All was confusion for a brief time in Ashbury on the Tournament weekend when Duchess Mara Tirane abruptly abdicated her title to Baron Bryan Nordenn. She gave no explanation, and was barely prevented from killing herself immediately afterward. Various sources implied that she made at least four or five attempts on her own life during the course of the evening, at one point going so far as to shove local citizen Templeton Neumacht out of her way in her haste to throw herself on the swords of an approaching horde of undead.
Rumors of a conspiracy began to fly as the information leaked out that Baroness Laurelin Goldsong of the Ash Forest also resigned her title at roughly the same time, naming her Squire and heir Eridan as the new Baron. In an eerie parallel to the Duchess' behavior, the Baroness' spirit appeared at the Healer's Guild for resurrection shortly thereafter. The Baroness could offer no explanation for her death.
The Duchess remained under restraint during most of the evening as the Barons and other nobles tried to understand what was causing her inexplicable behavior. The new Duke entered her mind using the racial abilities of the biata, but could gain no information.
The most popular guess was that she had been affected by one of the many gryphons visiting the town. This theory was reinforced when she refused to allow any biata or stone elf into her mind, and threatened to execute any who entered it. Eventually sheer exhaustion forced the Duchess to give her word that she would not kill herself, and she was released. She was kept under close observation during the night, and reports indicated that the sounds of her pacing were heard until shortly before dawn.
During the closing moments of the Nobles' Tournament the next morning, Duke Bryan both ordered and requested that Dame Mara resume her position as Duchess. After the winner of the Tournament was announced, she then announced that she would resume her title. In yet another bizarre turn of events, the Duchess then called Bryan Nordenn to her side and proclaimed their betrothal and intention to wed on New Year's Eve. The crowd responded with loud but puzzled cheers.
Less than five minutes later, it became apparent to close observors that Duchess Mara performed a hasty wedding ceremony uniting Baroness Laurelin and Squire Eridan in marriage. The two Amani elves remained impassive during the brief ceremony. As neither Bryan nor Mara had accepted the Baroness' resignation, she retained her title. Eridan assumed the honorary title of Lord pending his impending passage of the Paladin's tests and a formal investiture as Baron.
Some onlookers theorized that this marriage was an astute political move to appease the Amani Council, some of whom have never reconciled themselves to the appointment of a Baroness who was not part of or approved by The Wold. It was speculated that marriage to an elf who adhered to the traditional Amani ways would make the Baroness more acceptable to the council. Others just thought that it was one more inexplicable item in a fairly confusing chain of events.
During his brief tenure as Duke, Bryan Nordenn took a number of actions. It is was unclear as to their legality, as local legal expert Quentin Dunbury explained repeatedly that Duchess Mara had no legal right to name an heir without a legally witnessed and documented will. Duke Bryan placed Sir Angus the Green at the head of the Royal Army, a move that clearly had no legality as the Army answers only to Evendarr.
This final move infuriated the members of the army so that many resigned. He also promoted several squires to the position of Lord, a move which certainly angered the Paladins, whose selection process is known to be slow-moving and deliberate.
Included among those appointed by Bryan was Lord Eridan of the Ash Forest. Eridan later obtained his title legally when he married the Baroness.
On Friday, September 2nd the elves of Ashbury were forced to band together against a common foe - the horror known as the Pantherghast. A pantherghast is a summoned creature whose sole purpose is the annihilation of one race. Its apperances Friday night attract a crowd of curious townspeople. It repelled non-elves and was uneffected by their attacks; however the elves of the town quickly pounced upon the creature and apparently destroyed it.
The next night it reappaeared, more powerful than the previous night. It took the combined efforts of many local elves to dispatch the creature. In the hours before dawn on Monday, the creature appeared again, more powerful then it had been the preceding night. While the town battled waves of undead, the Pantherghast skulked along the perimiter of the town, stalking lone elves - but this time it was not alone. The power of the Pantherghast is directly proportional to the proximity of its summoner.
On the edge of town, hiding in a small shack. was the mage who summoned it along with its iron golem servant. Led to the location by members of the court of Trellhiem, elves Algar Winterwind and Zackery Blane, both of the court of the Ash Forest, and Florin the stone elf confronted the racist mage. The mage--whose name was never learned--called to his pantherghast while hiding behind a circle of power. The creature was promptly dispatched by Algar and Zackery, who then turned their attention to the man in the shack.
Those present surrounded the power circle and Baron Morgan ordered the mage to lower the circle. In response, the mage began to summon another pantherghast. Many tried to disrupt the ceremony, but the glowing mists within the circle let all know that the attempts were unsuccessful. Since the mage's power circle abutted the door, preventing any from entering the shack, a few brave adventurers climbed through the windows to get as close as possible. Surrounding the power circle were Squires Hanson, Otto, and Raderic as well as Algar, Zachery, and for a short time, Florin. Others stood in the doorway of the building, ready to assist, among them Lord Aloryn, Baroness Laurelin, Squire Eridan, and many others.
After about 15 minutes, the summoning was complete. A new pantherghast emerged. The mage ordered his iron golem to protect him and lowered his circle. The mage was quickly bound with a Bind spell and later slept and killing blowed by Zackery.
What then ensued was an hour-long stand off between the pantherghast, the iron golem, and the townsfolk present. Since the iron golem stood near the pantherghast, only elves could get close enough to do it any harm. A few spellcasters were able to do some damage, but more often than not the confining quarters and the presence of the pantherghast's repelling power kept the battle intimate.
At one point, a magic short sword was thrown into the building to assist in the battle, but the tide turned instead against the adventurers when the iron golem was able to grab the weapon and use it against its attackers. A Disarm spell eventually helped to return the sword to its proper recipient. Spells from Isabella Nault, Lord Aloryn and Florin kept Zackery and Algar alive as they battled the pantherghast. Eventually, re-enforced by Baroness Laurelin's spells, the Iron Golem was taken down and the Panthghast was pushed back and destoryed.
The mage who summoned the creature apparently resurrected safely, but it is not known where or if he has the abilty to summon more of these creatures. All local Earth Circles are asked to deliver the names and descriptions to the Court of the Ash Forest of anyone unknown who has resurrected during the 24 hour period after Monday, 2 am.
A recent Saturday night was heralded by the arrival of yet another undead apparition with its eyes on Ashbury. Baracus Kul, a one thousand year old mummified queen of the Dragon barbarian clan, appeared in town with her undead.
To make matters worse, it was discovered that she had been cursed in life for her evil to turn upon itself. In death, she was split in two, and each half (one corporeal, one non-) begin demanding of the townsfolk that they join with one to defeat the other.
The citizens had at first tried to resist them, but each time they cut one down it rose again, regenerating at the point of death. There seemed to be no way to destroy the foul necromantic things.
The pieces of the puzzle began to fall in place when it was realized that this being had been awakened from its rest by a band of adventurers who had been in town the previous night. Their rogue, a hobling by the name of Tymshadow, made it back to town before being cut down by the dead that arose around him.
With help from the gryphon Tiercel, it was learned that Baracus Kul had been cursed by a gypsy woman by the name of Ursula Valente--a woman whos own evil black heart had not ceased to beat even unto death.
Her heart was found in an abandoned mine across the Ash River by a group of adventurers. They had stumbled upon the heart after buying a dwarven map to an ancient mine. Among those who traveled to the mine were Keigan, Templeton, Manx, Gaelyn, and Florin.
The adventurers fought many spiders and undead on their journey through the treacherous tunnels until at last they noticed a pedastal with a skull and a black, bloody, still-beating heart. An inscription on top of the skull read: "Ursula: may she never rest in peace." They lifted up the heart, and the eyes in the skull glowed red for a moment. The dwarf, who had accompanied the crew, said that this was the treasure he had been looking for, and as soon as he got his hands on the heart, he assassinated Keigan and took off running. Templeton and Florin chased him up the mine shaft, until Templeton was able to hit the dwarf in the back, causing the dwarf to fall backwards to the bottom of the shaft, taking the heart with him.
The adventurers then returned to town to gather up enough rope to lower Templeton down into the shaft to retrieve the heart. This, of course, took many hours, but the trek was successful.
"Finally all of us returned to Ashbury with the heart," said Florin, when asked about his adventure. "We went the Mages' Guild where they detected it to be magic, and we had it Identified. It was a once-ever Life item, with a strange and unreadable curse on it. We then hid it in the woods, until we could figure out what to do with it."
Later that night, Florin talked to Blade the barbarian who told him of the curse that had been placed on his tribe's ancient queen. Sheriff Blade thought that if the heart could be destroyed, the spirit would be reunited and the curse would be lifted.
Meanwhile, Tiercel told several citizens that he had once been enamoured of this queen in his younger days and had thought she of him as well. As it turned out, she had gotten him at his most vulnerable and poisoned him. He seemed quite reluctant to offer anymore, except that the gypsy had come into Kul's life long after they had parted company and what he knew of Ursula was rumour and speculation. Though divided by the issue, citizens seemed to agree on one thing - and that was to not commit to either's cause.
Sunday night the creatures returned once more, only now one aspect demanded the Black Heart. The heart however had been brought to the Healers' Guild by Templeton. Disguised and under the cloak of night, he had carried the artifact to the Guild where Baron Bryan, Baron Thomas, Kelial Vardik, Duchess Mara and others awaited.
They then attempted to destroy the heart. Finn the gypsy tried to remove its gypsy curse. Then Keliel tried a Remove Curse spell, which slowed the heartbeat but did not destroy it. Another gypsy curse removal was then tried but was unsuccessful. The Duchess then tried to Life the heart with its own Life spell, but this only restored the heart beat to full. Eventually, a combination of Remove Curse, Purify Blood, Weakness, and Cure Disease destroyed the heart, whereupon it burst open, spewing blood all over the inside of the Healers' Guild.
However, destroying the heart seemed to not have any affect on the undead creatures except to make them more angry. A great battle ensued outside of the Healers' Guild, with the physical aspect screaming at the top of her lungs, "You lied to me. . .it was here the whole time!"
Accompanied by her death lord by the name of Beloit Motoe, she began to cut a swath of death around her as she charged across the field, with more undead rising at her beck and call. The non-corporeal aspect created a circle of power near the Healers' Guild, phasing through two of Baron Bryan's spells while in the process of enscribing it.
The combined forces of Ashbury managed to dispatch the corporal aspect after four deaths had been suffered at the hands of these monsters. The other aspect dropped her circle and began to offer healing, with her scout Kolka Three-Flies close in tow. After healing a few individuals, the town let her go with their blessing, perhaps to return later.
The Barony of Trellheim had perhaps the missing answer to the puzzle of the fragmented spirits but they were unfortunately kept in the dark on many matters, including the destruction of the heart. Sir Justice, who had searched for clues for over eight hours, was quite upset over his exclusion.
An elven wizard calling herself Arcadia came to visit Ashbury proper during the Healers' Day Celebrations and endared herself to the people of Ashbury by casting Life spells on the citizens as well as Dragon's Breaths against its enemies.
She later became the center of a small disaster when a former lover of hers, another elf named Jenna, came to town and started accusing her of infidelity. According to the accusations of Jenna, Arcadia used her for her earth magic knowledge and to change Arcadia into an elf. The two were about to begin an unorthodox spell battle when Town Guardman Leo Lee informed them that such a battle would be illegal unless it was an agreed upon duel and witnessed by the Town Guard. The two elves acquiesced.
The combat was brief as Arcadia Imprisoned Jenna on her third shot. Upon being released Jenna stated, "You are not worth following any longer," and stormed away, tossing aside a red pendant she had been wearing.
Another instance involving love and ritual casters went public on Saturday afternoon when a young woman named Sasha came into town, begging for people to help her rescue her sister, Nadya, from a man named Stanton Carthax. Stanton was obsessed with Nadya, but he was also obsessed with his wife, Mina.
When his wife died on August second he cracked, and decided that he could not live without his wife or his former lover. In the end, he decided to have both by soul-storing Nadya into the body of his dead wife. This plot was so twisted and mad that it took the citizens of Ashbury a good long while to grasp exactly what had transpired.
Otto Neumacht was one of the most loudly baffled, and was heard repeatedly saying to Stanton, "I think you killed somebody."
Stanton Carthax was tried and executed, and the case has set a precedent for a new law: Ritual Assault.
It is interesting to note that Stanton's brother, Preston Carthax, was also in town that weekend and was shocked by his brother's behavior.
The empty position of Magistrate of Ashbury was filled this weekend when the Duchess named her squire Faustus Neumacht to the post. The duties of magistrate had gone unperformed since June, when Aloryn Runeweaver resigned from the post amid charges of treason by Baron Byran of Nordenn. These charges were later dropped.
Faustus is the scribe of the Neumacht clan, and is generally considered to be a thoughtful and serious man. Citizens questioned were relieved that the post was filled was again, and expressed confidence that the new Magistrate will help to make the town safer.
The Magistrate expects to be working closely with Blade the barbarian, whose position as Sheriff was confirmed by the Duchess. She then named Blade as her third Squire to emphasize the authority of the position. Changes in the structure and duties of the Town Guard are expected almost immediately.
Another unconfirmed rumor states that the Duchess will soon be appointing a new Paladin, one of the King's knights with whom she has worked with previously.
Members of the Ashbury City Guard and the adventuring band known as Checkmate were recently captured by an alchemist named Gallagher. Once captured, the individuals were then enslaved and sent to town as beggars. All were caught by townsfolk and cured through the combined efforts of the Ducal Household, the Barony of Blythedale and the Commoner's Guild.
Later that day a kobold assassin slain by Lord Aloryn Runeweaver and Tazir Xora Xai of the Company of the Wolf was found to be carrying a message for Gallagher. Along with the message was a map to a hideout on the outskirts of town where Gallagher's superior could be found. That evening, the Ducal Squires in town (Faustus, Radric, Sonya, and Wilhelm) along with Tazir and Ramius the Alchemist set out for the lair.
An elderly couple met them at the door of the farmhouse and seemed confused as to the party's reason for being there. However, they attacked the party at first opportunity. The elderly mage perished but his wife escaped. The lair was heavily trapped and crawling with kobolds and their assassins, but the group overtook them. Gallagher and his superior perished and the so-called Beggar's Guild was put out of business.
The seeming never-ending game that a group of local gryphons have been playing with the citizens of Ashbury seemed to come to a head recently. The gryphons, all of whom have appeared in town in the form of biata, have wooed, taunted, teased, and ordered various locals over the course of the year. The cumulation of these events was seen on Monday morning, September 5th, when local citizen Selina Vardik shared her marriage vow with Tiercel the Gryphon. Numbered among the attendants were most of Blythedale, Selina's younger brother Kelial, and Rosemary, Tiercel's sister.
The ceremony was officiated by Baron Thomas Grey. To everyone's surprise, new Magistrate Lord Faustus stood at Tiercel's side as Best Man. "Tiercel seems to be taking quite a liking to that particular celestial caster," noted one surprised visitor, "which may not be a good thing."
"Father," whom the gryphons often spoke of in reverential tones, was thankfully nowhere to be seen.
And what of Gwendolyn? With Wilhelm Neumacht finally comitting himself to marry her despite opposing pressures, she was nowhere to be found. "How like her to make him sweat," said Isabella.
The Barony of Nordenn won the Duchess' first Annual Noble's Tournament by placing first in four of the nine events. The competitions were fierce and judegment was difficult, but the results were obvious to all after all had been said and done.
Coming in a close second was Trellheim, who placed first in the Race and Riddles. Farther behind was Blythedale, placing first in Archery. The Ash Forest team was tied with the Duchess' own team for 4th place.
Two hoblings jokers by the names of Ala Peabusan and the Amazing Mumford II came into town during the Healers' Day festivities with an artifact they called "The Deck of Many Things." This is a pile of seventy-odd cards, each of which causes a different effect. It is obviously a spirit-linked item, because when one draws a card it returns to the Deck immediately afterward. Some of the effects the Deck included the growing of tails, the granting of temporary magical damage auras, the causing of itching clothes, the calling of lightning bolts from the sky, a paranoia of everybody from Mourna to Stupid George, and many other strange things.
Baron Bryan Nordenn, claiming that the Deck was somehow necromantic, drove the hoblings from town. They soon returned however, pursued by the creator of the Deck, a Celestial caster named Jevic Garelick. The mage cast a ritual on the Deck, assuring the Baron it would take the Deck from the hoblings. This was not the case however, for when Jevic killed the hoblings, the Deck vanished with him.
The closing moments of the Noble's Tournament this weekend were disrupted when two bizarrely tatooed men claiming to be from "Sisyphus" ran into the amphitheatre. They demanded the return of their sceptre. No further information could be gained after the gathered crowd responded to the Duchess' order to stop the men and question them by killing them instead. Investigation showed that no place with a name resembling Sisyphus exists within the Duchy. No explanation was found for this strange occurence, but local insane asylums are being checked for missing inmates.
This past spring, we had visitors who are believed to have come from the future. These visitors, bearing familiar faces, described the future of our duchy as one ravaged by the trolls, the ffolk, and the Fist.
Since this visitation, a number of strides have been made towards preventing this future. In our dealings with the ffolk during the first Faire of this summer, we made strides towards saving the homeland of the ffolk, so that they would be less tempted to invade the Ash Forest. For this and other efforts, the people of Ashbury should be commended.
But it looks as if we have forgotten about these predictions for our downfall. The past few weeks saw a number of events that pointed directly towards this future that we were warned to prevent. Born-again Fangthorn worshippers walked into town foretelling the imminent coming of their leader. Faustus Neumacht became the Magistrate. Wilhelm Neumacht agreed to marry Gwendolyn, the Gryphon, and Baron Bryan, it seems, will become Duke Bryan in January and has already held that position for a day.
Correct me if I am mistaken, but was there not a Magistrate Faustus, a Duke Bryan (who was killed and the position then passed to Baron Morgan), and a marriage between Wilhelm and Gwendolyn in this future of Ashbury? Also, could not the Registrar's threat to make all deaths permanent account for the predicted future where citizens would die and simply not resurrect?
I do not believe that the citizens of Ashbury are guilty of attempting to bring about the future downfall of Ashbury. Many of these actions seemed to be the right thing to do at the time. But through our collective short-term memories, we may be walking straight down the path to our own destruction.
I urge you all to think about this future that we have been told of, and how it can be prevented. The future is not yet written, and we have the ability to effect how it happens, but it will take unity, wisdom, and courage from all of us.
Lord Eridan Talaraine
by Cleo Smith
What's been going on in town lately? I leave for a few days and everything's changed! Baron Bryan will be the new Duke? I don't remember any blossoming relationship. How could this have escaped my eye?
Is Sir Angus McEwen going to be the new Baron of Nordenn? What about that human woman whose shoulders he was rubbing a few months back in the tavern? Maybe there will be a new Baroness too.
Someone on the court of Blythedale (Selina) weds one of those gryphon people - what does her brother Kelial have to say about it? And why is he reciting love poems dedicated to liches?
Speaking of Blythedale, I hear that Lady Talia is still being inundated with suitors. I'm sure that Baron Thomas is pleased.
Sheriff Blade's little relationship seems to be going well, although it has caused some friction between Blade and his brother Squire Radric. Who would have thought they'd break up over a woman?
Poor lovelorn Rowell seems to have been left behind by his Niman consorts once again He'll probably be chasing after them again in a few weeks.
Who was that person Isabella Nault was seen with late one Friday night? Doesn't this sort of thing usually happen in the spring?
In case anyone hadn't noticed, there aren't many women adventurers in Ashbury. Maybe Indigo's "harem" idea should be looked at a little more closely.
And if anyone's interested in marrying Gwynne Neumacht, be sure and remind her cousins not to forget the dowery. Speaking of the Neumachts, isn't Wilhelm married yet?
Well that's all for this month. Be sure to keep me informed by sending your Real News to this paper, and remember--If you can't say something nice about someone, come sit by me.
THE DUCHESS would like to buy or rent the Ritual scroll Spirit Link. If you have one available, please contact the Ducal Household or the Baron of Nordenn.
THE BARONY OF NORDENN will be holding interviews and try-outs for open positions within the court on Friday evenings. Candidates should present themselves to Nicademus Gotham, Chancellor, or the Baron not later than midnight.
TO ALL CITIZENS: I continually gather information on the prophecies. Much that has been foretold has already come true. Anyone who has any relevant information, please seek me out and we will compare notes. The future of our Duchy is in our hands! - Lord Aloryn Runeweaver.
SELINA AND TYRACEL: Congratulations on your wedding. It was an honor to be there. May you always be happy and may your child be blessed. - Your friend, Daimon.
MASON SHAREBROOK, professional bodyguard, seeks employment. Also, reward of 5 gold for information leading to the location of my sister, Kita.
POEMS FOR ALL OCCASIONS! Reasonable rates. Love sonnets a specialty. See Turlough the Bard.
BARON MORGAN: I wish to speak to you. - Kurgan.
CHOSEN OF ORDER: We should meet again. We bear a continued responsibility. Get in touch with me and we'll arrange a good time. - Lord Aloryn
SHANE : Your instructions will not be obeyed unless I know you have the authority to issue them. Contact me and identify yourself so that we may share information.
TO THE BARONIES of Nordenn, Blythedale, We're-not-the-Merchant's-Guild, and the Duchess: Thank you for your kindness before and after my release. I owe you all a debt of gratitude. - Tenku.
IT IS GOOD to see that the sarr of Ashbury can work together in times of need. It was a pleasure to work with you in the face of trouble. I hope in the future, we can all work together again. Thank you brothers. - Rowell Ka'taan
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ASHBURY TIMES: Stop the slander and libel that you put in your paper. - Otto Neumacht
THE ASHBURY COMMONERS' GUILD can be found in the Dragon's Flagon tavern or in the Gypsy's home. Alchemy, armor, weapons, potions, scrolls, adventuring supplies and services.
TRELLHEIM, FLORIN, ISABELLA, ALORYN, Otto and others: Our thanks for your aid in battling the pantherghast. - Algar Tamarri Winterwind and Zachary Blane
HEAR YE, HEAR YE: We, the members of the Shield of Vendamor, are looking to expand our ranks in the city of Ashbury. We are currently looking to take on three new members: a warrior, a healer, and a mage. All should be brave in the face of battle and just in their ways, as well as willing to become part of a lifelong bond. Candidates will be judged on strength of spirit and purpose rather than strength of sword or spell, though all should be cautioned that we offer no advancement through the Code of Chivalry. If interested, please contact Quizat Dellwyn Thornbleeder, Bashar Unrok Garror, or myself at our estate in Diron or our residence in Ashbury. - Regent Deven Du'Leges
ASHBURY REGISTRY OF TEACHERS. Referrrals for a wide range of skills. Discretion assured. Teachers: get students without spending all your time recruiting. See Prof. Turlough Kuranes
DEREK DREAMWEAVER: I want you to return my two scrolls. If not, I will see you regret that decision for the rest of your "life." I don't threaten people, I only warn them. - Chief Deputy Xavier Kimbal
AR: It's been too long. Perhaps we should speak. I will be back soon my friend. - KM
VISHULAUN: Your three months are drawing to a close. Still I see no improvement.
THE HUNT IS OVER when I say it is. Certain contracts have been breached and I will be seeking legal recompense. - D'Lonis Dul'Kindashakiis Ki Misra Shateal, Master of the Hunt
TEMPLETON: I think you're really, really cute. . . uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh. . .I do, I do, I do - V
RESEARCH DONE. Legal representation and advice. Potions and elixirs identified, scrolls read, jewelry evaluated. Quentin Dunbury
JAGGER GALIAN died in August of 594. He was a brave adventurer and my best friend. He died hunting a necromancer. He will be missed. - Mason Sharebrook
THE ASHBURY MAGES' GUILD would like to congratulate the following new Apprentices: Grandin Lamoore; Alex Sterling, Shield of Vendamor; Tazir Xora Xai, Company of the Wolf; and the following promotion to Guildsman: Talisian Greywind, Town Guard; and the following promotions to Senior Guildsman: Justice, Barony of Trellheim; Morlox Nightshade, Red Diamond