Okay, a bit insensitive - but I suppose we can't expect every guard to show empathy you may think, but alas, this is not a one off.
As recent as Friday night Larony managed to cause a scene in the Golden Keg in dwarven district. Tafton Mek, the new manager of the place, has tried to get the guards to - as a courtesy - ask the staff before they inspect the place, not that they would refuse an inspection he told me, but just because they would like to be shown the respect from the guards, acknowledging it is private property and that guards because of this can't just do as they like. I'll be the first one to admit that Tafton was quite riled up when I arrived, and maybe I am alone on this, I just expect better from guards than to sling insults and get into insulting matches with citizens.
Here is another more recent story, this one may be less simple than it appears however, and Sergeant Larony himself has a different take on what happened, first the account from the citizen.
Anonymous citizen:
"So obviously Sergeant Larony - Most of th'folk who work around here know him, he comes by and patrols an' honestly he was never too much of a rude man on those patrols. Maybe a bit of a lazy officer, but nothing overtly criminal or such in his doings. Though what I did start to notice is he would be going off with some of th'women who work with me here in the shop. Takin' them for private talks an' such. I was told by them he was attempting to woo them in some form. Talking of their beauty an' such.Article continues after the ad.
This happened on and off for the past few weeks I'd say he got t'know a few of the local girls around here, he'd go off for little talks with them an' stop his patrols an' such to have his own personal conversations.
It's become somethin' of a runnin' joke around here, so anyway we knew he'd likely be present at th'Faire this evening, so one of the girls thought it would be funny to craft him a flower crown an' try to place it atop his head at th'Faire.
And so we went to the Faire this evening, and saw an opportunity, approached him at his stall with the rest of the Footmen, an' the lass approached him to place the crown atop his glorious bald head. An' he just-.. He clocked her one in th'jaw.
Punched her square on. Didn't do nothing else mind, jus' shouted "Don't rush at me!" after he clocked her."
H. Lester:
"Did she appear threatening in any way when she approached him?"
Anonymous citizen:
Not at all, she was holding a crown made of flowers between both of her hands and walking up to him to put it on his head. Th'Corporal was there to witness it too, they just said he clearly wasn't keen on the gift and told us to move on."
After talking to Captain Stormblade about this, I had a visit the day after from Sergeant Larony, who besides threatening to throw rocks through our window also gave his version of the event.
Sergeant Larony:
"Well, the Captain and I were here earlier to give you the truth, but you weren't here."
H. Lester:
"Had a busy day I'm afraid."
Sergeant Larony:
"I'm sure you have had a busy day, dealing with the deluge of complaints that your 'satirical' article may have spurred forth. Let's talk."
H. Lester:
"No one complained so far. Not that I don't think it ruffled some feathers though. Wouldn't be satirical if it was tame."
Sergeant Larony:
"Well Lester, I might throw a brick though your window, and if you complain it'll just say it's satire."
H. Lester:
"Can I quote you on that?"
Sergeant Larony:
"Yes, as long as you don't take it out of context like I know you like to do."
I believe that is quoted within the context, I'll leave it up to you readers what to make of that, anyway about his explanation of what happened at the Faire:
Sergeant Larony:
"So about the attempted assault on me at the faire."
H. Lester:
"Yes?"
Sergeant Larony:
"Apparently I assaulted Betsie without cause, punched her in the face."
H. Lester:
"That is what I was told, yes."
Sergeant Larony:
"Well, it wasn't quite like that. She, Reid and Natalie approached me all dressed up. Betsie then rushed at me with my warning, attempting to put a flower crown on my bald head.
She was holding it behind her back, so I couldn't see what she was carrying. I thought she was trying to harm me. We guards are often victims of unprovoked assaults. We're always weary."
H. Lester:
"So you felt attacked?"
Sergeant Larony:
"So, as is my right, I threw a punch in self-defence. It clipped her jaw. I didn't -feel- attacked, for all I knew at the time I was -being- attacked."
H. Lester:
"Okay. Noted"
I wasn't there, I cannot say if he had a reason to feel he was being attacked, but I can certainly see some reason to that statement, and while I would have preferred a less violent reaction than a steel covered fist to the face, then it does show that while there is A LOT of complaints about Sergeant Larony, then perhaps sometimes they are not as black and white as some would lead us to believe. But it still leaves a lot of complaints.
Of course, true to his style then he couldn't leave without insulting at least one citizen.
Cecilia Graften:
Hey Lar.
Sergeant Larony:
And whatever this one says, she's prejudiced. She used to belong to our company.
Cecilia Graften:
You are really afraid of what people will say huh..
H. Lester:
Everyone is prejudiced Larony. That is the nature of people.
Sergeant Larony:
I'm not afraid. But you were. That's why you quit. Couldn't hack it after all.
Cecilia Graften:
You are really the charming personality..
Sergeant Larony:
Anyhow! Chesterfield and I will resume our patrol and ensure the safety of this city for all you fine, grateful folk. That, was satire.
H. Lester:
Thank you for keeping us safe. That was satire as well.
And so much more...
I could also mention the time Sergeant Larony was in the Blue Recluse, getting upset that they do not serve alcohol to guards on duty, so upset in fact that the other guard with him at the time issued the following threat: "Oh really, then I think you have smuggled goods in basement", the dwarven guard was later fired, but apparently no actions were taken against the Sergeant who stood and watched it all, and who didn't report it until a citizen herself took action and reported it.
The number of stories about Sergeant Larony, his temper, his unprofessional behaviour, his threats, insults and brutality are too many to list here, but to round off this article we go back to Tafton Mek who has another story about Sergeant Larony to share:
Tafton Mek:
"He threw rocks at one of our entertainers because 'he doesn't like music'."
H. Lester:
"He did? when was that?"
Tafton Mek:
"About a week ago, it was.. Roch Hilton."
Tafton Mek:
"Roch isn't around for comment, he's away sailing. But his own guardfolk saw it happen, too."
I’d like to strongly urge other guards who witness these kinds of actions and behaviours to report it to their superior, if you do not, you will be seen as in support of them and I am sure there is good guards in Golf Company. If you are worried about reporting it, then do feel free to stop by our office and have a chat in all confidentiality.
I'll leave you with a few more quotes from the dear Sergeant, of course all taken out of context just to prove him right.
Sergeant Larony:
"TWAT!"
Sergeant Larony:
"Dunno. Just more overpaid and oversexed bartenders making our lives difficult."
According to Captain Stormblade of Golf Company then Sergeant Larony was recently "
put off duty and was investigated by a different branch, plus reprimanded", unfortunately we have yet to see it having had any effect at all, as far as the citizens of Stormwind can see, then he is as much of a menace as he was before.
>Remember, you can always come tell your stories to The Lion's Roar. Confidentiality is offered to both guards and civilians alike.