ST - Feedback on moving fighter practice?

[Vicki Shetler]

Hmm, ok.  I am glad that you have answered a number of my questions, it has given
me another perspective to view and think about.

Thank you again for answering my post to the list,

Isolde von Rugen
aka Vix Shetler

Hrldsmn at aol.com wrote:

> 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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