Why I Want To Go - Ashen Bounty XIII

by: Christina "Adara " Clements

So the autumnal joy of Ashenbounty is once again upon us. So why am I going?

First, Temorse Sorrowind has been leading Ashenmark for more than fifteen years, and this shall be his last court.  While no one is nervous about Umbra and Raynor at the reins, changes in leadership like this are rare.  These sorts of changes mark the time in our game, eras that come and go. I am also going to celebrate the accomplishments of the knight who has done so much for our game over the last 20 years.  Our game and our community would not be nearly the same if this nation had not been founded and had not been so expertly piloted by Sorrowind.  I, perhaps, have a specific understanding of how chaotic this group could have been if not for Temorse. 

Secondly, the food from Ashenmark never disappoints, no matter what hurdles it has to overcome in the remote kitchen.  Why would I miss a chance to eat in Ashenmark? Of course I won’t! Perhaps there will be cheese. It seems like most of the nation takes their food seriously, and I appreciate the dedication. In fact, if I do nothing other than lurk outside the kitchen waiting for new courses to appear it will be a successful day. 

There will be well run and high caliber tournaments to watch, and I do enjoy watching what combat has come to in our game.  Every year the blows get faster, and the weapons get lighter.  There is a great joy in watching the best fighters do their best for the honor and prestige on the tourney list.  I personally enjoy it more when the adrenaline from possible nationwide annihilation is not in play and I can enjoy the art for the sake of the art. If you need the adrenaline rush, the labyrinth is sure to entertain, and perhaps make your pockets a bit heavier.  

Lastly, I am going because Bricochet and Cinder will never forgive me if they miss a chance to either beat up bad guys, steal hats from important people or shake down dead monsters for gold. This event marks their first year in the game and I suspect they will always mark the anniversary.  Who can forget their first event?  

OOC Note:  Generally I need to plan my events far in advance and last year on nearly a whim I returned to Ashenbounty.  I have perhaps never felt such a sense of homecoming as I did then.  We go to events for many reasons, to accomplish things, to stand up for right, because plot compels us, because our friends need help.  As someone who spent too long away, savor that moment when you arrive and you know those around you are the people who see you for who you are, and know you for who you could become.  I have had the pleasure of watching Tucker become a pillar of the Realms and celebrating that will be foremost in my mind all weekend. 

Rumors around the Realms October 1026

  

Rumors around the Realms October 1026

Blackavar

"Gale winds blow from almost every direction into Blackavar. Reports spread that the winds blew first on the equinox.

A gale voice now calls from the mountains, singing enchanting melodies that echo off the great stone faces. Harsh winds batter adventurers seeking their fortune and greatest desires through the cold zephyrs. They know where their greatest desires lie.

“I’m wishing…for the one I love… to find me.”

“When you wish upon a star…”

“I wish… more than anything! More than life!”

More and more lone adventurers venture forth. Some seek riches, the voice, meaning, or their own friends. Few return the same."

Blacwood

Confusion in Alonis as mourners, pilgrims, and well wishers start flooding in to commemorate the death of Lord Torlof, and celebrate the news of Ragnarök. Torolf’s appearance at these festivities did little to quench the excitement, as they assured him that it could happen at any time. He promised to work diligently towards that end, which made everyone happy.

 

What You Missed - Exotic Items, Creatures, and Wares 7

 By Hillary "Lissa" Fotino

This was not my first time venturing into the lands of Stonewood or near to the place known as Pandemonium, though I certainly do not have the level of experience with this place and these angels and demons as others do. As such as I can only do my best to detail everything that we encountered along the way.

First and foremost, upon arrival, we conducted a ritual to the gods of Stonewood to ensure that they were feeling benevolent towards us. We had two people standing for each of the Novem, one to speak and one to make the offering. For my own part, I certainly hope that Lord Zargon appreciated the liquor and the grave dirt. With our rituals completed, we had scant little time before the first threat was on us. Never let it be said that cows aren’t a danger which must be respected. These cows, in fact, wielded polearms and grew in strength the more and more of them that we killed. For a while, it seemed like that could go on forever until the Cow King arrived. I’ll admit, I’m not entirely sure what happened for the next bit since I made the mistake of focusing too much on the weapon in my hand and not enough on the magic in my veins. Which is to say that I got disintegrated. Claudia is never going to let me hear the end of this. 

When I returned to the fight, the cows were gone. I’ve been told that there was a demon repeating its own name over and over that was holding our souls hostage and we returned alive and well after that was done. I got a moment to reorient myself and grab some water, briefing the Baroness that we were still alive and well. Well, not- You know what I mean. 

We had been warned that the next thing we would need to do was face a creature called a Riftwalker in order to get into Pandemonium. I want you to picture portal with legs and claws coming at you. That was what it felt like. We managed to beat it and used that portal to enter Pandemonium. From the moment we entered, it was trying to rip at our souls. I know that for those of a more alive persuasion, it was actively taking pieces. I was entirely focused on keeping the arcane conduit of my soul functioning while Claudia focused on keeping us in the fight. Because there was a fight in Pandemonium, of course. We fought our way through cultists who had the things we would need in order to conduct a ritual for our safety and the safety of those who would follow. 

The first step was collecting keys and coins. The keys needed to all be used together in the correct locks based on the amount of magic someone has. It took a lot of coordination to make sure we had all the right keys, locks, and people in all the right places, and keep them safe long enough to turn those keys but we managed it. From there, Margaret took over to lead all of us through a ritual while Aelias guarded.

One by one, each of us had to repeat the words and actions that Margaret talked us through until the space was made safe and the drain on everyone’s souls finally stopped. Of course, that was by no means the end of the danger. It never is, is it? A servant of Maltheal arrived to try to destroy the ritual in order to stop us and we had to fight. This fallen angel of Solarus, assuming the information I was given is correct, could channel lightning which would shoot into the crowd of us trying to keep a solid line and we would have to just do our best to survive it or else ground the lightning out. 

In the end, it wasn’t a matter of killing this angel but instead redeeming them. Solarus has one of hers back at her side and Maltheal has one less to send against us. With hope, we can do the same again.

We returned to Stonewood from there and the Knights of the Crown conducted a field court where they knighted Dame Margaret. From what I saw on the field, she certainly earned that accolade.

Lissa Petrovna of Val’dara

-----

OOC:

Okay, let me say this again for those in the back: Stonewood throws a fantastic event. It isn’t anything like anything else you’ll see. If you want to face a real, honest challenge that makes you have to pull out all the stops with a decades long story that’s still easy to jump into, this is the event series for you. It also very genuinely reminds me of some of the events I played when I was new. The puzzles require everyone to work together, not just a small cluster of people. The fighting is a challenge and you’ll need the resources you have. I also particularly enjoy those moments where players who have been around for decades are working closely with the new players in the plot and trying to figure it out together but the story has been going for that long.

The NPCs are great, the story is complex and interesting, the puzzles are fun, and the new site they’re using is really great, especially for being a backyard. Zack and the rest of Stonewood have been doing a great job in expanding the site for more use. I also really really liked the chain lightning effect and loved the logic of being able to ground the lightning out with a weapon touching the ground. That sort of thing is a lot of fun to figure out.

I really do think that more people should come try out a Stonewood event. There’s a particular feeling that these events provide of being the powerful heroes that we all want to be, of being able to face down unbeatable enemies and do huge world shaping magics. Everyone should try it at least once.

Hillary

Conspiracy Monthly

 By Kieran/Kyra Barry

Meme Monday

 by the Meme Team

Morning Coffee Break

Got your morning cup of coffee and a few minutes? Great! We're continuing our coffee break feature at the View - we're going to be asking a series of questions and we want to know your answers! The question is posted below. So while you sip your morning beverage of choice, ruminate on this one:

You wake one morning to find a perfectly ordinary object from your childhood sitting on your doorstep. You have no idea how it got there. What is it, and who do you suspect left it for you?

Head on back to Social Media to let us know!  

KoSD Questing 4 Wrap-up and Thank You!

From John R, Justin BH and Ed D:

Thanks so much to all you adventurers who came to help Danny in Slumbertimeland at "KoSD Questing 4 - Chapter 1 Redux". Your EH team hopes you had a blast diving into Danny's story a little more, hopefully taking back some lessons about fear, family, and being aware of what you wish for. 

We want to give special thanks to the rest of our EH planning team: Kelly P, Brookelyn T, Sawyer J, and Becky B. These people put many hours into building this weekend-long event for you. Sawyer: You rocked as a Head NPC, and your help made all the combat encounters shine.
We also could not have done this without our excellent NPCs and supporters, Hannah B, Connor D, Zach S, Peter K, Hillary F, Zack E, Kathy F, Ethan K, Steven N, MJ R, Nixon S, Chris G, Paul T, and Bella. You all pitched in to help make this event possible, and you have our deep gratitude. Special thanks also to Chris G for the use of the Drider/Charlotte rig again, as well as Staycee R for propwork, both of keeping John upright and the Ghostly Dress.

Thank you also to the PCs who stayed and helped clean up: Kanik H, Max M, Owen L, Tim M, and Madi N. 

We look forward to seeing you at the opening of KoSD Questing 5, where we will see the opening of Chapter 2. Bring a Jacket.

**Between Game Actions**

Up to two weeks before KoSD Questing 5, you may take up to 3 between game actions. Between Game Actions may consist of:

• Casting one spell of fifth circle or lower toward a section of the plot.

• Having a short letter correspondence with an NPC.

• Having a short conversation with an NPC.

• Some other similar caliber action.

BGAs are accepted depending on EH/marshal availability, discretion, and player presence at events. BGA requests should be sent to John Rescigno, Justin Balanca-Hawkes, Ed Drummond, and Kelly Perfetto.