Log of the

Neumacht Clan

in Ashbury

By Hexenmeister

Lord Faustus Neumacht der Dritte

Lord Magistrate of Ashbury

Lord of the estate of Manchester,

Squire to the Her Grace, the Duchess of Ashbury,

Senior Guildsman, Ashbury Mages' Guild,

Honorary Master, Ashbury Brewers Guild,

Member of the Interplanar House Pedegogia,

Son of Faustus der Zweite,

Scion of the Faustus line of Neumacht

August 21, 593

I, Faustus Neumacht der Dritte (the Third), and Wilhelm Cornelius Agrippa Neumacht arrived in the city of Ashbury, capital of the Duchy of the same name, during one of the great summer Faires. It had been nearly six years since our clan's tragedy at Braughm-Raor, and the way from the capital of Blackstone, our former home, had been long and tiring. We had worked as caravan guards for various minor merchants to support ourselves, as we were nearly penniless when we were forced into exile. We had also set up a brewing businesses in Belassar, Kitheria, before being driven out by the xenophobic local Brewers' Guild.

Wilhelm and I decided to go into Ashbury and explore its suitability for settling down. The remainder of the Neumacht accompanying us waited outside the town's borders. We found Ashbury to be a large, thriving crossroads city, perfect for setting up our family business, brewing fine quality beer. Wilhelm and I used aliases, he Agrippa (which is actually his middle name) and I Hieronymous (the name of my dead brother), and tried to conceal our accents during this scouting of the city. Perhaps we were overly wary, but we feared that thieves or assassins might have tracked us from Blackstone. There had been some close calls back in Kitheria when we thought we were being followed. Besides, we still had powerful enemies back home, namely the von Schrecks, who would like nothing more than to see the last organized remnant of the Neumacht fail.

Wilhelm was adamant about seeking reactions to creating another merchant Commune as we had attempted in Braughm-Raor. I was wary to attempt this, given our newness to the area and the disastrous conclusion the last move at banding merchants together sparked. Nevertheless, Wilhelm garnered some support and interest from the dwarven armorer, Nolan Walworth, and also from a staff-wielding healer named Spud, who was apparently in favor with the Baron of Trellheim, Morgan Blackbourne. Indeed, after participating in a contest of swordsmanship sponsored by the Baron, Wilhelm asked him of his opinion for

forming a tightly knit guild of all merchants with special rights. The Baron replied that the idea had merit, and Wilhelm should speak to him of it in the future.

The two of us joined Spud and a pair of women healers and walked the trails in the woods outside of town. We were intent on finding some of the components needed for the Proscribe ritual which would keep many unsavory creatures out of town during the day. Alas, we found nothing. Upon returning, a horde of barbarians descended upon the town and were beaten off. Neither of us played a large role in the combat. Toad-like creatures known as Bullywugs also entered Ashbury, but Baron Bryan Nordenn made peace with them and they soon left. A party of goblins, including a necromancer, next attacked - I slew two with spells while Wilhelm was Weaknessed by the caster. Baroness Alicia Hollymsong of the Ash Forest generously gave Wilhelm a Remove Weakness potion in return for delivering a message.

We also went after another group of goblins - I slew one while Wilhelm slew another, unfortunately having his armor breached in the process. We also noted spectral phantoms who danced around town, eventually geasing people to undertake unknown quests. At the day's end, we each had a paltry 2 silver and a handful of coppers to advance our studies. Nevertheless, we determined that Ashbury was to be the place for the Neumacht Clan to settle down.

August 22-September 14, 593

The rest of the clan moved in and set up our brewing apparatus in a small four room building in Fenmarch, a district of Ashbury proper. We actually lived in the city's center. The Rathaus, was the name we gave to our new dwelling, just as our old one had been called in Braughm-Raor. We were actually a bit

presumptuous in so naming our home, for it referred to the Town Hall back in Blackstone. After setting up our brewing business in Fenmarch, we decided to explore the possibilities of establishing a Commune in Ashbury.

The active Neumacht members in the Rathaus included myself, Faustus der Dritte, son of Faustus der Zweite (scribe and celestial mage, scion of the line of Faustus), Wilhelm, son of Conrad der Dritte (fighter and head brewer, scion of the Conrad line and Clan Patriarch), Ludwig, son of Leopold Burkhardt (fighter and armorer from the line of Conrad), Helan, son of Friedrich (rogue with some elvish blood from the line of Dietrich), and three sons of the wayward Heinrich, all warriors of the Dietrich line; Josef, Wulf, and Bernhardt.

Our non-adventuring cousins included Johann Karl, son of Gustaf Maus (brewing foreman of the Conrad line), his brother Wolfgang, and Otto, son of Dietrich der Zweite (scion of the Dietrich line). We had met other relatives since the Purge, and sent standing invitations for them to come to visit, or remain in

Ashbury.

September 15, 593

We first attended a meeting called by the new Duchess of Ashbury, Mara Tirane. There in the Dragon's Flagon Tavern, Sir Duncan, a holdover from the regime of former Duke Alaric accused six townspeople of treason. They were given until Sunday to prove their innocence. Later, I drew up a contract between Wilhelm and Camilla, the gypsy who runs the Dragon's Flagon, for the sale of some of his recently brewed beer. Camilla sold the beers (of which we had 23) as a luxury item, for a noble, while Wilhelm received only 3 coppers each. As all were sold during the next two days, we Neumacht decided that in future, our cut should be 5 coppers or more. Incidentally, Wilhelm lost in a drinking contest to a barbarian, who had a friend cast Purify Blood on him so he could win.

While walking that night, we were confronted by a hobgoblin champion, who fought Wilhelm in single combat. The fight was tough, but Wilhelm prevailed, garnering a mere copper from the creature and admonitions that it is not proper to have honor combats with such goblin-kin. It was about this time that

Helan first left, we guessed to join with other thieves. In particular, he traveled with a rat scavenger named Templeton. After Helan left, we saw little else of him.

While wandering the town, we finally came across some members of the Merchant's Guild. A drae--dark elf--named Necros seemed to be their spokesman, though the Guildmaster, Vaasa Thrommel, was not there. They said that they would send someone to the Rathaus the next day to assess our claim for membership in the Guild. It struck me that these merchants were not that happy to hear our petition to join their guild, but I decided such questions would be resolved on the morrow.

Upon further wandering, we came upon a deathknight asking for protective spells, and also a spectre, both of whom sent the townspeople scattering. As was later related to me by Sir Duncan, only three people in Ashbury currently possess the magic weapons needed to slay such creatures; the Duchess, the Baron of Trellheim, and Sir Hieronymous. We also came upon a few hobgoblins in the field outside town and dispatched them. Again, the goblin-kin had very little coin.

We thus decided to turn in for the night. However, just after we had removed our armor and begun to eat, a gypsy came to the door, crying for help. We immediately ran into the night, bereft of armor, and followed to the gypsy's nearby cabin. We were then set upon by several hobgoblins and in the confused melee, our band scattered, fighting solitary battles. I myself was knocked unconscious three times in this fight, for as I have said, my cousins had scattered and were of little protection. Each time, a leopard sarr earth caster saved me, though I know not his name. The bodies of the Neumacht were stacked in the gypsy cabin (the others had fallen at least once and most twice). When all awoke from our unconsciousness, we went back to the Rathaus, after receiving the gypsies' profound thanks for our unnecessary but appreciated aid. They did note, however, that the whole thing was a false alarm; the creatures were talking and did not attack until we arrived. The Neumacht had faced its first large battle, and had been found wanting. On the morrow, we would take the lessons from this rout to increase our cooperation so as to make a better fighting unit.

September 16, 593

Saturday morning saw the Neumacht in shambles. Most of our armor was breached and all of us bore serious wounds from the night before. We set out for the Healers' Guild, cautiously as the Proscribe ritual to keep the monsters out during the day had not yet been cast. However, to our dismay, we heard that the Guild had doubled the prices for all its services because one of its members, Maximus, had been waylaid and plundered while sitting outside the Guild the night before. The famed Mother Mary McGregor offered us a Cure Light Wounds spell for an exorbitant 2 silver! I, of course, refused such an offer, but Wilhelm thought it proper that we should purchase at least one spell to compensate Mother Mary for her trouble.

Luckily, we also found an armorer, a black-haired healer wielding a battle axe, Darian Ilthanris by name. He repaired all our armor for free (several times that day) and warned us of a great plot afoot. Apparently, he was impersonating an ally of the former head of the Mages' Guild, Avar Lychus, and knew something of the strange goings on that would transpire at the graveyard. He warned of a huge attack that night, presumably to disrupt the Proscribe ritual.

We headed to the tavern, pondering this bit of information, when we were approached by Sir Duncan. He asked if we would serve as bodyguards for the Duchess, at the rate of 4 silver each per day. Two of us would have to be on duty at one time; all in times of crisis. We agreed, and Sir Duncan paid a gold and a half to purchase new weapons and armor for those that had been lost during the debacle the night before. During this entire time, I was effectively useless, having cast all my spells the night before.

Nevertheless, I followed and helped direct the Neumacht fighters through several battles. During one large encounter on the field, many goblinoids advanced on the town. Baron Nordenn dueled their champion, until the other creatures treacherously attacked him. As the Baron fell, the townspeople charged, slaying the band, including two kills for the Neumacht. Unfortunately, Bernhardt developed a rotting disease from searching the corpses; the Healers' Guild later cured this malady for 5 silver. In a later encounter, Bernhardt was also paralyzed by a ghoul, but soon recovered. We also did some errand-running for the Duchess, including travelling beyond the graveyard to deliver a message to some Gypsies guarding a

house. It was at this time that we saw Helan, carrying an extra longsword, being chased by a group of angry townspeople.

After this, I went to speak with Sorceress Shalizar, Guildmistress of the Ashbury Mages Guild. She asked my about my family history, goals etc., and was especially interested in why I wanted to learn celestial magic. I replied that one of my greatest goals was to eventually learn to cast a Ward spell to secure our Rathaus, given our traditional aversion to thieves. All the while she jotted down notes on my replies and all the while I couldn't help but notice that her hands glowed with magical energy, as if she was ready to unleash dreadful incantations at any moment. In any case, as this was a busy time, she scheduled a further

appointment for 10 pm on the Friday before Halloween when we could discuss the actual rewards and responsibilities of Guild membership. I was enheartened to learn that the Mages' Guild, unlike the Healers' Guild (which she mentioned with some scorn) did not keep people there at all hours, "keeping the Guild warm." Indeed, the Ashbury Mages Guild existed only to promote the spread of celestial magicks in an organized fashion. From this brief description, it seems there will be no conflict of allegiance between the Clan and the Guild, which is good, for I shall always put the greater good of the Neumacht above all else.

Soon after, I ran into Helan, who explained that he was doing well (probably in stealing things, though I didn't press him on this.) I then decided to wait for sundown, when my powers would rejuvenate. I discussed the goings on in the treacherous frontier Duchy of Ravenholt with cousin Josef as I sat on a bench near the Healers' Guild. I took no notice when a bald man in black robes sat nearby. It was, of course, rather surprising when, without a word, he cast Magic Armors on myself and Josef. We thanked him, and resumed our conversation. Five minutes later he cast Cause Serious Wounds spells at us, also without warning. Both of us were felled, though I was able to scream "Necromancer!!!" first. I awoke after an earth scholar, the town gossip columnist, Cleo Smith, cast Cure Light Wounds upon me, for which I gladly paid 1 noble. Josef recovered soon after due to the ministrations of another healer, no doubt. This encounter leads me to believe that necromancers' actions are often ruled by Chaos; this one randomly sat beside us, cast beneficial magicks on us, and then attacked; all without any provocation. I shall have to be wary of "random" acts of kindness in the future.

I then accompanied the rest of the Clan out to the graveyard, where it was rumored that coins, including gold, were littering the graves, but that undead arose if people drew near. The Barony of Trellheim attempted to fight their way in, but failed as the undead continued to rise. I will not recount the entire nature of the area, for it was intricate, involving a flickering Ward in a mausoleum and a talking undead who spoke of putting them to rest. Bernhardt tried without success to solve the riddle, though he hid manage to grab a few nobles from the edge of the graveyard. Then, the Ward flickered, and a group of undead were released. We fled. Later we doubled back, accompanied by the rat scavenger Templeton.

However, yet more undead had arisen from the graveyard and so we abandoned this endeavor.

The Duchess had dismissed all of us until 6:30. Upon returning to town at 5:30, we found that small groups of undead were attacking left and right. We then heard the horrible news that while we were gone the Duchess had been mysteriously slain. Apparently, Sir Duncan had been locked inside a Ward and no townspeople were about to help Her Grace. We went to the Ducal Manor House only to find that the Duchess had not yet resurrected, though Sir Duncan consoled us that the tragedy was not our fault.

After I regained my spells, we sat in the Rathaus, while the Heinrich brothers, always willing to indulge in recreation, suggested that the Clan do an old ancestral Neumacht dance. Wilhelm joined them. After much noisy practice (I must confess that I believe our revered ancestors must have been quite drunk when they thought up this "dance") the four decided to perform at the Dragon's Flagon that night. The gypsy tavernkeeper Camilla was offering 2 nobles to each person in the top three most entertaining groups.

While we waited for the contest to begin, some of our members participated in games of chance, squandering money on such idle pursuits. I however, decided to engage in a game of true skill and mental prowess; chess. My opponent was from the Healers' Guild; he had been there swindling at other games of chance most of the night. The game began well enough, with my playing the Queen Gambit Declined, but then, I foolishly moved my Queen out too early, thinking that this gentleman was only skilled in games of chance. Instead, he proved a worthy adversary, and it was a long fight to win my way back from a piece and a pawn deficit to equality. But, I let the game fall apart in a snap move--a blunder. After nearly 45 minutes of intense play, a mere copper exchanged hands. Nevertheless, I had the game positionally won; it was only my error that allowed him to win. Next time, I shall have to be more careful, and indeed bet more money; a silver or two at least.