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Well.
<P>And there I was,bragging on everyone, about how well we discuss important
matters.
<P>Look. This subject IS about the entire Barony. Dux brought
up this discussion with the very good and admirable intentions of serving
the fighting community better. Well done, Dux. Thank you for
your initiative. But, without fully understanding all the ramifications
of that suggestion (I think), he touched some much deeper chords in many
of our citizens.
<P>We as a Barony have long needed something to rally around; a common
point of interest. It seems we have the makings of it in this issue.
The question is, are we going to let this discussion become a fireball
of division and indignation, or can we use it to reenergize the Barony
and launch a new chapter in our common history? The answer is up
to each one of you.
<BR>Steppes is a very large barony, with several large and influential
households, lots of people with varied interests, etc. That may make
some folks feel like they don't know their neighbors, or like they have
nothing in common with people who "belong" to some other sub-group.
How ridiculous. It is, in fact, our strength.
<P>The point is, we are ALL part of our Barony. This is our home.
We should all <I>feel</I> at home here. And to do that, we need to
respect each other, and the rights of all of us to have our voices heard.
It means that if you really care about this group as a whole, you will
be patient and loyal while the Steppes and her citizens prepare for a new
day. It also means that you must respect the Barony as an entity.
Rome wasn't built in a day (to beat a tired old cliche'). If we are
to feel like a community, and really BE a community, we must act like a
community.
<P>Dux feels like he must defend the interest of the fighters under his
care. Their Highnesses feel like they must defend the needs of their
squires, apprentices and protege's. His Excellency and I feel like
we need to defend the interests of each individual in this Barony and its
Cantons. All of those are legitimate needs, and a tall order.
But in the end, we <I>all</I> need to take care of each other. That
is the only way that this Barony will survive and thrive.
<P>Please support your Barony--take part in the life of this group.
Get in your car and go to a guild meeting or a practice of one kind or
another, or a work session of some sort. Carpool if need be.
It doesn't matter how long you have been away, or how often you think you
will show up in the future. We will welcome you. We need you.
Right now.
<P>Please call me or speak to me personally if you want to discuss this
topic with me further. Our barony deserves some real, personal dialogue.
<P>People, the details will sort themselves out. Let us all take
care of the big stuff, shall we?
<P>For Steppes,
<P>Catrin
<BR>Lady Steppes</HTML>