The
Ashbury Times
July 610
“All The News That Fits, We Print”
A Note from the Editor: We apologize for the late publication of this
edition of the Ashbury Times. It was printed on a privately owned printing press,
due to the fact that our
Plague Sweeps the Duchy; Ashbury City is
Overcome
For the past five months, the
Red Madness has been spreading through Ashbury like wildfire, leaving a swath
of chaos and destruction in its path.
Alchemists and healers fear
the discovery of Engval’s Elixir has come too
late. Couriers trying to distribute the elixir have found their way blocked by
hordes of Madmen, and many of the duchy’s alchemists are trapped in
infected areas or are infected themselves.
The plague, which turns its
victims into merciless beasts, has taken hold as far away as Evorra and Home, spread by fleeing refugees. And know,
despite the best efforts of the Ducal Army and citizens of Ashbury, the capital
city has fallen to the plague. The streets of
The Amani
rangers are doing their utmost to keep the
Nordenn and
Blythedale, while not as devastated as Ashbury, are using all of their forces
to keep the infected at bay, while trying to contain the plague within their
own borders.
Facing what some have called
the end of the mortal races, citizens are advised to remain in their homes and
keep your loved ones close, and a bludgeoning implement closer.
Engval’s
Elixir
Noted adventurer Qualin Brightoak has dealt with the Red Madness and has the
following advice:
There is much speculation
about the plague that is being called “the Red Madness.” As
has been read several times, the nobility are taking every precaution to stall
the spread of this virulent and deadly plague. The Ducal army even
hired a group of powerful adventurers to strike deep into the heart of Vorak’s Peak, clear out a village, and give the Army
a staging ground to rescue non-infected that are trapped within the estate and
surrounding areas.
I have had the opportunity to
observe these creatures a few times over the course of the past few days and I
want to share my observations with as many people as possible, thus I am penning
this letter. It also contains an alchemical recipe. These are
my direct observations.
Plague origins:
Unknown, but judging by the first locations to be overrun it is presumed to be
Tower Hills or Vorak’s Peak.
How it is known to be spread:
Blood to blood and saliva to blood contact with the infected.
Symptoms of infection:
Overall malaise and sickness, followed by fevered delirium, followed by madness
including extreme aggression and the desire to consume flesh
and blood. Weakening of the spirit leading to
permanent death for those who have been infected for too long.
The infected: Those
infected have monstrous strength, resistance to toxins, and are able to attack
with their bare hands. The touch of some of these creatures cause a
temporary berserk effect in those whose skin is cut which can be removed
through any means one would use to remove any command spell. Some
are able to throw or spit berserk poisons at targets. They have
animalistic intelligence and pack-like mannerisms. They attack downed
foes and begin to maim and chew on their victims, which
is how the infection is spread, it takes approximately three seconds for the
infected to spread their taint to a downed victim.
Tactics for fighting these
creatures: Ranged attacks and barricades. They will not run away,
but will continue to pound on the barricades (or shield wall),
they have limited ranged capabilities (poison). I have observed them
flanking and looking for opportunities to strike, as well as searching for
multiple access points to buildings.
An Elixir has been discovered
by the Alchemist Willard Engval which has proven to
be successful in delaying the symptoms of the plague by 30 days if administered
directly into the wound within 24
hours.
Materials for the elixir cost
approximately 3 and a half silver pieces.
This elixir will hold off the
progression of the Red Madness for approximately one month if administered (by
injection) to a victim infected in the past 24 hours.
Make a tincture of calendula officinalis (marigold flower), and combine with equal parts
spirit of camphor (waxy transparent excretion from the camphor laurel evergreen
tree). Be certain that your ethanol base is pure or all is lost.
Macerate four ounces of
mandrake root a teaspoon of dried and ground cock’s comb, and three diaphid pods. Distill this mixture for seven days and
seven nights.
In a glass mortar, powder one
gryphon’s claw. Place the powder over
a burner and melt. This should take approximately 5 hours. Slowly
stir the distilled mixture into the tincture. Heat in a covered pot until
it reaches the same temperature as the melted claw, then combine, a drop of
each at a time.
(Note, alchemists, that you
can do this yourself if you are trying to save a few coins, but most alchemists
will be able to purchase these materials for the sake of expediency –
thus the cost estimate above).
Kialda’s
Observations
Adventurer Kialda Loa also writes to inform and educate the
populace:
I write again to document my personal encounters
with the plague known as the Red Madness. While some progress has been
made, we are still in dire need of all alchemical and magical help to expedite
the finding of a cure. I confess with great sorrow that I have friends
who have been infected. Thanks to a recently discovered elixir, the
infected now have a month until the madness sets in, but unfortunately, they
will still inevitably become mad and are, apparently, ordered to be killed and
burned if a cure is not found within the month. We must not allow this
discord to continue!
I beg all explores with any skill or knowledge
to gather a strong team of adventures and journey to assist those already
working for a cure. A short distance outside of Fairdale there is a
hermit alchemist named Willard Engval. Travel
to him with caution, for his house is surrounded by many aggressive plague
victims. It is also imperative that you travel with a wise alchemist, for
the door to his dwelling is magically locked and requires knowledge of alchemy
to be opened. If you are unable to travel but believe you have something
small that can be of assistance, please deliver your message by carrier
pigeon. Dr. Engval has a brave and faithful
rock dove named Abigail who can assist in correspondence.
Before our visits, Dr. Engval
had been experimenting only with alchemy and was unfamiliar with any sort of
magic or magical ingredients. My friends and I traveled to him twice,
firstly to receive this temporary elixir and secondly to deliver anything and
everything we had, including samples of my aforementioned magical herbs, to aid
his research. Joining me on my second journey was a young student in
magic named Terra . She had come to us from just
outside Vorak’s Peak, a refugee from the
completely plague-overrun area. When she first arrived in Fairdale,
despite being obviously exhausted, Terra seemed healthy and composed.
Upon examination, we noticed a bite mark on her neck and immediately gave her
the temporary elixir. She is now staying with Willard Engval,
both as a scholarly assistant with some magical knowledge and as a test subject
– one of the first to have received his elixir.
Children of Autumn
like myself are rarely forced to insist upon urgency, but with a disease that wreaks
so much havoc on what used to be a peaceful and harmonious world, I beg every
race with a quick-thinking mind and hand to participate immediately in our
quest for a cure. The earth and all that has life within it will
appreciate a return of health and balance.
A Warning to
Local Earth Circles: On another note of warning, in regards to a serious illness that is not the red madness, I wish to send out
a message to any Earth Circles performing resurrections. On the first
night of the June gather, due to a series of complicated events, an insane
asylum at Storm’s End was left unguarded and the sick individuals broke
free. The victims affected by this mental illness are not mad like
animals and do not have red blotches on their skin. Instead, they continue
to speak in our vernacular, yet are clearly out of their minds, with symptoms
ranging from extreme paranoia to uncontrollable laughter. Unfortunately,
these victims are also incredibly aggressive, and many of them fell to the
swords of the brave defenders of Fairdale. Their spirits are now
wandering across the land, and while none of them found their way to the
Healers, please, be prepared! If
resurrecting an unfamiliar spirit, be warned that it may be one of the affected
individuals, and the mental illness may run so deep that they will come back to
life with continued aggression. I urge you not to permanently kill these individuals, but rather, subdue them
to the best of your ability and have them sent back to the asylum. As far
as I have figured, the doctors at the asylum were making progress to restore
these individuals to complete health. If anyone runs into problems with
these mentally ill, please seek out the adventurers who experienced the asylum
first hand. I wish I could provide you with more helpful details, but that is
the extent of the insight I have gathered, and I share it in hopes of
protecting both the healers and the victims of this illness.
Confirmation of Queen’s
Murder Shocks Icenia; Treachery From Within
The Ashbury Times can now report that the sad rumors of the
past two months have been verified. Queen Sidraste’s
flotilla was ambushed due to the Vaccarran Corsairs
receiving a copy of the Queen’s route and defenses from persons unknown.
Due to the sensitivity of this information, only a very select group of people
had access to these plans – a group including nearly all of the Royal
knights as well as the Duchess of Evorra and Duke of
Ashbury.
In response to this appalling news, the Dukes of
Bouchard there is no way of knowing what is transpiring inside. We now print
the Duke of Brittington’s letter in full:
Citizens of Icenia,
It is with heavy heart that I must now confirm what has long
been suspected by the members of the royal court, our beloved Queen Sidraste De’annan was
murdered by the Vaccarran corsairs using tactical
information provided by persons unknown. Due to standard military doctrine,
only a select few had this information in sufficient time to pass it along to
the Vaccarrans for the Vaccarrans
to have prepared their ambush. Each of these people were our Queen’s
trusted friends, nobles and advisors, and it is a testament to the assassin’s
cowardice they they would allow those of such honor
and loyalty to our kingdom to fall under the eye of suspicion.
Due to these extraordinary events and the shadow of regicide
that has fallen over the entirety of the royal court, Dame Sonia Forthiatis has graciously agreed to my request that she
step down as Regent and has named Duke Collin Hendry as regent in her place for
the duration of this crisis. In order to further safeguard our Kingdom, the following
measures are hereby put in place by order of the Lord Regent:
All members of the royal court under
the rule of Queen Sidraste are hereby ordered to
report to the
With his Duke’s consent,
military command of the Ducal forces of the Duchy of
Ashbury is hereby given to Squire Sparticous of the Barony
of the
With her Duchess’ consent,
military command of the Ducal forces of the Duchy of Evorra is hereby given to Dame Iona Campbell of the
The Duke of Ashbury and the Duchess
of Evorra retain all authority in their respective
Duchies in matters pertaining to law, diplomacy, economic matters and all else
not pertaining to military command.
Any Icenian
citizen who has knowledge pertaining to this crime is hereby ordered to present
themselves to the Lord Regent. The safety of all witnesses shall be guaranteed
and rewards appropriate to the value of information given will be granted.
The Royal Knight Sir Bryce Sinclair
is to be located and detained for transport to the royal court.
Until such time as the investigation
into the Queen's death is completed, Icenia is to be ruled
by Regency.
Let it be known that none of
those named above have been accused of any crime at this time and that any who
would use this situation for personal gain or political advantage shall be
guilty of Treason and subject to the penalties laid out for the same.
And to the person who
committed this foul deed... You will be found, and when we have done so, your
crime shall be punished swiftly, unambiguously... and permanently.
In Duty and Service
Duke Broomis Bouchard
Mysterious Break-in Leads
to Riot
Storm’s Edge Sanitarium
reported a break-in to their facilities from what are surmised to be
adventurers. The break-in occurred at night and was perpetrated by five
individuals demanded that the facility be shut down and the prisoners be
released. Warden Dysus Brogue was awakened to
interact with the activists and gave them the chance to leave. The guards
commented that the five left through a tunnel dug into the wall of the asylum.
Not long after, two guards were murdered horribly in front of the tunnel entrance and the patients rioted, resulting in the deaths or several more guards and the escape of over a hundred of the most dangerous crazies in Ashbury. The Warden would like any information concerning the break in to be reported to the Fairdale Sheriff Davin Holst for further investigation.
Professional Monster Hunter Aids Fairdale
Several local adventurers
(identified as Marcusagrim Anvilstrike, Azari, Alura, Trel Jarina, and Amaris Lovik) entered the tavern
guarding a troubled individual. Clint Calaston is
renowned in academic fields as a prolifically published monster hunter. Her
last assignment as she informed the
Once Calaston
had recovered she immediately gave assignments out to retrieve research. Her
journal was lost in an attercob spawning pool.
[People] retrieved it and Calaston took time to refamiliarize herself with the attercob’s
weaknesses. Soon after Calaston instructed some
adventurers on how to destroy a spawning pool.
It wasn’t long before Calaston caught on to the movements of the attercob alpha monsters, known as Pack Hunters, Web Reaper,
Shadow Trapper and Dream Stalker. To prevent the monsters from catching on to
the scent of the adventurers Calaston warned that no
adventurer should hunt twice. This proved to be difficult with the town’s
small numbers and the Dream Stalker alpha caught the scent and fled. It is
still at large.
The remaining alphas were
slain and their parts harvested: the Pack Hunter alphas by Squire Sparticous, Professor Ezri Silverthorn, Qualin Brightoak, Trel Jarina and Andros; the Web Reaper
alpha by Squire Ithica, Dame Glorianna,
Cole and friends; the Shadow Trapper alpha by Black Forest, Amaris
Lovik and Alda; the Dream
Stalker alpha escaped, but only at the cost of its brood as it was doggedly
pursued by Qualin, Ezri,
Squire Sparticous, Squire Raven and several others.
Castle Eidolon Becomes Concurrent with
Material Plane, Holds Auction
A floating point of light
appeared in the Black Stag recently and those who touched it found themselves
in a far different place.
Baron Ivan Drake, Squire Garathon, Marcusagrim Anvilstrike and a small group of friends investigated the
strange place. Alone in the small room was a stone elf who introduced himself
as Vrentadax Veaquii. He
explained that he was the pilot of Castle Eidolon, a building that exists
between the planes and can coexist on any other plane or place. His current
task was to bring Castle Eidolon concurrent with the material plane to host the
Elemental Auction the next day. Before Vrentadax was
even finished explaining, a life elemental by the name of Azdrubiel
arrived and was very angry.
His discontentment stemmed
from Vrentadax’s agreement to host the auction
of Lady Oblivia, a wealthy death elemental debutante.
The anger triggered the Castle’s emotional defenses and several minor
guardians appeared. The adventurers were sent back to Fairdale by Vrentadax so that he could calm the Castle.
The next day, the Elemental
Auction opened its doors for its first time in Icenia.
As the planes connected, Guildmaster Nathan Westwind found his guildroom
shunted from our plane and blocked off. Several other minor changes afflicted
the lower levels of the Black Stag as Castle Eidolon took shape and form.
A portal opened on the lower
levels of the Black Stag and led into the grand auction hall. Guests were
greeted by Arbiter Lysander, the order elemental in
command of security, and his stone elemental guards. Prominent guests were
already in attendance including Azdrubiel, Zyzzazziel the lightning elemental jeweler, Iron Gob, Vrentadax and Lady Oblivia herself.
A silent auction and gambling den was run in a nearby chamber by Caitiff Rexian the chaos elemental merchant.
After several items were
auctioned, Zyzzazziel put the Stormheart
up for auction. Grim tried valiantly to purchase it, but Iron Gob and a
mysterious stranger placed an angry succession of bids into the thousands of
gold. Iron Gob won the item with a bid of 3300 gold, but Zyzzazziel
refused to allow him to have the Stormheart.
Dissolving the gem, she began to die from the overflow of power. Grim stepped
forward to aid her, but was also caught in the power flow. When the power
stopped dissipating Zyzzazziel was weakened, but not
dead and Grim was a smoking ruin. Azdrubiel healed
Grim and put him back on his feet.
Iron gob seethed with rage, held
back only by the laws of the Auction. Rexian stepped
in and offered Iron Gob a new deal. The two rifted out and his whereabouts are
now unknown.
Inspired by the dramatics,
Lady Oblivia offered a favor for auction. A favor:
Name a person and they will die. The currency for this auction would be shards
from the buyer’s spirit. Iron Gob offered one shard and as the auction
looked like it would go to him, Trel Jarina offered two. No one else bid and he won.
His choice is currently
unknown to the Ashbury Times.
Mage’s Guild Report
A Farewell
to Rusty
As signs presented themselves
that the magics that bound together the many metal
parts that made up our beloved iron construct were beginning to fade, I
polished and oiled Rusty for what I suspected would be the last time recently
and reflected on how this supposedly “lifeless” magical mass had
begun to grow on me over the past year.
An ever vigilant guardian, a
tireless worker, and an ever willing audience to test my song writing on, I had
found that what was created as a magical tool to teach and aid in the
construction of the guildhall, had become a valued companion to me and friend
to the Guild and to the people of Fairdale.
Whether adventurers cheered
him on while battling lightning Elementals, or birds perched atop his Iron head
while he stood silent guard on the many nights which warranted it, we as a
community had begun to imbue in his form a persona and personality that went
beyond his original design and intent. I have begun to see the complexities
behind the Ritual that creates these mindless vessels and the danger that can
exist in treating them as obedient metal pets.
Still, as fate would have it,
a time did come when Rusty could once again aid the people of Fairdale before
he would leave us when the hoards of the infected peoples began swarming into
town attacking everyone in sight, promising sickness and disease to those brave
adventurers who fought them off in defense of being overrun with the Red
Madness.
So, with my spirit stored in
the Guild’s Mercury Golem, and Rusty at my side, we marched out to meet
the masses and attempt to quell the threat before it could overwhelm us and
reach the Black Stag Tavern which was being barricaded against the approaching
hoard.
Rusty followed his commands
efficiently and effectively as always, felling many of the infected before
finally being overwhelmed near the foot of the stair leading to the
Tavern. I must admit I felt a mix of sadness and pride as I watched the
Celestial magics that bound him give way as he fell
and leave his form forever returning to the elements around us.
Yet as I reflect on the
experience of creating the construct, living and traveling with it this past
year, and its final “demise” in defense of Fairdale, I wonder if
perhaps we were justified in treating Rusty as another member of the community
from time to time as some of us did in subtle ways throughout his
“life”. For was Rusty not called forth from the very
Celestial magics which flow and penetrate each of us
touched with their power? Was he not a tangible representation of that
very magic we Celestial casters hold dear? Was the personification of
Rusty the construct and our feelings toward it, not really just a
personification of and a vessel for our own feelings towards the Celestial magics themselves?
If so, it is with little
wonder that I find myself so eager to love Rusty as a friend and celebrate his
time with us in Fairdale. For I know that for myself, at least, I have
known the love for the Celestial arts and the elements which help make them up
all my life. But in Rusty, I was able, if for only a brief time, to give
a face and name to that love.
The
whereabouts of the Guildmaster
After an exhausting battle with
the infected, I recently announced that I would be leaving Fairdale for a time
to return to the
As the stars would have it, I
am close to finishing the work I began at the college so long ago and require
time away from my duties as Guildmaster to complete
my thesis and present it to the College.
I have recently invested
Guildsman Squire Raven into the
I have left the Mercury Golem
in the care of the Guild until my return, and Guildsman Soren
has permission to spirit store in it if she wishes. I have complete faith
in my Guildsmen to handle the needs of the town while I’m abroad, so
please see them if you require assistance from the Guild with anything.
Guild
Meetings
I was delighted to meet with
the assembled Guildsmembers (consisting solely of the
members of the barony of Nordenn) in Fairdale this
past gather late into the night Friday to discuss the progress we have made and
our plans for the future. While I am away, it will be up to the invested
Guildsmen to decide if or when they wish to hold Guild meetings and what they
wish to discuss should such meetings take place. I shall also not be
writing in to the Ashbury Times while
I am away at the College, so if the Guild members would like to address the
public about our goings on, I leave it on them to do so.
Member News
I would like to congratulate
Guildsman Squire Raven on his successful investiture into our circle this past
gathering. He is well on his way to achieving senor Guildman
status quickly, and I wish him the best of luck doing so. In the
meantime, he will of course now have the ability to identify potentially
magical items in the circle and has agreed to assist in daily Guild functions
while I am away. Just a reminder to any initiates out there looking to
apprentice under an active Guild member, that Squire Raven is available to take
on new apprentices for the Guild, so they may seek him out or any other active
Guildsman to make your request.
The Guild would like to
congratulate and welcome Apprentice Dame Knight Glorianna
who recently graduated from her Initiate status after assisting the Guild with
the task assigned to her by the Guildmaster and
finding multiple enthusiastic members to sponsor her ascension.
Apprentice Glorianna joins Apprentice Darlassia as our resident Noble Guildmembers
and we appreciate that these dedicated busy women of the baronies that make up
our fine Duchy support the cause of the Fairdale Guild enough to get involved
as they have.
Wizards of
the Guild
I would like to create another Mercury Golem when I return to Fairdale
in October. All Guild Wizards who wish to participate in its casting
should plan to be in attendance during that month. Remember that having
multiple wizards involved in the Constructs creation is done for safety (if no
one is stored in it, it is better to have more wizards around who can command
it) and for the benefit of as many of our Guildmembers
as possible (you must assist in casting it if you would like to spirit store
into it). A schedule for use of the Golem’s can be created after
it’s casting when we know what Wizards were involved in creating it.
Wizard Nathan Westwind
Guildmaster, Fairdale
Mage’s Guild
Elemental Warden of Icenia
Healers’ Guild Report
We have been working hard
along with a number of adventurers to find a cure for the Red Madness. Our
efforts have not been in vain, as a vaccine has been discovered that will stave
off the plague in its victims for a month. This of course is only a temporary
fix, but it does give us more time to find a permanent cure.
As for guild business, Larien Lissesul was permanently
invested in the earth circle recently. Guild members are asked to check-in
Friday night as they come into town, and the Healers Guild meeting will be held
Saturday morning at nine. Anyone who is interested in joining the Healers Guild
may come to the Saturday morning meeting to be interviewed.
For those who are new to
town, Cure Light elixirs are free to help keep people alive. On a
regular basis, we have potions for sale. Protective potions are only sold to
those who help and or donate to the Guild on a regular basis. As always, we
will have wine, candies, and many other treats for purchase in the Guild as
well.
Larien
Lissesul
A Little Birdie Told Me
By Sue D’Onym
Hello, dearies! Time for another installment of the News They Don’t Want You To Know!
The
Anna
Rainwillow, the silent human healer with the
huge smile, and Qualin Brightoak,
the Amani wine maker, are now, via the Amani tradition of hand fasting, wed for a year and a day.
In the tavern Zatarina was
heard to threaten to Amnesia her bodyguard Balls
after he escorted her and the newly-made biata Daniel Grimsby
Whatever-His-New-Biata-Name-Is-Now to Bloodstone. Those biata are up
to something again! But then again, when aren’t
biata up to something? And hey,
aren’t Amnesias illegal?
Speaking of biata, the very
anti-social biata Amaris Lovik is
causing problems with her dislike of Daniel’s race change. It seems to have grabbed the attention of an
ancient and powerful gryphon who plans to speak with
her in a few months. I know who to bet on in that fight!
It seems like Squire Sparticous has been real chummy with Squire Raven
lately. Talks between the two were heard of Squire Sparticous meeting with Squire Raven’s tribe
regarding his Race Change. That meeting might be postponed due to Squire Sparticous’ new responsiblity
of being the Commander of the Ashbury Ducal Armies.
That’s all for this
month! And in the meantime, remember: If you can’t say something nice about
someone, come sit by me.
Public Notices
ATTENTION FELLOW ADVENTURERS: I first want to thank those of you whom went back to Vorak’s Peak with me to rescue any survivors still in Vorak’s Peak. For those who may not know the survivor who returned with was my brother Thomas. there are three more members of my family that I am looking for they are my oldest brother Darius whom hasn’t been heard from since the Dominion war and his wife, Katherine, and daughter Elena whom seem to have fled from Vorak’s Peak. On a happy note I would like to announce my hand fasting to Qaulin Brightoak For the time being anyone wishing to get a hold of me send word through the mist to Caldaria or through the dream realm. – Anna Rainwillow
QUALIN BRIGHTOAK is looking to purchase a small vineyard in Fairdale.
“LOOK WHAT I FOUND … a shield.” – Copper
SCROLLS AND CATALYSTS
WANTED. We are looking for the following Ritual Scrolls: Channel, Enchant,
Expanded Enchant, Race Reaver,
Monster Slayer, Spell Store, Protection Aura,
Copy Formal Ritual, Preserve Duration, Permanent Duration, Regeneration,
Elemental Blast, Elemental Aura, Damage Aura, Earth Aura, Spirit Store and
Controlled Spirit Store. We are also looking for the Catalysts for Permanent
Duration, Controlled Spirit Store, and Copy Formal Ritual as well as any
reagents. We are willing to buy or trade, please contact Squire Sparticous, Paythin or Lira.
SCROLLS WANTED. The Barony of the