In a quiet corner of Stormwind, where the bustling sounds of the city are muted by the weight of history and the longing for home, Baron Winston Moonheart is making his mark. It was a Sunday evening and the field behind the Embassy in Stormwind was packed with Gilneans, some in their afflicted form, some not.
The meeting taking place was not the first of its kind, and neither was it planned to be the last. I had the opportunity to listen to this group of people who were not content with how the Gilnean history and culture (according to Baron Winston Moonheart) is slowly slipping into obscurity, but as he clings to his title of Baron, he also clings to the hopes and dreams of a shattered kingdom.
Winston Moonheart, a name that resonates with the echoes of Gilneas' past glory, greeted me with a warm smile as I entered his modest abode. It was a humble setting for a nobleman, but the humility in his demeanour was genuine. As we settled down for a chat, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand, the Baron shared his thoughts on a remarkable initiative that has been gaining momentum.
Baron Moonheart, a man driven by a sense of duty and nostalgia, had embarked on a journey to rekindle the spirit of his homeland, Gilneas. As he explained in my follow-up interview with him, the Gilnean people had scattered far and wide, losing touch with their roots and heritage. It was this very sense of disconnection that stirred the Baron to action.
"I live in Stormwind since the fall of Gilneas, it's been twelve years now," Baron Moonheart reflected, his eyes gazing into the distance. "With every year, I see more and more of my people forgetting where they come from, not caring any more about their ancestral place... 'Moving on' in a pessimistic sense of this word."
The fall of Gilneas had left scars that ran deep, and the Baron was determined to heal them. He had organized a series of meetings, aimed at bringing Gilneans together, rekindling their cultural ties, and addressing the challenges that faced their people. These gatherings were more than just social events; they were a lifeline for a community adrift.
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"I started the meetings to bring some Gilnean spirit back to them, to give them a chance to spend even a few hours in something that even in the slightest bit brings them back home. Unites them and bonds them," the Baron explained with passion.
As I delved deeper into the purpose of these meetings, it became evident that the Baron's vision extended beyond a mere morale boost. He envisioned a future where Gilneas would rise from the ashes, a place where his people could return with pride.
"Rebuilding and setting back to its feet a whole country comes with a huge economic effort," Baron Moonheart acknowledged. While he understood the economic disparities that would exist, he was determined to ensure that those who had sacrificed for their homeland would be justly rewarded.
In his eyes, it was not about personal gain or power but about fulfilling a sense of duty. "I just want to see my home back, for both me, my family, and my people," he declared.
As our conversation drew to a close, Baron Moonheart extended an open invitation to all who shared his passion for Gilneas. "Everyone is welcome," he emphasized, "but the meetings are centred on certain themes. Not every single person will like, care, or want to bother with it."
He urged those who believed in the Gilnean cause to join the gatherings, to share their worries, ideas, experiences, and hopes. In his words, "Every Gilnean counts and matters."
So, if you find yourself in Stormwind and a longing for Gilneas tugs at your heart, don't hesitate to join the next gathering which will be held behind the Embassy in Stormwind on the 1st of October in the evening.