To Be a Baron

[DoS Archive]

From: quickvarmg@aol.com (QuickVarMG)
Date: 28 Jun 1999 03:07:57 EDT

Aja posted an interesting question earlier today, in response to my words: "What is right?"

To be honest, the answer varies for each person... that is, in regards to the simple facts of life. In the Duel of Swords, however, I feel that there is one thing that can be perceived as "right." To put it in so few words as possible, it is to maintain integrity in the sport.
Some people may wonder what I mean by maintaining integrity. Some may not wonder. Some may not even care.
By definition, integrity can be summed up as "moral character." These halls have an aura of character and history behind them. I have been here for just two and a half years, and reading the histories a few times can only help me imagine what kinds of people roamed these halls.
Yes, these halls have had hordes of those who have been corrupt. How many, in all honesty, feel that those who built these halls would be happy seeing the way things are now? The crown has been passed on to 32 overlords. It is written on this very board that Agrenish is planning to buy someone with this same crown, for his own purposes.
In terms of skill, I do not feel that I am superior. However, I feel I am a good baron because I care a great deal for this sport, and because I care about preserving the dignity and honor that has existed inside these halls.
So now, a general question to everyone. What is right, in terms of the Duel of Swords? What do you feel makes a good baron?
Thank you for reading this long winded note.
Humbly,

Var Medici-Giovanni

Proud Father, Proud Husband

Phantom Scots Captain

Baron of the 10th

[DoS Archive]

From: agrenish@aol.com (Agrenish)
Date: 28 Jun 1999 06:31:29 EDT

What is more important?

Truth or honor?

The two or not the same... nor close.

[DoS Archive]

From: zafiroo@aol.com (Zafiroo)
Date: 28 Jun 1999 12:03:37 EDT

Simple awnser.

What is more important?

Truth or honor?

The two or not the same... nor close.

They are equaly important and go hand in hand.
Part of being honorable is being truthful..if you are not truthful then honor you are lacking.

Zafiroo Turidan
Baron of the First

[DoS Archive]

From: eagleecore@aol.com (EagleEcore)
Date: 28 Jun 1999 12:14:04 EDT

Var,

I find your words admirable and yours thoughts meaningful. You have the proper attitude for one who is a title holder.

Zafiroo,

Like Var, I find what you usually have to say as fair and enlightening. I know you are new to the rings and new to your title, but the fact you ask questions and are open to what others have to say to learn of the community you have plunged into shows signs of another decent title holder that others should look up to.

Everyone else,

Just remember your honor might be someone else's dishonor, your truths might be someone else's lies, it's all a matter of perspective, your not gonna please all the people all the time, especially around here. Integrity of the Sport, Honor versus Truth, is all relative, as long as you discuss and do not preach. Rather instead of legistlating your morality, keep in mind the basis and the foundation of the sport over all.


~Ecore~

~Praetor of the Dragon Templar~

~Thrice Baron of Swords, 2nd Highest WoLs Warlord of Swords~

[DoS Archive]

From: ldyajabird@aol.com (LdyAjaBird)
Date: 28 Jun 1999 12:19:14 EDT

>Just remember your honor might be someone else's dishonor, your truths might
>be someone else's lies,

Very well put, E.


~Lady Aja Bird~

Misfit Commoner

[DoS Archive]

From: zafiroo@aol.com (Zafiroo)
Date: 28 Jun 1999 12:54:44 EDT

Ecore,
Very well stated and I am glad you see that I am not picking on you but simply asking questions to try and see your point of view...Even though I dont agree with the way you have handled some situations you have seemed to make an effort to rectify them.I do think you are with honor and I respect you for being able to voice your oppinion...wheather I agree with it or not I stilll respect it.

Zafiroo Turidan
Baron of the First

[DoS Archive]

From: dreystarke@aol.com (DreyStarke)
Date: 28 Jun 1999 13:00:24 EDT

To Be A Baron...

To be a baron to myself is to be of enlightening. It is to enhance a community. Being a baron is not just a name but a job. It stands for a certain amount of worth in my mind. If you are not worth it, you are to be challenged to meet your arrival in the rings to test your worth. You are seen as one of 13. The one that picks you is the one that seems to describe you as an unnecessary baron, a baron that should be a warlord, a baron of no worth. Yes,
to Lupton this may seem offending. But to challenge is to think you can do a better job. To be able to better the community with the little power you have. Whether it is how good a role model you are or how loyal you are to the sport, being a baron is not for cretins.

And then you think, whom are the cretins? When you look at Agrenish, what do you think? This is what you -could- do when you stare at a baron's council. The crown. You think about if that guy can do as good of a job as you can. Can he actually better the community? Can Agrenish actually do anything for us rather for himself? No. Though, I could be wrong, but I am stern upon that no.

Though I talk upon these ranks as if they are the wonders for the community, people to look up to, but then I always fall back to my conclusion. It's just a title and a ring. Passed on to the next person that comes along. Whether baron or baroness, it's a title that should be held with a head up high and a smile across your face. Have fun with that ring.

Here ends my little speech of the day, I hope you enjoyed it.


Submitted by,


~ Drey Starke FACE="Lucida Blackletter" LANG="0">~

[DoS Archive]

From: rlupton@aol.com (RLupton)
Date: 28 Jun 1999 18:19:27 EDT

This is a letter I sent to the Council during our last debate, when Lucian opted to abstain. I think it answers the proposed question.
--------------------------
If you disagree, Lucian, it is an injustice to yourself and your cause to quit without a proper fight.

The last I checked we were Barons, leaders, and duelists... and far from anything resembling quitters. We owe it to the sector of the DoS population that anonymously sides with our cause to battle with unwavering determination for its breath into life, no matter the supposed futility or hopelessness of its fruitition.

That is our duty as Barons of this Council and duelists in this community within a sport, this sport within a community.


~ Lupton est Dracoern

[DoS Archive]

From: simini@aol.com (Simini)
Date: 29 Jun 1999 01:08:47 EDT

Her face fell serious after coming upon this stack of parchment. Its timeliness was so odd, it had to mean something.

Carefully, she read through each reply, reviewing the various philosophies and seeing how they fit in comparison to her own - which she always considers a "work-in-progress," anyway.

Why had this topic come up now? Why?

Var, you ask interesting questions - questions I am nae sure I have answers for, nor am I sure there are definitive answers for.

Your own answer to your question "What is right, in terms of the Duel of Swords?" is "to maintain integrity in the sport." You then proceed to define integrity as "moral character." My question to you is "What is moral character?" Is there any one definition that can be applied to all of the denizens of the Nexus?

Is it the Golden Rule? "Do Unto Others..."? Perhaps you meet a man of the Crocodile People, who craves nothing more than the honor of being thrown into a pit of crocodiles and being devoured by his gods. According to the Golden Rule, if this man were to meet me on the street and proceed to throw me in the pit of crocodiles, it would nae be murder at all, but an honor. Therein lies the dichotomy of the Golden Rule.

My own answer to your question "What is right?" requires your further clarifiers of "...in terms of the Duel of Swords" and "What do you feel makes a good Baron?" because (at this moment anyway), I find that my definitions of "right" in my personal conduct, and for the conduct of a "good" Baron differ greatly. Since you only ask for one however, I shall nae bore you with the other.

I feel that a good Baron... has a definitive idea of what s/he personally holds as the Duel of Swords ideal. This person conducts themselves in a manner befitting that ideal, both in personal conduct and public duties.

I do not believe, however, that the Baron's "definitive ideal" should be static. Another quality of what I feel makes a "good" Baron is one that can truly listen to other ideals, and if so moved, adjust his/her own ideal accordingly.

~ Simini
no titles, no claims

[DoS Archive]

From: karnafexx@aol.com (Karnafexx)
Date: 29 Jun 1999 04:04:25 EDT

I ask you, baron Var,

I am not a man who follows conventional ideals. I am a man who plows his own path through life. I seek my own form of honor and truth in the things I do. I have never preached the need for a higher moral character in a baron. I only stress the need to be self confident and to be the best you can be at what you are. I believe in niether honor nor the chivalric meaning of truth. My truth is "might makes right". Does this exclude me from being a worthy
or competent baron?

I am one who stresses self worth and ability over all else. I stress the need for a person to have self confidence even at the expense of the confidence and face of others. Would I be, or have I made, any less of a baron than others?

I preach performance in the rings over performance outside of them. I have no high ideals with regard to honor, I merely maintain the need to be the physical opitome of a fighting champion. I feel one who defends himself through actions instead of words is more worthy than the verbose baron who is politically correct.

I ask you, does this make me any less a baron than you or any other?


BRK

[DoS Archive]

From: quickvarmg@aol.com (QuickVarMG)
Date: 29 Jun 1999 04:46:48 EDT

My question is, Billy Ray, do you feel it is right for people to twist the rules to ensure they get what they want, when they clearly know it is not best for the Duel of Swords?

The most worthy baron isn't the first one who will jump to save a damsel in distress. I feel that even though certain decisions aren't exactly easy for them to make, they grit their teeth and make decisions, because they know that it will help DoS better in the long run.
You did speak up a short time ago about bringing up issues of Jaycy's invalid challenge. With that, I do think you care. I do not question your skill, either. In my eyes, you are a worthy baron.
If you happen to not care about what happens to the Duel of Swords in the long run, then I will be honest that I might root for the person that challenged you. It all depends on who challenges. Then again, it is an "if" which I hope doesn't apply here.
To reiterate my question, do you care about the arena, Billy? You being one who has dueled for many years, and has displayed unquestionable skill in the rings, I do think you care for these halls. I don't think you'd sit quietly and shrug your shoulders when someone disregards the rules of the ring.
That's just what I have gathered in your words. While you do care about doing and being the best, you wouldn't be so glad knowing that things are amiss in the arena. Feel free to correct me, if I am wrong.


Var Medici-Giovanni

Proud Father, Proud Husband

Phantom Scots Captain

Baron of the 10th

[DoS Archive]

From: simini@aol.com (Simini)
Date: 29 Jun 1999 14:33:52 EDT

My question is, Billy Ray, do you feel it is right for people to twist the rules to ensure they get what they want, when they clearly know it is not best for the Duel of Swords?

Var,

I realize that this statement is directed at Billy Ray, but I hope you don't mind my adding my thoughts.

To my mind, this question differs greatly from the one posed originally - that is, "What is right, in terms of the Duel of Swords?" I gave you may definition of "right" already.

However, to this question, I do have a definitive answer. No. The purpose of a political position, whether earned by skill or election, is to serve the constituents - in this case, the duelers. To use the given political power to do something detrimental to the duelers for the purpose of personal gain is the antithesis of the title holder's clear responsibility.

I realize, however, that not all folks hold the same perspective.

~ Simini
no titles, no claims

[DoS Archive]

From: skylercj@aol.com (Skyler CJ)
Date: 29 Jun 1999 15:10:24 EDT

To be a Baron....

Means nothing more than being able to use one more fancy than your opponent.

S. J. C.

[DoS Archive]

From: leducblanc@aol.com (LeDucBlanc)
Date: 29 Jun 1999 17:23:49 EDT

While yes, there is a community of duelists here among the rings, it is not the duty of the Barons to provide leadership for the community. Their duty is to the sport, and not to the competitors. The community has its own leaders, some of whom are worthy and some of whom are not and all of whom are considered leaders for who they are and not the rank they hold in the rings, who provide much of the direction for the
community itself. Those who hold title have a very simple set of duties. To defend their titles and the integrity of those titles, and to take part in Council when a dispute or discrepancy arises, thereby interperting the rules of the sport.
Leadership in the community itself is the province of individuals, not title holders or a council of title holders or an Overlord. While the majority of members of the community take part in the sport, and the majority of competitors in the sport contribute to the community, the overlapping is not so total or perfect as to be taken for granted. The sport is about competition, achievement, success and failure. The community is about fellowship,
friendship, at time enmity, and always the group as a whole.
Those qualified to hold title in the sport may be woefully unqualified to lead in the community, and vice versa. While I would not claim influence or leadership, I have endeavored to involve myself in the community since my arrival, without feeling that I needed success in the sport to make me more or less a member of that community. Likewise, I always strive to do my best in the sport regardless of my standing or lack of it in the community.
The Baron's duty, as a Baron, is to the sport. Those duties are relatively simple. The Baron's activity in the community, whether it is as leader, follower, participant, observer, or disinterested recluse is the choice of the Baron and the community. Community leadership is the province of those who wish to truly make a difference, and if they feel they need a title to influence the community than they lack confidence in their own abilities to
influence others. Someone who seeks a title to influence the community is simply afraid to make the attempt without a title. Those who hold title are the champions of the sport. A champion should be a sportsman, a skilled competitor, and a determined individual. The qualities required to be a community leader, in a community where combats are conducted through written missives, are very different.
Finally, a word on honour. Honour is a desirable trait in anyone. However, the business of deciding who is honourable and who is dishonourable will always be subjective. One may believe honour to mean a willingness to attack one's friends and colleagues publicly for an action he or she percieves as dishonourable. Another may believe it means loyalty to one's friends, especially when they need it most, and to offer advice and opinion to them
privately. Yet a third may follow another course entirely. Which of these courses is the most honourable?
I would imagine that their might be more disagreement, even amongst those who agree on how important honour is in a title holder, on that point than we all think.


Duc Percival Marchand de Clermont

[DoS Archive]

From: deluthan@aol.com (Deluthan)
Date: 29 Jun 1999 18:05:48 EDT

A baron does not gain his position through a majority-vote, or a friend higher up on the ladder giving them a hand. A baron has no help from the community whatsoever. In fact, a dueler must challenge the community and fight against, through, and over it to claim a spot amongst the elite. There, he makes the most of his position to do what he alone thinks is best -- for himself, or for whomever he chooses. No baron
owes me a damn thing.

Deluthan Ev'rt

Note: To provide better word flow and correct grammar ONLY, each pronoun was restricted to its masculine form.