A Crusader's Contemplation

Crampleflap converses with Jereck Serethil...

GREETINGS, readers! As you probably have noticed Jereck Serethil has popped up in many of my reports to date, and finally I have managed to get an interview with the holy crusader himself!

You have had an illustrious career with the Silver Hand, Lordaeron Royal Guard and now the Argent Crusade. Tell me, how do you maintain the will to keep going?

"In my past I have seen much conflict. Be it Horde or Alliance, both are ripe with corruption, hate and prejudice. Upon joining the Crusade - a neutral faction - I made it my duty to end the petty racism between the old enemies."

A Horde sympathiser? Really? I would not expect that from you. Supporting the savage Orc beasts.

"That is exactly the type of narrow minded tntolerance I have come to despise, Gnome. As I stated I am neutral, perhaps I am more inclined to aid the Alliance more than the Horde but both are guilty of heinous acts against each other and neither are in the right."

I doubt the King would take those words very lightly.

"So you are suggesting that myself, the Crusade and Tirion Fording himself are all traitors to the King. If the Horde launched an attack on the King I would give my life to defend him, but both sides need to lay down their age-old hatreds over trivial wars. Both are of equal blame and I cannot stress the importance of us working together to combat not only the Scourge, but also any other threat that may compromise the safety of all people. Orc or Human."

How can you be so callous towards the Horde's pillaging of our lands?

"Callous, no. Educated, yes. I do not agree with the Orcs' actions in Ashenvale or any attacks on lands that are of the Alliance, but the Alliance have committed similar crimes in the past, Gnome. Yes I have heard the screams of the innocent dying at the hands of the Horde, but I have also heard the screams of their children being slain and the cries of their mothers watching them being butchered. It is a double-edged sword... no-one is in the right."

Your patience with the horde is astounding. How did that come to be?

"I have no patience for the bloodthirsty amongst them, nor the ones who seek to pillage Alliance land. The Warchief however I do have patience for, he realises even moreso than our King that we must join forces if we are ever to repair this broken world. It is understandable that King Varian feels the way he does, due to the events that transpired after his kidnapping, and I do not blame him. I would probably possess the same hatreds if I was in his shoes. Thrall however accepts conflict with us is somewhat foolish, he just has a hard time keeping his leash on his forces."

If you had to chose, what faction would you fight for?

"Now that is a ridiculous question. Of course I would fight for the Alliance. I have before and I would again, but with the current turn of events in the north people must realise that unity is the key to victory. Tirion has stressed this so many times. Yet no-one will listen, all are to blinded by their prejudices, don't get me wrong many people have a reason to hate the Horde, but how can you accept the Ebon Blade into your ranks who have committed similar crimes and not the Horde? The Horde killed your family? Chances are the Ebon Blade had slain just as many. The Horde destroyed your lands? The Scourge destroy anything that gets in their way. So tell me, is it really that different? I will leave you to ponder on that."

Now that's food for thought if not anything else, and you know what? I am starting to see where he is coming from, but at least we know if push came to shove he would be backing our ranks.

Jereck left me with a message for Crusader Gaebriel of Lightsworn, "My allegiance is with the Alliance and always will be, yet at this current state of Azeroth we must put aside our hatreds and join together to destroy the Scourge. I will always be faithful to the Alliance and would never abandon them though you must realize without unity failure, death and destruction will surely follow."

Hard hitting words from a wise man. More news on the Tournament theft and those Scarlet rumors coming soon.

Tournament Tribulations: Deviant Detected!

Dictated in Dalaran by Crampleflap Fizzlewrench...

FOLLOWING the theft reported in Icecrown last month, more information on the culprit has emerged this week. The thief stole thousands of golds worth of equipment from the tournament and tensions between Horde and Alliance have been running high since.

Earlier this week Crusader Jereck Serethil - nicknamed ‘The Golden Crusader’ for his exploits in the Order of the Silver Hand and The Golden Light - chanced upon an intoxicated Gnome in the Underbelly of Dalaran, and uncovered new information regarding the incident.

Having filed the original story on this case, Jereck was more than happy to fill us in on what has been going on...

"Hail, brother."

"My, you're a tall one, Jereck!"

"Heh, thank you."

"So we hear that you spoke to a Gnome about the theft?"

"Yes, I saw him laying down in the sewers, and due to my oath as a paladin, I stopped to help the poor fellow. As I knelt by him I noticed multiple Champion’s seals scattered around him and on his person. Calmly, realizing that these were some of the stolen goods, I shook the Gnome awake. Then I asked him where he acquired the seals. After rigorous questioning he informed me that they belonged to a Human, and that he was staying in Dalaran in the Ledgermain Lounge and that this man had dropped a bag whilst walking through the sewers."

"Oh? So what did you do then?"

"I helped the Gnome to his feet and re-claimed the stolen seals, gave the Gnome my blessing and continued to the Ledgermain, where, sure as day, I spotted a Human rogue at the counter flipping a seal with his thumb. I began to walk over to him and then Amarial Sunsworn walked in. Being the only witness to the case I was surprised to see him in such close proximity to the thief."

"Corruption at the tournament?!"

"Far from it, master Gnome. As soon as Amarial spotted the cur he yelled out “THIEF!” startling him and forcing him to run. I chased him to Krasus’ Landing, cornering him. I told him that he should turn himself in and not to incur my retribution, but the man was crazy, he leapt off the edge. Looking over I could see he had a parachute on. Unfortunately we were unable to apprehend the fiend due to weather conditions."

The Golden Crusader provided a description on the thief: He stands about 6ft tall and has deep hazel eyes, he has shoulder-length blonde hair and a scraggly beard. He also has a distinct scar underneath his left eye and a runic tattoo on his right forearm. Anyone who spots the thief has been told not to apprehend him unless they are sure of their combat skills.

The Argent Crusade has offered a 1000 gold reward to anyone who captures him alive. The thief will need to be questioned and the stolen goods returned so please do not kill the criminal unless you have no choice.

Addendum: Tribute to the Fallen

Once more we are saddened to report the following losses of brave defenders of both factions. Let us hope that their souls are at rest and that the Light will watch over them.

Remember our fallen heroes:

• Dunthor Rooblat - deceased
• Crusader Lendrick Stoutheart - deceased
• Justicar Plaran Lorth - deceased
• Justicar Wubsplink Boomcrank - deceased
• Crusader Joran Mulrow - missing in action
• Champion Dorabor Roundbelly - missing in action

Theft in Icecrown!

Crusader Jereck Serethil writes...

TROUBLE has sparked a near conflict between The Sunreavers and The Silver Covenant at the argent tournament grounds in Icecrown. It was reported that in the early hours of yesterday morning several items of value were stolen from The Sunreaver's tent whilst the Quartermasters were asleep.

Amongst the stolen items were a Sin’dorei warblade, multiple lances that were property of the Horde and several bags full of Champions' marks. In monetary terms,the losses are estimated at 7,000 gold pieces, which has The Sunreavers fuming. We spoke to Amariel Sunsworn, a Sin’dorei of The Sunreavers, who claims to have caught a glimpse of the assailant.

"I was tending to the mounts outside as something had obviously disturbed them. One hawkstrider was so distressed that it bolted, I ordered the guards to retrieve it as I made my way back into the tent. Upon entering I saw a person clad in black leather – a rogue no doubt - carrying multiple items which are property of the Horde. I attempted to polymorph him in an effort to stop him but upon seeing me he let off a smoke bomb hopped on an Argent hippogryph and escaped."

The rogue in question stood about 5-6ft high and was wearing a black hooded mask. The only feature recognisable was his wispy blonde hair that came out the back of his hood. Unfortunately the culprit’s race could not be defined however several races have been ruled out. This leaves us with the options of Human, Sin’dorei, Forsaken or Kal’dorei.

Justicar Mariel Truehart speaks on the matter, "We at the Crusade are devastated by this heinous act that has not only resulted in the loss of thousands of gold in oods, but has also effectively raised tensions between the two factions that we are trying to unite with the spirit of competition here at the tournament. Any information regarding the theft should be reported to myself or Jereck Serethil who has taken a personal interest in this case."

Justicar Truehart can be found in the westernmost tent on the Tournament grounds and I can be contacted by mail. May the light shine upon you all.

Addendum: Tribute to the Fallen

Unfortunately many Crusaders have bravely fallen this week whilst defending assets, citizens and land from the relentless Scourge across Northrend. May the light guide their souls to eternal peace.

Remember our fallen heroes:

• Crusader Dronek Saldan - deceased
• Justical Fanthrose Subitar - deceased
• Defender Ralithor Stoutfist - deceased
• Crusader Gorfandon Beezlebrew - missing in action
• Champion Guth’dar Mondrek - missing in action