<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:16px"><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5687"><span>Hi all,</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5738"><span></span> </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5740" dir="ltr"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5739">I am super-torn on my personal attendance at a potential Elfsea practice. I, of course, attend almost every Elfsea Wednesday practice. I thought I would relate some of the historical events to add some clarity to the conversation:</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5815" dir="ltr"><span></span> </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5817" dir="ltr"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5816">Many (12?) years ago, the vacuum left by the departure of Duke (then Count) Duncan to Trimaris really hurt the Steppes fighting community. After seeing attendance really dry up, I (and others) decided to do what I could for the Steppes Sunday practice. At the time, Elfsea had a VERY strong Sunday practice itself. As things evolved, the Sunday practice in Elfsea eventually went defunct (not sure why, I think I was inactive with kids medical stuff at that point). Steppes Sunday practice during this time began to flourish so it became a ready outlet for people looking to fight, and continues to be so today.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5874" dir="ltr"><span></span> </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5876" dir="ltr"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5875">As things sit now, the Steppes Sunday practice has really changed character over the past 18 months. It is no longer a high caliber practice where many of the DFW dukes, and a lot of the senior Steppes knights, attend. Due to the recruitment efforts of folks like Sir Fiacha, Master Lewis, etc... this practice has evolved into a training ground for a multitude of energetic/interested newer fighters. This, by the way, is MUCH more important to the DFW fighting community than a bunch of dukes training.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5913" dir="ltr"><span></span> </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5915" dir="ltr"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5914">Weird how things change over time. My perspective is that I may be the only consistent Elfsea uber-experienced fighter attending Steppes Sunday practice (His Majesty might also be included in this as well, but moved to Elfsea and is really busy right now obviously). This is likely a good sign for a potential Elfsea Sunday practice, since redirection of Elfsea fighters would not have near the negative effect on the Steppes as it would have a couple of years ago. I, personally, would likely continue to assist at Steppes...NOT because I have anything against a Sunday practice but, rather, feel as if I should try to continue to support the new fighters that attend. I think an Elfsea Sunday practice is a good idea, particularly if we can recreate the excellent populace attendance of several years ago!</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5995" dir="ltr"><span></span> </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_6010" dir="ltr"><span>My 2 cents worth,</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_6011" dir="ltr"><span></span> </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_6012" dir="ltr"><span>Drake</span></div><br> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5691" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5690" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5689" dir="ltr"> <hr size="1" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5688"> <font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430828159476_5692" face="Arial" size="2"> </font></div> </div> </div> </div></body></html>