Thornewoods: A Disjointed Effort in the Battle City Games
As the Battle City Gladiatorial Games prepare to launch into Season 4, much has been said about the prospects of various crews and factions. Unfortunately for the Thornewoods, representing the Blue Faction, the outlook remains distinctly underwhelming.
While it’s fair to note that the Thornewoods boast some notable individual talent, their ability to function as a cohesive unit has been called into question season after season. The crew, led by Captain Estelle Thornewood, continues to struggle with basic teamwork, a glaring issue that has become impossible to ignore.
The group, already small in size, lacks any real synergy. None of their fighting styles complement each other, leading to a disjointed effort on the battlefield.
One of the key points raised by analysts is that the Thornewoods’ abilities may shine in one-on-one combat, but their lack of long term strategic planning makes them ill-suited to territory control or larger-scale skirmishes.
Unlike better-organized teams that function as a seamless unit, the Thornewoods often resemble a collection of solo players trying to patch together a plan at the last minute, if at all.
Their alignment with the Blue Faction should, in theory, grant them access to resources and alliances. However, the **Gold** and **Red Factions** have consistently dismissed them as non-contenders. Season 4 does not promise to change these perceptions.
Without the tactical sharpness and unit cohesion required to stand against well-organized crews, the Thornewoods are seen as little more than an afterthought.
Despite some favorable relationships with the **River City Raiders**, **Baby Blues**, and **The Wheels**, their influence barely extends beyond their immediate neighbors.
These alliances may help keep them afloat during territorial disputes, but they do little to lift the Thornewoods into serious contention for the major plays of the season.
Expect to see the Thornewoods involved in a few scattered raids or perhaps stepping in to defend a neighboring territory. But as for making any significant impact or advancing beyond their current middling status, we remain unconvinced.
Their potential remains overshadowed by their inability to organize effectively, and unless drastic changes occur within their ranks, this season is likely to see them once again outclassed by more strategic and cohesive crews.
- *Verdict: A crew with skills, but lacking in team dynamics. Do not expect a standout performance from the Thornewoods in season IV.**
Thornewood Dossier
Name & Alias: Estelle Thornewood (White Witch of the Tower)
Rank: Captain
Faction: Blue
Age: UNKNOWN
Place of Birth: UNKNOWN
Gladiator School: UNKNOWN
Rating/Reputation: S-rank Strategist / Maverick
Signature Weapon: Mark I trench knife — Lost Battalion (Artifact level) / Katar push dagger — Audacity (Legendary level) / Katar push dagger — Credulity (Legendary level), Estelle as a number of power magic items and weapons at her disposal but chooses not to use them in frequency Class/Sub-Class: Assassin — lvl 5, Subclass — Shadow Path/ Switched to Mage at the end of Season III
Threat Level & known fighting style: S-rank & considered extremely dangerous, initiate immediate retreat / No known consistent fighting styles
Famous Battles: Battle for the Ordos Bridge I, II, IV, VII, & VIII, Battle for the Tower (where she earned her alias), Battle for the Kings Highway, Gorgon Heights, Iron Valley, Hader Apartments, Nordfeld Apartments, Battle for the North Navenby Mall IV, V, IX (please see link for Season II and Season III battles)
Strengths: Adaptable, resilient, confident (but has issues when questioned), self-reliant, low drama, strategic, independent problem solver (thrives in high stress situations)
Weaknesses: Overthinking, emotionally guarded, difficulty accepting help, reluctance to delegate, perfectionist, refusal to follow Blue Faction rules and hierarchies
Bounty: 3,000 BC-Credits at the beginning of season IV
Side Notes: Very little is known about Estelle’s past. None of the gladiator schools have any records of her before she joined the Battle City Games at the start of Season 1. Some gambling researchers believe she has erased her background, known as “Zeroed Out”. There are rumors that her records are sealed, even from Upper Management. She never agrees to interviews (only one has been recorded) and doesn’t accept corporate endorsements. Sources within Upper Management say that her BC-paycheck goes to various charities and animal shelters, so there are no bank records.
One interesting fact about Estelle is that she refuses to fight before sunrise. This has been confirmed by videos of her sleeping when fighting officially begins at midnight. By the end of Season 3, she had the highest Kill/Death/Assist ratio of any assassin, with only three recorded deaths in 3 seasons total. After her signature assassin skill, “Super Positioning,” was removed from the game at the end of Season 3, she switched to the mage class. Additionally, she is possession of an Artifact level item, only 1 of 8 artifacts currently in Battle City, and an official broach from Karl Joop.
Name & Alias: Whisper
Rank: Lieutenant (unofficial) / soldier
Faction: Blue
Age: 27
Place of Birth: Kingscastle III
Gladiator School: Camp Foxtrot
Rating/Reputation: A-rank Melee Fighter/ Maverick & Wildcard
Signature Weapon: Naginata — Lullaby (Legendary level) / M-79 grenade launcher — Thumper (Superior level)
Class/Sub-Class: Warrior — lvl 4, Subclass — Diriptor
Threat Level & known fighting style: A-rank & considered dangerous, high priority target / Bōjutsu, Reach-and-Retreat Combat, Naginatajutsu, Butō-ryū Kabuki, Military Style Combat Level 1–3
Famous Battles: Battle for the Ordos Bridge XV, XVII, XX, XXIX (Season II & III), Haircut Heights Battle (Season III), Joris Massacre (Season II), The Shattered Veil Conflict (Season II), Midnight Siege of Ashbridge (Season II), Riftfire Uprising (Season III)
Strengths: Highly skilled in multiple forms of combat and weapons, adaptability, strategic mindset (A-rank border lines S-rank), stealth and reconnaissance proficiency, fearlessness, loyalty to a cause (see site notes for clarification)
Weaknesses: Emotional instability, hyper-vigilant, impaired judgment during high stress situations, despises authority figures, frequently runs off during key moments in battle with little to no explanation
Bounty: 7,500 BC-Credits for capture at the beginning of season IV
Side Notes: Notes are from an official report to Upper Management by Camp Foxtrot evaluators:
Subject: Whisper — Combat Evaluation and Service History
Whisper is regarded as a highly competent warrior across a variety of weapon systems (melee, ranged, and crew served), though she demonstrates a clear preference for her naginata, Lullaby, which she employs with precision to eliminate adversaries. Born into a military family with a distinguished history of service to the empire, Whisper exhibited significant potential as a gunship commander.
Her career trajectory was abruptly altered during the conflict at the Meade Disputed Zone, where she engaged civilians guarding a strategic bridge, contrary to direct orders from her Commanding Officer (CO) to stand down. Following a formal investigation, she was exonerated of all charges and reassigned to the 50th Drop Bears (Under the 509th Training Division).
In the 50th, Whisper served as the commander of an elite training unit, primarily functioning as an Opposing Force (OPFOR) unit, simulating enemy combatants to enhance the training effectiveness of friendly forces. After her contract was over, she joined the BC-gladiatorial games in season II.
Despite her noble military lineage and extensive training, Whisper struggled to adapt to the teamwork-based demands of the Battle City (BC) games. She frequently abandoned her assigned units to seek out individual combat with formidable opponents, often placing her team and herself in jeopardy or loss of a mission.
Additionally, she displayed poor discipline, frequently arriving intoxicated to briefings, quarreled with superiors, peers, and subordinates, or missing from meetings altogether. During Game 5 of Season II, she encountered Estelle Thornewood, with whom she formed an immediate and close bond. From that point onward, Whisper would only follow orders given by Estelle, remaining by her side at all times, for reasons that remain unclear.
Additional note: Whisper has an extensive hat collection
Name & Alias: Tunnel Cat (T.C. for short)
Rank: Lieutenant
Faction: Blue
Age: 24
Place of Birth: Fyn Mining Colony
Gladiator School: Camp Bravo (Blackett Forest)
Rating/Reputation: B-Rank Field Expedient Technician/ Jack-of-all-Trades
Signature Weapon: Electric Airjack Pick — Bunny Buster (Normal level, updated early-season IV)
Class/Sub-Class: Assassin — lvl 2, Subclass — Hunter
Threat Level & known fighting style: B-Rank Medium / Street Fighter — fights dirty when engaged in close combat, prefers ranged combat
Famous Battles: Battle for the Ordos Bridge XXIX, XXX, and XXXI (Season III)
Strengths: Empathic and supportive, collaborative and team oriented, highly adaptive, group motivator and optimist, conflict diffusion type
Weaknesses: Self-neglect, overly dependent on others, undervalued contributions
Bounty: 100 BC-Credits at the beginning of season IV
Side Notes: T.C. fits the “beta type” profile, focusing on supporting others, enhancing their abilities, and maintaining an eternally optimistic attitude. He is type of person that is excellent in roles that require emotional intelligence, collaboration, and a focus on the bigger picture but may need to work on asserting themselves and addressing their own needs to avoid being overlooked or burnt out. The following is from a document obtained declassified imperial document:
Subject: **Incident Report: T.C. Engagement with Fomoire Entities in Mining Cave**
On [REDACTED] at 0300 hours, the civilian operative known as “T.C.” successfully neutralized a squad of six Fomoire-possessed combatants utilizing makeshift weapons and tools found within a restricted mining cave complex. Without access to specialized exorcism gear, T.C. adapted mining equipment — including pneumatic drills, power generators, wiring, and metal support beams — to incapacitate the Fomoire entities and sever their spirit-human links. This method, while unconventional, mirrors advanced field tactics typically employed by sanctioned Exorcist units but is notably beyond standard operational expectations for a civilian.
It is critical to note that standard Exorcist squads, despite rigorous training, have historically struggled with neutralizing multiple Fomoire in enclosed, resource-scarce environments due to the entities’ heightened resistance to conventional weaponry. T.C.’s success under these extreme conditions raises significant questions regarding his adaptability and combat proficiency, suggesting possible [REDACTED] enhancements or preexisting experience with paranormal entities. Further investigation is recommended.
Additional note: T.C. has struggled with self-mutilation to manage stress. In Season III, Whisper helped him find healthier ways to cope. Between season III and IV, he began volunteering with teens and community groups to support others dealing with similar challenges.
Name & Alias: Heather Drekakӧttr (aka Heather Thornewood)
Rank: soldier
Faction: Blue
Age: 466
Place of Birth: Drekakӧttr Moon
Gladiator School: Camp Alpha (Kapa-Kapa Island)
Rating/Reputation: B-Rank Field Medic/ Healer & combat force multiplier
Signature Weapon: n/a (sacrifices obtained items to enhance her skills/abilities)
Class/Sub-Class: Mage — lvl 4, Subclass — Druid Healer
Threat Level & known fighting style: B-Rank Medium / Mixed-Morph Martial Arts
Famous Battles: none (regulated to healing duties in season III and valuable as an oracle)
Strengths: Plotter, intense, quick to learn from past mistakes, confident, graceful, team oriented
Weaknesses: Short fuse, suspicious hothead, unable to let go, vengeful
Bounty: 300 BC-Credits at the beginning of season IV
Side Notes: Heather is a 10th generation druid from a royal bloodline and the healer for the Thornewood Gang. Her age and family history give her a deep connection to nature, and she’s the best at healing (rated only slightly below the legendary Omen). She also knows a lot about magic and has degrees in bio-engineering, life sciences, and philosophy, making her a powerful ally in battle. In Season III, she created the dangerous Mu virus strains.
Unlike most healers, who stay behind others for protection, Heather fights on the front lines. Her ability to shape-shift during combat makes her a fierce fighter who can hold her own in close combat with opponents.
Additional note: Heather is considered an A-rank oracle with a specialty in runes, Tarot cards, and divining through dreams. As of this time she has refused to accept any nicknames or an alias.
Name & Alias: Tauru Thornewood
Rank: soldier
Faction: Blue
Age: UNKNOWN
Place of Birth: UNKNOWN
Gladiator School: UNKNOWN
Rating/Reputation: D-rank Guardian/ meat shield & zero level offensive capability
Signature Weapon: Brass knuckles — Equal Rights (Great level) / Brass knuckles — Equal Lefts (Greater level)
Class/Sub-Class: Guardian — lvl 2, Subclass — Aegis Warder
Threat Level & known fighting style: D-rank / Peekaboo and Philly-shell defense boxing styles, stylized wrestling
Famous Battles: none
Strengths: Original immovable object, loyal (only to his crew), steadfast
Weaknesses: Passes silent judgement of others, jealous, hedonistic, won’t pass up a formal challenge (unless commanded by Captain Thornewood), bull headed
Bounty: 100 BC-Credits at the beginning of season IV
Side Notes: The following memo was obtained from an insider source:
Internal Memo: Azure Council Review of Tauru Thornewood
Subject: Tauru — Background and Behavioral Concerns
Despite repeated inquiries and formal appeals to Upper Management, Tauru’s background remains undisclosed, leaving the Azure Council with limited information on his origins or qualifications.
The only confirmed detail is his unwavering loyalty to Captain Estelle Thornewood. Tauru has consistently refused to follow orders from any other captain or crew, including direct instructions from senior leadership. In one notable instance, during a combat operation, he disregarded orders entirely, choosing instead to sit in a field and “sniff the flowers,” demonstrating a complete lack of discipline and engagement.
Given his disruptive behavior and the strain his presence is placing on faction unity, it is recommended that Tauru be considered for excommunication once key stakeholders — Captain Thornewood, River City Raiders, Baby Blues, and the Wheels — withdraw their threats to leave the faction. However, the High Hats, guardians of the Old Stone Bridge, have voiced strong opposition to his removal and have threatened to veto any attempt to excommunicate him.
Further discussion and strategic planning are required to address this matter while maintaining internal cohesion.
Counselor Peloso
Additional note: Tauru is considered a D-rank oracle with a specialty of Tarot cards and astrology (unconfirmed).
Author’s note: Information on Indigo and Triumph can’t not be confirmed at this present time due to conflicting reports and interviews. The Bookies Gazette regrets this inconvenience.
Dr. C. Cat - Author 