Before the Realm
The Fall of Ashbow Keep — preserved messages from the kingdom that came before.
Before the Realm of Blew Yonder, there was Ashbow Keep — and before Ashbow Keep, the games we played had no single name yet. These four messages were sent to the realm in late June of 1992, seven years before Drake first walked Tanglewood's streets. They record the kingdom's last days. The Brashkadel Mountains erupted. The royal egg was stolen. Black Dragons came over the city, and Queen Galena's wrath came with them.
Five magic users opened a portal in the center of town, and through it the survivors fled into what would, in time, be named anew.
Message #16 · Destiny · 06-27-92
Message #16
To: The Entire Realm
Date: 06-27-92
Subject: Destiny.
Stories of chaos and destruction are starting to reach the main
city of Ashbow Keep. Something is not at all right in the realm.
There are large meetings going on in the Cathedral to see if the
brothers can come up with an answer to all this madness. Reports
from all parts are saying sightings of dragons and strange cloud
formations seem to be everywhere. It appears that something has
disturbed the civalization of dragons and they are taking matters
into there own hands. The queen has sent many out on a quest.
Those reporting into town are saying that the dragons appear to be
flying in large groups scanning the area looking for something.
The clouds continue to form over the mountains and the winds are
blowing a bit harder too. Ships are beginning to sink. The town
of Elfin Port has had numerous buildings knocked down as well as
severe damage to the port area. Rumors that parts of King's Port
is on fire has not been confirmed yet. Those out on missions need
to take heed of this warning and protect yourself.
Message #17 · Kings Port · 06-27-92
Message #17
To: Realm of Ashbow Keep
Date: 06-27-92
Subject: Kings Port
It is sad to report, but it has been confirmed that the entire
city of Kings port in on fire. There have been many killed and
the other residents are heading out of town in a mass panic. It
seems a group of dragons landed in the towns square and were
attacked by the kings royal guard. It is not known who attacked
who first, but the dragons turned there anger into rage and set
the town on fire from many air to ground attacks. No dragons were
killed in the attack. The castle has been destroyed and it is
believed that the king too is dead. Someone said the golden queen
herself, Galena, took part in the air attack. Rumors of the
missing royal egg being stolen are said to be the cause of the
mass search. Orders were given to destroy or kill anyone or
anything that stands in the way of the search. So far, no one
has. The city of Ashbow Keep has been put on alert. Shops and
homes are being closed and prepared for the worse. The arena is
closed. The shops are closed. The only activity seems to be
taking place in the Cathedral and the Ashbow castle. More reports
as things continue to change.
Message #18 · Cathedral · 06-27-92
Message #18
To: Ashbow Keep
Date: 06-27-92
Subject: Cathedral
There have been meetings going on for most of the day. The
citizens of Ashbow are seeing some of the realms greatest magic
users gathering inside the walls of the Cathedral. After hours
of time, Sansabeth was seen to leave and enter her hidden cave.
Within seconds the whole cave and its confines simply disappeared.
She has left. Preparations seem to be underway to take care of
Ashlynn and Alabash as well. A party of royal guards was seen
escorting the two into the Cathedral earlier today and it is not
know what has become of the brother and sister. The castle of
Ashbow, their home, is still standing but appears empty. Up
ahead a group of at least 30 to 35 Black Dragons are seen making
thier way to the town of Ashbow Keep. A blueish glow begins to
come from the Cathedral and it turns to yellow and seems to cover
the entire structure. Some sort of shield it appears to be. The
citizens of Ashbow are seen to be taking to the Elfin forests.
Only a few of the strong and mighty warriors remain in town.
Two figures are seen standing in the main streets of the town.
It appears as if two old friends are telling each other goodbye
possibly. The famous blacksmith Duncan is seen holding one of his
mighty swords. And standing to his side is the realms greatest
warrior, Big Nast. Big Nast begins to head toward the castle
with Duncan at his side. Nast lowers the shield on his helmet,
makes ready his shield, and draws his long sword. The dragons
begin their final approach. The smell of smoke fills the air.
Message #19 · Con't...... · 06-28-92
Message #19
To: Realm
Date 06-28-92
Subject: Con't......
With the attack underway, the dragons seem to be having little
luck getting through the force field which covers the inner city.
As the magics exit the Cathedral they are joined by the rest in
the city. Big Nast escorts Ashlynn and Alabash back to the castle
and then bids them a farewell. With all the power they can summon,
the 5 magics focus all there energies at the castle. It begins to
rise from its foundation and in a flash, its gone. After this,
the others all meet in the center of town. With the energy dying
down, the force field will not be able to hold them back much
longer. All the powers they have left are joined as one and a
large portal forms in the center of town. The last magic user is
a Wizard. He comes from inside the Cathedral and has a large
staff in his hand. He is wearing a long white robe and has a
white beard that is very long as well. He aproches the portal as
the rest step to the side. With a blast from the staff, pieces
of this portal go in all directions and break through the outer
force field. The portal in now much smaller. One by one they
start to enter it and are seen no more. The dragons begin to blow
fire on all the building. As one comes onto the ground he blows
at the portal. His blast is stopped by a strong shield. As it
attempts to take off again, its chest is split open from the swing
of a mighty sword. One swing, one dead black dragon. One man
left on the street and he too enters the portal. Big Nast is
gone. The portal disappears and is no longer seen. The city of
Ashbow Keep is in blazes. As the building begin to fall in ashes,
and explosion is heard in the distance. The Brashkadel Mountains
are erupting. Red hot lava is seen pouring down all sides. As it
reaches the ground everything in its path is caught on fire.
Those left on the island will all be killed unless they find away
out. The land of Ashbow Keep is no longer. Let no man under-
estimate the power of a mother scorned. Goodbye to Ashlynn and
Alabash, may your journeys be safe and profitable. I bid you so
long...
The End...
The portal closed. The island fell. What rose to take its place would in time be called Fantasia, and then Blew Yonder — but the names that mattered came through with the survivors: Ashlynn, Alabash, the Wizard whose name no one set down, the Cathedral Brothers, and the realm's mightiest sword. The mountains that erupted were called the Brashkadel. They are not on any map of the realms that came after. They were left behind on purpose.