The First Land Herald/434-04-01

Article Number: 28

Dateline: 434-04-01

ASKETI’S RIDE: ONE NIGHT, THREE PROVINCES On the eve of the New Year, some feared what may be coming and stayed home -- it was the time of the annual Asketi's Ride and the Curse of the Icebound Heart.  Others remained out and about knowing that, if their city were chosen, they would do their best to protect it. This ride, Asketi did not choose only one or two cities.  She assaulted all three of the Crossing, Riverhaven, and Shard at once.  During waves of battle with her traditional assortment of followers -- zephyrs, ice adders, ghasts, wind wretches, wind hags, horned black steeds, and Asketian heralds -- the North Wind banshees cast the curse on the hearts of many, turning bodies into ice statues if they perished before finding a Cleric to help remove it. I witnessed these foes blazing through the inner walls of Shard, overwhelming citizens and Sentinels while shouting out these threatening cries: A misty black zephyr snarled, "The North Wind will rend your souls!"  "Curse your soul!" a wind wretch spit with malice. A bony wind wretch gasped, whispering "Fear...the Night of Glory..." before he died. "Asketi claim you all!" a loud voice exploded into the area as a stalwart Asketian herald entered, red eyes brightly aglow. Left behind was at least one keepsake, a dark steel claymore etched with twining adders down the length of the blade.  This fearsome sword is defined by the hundreds of adders twining and writhing all over the blade, the decorations masterfully etched. Meanwhile, telepathic cries for help came from the northern cities on the gwethdesuan.  The Ranger's Guild sounded especially dire, as they repeatedly announced they were under attack, and several Legendary Rangers went down fighting. Eventually cursed myself, the last thing I saw in the final moments before my untimely death was a lesser North Wind banshee suddenly leaping aloft, eyes dimming to solid night-black orbs and wild hair whipping about her face.  She flew toward me with one outstretched claw, shoving her immaterial hand deeply into my chest, gripping my heart and beginning to squeeze.  Coils of frosty blue mist arose out of my impending blackout like so many fat, voracious snakes. The world blurred as the banshee began a horrid, torturous wailing.  A violent bluish glow coruscated about my chest and constricted my heartbeat with an ethereal fist.  For several moments, I lost myself in a phantasmagoria of monstrous winters, leafless trees, and tall ice-crowned crags.  I was outlined by a bluish corona as the Icebound Heart curse erected a frozen statue out of my soul, a cruel monument to my suffering. If you've never gazed upon one of these statues, you may want to avert your eyes.  As a ghost, I was able to see my own body, the remains of my heart exploded through a destroyed chest and the eerie frozen twin standing next to it.  Transfixed with an expression of anguish, this was a crudely sculpted Human woman of glistening blue ice, hands outstretched for help. Whether your impulse is to stare or look away, we want to remind you for next year that you should NOT touch any of these statues, as you will find yourself afflicted with the Curse upon contact. Until Asketi rides again, Shaylynne Sauvage Assistant Reporter of the First Land Herald

Real Date: Unknown Date

Subject(s): Asketi Asketian herald Asketi's Ride Bony wind wretch Crossing Ghast Hideous horned black steed Lesser North Wind banshee Misty black zephyr Ragged wind hag Riverhaven Shard Sinuous ice adder

Author(s): Shaylynne