| Gideon Northgate Proprietor of the Alliance Free Press | |
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Race |
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Born |
Kingdom of Gilneas |
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Family |
Niklos Adamant-Northgate (Husband) |
Sir Gideon Silverlaine Northgate-Adamant is the owner of the Alliance Free Press, a regular participant in municipal politics, and previous leader of the Commoner First Party. Additionally, he serves as a Field Agent for the Magical Enforcement Bureau and a Ranger for the Stormwind Ranger Corps.
Personality[]
Perceptive, diligent, and diplomatic, Gideon remains a peculiar mix between grizzled warrior and articulate politician. He has honed a passionate tongue during his many years in the diplomatic service, perfecting the art of communication in the House of Nobles and the City Council. However, there is a rough edge to his speech that refuses to dissipate, lingering from his childhood.
Gideon is a functional alchoholic. He is often able to mask the issue, seeing as he maintains social engagements and a demanding job, but many instances of erratic and disorderly behaviour can be traced back to nights of binge drinking. He was once a great purveyor of cigarettes, and can sometimes be seen to smoke them during tasks that require great concentration.
Physical Description[]
Gideon is of modest stature - a mere 5’9 when residing in human form. Once of diminutive appearance and unhealthy pallor due to his excessive smoking and frequent bouts of binge drinking, the past several months have been kind to the politician. Muscle once again graces the pale limbs, and there is but a lingering vestige of gauntness.
A pale and perceptive face is wreathed in a shock of jet black hair, a lock of which will often fall across his brow. A scar runs vertical across the left eye - the unfortunate remnants of an encounter with rogue necromancy. Otherwise, his face is devoid of scarring.
Gideon favours elegant attire, reminiscent of his days in Gilneas. He is known throughout the city for his dashing assortment of top hats, beneath which many secrets are reportedly hidden.
Arms[]
Gideon is seldom seen without a well-balanced blade at his hip. Once, he favoured a rapier, though those with a perceptive eye will notice a new weapon at his side, an ornate cutlass of beautiful make. Inlayed with gold, runes dotting the length of the blade, this exceptional sword was christened “Gryphon” by it’s previous owner, Calvin Quill.
History[]
Early Life[]
Although originally destined for a life of sheep farming, Gideon left home to train for a position within the Gilnean Royal Guard. Unfortunally the city fell soon after his arrival, and he was inflicted with the worgen curse. The early terror and prejudice encountered after he rejoined his people as a worgen has left a deep impact, and he rarely transforms, preferring to retain control in his human form.
Although many of his fellow Gilneans chose to remain with the Night Elves, Gideon could not placate his restless soul. Suffering perhaps from a form of culture shock, he began to resent the elves who harboured his countrymen, believing them to be haughty and meddling, a constant reminder of his nation's inability to repel the invasion without help. Darnassus, with its lofty pillars and towering oak, was nothing like the cozy architecture of home, and so Gideon decided to adventure beyond the great tree. After his departure from Darnassus, Gideon spent a great deal of time wandering Azeroth, working as a diplomat and emissary, sent to the furthest reaches of the planet in order to restore order and faith in the Alliance.
Arrival in Stormwind[]
Working as a lower-tier diplomat, Gideon was forced to relocate to Stormwind City. Presented with a great many taverns and exceptional quantities of cheap ale, he soon found himself in the throes of addiction once more. While deep in his cups at the Blue Recluse, he chanced across a rowdy crowd of resident drunks, with whom he had many wonderful adventures.
The Stormwind Guard, however, did not think said adventures were very wonderful, and Gideon soon found his reputation on tumultuous ground. A drunken incident at City Hall garnered the interest of the newspapers, and his portrayal was decidedly unfavourable.
The Alliance Free Press[]
Rather than accept the consequences of his actions, Gideon did what any upstanding young Gilnean would do, and decided to start his own newspaper to resurrect his standing.
And thus, the Alliance Free Press was born. Gideon wasn’t entirely sober when signing the paperwork, and decided to hand over the position of editor in chief to Jontont Frost, a rambunctious and perpetually intoxicated druid who, at that point in time, was permanently trapped in bear form. Eagerness eventually outweighed incompetence, and Gideon’s dedicated pursuit of truthful journalism endured himself to an ever-growing readership. What had begun on a whim soon flourished, and interviews across the city catapulted the young Gilnean into the public eye.
The Commoner First Party[]
Eager to sniff out relevant news, Gideon attended a tavern night hosted by the Commoner First Party, where he introduced himself to the founder, the enigmatic Adrian Engles. They would cross paths several times afterwards, and Gideon was slowly drawn into the world of Stormwind politics and entranced by the promises of equality and representation.
Gideon became a full-fledged member of the Party after the arrest of Simon Whitaker on charges of petty treason, which he believed to be unjust. He would rise in the ranks to become Commoner’s Voice after the assassination of Engles, a position which he took quite seriously.
Recently, after the revelations of nefarious activity in the upper echelons of the Party were revealed, Gideon and fellow members have been attempting to root out corruption and return the CFP to more noble pursuits. This has included armed conflicts with necromancers, scrying efforts, and the temporary loss of one eye.
After an unfortunate incident involving the previous leader and a loaded shotgun, the subsequent backlash caused the Party to look elsewhere for public leadership. After some deliberation, Gideon and fellow officer Sir Brundenn Ceylon were chosen to stand at the helm.
Councilor of the Mage Quarter[]
Gideon announced his run for Councilor of the Mage Quarter in a naive attempt to take up the mantle of his political mentor, Adrian Engles. After learning of the man’s true purpose, however, he was forced to reevaluate his position and chose a more moderate approach to noble-commoner relations.
Once assuming the position, his mettle was quickly put to the test, as the Scourge invaded Stormwind City within weeks of the election. Gideon undertook a valiant defence of the Mage Quarter, collaborating with mercenaries in order to organize regular patrols. As the situation worsened, a greater effort was organized, between such organizations as the 24th Regiment, the Rook's Guard, the Magical Enforcement Bureau, the Grand Circle of Mages, and the Magus Senate of Dalaran. During an evening resettling refugees in the violet city, Gideon was able to partially facilitate the exchange of several aerial defence systems, which were installed throughout Stormwind to aid the city.
Though the turmoil of invasion has since settled, the Mage Quarter has seen no decrease in potential threats, from wandering cultists and assassination attempts to rogue necromancers beneath the Slaughtered Lamb. These, coupled with his pursuits as an advocate and legislator have kept the politician a busy man.
Presently, he has been learning the rudiments of arcane magic under the careful tutelage of Commander Candun Greysong in order to better understand the triumphs and struggles of his magical constituents. This dedicated pursuit has earned him a spot in the Magical Enforcement Bureau as a Field Agent.
Awards[]
Sir Northgate was awarded the Tiffin Wrynn Civic Commendation and the Grand Alliance Civic Commendation during the Grand Alliance Awards ceremony of January 23rd, 41LC.
"Gideon Northgate helped facilitate and organize the evacuations and defensive actions for the people of the Mage District when the Scourge struck Stormwind. A dutiful councilor, he fought with ink and quill to stem the dangers of the plague by sorting aid with allies from the Kirin Tor. For his staunch position of duty and bravery in the face of catastrophe he is awarded the Tiffin Wrynn Civic Commendation as well as the Grand Alliance Civic Commendation."
During this time, the Grand Alliance was not granting the traditional Stormwind Medals due to Stormwind's Awards and Honors Committee having been depreciated. However following their restoration by Commissioner Meng Shufen, he was awarded with the Cross of Tiffin.
He has also been awarded the Gilded Broach of Dalaran, bestowed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to those who have aided the magocracy in times of great strife.
Gallery[]
