Prologue:
You must remember these tales of FT may be what has happened, what is currently happening, or looking through the mists of time that which is yet to come. Where or rather when this fits in depends entirely on your position fellow time walkers. All that can be said for sure is this follows the events of King Fear’s demise and our beloved Jester has found a new resting place. Let us jump into this tale and later we will introduce our main characters.
The Assault
Oh NO! Ascanius has been captured by Sebastius! Years of gloating and evil planning by Sebastius finally reached its pinnacle. His once revered teacher is now his captive and soon to become either his slave or die! The details of the capture are a bit shrouded in magical mystery but enough has been learned to attest Sebastius, or rather his evil spawn, knew how to manipulate Ascanius’ kindly and hopeful nature. Here is what we know.
Ascanius had received a sealed message that a conference was desired of him at 0.0. You see the 0.0. map is also a place for non-magic and non-fighting for all permanent residents of FT. The gods decreed so and even heavy weights such as these mages must obey. Ascanius had been to these meetings before. They always consisted of Sebastius wanting something and vowing to change only to be refused and end up cursing and taunting revenge and death! This time was very different, dangerously different. To his surprise no Sebastius and his retinue of evil henchmen but a solitary figure, a lovely one we might add, with dark long flowing hair and eyes so captivating even if she were not a mage would grab men’s hearts. Here was Sebastina the only offspring of Sebastius! However it wasn’t these things that endangered Ascanius but what she had to say. She related how she had begun to wonder about her father’s ways and knew Ascanius to be a kind teacher of a different pathway. She begged and pleaded that he make her his pupil like he had her father, but vowing to follow the better path. Included in her entreaties she mentioned how she was not worthy that he would even consider it, and that she would understand if he denied her request because of her father’s evil deeds, but that she was desperate and willing to be the lowliest of apprentices if he could find it in his heart to take her in. Her countenance was fallen; her posture slumped, giving every indication of a truthful plea. So Ascanius asked her to follow him to his home offering a trial period to see if she was in earnest. As they turned to go her eyes flashed dark and the edges of her mouth curled in an evil and pleased smile. Two maps south Ascanius, distracted by the prospect of defeating Sebastius by using his own daughter turned to good, was beset by many evil mages. Sebastina much more powerful that she appeared wrenched Ascanius’ wand out of his hand and a magical assault took place overpowering and disabling Ascanius till he lay in a heap on the ground overcome and unconscious. The plan had worked! Ascanius now became imprisoned in Sebastius’ lair.
The Panic
When Ascanius did not return panic ensued. Let me explain something about these mighty mages. They draw many would be mages who come and stay and learn. As such these mighty mages like our own institutes of learning over time have buildings, and assets, and workers comprising a small army of individuals. Among this army panic ran amuck and plans and vows were made, assets assessed, and a general sense of impending doom if they didn’t ‘fix this now!’. But honestly for all the vigor and anger and tears no one really knew how they ‘mere underlings’ could do much of anything against Sebastius. Panic quickly evolved into disarray and dejection. No one felt it more keenly than Ascania, yes Ascanius’ own daughter!
Here dear reader is where our beloved Jester enters this tale as he had done before ready to face adversity with a clear head and keen wit. He had long put away his jester garb, no longer playing the fool for some king’s sadistic enjoyment. He had come to Ascanius as an old friend and hoped he could make a career change and become a mage himself. He mused since he had carried many jester’s tools in his hands it would not be much different than grasping a wand! But alas we often are suited for certain things and the rigors of a mage life did not fit well. Ascanius indeed loved his witty friend but some of the comments and observations and incessant questionings about the whys and how comes of ancient magic proved a total distraction to teaching any mage class. No, our Jester was made for other things. In fact quickly the Jester became Ascanius’ right hand man for anything, non-magical that is, that needed to be done. Over time he acquired a nickname given to him by those others at Ascanius’ place of learning. At first it was a loving pun of sorts as a rhyme calling him Ascan, a little Ascanius, but something occurred to change it. You see the Jester didn’t mind doing anything however menial or dirty. But one day disposing of a large vessel containing the ashes from so much incense being burned there he managed to do a very uncharacteristic thing for our usually nimble Jester. He tripped and was covered with ashes! Within a week his name morphed from Ascan to Ash Can! So affectionately or in derision Ash Can he was! It was Ash Can’s calming presence that allowed Ascania to begin her own quest to recruit some warriors to aid in freeing her father. She found out quickly once she mentioned Sebastius most brave warriors found reasons to say no. But she found four unlikely warriors willing to take on the cause forming indeed a most unlikely alliance, unlikely to work together, but in most eyes unlikely to succeed. We shall see as time goes on their motives for joining this quest. Here then is our noble band faced with an incredible task.
Characters
DullBlade (DB) As his name implies he is too lazy to be bothered with much and is notorious for ignoring his equipment. Add to that he is so cheap his equipment level is always way below his own level!
Grabitall (GB) Well that is pretty self-explanatory, is this opportunity he smells? This dwarf is used to the jingle of gold.
ClumsyClub (CC) Oh dear, what have we here? This ogre seems more interested in good food, drink, and leisure.
Spellacus (SP) The only mage going along, he is part rebel and part perfectionist, and part “I don’t care about you if you don’t care about what I care about!”
Now the rest of our characters
Ascanius (AS) Mortally endangered mage who is one of the few stemming the tide of evil in FT.
Ascania (A) Sweet hearted daughter of Ascanius
Ash Can (AC) The inheritor of this band of “noble” heroes as Ascania’s representative on the quest.
Sebastina (SB) Gorgeous evil daughter of Sebastius who despises Ascania’s sickeningly sweet disposition. She probably hates her more than Ascanius!
Evil Henchman (EH) One of Sebastina’s lackeys under her dominion.
Now without further ado let us pick up the story as the band of five meet for the first time. Well each day I will add a chapter! To continue tomorrow!
