NR - Northern Regional Tribute

[Geni Gorham]

Well said you Excellency.  Of all the posting I have read yours seem to be the
most thought out and concise, informative but no finger pointing.
Vivat!
Jessamy

Reihla at aol.com wrote:

> Ya know, I've said I won't post to this list again, but due to the numerous
> requests for more information I don't see that I really have much choice.  No
> one else can speak for my barony or why certain decisions were made in it.
>
> > Baron Master Sir Burke said:
> > This leads me to Wiesenfeuer, <lots of interesting, but I feel not
> chronologically correct stuff snipped>
> > So how was Wiesenfeuer shafted?  I don't see it.
>
> I was hoping not to have to go here, but there are quite a few wondering at
> this point.  Hopefully this will clear up some misconceptions.
>
> At the 6th NRT (the last Wiesenfeuer hosted) the Kingdom Seneschal was heard
> to make the statement that "Wiesenfeuer will *not* be allowed to host the
> next NRT." This was well before any discussion on the matter had occurred
> within our group and the comment upset those who overheard it and many who
> were later told of it.  Having received no official notice from Kingdom,
> Wiesenfeuer treated the overheard comment as rumor, not as fact, and
> requested her usual annual dates on the kingdom calendar (including the one
> for NRT).
>
> In July, (just as Barn and I were getting our feet under us after being
> invested in late April) we discovered NRT on the calendar, but *not* on
> Wiesenfeuer's requested date.  After inquiring, we were told that NRT was now
> being handled as a true "regional" event.  At the request of the Crown and
> Kingdom Seneschal, the Regional Seneschal set the date and would be
> soliciting for groups to sponsor the event.  Again, this was well before our
> barony had even voted on whether or not to host the event we created and
> sponsored for 6 years.
>
> Given that no official announcement had been made, we knew this bazaar turn
> of events could be presented to our populace in several different ways.
> Wiesenfeuer had already been through a lot, so we opted for the *least
> explosive* method.  We already knew local enthusiasm for hosting the event
> was low (whether due to politics or just burn out depends on who you ask).
> Rather than presenting that NRT had been taken over by the administration, we
> simply polled the populace about whether or not they even *wanted* to sponsor
> NRT again.  With only a handful of exceptions, and for many different
> reasons, the response was a resounding NO.  At that point Barn and I sent a
> letter to all Northern seneschals and landeds and let everyone know that our
> group would not be sponsoring the event.
>
> Two days after our letter went out we were told to attend a manditory meeting
> of the Northern landeds at Steppes Artisan to discuss regional matters.  We
> attended and voiced our concerns over the handling of the situation and our
> unhappiness at how our groups interests had been treated.  There was much
> discussion (debate?) about whether or not Tribute had ever been a truly
> "regional" event.  The consensus was that two baronies had always felt it was
> and two baronies had always felt it was not.  Rather a stalemate, I guess.
> At that point, the Crown graciously offered sponsorship of the event back to
> Wiesenfeuer, but we declined.  As has been said, many hurt feelings already
> existed and our populace had already voted not to do it.  At that meeting it
> was decided that NRT would be a true "regional" event.  Despite this
> decision, no official announcement of the change was ever made which led to
> much confusion and probably contributed greatly to the problems going on now.
>
> > No one took anyone's date, nor stopped anyone from holding an event.
>
> This is a bit incorrect.  In July, when Wiesenfeuer voted not to host NRT we
> also elected to leave our reserved date on the Kingdom Calendar.  After all,
> it had been our date for almost 20 years (in one form or another) and we had
> already paid the nonrefundable site deposit for that year.  We were concerned
> at that point that the war effort not be harmed by our change of plans (in
> the event that no one chose to continue NRT), so we asked to use our date to
> host a Kingdom War College.  Initially at least, our request was approved.
>
> At the subsequent meeting in Steppes, the Crown and seneschallate made clear
> their desire that NRT would continue with its own War College and Wiesenfeuer
> was told not to host an independent War College.  However, we still had a
> date on the calendar and nonrefundable site deposit paid.  When the
> opportunity presented itself to work with House Wolfstar planning an event
> around the Mead Bee issue that had been brewing for several years we felt it
> was a great opportunity to get to know our friends (and new war allies) in
> Calontir.
>
> > > Gitana wrote
> > > "Nor will it change the fact that in jumping in to "save the day" a third
> > > northern barony has condoned those actions",
>
> > to which Burke replied
> > that is hogwash and you know it.
>
> I sure wish people would quit calling other people liars simply because they
> have a difference of opinion.  Regardless of your personal differences with
> Gitana, she deserves to be treated with respect by a Knight of this Realm on
> this public forum.  The fact is, it *is* bound to appear to some that
> Northkeep is condoning the way Namron has been treated.  Now, before everyone
> dogpiles me on that little statement, let me clarify that this isn't what *I*
> am saying.
>
> > How could any group responding to a simple request from a Kingdom officer,
> > be accused of condoning any actions that they did not know about.
>
> Admittedly, I'm catching up on all of this (60-some-odd posts) this morning,
> but I think my perspective is pretty clear.  I believe, as Robert Fitzmorgan
> said already, that the barony of Northkeep is acting with only the best of
> intentions.  They have always given strong support to this region and no one
> should expect that this time would be any different.  I don't feel there
> should be strong feelings against them as a group for picking up the regional
> ball (as they have done many times) and trying to keep it rolling.
>
> However, at the same time, I don't think there should be strong feelings
> against either Wiesenfeuer or Namron for feeling "shafted."  Nor do I think
> veiled threats or insinuations should be made if members of our populace
> don't want to support Tribute.  There are *lots* of hurt feelings here and,
> like it or not, feelings dictate how people act and react.  Even if folks
> disagree with me (and they are certainly welcome to do so) the truth is that
> last years circle of unhappy people *is* widening.  You'd think someone would
> be concerned over that and willing to find out what it would take to fix the
> problems.  Denying that problems exist sure hasn't solved anything up til now.
>
> Sir Burke quoted our Northern Regional Seneschal as saying:
> > "Namron has just pulled out as our hosting group for "Tribute"."
>
> As has been said, Namron didn't get the chance to pull out.  They were told
> they would not be hosting the event before they even had a chance to decide
> that on their own.  Am I the only one who sees similarities between their
> situation and Wiesenfeuer's situation from the previous year?
>
> I'd like to point out that Namron was the *only* group that bid on Tribute
> this year.  Honor or not, there is a large amount of work involved for the
> group running that event.  Obviously everyone saw that or there would have
> been groups lined up to bid for it.  I see lots of folks talking about how
> they would be willing to do NRT, but only if asked.  None of these groups
> outside of Namron actually bid for the event.  That speaks volumes to me.
>
> > This leaves little time to become aware of some vast conspiracy to
> > do insult or harm to Namron.
>
> I think "vast" is overstating the situation.  "Conspiracy" might also be
> painting things a little too dark.  I do think something is very wrong with
> our system when two baronies have serious problems with a policy/situation
> but are only told to sit down, shut up and accept things.  I think a good
> point was made that infected wounds only fester and this one has been
> festering a good long time.
>
> I think I've made the point that many in Wiesenfeuer, including me, felt
> "shafted." After giving six years of hard work to NRT out of love for our
> Kingdom, Wiesenfeuer should have been consulted before NRT was taken out of
> our hands.  Likely the final outcome would have been the same - that NRT
> would have become a regional event - but with one very serious difference.
> Wiesenfeuer could have given Tribute to the region as a gift and perhaps we
> could have continued to support it with our whole hearts instead of feeling
> hurt, angry and bitter.
>
> > since in all of these cases the Crown and Seneschallete were involved, I
> guess
> > that you feel the Crown and Seneschallete are wrong and should apologize.
>
> I don't think anyone has suggested the Crown's involvement in any of the
> events of the past week until you did just now.  I think most of us believe
> Their Majesties are good and honorable people doing what they feel is best
> out of their love for the kingdom.
>
> If Tribute is to continue, I would only wish the best to those who
> participate.  Barn and I won't make any rash statements at this point as to
> whether or not we will continue our support of the event.  Much depends on
> whether or not our populace supports it as we recognize our duty to represent
> our people to the region and kingdom.  Much also depends on the Crown's
> wishes as we, of course, represent them as well.  Duty aside, though, I have
> to admit that I will never feel the same way about Tribute as I once did.
>
> Kat, Baroness of Wiesenfeuer
>
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