𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖈𝖍𝖗𝖔𝖓𝖎𝖈𝖑𝖊

[ashcroftchronicle]

Imperium Student Attacked, Lockdown Follows

This Friday, all members of the Imperium Society, along with other select Ashcroft students attended a masquerade at the mayor of Edinburgh’s residence. The large charity fundraiser is an annual tradition and it’s quite customary for students to receive invitations. [ RELATED ARTICLES: The masquerade photo gallery ! Who wore it best ? ]

Just past midnight, most guests of the event were making their exits as the event wound down for the night when Roman Rothschild was jumped from behind. The assailant was revealed to by Lysander Griffith, who was released on bail earlier that day. Bystanders say that Griffith was heard shouting about the events of last semester, including the fact that Rothschild “knocked up” his late girlfriend. Griffith was returned to police custody and Rothschild was escorted to the hospital to receive treatment for his injuries. He was promptly returned to campus before 2 a.m. and will see a full recovery, despite sporting a broken nose.

Rothschild could not be reached at this time for comment. Following the events, campus was placed on a full lockdown after 3 a.m. The reason for this lockdown is currently unknown to students, who cannot leave their dorms at this time. The administration has released no further information about the reasoning for this lockdown. They will not say whether it was tied to the evening’s earlier attack or not, or whether Griffith is still in police custody. For now, we have no new information about the purpose of the lockdown or who has been attacked on campus.

This article will be updated. Please reach out to the Chronicle staff if you have any further information.

[ashcroftchronicle]

Lysander Griffith Released from Custody

Local police have acknowledged that Lysander Griffith has been released from custody on bail. His release is “temporary” and he is “confined to the city” – therefore not permitted to leave the country. The police say that his whereabouts are not open to public knowledge at this time.

“God, if I saw that guy anywhere, I’d be kicking the shit out of him. He should probably lie low,” said rugby captain Dylan Michaels. Most students around campus seem to share the same sentiment – that Griffith was probably safer in prison.

Police say that the investigation is pending and awaiting further evidence, but recent developments have made it unlawful to continue to hold Griffth at this time. His trial was planned for this month, but will be postponed until there is further evidence. “We have no reason to believe that Lysander Griffith isn’t guilty,” said police captain Hardwick Chamberlain, “but we also have reason to believe that this case is more complicated than we previously believed. We appreciate the cooperation of Ashcroft students at this time.”

Is Griffith a threat to students? “No, this was an isolated domestic dispute. His current release is not a threat to the safety of Ashcroft students.”

Lysander Griffith is a former member of Ashcroft’s Imperium Society, an exclusive group handpicked by Oberon himself. The members of the society will be at an exclusive event this weekend, the mayor’s annual fundraiser, which is masquerade themed. Certain well-connected students may also be in attendance.

“This is a ticketed and closed event,” the mayor said when asked about security. Police emphasize that events on Ashcroft’s campus last semester were again, an isolated incident, and students should have no reason to be concerned. Nonetheless, students are concerned.

[ashcroftchronicle]

Imperium Student Arrested

Christopher Stanley was seen escorted out of Escalus House by police in the early morning hours yesterday. As a result, the Octavia Preston case has been reopened regarding “new evidence,” and Stanley was brought to the Edinburgh police station for further questioning regarding the new development.

A confidential source has revealed that the murder weapon in the case was dug up in the campuses’ eastern gardens: a metal water bottle, belonging to Stanley. However, police clearly could not find enough evidence to attach Stanley to the case, and he was released twenty-four hours later to his dorm.

The student body has been alive with commentary. “They kept Lysander for way more than twenty-four hours just because he was [Preston’s] boyfriend,” said Jenny Fallon, a senior studying political science. “But they let [Stanley] out already. So suspicious. I’m pretty sure they broke some laws holding Lysander like that. Someone should look into it.”

A recent student poll says that on average, about 32% of the student body believes that Stanley might have been involved in the case. It should be noted that Stanley was one of the key testimonials that guaranteed Griffith’s arrest. 

Does the reinvestigation of the case mean a reexamination of Lysander Griffith’s innocence? Police say that it’s unlikely, still citing that the case against Griffith is “pretty substantial.” Supposedly, they’re just looking at all evidence again due to the fact that information about the murder weapon was previously incorrect.

The administration says that students can expect to see police around campus more frequently as investigations continue. Students originally questioned about the case may be asked to give their statements again.  

[ashcroftchronicle]

Cops Patrol Ashcroft Grounds

Early Monday morning, police were seen patrolling campus grounds for unknown reasons. They were spotted predominantly in the East Wing of campus, where Octavia Preston was murdered last semester. The east wing is still blocked off following pranks from two weeks ago, although students have been spotted trying to sneak past the barriers. However, police confirmed that they are not here to investigate recent pranks and it is “up to the discretion of the school how they deal with policy violations.”

Police were also noticed on the surrounding eastern grounds, including the gardens. 

Lysander Griffith’s trial remains one month away and he’s expected to serve life in prison. It’s possible that this continued investigation is related to the upcoming trial, set for March 16th. Police would not confirm what they were on campus for, but their focus on the East Wing was telling enough to get numerous rumors flying about their presence. 

It’s a busy week, with fumigators in the ballroom and police in the East Wing, but the administration assures students that these events are all only temporary and classes will resume as normal. They’re hoping to have campus fully operational again by next week. 

If you have any information about the police’s presence on campus, please email [email protected].

[ashcroftchronicle]

Infestation on Campus

Despite a few fights, the winter formal mostly went off without a hitch – until the coronation. After Valentine Vega was crowned Snow Queen, the entire room was swarmed with yellow splinter flies. Students were quickly evacuated from the scene as the infestation began, which quickly began to dissipate as soon as students left the ballroom. 

The administration would like to emphasize to students that yellow splinter flies are harmless and the infestation is being contained. The ballroom is off-limits to students as per usual, but students are advised to avoid that particular hallway during fumigation efforts.

“These are old buildings,” said Professor Dean Berkshire, “while they’ve been updated, I’m sure you know that they attract all kinds of wildlife. These things can happen, although I wouldn’t expect this to become a frequent occurrence.”

Either way, some students have been claiming that they’re ‘scarred for life’ and ‘never coming back here again.’ Seeing hundreds of bugs swarm into your school dance is apparently a pretty traumatic event. “I’m literally transferring,” said first year Jason Carmichael, “seriously, I called my parents, I’m going to Eastwood next year. See you!” 

The Chronicle attempted to reach out to Valentine Vega, who was undoubtedly scarred by the events as well, but she couldn’t be reached. Administration did confirm that she, unlike Carmichael, will not be transferring schools. 

Students have seen flies clustered around campus, however the remaining bugs seem to be dying off quite quickly. “In a few days, it’ll be like it never happened,” said Professor Berkshire, assuring that the fumigation experts being brought in were also quite efficient. Definitely begs the question of sanitation on our campus, and how safe it is to reside in restored Victorian-era buildings. 

[ashcroftchronicle]

Fights Break Out at Winter Formal

This year’s Winter Formal was especially pivotal for members of Oberon Ashcroft’s Imperium Society. Expected to be model students for their peers, these students were the source of several brawls on the ballroom dance floor and caused commotion that delayed the results of the coveted Snow Queen announcement. 

Christopher Stanley was seen having a brush-up with Dylan Michaels, which compiled into a fight between August Reyn and Ian McGregor. The group was separated and reprimanded for their behavior, but due to the festivities did not receive any written citation at the time. 

“Their conduct will be reviewed on Monday, but we understand that it is a sensitive time for select students.” This, of course, likely means that Imperium Society students will be getting a pass for their behavior once again and will continue with clean permanent records, despite violently accosting students on the dance floor. This is likely to make rising tensions between Imperium and the rest of the student body rise considerably. 

“He just came at me out of nowhere,” Michaels says of the incident. The rugby player limps slightly and sports a hefty shiner on his left cheek. “Lucky it’s not game season or we’d be fucked. I had to hold back a bit, you know, so I didn’t accidentally fucking kill the guy. Stanley’s pretty scrawny, you know those book-reading types.”

 Stanley and Reyn could not be reached for comment.

Members of the Imperium Society also turn on their own ranks. From the balcony, Christian Bosch and Dante Campana were witnessed fighting on the grounds. This brief Tiktok video (adeptly paired with Pitbull’s Fireball) shows Bosch lunging at Campana practically unprompted. Bystanders could not make out their argument, but from a distance it looked “pretty heated.” When asked, Oberon Ashcroft mentioned this would be “dealt with at the next Imperium meeting.” So, we can expect a swift slap on the wrist for this one as well, right?

[ashcroftchronicle]

Winter Formal Continues As Planned

Due to recent events on campus, rumors of cancellation of the Winter Formal have been actively spreading. However, Headmaster Ashcroft confirms that the ball will continue as planned, acknowledging the hard work of the planning committee and other students and faculty involved in making this tradition happy.

“Ashcroft itself remains as strong as ever,” said the headmaster. “I’m looking forward to a night where the students are able to relax, have fun, and enjoy their accomplishments. It’s time to celebrate!”

Some students have expressed concern following recent pranks. “Since no students have been caught,” said Alyssa Clayborne, a fourth year who plans on boycotting the dance, “wouldn’t it be apt to assume that the troublemakers will make another appearance? Rather just stay in my room and keep pig’s blood off my dress. Disgusting.”

Fair point. However, the administration claims that security at this year’s event will be increased to ensure the safety of students. After all, it’s their campus. They should be able to laugh, have fun, and honor valued campus traditions, such as the annual Winter Formal.

So, that leaves one question on everyone’s lips: Who’s in the running for this year’s Snow Queen? Most consider the title to be exactly that – a title, but isn’t that how most royal honorifics go? In addition, the Snow Queen leads the committee to plan the end of year dance and supposedly gains access to an elusive future network of previous monarchs. Fancy.

In addition to last year’s monarch, Kristy Cargill, and women’s rugby captain, Josephine McMillan, two members of the Imperium Society have also been nominated: Iskra Gill and Valentine Vega.

“May the best woman win,” offered Cargill with a smile. “Planning the end of year dance is so much fun! And the crown is super pretty, you feel like a total princess.”

CLICK HERE TO VOTE IN CHARACTER FOR THIS YEAR’S SNOW QUEEN.

[ashcroftchronicle]

Blood in the East Wing – Again

The East Wing has been shut down again after what Headmaster Ashcroft is calling “a wicked practical joke.” Luckily, after last semester, most students have already found alternate routes of getting to class.

This “practical joke” was played on the twelve members of the Imperium Society on the way to their first exclusive weekly meeting of the year ( as if the rest of the aspects of their lives weren’t already exclusive enough. ) It is assumed that students used goat’s blood on the walls to simulate a haunting, imitating the voice of the deceased student, Octavia Preston. Her death wrecked the campus last year after a domestic dispute with her boyfriend, Lysander Griffith, escalated. Preston was pregnant at the time. Griffith’s trial is scheduled for later this semester.

The headmaster says that in the meantime, the East Wing is closed for “cleanup and investigation.” Currently, no students have been connected with the prank, but the headmaster encourages anyone with information to come forward. Expulsion is “not at all out of the question” for the involved students.

“The students in the Society are facing many challenges in returning this semester, and they lost a close friend. Their return is a testament to their hard work and dedication to their studies,” Headmaster Ashcroft said. “Pranks of this kind will not be tolerated at Ashcroft under any circumstances. This is serious.”

Members of the Imperium Society did not respond to a request for comment.

In the meantime, curfew will be stricter. New security guards have been hired on campus and the 11pm lockdown has been reinstated for the time being, although the headmaster is hoping to lift it soon, once “everything calms down.” These events are not intended to affect the upcoming Winter Formal, which will continue as scheduled.