A change in alignment

[DoS Archive]

From: jakvaltrds@aol.com (Jakvaltrds)
Date: 26 Oct 1998 19:20:17 EST

Lady Starfare,

Yuir latest missive hae given me pause, the ponderin' o' it a heavy thing o' itself. I hae had ample time, since the convenin' o' the Baron's council, tae consider the issue o' honor, or lack thereof -- and the council's right ta' define or enforce thier definition 'pon annaone, commoner or Baron alike. I hae yet ta see two people in the DoS gi' the selfsame definition o' the concept, or e'en a complete one.

The issue placed before the council members was the lack of appearance o' oor Overlord. Tha' is all. There was noe mention from any official source tha' we judge or penalize the Warlord in question. Tha' was juist a sideline tha' somehow got kicked in fer good measure. Had we a right ta penalize another for thier intent ta break their word? And if we hae tha' right, which definition o' honor shall we enforce? Mine? I think noe. If'n we were tae
extrapolate that further, why do we noe juist allow the Overlaird an' council tae set up honor rules for participation in the sport? Why we could go a wee bit further, all those with the same definition o' honor could duel in a secret room, wi' a secret password ta' gain entry. Can ye noe see, dear lady, tha' as wrong as we hold it-- ta go back agin ones word-- the council couldnoe, in all concience, levy the punishment agin the offender as they di'.
Dishonorable, aye. Punishable by the council? I think noe.

Perhaps I may hae spoken too harshly when I referred ta the council's act as shamin' them, when wha' I meant was tha' *I* was ashamed o' the act, myself.

But, o' course, I digress, for th' aborted challenge was but an aftereffect ta wha' has really brought me ta challenge, an' was ne'er the pivotal point in my mind o'er my decision. Y' see, Lady, in my last missive did I reveal ta yew the fact tha' twas *last* month tha'I did ask the Laird ta step down in the interest o' the DoS. An' perhaps ye missed the point tha' the unrest wi' in the clan be civil -- ne'er a scuffle wi' a different clan. Whether
we like it, or noe, we are akin to one large clan. While I know wi' me head tha' complete unity can ne'er be a reality, I feel wi' me heart tha' the status quo is rendin' it asunder. Tis noe isolated disgruntled cries tha' reach my ears, bu' the thunder o' change needed an' a time ta reflect.

Tha' said, yew hae asked my intent for the future o' the Duel o' swords and wha' I shall do wi' the crown, an' asked fairly. Were I ta answer tha' question, when I hae no thought further, wouldhae been ta do you a grave disservice. But I hae had noe other thought on my mind, o' late, an feel I kin gi' ye an answer. My opinion, 'afore the convenin' o the Baron's council, had been ta throw the crown ta a tourney. There are a few on th' council tha' I
would be proud ta stand beside, as Overlord, and a few tha' I wouldnae. Since the council's decision, I hae decided tha' ta leave it tae fate like tha' mayhae done more harm than good. My quandary about whether I was worthy o' the weight o' the crown or noe needs be settled here and now. If I were ta gain the ring, I vow ta do all tha' is in me power ta bring it honor, and ta honor the people o' DoS. Tha is me solemn promise ta yew, Lady, and the
best I hae ta offer.

In closing, I find I must tell yew, Lady Jonalyn Starfare, tha' th' way in which ye hae conducted yuirsel' durin' this corresponce has only served ta raise yew in my opinion, were tha' at all possible, for I did vow a vow a'fore y'whence I did rest this rin' from the hand of Evan Rush Rynth Faline. Tha' vow was loyalty ta' the DoS, afore all others, and ye didst tell me tha' yew would be 'oldin me ta' tha' oath. I hope m'lady is tha' I am keeping
tha' vow as we speak.

Ever,
Seamus Mac Donnaugh
Baron of the First

[DoS Archive]

From: quickvarmg@aol.com (QuickVarMG)
Date: 26 Oct 1998 19:20:21 EST

>I echo Jonalyn's skepticism. You are not doing this for your community; you
>are doing this to serve yourself.

Likewise... How does the community benefit from:

a) offering to assist Dal to go back on his word (interceding against a baron)
b) punishing Huma when Dalamar didn't show up to the match

Honor is a deterrent, here. I think honor is important, but not to be used falsely, especially in an attempt to justify injustice. If honor is so important amongst our community then we'd have a council meet every time a dishonorable man challenged. We'd then say how evil he is, and go out of our way to disregard he has the right to challenge, and take away his right.

I am curious... Who is serving whose purpose?

Seamus and AJ are honorable men, and neither are self serving, as opposed to others around here.


Simply,
Var Medici-Giovanni
±
|¯Proud father, proud husband¯|
|¯Holder of the Tenth Ring¯|
|¯Soul dedicated to Noelle¯|
|¯Devoted to his children¯|

[DoS Archive]

From: jakvaltrds@aol.com (Jakvaltrds)
Date: 26 Oct 1998 19:31:17 EST

Baroness of the 5th ,Morgan Le Fay

I am not one to banter about the boards with flippant replies to accusations. I will ne'er be part of a yelling match across the cork , thus my reason for the delayed response.
You ask of my alliances, of which I ha'e one. Tha' being the community as a whole. I ha'e ne'er once accepted the invitation to join a duelin house, nor ha'e I sided wi' any one tryng to bring down the council or the o'er laird. I ha'e been approached by all sides in many matters and yet I chose to stand alone. I owe no man or woman for the rin' on me finger, I didnae accept the offer from Dalamar to intercede in m'challenge, tha I may be free of tha
incumberance.
You offer me pity, of which I am nae wantin. Tis not I who is lead by a sense of blind loyalty to a man whose time has passed.
Look about from yuir lofty rank and hear the cries of the people. They want change Baroness, as do I. If their cries fall on deaf ears, well then, tha' is the pity.

As to the timing, well tha
is verra simple and can be summed up in two words. " Warlords Tournament"
I am not one to read the weekly standins. I have nae kept track of them since I did first tally the peer wins needed to claim the right to challenge. I did read the words of the dear lady, Helix Deverry Girvin. In her missive she did tell the community of her retirement and tha' m'lady, did distract from the closin of the rings.
In hindsight, the timing could ha'e been better, but I dare say is too late for changin. Should the powers tha' be higher tha' us all, send word tha' the challenge cannae go forward, then we shall wait the appointed time and then press forward.

I do hope this will answer yuir questions, but if na'e I ha'e no doubt yew will take me ta' task.

Respectfully
Seamus Mac Donnaugh
Baron of the First

Seamus Mac Donnaugh
Baron of the First

[DoS Archive]

From: demxcyrax@aol.com (DemXCyrax)
Date: 26 Oct 1998 19:45:26 EST

Baron Seamus,

Good luck...I stand firm beside you, of course. I write this if nothing else to let my presence be known.

Dem Cyrax,
Warlord of the DoS

[DoS Archive]

From: sidarthae@aol.com (Sidartha E)
Date: 26 Oct 1998 20:53:22 EST

>>We got ourselves a puritian here. Bet she burn Sid or Collie if I pointed them out as witches.<<

Tried and failed, thank the gods.

Oh, Collie dearest? Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?

::smirks and signs the note::


~Sidartha Elgarette~
Mistress-At-Arms

[DoS Archive]

From: sidarthae@aol.com (Sidartha E)
Date: 26 Oct 1998 20:55:34 EST

>>Do you honestly believe that he is challenging to benefit himself? He was loyal to the current Overlord for a long time, and you think he just wakes up one morning and decides to challenge to benefit himself?<<

Not to say that Seamus has or not, but it has been done before. Gloriously loyal one day, renegade and challenger the next.


~Sidartha Elgarette~
Mistress-At-Arms

[DoS Archive]

From: prlunicorn@aol.com (PrlUnicorn)
Date: 26 Oct 1998 21:00:56 EST

>>Oh, Collie dearest? Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?<<

A soft chuckle escapes her lips and she posts:

That depends, Sid... it there an arse that needs kickin'? Then bad..

Just remember everyone, a women is generally 51 percent sweetheart and 49 percent another thing.. It's a wise person who knows when not to push the 2 percent in the wrong direction.


Collie

She wanders off with a grin.

[DoS Archive]

From: jonalyn@aol.com (Jonalyn)
Date: 26 Oct 1998 21:57:35 EST

Madame Elgarette

I am amused by thine fabrications though nae in the least surprised ye wouldst make 'em. Rest assured, I dinna go in fer witch burning. If thee needs must ask if a witch be good or nae, tis thee mayhap ha' verra little understandin' 'o what the auld faith be.

Amusedly,




Jonalyn Nenshen Starfare
Commoner, Duel of Swords
Regent of Auravia
Co-Chancellor of Starhaven
Queen of Westridge, and the Provinces.
Regent for the heirs to Auravia and Westridge.

[DoS Archive]

From: drakewyni@aol.com (Drakewyn I)
Date: 27 Oct 1998 00:35:35 EST

Again with the thinly veiled insults Jonalyn?

Don't you get tired of it? The Gods know that more than a few of us have.

Lady Drake, aka the Gryphon

[DoS Archive]

From: sidarthae@aol.com (Sidartha E)
Date: 27 Oct 1998 20:01:54 EST

::chuckles and writes a short note::

You're supposed to be amused at humor.

I notice, however, that your sheeps clothing has been torn off. Time for all to see the wolf in their midst.

Congraulations, Drakey, Collie and the others for being able to do it when I could not.



~Sidartha Elgarette~
Mistress-At-Arms

[DoS Archive]

From: jonalyn@aol.com (Jonalyn)
Date: 27 Oct 1998 21:43:44 EST

Madame Elgarette,

I wasna aware yuir interest ran to me attire. I find sheep's clothing rather oily, though I do verra much enjoy a finely spun silk, linen or damask. Ast to wolf's clothing, I have a particular fondness for the sanctity and protection of animals, and would nae e'er deign to clad meself in the skin of such a magnificent beast.

Informatively,
Jona.

[DoS Archive]

From: jonalyn@aol.com (Jonalyn)
Date: 02 Nov 1998 16:08:34 EST

Laird Seamus Mac Donnaugh

Yuir missive hast set me t' pondering a wee while, Seamus. Indeed, tis as ye penned, nae two can seem t' agree 'pon jus' wh' be a definition of honour. Yet, tis clear thou hast th' knowing 'o it in yuir own heart ast well ast when tis a thing hast gang agley. For though thee do hold the council shouldna hae considered the circumstances surrounding th' warlord, nor levied penalty, thou dost nae seem ta condone going back 'pon ones given oath.

Seamus, to manna, t' color 'o a man's honour can be ast nebulous a thing to define ast th' 'o th' mist risin' o'er the moors. Perforce, true honour, th' which abides within, canna be easily dissipated by errant winds, nor raised up 'pon the shouts of the rabble nor cast down by th' self same shoutin' rabble, nor be cast aside in the heat 'o the moment. Tis ast ye say, none canst decide fer another what mist 'o honour to wrap aboot himself. Yet
if a man dost wrap th' mist 'o honour aboot himself, that man canna expect those what witness th' dissipation 'o th' mist, laying bare th' inner man afore th' clan, to turn a blind eye to it. Tis it nae th' telling 'o a mans' inner being, how he dost hold his honour when he ist faced wi' adversity?

Thou hast said t' issue placed afore council wast t' Overlord nae appearing. Lest it be forgotten, the issue came afore the council at the behest 'o th' warlord. T'was he what chose th' path to trod. T'was he what wast advised t'was his right t' choose tha' path by th' Lady Helix Gilyan Deverrey Girvin. T'was he what sought t' crown aknowin' aforehand he wouldst face th' Test. T'was he what chose this manner with which t' mayhap avoid
facing t' Overlord or his Champion. T'was more th' one path afore th' warlord an' former Baron; paths he dinna choose ta' trod. Of the paths he might hae trod, the warlord mayhap hae chosen ta face th' Champion an', ha' he bested t' Champion in a Test 'o Worthiness by the rules 'o engagement, he would hae faced the Overlord within a fortnight.

Tis indeed ast thou hast writ, the question 'o the warlord also facing anna penalty wast added ta the agenda. I do hold, by the rules governing the Baron's Council they didst hae the prerogative ta chose ta consider the matter. Though the point now be moot, I canna discard entirely th' consideration that with the presence 'o the Warlord Challenger, the Overlord's Second, the Overlord's Champion ast well ast a Renegade an' wi' nae annathin ta
the contrary in the rules 'o engagement an' wi' th' knowledge t' th' official, Nycholas De Gyrlington wast aknowin' t' warlord wast t' be tested, th' Test could hae, nae should hae taken place. Nor shall I discard me opinion that th' words spake an' deeds committed by th' Oathbreaker didst rightly come inta' th' purview 'o th' Council. Yet tis ast much t' say if th' horse hae nae stumbled o'er t' stoats' burrow, he wouldna hae broken a leg, neh?

To yuir query "Had we a right ta penalize another for their intent ta break their word?", I do hold th' council dinna penalize th' intent, they didst, howe'er, consider th' deeds 'o each man, the Warlord and th' Overlord, an' rightly so. Tis the council didst penalize th' Overlord for th' deed, nae fer his intent. Tis I dinna believe, nor do I think ye believe, th' Overlord intended nae to present himself that eve. Tis plain his intent
wast to present himself fer th' challenge ast he had so manna times afore. Tis said 'o habits, Seamus, certes, they been lyke unto houndes, for an hound when he cometh by the rose, or by other bushes, though he may nat pisse, yet wole he heave up his leg and make a contenaunce to pisse. Th' Overlord certes hast th' habit 'o making an appearance. His deed wast he dinna and fer that deed he didst face the councils' justice.

Though thou taketh upon thineself ast a member 'o th' council, shame for th' act, I oft do ponder ha' th' council chosen ta look only 'pon the deed 'o th' Overlord wouldst they hae mayhap been condoning th' swearing 'o a false oath? Wh' a thin' fer those newcome ta' th' basement ta learn, neh? For tis nae ta be denied th' th' warlord didst indeed break oath an' faith wi' th' clan. Th' warlord didst perforce speak his oath freely, nae under
anna duress save mayhap th' which he didst place 'pon himself.

An oath, Seamus, that mayhap th' be the crux 'o th' matter. Tis manna forms 'o oath givin'. Tis that 'o swearing fealty ta' clan or ta yuir liege lord. Tis th' vows exchanged betwixt a lad an a lass afore a religious an those called ta witness or betwixt none bu' themselves. Tis there be oaths pledged under duress. Tis there be oaths pledged betwixt two from which one canst chose ta release t'other. Tis there be false oaths an' those truly
sworn.

I nae mind sayin' I wast mos' assuredly distressed fer I didst, till th' moment Huma didst take back his pledge, hold him an honorable albeit driven man. I dinna fergit he didst stand alone ast Renegade, nor th' pain an' sorrow evident in th' man fer th' loss 'o his lady nor for th' disappointment in th' loss 'o th' Fourth Ring. I dinna forget either th' contempt shown th' ring by he what bested Huma fer it. Nor do I fergit th' he what didst
best Huma fer th' Fourth Ring didst do annathin' th' he hae nae intended ta. Th' warlord, Huma, didst suffer th' gibes an' aspersions cast 'pon him; sometimes in silence, oft in passionate discourse within th' basement or 'pon th' ancient corkboard. Yet he didst walk wi' head held high and proud for he hae accomplished much, nor didst he make secret th' contempt he didst 'old fer th' Overlord's reign.

Laird Mac Donnaugh, tis thou hast penned thou didst request 'o the Lord Dalamar Ar'Daumon ta stand down fer th' good 'o th' clan, citing ast yuir reason th' tis he thou dost hold within thine heart ta be th' cause 'o th' sundering 'o th' clan. Thou agin mention tis nae isolated disgruntled cries bu' a thunder 'o change needed that be battering thine ears. Tis a difficult thin' ta' sift th' chaff from th' wheat, Laird Mac Donnaugh. The goodly
grains do fall ta th' earth, th' chaff dost fly 'pon th' winds an canst blind th' eyes 'o those th' do winnow.

Tis I recall th' oath thou spake when though didst hold the First Ring in thine palm. Thou didst gi' thine oath first unta th' clan, choosing ta ponder afore givin' thine loyalty ta Lord Dalamar Ar'Daumon. Thou hast found thineself placed in a position ta ha' ta' choose betwixt clan an' liege, Seamus. Tis I am nae blind ta th' anguish 'o thine decision, nor ta thine reasoning. Thou, ast an honourable man, having declared first fer th' clan
an then fer thine leige, couldna in good conscience do ought else. I, in good conscience, canna nor shall fault thee. Mind thee well, Laird Seamus Mac Donnaugh, Renegade Baron of the First, thou hast spoken an e'en stronger oath. Shouldst thou wrest th' crown from th' Overlord, I shall ast well hold thee ta it ast I hae held thee ta thine first. In thee I dinna see a man what seeketh th' crown out 'o madness or boredom, nor contempt fer his liege
bu' a man wh' canna in good conscience abrogate th' oath he didst declare, a man wh' mus' trod th' path he chose 'pon acceptin' th' burden 'o th' First Ring.

Humbly,
Jonalyn Nenshen Starfare
Common as they come

[DoS Archive]

From: valmion@aol.com (Valmion)
Date: 02 Nov 1998 16:47:39 EST

Lady Jonalyn,

Forgive me, but I need to correct one point here. You say, "I dinna fergit he didst stand alone ast Renegade", in reference to Huma Dragonbane. He did not stand alone. Both Questrion Barons, Moralitor and Ulath Fici, also swore renegade in support of Huma Dragonbane and did defend their own rings on more than a couple of occasions in this stance.

Have a good day m'lady,

Valmion

[DoS Archive]

From: jonalyn@aol.com (Jonalyn)
Date: 02 Nov 1998 17:38:47 EST

M'lord Valmion

Indeed tis ast thee state, M'lord, yet, I speak of the aftermath of the fall of House Questrion, whence the Oathbreaker didst stand alone, the banner of Questrion torn from the walls of the basement.

Cordially,
Jona.

[DoS Archive]

From: drakewyni@aol.com (Drakewyn I)
Date: 02 Nov 1998 19:31:56 EST

Point of Order...

In her post, lady Jonalyn wrote: "Though the point now be moot, I canna discard entirely th' consideration that with the presence 'o the Warlord Challenger, the Overlord's Second, the Overlord's Champion ast well ast a Renegade an' wi' nae annathin ta the contrary in the rules 'o engagement an' wi' th' knowledge t' th' official, Nycholas De Gyrlington wast aknowin' t' warlord wast t' be tested, th' Test could hae, nae should hae taken
place."
Without the -direct- word of the Overlord, how can anyone -know- Dalamar had not changed his mind about testing Huma? Or, in another circumstance, that Dalamar would have Baron Oakenshield as his Champion? Just because it had happened before, may happen again, and Dalamar may even have told Baron Oakenshield at some point previously... these things do -not- tell the official that the Test should take place.
Only by the Overlord informing the official -in person- can the test be given.

This information given only in the interests of clearing up what may be a confusing issue. Personally, I remain Neutral on this subject.
Thank you for your time.

Lady Drake, aka the Gryphon