No 13115, Thursday 10 Dec 2020, KrisKross

Solution to 2D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

ACROSS

1   Cryptically rate a ruffian? (8) TEARAWAY {RATE}* [RA]

5   One enjoying a good meal after removing a small ulcer (6) FESTER FEaSTER

9   Short flat hill with very prickly tree (8) MESQUITE {MESa}{QUITE} 

10 Churchman heading off with American high-flier (6) ICARUS {vICAR}{US}

12 Aim to drink exotic nectar, becoming bewitched (9) ENTRANCED {EN{NECTAR*}D}

13 Sage seen in retreat in Ramayana (say, Vasishta) (5) VYASA [T<=]

14 Demolish and build, reportedly (4) RAZE (~raise)

16 Grid where every other clue involves classical Greek (7) LATTICE {cL{ATTIC}uE}

19 Works ever so actively outside, for everyone to see (7) OEUVRES {EVER+SO}* over {U}

21 Drink is very dear, oddly (4) SODA {SO}{DeAr}

24 European wearing best oriental hat (5) TOPEE {E}<=>{TOP}{E} ( Addendum - {E} in {TOP}{E} - See comments)

25 A stupid price for sketch (9) ADUMBRATE {A}{DUMB}{RATE}

27 UNESCO transported wild cats (6) OUNCES*

28 Junior officer Bill’s project secures bronze (8) ADJUTANT {AD}{JU{TAN}T}

29 Whips you loudly, breaking joints (6) KNOUTS (~you){U} in KNOTS}

30 Harped on soup, like Oliver Twist (8) ORPHANED*

DOWN

1   Restrain pet (6) TEMPER [DD]

2   King leaves states’ wealth (6) A?S?T?  (Addendum - ASSETS ASSErTS - See comments)

3   A problem to reach Australian island (5) ARUBA {A}{RUB}{A}

4   A leader in technology to teach foreign diplomat (7) ATTACHE {A}{Te...y}{TEACH*}

6   Dug up old church ground at the far end — a large vessel buried inside (9) EXCAVATED {EX}{C{A}{VAT}E}{g...nD}

7   Turtle starting to poke through land (8) TERRAPIN {TERRA{Poke}IN}

8   He spared criminal getting reformed (8) RESHAPED*

11 KrisKross would look around for an object of worship (4) IDOL {I'D}{LO<=}

15 Contract workers welcomed by a salute (9) AGREEMENT {A}{GREE{MEN}T}

17 Dance steps OK for comic, after consuming a couple (8) FOOTWORK {OK+FOR}* over {TWO}

18 Encounter with Vagrant horse (4,4) BUMP INTO {BUM}{PINTO}

20 Go crazy after retirement (4) STAB <=

21 With drops of sugar and honey, milk producer prepares shake (7) SHUDDER {Su..r}{Ho..y}{UDDER}

22 Container carrying a couple of articles to a pilgrim spot (6) CANAAN {C{AN}{A}AN}

23 Angry man had died (6) HEATED {HE}{ATE}{D}

26 Black/green colour (5) BLUSH {B}{LUSH}

Reference List

For everyone to see = U, European = E, Oriental = E, Australian = A, King = A, Old = EX, Church = CE, Look = LO, Died = D, Black = B