The Stormwind Times

Meeting Sophyra Bridlington.

A firebreathing dragon lady who eats your children for breakfast? Or is she? Perhaps she is a courtesan as so many claims, maybe she is indeed responsible for all the fel magic, demons and everything else bad you can think of around and within our city… Or maybe not? As I head to the Garrison, I know it is time to hear what the lady herself thinks.

It’s a nice calm evening when I approach the Garrison a little nervous of the to come interview with the rather well known, Sophyra Bridlington. You haven’t heard of her before? Then you must be new to our city for among the citizens of Stormwind, there are both good, bad and very much tremendously humorous rumors to hear about this woman. Her rumors usually hit you long before you get to see her.

I shake hands with this woman and take her out of the Garrison over to the tower to get some privacy, on the way over it come clear to me that the woman is a very charismatic lady. Because as we pass a couple she seems unable to hold her tongue.
“That was a long kiss..” she says. To which I had to remark that perhaps it would be fitting if I wrote an article on long kisses later. The lady herself has a sense of humor no doubt. “Will it include field practice?” Something tells me that this woman is one of a kind, ready with any comment to anything that may come her way.




Now.. How did it come to pass that you became a magister and working for House Mistmantle?
It is magistrate, miss. Magisters are elven magi. I started with House Dieudonne as their financial advisor.
I see. And it was the count himself that hired you?

Due to their guarding work, they asked me to study law and apply for prosecutor, which was granted by the then minister of justice.
And who was the then minister of justice?
Omanos Galenos.
How many years have you now been working for House Dieudonne and later House Mistmantle?
I progressed to magistrate when Braiden Mistmantle was appointed Grand Magistrate.
I worked about half a year for house Dieudonne, then about three months later took the Count on his earlier invitation to work for him. I am working for the count for three months now, I believe. As a financial advisor and representative.
I heard that the Anethioneans gave the Count a hard time when they discovered he had hired you, are there any truth to this claim?
I think we are confusing Count Tarvik Dieudonne and Count Braiden Mistmantle.

But that does bring me to the next part. You have had quite the history with those zealots havent you?
You can say so, I have had an unfortunate misunderstanding with Regelius Renn, the High Inquisitor. But we have sorted it out like civilized people.
Mind going a little more in detail about your misunderstanding with him?
That is between him and me, and long buried in the past. I didn't drag him to court, and he didn't burn me at a stake. That says enough that it was minor and not worth mentioning.
I see. And if I ask you the same as I asked their former High Inquisitor.. Which was.. How many times out of ten does the Chapter in your eyes or to your knowledge illegally torture their prisoners, who is illegally taken to begin with.. He said nine.. What would you say?
Ten out of ten, Chapter has no guard rights so every detainment they make is illegal.
Have you ever been on that part of their bad side before?
I haven't, but from my dealing with the High Inquisitor I've found him a very reasonable man who takes in all the facts.
That High Inquisitor is long gone by now though, if I am not mistaken he was killed a long time ago.
He was. I've not had an encounter with the Chapter since.

How would you describe your personal relationship to Count Mistmantle?
I am an employee, and he is my boss. Our relationship is the best on 16th of every month, when he pays my salary.
And your former relationship to a demoness lady named Ireth?
These are rumours but I do have to ask you know.
Why, I was married to her of course! No, of course not. Before she was a demoness, she was a regular patron at the establishment I used to run.
And which establishment was this?
Red Eclipse, a night of entertainment hosted in the Slaughtered Lamb weekly ..two years back?
What kind of services did the Red Eclipse offer its clients?
Drinks, conversation, dance and music. I was running it with my friend Oshuni, and later with Valerias Dawn who later moved to found the Jewel of Dalaran.

I have even heard you had to do some voodo to get the counts current wife pregnant.
Whatever voodoo the count and his wife did to make her pregnant, they didn't invite me.
I hear you are a dancer is that true?
I am.
I also have been told you never or quite rarely ever do your business without escort of guards is that true too?
That is quiet true, they are all equipped with a personal invisibility field as you can plainly see.
- Oh yes of course I am sure I got about nine blades pointing at my back as we speak
No, I've never had a bodyguard in my life.
- If I do though I hope they will remain still, I am way better with my quill than my blades.

Try to keep in mind that rumours are rumours now miss as I dont intend to offend you.
Its being said that you are quite skilled in the ways of fel and that you part took in some rather serious abuse of magic in Westfall? Rendering the entire area wrecked for a while about soon two years ago?

I know, I enjoy hearing some of them. Some have me a dragon in disguise, others a demoness. I think there was even a rumor that I tore a greater demon to bits with my bare hands and ate it whole.

-You are the second dragon I have heard of in a week then.. Apparently the other dragon did not get the memo of their powers being lost.. People have too vivid imaginations these days.

I do not practice fel, and the Westfall operation was approved by the Kirin Tor and counter-approved by the Tower of Stormwind. Any rumors of ill effects are just that, malicious rumors directed against the property of House Dieudonne by its rivals.


Does any of the rumors of your association with demons, fel and your assumed position under count Braiden Mistmantle and also the former Lord Tarvik, and their supposed dealings with the same hold any shred of truth at all?
In other words, am I an undercover demonic broker? No, I am not.
But..if you ever feel the need to sell your soul, I know a man who has a sister whose dog is walked by a man who knows a broker. Just joking.
- I shall keep my soul for now but if I ever you know.. I will let you know

Are you at all informed about the current case with the Count and his attempt of executing a blade named Nilda, without proof?
I am unaware of the details of the Nilda-case, I am afraid. But you must be aware that executions without 'proof' are permitted in some rare cases.
-They are. But as the laws of Stormwind let a necromancer live. I doubt as words have it..
-That she spoke out about two other former Ravenholt assassins.. That killing her for claiming she is one, as the count claimed without proof when the other two were released..
-Is abuse of the law if this information is correct.
I am too ignorant of the case to comment, I am afraid.

- I hope the count have proper cause for this though.. But on to the next question
There are words and actions in motion these days all the way to Dalaran, speaking against the count claiming he is corrupt and that the council will be forced to deal with removing him from his position.
Do you have any comments on that?

Stormwind always craves a hero in golden armor and with a white cloak to see justice done, Braiden Mistmantle is the hero Stormwind needs. He protects the Kingdom and enforces the law without prejudice or softness. he is the best thing that has happened to the legal scene since the days of Lord Zverenhoff.

- You seem to know him well miss.

Those rumors and malcontent are just words of malicious elements in the society who want to see the justice weakened.

- From a reporters view.. Do try to change his mind. For if this girl dies.. I fear you will see a public rebellion unlike anything before. This is the one single case considering all I have heard of this. That I am sure the accused is innocent.

And it will be put down, like all the rebellions in the past. I doubt they have a leader of VanCleef's caliber at hand. And VanCleef failed.

-Words speaking of other intensions behind this case.. sounds.. very real. This is about a woman with kids.. Being threatened with execution while others walk free. Far different and the farmers, the casual citizens seems very agitated.

Of course they do, that is how terrorists work miss. They speak plausible lies to turn the citizens from their King and his ministers in times of war and crisis.

-If you say so. Are you not worried of the risk of your own position if the Count is indeed taken off his seat?
I am, but he is a great man and I will stand with him to the last as should all loyal subjects of Stormwind. One group wanted Drustai dead, another wanted her to walk free. He acted according to the law, to the letter, and was swayed by neither party.
He is the man we need on the chair, and he is the man we got on the chair. As far as I am concerned - he stays on that chair.

-I am not yet making an article on him, but this will be good for when I do. Just waiting the outcome of the case first.

Great men always invite jealousy, and the jealous try to pull them down out of spite.

-True words that, miss. Had I had all the evidence on both sides here it would make a great article. But people are reluctant to talk

If I may comment, miss.

-Of course

Word has it that Nilda is being 'sentenced' on something she said in another trial. There has been a precedent for that.
I have heard words of that too.. Its also claimed she was arrested for the attack on the garrison while she atteneded the trial taking place inside.

In the famous Chapter-case, the Chapter defendants said that they have captured and executed Protector Immanuel. They have used that to distance themselves from his crimes. -That- got them sentenced on the spot for murder and impersonating Stormwind official.
- Which when witnesses to her arrest state so many different things, makes it hard to know what’s actual fact. That.. must be long ago? I dont think I have seen any records of the man in question at all.

Several years.

- That would explain it.. I did not dig that far back as the cases I am working on are fairly new.

- As you apparently are no demoness about to kill me, I fear I don’t have much to add for now miss. I would however like to speak to you at some point if I make an article on the Tanarisi tribes or something else of importance

Of course, thank you miss.

-No thank you. It’s not much to go on in either of these cases so any words spoken are good for the article. As I assume you don’t know Vincent Whistecastle? Or.. knew I mean?

Never really met him.

-Then I think we are done for now. It’s been a pleasure to meet you. I am a little disappointed you don’t breath fire and have eight arms though. It would make me the owner of Stormwind Times in a heartbeat.

Oh, that is for exclusive interviews you will have to pay for.
-I shall keep that in mind too.

Like stated above, walking from this interview I found myself a little disappointed that the woman there are so many legends of, actually is just a very charismatic charming woman. A magistrate, a financial advisor, a lady from Tanaris who seems to be well adapted to anything coming her way. What else can people of Stormwind ask for? And I can now vogue after being alone with this woman, that there is sadly enough no fire coming from her mouth, she doesn’t have eight arms, she does not look like she just ate a newborn for breakfast and well, she seems like a nice lady. What else can the people of Stormwind ask for?

New banners rise within our glorious city! Stormwind Times went to meet with Kingdom of Stromgarde!

Interview with Kingdom of Stromgarde.

Part taking in this interview:
Adenah "Duskeye" Thorgint-Goldheart.
Ambassador, and currently placeholding Archmage. However since Arathor's ties to the Kirin Tor are not solid our term of Archmage does not reach to the same extend as theirs. Uncle said he'd prefer it to be renamed to Grand-mage or Head-mage.
Married, to Jarren "Stormclaw" Goldheart.
Eodan "Steedsmane" Haidren
Engaged te' Skytalon. An' stand as military commander o' te' Arathorian army, as Blademaster. Te' rank o' Warlord go' absolved along wi' claims o' royalty te' te' Arathorian throne.


We have all heard about the changes that have come as of late to your order. Mind revealing a little more in depth of what happened with Seiken Trollbane and his depature from the order?

Seiken Lionmane was leadin' our kin fer a while as Regent Lord, as ye kno', 'owever, 'is choices and descisions led our kin te' unstable ground an' shattered Alliances.

And your people are now currently lead how?

As a result o' many o' 'is rash an' temperamental orders, we issued a vote o' nay confidense te' 'im and as such removed 'im from command. Formin' our small-council, of which Adenah an' meself are a part o'. Elected by our people.

How many is a part of this council?
Currently four, including the great-elder five.
A sixth will probably be chosen when Michael Dellore possibly returns. Who is our archmage.
Every aspect has a "chief" so the speak, and if matters need deciding we can be rest assured it will always be for the best of our people.


In regards of Vincent Whitecastle, the Blades earlier this evening denied giving out any interviews, without their commanders concent, which I have sent for of course.. But I also have heard your people had a lot to do with this, in forms of awards and other things. Mind sharing the true story of what happened?
We'll both have a lot to say to that, some things possibly best not published. But I believe some words are possible on both accounts.

Vincent es an enemy o' te' Grand Alliance. As a part o' i', we pledge te' 'unt 'is order down till te' last man or woman stands justice.

So the day it all came down.. Are not to be spoken of?

Miss Dundell. Of everyone who has fallen victim to Vincent Whitecastle. The Arathorians possibly suffered most. Many have fallen, and several bear scars of physical and mental origin for the rest of their lives for some of the horrors he did.
It's a chapter we would love to leave behind. Yet it keeps haunting us, no matter where we go.

So I have heard miss. Which is why the shouting voices of the injustice of his death, should be silenced with the truth.. But if you do not wish to debate that, then that is something I need to accept.

People shout that his death was unjust?

-Some do. And some claims the Blades were not the ones to take his head at all.

I do not care who took his head, I am glad it is however no longer part of his body.

-Which is why I am trying to find a way to write and give knowledge of what truly happened.
Eodan: Te' truth es simple. Te' man es proven guilty an' killed. Te' Blades fer Hire killed 'im. They presen'ed me 'is head. His order o'wever still exists.

Aldric Essalus Helmfrid claims that the Chapter, more correctly Osmand their vicar, hid Vincent Whitecastle from the true justice. Do you two know anything about that?

I will give you a brief explanation, but details will be left out for the protection of so-
I do. I am the one who unmasked him.

However, Sir Helmfrid was part of the Chapter. And helped in hiding and protecting Vincent.

- That makes his story a little.. giffy

Helmfrid es a fraud. Always 'as been. Always will be. Te' Chapter es easely swayed by promise o' conversion.

- As he claims discovering said treason made him leave them.
.
I can assure you he did not leave after discovering that. He tried to protect Vincent against Arathorians.

- I shall definiftly write that down

'Is hate towards our people proves this.
Sir Helmfrid did not hesitate to pull a gun on me, indeed.

About this hate.. Mind telling me what your plans are now? Where you will stay and what you all will do?
Now, I do not wish to endanger our alliances with people in and around Stormwind.
The Anethonians and Arathorians do not get along on matters of faith and views.
My Great-Uncle has been with the Anethonians at the same time that Vincent Whitecastle was.
He is convinced he has been shown that Anethion is also an Ancestor for us to be revered. Perhaps in time we can settle things between their order and ourselves.

I was not aware he was a former Anethionean. And who is your Great-Uncle?
Grand-Elder Orthur Thorgint.
He is also here in Stormwind along with the rest of you?
Aye. He is indeed, but he tends to be very elusive.

Then I shall simply send words to him and see if he wants to talk, if not. No harm no faul
But yes. Your orders plans for the future?

Reforgin' lost alliances. Settlin' in te' city. Strenghtenin' our numbers b'fore travelin' north once ready an' reclaimin' our 'omes and more. Our goal es our peoples well bein', an' tha' counts te' whichever end.

Rumours claim, you are in deep with the Blades for Hire..
Would you say you are on friendly terms with them only?

Te' Blades an' I share a long history. One o' cooperation an' friendship. One which es bein' tested as of late.


When your order first came here to Stormwind now.. There were news of attempted slaughter on your order, but the only trial that came of it did not mention this attempted slaughter.. Why is that?
A: Attempted slaughter?

- Attacks on several people of your order. It did not go unnoticed.

Eodan: Please be more specific? We 'ave taken attacks from thugs, aye, bu' there 'as nay been a trial as them culprits are yet te' be arrested.
- Do you know who did it then? As I heard two of them was in the care of the Disciples? And yet there was no trial on their wrong doings?
A: This must have been during my absence Eodan?
E: Yer bein' cryptic, Miss Dundell.

- I shall try to elaborate then sir. I have heard that when your order first arrived in Stormwind - That during one day, several of your people was attacked, that two people a gnome? And a worgen? Was taken by the disciples. That the worgen was trialed for attempted rape? But none of them was trialed for attempted murder in plural?

E: Tha' es correct. We do nay kno' who did i'. Bu' te' Worgen was indeed trialled an' found guilty, punished wi' labour. Much te' mild fer me taste bu' we 'ave te' abide by te' laws. Te' other culprits were nay found.
Now.. These are not my words and I do not believe them. Some claims that your order is here in hopes of taking over Stormwind and that you have an army hidden among the citizens
Any.. comment on that?

A: Oh by Suxen's...-ahahahaha- beard...
E: Aye, we 'ave a bunch o' people hidin' swords in their jackets, waitin' fer me command te' strike 'ard an' fast. Ahahahahaha
A: Oh sorry...that was just fantastic. No...just, no... And hey even if...we'd not tell would we?

- Of course not. But if you do intend to ever do such a thing please do let me know.

E: Why? Ye plannin' on seatin' yerself as Queen, miss Dundell?

- Oh by the light no. I would just so like to publish it all first hand.. and walk behind your army.. I cant fight you with a quill you know

A: Well...if such ridiculous thing would ever come to happen....I'm sure you can follow the "Ah-hoom's"
- Oh I will try.

Is there anything.. I should know and would be allowed to publish. That I have not asked about?

Eodan: Our people 'ave been gran'ed blessing by te' last known regent, Lady Anaei Trollbane. She handed over official documents, te' Seal o' Arathor an' deed o' Stromgarde Keep te' our Small-council along wi' documents statin' nayone other than Danath Trollbane 'imself can make claims over te' small-council. As of such, meself an' our council rever Lady Trollbane as an honourary member an' will always be loved fer 'er sacrifices made fer our kin.

Adenah: Indeed, things may have come to change in purpose to be able to keep our people going. But the past is never forgotten.


E: One more thing I'd like te' add te' yer column.
Te' Arathorian military es recruitin' an' issuin' a call o' arms fer those able an' willing te' fight under our banner once more.
A: Add a small note under that to ask for some mages, please?

I felt a need to add who said what in the end of this interview.. Because they were good warm hearted people quite unlike the barbaric, unfriendly rumors I have heard of them. They could also tell me that the woman trialled earlier named Nilda, aided in taking out Vincent Whitecastle.

A woman with children.. A family woman. Who I have heard rumors were working for our very kingdom...
I have looked and waited for Nilda to come find me. I have not found her. If anyone have any information about Nilda and her current location. Please do contact Stormwind Times.

Surwich a place of Darkness

Quite some days ago, the Blades for Hire, hired by the Disciples of Light, along with the Chapter of Holy Anetion and other people I do not know who are, individuals aiding their cause, travelled the long way to Surwhich.

They were there to arrest, apprehend and if needed kill what was expected to be cultists.
How they got the information of where to find any, I do not know.

I have heard people died, that the cultists had set traps, broke down bridges, stones fell from the mountain sides, fires were started and people litterarly crushed.

I travelled there upon hearing of these news and the damages there looks sever. It is a haunted place and it sounds like they found what they were looking for. But who were these cultists? Evidence in form of Documents found there is claimed to lead to what they now call Black Hand. The order of Death! The takers of hearts.

Any information or details on this matter is appriciated. This cult and the other cult who seem to have risen... Are they one and the same? Are there more than one cult now? Are we looking at a new area of cultists such as in the times of the Hand of Nightmare and the Dark Sphere?

The Baron reads through the newspaper while enjoying his morning tea (only partially spiked with few drops of single malt). He face turns into a puzzled frown as he reads the letter about Braiden,"Again, what's so bad about that?" he asks himself as he turns the page to read about the interview with Adenah and Eodan. "It wouldn't have killed them to mention me in there" he thinks, his pride slightly hurt for but a moment.

He rises from his chair to begin his regular morning stroll through the finer quarters of Stormwind but pauses when he looks out at the grey rain that pours down on the city. He sighs, pours himself another cup of tea and begins to reread the paper.

Very nice read! I for one greatly appreciate the time you take to make Stormwind come alive. *Gives a cookie*.

Great Uncle Orthur here o/ Nice read, if you did want to organise an interview with Orthur just PM me on here or contact me ingame, I'm definately up for it if the Paper is still interested in Arathorian Culture.

Thanks to Aadria for publishing this edition, i had a few irl problems but since of the delays ill publish the next one this weekend to make it up for you

No problem^^

-That she spoke out about two other former Ravenholt assassins.. That killing her for claiming she is one, as the count claimed without proof when the other two were released..

((OOC: While rumours might say different, I just want to point out that one of the two actually did get executed. Only one was set free.))

Awesome edition. True server news, a nice read etc. Loving it.

((Dwyburn has fuel for both fires, both the Mistmantle and Chapter-chaps. Hooray! ))

Wolf reads the newspaper, scowling to herself as she read. She sigh heavy and shake her head, walking off.

Updated with the 4th Issue! Good reading!

To Lady Esteherat The non Graceful Flame, Guardian of Discord.

It has come to the attention of Stormwind Times after sharing a word with the Inquisition of the Chapter of Holy Anethion that they would like to invite you over for tea.
To debate your letter in depth as well as to discuss the reasons for all the people you kill and your relation to the cult called Black Hand.
So if you would kindly forward a letter to them on how they can come in contact with you, they would be most appreciative.

- signed L.D.

I love how this world is so different to the other, "real" world where everyone is like "We do not negotiate with terrorists".

Inviting Cult leaders for Tea <3

Obviously, but still can't stop smiling to the mental image.

[IC] Open letter to the Church, the Disciples and the Chapter
by Melnerag Today at 11:22

Might want to remove that part of the 4th edition

Melnerag is back with his gnomish mind control cap! Flee!

Haha, conspiracy overload. Time to bring out the old tin foil hat.

There is nothing like some good assumptions, rumors, half truths, full truths all mixed into a pile with some lies to top it off

"Eodan "Steedsmane" Haidren
Engaged te' Skytalon. An' stand as military commander o' te' Arathorian army, as Blademaster. Te' rank o' Warlord go' absolved along wi' claims o' royalty te' te' Arathorian throne."

Why would a journalist write out an accent? Not to mention the quite juvenile nicknames of the people, when they are supposed to be some sort of goverment officals.

Gogol wrote:Why would a journalist write out an accent? Not to mention the quite juvenile nicknames of the people, when they are supposed to be some sort of goverment officals.

Level of journalism here is over 9000 so it doesnt matter Gorgol

Braiden wrote:

Gogol wrote:Why would a journalist write out an accent? Not to mention the quite juvenile nicknames of the people, when they are supposed to be some sort of goverment officals.

Level of journalism here is over 9000 so it doesnt matter Gorgol

Gogol, gogol, gogol. I will let you pull my leg on this one Of course you know its their actual names and nicknames And its of course most charming to give the citizens of Stormwind some kind of false feeling of "getting" to "know" them through quoting them with their own dialect. So yes of course its quite bad to do so

Hm.

Greetings and salutations.

I approve of the mockery of Braiden's foolishness, let the world see him for the mongoloid he truly is! I congratulate you on highlighting Torradan's healthy liveliness and the birth giving by the woman he impregnated.

Life and health to Stormwind Times, the only newspaper reporting the truth!

All hail the Great General Secretary of the Party! He protects us all and this sacred forum!