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Original Link (now dead) - http://zone.msn.com/asheronscall/ASHEhistory01-02.asp
Flesh and Blood
by Brent Schmidt
Turbine Entertainment Software
Frostfell PY 12 / Earth: January 2002
Shaken by the attacks of the previous month, High Queen Elysa Strathelar's Guard was alert for more of Martine's attacks. Believing their defense of the Nexus arrival towns of Holtburg, Shoushi, and Yaraq to have been successful, the Guard was on the watch around these towns for more subtle attacks. In the town of Holtburg, Sir Rylanan was apprehensive of a supposedly reformed bandit living on the outskirts of town. Around Yaraq, Dame Tsaya was alerted to the presence of a newcomer who had moved into a previously abandoned villa. Sir Tenshin, the recently-appointed head of the garrison in Shoushi, was informed of a town resident who had begun to act strangely. Adventurers who answered the call of the Queen's guards to investigate these matters followed a trail that slowly uncovered a horrible plot to assassinate the Queen's son, Borelean. Forewarned of this attack, Borelean was saved, but with the life of her son threatened, Queen Elysa began to wonder how safe she and her son really were.
The attacks of the month of Frostfell also prompted Nuhmudira to move farther along in her plans. She delved deeper into dark magics, crossing a line from which she knew she could not return. Through the sacrifice of human life, Nuhmudira opened up new pathways of magic, infusing Isparian weapons with spells unknown before. These spells work in conjunction with known magics, increasing the abilities of Isparians. Nuhmudira hoped these spells would give the Isparians a better chance against the Empyreans she was sure were returning. To salve her conscience, Nuhmudira only sacrificed those whose crimes on Ispar and in Dereth are brutal, but in the darkness a malevolent force smiled.
There were some bright spots in the month of Snowreap though, as the falling snows saw the return of the Giant Snowmen not seen since the unnatural winter created by the Gelidites of Frore. Some people wondered where these creatures had been hiding the last few years, but the Snowman near Qalaba'r was little help in clearing up the mystery. In the end, most decided that not everything in Dereth was part of a plot to kill them and just enjoyed the atmosphere the Snowmen added to an otherwise forlorn festival season.
Despite the uncertain times, craftsmen continued to build as quickly as they could to satisfy the demand of Isparians for homes to call their own. Perhaps insecurity and doubt instilled in people a need for a place of refuge and safety in a world that seemed increasingly unsure. Even with these additional homes, demand was high and craftsmen knew they would get little rest in the coming months.
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