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