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EXTRA! EXTRA! January’s edition of the Silver Tribune has arrived! 

Top Story: Year In Review

As is tradition, we take a look back at how far we've come as a kingdom this past year, before looking to our glorious future!

Read this story and more news around Azeroth here!

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READ ALL ABOUT IT! This month’s issue of the Silver Tribune (finally) hit stands today! 

Top story: Rift to the Shadowlands Tears Open Over Icecrown Citadel

Horde and Alliance leaders have been kidnapped as the sky ripped open over Icecrown earlier this month! Can they be saved? What’s happened to cause this rift between this life and the afterlife?

Read more about this unprecedented event, and other news stories, here!

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Reflections of the Past

Luminash did not feel the cold. While his robes whipped around him and whirls of white powder were lifted off the ground by Icecrown’s frigid wind, a ripple, a fold, in space held the magister aloof from such concerns. His only thoughts were, as they had been many years before when he last stood in this place, of all that the Scourge had taken from him, from all of his people. The threat of the Scourge had been broken, the fallen avenged, their blood, crying out for justice, calmed and put to rest. Freed of the new Lich King’s grasp, though, the ravening hordes truly were unleashed, and seemingly driven by some yet-unknown will. And so he had come, just as he had before, answering no call to arms, but rather the spilled blood of Quel’Thalas. Unmoved by the blizzard raging around him, the magister raised his gaze from the gentle slope before him, which dropped precipitously into a ravaged crevice with walls of black ice, swarming with the Scourge and reeking, even at this distance, of decay and the plague cauldrons of the Cult of the Damned.

Above it all, the sky had been shattered. How, Luminash still did not know, but before word of the Scourge had ever reached Silvermoon, he had felt something wrong in the world’s fabric, as if the fine, beautifully delicate threads of space had been snagged suddenly on a gnarled branch and just as suddenly rent, like a child, blissful in its ignorance, losing their footing while climbing a tree. The feeling was just as gut-wrenching, just as unexpected, and over just as quickly as a fall. It was not until word came of Scourge in the Ghostlands and along the Dead Scar growing bolder, carving new paths into barely-healed glades, and news of a broken sky opening like a hungry mouth over Icecrown that Luminash put the two together. Now he himself looked up into that gulf, its edges jagged as broken glass, and stared into what seemed an infinite dark.

Suddenly, Luminash was jolted from his thoughts by the crunching of footfalls in the snow behind him. Dangerous, it was, to lose oneself out here. Nearly drowned out in the wind, but still audible now that the magister focused more closely, there were sickly gurgles, nonsensical babbling, and gnashing of teeth in addition to the footfalls - sure signs of Scourge. The sounds brought back memories best left buried, the slaughter of the Dawnwing line, the proud spires of Silvermoon brought to ruin…

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By Any Other Name

Tyrellius Duskfury exhaled sharply out of his nose. His mask hid well the disapproving scowl on his face, as he escorted Lady Silentspear into Everblaze Manor. While the Demon Hunter didn’t see in the same way as his elven kin, he could still perceive his surroundings well. Better than most, thanks to his prime bound demon. Observers saw the world through many different lenses. And now, so did he. Everblaze Manor was… gaudy. Crimson drapery with golden filigree, the grandiose portrait frames and statue busts lining the corridors– most of which depicted Lord Everblaze himself, of course– the vaulted ceiling crowded with dimly lit chandeliers… all of it shiney and extravagant! The manor was a monument to the Magister’s narcissism, most assuredly. Tyrellius found himself glad, for once, that he’d gouged his real eyes out to spare them the true pain of seeing all this naturally.

Tydori, on the other hand, didn’t seem fazed in the slightest. A rather slender woman, she walked the halls of the Manor with such grace and reverence, any passer-by could have mistaken her for master of the domain. If not for the garish horns protruding from her raven hair, perhaps. She dressed the part nonetheless; an elegant black dress with red and gold trim. A blindfold to match. Simple, but all the same displayed a fealty to the High Kingdom. And that wasn’t an accident. For months, since stepping into the spotlight of the Council, she’s long represented the side of Quel’Thalas often left too forgotten by those living in the luxury of Silvermoon. Soldiers and citizens, all who have made often-overlooked sacrifices. She needed no extravagant dress or peacocky attire. Hers was a platform of simplicity and fealty. And she wore it well in both the literal and figurative sense.

That’s why they were here, Tyrellius could only surmise; Lady Silentspear’s controversial propositions had tipped the Sun Council itself on its head. Outraged at her “radical” ideas for reformation, she was dismissed… much to the ire of the people whom she represented. Protests, riots, anger in all its forms from civil to ugly all erupted throughout Silvermoon. Unintended by Tydori, of course, but Tyrellius knew she wouldn’t have been invited to a Councilor’s estate if noise hadn’t been made on her behalf. Though, he never expected Lord Bey’ron Everblaze, of all the Councilors, to be the one who would reach out first. An odd move, even for him. Despite the support she’d garnered from her fellow elves, to any politician she was a poison; was Lord Everblaze truly so powerful– or arrogant– to host her like this without losing face?

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THIS JUST IN! November's Edition of the Silver Tribune is out now!

Top Story: Kaldorei Leadership Establishes Foothold in Nordrassil

Perched strategically atop the highest point in all of Kalimdor, the Armistice-ignoring Kaldorei hold Orgrimmar compromised! How long until they lay siege to the Horde capital?

Read this story, and other news around Azeroth, in this month’s issue!

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Alone

I have always been alone.

From the beginning, I was never understood. Surrounded by so many– friends, family, everyone– all of them having resigned to the decisions and machinations of someone else. Spouses to spouses, citizens to magistrates, criminals to gang bosses… No one I knew had any measure of self-assurance. No ambitions beyond surviving to the next day, or week. Content in their mediocrity. Pathetic! What manner of elf could abide such inappetence? Not me. I stood alone; the radiant phoenix among a flock of low flying dragonhawks. The sun’s warmth called on me to rise above.

Ambition alone means nothing without direction. I saw only one aspiration worth chasing; a crown. The Sun Crown. For too long, I had been told the Sunstrider lineage bore the sole claim to the monarchy. Why? Dath’remar’s undeniable achievements were wrought in blood, pain, toil, and sacrifice! And his progeny benefit from simply sharing his bloodline? No wonder my elven kin are so sated; no ambition thrives in a world where your lot in life is simply handed to you. Born into nobility, or spawned into poverty… should that define an elf? Did it define Dath’remar? An absurd notion. The High Kingdom was built on his ambition! It should not serve as ambition’s tomb! No… my people would see that bloodline alone means nothing. They are so content to be governed? So eager to be ruled over?

Then I shall rule them.

The path before me was clear; and yet, fraught with obstacles, both miring and dangerous. But I was not deterred by such adversity. In fact, it only enkindled my drive! All the opposition between my golden objective and me served only as proof that it was worthy of my pursuit! I started with the gift I had been given; an affinity for magic. Not uncommon among my people, but it seemed to be more of a curse than a blessing for many of the ignorant fools surrounding me. They used their arcane gifts to ease their mediocre lives… and nothing more! Magic made them all the lazier. Their sails may have already been closed, but what little arcane proficiencies they bore stilled the winds. None of them saw the potential I did. I fully grasped the Arcana before me! I shaped it, and molded it, and bent it to my will! I rode it to new heights, and became among the most powerful of my people! Finally, I was among others with ambition! But even they had their own self-imposed limitations.

The Fel is dangerous, they told me. Warned me. Shielding themselves from it like a storm. I didn’t run from the storm’s terrible thunder– I reached for it! An investment in power would be the only way to earn my throne! And if that meant stealing the power from chaos to bring about order of my own design… so be it! I bridled the thunder of the storm; the dangerous and terrible Fel became another weapon in my arsenal! Another rung on my ladder!

There was something else of which I should have been wary, however. Something far more dangerous than demonfire. Love. I found another I thought shared in my ambition. Someone with which I believed I could climb to the top of the mountain of my greatest dreams! Only to learn she, too, had resigned herself to play the role of a pawn in another’s game. By the time the love blindness was lifted, it was too late. Love narrows one’s vision, setting a haze over the path to destiny. I was burned, literally and figuratively, by trusting someone too much. But even that misstep didn’t defer me from my path. Nothing would!

Now, I am closer than ever; the prestigious Sun Council dances to the steady rhythm I so subtly play with the tap of my finger. Do any of them realize it? Some suspect, I’m sure. But if I’ve learned anything in this ascent, it’s to be mindful. Subtle. Cautious. The masses are content to be ruled. But those who imagine themselves rulers do not. Still they dance; their feet move to the beat, the illusion of agency. Their decisions are more easily made when they believe them to be of their own design. I’ll call them colleagues. Peers. It caresses their fragile egos, and keeps them docile; revealing just how beneath me they really are will only agitate and antagonize them. And I’ve enough obstacles yet to face without adding more, needlessly.

It matters little, in any case; soon they’ll learn the truth for themselves. They’ve always been beneath me. I have no one. I need no one!

I have always been alone.

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Patron Reward - Bey’ron Everblaze

Completed Chibi Icon of everyone’s favorite smug asshole Magister <3 ( @lordbeyron / @thefugitivemango )

~*~*~

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HOT OFF THE PRESSES! October's Edition of the Silver Tribune hit stands this morning!

Top Story: Lady Runeseeker Targeted by Outraged Protestors!

Blowback from the dismissal of Lady Silentspear has hit a fever pitch! The outspoken Lady Runeseeker has been identified as a prime antagonist by protestors everywhere... and she fears for her life!

Read this story and other news from around Azeroth right here!

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READ ALL ABOUT IT! September's Edition of the Silver Tribune is out now!

Top Story: Murder Attempt! Zandalari Queen Absconds to Dazar'alor!

Queen Talanji of the Zandalari Empire was nearly poisoned at a Horde Council feast! Who's behind this nefarious act? How could Orgrimmar's security be so lax as to allow such a thing?

Read this story and others in this month’s issue, found here!

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The Horde Council Banquet

[Hall of Legends]: The unprofessional debate seems to grow louder, as Zandalari and Forsaken diplomats start to nearly shout at one another!

[Avivion]: "Should we be worried about them?"

[Syrielle]: "Eh... you really want to get into that? What are they arguing about anyway?"

[Hall of Legends]: "--Like we can really be trustin' ya kind afta ya Dark Lady abandoned us!" one of the Zandalari diplomats shouts, accusingly. "How -dare- you compare us to her? Should I liken all your kind to your Prophet Zul, then?" a Forsaken hisses back!

[Avivion]: "It's not the subject I care about so much as concern that they might start throwing things."

[Hall of Legends]: A hush falls over the room, as most of the diplomats turn their attention to the unfolding scene...

[Syrielle]: Syrielle watches the scene with interest now, taking small bites of food from her plate.

[Hall of Legends]: "Enough of this! Ya Horde is full of cowards and liars!" the Zandalari declares! "Ya Council sits on their hands, honorin' some makeshift peace with tha Alliance scum that killed our King!"

[Luminash]: Luminash's ear quirks as he listens to the argument, though he outwardly seems to be paying attention to his food.

[Hall of Legends]: "--Hey, that's enough out of you!" an Orc pipes up. A few of them step in to intervene...

[Syrielle]: "Eesh..." Syrielle whispers, "Don't think that'll help. Orcs have zero patience."

[Hall of Legends]: "Don't ya be touchin' me, Orc!" The Zandalari slams his fist into the ground, knocking the Orcs and Forsaken away from him! The Orcs slam into the wall... and the Forsaken are knocked back towards the elves near the table!

[Beyron]: Bey'ron sidesteps quickly as a Forsaken careens past him! He scoffs.

[[ It’s never a dull moment for the Sun Council! Attending a preliminary banquet put on by the new Horde Council, Bey’ron and his attendant Frentessa, Syrielle, Luminash, and Council Protocol officer Avivion, found what was supposed to be a casual, almost dull affair quickly turned into an all out brawl! Some discontentment among the Horde and its allies shows peace may be further off than we thought-- even among our own! Read the full logs here! Thanks to those who attended, and welcome our new member Avivion, played by the talented @anidragon​! ]]

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BREAKING NEWS! August's Edition of the Silver Tribune released today!

Top Story: Silentspear's Dismissal from Sun Council Sparks Civil Unrest!

Controversial whistle-blower punished for calling out the Sun Council on its less-than balanced practices, and the citizenry is in an uproar over it! Is it nepotism in its worst form?

Read it for yourself in this month’s issue!

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Kaldorei Cleanup

[Luminash]: Luminash advances further, ignoring the sentinels - clearing the way obviously didn't work. He bends the space around Stilloak's arms to try and hold her enough to delay the ritual.

[Luminash]: Some residual power lingering from his previous failed spell, the bending space contracted rapidly, Stilloak's arms not only trapped, but bones shattering with sickening crunches, blood seeping even in stasis.

[The Sentinels]: Stilloak cries out in agony as the bones in her arms are literally shattered in hundreds of places! She's paralyzed in place by Luminash' spatial-warping spell! The ritual is halted! Purple lunges in to slash at the Magister in response!

[Luminash]: Concentrating too heavily on his stasis spell, Luminash cannot react as quickly as he had before, and is slashed down his right arm, from shoulder to elbow. He falls back, cradling the arm with a wince.

[The Sentinels]: The defending sentinel (green) moves in to follow-up, lunging for Luminash with her glaive as well!

[Luminash]: Luminash is forced back to the wall of the ruined estate by another slash, this taking him across the chest. He can do little more than glare venomously at the assailing sentinels.

[The Sentinels]: Luminash's spell is disrupted, and Stilloak's arms fall limp to her sides. She panics! "W-We have to escape! Get us out of here!" she instructs, grimacing in immense pain!

[[ A big hero moment when @luminashdawnwing casts an incantation to bind the elusive disgraced commander Stilloak, performing some manner of ritual in the Ghostlands! The scene illustrates how potent a Magister pushed to the edge can be! The Sun Council and the Farstriders managed to apprehend the rogue kaldorei, finally ending her terrorist plot against the High Kingdom! The event ran a bit long, spanning two days worth of event! But you can read the entire log here! Thanks again for showing up and taking command of the Farstrider NPCs, Ruthar @ronaestrider! This joint mission was a huge success! ]]

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EXTRA! EXTRA! July's Edition of the Silver Tribune is out now!

Top Story: Kaldorei Terrorists Loose in Eversong Woods!

Our Farstriders swift action may have had dire consequences, as some Kaldorei insurgents remain within our sacred forests! How much damage will they do before they're fully dealt with?

Read more of this eye-opening news, and other stories from around Azeroth in this month’s issue!

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The Kaldorei Ambush!

[Beyron]: With a grunt, Bey'ron begins another incantation. The ground beneath Commander Stilloak begins to rumble, before exploding in a cataclysmic rupture! [The Sentinels]: Having just rolled to escape Nichaad's grip, Commander Stilloak's unable to get away in time! Fel fire burns her body, causing her to shriek! [The Sentinels]: Standing up, the Sentinel (circle) raises her bow. She fires a volley of arrows to rain down on the sin'dorei! [The Sentinels]: Arrows rain down, two of them striking Luminash, Bey'ron, and Syrielle each! [Ruthar]: Ruthar's ears flutter at the sound of the volley, all too familiar with Stilloak's tactics. He shifts up the ramp to get a better vantage point of her and this dangerous associate. [Luminash]: Luminash's prismatic shield came too late, solidifying around him as one arrow stuck in the back of his arm, the other in his leg. [The Sentinels]: Commander Stilloak staggers back in a huff! She looks rough, after the barrage of Arcane and fel magic that's hit her thus far! This seems like time to fall back! She turns to flee! [Syrielle]: Syrielle's next spell fizzles as she's hit. She cries out as an arrow lodges itself in her shoulder, and another in her side. [Beyron]: Bey'ron is struck in the back - another arrow driving clean through his left forearm! He collapses to his knees! [Luminash]: Staggering forward, Luminash shouts after Stilloak, "You will answer for this, Commander!" He lashes out with a whip-like bolt of energy, aiming for her legs to knock her down. [Luminash]: Stilloak's legs are caught with the bolt, knocking them out from under her and sending her tumbling to the ground. [Ruthar]: Ruthar quickly scans and realizes the last remaining quarry is behind him. He charges in an attempt to grapple and subdue without deadly force. [The Sentinels]: The Sentinel attempts to flee like her Commander does, but stumbles backwards and falls! Ouf!

[[Thought to be scattered by the Farstriders, a small contingent of remaining rogue Kaldorei crash a meeting at Everblaze Manor! The attendees do their best to thwart this unexpected attack, managing to subdue two of them for capture and questioning. But the elusive Commander Stilloak got away again... and clearly, her thirst for vengeance has yet to be quenched! Read the full logs right here to see how it all shook out! And shoutout for the special guest appearance of Ranger Captain Ruthar @ronaestrider! ]]

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HOT OFF THE PRESSES! June's Edition of the Silver Tribune is out on the stands now!

Top Story: Founding Houses Come Under Fire By New Proposition

The very foundation of the Sun Council is being called into question by a new proposition! What could it mean for the future of this pillar of Quel'Thalas' political structure?

Read this and other news stories here!

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((Screenshots from our most recent guild event! @luminashdawnwing , @ranthas , @lordbeyron , Nichaad, @raynellalaria ))

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In Good Standing

The Magistry clerk’s office was immaculately tidy, annoyingly so if Luminash were to be honest. As he entered from the gently winding halls of the Spire, his eyes drifted along the walls lined with cubbyholes, each filled to the brim with scrolls, each slot meticulously labeled and sorted.

“Good afternoon, Magister Dawnwing. On behalf of the Magistry, we are pleased you could make it today,” the clerk whose office this was spoke, having first cleared his throat to grab the wandering attention of the magister.

“So, we meet again, Goldleaf. I should have known they’d have brought my favorite auditor in on this,” Luminash sighed, eyes falling upon the slight, bespectacled elf behind a desk that seemed too large for his thin frame. “So we do. I had thought you’d be used to dealing with me by now,” the clerk quipped, “After I personally signed every letter the Magistry sent back to you detailing precisely why your work on Zandalar could not continue.”

Luminash slid into the seat opposite Goldleaf with a grimace, “Let us be done with this, then. I know, by now, that you have little patience for me, and you know I’ve little for you.”

“Magister, I have more patience than you realize. It is simply that you find ways to test it before we have even begun to speak,” the other elf cut in, maintaining a calm, professional tone even as he wore a strained smile.

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