Competition! Cheating! Murder!

And much more, by Samantha Gizzlesprock

The sound of engines has broken the silence of Kalimdor. Vexacus (58), the Extreme Angler has challenged the owners of the latest invention of goblin engineers, the mechano-hog (also known as chopper or motorbike), to a competition. Vexacus boasts of being the builder and owner of the fastest hog, and organized the Kalimdor Road Rash to prove it.

The race is about to start

The Four Riders of Apocalypse

The competitors showed up at the Mirage Raceway during the afternoon. Vexacus was accompanied by an undead, by the name of Aolwehten (39). His opponents were Ryleen (22), the charming leader of the Heritage of Zandalar, Vypra (24), the barmaid of the Broken Keel tavern and the mate of Vexacus, and the sinister troll Crowley (42), agent of the Ashen Order, accompanied with his bovine co-pilot, Nerissa (61).

Samantha Gizzlesprock: Why have you joined the competition?

Vexacus: It known fact I have best chopper in all of Kalimdor! Thats why I challenge people to compete!

Vypra: I woulda liked ta win, bu’ jus’ racin’ cross country like dat be worth it!

Ryleen: I’ve enjoyed engineering for many years now. When I got my hands on the

schematics for a bike, I knew I just had to try to construct one.

Incident at the Lift

The four hogs rode through Thousand Needles, leaving the marauding centaurs behind. However, at the Great Lift, the first accident happened. Though Ryleen was the first one reaching the lift, eventually all four bikes ended up on the same platform. „We were almost at the top when my bike suddenly rolled off the edge.” said Ryleen. „I was convinced I had put the safety break in to not risk rolling off.”

Was this an accident, or did someone intentionally push the bike off? According to Ryleen „both Crowley and Vexacus were right beside me, either one could have done it.” Vexacus claims the troll girl and her bike fell by accident, while Vypra suspects that Crowley has done it, as „he be a sneaky bugger”. But let us not forget that Vypra is the mate of Vexacus, so she’s not an objective witness. Is it possible that, seeing that Ryleen’s hog is faster, the old orc attempted a cheat to win the race? If this was the case, this would put the competition and its organizer in a very bad light.

Fortunately, Ryleen survived the fall, as her „bike took most of the damage. It’s got some nasty dents, and when I examined it after the race I realised it was just barely it kept running at all.” Like a miracle, she soon caught up with the others.

The racers at the Great Lift, leaving Ryleen behind

As the Crow flies

Through Dustwallow Marsh, the Barrens, Ashenvale and Felwood, the racers finally reached Everlook with no more trouble. Even the Grimtotem tauren and the wild beasts of Felwood could not harm them. Though Vypra was leading for a long time, but due to some steering problems, all of her three opponets overtook her, so finally, Crowley and Nerissa hit the goal the first, closely followed by Ryleen. Vexacus and Eolthewen won the bronze, while Vypra finished in the last position.

Samantha Gizzlesprock: What was Crowley’s secret? How could he win?

Vexacus: Not be faster.  Maybe he know secret way, shortcuts. My copilot just make funny noises all the way, maybe his help him!

Vypra: I reckon he probly scout out da route firs’… make sure he know da terrain an’ dat!

Ryleen: I could have won. But Crowley found a nice little shortut through Felwood that I had missed.

A test of the best and fastest

Vexacus, maker of the fastest(?) hogs

Although he didn’t win the race, Vexacus still brags of his bikes being the fastest and the best on Azeroth, claiming

that the trolls beat him only because of their knowledge of secret routes.

However, according to Vypra (who also rode a chopper made by Vexacus), „I had some steerin’ problems dat i tink cost me da race…. I jus’ gonna have ta try iron ‘em out fo’ da nex’ one”. While Ryleen’s hog (made by herself) not only survived the fall from the Great Lift, but she managed to reach Everlook with it. The bikes of Vexacus may be the fastest, but certainly not the best.

But even Ryleen admitted that she cannot make her hogs without the help of Goblin technology. „Many of the parts has to be custom made by specialised craftsmen. For example the goblin-machined pistons, since schematics for those can’t be bought.” Currently, the best goblin hog-maker is arguably Harli de Widdson (51), citizen of Undermine.

Loser on the loose

One competitor could bear his defeat even less than Vexacus: his co-pilot Alowethen. After the race, he left the celebrating crowd, telling them that he needs to „get a bite to eat”. What he didn’t tell his fellow racers is that his food is going to be an innocent visitor of Everlook. The victim was viciously mangled by the undead, and her certain bodyparts devoured.

The guards of Everlook attacked the ravaging undead, who fled to the woods of Winterspring. The victim’s corpse was recovered, but she was so brutally mangled that she could not be identified.

Aelothewen is still on the loose, he is wanted by the Everlook authorities.

- BREAKING NEWS -

by Samantha Gizzlesprock

Last night, a large, menacing ship was spotted at the southtern shores of Westfall. The lookouts in the watchtower spotted the black flag with a skull, that made it clear: this was no friendly ship. As they were approaching the docks, the lookouts sent their report to the Stormwind Militia.

At the very same time, at the northern shores, another ship was spotted. They sailed under a different flag, which reportedly belonged to the Salty Tide Privateers. The Privateers were once a group of merchants in Menethil Harbour, however, they quickly turned to piracy. When the Militia has arrived, they found a united pirate crew pillaging Sentinel Hill.

Salty Tide Privateers crew

Now, Westfall has faced many pirate attacks before. Its closeness to the South Seas means that regular attacks from the Bloodsail Buccaneers were inevitable. However, it has only once happened before that two pirate crews attacked at the same time – that time, it was the Buccaneers and the Blackwater Raiders, two pirate groups in constant conflict, and the attack ended up in a brawl between the two crews for the right of pillaging. When the Militia has arrived, they had not much to do – they found only dead pirates.

This time, however, instead of fighting each other, the two pirate crews have joined each other’s forces, and the Militia had a long and bloody fight with them. According to the official report of the Stormwind Council: “The corsairs have retreated. Deaths and injuries happened on both sides, but we do not expect any further pirate attacks.”

But is the situation really this safe? According to reliable sources, Commander Pilus Malbridge (24), head of the Stormwind Militia, has not been seen since the pirate attack. What happened to him? Was he slain by the pillagers? Or was he captured by them as a hostage?

The fact that the pirates worked together instead of fighting each other confirms the rumors of the existence of a Pirate Court. It is said that Captain Shadowtroll (45) of the Bloodsail Blackhands and Admiral Nec Demonwretcher (64) of the Salty Tide Privateers have formed a pact to rule the seas together. Until now, the existence of the Court was denied, but these attacks prove the opposite.

Also, it is very likely that the pirates got help from the criminal forces that already work in Westfall. The Defias Brotherhood is most likely helping them. However, some of our sources confirm that an even more dangerous criminal group, a Scourge-affiliated cult is also involved. People spotted cultists in black robes among the pirates, summoning demons and ghouls.

Perhaps there’s more behind this attack than a simple plundering? Perhaps the Pirate Court is planning to take over all harbours? Or are the pirates just mere tools behind something much bigger?

The hottest news brought to you by Samantha Gizzlesprock!

Yes, my loyal readers, after a lengthy sabbatical your favourite reporter has returned to cast his eye upon the state of the world around us and inform you on what’s going on.

The drums of war have once again been reskinned and are found to be resounding in the well known hotspots, as well as recently found areas where the forces of the Alliance and the Horde find themselves at odds with each other.

With new grounds of battle come new war cries, with “ZEE GERMANZ!” being a popular refrain on both sides, clearly a reference to biological warfare brought by the Knights of the Ebon Blade fighting on both sides.

But what’s the point to it all? Has all this war ever brought anything other than death and destruction? Have the Warsong Clan ever been pushed from their holdings in Ashenvale? Have the Defilers pushed their claims to the point of complete victory in the Arathi Highlands?

Every day new recruits are called to battle in the valley of Alterac and every day the lists of the dead and the injured are brought to Orgrimmar, Thunder Bluff, Silvermoon and Undercity. And whilst our loyal readership in the glades of Tirisfal might have a different view on their state of life, there are those who would care at the  loss of life or limb.

So what of war in our pleasant lands of Azeroth? Do we give in to our lust for blood and let rip the gods of war? Certainly not if people look to what happened when the Trolls tried that!

How about peace? Well, with a hot-head like Varian Wrynn as King of Stormwind and Garrosh Hellscream seemingly Thrall’s second-in-command, both of whom are at each other’s throats whenever they share the same space, I wouldn’t hold your breath!

How about declaring war? Whilst I’m sure that King Wrynn and Hellscream would gladly do so, both Thrall and Jaina are more focused on dealing with the threats that both the Burning Legion and the Scourge pose to all of Azeroth.

So where does this leave us, fair citizens? Well, with war on at least 2 fronts, a third front will not be forthcoming any time soon. But with tensions running high, not least in the echelons of leadership on both sides, do not be surprised if you find yourself a target for a blood-thirsty Orc or a lunatic Dwarf who find your presence to be unacceptable.

As ever, this has been your award-winning reporter bringing you the best news on the world at large!

As you are probably well aware, the Goblin Gazette has it’s thumbs in a lot of pies, it’s ears to the ground and eyes in many walls. Such diligence in seeking out the news that matters to the citizens of fair Azeroth is painstaking and requires utter devotion to the cause, but sometimes it pays off. Today is such a day!

Today, sources on the street uncovered a heinous plot to tar Lord Archnazg Magnark with the the accusation of mass murder, genocide even!

The above letter is a copy of one found by sources close to the Goblin Gazette and seems to implicate Lord Magnark in a plot to wipe out the almost all human life in the Eastern Kingdoms.

However, our sources have also concluded, after intense scientific research in Gadgetzan and Ratchet, that this letter is a forgery. It is well known that Lord Archnazg has a lack of tolerance for all things human, but he is also known for his intelligence, something that was obviously not in the forgers mind when they created this hair-brained scheme to cast vicious aspersions upon one of our most valued patrons!

Just this afternoon Goblins have been seen wearing shirts with the phrase “Archnazg Innocent!” emblazoned on their backs, in a show of solidarity with our persecuted friend.

We at the Goblin Gazette are yet to find out who is behind this foul act, but rest assured faithful readers, we will not stop until our task is complete and the perpetrators are brought to swift justice! Until then, I am your faithful super-sleuth seeking out slander and slapping the source of subterfuge, in the name of morals and scruples we shall have justice!

On the Isle of Quel’Danas, you’d think that there would be no reason to grumble. However I bring you news that all is not well within the island community!

I spoke with one of the members of staff in the Quel’Danas Cleaning Company (QDCC) who was not happy at all.

“It’s all this killing, it’s making our work a lot harder and more dangerous!” said the worker, who didn’t want to be named in case of revenge attacks upon his family.

“We blame it all on them Goblins getting ready to open up travel to Northrend! Everyone wants to go and see the sights, take to the slopes and try out the new winter resorts, so they are squeezing Shattered Sun for all the gold they have so they can pay their fare! This has led to competition over collecting all that they want to help them fight the Legion and this has spilled over into some nastiness here and there. Only yesterday, my boss sent me to clean up a pile of 30 carcasses that had been left to rot after a disagreement as to who would be fixing them dodgy guardians. Push came ot shove and the next thing you know there’s a full scale blood bath!”

When asked is this had led to any problems for him and his colleagues, the worker was in no doubt about matters. “We should be getting danger money for this sort of work! My mate was working over the western side of the isle, making sure that the hedge rows were all neat and tidy and some huge Tauren charged up to him and lopped his head right off! Poor guy was only doing what he could to keep his family above the honey bread line! If this keeps up I’m gonna have to quit for a safer line of work, maybe them Goblins need help on their zeppelins or somink?”

Whatever the reason for this bloody terror that has enveloped the idilic Isle of Quel’Danas, one thing is certain, that blood will spill when gold is involved!

This is your 3-time Grom Globe winner, Tally Wakker, saying, if you’ve read it here first, it must be true!

Brill Residents Lose Night’s Sleep Over Haphazard Expansion Effort

Last night the citizens of the sleepy town of Brill were rudely awakened by the sound of feverish activity as the G.A.C. raised a new tower on the outskirts of town. Assorted Goblins, Orcs and even some human mages were seen constructing the new tower. When confronted, Haman Grockwrench stated; “Look, I just work here, ‘kay? Dunno what it’s for, don’care really.”. Similar construction efforts have been reported outside Orgrimmar, but are as yet unconfirmed.

The new tower in Brill

Disturbing fact of the new development is its timely appearance after Mister Gromwell took over the lease and license for the Gallows’End Tavern for a mere pittance. Already rumours of insider trading and bribes are floating about, being duly investigated by this newspaper.

This recent development in the affairs of the Goblin Airship Company, combined with unconfirmed and vehemently denied yet stubborn rumours of a recent airship crash over the North Sea does raise questions about the G.A.C.’s management and the safety of our airways.

Both Mister Gromwell and the G.A.C. were not available for comment.

Reports are coming in of a an act of random violence (ARV) being perpetrated in the auction house of Booty Bay yesterday.

The felon, known only as Gurfang, was found to be pummeling Gnome named Rumpali and cursing her in many different languages. The guards of Booty Bay were quick to the scene and dragged the deranged Orc to a secure facility so he could cool off for the night, with him shouting his innocence and saying something about his victim having put graffiti up on the Auction House item listings.

I later caught up with Rumpali to find out what happened, but found her weeping uncontrollably, clearly still upset by the ordeal. Here is a transcript:

Tally Wakker: Excuse me, Miss Rumpali, could you stop crying for a moment and tell me what

Rumpali: Stop crying? Look at us warlocks! Look at what they do to us! Just because we are different, just because they fear our power they do all they can to bring us down! Stop crying? Look at warlocks! Everywhere we go we are shunned by the local populace. Every time we want to buy runes and potions for our spells we are ejected because people don’t understand us! All people want to do is bring warlocks low.

Tally Wakker : What was it that brought on this crazed attack?

Rumpali: I have no idea! All I know is I was scrawling a spell on the nearest parchment I could find and the next thing I was having my head squeezed between a green fist and a solid wall. Then he picked me up by my ankles and again my face met the wall repeatedly!

Tally Wakker: So you admit that you were defacing the Auction House listings?

Rumpali: What of it? What of it when compared to the grave injustices that are heaped upon me and my fellow warlocks? Orcs like that should have their insides removed and boiled in a cauldron filled with the Ichor of Undeath! All people should fear and respect us! Long live the warlock revolution!

Unfortunately I am unable to print any more of the interview as it became a political diatribe promoting the Gnome’s views, which we at the Goblin Gazette are always keen to avoid so as to keep our paper balanced.

So what of this strange incident? Do we take it that this Gnome was unfairly set upon? Or was it right that a member of the public should take a stand against the defacing of a public notice board? Is this deranged Orc actually a fine and upstanding citizen who we should all look up to?
More to come I’m sure, and ONLY in the Goblin Gazette!

General Yrjial Stormscream together with her husband Alaster Grymm leads the Ashen Order, a special forces group that acts under Thrall’s supervision. Which many may already know the General is pregnant, something that raises several questions. Questions the Gazette feels obliged to seek answers to.

Alaster Grymm is a Forsaken. This is perhaps the chief concern in the matter. It is commonly known that the ability to reproduce as a Forsaken is nill. However as we in the Gazette are faithful supporters of Hard Fact we went to Undercity to seek out one of the furthermost authorities on Forsaken matters such as these to get a final answer - Lord Archnazg Magnark. Not only is he Sylvanas’ right hand man and the leader of the House of Sylvanas, but also a celebrated doctor of the the Royal Apothecary in Undercity. When questioned on the matter he answered thusly:

“As Forsaken are dead. The sperm cells are, also. Alas, it is impossible for a Forsaken to impregnate anything.”

So there we have it, dear readers. Doctor Grymm can not be the father of Yrjials unborned child. The once respected general, an adamant rock of strength and moral, has cracked and begotten a child with another man, while still in marriage with Alaster Grymm. Alaster himself have been absent now for quite a while. Officially it is said that he travelled to Northrend to aid in the war effort against the Scourge. But is this why he really went? Many suspect that the real reason for his sudden absence is that he left Yrjial as he could not stomach being with her when he found out that she clearly has had an affair with another man.

 Sources tell us of rumors that used to circulate within the Order a good while back about a suspected secret romance between Yrjial and one of her councillors, Turk Zala’Bon. Is he the real father? Perhaps Alaster just lacked the abilites needed to please a demanding woman such as Yrjial and Turk was the perfect troll to satisfy her more carnal needs?

The Gazette, determined to shed some light on this scandalous affair and bring Truth to the people, sought out Kaali Tzataluul, Senechal of Ashen Order and close friend of Yrjial. Among telling us how much they liked eachother and how they use to bath together (another sign of Yrjials obviously strong “needs”?), she then told us something quite surprising, something that took the whole story to a totally new place.

 While the moonlight made her eyes sparkle from behind her wooden mask depicting some voodoo devil she told us a story of how Yrjial had been taken to a mountain where she had participated in some Winterspythe ritual where “… de’ spirit brin’ she baby, cha?”   It is not unknown that many of these rituals, especially trollish ones, that celebrate the spirits and such, are sexual in character. Is this perhaps the answer to the question?

Yrjial Stormscream, a noteworthy military general in charge of one of the more elite groups in the Horde, participates in religious extremist ritual sex orgies? Is this how it happened? One of the countless participants of the orgy managed to impregnate the General and to try and cover it up they weave up some incredible story about a spirit giving her the baby? No wonder Alaster left.

 In one final attempt to find the Truth our brave reporter went to the Order guildhall to perhaps bring forth Truth through confrontation. However the people of the Ashen Order was not susceptible to our humble questions and they answered with brutal voilence. Our reporter is now recovering in an infirmary after the severe burns he got when thrown into a fire by Councillor Vaali Tzataluul. As you might guess he is one of Kaali’s countless siblings, a family who is well known to have no qualms over participating in any carnal pleasure – is this perhaps become descriptive of the Order as a whole? Is this the Order we want to handle our law and host our legal trials? Is this the Order we want to decide the fate of our most dangerous criminals?

This the Gazette asks, and so should you.

Artists impression of Yrjials rituals.

First-hand report from the Orgrimmar Halls of Justice by Samantha Gizzlesprock

Dozens of people attended the trial of Snicka, Warlord of the Heritage of Zandalar last night in Orgrimmar, in the Ring of Valor. The troll warlord was accused of kidnapping and torturing Malicestrom, High Shadowstalker of the House of Sylvanas, as we have reported in our last issue.

The accused, Snicka is the self-named Warlord of the troll tribe calling themselves the Heritage of Zandalar. His guild was formerly dedicated to the Amani warlord Zul’jin, but apparently turned away from him after the leader of Zul’Aman declared war on the Horde. Yet, is it rumored that Snicka still works for Zul’jin in secret. Previously he has been accused by attempted murder, and offensive behaviour on the Scryers’ tier.

Judge Davos Grymm of the Ashen Order was the leader of the law court. Elder brother of the guild’s leader, Alaster Grymm, Davos is the former Councilor of Law in the Order, a position currently taken by the troll Turk Zala’bon, who could not be present at the beginning of the trial. Despite being Undead, he is apparently a devoted priest of the Holy Light, a power that is known to destroy undeath.

On behalf of the prosecution, Dr. Archnazg Magnark spoke. Dr. Magnark currently holds the titles of the High Apothecarian and the Dark Lord of the House of Sylvanas, and is said to be the right-hand man of Sylvanas Windrunner; some even speculate a romantic relationship between him and the Banshee Queen. He is said to perform illegal experiments in his laboratory; brewing poisons and creating new forms of Undeath. He is also said to control a massive army of demons.

A young and rather attractive troll lady called Ryleen from the Heritage of Zandalar spoke in defense of her Warlord. Born among the Darkspear trolls, Ryleen left her tribe at a young age and was educated in Silvermoon City by elven arcanists. Being more civilized and educated than most of her kin, she recently returned to her roots and joined the Heritage of Zandalar, where she holds the position of the Treasurer.

The trial itself was short and straight. Ryleen replied to Archnazg’s accusation by telling that Malicestrom was not captured, but agreed with the Heritage on him pretending to be a hostage. He was treated like a guest, and protected from the House. Yet, he disappeared just two days before the trial. Archnazg, on the other hand, claimed that Malicestrom has returned to them and was poisoned and covered with wounds.

The living proof, Malicestrom was not present, so Judge Grymm was about to cancel the trial in lack of evidence, when Ryleen summoned a witness: Gorthark of the Bleeding Axe Clan. The orc chieftain claimed he was present when Malicestrom and Snicka agreed on the fake kidnapping. The court found the accused innocent in the sin of kidnapping, but sentenced him to pay one hundred gold pieces to the Orgrimmar authorities for his unwise decision and provocative act. Yet the House of Sylvanas was sentenced to pay one hundred and fifty gold pieces to the Heritage of Zandalar for ruining their fame and accusing them

Different opinions were heard after the trial:

“Let’s face it: Snicka was paid fifty gold pieces for kidnapping a House of Sylvanas officer. Is that what you call a fair judgement?”

“Archnazg tried to mislead the judge with lies. He summoned infernals on Sen’jin Village. And he’s still walking free?”

“The Ashen Order dared to interfere in a conflict which should have been solved between Archnazg and Snicka in a fair fight instead!”

“I be ‘appy Snicka be free… ‘e be such a handsome mon, ‘e can’ be guilty.”

Do you have your own opinion? Feel free to share it with the Goblin Gazette!

Breaking news by Samantha Gizzlesprock, directly from the heart of Durotar

All Azeroth was surprised when Thrall, Warchief of the Horde and Sylvanas Windrunner, Banshee Queen of the Forsaken formed their pact we know now as the New Horde. The races of the Old Horde, the orcs, the trolls and the tauren showed mistrust towards their new undead allies since then. “I don’t like anything at all about them…” “Skinny, smelly and scheming!” “I bet they still serve the Lich King in secret!” “Cursed, twisted creations breaking Nature’s Laws!” Such opinions are heard on the streets of Orgrimmar and Thunder Bluff all the time. Some even think that Thrall’s mind has been possessed by the Banshee Queen, and mistrust the Warchief too. “Dat witch ’as poisoned dat big orc’s li’l brains!” said a citizen of Sen’jin Village. “Dem Undead be usin’ us as puppets now! But we cannot bear dis!”

The recent acts of the undead criminal Tivak has put some oil on the fire. After poisoning a troll girl in the Broken Keel in Ratchet, as we have reported in our last issue, he is also accused of capturing and torturing several trolls and tauren, and performing illegal experiments on them. Yet, Sylvanas has made no efforts to stop him; it is likely that she even supports Tivak’s experiments, although she hides this from Thrall. Dr. Archnazg Magnark, leader of the House of Sylvanas and right-hand man of the Banshee Queen has offered protection for Tivak from the relatives of his victims. The tauren Liontooth Grimtotem has been arrested in the Undercity. The Greywolf tauren have rescued him and declared war against the House of Sylvanas.

Having enough of the Horde leadership closing eyes over Tivak’s deeds, a band of trolls, led by the infamous Warlord Snicka, known devoter of Zul’jin, have captured a House of Sylvanas officer, High Shadowstalker Malicestrom. They attempted to blackmail the House and trade Malicestrom for Tivak; they threatened the House with killing Malicestrom unless they accept their offer. Archnazg responded to this by attacking Sen’jin Village. According to the citizen of Sen’jin mentioned above, “Dere have been at least twenty, maybe thirty undead raiders. Snicka an’ his mons tried to fight him, but dey summoned dem big burnin’ rock demons who put da top of our huts on fire!” Malicestrom’s present location is unknown, it’s possible that the trolls have killed him.

Summoning demons on Horde land and turning them against members of the Horde, innocent or guilty, is something that has not happened since Thrall agreed to accept the Warlocks into the Horde. Some Orcish guilds like the Bleeding Axe Clan and the Warsong Blades have expressed their intentions to punish the House of Sylvanas for this. “The Demons are the fiercest enemies of our race since we have broken free from the Burning Legion!” according to a Warsong grunt. “If the undead summon infernals, they’ll get what they deserve for it!”

To avoid the unavoidable civil war, the guild Ashen Order has made efforts to arrest the ones responsible for the conflict. They got Snicka, and has made an an attempt to do the same with Tivak too. Though Archnazg Magnark was willing to hand the criminal over, despite that he offered protection to him before, the evil mage managed to escape, and is still on the loose. Yet, there are a lot of people unsatisfied with the Order’s acts. “Da Orda’ ’as not known anythin’ ’bout wot happened, an’ yet dey act as if dey been Justice demselves!” Ironically, all guilds involved, except for the Orcish clans, have been involved in the Blood Pact before.

Will the Horde be able to avoid the conflict, or will it fall apart? How much longer will the Old Horde races and the Forsaken be able to put their hatred against each other away? Will the Horde, broken apart, be able to protect themselves from the Alliance?

Goblin Gazette, bringing you the latest news from first-hand sources!