ST - Feedback on moving fighter practice?
Hrldsmn at aol.com
Hrldsmn at aol.com
Wed Apr 11 07:29:50 PDT 2001
In a message dated 4/10/01 9:41:34 PM Central Daylight Time, shetler at home.com
writes:
<< I tend to see more faces at Business meeting than
I generally see at events >>
This is, I believe, partly caused by the size of our events. Fall Court is
really the only local event we have at this point. Twelfth Night is the
largest indoor event in the kingdom, Warlord is the largest tournament, and
now Steppes Artisan has grown into the premier local A&S competition and is
becoming the de facto A&S contact point between Ansteorra and Trimaris. Fall
Court was started by me as an attempt to have an event for ourselves where we
could just play together and get to know each other. It was intended to be
just for fun, with no list or serious competition. Those same faces from the
business meetings are at events, but with the shear size and scope of our
events we are all kept so busy there is no time to visit much with members of
our own group.
<<Though there is a feeling <in my opinion> of a lack of unity
currently in Steppes.
Everyone seems divided into specific groups? The A&S crowd, the Rapier
Community,
(though those two seem to overlap), the Chivalric Fighters, the Baronial
Officers
(though they seem to overlap with various groups) and the Excellencies.
Though
not necessarily in that order.>>
***What follows is just Edwin's personal opinion based on 26 years of
observation of the Steppes***
For most of its history the barony of the Steppes has not tended to do things
together as a single unit. It has always been a Barony of extremely
individual people and they have always clumped into groups of like interest.
Additionally, we have for a great many years been a Barony which is top heavy
as far as the awards structure goes. We have nearly 20 pelicans, over 20
laurels, about a half dozen knights, almost a dozen past monarchs, at least 6
lions, and over 20 court barons and baronesses. And all this in addition to
the Landed Nobles. Not taking in account double titles, one in three of the
baronial populace has a fairly high ranking precedence. I can tell you from
experience here that leading a group that is so top heavy is not an easy
thing. (Those numbers are approximates, I keep a list but it is on the other
computer.)
Groups that are very peer and noble heavy like the Steppes tend not to
function as closely knit as smaller groups, as each peer or nobles develops
their own sphere of associates and influence (I hesitate to use the words
'their own entourage' but that is what it amounts to. Perhaps the words
'their own households' would be less likely to give offense) In many ways it
is typical of city states populated by 'Great Houses'. Everyone tends to
pursue their own interests with their friends/households/associates. In the
very early history of the Steppes, nothing could be achieved by the officers
or Baron without the agreement of the heads of the Great Households that
existed at the time. Each of the households in the olde days was very insular
and almost groups unto themselves.
The Steppes is also barony of people who prefer to stand out from the crowd,
rather than blend in with it.
That all being said, we still manage to work together as a groups to host
three of the largest and most successful events in the kingdom each year, and
have done so for almost two decades. We are, in fact, just about as unified
as we have ever been or are ever likely to be. In my opinion.
Edwin, baron
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