Front Page News

[Kurohane]

<An article on to the side of the front page of the Gadgetzan Times>
Retaliation, Tactical Strike or Just Viciousness?
Swordwaltzers press the attack in Ashenvale

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v487/KanamoYuriko/Andruk2.jpg

As though the strange onslaught of seemingly ghostly attacks were not enough (see page 11 of issue 154 (http://swordwaltzers.guildportal.com/Guild.aspx?GuildID=86582&ForumID=403062&TabID=744678&TopicID=3156497)), the Swordwaltzers moved tonight to strike down the Flight Masters at both Zoram'Gar Outpost and Splinter Tree. This bold move came without warning and sent the unseasoned Horde in the area scattering for a new escape route.

"I didn't know what was happening," a shaken undead priestess told us at the Zoram'Gar Outpost. "I was heading out to do some tasks when suddenly a night elf appeared behind me and put his dagger in my back. I saw the others come riding in as I lost conciousness. When I woke up, all of the gaurds and Andruk were dead."

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v487/KanamoYuriko/Andruk1.jpg

In Splinter Tree, things were found to be much the same. A surviving orc merchant told us: "It was horrible. I watch this priestess come riding in, one of our champions, right through the middle of thier line. She dropped like a fly, she did. And then a shamman came too - another of our best - and they killed him just seconds before they murdered Vhulgra. I was too scared to move. I guess they didn't see me, or didn't think me big enough of a threat 'cause nobody touched me."

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v487/KanamoYuriko/Vhulgra.jpg

With the recent onslaught of attacks upon Astranaar and the brutal slaying of the elven town's gaurds and merchants on a nearly daily basis, one can only wonder at the true purpose behind tonight's attack. No Swordwaltzers have been found as of yet to give comment.

[Fhenrir]

Fhenrir snarled to himself as he read through the notice, spitting to the side and throwing the paper into a nearby fire.

"This warrants a bit of explanation... maybea chance to make use of my new blade." Fhenrir grimaced momentarily before whistling for his wolf and riding off.

[Vilmah]

Vilmah read the article with a frown as she sat on Edmund's back in Orgrimmar, and shook her head. When she came to the end, she threw the paper into a brazier, and watched it burn.

"It looks like the Inquisitors will be busy. This has gone on long enough," she said quietly, before taking Edmund's reigns and kicking him harder than she meant to.

[Grayslin]

Sylennis grinned as she put down the paper.

"Well that should attract some extra-special attention" she said to no one in particular. "I'll enjoy the extra practice."

With a smug grin, she strapped on her armor and weapons and stepped out the door.

[Barke]

Barke sighed as he read the article. He had done his part in that night but now he just frowned as he finished.

"I don't like this....they make it sound like a massacre...." He let out another sigh folding up the article. He patted his frostsaber gently on the neck. The cat had finally agreed to a name. She was now named Kadian. In memory of his long gone friend.

You know what will happen....

"Yes....we should be prepared..." Again he sighed as he turned to Kadian. "Come lets go. We have things to do."

The cat seemed to nod and they both made their way out of Winterspring.

[turen]

Turen eyed the issue of the Times before chuckling softly to himself. "Its amazin' what makes th' paper these days..." he muttered, recalling how often he had seen Flight Masters felled. He wondered briefly how the Regiment was doing before tossing the issue out into the murky waters that surrounded his hideout, yet another reminder of how far he had fallen.

[Kurohane]

It was truly a pleasant day in Darnassus. The warm rays of the sun shimmered down through the trees, casting green, pink and lavender hughes across the sprialing white architecture. It reminded Kurohane of her frist home, lost so long ago, Eldre'Thalas. She smiled faintly from her perch on the ledge of the terrace that spanned over the exit from the grand city into Teldrassil.

It was her favorite place in the whole city. She could spend hours there, watching the traffic pass in and out of the city, reading her beloved books, even working on the ever present paperwork for the guild. It had also become well known to a few within the guild that this was where she coudl often be found. Thusly, it was no surprise to her when she saw Barke come into view from the depths of the city, galloping towards her.

Turning to greet her newest officer, she smiled as he mounted the last step, raising a hand to greet him warmly.

"'ello, Kurohane," he nodded towards her, though if he smiled, it did not touch his eyes. The rest of his face was hidden behind the mask and cowl he so often wore.

"What brings you back to the mundane, Barke?" she returned.

In responce, he pulled a folded parchment from one of the layers of his garb and careful unfolded it as he spoke. "Figured yeh migh' want teh see this."

Letting her smile fade, she accept the page he handed to her and allowed her gaze to quickly take in the contents. Slowly her eyes widened as she re-read it, her brow furrowing. With a small sigh, she looked back up at the rogue. "...So," her face smoothed itself, though not even a glimmer of her normal polite smile returned. "Quite the intresting interpitation of our attack last night..."

"Aye," he answered as she returned her gaze to the news article.

"Have you heard anything from the other side on this yet?"

"No' yet. But ah'm expectin' soon ah will."

Kurohane nodded, sighing as she spoke. "And it is likely they will act without even confirming what this paints a picture of."

"Most likely..." he nodded as well before the two fell into a momentary silence.

Her mind began wondering, and she brought her finger up to tap her lip in a tale-tell manner. Turning, she moved to a nearby table and smooted the article out on the surface. "Writing them would do nothing... they'd only turn this into what they want: More fodder for this unofficial war. That's all this is - a political article designed to stir up the fight even more. It servers thier profits."

"They wouldn't listen anyway. The article made i' sound like we killed every living thing in the towns."

"That it did. Made it sounds as much without ever coming out and actually saying that," she grimaced.

Barke sighed, "Ah'll try meh best teh defuse what ah can but meh thoughts are we will be in a bit o' trouble soon."

Kurohane sighed and nodded. "There are a few people I could write, though I so loathe to have to do so..." Trailing off, she resumed her thoughtful lip tapping. "There has to be a political manuever around this... Blades will only server to further this image they have painted us in." She shook her head, allowing her hand to fall back to her side. "But without being able to actually speak to any members of the horde, it's beyond anything I can do."

A moment of silence fell upon the two elves again before Barke spoke quietly. "Ah'm sure Ah'll be hearing from a certain Tauren soon."

Kurohane grimaced and glanced over at Barke, "Perhaps he might lend an ear before resorting to blade..? I know, too much to hope for, again."

"He is more reasonable than that. I don't think 'e would hit first." Barke said with a small shrug.

"Hmm. Mayhaps a letter would be in order, then. Even one who knows the truth of the matter would be better than none. One spark can spread into a fire, after all. I know a goblin down in Gadgetzan that is trustworthy for these sort of matters." It was a slim chance, but one none the less.

"I'll send the letter directly myself," he shook his head, raising his gaze to meet her's. ""No need for the goblin."

She nodded in return, not bothering with the obvious question. "Do you know if there are any others in our ranks who have such contacts?" When he shook his head, she hesitated a moment before continuing. "I might know somebody else who can give me a few more contacts as well... I'll have to see if I can get ahold of the little twerp."

Barke nodded. "Anythin' will 'elp..."

"At this point...?" Kurohane trailed off, shaking her head as Barke let forth another small sigh. "We will make it through this. Besides, so many of them already hate us from other false information or other such idiocies... Well, we will do what we can and what we must."

With his nod, she stood and smoothed her silken skirts over her hips. "We had best get on with it. I'll see you later tonight, Barke. Keep safe."

[Fhenrir]

A note pinned to a board near the inn of Gadgetzan sways slightly in the wind, only held by a single nail, which clips a copy of the news article to the board directly behind it. It is addressed to the Swordwaltzers:

And here I thought the 'Waltzers had more honor than to mindlessly slay my brethren. Suppose I shouldn't have expected more from elves, who seem to display nothing but the most unwise of tactics considering how long they've lived on Azeroth.

If any of you are foolish enough to attack while I'm awake, you can expect a wrath unmatched to bore down upon you. No elves will make fools of the Horde as long as Fhenrir Phoenix lives.

[Chingaso]

Chingaso look over article. Chingaso notice foul alliance make attack when Grim on other side of Azeroth.

*feh, cowards

Chingaso think time for move Swordwaltzers from "mark for death" to "exterminated." Chingaso resolve to bring up with Steward of Grim.

[Chingaso]

Through network of goblin spies, Chingaso hear of House of Kai and Sanctuary form Patrol to try stop Swordwaltzers' raids.

"Heh," think Chingaso, "what next? Sanctions?"

[Vilmah]

Through network of goblin spies, Chingaso hear of House of Kai and Sanctuary form Patrol to try stop Swordwaltzers' raids.

"Heh," think Chingaso, "what next? Sanctions?"

((Exqueeze me? Sanctuary hasn't done a thing against Swordwaltzers. Yet.))

[Chingaso]

...Guardian Vilmah of Sanctuary was also in attendance.
Chingaso rest case...

[Chingaso]

Fine.

Try to participate...

Out of this one.

[Jobolg]

Jobolg sat comfortably on an oaken chair in the middle of nowhere... literally; quite centered in the middle of Tanaris, reading over the paper. Things such as chairs were easy to carry when one had the proper equipment. He gripped the paper firmly on the edges, holding it in front of him to simultaneously block the desert winds and the annoying blowing sands that came with them. A few adventurers passing by on their mounts gave him peculiar looks, but none of them stopped to ask what he was doing, and he said nothing to any of them. His eyes scanned over the article about the attack and he nodded.

"Well, if it's in the paper, it MUST be true! Because everyone knows goblins are known for their honesty, rather than their love of profit! Still, I think it can be believed that there -was- some sort of attack, and.. well, that's good enough to warrant some counter-measures. I suppose I have no choice but to go violence up some folks," Jobolg said, flipping the page.

"Ooo! The Funnies!"

[Vilmah]

"Ooo! The Funnies!"

((LOL...goshdammit.....))

[Kurohane]

(( Zust & Vilmah - I can see why Ching thought that's what you meant. I thought so as well until you clarified.

Chingaso - Please feel free to continue in this thread. However, as I could see your point on Zust's post, I can also see thier point. I'd like the majority of things posted in this thread to primarily be from in-game interactions, save where we *have* to use other means (ie, letters between memebers of horde and alliances).

Jobolg - You made me giggle at work. O_O And thanks for helping bringo out one of my points. <3 ))

[Noury]

Nouri was just finishing up the hem on a new colorful wizard's robe he had been commissioned to make for an rather vain (but wealthy) warlock when the door to his modest cell in the Cathedral of Light shook with the force of heavy knocks.

The sound startled Nouri and he pricked his finger with the sharp hemming needle. With a silent curse, he cast a lesser heal and went to open the door. There looking rather serious was Archbishop Benedictus himself, with what appeared to be a rolled up newspaper in his hand. Nouri was about to jokingly point out that the archbishop had missed the turn to the lavatory by 2 doors when the stone faced gaze of the man made Nouri hold his tongue.

"Brother Nouri. I know you have been sequestered here in the Cathedral for some time of late, and probably aren't in touch with the outside world. I thought it best to bring you up to date on some of the 'misadventures' that band of miscreants you have attached yourself to have been up to."

Benedictus held out the paper for Nouri to take. Opening the roll Nouri saw it to be a copy of that second rate goblin periodical, the Gadgetzan Times. It took Nouri a few minutes to find the article that had so disturbed the archbishop, and several more to read the contents.

Nouri was outraged! This didn't sound right, not at all. " Your Eminence, this cannot be taken at face value! I assure you that if there was an attack there was just cause and certainly not the carnage that this article seems to imply. Those dolts that call themselves reporters are nothing more than rumour mongers, sensationalizing for the sake of profit. "

"Hmm. Possibly. However the Church cannot afford the luxury of appearing to be sympathetic to terrorists. You are hereby forbidden to associate any longer with these "Swordwaltzers" . Am I clear?"

Without waiting for a reply, the archbishop turned and left Nouri standing with his mouth agape.

After a few moments of thought, Nouri came to a decision. Quietly he packed up his meager belongings and waited for the evening prayers. When the halls of the Catherdral were empty he steathlily made his way out into the city, not turning to look back.

[Ellsbeth]

Ellsbeth laughed to herself and folded the paper and placed it back underneath the snoring gnome's head. The inn in Gadzetzan was quiet save for the almost cute snores of the little gnome.

"About time." She thought to herself. "It's taken them forever to do something when we constantly destroy Astranaar."

She walked out into the desert sun, shielding her face from the light.

[Shadowspeak]

Through network of goblin spies, Chingaso hear of House of Kai and Sanctuary form Patrol to try stop Swordwaltzers' raids.

"Heh," think Chingaso, "what next? Sanctions?"

((Exqueeze me? Sanctuary hasn't done a thing against Swordwaltzers. Yet.))

((heh. Terich, Togron, and I specificaly target Kurohane if we see her.

No better way to be more hated by a guild than ruthlessly killing their leader))

[Vilmah]

Through network of goblin spies, Chingaso hear of House of Kai and Sanctuary form Patrol to try stop Swordwaltzers' raids.

"Heh," think Chingaso, "what next? Sanctions?"

((Exqueeze me? Sanctuary hasn't done a thing against Swordwaltzers. Yet.))

((heh. Terich, Togron, and I specificaly target Kurohane if we see her.

No better way to be more hated by a guild than ruthlessly killing their leader))

((Sanctuary is NOT about hatred.

We're about justice.

Dealing justice in the form of specific targetting, corpse camping, and spying enemy wherabouts.))

[Shadowspeak]

Through network of goblin spies, Chingaso hear of House of Kai and Sanctuary form Patrol to try stop Swordwaltzers' raids.

"Heh," think Chingaso, "what next? Sanctions?"

((Exqueeze me? Sanctuary hasn't done a thing against Swordwaltzers. Yet.))

((heh. Terich, Togron, and I specificaly target Kurohane if we see her.

No better way to be more hated by a guild than ruthlessly killing their leader))

((Sanctuary is NOT about hatred.

We're about justice.

Dealing justice in the form of specific targetting, corpse camping, and spying enemy wherabouts.))

I wasnt talking about Sanctuary silly. I was talking about me, togron, and terich.))

[Kurohane]

((heh. Terich, Togron, and I specificaly target Kurohane if we see her.

No better way to be more hated by a guild than ruthlessly killing their leader))

(( Um... that'd require me taking notice. Or my members. I think the only time I recall seeing you out in the world, Shadow, was at a rather large SS/TM battle. If you killed me then, I was too busy barking orders to take note. <3 ))


((Sanctuary is NOT about hatred.

We're about justice.

Dealing justice in the form of specific targetting, corpse camping, and spying enemy wherabouts.))

(( Then you may be intrested in seeing the truth behind this little storyline, when we get to that point. If people don't jump the gun, of course. ^_~ But this is a free-form RP. I'm as intrested to see where this story winds up going as you seem to be. :P ))

[Shadowspeak]

((heh. Terich, Togron, and I specificaly target Kurohane if we see her.

No better way to be more hated by a guild than ruthlessly killing their leader))

(( Um... that'd require me taking notice. Or my members. I think the only time I recall seeing you out in the world, Shadow, was at a rather large SS/TM battle. If you killed me then, I was too busy barking orders to take note. <3 ))

come to TM more then. :P ))

[Alucian]

((This is the post referenced in the original since GuildPortal is frequently lame. It was posted Sunday a week ago.))

Ghosts in Ashenvale?
Recent attacks lead locals to believe in spirits

Reports have come in from the Horde outposts of Splintertree and Zoram'gar that the region of Ashenvale suffered a relentless attack last evening. The perpetrator is believed to be Alliance and is at large, but many also believe a different story: that the attacks are being done by a vengeful ghost.

Corpses found after the attacks were mauled, seemingly by a large, powerful animal. Claw and bite marks were readily apparent in some of the bodies, and some were even torn limb from limb. The intelligent method behind the attacks, however, dissuades the notion of a simple wild beast.

"It came out of nowhere," one survivor of the Splintertree attack commented. "It slayed guards left and right. Some of the weaker Horde members didn't even escape the onslaught. It wasn't some wolf or bear though...it was smart. It showed mercy to a few of us merchants."

The attacks began roughly after midnight in the camp of the Warsong clan. Peons and scouts were found dead, many left in pieces. The arrangement of the bodies indicates that they didn't even have time to come to grips with their fate.

"We had to suspend production for a few hours," the foreman told our reporters. "It wouldn't have been as bad if the Mor'shann wasn't attacked at the same time. They had to close the gate cause all the guards were killed. It delayed the transport of new workers from the Crossroads. We're a day behind schedule now."

The vengeful spirit theory didn't arise until a survivor of the Zoram'gar attack was interviewed by our reporters. "It was a dark presence. A presence of midnight blue with fiery bronze eyes. It tore through our guards as if their armor was paper and their weapons sticks. The whole time howling, howling..."

If the spirit theory is not true, then the likely explanation is an assassination team sent by Astranaar, but the officials there claim no responsibility. "I've seen the destruction," one commented. "The ghastly way in which those corpses were mutilated. I can't lie, it's a boon to the Alliance efforts in Ashenvale, but it's dreadful, dreadful. I would never allow such disgraceful butchering under an Alliance banner."

With the Horde presence weakened in Ashenvale, additional members of the Horde are being called in to defend the area as rebuilding commences. As of now, no clues have been uncovered as to who or what the attacker was, but the Horde officials in the area are confident that they will be prepared for another attack, should it come.

[Vilmah]

I wasnt talking about Sanctuary silly. I was talking about me, togron, and terich.))

((I know, and I was adding to it.))



(( Then you may be intrested in seeing the truth behind this little storyline, when we get to that point. If people don't jump the gun, of course. ^_~ But this is a free-form RP. I'm as intrested to see where this story winds up going as you seem to be. :P ))

((Yeah, I'm interested to learn the truth. Might mean a little detective work with Najme is in order.))

[Barke]

Barke stood on the building staring down at the masses. Orgrimmar seemed as busy as it always was when he visited. He had been watching them go about their business for an hour or so now. He could not help but notice the similarity in it all. He picked up a few words here and their and more than one conversation he could understand. Just people going about their business.

He quietly let out a sigh. Although the case was such if he allowed himself to be seen he would be attacked. He remembered that clearly from a pervious visit.

He smiled. It was about time his distraction went off. A few moments passed and then the great bonfire near the gate erupted into a blue flame. It shot various trails of multi-colored sparks into the air. He smiled again as everyones attention turned to the harmless event.

Barke quietly dropped down to the mailbox and slipped the letter in. He climbed back to the roof and made his way out of the city.

Now he just had to wait....

[Vilmah]

The eruption of blue flames caught Vilmah's attention. She looked at the bonfire, shocked beyond reason that they were... blue.

"Now that's tacky," she said, rolling her eyes. "What were they thinking? Blue doesn't match anything in here!"

[Noury]

"Excommunicated." That was the word they used. A fancy way of saying "you are no longer welcome in our hallowed halls.."

The news came as no surprise. After all, Nouri left by his own choice upon hearing the unfair commandment of Archbishop Benedictus forbidding him to associate with the Swordwalters. Still the official proclamation stung.

Nouri's first concern at receiving the letter (on clean parchment, bearing the golden seal of the Archbishop himself) was the fact that he would now need to find somewhere else to train in the power of the Light. The second was that he would not have access to the extensive libraries and scriptures the Cathedral held in its vaults. All that knowledge, now beyond his reach.

Far down the list was that he no longer had a place to hang his staff. He was once more a hermit, a wanderer without a permanent residence. The thought briefly flashed through his head that he could take up with the troggs again, but that was swiftly tossed aside by the image of a smiling, copper haired rogue. Teelia would not appreciate seeing all her efforts in 'civilizing' Nouri wasted. Besides, the thought of dissapointing her brought a knot to his stomach.

Salvation came from the one place that Nouri expected it to come from, the Swordwaltzers.

The meeting was well attended. Kurohane had taken up semi-permanent residence here in her homeland so the Swordwaltzers adopted the place as their regular meeting place. Nouri had been to Darnasus before with Teelia and was fascinated with the unique architecture and open society the Kaldorei had fashioned out of the wilderness they helped create.

Discussion as expected revolved around the wild accusations published in that damning article. Nouri felt his anxiety for his comrades grow as many told of their experiences since the story broke and the repurcussions they endured. For some the news was fresh, and Kurohane was diligent in relaying the truth of that had actually happened. If there was ever any doubt in Nouri's mind that the events were grossly misreported there were none after that speech.

Where this would eventually lead them all, Nouri could not say, nor did he receive any divine vision. But he did receive solace in knowing that through the graces of the Swordwaltzers, he might be able to gain access to the Temple of Elune in Darnassus to further his training and to study.

The words that soothed Nouri's troubled soul and restored his optimism came from Celestrae, wise priestess that she is;

" Remember Nouri, the Light follows you wherever you go."

[Teelia]

Teelia sat through most of the meeting silently. She listened to what Kurohane had said, but her mind was elsewhere. Her mind was on Nouri.

The priest had been thrown out of the church for his relationship to the Swordwaltzers, and this simply would not do. Teelia thought of speaking to Kurohane about it further, but the Ogema had her hands full all the time. This was something Teelia would help Nouri with, if he wished it.

After the meeting, Teelia activated the magical energies of the hearthstone and transported herself back to Stormwind. It was time to study the church...to see if they were as 'clean' as they pretended to be.

Her thoughts also drifted toward what the goblins had written about the Swordwaltzers. Teelia knew this group of people were good and kind hearted, but if pressed they could be fearsome opponents. Perhaps now they had been pressed too far, and it was time to show a few people how fearsome this band could be....