Brewfest...HOORAY BEER!

My office has been turned into a "dry out" center by the Priesthood. They decided that it was a convenient location since it was near their headquarters. I'm glad to help, but...MY OFFICE! And Rommath spends all his time on WebMD on MY netherbox, so...

...the best thing I can do is go enjoy Brewfest some more.

Have you seen the pink elekks yet? No? Find some of this beer.



Do it.

One of the best beers in the world.

Thank me later.

Rommath wants my netherbox again. I'll be at Farstrider Retreat. I'll have some kegs sent up.

Diplomatic matters

As one can probably guess, things have been busy in Silvermoon. This week we had a state visit from Archmage Aethas Sunreaver and Rhonin. Rhonin wanted to visit a city and land whose very essence was imbued with magic. I think he also wanted to visit his wife's homeland, but she did not join him. This was probably a good thing, as the atmosphere in Sunfury Spire was tense enough. I hear she's none too fond of the path our people have taken, and I'm sure that Halduron and I would have ended up "having words" with her. Sylvanas's sister has a harpy's tongue when she wishes to express her opinion. It's a good thing that only Rhonin came.

Of course, since Rhonin was here, Sunreaver had to accompany him. This, too, was probably a good thing. I trust any potential assassins stayed their blades and magic with the Archmagus by Rhonin's side at all times. Neutral or not, Rhonin is only a human, and there are many still bitter toward the entire race. Plus, Sunreaver is aware of the need to keep many aspects of the city, particularly the magical ones, secret. So he could give Rhonin some information without divulging anything important.

The downside is that three high-ranking mages in the same room makes for a volatile situation. At one point, Halduron defused it with a large bucket of cold water. I was caught in the splash, but it was certainly worth getting soaked to see those three sputter a bit. Halduron's lucky he's got that "good-looking boyish innocence and charm" thing going on. Somehow he can do things like that and get away with it.

My best friend is a lucky bastard.

The Lady After Dark

For some reason, no one had the foresight to tell me that the Boss Lady had a blog of her own. I found it after Googling my own name to see what PR atrocities might need to be resolved these days.

(Trust me, when you're in a position of leadership, you must do this every so often to find out who is making claims like you're their father. Funny...THAT one believes that her mother is Sylvanas. Hey, Boss Lady, is that a night YOU remember?)

To address some of Sylvanas's criticisms, I must say this: I was comfortable leading the Rangers. We were the land's military presence, and those good people would gladly lay down their lives without question if it was in defense of their homeland. Compare that to leading the rest of the citizenship, who would sooner die than get dirty. It's an entirely new challenge, and while I'm handling it fairly well (as far as I can tell), it takes vastly different methods than what we did in the Farstriders.

So yes, I get fussy when it comes to matters of state. There are a lot of people who resent no longer having a monarchy, and they cling to the "old ways." Due to this stubbornness against change, I am under constant criticism when it comes to government protocol. When Lady Sylvanas visits, I'd like to greet her as a friend and former boss. I'd like her to have the freedom to walk around the city as she pleases. I'd like to treat her with the pleasant familiarity we once had, rather than the awkwardness that has grown between us.

What the remaining nobles wish to see is a grand display of state, including the escorts, formal banquets, and celebrations in her honor because she is the leader of the Forsaken. To not treat her as a Queen is an insult, making Silvermoon and our new government look (or so they assume) disrespectful to the rest of the Horde. Such an affront is what my critics look for so they can promote someone with a noble title (and without a lick of experience) into my position.

Imagine, if you will, some flouncy ponce with a title of nobility and no real experience leading Silvermoon. You know the ones who survived were the ones who hid while Sylvanas fought to the bitter end. Would anyone want one of those in the position of authority? Some people do, and they are the ones whose game I must play for the good of the city. It may be enough to tell the Forsaken that following orders will lead to Arthas's downfall, but with the general Sin'dorei population one must use a silver-tongued approach.

My dear Sylvanas, understand this is why I must act as I do when you arrive in Silvermoon unannounced. The bowing and scraping and fussiness is for their comfort as much as it is for yours. Not having to deal with such fussiness is why when I need a break I go camping or fishing or hunting or get laid. With the exception of the latter, Thrall is often willing to join. You might want to try it some time. Hence, offers to go hunting still stand.

Finally, I totally believe that Rommath sent that picture to everyone you know. But knowing him, he probably received it as a chain letter email that told him to forward it to all of his contacts or his ears would fall off again. He may be a master mage (or so we're told) but when it comes to anything outside his area of expertise (whatever that is) he's not too bright.