The sun shone on Ravenwood this harvest-time, and numerous new visitors came to know the excitement of autumn in the wood. This included a brood of happy chickens who briefly visited. After a difficult summer which included the loss of many familiar faces, this afternoon provided some much-needed levity. Marshal Law continued to throw his weight around and summon a council of new deputies-in-training. Mistress Ashdowne trained a veritable army to assist in sweeping the storefronts and a new addition to the outskirts of town. Taking an engineering project upon themselves, a number of young ladies also crafted an exceptional bridge over the waters of the creek.
As a result of unsettled debts with the moneylenders in Poke and a steep increase in property values, Ada had found her hobbit hole and apiary repossessed. After a brief stint of homelessness, Thokk and Ivan, now homeowners, agreed to allow her to move in. Thokk’s new precept of pacifism and his successful brewing business brought revenue to the hut-front. Ivan studied and tasked townsfolk to find the ingredients for a spell that would extend the monster-repelling magic of the tablets to their hut- and would also garner him more respect as a legitimate wizard. All the while, Ada worked to fight off the repeated goblin scourges and social calls from Michael and Pichael.
The full moon produced an effect on the forest. A group of monsters in the woods attacked a number of townsfolk out adventuring, and a werewolf killed a young lady among them. Luckily, Meldryn had been preparing for just such an eventuality, and was able to heal her of her injuries with a poultice.
A number of tournaments of strength were enjoyed, including a tug-of-war that consisted of the whole town. As both teams pulled and vied for victory, Thokk surreptitiously snuck behind a tree and tied off the rope, securing victory for Team 2. The temperate weather also allowed for various dances, and the people of Ravenwood were in high spirits as they made their way back to town. Upon arriving, however, they discovered that a small army had settled on a tract of land in the forest where the old goblin fort sat.
Mustering their forces, the townsfolk marched on the fort and discovered a West Anglian Duke was trying to take the land for himself. Duke Coriander Magot of Devlin heckled the townsfolk and took Auzzy the dragon-tamer captive, resulting in a skirmish. The Duke’s humble forces were rapidly overcome by the brave people of Ravenwood, and they surrendered and departed.
The townspeople encountered more new faces shortly after. A strange magician from the far East, Master Lepidus, entered the town with his hunchbacked and differently-abled assistant, Graw. Introducing himself, Master Lepidus delighted the crowds with his tricks. The greatest of all, however, was the final act- turning one shilling into two, with his magical bag!
Though initially skeptical, the townsfolk began gradually to buy into the magic, and gave their own shillings to be reproduced into many more. The shops were overrun with shoppers excited to make purchases with their new shillings. Some in town began to talk of settling debts or beginning home renovations with their new shillings. Meldryn was dubious, however.
After some bickering about the legitimacy of the new, orange shillings, one was put to the test- a blunt instrument was taken to it, and it shattered! Proven to be a cheat, Master Lepidus was thrown in the town jail for trial, and the vengeful townspeople plotted what was to become of him. That is, however, until the Duke of Devlin himself arrived in town. He announced that he had taken Mertag hostage, and that he wanted five hundred shillings before sundown or Mertag would be killed and all the might of his hosts would rain down upon Ravenwood.
The townspeople scrambled for answers- they most certainly did not have 500 shillings among them, even counting Master Lepidus’ contribution of fake shillings. As he and Graw sang somber jailhouse tunes, the town settled upon an idea. They would make it appear that Master Lepidus had made them so rich that 500 shillings was no trouble at all, but in secret they would make out Master Lepidus to be the true prize: a well of endless wealth!
Thokk ran to bring the Duke back into town while the townspeople scattered their shillings like cobblestones on the streets, and the Duke returned once more. He announced as he entered that they had now taken Thokk as well, and that he intended to ignore Thokk’s dietary restrictions no less. The townspeople introduced Master Lepidus’ skills and the now-meager value of the hyperinflated shillings, and the Duke took the bait. In spite of their farcical protests, he took him as payment for their friends’ safe return.
The Duke departed, but not all was well. Cries from within the forest betrayed that Master Lepidus’ trickery had already been found out, without the assurance of Thokk and Mertag’s safety. The Duke’s second in command, Lieutenant Paprika, had recognized Master Lepidus from another town he had swindled. Summoning their warriors, the townspeople moved down into the forest paths and committed to a sneak attack, routing the Duke’s army though vastly outnumbered. Master Lepidus and Graw looted bodies as the battle raged on and the people of Ravenwood seemed to be failing in strength. The largest and fiercest of the West Anglian forces beat them back. The conflict was beginning to tip in the favor of the West Anglians, but suddenly a single projectile sailed amidst the fray. The Duke’s chest was pierced by one lucky arrow, and the grievous wound broke the morale of the army’s leader. He called for an immediate retreat, and limped off into the forest with the remnants of his men.
Thokk and Mertag emerged safely from the woods and all rejoiced, while Graw held the limp body of his fallen master, struck by many blows. Weeping, he carried him away into the forest. The two disappeared as suddenly and inexplicably as they had first come. With their friends returned unharmed and another victory secured in the name of Ravenwood, the townsfolk had a feast in town around the roaring fire and enjoyed one another’s company in peace.
STUNNING RETELLING OF THE DAY. THE PICTURES ARE AN EXCELLENT ADDITION.