The Schism

**The Schism**, also referred to as the "Department Four Schism" was the first major internal conflict that the Lamplighters faced since its inception. Orchestrated by The Curator, the event began as a bid to overthrow Control and supplant The Directives in favour of his own plans to usurp dominion over the Burning Legion.

## Timeline

### Spreading Cracks

Over his time as an Agent, The Curator masterminded the creation of several different structural changes alongside Control. This included the creation of the Departments - a program intended to heighten and diversify the skills of the Agents within the guild. In turn, he also helped to found the Circle who would manage each Department and be the physical presence Control could not be. Control appointed him as the head of Department Four; a rehabilitation and restorative Department intended for taking psychologically unwell and compromised Agents and staff (and those who had the potential and interest in fulfilling those roles) and helping them to recover from their traumas before returning as full field Agents. In addition, he also helped the Lamplighters in creating several new facilities. At the time, the only established complex the Agents had was Lamplighter HQ and the Seeker's Library, and The Curator expanded these to include The Vault of Miracles (a relic storage centre) The Erasmus (a seaborne R&D facility), The Asylum (a medical and psychological care and treatment complex) and The Black Vault (a high-tech security prison designed to humanely contain incredible dangers to Azeroth).

Unknown to Control however, The Curator had ulterior motives behind these moves. He wished to see The Lamplighters eventually discard The Directives and instead follow his plans to usurp mastery of the Burning Legion for use in Azeroth's defence. He acquired keys and commands to several facilities and manipulated the Agents placed in his care to build a feeling of unwavering loyalty to him over anyone else, even to Control.

He also attempted to sway the other Circle Members and secure their further backing. While at first receptive to the older Agent, the Circle grew increasingly suspicious of The Curator's growing power and increasing influence over the guild and Department Four.

### Betrayal of Department Four

In 621 K.C, as The Great Cataclysm shattered Stormwind City and many other parts of the world, The Curator took this as the sign to enact his coup. He gathered his resources, his army and the Agents of Department Four now loyal to him and began his march upon Lamplighter HQ to deliver his ultimatum to Control. His terms were simple: Control was to stand down as Director, appoint him as their successor effective immediately, and inform the other Agents they now answer directly to him and his new Directives.

As he made his way towards Redridge Mountains, The Curator made contact with the Circle Members and informed them of his plans. Their task was to open the doors to HQ and keep any loyal Agents from defending Control, thereby making the transition of power a bloodless one.

However, the Circle Members instead decided to inform Control that the betrayal was imminent and raise the alarm. Even so, the martial strength of The Curator was powerful enough that he could take Lamplighter HQ by force and the chances of Control's victory grew increasingly slim as The Curator advanced towards them. The three Circle Members decided to embark on a desperate mission: they would travel to as many places as they could and call in the aid of the people who The Lamplighters had aided in the past. Financiers, commanders and dignitaries who could lend their own forces to help save Control.

With time growing short, the Circle departed.

### Attack on Lamplighter HQ

A month after The Great Cataclysm, the forces of Department Four arrived in full strength at the valley leading to Lamplighter HQ, led by the newly enhanced "Perfect Lamplighter Agent" Warlord Izera, only to find the place on full alert and the defences active. The Curator, realising what the Circle had done, ordered the loyal Agents to surrender but they refused. A skirmish commenced with the Lamplighter Agents loyal to Control using hit-and-run assaults against the Department Four forces. The attacks were not meant to halt Department Four's advance but instead a delaying tactic; Control had received word that the Circle had been successful and help was on the way from a group codenamed "The Powers That Be" to protect their identities. However, despite their resilience, the Agents were killed or incapacitated and The Curator managed to arrive at Lamplighter HQ with the bulk of his forces still intact.

He delivered his ultimatum to Control as intended and explained he wanted no further violence against their Agents; their immediate surrender would save countless lives. To his surprise however, Control refused him. Much that it pained them to place their Agents in jeopardy, to place The Curator in charge would violate The Primary Directive, and would never be possible. Frustrated, The Curator attempted to justify his methods to Control when his forces were attacked from behind. The Powers That Be had arrived in force and brought their own personal armies to the fore. The Department Four Agents turned about when the other Agents of The Lamplighters joined the battle.

The fighting was fierce with significant casualties taken on both sides. Control was able to lock their chamber down and command HQ's defences while The Curator managed to fight his way out of the complex and escape. As their forces diminished and their leader in retreat, the rest of Department Four's forces began to rout, fleeing into the mountains to regroup elsewhere. The Lamplighter Agents and the forces of The Powers That Be did not possess the strength to pursue them, but their timely intervention had prevented The Curator from being victorious.

### The First Circle Assassinated

The Curator was furious at being thwarted when he considered his victory assured, and his ire burned strongest with those who he believed had betrayed him: the First Circle. He gathered together a collection of his best Agents; Moreen Day, Thonaan, Grannt Ironjaw, Towick Cogwhistle and Aravae Nightsong, and tasked them with finding the Circle Members and killing them.

The Department Four Agents tracked the First Circle trying to escape via a portal in Theramore Isle as they tried to leave Kalimdor and make their way back to Control at Lamplighter HQ. Nullifying their magics and outnumbering them, the First Circle fought bravely but in the end, were killed. The Agents took the extinguished Lanterns as trophies and presented them to The Curator as proof of their success. With the death of the Circle, this marked the end of The Schism.