Alleviating a Potential Concern

[DoS Archive]

From: iainmacknz@aol.com (IainMacKnz)
Date: 16 Feb 1999 21:13:07 EST

In another discussion, Lord sal Roa commented:

"This would deffinately lead to problems and more organized groups of political 'gangs' who merely want the majority within the council."

As the subject has come up obliquely from other quarters, I would like to stress that while the Amethyst Ring would certainly be proud to count any number of Barons among its ranks, holding a majority, or even a single seat, is not in any way a goal of the organization.

Further, it should not be assumed that the Amethyst Ring will seek to unseat Barons simply for opposing the organization in general. That would most certainly be tyranny and oppression, of the highest order.

In only two cases will the Ring seek to remove a titleholder, or act to obstruct a challenger:

1. When said titleholder or challenger is clearly unfit to represent this community; or
2. When a titleholder acts to assist an unfit challenger or titleholder in obtaining or retaining their title, or makes it clear that they will do so.

Period. Regardless of the wild accusations of some parties, there are no other motivations besides seeing to it that the titled ranks are populated with those who respect the honor and traditions of this community. There is, and will be, no attempt to mold policy. There is, and will be, no contradiction in both Loyal and Renegade Barons claiming allegiance to the precepts of the Ring. There is, and will be, no contradiction in Renegade Barons
claiming allegiance to the Ring while subordinate to an Overlord who is likewise among the Amethyst Ring's number. These issues are beyond the purview of the Amethyst Ring's charter; while the organization is, by definition, a political body, it does not seek to create a majority of titleholders who agree mindlessly with each other on every issue.

To offer an example, while we both served as Barons, Jeffrey Oakenshield and I violently disagreed on the use of the Test of Worthiness against Barons; to this day, we still disagree on the issue. However, if Baron Oakenshield wished to retake his position among the ranks of the Amethyst Ring, he would be welcomed graciously despite this difference - because that difference is merely a matter of conflicting principles, both sides of which are rooted
firmly in an equal sense of honor. His position is that honor demands that a Loyal Baron offer his blade in defense of the Overlord, and that I cannot argue; likewise, my position is that, in general terms, a Baron has already proven their worth to challenge the Overlord, and that honor demands the Overlord respect the Baron's achievement enough to face him - a position which Jeffrey disagrees with because it conflicts with his own precepts of
Loyalty to the Overlord, yet he also understands my position as honorable in its own right. Opposing policies may both be honorable, as may those holding opposing viewpoints... and that disagreement may be dealt with honorably.

It is hoped that this will, in part, alleviate the concerns some parties have with the Amethyst Ring's existence, and explain exactly why the Ring acts as it does.

Ian Rex.

[DoS Archive]

From: sirduel@aol.com (Sir Duel)
Date: 17 Feb 1999 00:12:26 EST

Err..how moight yeh go about naming da ideals and principles of the community when it comes to honour? Honour is merely an opinion, an opinion of wot is right and due..wot should be glorified; Opinions differ greatly among each and every person, and I nae know how yeh ring might label a standard for honour that represents the entire community, some of the members nae even having made their aquaintance with yeh or all da
members of the ring. Though, being life isn't two clear colours, ah'll leave it at that, this being all me opinion.

Coron.

[DoS Archive]

From: jonalyn@aol.com (Jonalyn)
Date: 17 Feb 1999 02:34:42 EST

Coron

At its most basic, Honor is within each personage. Tis it canna be granted by anna nor taken away by anna. One can only discard it. Tis it should be apparent e'en unto a blind man that some be unfit to represent the community. Wouldst thee that the community be represented by liars, brigands, deceivers, whiners, those who hae declared that to regain their self respect tis they needs must wear a ring? Wouldst thee honor those, who by deceit and
treachery, hae gained title? Wouldst measure a personage only by skill with blade or wouldst seek further than that, Coron? Tis 'pon the Council now three what hae proven overtime their unfitness to represent this community. Tis thee hae challenges issued unto some wherein the two hae nae e'en met. Tis seeking the titles ast a child seeks candy, Coron, treating the honor of a ring ast if it were a mere bauble.

Ask of thine heart, Coron, wouldst thee honor those who blithely cast tradition aside ast so much dross? Ask of thine heart who thee wouldst hae represent thee and thine honor, Coron. T'was a time, Coron, when the community hae nae need to be overly concerned that those what held title wouldst indeed honor the traditions, the rings, these vast caverns, the heart and soul of what wast the Duel of Swords.

That time hast dimmed, Coron, yet tis hope for renewal and restoration of what once each what entered into these caverns didst carry within. T'was the Overlord Vernick didst retire for the aspersions cast upon the name and honor of his Ladywife. On the other hand thee hae the Overlord Gnimish what retired for he couldna bear the burden, and didst whine that he wast put upon. Thee hae the Overlord Feadur, courageous in that he declared all his
Barons Renegade. Thee hae the grand Siera Redwin who didst stand firmly in her beliefs despite the castigations and insults from none less than Falon, a man she hae spurned, and chidings from Stefano de Fortenza, ast well ast some vile epithets cast upon her by Elijah Basia-Uhr.

May thee heed, Coron, for the winds do blow a foul stench from some quarters. Listen carefully to those about thee, and nae trust that the histories tell the entire tale of each what hae worn the mantle and crown, nor borne the burden of a Barons' Ring. Tis some upon the Council I know nae well, yet respect for their forthrightness and stance. Tis some upon the Council what hae nae done ought but seek self aggrandizement and self worth with nae a
thought to the community but only for themselves. Tis some upon the Council I do respect and hold ast friend, though I may nae agree with all they espouse. Would that the community wast nae in need of the Amethyst Ring, but tis, in dire need, lest the shimmering of the candle of Honor ist completely extinguished from these ancient halls, lest Silence descend and these ancient caverns sink completely into the darkness of the abyss.

Jona

[DoS Archive]

From: rolandsal@aol.com (Roland Sal)
Date: 17 Feb 1999 14:29:29 EST

Going to lead off of the former Baron's words:

"I would like to stress that while the Amethyst Ring would certainly be proud to count any number of Barons among its ranks, holding a majority, or even a single seat, is not in any way a goal of the organization."

Exactly. Other than having members of an organization interceding on behalf of one another and the occasional decisions with challenges, the council holds no real power that would allow a particular house to rule, I use that term very loosely here, the rings.

All an organization would really gain is the honor of having a certain number of Barons on the council and the recognition of a power in the arena politics. And possibly gain a little sway when it comes time to decide on the validity of a challenge.

If the Overlord is considered the ultimate duelist and lord of the rings, then power isn't in numbers. It is in skill. Two men with exceptional skill could hold the Overlordship for a long period of time if their skill holds up. One being the Overlord himself, the other a skilled loyal duelist of any rank to intercede for the Overlord. No house, no organization.

I say let the Amethyst Ring, and any other organization for that matter, do as they will. Time will tell the true intentions of these organizations and how much they truly help or care about the community who spawned them. As dueling organizations have done so in the past.



Roland

[DoS Archive]

From: carnage669@aol.com (Carnage669)
Date: 17 Feb 1999 16:18:28 EST


A question if I may...

Who is on the Ring's list of un-fit Barons?






Cletus

Humble Warlord of DoS

[DoS Archive]

From: iainmacknz@aol.com (IainMacKnz)
Date: 17 Feb 1999 16:33:25 EST

Cletus inquires, "Who is on the Ring's list of un-fit Barons?"

At the moment, Barons Dragonbane, Stonecutter, and Ashleana. In the latter two cases, I have clearly expressed the Amethyst Ring's objections; in the case of Baron Dragonbane, until such time as he has convincingly changed his ways (as he claims to be attempting to do), one may only judge by what one already knows.

Baron Taelca is on uncertain ground, as well. I am informed that he is decidely not Baron material, but I refuse to blindly condemn him without actually having had opportunity to witness his actions.

I'm amused that this is the first time I've been asked this question publicly. My thanks, Cletus, for the opportunity to answer it.

Ian Rex.

[DoS Archive]

From: oortael5@aol.com (OorTael5)
Date: 17 Feb 1999 18:48:53 EST

::Comes up to the boards and scans over them, surprised to find his name::


Sir Ian,
Since I do nae know you at all I would like to inquire as to how ye can possibly say I am on uncertain ground as being fit to be a Baron. I have nae done any actions which I believe have been dishonorable and unfit of a Baron and therefore I believe your comments based simply on what someone who dislikes me may have said, are totally uncalled for. I thank ye for saying ye will nae blindly condemn me, but nonetheless I believe the comment was
unneccesary. Thank ye for your time.

::tacks it up and walks away to wonder how he got dragged into this::



~Galin Taelca ]

Baron Of The Ninth

Member of the Disengaged

[DoS Archive]

From: iainmacknz@aol.com (IainMacKnz)
Date: 17 Feb 1999 18:58:12 EST

Baron Taelca:

It does you no service to post here asking how I can say you are on uncertain ground, when I quite clearly answered the question in the message you are questioning.

I will clarify, for your benefit:

I am told by those whose counsel I hold that the rings may be best served by your removal. However, since I have not had the experience of interacting with you myself, I cannot make that judgment yet.

(begin irony)

Of course, in the spirit of jack-booted tyranny, perhaps I should just set out to crush you anyway...

(end irony)

Ian Rex.

[DoS Archive]

From: sirduel@aol.com (Sir Duel)
Date: 18 Feb 1999 02:00:09 EST

Deah Jona..

In answer to yeh questions..err..no, no,..err...no, no, no no no no...err..no..::chuckles::
'tank 'ee fer yah informative reply, and fer takin' time out fer dat..

Coron.