Ithel

Ithel the Shrewd was a Scarlet inquisitor previously employed by Laurena Holcomb to hunt down wanted fugitives and high-profile apostates who posed a threat to the inquisition and Lordaeronian clergy. He often documenting the capabilities of these enemies to a thorough degree.

After the Scarlet Crusade was driven from Hearthglen and the Hand of the Unblinded was dismantled, he lead his own personal forces in the Western Plaguelands, and later swore allegiance to the Army of the Truthful.

During an Alliance occupation within the provinces north of Andorhal, Ithel was confronted during the Battle of Gloeckner's Charge, having been cornered by agents of 7 and subsequently captured. He was later executed in captivity, staunchly refusing to act as an informant and betray his cause.

History
The enigmatic, strange, and devious priest known as Ithel the Shrewd was an odd contrast among the scrappy and young insurgents he watched over. It was often difficult to believe that he once carried a prestigious role.

Ithel is scarcely shy when it comes to his service under Grand Inquisitor Isillien himself. His well-spoken experience as both councilman and ecclesiastical official provided him with a natural penchant for the aggressive enforcement of his own authority, and dealing with accompanying dissent.

Personality
Gregarious and personable when dealing with his comrades, Ithel had a natural charisma to him that made him far more approachable than the standard fare of inquisitor. His disarming nature was stark contrast to his colleague whom he worked closely with, Laurena Holcomb. Nevertheless, underneath his front of smiles and somewhat playful theatrics, it blended his crueler side, which was something truly devious. He quite often sought ways to unnerve and rattle people in ways to undermine their better judgement, surgically provoking otherwise calm individuals into erratic outbursts, and in many cases, he would go out of his way to emotionally torment those he deemed "worthy of such a punishment" in order to justify the means. He also rarely expressed any form of fear or remorse, and often fell into indignant tirades when things didn't pan out in his favor.

Before the Crusade (WIP)
-Ithel served for Laurena Holcomb during the formation of the Purifiers, acting as both counsel and delegate on her behalf.

-He took interest in Stromgarde and Alterac, hoping he could sway foreign fighters to aid Lordaeron's efforts to reclaim territory ravaged by the Scourge. During this, his motives began to shift, finding diplomacy to be half-measure in the face of dire threats.

-Ithel's sudden vigilance was sparked by the strange circumstances surrounding the Alteraci territory of Norlaran.

-Ithel deemed it paramount to subjugate the area and capture any remnant affiliates of House Kessler.

-Confronts Felix Deichert and subdues him during the Subjugation of Norlaran.

Lingering Pests
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Spiders
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The Treachery of the Argents
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--(PH) "I suppose the supple-minded masses will gobble up anything the poor-poor Argent holdouts would say. Most certainly it's quite plausible a dreadlord was in the bastion, and Dawnbringer's unscrupulous sellswords--not his personal cadre that he lauds and showers with laurels--were competent enough to defeat this sinister demon! However, will we continue to ignore the far less ridiculous circumstance? That it was all vicious, evil SUBTERFUGE. A lie and great charade usurping our might! That is the legacy of the Argent Dawn! Liars, schemers, and thieves, all of them! They draw upon the emotionally weak and supple-minded to champion their cause as, providing a cheap thrill more than anything else, a way to reap glory with simple theatrics and vague gestures at eradicating corruption... They are not cut out for this work, yet they insist on sliding in when it's convenient! Despicable sycophants! They dared to cross us, and they dared to spit on our legacy! OURS! Don't fall for their devious fantasy! I can go on for quite some time about the debauchery we've faced but the truth is obvious! Arise from your stupor!"

Stealing from Thieves
Following the fall of Hearthglen, Ithel was without a home, but not without a plan. Gloeckner's Charge--former Scarlet territory recently captured by the Argent Crusade at the time--became the inquisitor's immediate interest upon gaining a notable following of militants. Though he did conduct a campaign of terror and violence against the surrounding hamlet, he knew that victory through pure attrition was a fool's errand, especially with the meager numbers his force had. Ithel had little affinity for military and soldierly conduct, despite his aptness for zeal and brutality. His sharp cunning and elusive guile were the sharpest swords in his arsenal, both of which he used with deadly effectiveness; the bloody takeover of Gloeckner's Charge would ultimately earn his epithet 'the Shrewd.'

Ithel's Gambit
Ithel began a campaign of guerrilla attacks against the bordering Argent settlements west of Felstone. The minor aggression slowly grated the patience of the commanding forces within Gloeckner's Charge, who would soon attempt to reach terms of negotiation with the man at the helm of these terrorizing acts. Despite the inquisitor's manpower dwindling significantly in his reckless campaign, he was steadfast in his goals to tax the Argents' patience. It would eventually come to that very boiling point, where residents of the settlement quickly became worried and exhausted with the ever-present dread constant attacks had brought.

Ithel was familiar with the mindset of armistice, and presumed the Argents' natural reluctance toward overt demands issued from someone whom they deemed a criminal and a terrorist. Thus, he made a humble request for safe passage through the hamlet itself, allowing him to extract his militia and seek a peaceful resolution, though he had no intention on keeping the promises accompanying the honeyed words.

The Argents would have been far more wary, had they not recently repelled a recent siege, where they seemingly stymied most of the threat the Scarlet incursion posed. Much to the unsuspecting soldiers' chagrin, Ithel had merely been setting his pieces upon the proverbial chessboard. Though the inquisitor continued to adamantly assure his cease-fire, the majority of his insurgents rallied to ambush the surrounding settlements left undefended during a coordinated escort. Not accounting for such a vicious display from a seemingly pious man, the Argents were none the wiser as they were overwhelmed and slaughtered in cold blood, bringing Gloecker's Charge to its knees.

Ithel promptly assumed command of his newly acquired base of operations, claiming it in the name of the Scarlet Crusade. The Army of the Truthful made their expansion into the area, a group whom the inquisitor gladly swore his allegiance to.

Death
Following the Alliance's attack upon the Truthful settlement of Gloeckner's Charge, Ithel was taken prisoner by agents of the Shadowtalon Company. He died during his captivity.