Bah, to hell with it. (Challenge to the Overlord)

[DoS Archive]

From: leducblanc@aol.com (LeDucBlanc)
Date: 13 Jun 1998 14:58:02 EDT

Cntrayst wrtites, "Maybe it's just me, but am for the idea or challenging to Overlordy...
Even if it is just to sit on the throne....
Is this a fighting arena?
or is this a political scene?"

I say BRAVO! Who cares what Adonai's reasons are!? All that matters is that he has done well in a goal most of us share, to rise in rank. Why should he end that goal just because he has a ring? Isn't the whole point to constantly test ourselves? When one becomes a Baron, one is only truly tested in challenge matches. If no one challenges HIM, what left is there to do but challenge the Overlord? I must say, if I made Baron, that I would probably
challenge the Overlord as well. Simply because that is what we are all here for. CHALLENGE.


Percival Marchand, Duc de Clermomnt
The White Duke

[DoS Archive]

From: reaperarkn@aol.com (ReaperArkn)
Date: 13 Jun 1998 15:01:42 EDT

:::frowns and posts a simple letter:::

Adonai,

Dalamar is at best an acquaintance of mine, although my luv, Topaz, seems to know him a bit better. I find it truly dismaying for you to have altered your alignment, given a mere weeks time for the que to build, and suddenly up and challenge the Overlord. You say you have no patience. I say you lack honor. I have been your friend in the past, but this time, you've stepped over the line. Know this, if Dalamar does choose to test you, I would
offer him my blade. And if you fail, but retain your ring, I WILL seek to relieve it of you.



Lord Krollon Orak Arkanan
"The Reaper"
Warlord of DoS and...
Keeper of the Lost House

[DoS Archive]

From: qnluthien@aol.com (QnLuthien)
Date: 13 Jun 1998 16:31:49 EDT



::can find no sympathy for the Baron, reading the barrage of negative posts::

::only thinking of the rumors that have seeped back to her of how the Baron insists she is involved in some cheating conspiracy with the Overlord. How the Baron continues to poison the younger generation of duelists with such garbage.::

::posts, leaving a signature dagger impaled in the cork::

We all know who the best dueler is...... I see no contest here. Enjoy the bed you're making for yourself, Adonai.

~Luthien

[DoS Archive]

From: khrystawlf@aol.com (KhrystaWlf)
Date: 13 Jun 1998 19:55:24 EDT

::posts a short note::

Adonai~~~

Your reasons are your own, and truly no one else's business. I'm not certain, but don't believe that it is required to list them prior to challenge. This being the case, I wish you luck and skill in your challenge. Know that I shall most certainly be there, if able, to witness this most fine display of swordmanship.

Khrys

[DoS Archive]

From: dukeuziei@aol.com (Duke UzieI)
Date: 13 Jun 1998 21:00:19 EDT



What a bunch of absolute fools.

Everyone of you that has posted your whismy words of hatred have absolutely disgusted me.

I am still Adonai, I am still a friend to many of you. I decide to do something with myself and you all come down on me like a burning roof. How quaint, how mob mentality, how sheeplike. How surprising.

I find it truly dissapointing that a challenge made in the spirit of competition, not hatred, not politics, not braggery, but COMPETITION, would evoke such hatred from people I had once thought all were honorable, intelligent people. This is what the sport itself is about, true competition, not all this balderdash you people are spouting here. Had I reached my zenith upon gaining and truly defending the Seventh Ring? No, not in my mind I
have not. So instead of waiting gods know how long, and sitting on this ring for an indeterminate amount of time waiting for the crown to change hands....I have merely decided to challenge a friend.

I did that once before, ages ago, when I challenged the Baron AJaybird, he was and is still a friend of mine, and there was no hatred or malice in the challenge, and no one thought any worse of either of us because of it. So how is this any different? The rules of the sport define that a Loyal Baron cannot challenge the Overlord, and I felt a need to challenge myself. Dalamar was the obvious way to go, he is an excellent duelist and an
honorable man. So I am more than surprised at the public reaction to this challenge.

And on top of that I am even more surprised at Dals' reaction. I have no intention of retiring in disgrace merely because I lost a challenge. I never lost the title of Warlord when my blade fell short in a challenge and I don't intend to now. This is not inconsistency. It is a challenge...to myself, I cannot even fathom how any could possibly see it any differently. Yes when I changed my alignment I had no plan to challenge the Overlord,
but I had expected to be top heavy in challenges within a few days and I got squat. So I moved in the obvious direction, not out of hate or dislike or anything, but out of friendly challenge.

So no, I'm not going away, and no I have not changed alignments because I am a hypocritical jerk, I changed alignments in the interest of the spirit of the sport. To further the competition that gives this place the spice that makes it my second home. And the fact that any of you have taken it another way is beyond me, as I was quite clear when I posted it as to the whys and the hows.

When I was a Loyal, there was very little in the way of questioning my honor, and as a Renegade I am the same being, I merely am in a different position. What is this prejudice against Renegade Barons that they must all be evil, lying, hypocritical, dishonorable curs? I have not changed because I have challenged Dalamar, I have challenged Dalamar because I feel a need for change. What is dishonorable in that?

If you find within yourself a burning hatred for me merely because I have done what I felt was right for me at this point in time. I can say little about that but I am sorry. All I can do isask that you try and look at the challenge as it was presented, a challenge from a friend, to a friend, in a friendly fashion, and do not belittle yourselves, or us, or the sport as a whole by responding to it in any other fashion.

And particularly to Reaper. You state you are my friend, then you rail against me because I have done something I felt I needed to do. You had your opportunity last week to challenge me and you did not take it. Bravado and bluster gets no where with me. So if I do lose to Dalamar, and I believe I might, you had better be the first in my que *my friend*.

Kalamere, you call me a disgrace but publically contradict yourself in your post, you also had an uncontested shot and didn't take it. So look to yourself for the disgrace. There is no disgrace in being a Renegade merely for the challenge of it. I would understand the thought of disgrace if I had turned on Dalamar fully and were belittleing him publically, but I am not, so you make an issue where there is none, and frankly, it disgusts me.
There is disgrace in turning on your own beliefs merely because you hold a grudge. I believe I will expect you to be second in the que.


Justifiably Surprised,
~Adonai Uziel
~DragonLord of RhyDin
~Renegade Baron of the Seventh

[DoS Archive]

From: leducblanc@aol.com (LeDucBlanc)
Date: 13 Jun 1998 22:03:04 EDT

Reaper writes, "Adonai,

Dalamar is at best an acquaintance of mine, although my luv, Topaz, seems to know him a bit better. I find it truly dismaying for you to have altered your alignment, given a mere weeks time for the que to build, and suddenly up and challenge the Overlord. You say you have no patience. I say you lack honor. I have been your friend in the past, but this time, you've stepped over the line. Know this, if Dalamar does choose to test you, I would
offer him my blade. And if you fail, but retain your ring, I WILL seek to relieve it of you."

I find it strange to accuse someone of lacking honor because he chooses to challenge the Overlord. In such a duel, it would appear that by facing such a skilled opponent one could only gain honor. If victorious, the reasons are obvious. If defeated, I would still say that it is an honor merely to cross swords with a such a fighter. People think too much of politics and not enough of challenge. That is the reason for the Arena. For us to
challenge ourselves, and in so doing allow others to challenge themselves. Attacking anyone for challenging for rank is idiotic in my mind.



Percival Marchand, Duc De Clermont
The White Duke
Humble Commoner

[DoS Archive]

From: ytmeis@aol.com (YTMEIS)
Date: 13 Jun 1998 23:14:04 EDT

Well said, Kahlil. Though I know that you only are able to say that, since you, similar to myself, have not yet reached baronship, at which point it seems that duelers tend to give too much importance to honor, and too little to other ideals.
Uziel, though I haven't always agreed with your opinions, I salute you in this case - not necessarily for your true reasons, but for what I see concerning this challenge.


- Jaem Triver, M@A
Asst. Capt., The Disengaged

[DoS Archive]

From: zen80s@aol.com (Zen 80s)
Date: 14 Jun 1998 00:08:02 EDT

You know, I never really thought about it much, but now, I think I have to say something.



I think a large part of the grief caused over this challenge is due to a basic belief that seems to have been held by the majority of the DoS community for a long time: That any challenge has the added meaning of politics, honor, and/or revenge, whether or not it has been stated. I don't feel this is true, and apparently, Adonai does not either (either that or he's lying about it all, but that's just the cynic in me. I believe him). I think
challenging for rank is a good thing; though I've caught flak both times I've done it, I'd do it again if I had the chance (except I'd make sure I'd do it right the first time). After all, there's nothing in the rules that says a challenge can only be made if you've got something against the person you're challenging. And I don't think it should be assumed that challenges mean anything beyond their face value; if reasons are given, they are given,
if not, then they should not be assumed. After all, we all know what happens when you assume; if you don't, well, it's not something I should repeat on a public board. But I think it's something we could all take to heart in a situation like this. Adonai, I salute you; not because I would necessarily do the same thing in your situation, but because I think you have a right to it, and if you want to make a challenge to attempt to gain the highest
title in the Duel of Swords, then I have no problem with that, and I honor your right to make such a challenge.



I'm sure some of you may think I'm naive just for believing him, but perhaps you're just too cynical. If not, then good. I'll stick to my belief that challenges can be made just for the sake of challenging either way.



I await your comments. But if you have some sort of criticism of me in response, at least make it a defended one, since otherwise it basically is meaningless to me.



Zen

[DoS Archive]

From: dueier@aol.com (DueIer)
Date: 14 Jun 1998 00:11:53 EDT

In order to stay a Neutral Baron under Dalamar, it is necessary for me to not take sides at all when it comes to the Overlordship in any way.



All I can say is that it appears the since the community did not oblidge the Baron Uziel with a challenge, he creates his own. Should he find it necessary to keep as an active member of the Council, that is his perogative. I do find it a very interesting of forcing a challenge, yet do not hold anything against him.



And to my Disengaged teammates (Kahlil and Jaem) who speak of the weight of honor being too heavy, perhaps you are correct. Honor certainly seems to have permeated the rings, especially since the last Overlord scare and the questioning of friendship and loyalty. Let me say that I find it diffcult to determine whether the Baron Uziel is acting honorably here or even whether this match should even have anything to with honor.



Really, all I can say is good luck both of you. May the best dueler be victorious.


~The Nameless DueIer~

~Disengaged Captain~

~5th Baron of DoS~

[DoS Archive]

From: iainmacknz@aol.com (IainMacKnz)
Date: 14 Jun 1998 01:56:17 EDT

To all concerned:



Rest assured that I have no feelings regarding Adonai's challenge itself. If he chooses to test himself, that is his business.



My aggrievement is solely with his previous accusations toward my intentions, and his actions which make the strident condemnation of his accusations naught but hypocrisy.



I trust that both parties will duel well, and the best man will win. My feelings in that regard are utterly neutral. My issue lies outside the challenge, within Adonai's own words and actions. As long as Adonai never again falsely casts aspersions on my intentions, I have no issue with him.



I remain,


Iain MacKenzie

Lord Tynsdale

Warlord and Thrice-Baron of the Duel of Swords

[DoS Archive]

From: reaperarkn@aol.com (ReaperArkn)
Date: 14 Jun 1998 01:56:22 EDT

:::responds simply:::


Percival,

I have seen a lot of things in my long tenure here. But, as I see it, Adonai has gone from a bit over confident to down right rude. I had planned on entering Adonai's que before this occurred. Too bad he did not feel like giving some of us ample time to do so. His sudden change of alignment gives me a bit more to think on. As for you, do not judge me. Firstly, you have no right, as you do not know me well enough. Secondly, as some feel that
Adonai's reasons are his own, so are mine.



Lord Krollon Orak Arkanan
"The Reaper"
Warlord of DoS and...
Keeper of the Lost House

[DoS Archive]

From: zen80s@aol.com (Zen 80s)
Date: 14 Jun 1998 02:52:49 EDT

Reaper writes,

<<As for you, do not judge me. Firstly, you have no right, as you do not know me well enough. Secondly, as some feel that

Adonai's reasons are his own, so are mine.>>



Reaper, did you not say that you thought Adonai had no honor? Perhaps I am mistaken, but I know that in your latest post you called him rude. <<as I see it, Adonai has gone from a bit over confident to down right rude.>>



Judge not, lest ye be judged.



Zen

[DoS Archive]

From: xvevan@aol.com (XvEvan)
Date: 14 Jun 1998 03:54:31 EDT



::posts::

For as much as this discusts me in the way of some one put down for just challenging, I have one thing to say.

The rules were not made for the hell of it!

-Evan Rush Rynth Faline

::walks off, discusted::

[DoS Archive]

From: kalamere@aol.com (Kalamere)
Date: 14 Jun 1998 10:41:40 EDT

Adonai,



How, precisely, did I contradict myself? In not challenging you when you turned renegade? Hardly a contradiction.



You might have noticed that my pen did not join Var's in the discussion of your change of alignment. While the switch may have seemed hypocritical on the surface, and perhaps neutrality might have been a better choice, your explanation of it was perfectly reasonable. I've never had a problem with those who seek out challenges. On the other side of the issue, in the years that I have had the rank of warlord I have issued exactly 2 challenges (not
counting a tournament prize). One for Baron, one for Overlord. I do not challenge for mere sake of holding a title and certainly won't waste a challenge to satisfy someone who has simply become bored with their current station.



While on the issue of contradiction, perhaps you will recognize the following lines.. being as they were written by your hand:



> So.....no matter the reasons, or the actions, my blade stands behind

> the Overlord. Because I swore...on word of honor, my self, my sword

> and my good right arm unto him.



Yet now, out of boredom, you toss this aside. You have betrayed your own honor Adonai, and that is why I think you a disgrace.



Yes, your blade still "stands behind the Overlord" ... it is wedged firmly in his back.



~Kalamere Ar'Din...

[DoS Archive]

From: lrdevasion@aol.com (LrdEvasion)
Date: 14 Jun 1998 10:47:22 EDT

::walks up to the boards, half shrugs and wanders off, pondering why someone would challenge because he's bored, shows no respect whatsoever no matter what the person says...::

((Not a post))