompanying Kariguen and me on our little travel. There were two others who came along with us though I’ve forgotten your names. Thank you as well to the Mystic Wood Elf from Calderia and the Elven fighter from the adventuring group No Code. Malichi, you have found yourself a good bride, both brave and beautiful.

In the service of love and light,

Councilman Zephrin Alfhild

 

To His Grace, Duke Frost Vardik of Ashbury,

Forgive me for any impropriety. I am not educated in the ways of heraldry or Noble etiquette. I wanted to send a message conveying my thanks for your token granted me at the recent Ducal Tournament. I was quite grateful to have the Protection Aura supplied by the Chessmaster.

Your consideration is greatly appreciated. The gift proved very useful in the days after the tournament. It allowed me the opportunity to experience more of what occurs on the battlefield, and gave me a broader understanding of how hard our warriors have to work to defeat the enemies of Ashbury on a regular basis.

The Protection Aura was more valuable to me than a five day period of reduced vulnerability. It was an experience that I will not soon forget. I hope that I will be able, through my services to the people of Ashbury, to repay your kindness.

Gratefully yours,

Cora Scaldren

 

To the peoples, noble and common, of Ashbury,

My trip through the mists was quite successful, and I find myself again aboard the Rose engaged in matters of security for the Duca of Mistrali, on extended engagement. No rest for this old man, for certe.

I wished merely to write a quick note of thanks to any and all, and pray forgiveness from those I could not say goodbye to before the mists returned me to home and ship. I am honored and blessed to have been included amongst you all for your festivities, and it was a most relaxing time for myself. I hope that I was, in some small part, able to add to your own enjoyment of time spent, as you so deeply enriched mine.

May your cup be ever-full, and your hearth warm and surrounded by dear ones,

Sir Gregor Orpheus Dimitris

 

I Glorianna Wyndancer, am going to the Plains of Rage.

It is my belief that the people of the plains follow The One because they have no other option. They are in poverty and in fear from ravaging tribes of monsters.

I seek to start a relief effort. To teach their children that joining the one is not the way to help their families prosper. To help them learn trade and industry, to help them from starving, to teach them and show them compassion, that their children will stop joining the one, and their families will no longer feed The One and his armies.

I go to seek to stop the recruitment of innocent lives into the butchery that is the horde. I will go alone, but I ask you all to help me.

Save these people and help us save the biata from The One’s evil vengeance.

I ask for volunteers. I ask for help. These people are helping the one because the one has pledged to be their protector. Let us give them another avenue of hope, of protection and prosperity.

We must stop The One. And we must help Lempur. We must do so much. If we could all band together, imagine how much we can accomplish.

Help me my friends. I beseech you. We need food, money, even your time just to teach these people another and better way of life.

In Service,

Glorianna Wyndancer

 

Letters may be edited for grammar, spelling, and space considerations

 

 


A Little Birdie Told Me

 

by Sue D’Onym

Lots of gossip for you this month, so let’s get started!

It seems like Squire Gabriel and the lady vampire Arienne he’s been seen talking with recently needed a chaperone for their dates. I guess Loscarnos wanted to make sure no one staked his “child” this time. I wonder if he paid the ten gold fee for that Circle and if Sir Eros was invested.

Where there are Jotuns, the world’s oldest Vansir Threy can not be far behind. This time he was a day late for Jotuns, but just in time to share dinner with a variety of folk. He has apparently renamed the Kiergani elf Lentis “Bean” and displayed quite a crush on Cora. But it’s also well known his crushes are brief and sometimes very painful. Hopefully this one will only be brief.

In purpler news, both Mithrauko and “Lord” Faust appeared in Ashbury City recently. Several townspeople were seen chatting with the elven eradicator in the field behind the guilds shortly after he and several golems tried to murder quite a few citizens. The things you see in Ashbury! The fastidious fey, on the other hand, was greeted quite warmly by many. He was seen exchanging items and favors with several people, in between being assualted by former minions of the black queen…or is that minions of the former black queen?

The dark elf Trifineko apparently has a nose for trouble, as he was embroiled in a dispute between dark elves from a foreign land. Lord Find’rth had been in town briefly the night before, but Trife was left on his own to attempt to broker negotiations this time. He’d probably have an easier time if his brethren didn’t bring undead minions with them. In Trife’s defense, he cut down quite a few of the abominations himself.

Duke Frost was given a gift of a massage by Olivia from her tourney team. He also chose her as Duchess’s Champion. One might think the massage affected his choice, except he was seen being generous and giving freely, turning over massages to Sir Jonathan and Olaf the dwarf. Olaf was heard proclaiming “Duke Frost, you’re my hero!” after his massage.

Speaking of Olivia, she has been seen on more than one occasion giving attention to the boisterous satyr Thrust. Wonder what her husband Lyle thinks of that.

In addition to soaking up attention lavished on him by married women, Thrust appears to be aiding the Children of Camulous in some way. Or perhaps “aiding” isn’t the correct word. How many of Ashbury’s Children of Camulous owe him favors now?  It’s so hard to keep track. At least one favor is sure to make the Black Unicorn (and now “officially” Immortal) Spartacous a bit hot under the collar, that is, if Glorianna hasn’t challenged him to an honor combat as well.  

Many were moved by the Ash Forest’s entry for the entertainment portion of the Tournament, Sir Indorian especially.  When it had ended, he had walked outside and was, from what I hear, on the verge of tears. He was later overhead mentioning that he wished his parents had named him differently.

Looks like there’s wedding bells in the air. Skywolf has caused more then one man to court her. She has both Sparticous and visiting noble Sir Gregor asking for her hand in marriage. Of course, Gregor  was also seen wooing a sailor named Izabelle Drakon, who, perhaps fortunately for Gregor, gave him the cold shoulder. She had to, since she was undead. They’re cold all over. You would think he would notice a thing like that, wouldn’t you?

Candalis the gypsy dancer was back in town after doing what gypsies do best (traveling) and she was staying with the “Order of the Black Unicorn.” She apparently made a new friend: the Chessmaster! Apparently, even deranged dragon mages like massages.

Larouc and Squire Glorianna should pay better attention to visiting dignitaries. When the Biata Council Elder Shoran Vardik appeared in the city to assist in the casting of the Haven of the Living, apparantly he was left out on the porch on many occasions, and had to leave before the ritual completed … which had been postponed to the following night! We all know how long biata memories are, and I’m sure that a Squire raising her nose at the offer of help is a slight that the biata will not soon forget.  Wasn’t it Glorianna the one who recaptured Slavetamer for them? I wonder what the council is thinking about where she retrieved it from…

And speaking of biata, the seemed to  be holding some sort of secret meeting in the Healer’s Guild recently. Several non-biata were requested to leave this so-called public place.  I bet that leaves Royal Guildmaster Onyon fuming over Guildmistress Shya’s “personal” use of the Circle.  Rumor is that Onyon was already pretty mad about a potion order or some such.

And speaking of secret meetings, many of the nobles of Ashbury were recently seen crowded in a dark antechamber in the Blythedale Manor House. It’s not known what was said, but Sir Regent Du’Gal, Sir Jonathan, Squire Gabriel , Sheriff Sir Harrison , Ash Forest Squires Rorii and Darlassia, and Nordenn Squire Glorianna were all seen speaking in hushed tones. Several people were ordered away from the door. Something’s up, I tell you.

Well, I’m all out of room for this issue. Until next time remember:  If you can’t say something nice about someone, come sit by me.

 


Public Notices

NEW ADVENTURERS in need of a Ward or other assistance, please contact the Court of the Ash Forest for aid.

 

THE ASHBURY TOWN GUARD is looking to recruit those interested in protecting our city. It is the Town Guard’s responsibility not only to bring criminals to justice, but more importantly ensure that the common man, women and child feel safe and secure within Ashbury City and the surrounding area. The Town Guard has also been charged with organizing and providing for those who have only been in Ashbury City for a short time, are new to the ways of combat and magic, or are not part of a large adventuring team. You can still make a valuable contribution. Tactics training, weapons training, and a combat rally point are offered for defense during large scale conflicts. For more information, please contact: The Sheriff or any member of the Town Guard (Lyle, Olivia, Ozrick, Redcloud), they can be identified by a black and silver pennant attached to their belt.

 

THANK YOU ALL, adventurers of Ashbury. Without your help, my kin would still be cursed. Thank Your Grace Duke Frost, again for allowing me to take audience during the Tournament. – Braveroar

 

CELESTIAL RITUALS PERFORMED. Nominal fee required – Cedric Fruvous

 

IN NEED OF A WEAPON or armor, but you haven’t the coin? Speak with Sparticous or Paythin of the “Order of the Black Unicorn”.  Also seeking many and various ritual scrolls and components.

 

GLORIANNA: Thank you for such fine service. Let it be known that you are indeed a ritual caster of formidable prowess. And please save the chiisake for a very special occasion. – Lord Find’rth

 

ATTENTION SHIP CAPTAINS! I am seeking safe passage by ship, for myself and one other, from Ashbury to Saridbis. We will need to depart before months end, have two days on land once there, and return passage. I am willing to pay any fair price. Please contact Cora Scaldren.

 

ATTENTION ALL BIATA: To those interested in furthering their understanding of the abilities inherent to our race, please join with your fellows andteach while you learn. All biata are welcome, whether well schooled in the mental arts or those who have not had the fortune of having access to a competant teacher. For further details please speak with Tieran or Shya.

 

GILWING: I am glad that we were able to let the bad blood between us boil down. I look forward to fighting along side you and the rest of Black Forest once again! – Sparticous