His august Majesty King Gareth ap Moire held a council of Icenia nobility recently in the city of Greenstone, Blythedale. In a long series of meetings, His Majesty masterfully negotiated through a morass of entanglements attempting to settle issues of conflicting coats of arms, fiefs, crests, and dominions.
Icenian nobles were patient and awed at King Gareth’s careful attention to each of their concerns. While many Icenians seem a bit anxious to have their titles restored officially under King Gareth, they seem to be more concerned about their fiefs and lands.
King Gareth started the event with a grand audience where he addressed the assembled dukes, barons, and their vassals in a great hall that had been built for this gathering. As refreshments were brought forward for the gathered nobles, King Gareth’s infant court began to form as Icenian nobles took their knee and gave oaths of allegiance to their new king. After nearly three hours, King Gareth surprised many by recalling all of his named vassals and paying homage to them. As the feast began, King Gareth took his leave briefly, it was rumored the ceremony had left him fatigued but in good spirits.
As the feast commenced, old feuds died and a strong sense of camaraderie was built with this new Kingdom in mind. Several nobles made pointed comments as to the absences of Ashbans but it rumored that King Gareth intended to leave Ashburian nobility out of this meeting as Icenian nobles were given their chance to meet and speak with their king and voice their concerns. His Majesty had each land holding family meet him in secluded quiet, and scribes took down important necessary information of resources and former holdings of each of his vassals.
After meeting for another six hours with his vassals, nobles were dismissed to enjoy the wonders and festivals of Greenstone hastily put together for their honor. Nobles were wined and dined by area merchants, and given gifts of stunning beauty as merchants attempted to win favor with the pack of Icenian nobility. Icenian nobles were given rare dishes prepared with elegance, innkeepers gave rooms for free, craftsmen gave small examples of their wares. Most popular of course were the linens and fabrics made in Manchester, and sold in Greenstone.
The next day at noon the King came forward with his announcements, Duke Aramis Llyrr standing at his side. Raising his voice with that of authority King Gareth announced this His Grace had for the past three years held estates that were once property of his former King. In honor he held these lands for his king, maintaining them as if they were his own. With the loss of his former liege upon his appearance into Fortannis, these lands became his own. Upon his reswearing he released these lands into the hands of the kingdom once more, for distribution according to His Majesty’s wishes.
Furthermore. Duke Aramis knelt before King Gareth and said “While these lands are not mine to give, I declare all the lands of Ashbury placed into your hands.”
Icenian nobles rose with a cheer at this display of honor and nobility, hurling their caps and gloves like commoners cheering a parade.
With great wisdom and a rap of his “talking stick” King Gareth silenced the room. With elegance and sublime respect, he placed his hand upon Duke Aramis’ shoulder and smiled. And he turned to face his vassals with a kind but stern look. His words are roughly written here:
“Though I am but a man, in a place in history out of time from my own, I find myself within a storm of honor and fidelity. Though Ashbury is new to us, it is truly the heart of our kingdom. Through their valor we strive on, and Icenia is reborn. Everything they possess they have given to us. We will be careful how we use their gifts.
First, the sovereignty recognizes the Ashban vassals and all their current holdings, with the exception of those holdings that are formerly of His Grace Aramis Llyrr’s righteous and honorable liege. Those estates are to be held by the crown for dispersal to the former nobles of the Duchy Valkenkyrie. Nobles of Valkenkyrie will also be awarded the remainder of their estates from the reforming Duchies.
Some estates of Ashbury will be held by the crown but parcels provided to nobles of other Duchies so that all Duchies may have a portion of the land that saved Icenia. So that all may share in the true honor of the sacrifice made to restore our kingdom.
Furthermore, the Kingdom of Icenia now declares all lands of Corrhiem also known as Trellheim to be a lawful possession. All invaders will be removed from the soil I so swear. All who hold our lands will be driven into the plains, or the sea, or smashed against the Peaks of Dawn to the north. Let none hold a portion of the heart of fate, for we are bonded — we are the recognized. We are the righteous fire that the purges the land of darkness with the light of virtue. All invaders have three moons to withdraw from Corrhiem without fear of retaliation. For the darkness and sickness that crept from within, the vile Requin Drager, there shall be no such oath. The Blackborne Compact is justly named, and a purification must be undertaken of each blade of grass, swath of earth, or craggy rock this foul man has strode upon within the pact. We must sever his foul bond with the land and purify it with the light. Within three moons, the swan song of the Blackborne Compact will begin to fade drowned out by the brave beating drums of our return.”
A cheer erupted from the nobles present deafening all within the hall.
As his majesty took his leave, Icenian nobles bent a knee before him like
wheat before the wind.
All Are Invited to Meet with His Majesty
All Ashbury vassals of the rank of Knight or higher are hereby Summoned by this Public Notice to the First Council in the New Reign of His Majesty King Gareth ap Moire, to be held Dolphin the Fifth in the Royal Fortress of Castle Cil-Cilurion. At this Distinguished Assemblage shall Oaths of Fealty be Accepted and Titles Affirmed, as well as much Important and Pressing Business of the kingdom mooted, in the manner of the ancient customs of the Icenian Talking-Stick Councils. At this Council meeting also shall Extraordinary Cases be heard and Adjudicated. Nobles presuming an Unexplained Absence shall tend toward loss of their Title and Rank. Rules regarding Council Procedure can be obtained from the Sages Guild for those Unversed in History.
Due to this Public Notice, Many Ashbans will be traveling to the castle, which is in the process of being restored. However serious the notice sounds, a festive time is planned.
The castle iteself has areas that have yet to be cleared of vermin,
and adventurers are encouraged to assist in its cleansing. However, all
is not work, as there is a fine restaurant already established within the
castle walls, and anm excellent natural hot springs and pool to which all
are invited to partake.
There are many other activities planned, including a high stakes poker
game, a ches tournament, an auction of fine goods and ritual components,
discussions about foreign affairs, a gypsy meeting, treaty negotiations,
and various competitions sponsored by Master Shadyfoot Tallbrow. Sir Eros
has announced that he will be holding a new game he called “Power Game”
in which contestants have to show their knowledge of Ashbury history in
a fast-paced atmosphere. “All questions will be taken directly from the
pages of the Times, so study now” he warns, with a promise of great
prizes.
Adventuring Groups Honored
In a recent feast several chartered adventurer companies were honored in the Ducal Castle at Connor. His Grace entertained over 60 people of several adventurer companies who are trouble shooting problems across the Duchy.
Among the most prominent were the following ducally chartered companies:
The Blackthorns, The Crucible, The Blood River Bridgade, The Company of
the Black Unicorn, the Blades of Dawn, the Forderick Fists, and the Doom-crackers.
Most adventuring companies spent a great deal of time retelling their exploits
on the new continent, and successfully completing missions for His Grace.
Ducally chartered companies operate with His Grace’s blessing and are
assigned missions when needed. They gain the benefits of His Grace’s license
to operate within certain boundaries as well as financial and material
reward.
Dame Chamberlain Bodicia Ioki gathered additional information on her charges, and from time to time in these pages provide a short description of many of these fine adventuring companies and their exploits.
This month: The Blackthorns, Chartered October 598.
The Blackthorns are a relatively new but extremely brave band of adventurers. The company has many members who are human, dwarven, elven, dark elven, and even hobling. The Blackthorns charter indicates that they are dedicated to the destruction of the vampire Morganna, and they tend to operate in and out of the Tower Hills, Nordenn, and even risk cross the borders into the Blackborne Compact following up leads on whereabouts of necromancers and undead in service to Morganna’s “Shadow Ring.” They are most recently recognized for their killing of the vampire Orsino.
The part of the custom that will interest many young men and ladies is the fact that over the course of a day and night, each shall have the opportunity to spend time in private with Candalis. At the end of a day and night, one or both may choose to proceed with or withdraw their intent.
Within three months, the suitor must choose whether or not to commit and partake of the Feast of Life , thus bonding one to another, in vanderie.
World Doesn't End
People all over Ashbury cheered when the new century rolled over and nothing serious happened.
“Soon it will crack, eh?” said one reveler. “Well, the century turned over and I ain’t seen any cracking.”
Some sages, however point out that there was never any mention as to the great cracking taking place upon the changing of the year but only that in the year 600 “it” would crack.
The strange creatures who say “Soon it will crack”are still appearing,
but many Ashbans are now refering to them as “Crackpots.”
Dale: The Freehold of Dale has recently announced it will be hosting the “Ashbury Debutante Gala” in the year 600. Debutantes from all across the duchy are asked to apply, and the most elite from the aspirants will be chosen. The buzz among the young ladies of Ashbury is already approaching a dull roar.
Dockside: A chance meeting of traveling sarr from warring kingdoms to Ashbury’s south led to a free-for-all battle in the streets of this section of Ashbury city. Many arrests were made, but many died and resurrected elsewhere.
Falkirk: This area, north of Nordenn, has seen Duke Colin Hendric and Baroness Bonnie Bannock leading a small army against the Freejyn Horde. Results so far have been mixed.
Grimsby: Large numbers of flowers and love letters have been left nightly on the steps of Sir Daniel Star-Grimsby’s manor house. The lavish gifts appear to be from many of the local teenage girls.
Hopewell: The Biata Council announced that Cedric Fruvous of the Ashbury Sages Guild would be named as emissary to the nonbiata.
Kiri-Ashton: A quartet of elves recently chased off and dispatched a large number of undead. The source of the raiders has not yet been determined.
Peppercorn: What started out as a simple bar fight erupted into a full fledged riot, as nearly a hundred people were eventually involved in widespread violence and looting. The area has been cleaned up and the local sheriff and magistrate are clamping down on any reoccurrences.
Stony Brook: Eight quarriers were killed when a pocket of stone collapsed beneath them. Quarry authorities are still investigating.
Swindon: “The Ghostly Goose” has been striking across the town, pinching the backsides of many young ladies, but never seen. A local reward has been set up by the women to whomever brings the fiend to justice. The pot is currently at 19 silver.
Two Towers: An adventuring company known as the Forderick Fists were able to put down a raid by ogres coming across the border between the Duchy of Falkirk and the Barony of Nordenn. Led by a mage named Claude LaRoche, they were able to ambush two score of the monsters, suffering no casualties. Comet Beukeboom, a canine-like humanoid among them, slayed almost half of the ogres by himself.
Astrological Forecast
by Solemn Judgement
(NOTE: This incomplete horoscope was all that could be found of Goodman Judgement’s writings in the Ashbury Sages Guild. He evidently began his work prior to the turn of the century, but has not completed it. Some few whom we interviewed said that the Man in Grey had undertaken a long journey at the start of the Raccoon 599, and as of this printing he has not returned.)
We enter the seventh century of the common calendar in the month of the Turtle and under the sign of Sword in Crown. The latter constellation will be visible for the next two to three months, indicating the establishment of a new order (and the death of old ones). Clearly, the ascension of a new King in Icenia is an appropriate indicator here, and all should look to their own houses to examine how the reborn kingdom will affect their personal paths. The Turtle is ideally suited to this task, as he is placid and unhurried, capable of weathering the storms of Water as yet a creature of Earth. Winter is a time for holding back, conserving resources in the face of hostile elements, and laying new plans. The rumors of a Council meeting to follow in the Dolphin of this year are well thought of.
But all this is a cavil compared to the augury of the new year itself.
I must warn all readers to beware of the startling implications of the
Arbalest, who will govern all of 600 and whose power will never be greater
than
LOST: One pewter frog pin. Has only sentimental value. 5 silver reward. – Kylara Neumacht
LOOKING FOR Earth Spirit Walk primary component and scroll and willo’wisp essense and Transfer to Mystic Wood Elf scroll. – Shya Corak
ATOR: Have you had any luck yet in finding the artifact? I have some information that may be useful to you. I will be at Castle Cil-Cilurion. – Bertram
LOOKING FOR INVEST Scrolls. Please contact Klarion Darkmoon or Auric Skytalon.
WANTED: Sergi Karento, Gypsy. To be brought in for questioning by the order of His Grace the Duke for alleged crimes he performed in Ashbury. Any and all information will be kept confidential. Contact any member of the Town Guard with this information.
MYSTIC WOOD ELF from Moria looking for other Mystic Wood Elves to relate
to in this new land. Possible joining of vale to call home as well. Preferrably
one with a permenent celestial circle. I will be around. – Wildescent
Nightwolf