AAP Article about NNGO/RSA/England

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LONDON (AAP) - There are rumours that NNGO will use a political stronghold to position themselves to attack England. According to the leader of the Ayr Ducal Party (ADP), Krelian von Liechtenstein Stewart, NNGO has created two of the four Council lists in order to maximize and gain most of the support at the polls, which would guarantee that the NNGO receives at least 50 percent of Council seats if true.According to a transcribed conversation provided by Krelian, reputed to have taken place in the NNGO Embassy, the alliance between NNGO and the Royal Scottish Army (RSA) is a ruse. A portion of the transciption purportedly stated that Anto_Capone, leader of the NNGO, allegedly said that the alliance is just a formality and that "nothing is binding forever."The RSA has publicly declared peaceful relations between the Country of Scotland and England; however, Anto_Capone was allegedly overheard telling NNGO affiliates that members of the RSA are "not needed for our invasion, but would be welcomed nonetheless to serve in the armies."According to the transcription provided by Krelian, prominent leaders of both the RSA and the NNGO were unable to agree to terms and thus reached a stalemate in negotiations.The transcribed conversation is not factual, according to NNGO Spokesperson, Muin. The conversation was taken out of context to be used as propaganda. "There are rumours about every organization, some started by the organizations themselves, some by others. This bit of news, I'm afraid, is very far from the truth," she said.When approached for comment, Anto_Capone, denied the allegations. "Is there nothing else to talk about except hearsay about NNGO? Seriously, it is an election time," he said.Spellman for the AAP

[24 Dec 1455 - some of us are having trouble finding this so I posted it here]

My new friend and holiday numbers

Arnawlf

Someone left a big friendly black pigdog on my cottages doorstep over christmas in Whithorn. So I've got another farm companion, who will probably accompany me when required for RP in bush settings. Being a pigdog, I wouldn't want to mess with her if she was upset. Her name is Arnawlf.

Holiday Numbers

At last count, there are 26 MacTavishes. 6 of us are on retreat, 1 of us (Aindriu) is listed as 'dead' (I will leave him on the last until he runs out of time to resurrect himself). There is one present application to join us, and a couple more relatives waiting until after new year to make up their minds. All of us are level 1 except for Ragehammer, Vermelaine and Telets. At a guess, about a third of us will be level 2 within a month or so.

More stuff on UCS political party

The following is my recent response to an invitation by Tobbi, Chieftain of the Kennedys, top become involved in the political party called United Clans of Scotland. I reproduce his original letter underneath.

Season's greetings, Tobbi Kennedy!

I note with interest your recent mail. I have previously discussed a similar solitication with Julius of the Campbells. Out of liking for you personally, and respect for your clan, I repeat roughly here what I have said with him.

Politics divides, clans unite. Oil and water. The clans already carry moral authority, they will have legislative power in near future. Many, if not most, of the members of government from both town and county already are members of clans, or clanlike organisations. Their clan identity will already be framing their actions. What need therefore for a separate political party?

We MacTavishes have many and varied political viewpoints, we cannot be bound by any except that which proclaims freedom for scotland. Anything other would be to invite fraction into our midst. Thus, while I am sure that you can count upon a strong MacTavish vote I do not think that you will see us in your party as a clan.

Can individuals join your party as such (as long as they are clanned)? What chance a decent place on your list for such a one?

(raises glass)

Dracmuller of Whithorn
Chieftain of Clan MacTavish

Here's Tobbi's original letter:

This letter is to invite you to join our party which is called United Clans of Scotland. As you see, this party is trying to get all the clans together for a United and strong Scotland. I think our ideas will please you cause our goals are noble and we're not there for power but as people of service for the communities.

I would be very happy to see your Clan being active with us. 3 representatives are allowed per Clan for now so maybe you can talk to your members to see if they would be interested.If you want to become a part of this journey, just hit me back. I'm sure we can do great things all together. ;)

Also, happy holidays Drac.
^o^Tobbi Kennedy

NB - For those that want to get involved as individuals, that is still feasible. Contact me to contact Tobbi to contact JO to gain access (though I note that the list of those standing for election is almost full)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

First of all, I'm sorry I missed the trip to Wigtown. It was NOT my intention to miss it...but dopey me did SOMETHING wrong. I'll try again another time.

Secondly, I would like to wish you and yours a very merry, safe and blessed Christmas and Holiday season. I know many of us go into retreat over holidays...not me! It's a time when I actually have a little free time, so I'll be haunting the Role Plays and Forums...come join me!

Thirdly, even though there are times we stubborn Scots disagree, STRONGLY, I might add, clan is most importantly family. (I disagree with my RL family sometimes too, of course!) I may not always LIKE you...but I always love you, as my mother has told me for 50 years now...LOL!

Now get in here and post stuff!

Proposed Clan Coat of Arms

This is the MacTavish Coat of Arms proposed by the Lyons Court of Arms (Scotland's heraldric authority). I think it is historical (I have come across several different 'historical' coats of arms for MacTavish Clan and Chieftain on the net)? Looking at this COA, I actually think I quite like it.

The celtic cross/sword refers to the celtic origins of the clan. I'm not sure what the 2 five pointed stars might represent. The creature is, I presume, one of Scotland's horned native species - highland goat perhaps? A fitting clan 'totem'!

Brief update

Destrata of Whitorn is our newest member. There are several others considering our clan.

Luthien is thinking of setting up a MacTavish Tavern in Drummore. There's been a Clan Forbes pub there for awhile already, so I can't see anything wrong with him doing it. Goodness knows, from what I know of Drummore the place needs a bit of a shakeup!

There are a few of us heading to Wigtown from Whithorn for the Get Together. We should be there after reset on 22 Dec. I believe also that there will also be travellers from Drummore and Largs (!) present. Should be good. I am looking forward to it.

We will do something similar again in not too distant future, but pick a time of year that isn't so busy IRL! Quite a few of us are busy in the coming week with christmas and new year, I hope the season is enjoyable and safe to all, whether or not we see you in Wigtown!

My open letter in the Clan forum

As I didn't get any replies there yet, I came wandering in here - like I said, there is such an abundance of information I haven't had the time to read all and everything. Now it seems I jumped the gun a bit? As I read a few posts down, it seems that Clan MacTavish isn't politically inclined, or do I interpret that incorrect? Is the fact that I'm coming up in a list for the coming County Elections against the Clan rules? I only have the interests of the common man at heart, so please can anyone advise me? I'll just post my letter here too, if anyone hasn't seen it yet... Oh yes, the funds are all collected now, so U2 is a running list now.

Greetings all Clan Members,

First and foremost, apologies for not coming in sooner and introducing myself to you all. Largs is a very bustling community and with my job as a Bartender in the Rose Wood Café there, my designer house, herb garden and all that, I sometimes don't know where I'm heading :D

So, my name is Reinaert, and originally I came from Birmingham, but Telets has brought me to the attention of Dracmuller, who kindly took me in. I'm sorry to say I haven't seen much of Telets, so I'm not really up to speed yet with the clan adventures, but I will try my best to repair that omission. By the way, feel free to look through the RP threads of Largs, I try to make a regular appearance there and I'm very busy in the Rose, so people start to know me in Largs.

Due to all this, I've also been invited to come up on an election List, "U2", consisting of mostly lvl1 and lvl2s. We would like to bring Scotland to a new height, bringing together old and new Scots, new and experienced players alike.

And here I come to you all, asking for your ear and your heart - and your vote :D! We are still trying to get the funds together, but would like to be able to prove to Scotland that we can bring people together and bring joy to everyone.

Feel free to post here with suggestions or questions - or ideas to get those needed funds :D.

I know I pledged to our Clan Chief to question Anto and come up with some answers, but that man is as slippery as an eel in a bucket of snot - and never awake when I am, it seems :D I haven't given up though, but it probably will take a lot longer than I expected :?

So, do you want a MacTavish in the Council? Do you want to lead the two counties of Scotland to a united Scotland? Then rally behind me and vote U2!

Thank you :)


Reinaert MacTavish, Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland

Things to do for or with your kin...

Visit the clan subforum. Swap information and gossip on the 'sticky' thread for your town. Use it to organise to get to Wigtown for the MacTavish Christmas Get Together (see the 'Announcement' thread on the forum).

Post your entry on the Roll Call here at the Hearth. Use the chatbox.

Keep your eye out for potential new members. If they're interested, let me know.

Walk tall and be proud.

Clan policital proposal rejected (again)

I recently received a letter from leader of Clan Forbes, seeking our involvement in 'The United Clans of Scotland' (a newly proposed political party). This was my reply:

Jefferson Davis Forbes,

I have put my views on this matter to the one who first raised it, JO. I promised him I would not publicly voice my critique and keep an open mind and eye. I continue to do so. When you have Munro, MacGillivray and O'Broin (and MacGregor, if they are still active) on the list, then you will have surprised me and convinced me at the same time. Until then, I maintain position that clan and political party are separate entities and should remain so.

Clan MacTavish has some very divergent political opinions within it. So far, we have a happy house. If we as a clan get involved in the political fracas and compromise (which is the art of politics in a democratic society, afterall) then survival there could lead to troubles at home. Have already seen Scottish Nationalist Party fall apart on the rocks of ego and grudge. What makes you think this proposed party would be any different?

Politics divide. Clans pick up the pieces. Politics about power. Clans about culture. Oil and water.
I am sure that, even if we are not in 'the party' our votes would strongly tend towards your candidates. As I see it, that is the way it should be.

I assure you, as I have others who have brought this proposal before us, we keep an open but sceptical mind on the issue and remain to be convinced.

Yours in unity,
Dracmuller

Here's the letter I received:

Dracmuller, Chieftain of the Great Clan Mactavish.

Presently there is a building of the United Clans of Scotland. So far there are 3 reps from each of the following clans. The Campbells, The Forbes, The Macales, 3 coming from both the Wallaces and the Kennedys.

I'm contacting you and the other chieftains to build on this list. Giving this body your strongest arms and your brightest minds. It is our intention to put forth a list of canidates in Galloway and hopefully Ayr, for those who have relocated there. Providing a platform that will be the front line of the coming english political parties.

I've never been more proud to be a parts of Scotland and her clans. Without the MacTavishes, the body would be nothing more then a empty suit and with you, .... courage, commitment, and commonality.

Sincerely Jefferson Davis

Discerning readers will note that of the clans mentioned in Forbes' letter, only one of them is a 'heavy hitter'. It was their rep's who deserted the Scottish Nationalist Party when things appeared to be getting too personal and bygones couldn't be let be bygones (sorry Robin). The 'litmus test' clans I mentioned fell on the other side of the barrier. If the hard heads of those clans all agree with the UCS proposal, then I would say we should re-evaluate present stance. Until then, there is nothing here that cause me to feel inspired...

PS - check our clans forum for details of upcoming Christmas get-together at Wigtown on the weekend before Christmas...

Christmas Party - Wigtown - Dec 22/23

There's details in an announcement in our clan subforum. I will also be sending out messages to all clan members as not everyone goes to the forums (or here, for that matter).

We'll have to book out Wigtown's pubs for the weekend, it seems!

Time now for those in our various towns to start organising their affairs before the trip, and organising travelling groups closer to the time...

Message Board Down

The message board just went down, just as bugs struck pubs in whithorn. Hope the two aren't connected! This has been the first failure of the Message Board in nearly two months, so it is pretty reliable overall.

On patrol with the RSA

I write this from Wigtown, where I am spending a little time in a nice cool pub while 'on patrol' with the RSA. This is my third trip to or through Wigtown, and it sure seems to have changed. All the O'Broins seem to have gone to Ayr and thus the pubs are pretty quiet at the times I'm around. There seems to be a lot of HHWs on the market, but saw no meat. Vegies prices are higher than Whithorn's. Knives are available.

The pubs were particularly 'buggy' when I was there (I hate that), so again haven't caught up with kin. Was nice to share a drink with Malon's, albeit the evening was cut short by the bugs.

When things got underway a bit later I bumped into a bunch of roving McAles, heading from Kirk through to Largs (Ayr) to provide an escort back to Kirk for a clan matriarch. They reminded me of a troupe of travelling players. Quite a bit of savvy amongst all the play, their company was fairly intense, but welcoming. They were of the opinion that there were more englishers in Ayr than there were coming across the border from Cumberland.

Apart from that, the patrol has been fairly uneventful so far.

Role Call -Balenoape

Hey,wassup my mactavish family.........I am Balenoape.
IRL-I am just an average student studying Biochemical Technology in Singapore.
During my pass time, i like to take care of different type of fishes from marine to freshwater........My current pet is the Fighting Fish...I also love arts.I use to do painting during my Secondary school.I also love music and now taking up courses to learn how to play the guitar....during my free time i like to slack and meet up with friends...it can be said that i am a lazy fellow.....

IG- I am a wheat farmer and current member to the Black Wings Mercenaries.......

Roll Call - Jayne

Hello, this is a belated continuation to Lady Robin's idea.

IRL, I am a normal, broke Texas college student and, consequently, my life tends to be a little boring. Not to mention, I really have no life outside of school. lol. I have two remaining semesters of undergraduate work and then hopefully I'll be admitted to law school. (Time will tell...) I spend the rest of my weekdays working for federal attorneys as a lowly file clerk. In my free time, I like to hang out with my husband, friends, and family. There's not much else to do in my neck of the woods. Random tidbit: I'm actually a Californian at heart. :-)

IG, I am a 20 year old widowed corn farmer living in Drummore.

Direct Action on Meat!

There is a Galloway wide shortage of meat due various reasons, some of them limited to specific towns, some of them county wide. Ayr will soon develop its own problems, if they aren't evident already.

In Whithorn, one of the problems are the market manipulations of other residents, forcing folk to beg for what should be theirs by right. Anyway, we are trying to see if we can pool together our clan resources to make sure that we, and other stubborn types like ourselves, get a fair go.

The Fraser Clan is, like us, composed of mainly level 1s and over represented in Whithorn. As such they are both on the 'outer' of the kingdom's elitist power structures, and victims of the meat shortage. As I like these Frasers, and as we share more common ties with them than any other clan, I have sought to get them involved in our cunning plan (Lady Gypsy Rose is their leader).

Lady Gypsy,

I write concerning two things. Firstly, have you recently had approaches made to you, seeking to draw your clan into governmental political arena? I have, and rejected the proposal out of hand.

Secondly, you and your kin are no doubt as concerned about the meat situation in Whithorn as myself and mine. It is my assessment that things are worse for us at present due to market manipulations. For example, why is a butcher trawling the market for meat, if not to fulfill some private 'deal' he has made? All those who don't want to go cap in hand to the 'providers' have to take their chances on the open market, when the meat and HHW supply is being controlled ever more tightly.

Anyway, MacTavish have two butchers and a number of pigfarmers in town. We are about to set up an alternate supply chain to the present one. We don't wish to limit it to ourselves, but are a bit wary of just putting our goods on the market where the manipulators will likely get them.

As we hold yourself and your clan in high regard, we wonder if you would not mind working with us so that we can help build up your folk as well as ours. Once we start making inroads into the hold the manipulators have, I would like to see us try and open up the market to all.

I think both of our clans have a number of people who will soon reach level 2, so we can return a bit of civility to our town in near future... If you think we can work together on this, let me know.

Dracmuller MacTavish

Politics Schmoliticks

I recently had an approach made me by a fairly well known county level politician type, seeking to recruit 'my clan' into a 'new political party' that will 'represent the interests of clans' in 'Scotland's future government'. I politely rejected this proposal out of hand.

The politician returned for more. I explained my reasoning thus: politics divide, clans unite. I see his way as leading to the diminution of the clan system before it has had a chance to blossom. He says that this was all "[his] point exactly", the clans can 'unite' the present political factions, secure their own power in doing so, and make scotland 'truly scottish'.

Hmmm, I thought. The politician was by this stage as close to begging as this politician will ever come. As he has worked very hard as a politician and has probably on the whole done us more good than harm, I didn't jump down his throat. I said that I'd bring it up before my kin, but would not recommend any such political involvement nor endorse it in any way.

My goodness, with the diversity of political views within this clan, we'd self destruct if we had to agree upon the best way to run the economy or some such...

Roll Call - Drac

IRL I am early forties aussie male (half canadian). Play guitar in a rock band. work during the day as a criminal defence lawyer. Been there and done that in my earlier life, worked all types of jobs before spent 11 years at university where I expanded my mind. Married a scottish wife, in a kilt, in scotland (that's a tale in itself, which I'll tell anyone who asks me about it). I'll post a picture up in a day or two, adding it to this post.

IG play a early forties scottish male. Lead dude in a highland band. Taking the long view in setting up a clan for those not connected to the power structures, so kin can connect to the power structures via a clan which others respect. So far, mission a success.

IRL and IG - somewhat of a philosophical anarchist, stong sense of social justice, tilts at windmills.

Next ...

Hokay So here is the Malon_Knights. My real name is Dave and I am one of Ladyrobin's 600 teenagers. I am really 17 years old. I am a senior in high school and very lazy, except in this game which is wierd. But yeah I have 2 cats, and my pure breed German shepred puppy, whom I love. I am also dating Sweetmeg, which will most likely, though I don't know, come into play in the game. I got my name from the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It can be found on the 3rd truthstone from the left in front of the temple of time. Also 2 interesting facts about myself, I know the ancient Scottish Sword Dance and I plan on growing huge, bushy mutton chops.

In game, I will be level 1 tomorrow. I just thought there was no better group of people to share this with than my clan.

Next

Roll Call!

There are 21 or more names on our clan list...and I admit I only know six of you more than just in passing. I do think it would be fun for each of us to post a little bit about ourselves, either IRL, IG, or both. Of course, I'll begin...

My real name is Robin (imagine that!) and I teach high school English (journalism/drama/Brit Lit/grammar). SweetMeg and Malons_Kinight are both students of mine IRL :-) We all live in Michigan, in the United States.

IG, I am 30. It was an age I enjoyed. IRL I am older than 30, and glad to be, frankly, after the last 18 months or so. You see, I'm also an ovarian cancer survivor! I've been married 26 years and have three fur children, and 600+ teenagers. Life is never EVER dull at my house.

Next?

A Blessed Thanksgiving

Good day, clan family! I wasn't sure if I was allowed to post here, but seeing the "New Post" button, and having the time (finally!) to sit down for a minute, I decided to add a few pearls of wisdom.

First of all, I am thankful today for the new friends I've made in the Renaissance Kingdom. It's interesting the way a shared interest can pave the way for true caring, isn't it? I love how we are forming a family, and I am especially grateful for Dracmuller's leadership and constant care for the "extras" we have as MacTavishes, for example, this site.

Secondly, I'd like to encourage more of you to get involved! I know that's a hard thing to do with time as it is, and those of you who read this probably already ARE involved - but encourage our other clansmembers! It's lovely and fun to chat and feel more connected.

I will be around a bit more this next few days, being on Thanksgiving holiday from my work as a high school English teacher...so drop in, say hi, post a few lines! Make this our cyberclan home!

Sad (glad) News

Aalynn of Wigtown has sadly but gladly left our clan. She had a closer origin to O'Broins in any case, as it turns out, and has lived in close and friendly contact with them all her life. I did not release her from our care until I had confirmed that this would be okay with O'Broin. I trust their word, so when they said yes, I released her. Perhaps in the long run, all for the best. It has strengthened the bonds between our two clans. That is not a bad thing.

Aalynn was desperately unhappy and lonely. In such a vivacious one as she, this was terrible to see. So, if you could have but seen her smile when I and Anthalor O'Broin had our talk, I am sure that you too would agree it was no bad thing that happened on this day.

If you were wandering...

I am still in Drummore, meant to be back in Whithorn by now and feeding my pigs. Sadly, I buggered up the travel distance a bit, then ran out of money, had to work a day and rely upon lizardking to assist with finances to make sure that I have HHWs to get to market as soon as I return rather than pig corpses. Then I 'joined' a travel group to at least start the return journey, only to be told by group leader AFTER reset that the 'group' won't leave for weeks! Another day wasted...

So, I'm still in Drummore, little food and no money, and my pigfarm is almost idle (only one pig at present on it). I am leaving regardless today, on my own (seeing as one can't rely on nonkin organised groups it seems), and will brave robbery and starvation to get back to my cute little cottage.

If there's any kin in Drummore who read this in time, I'm call by the pubs from about 1100 GMT on 15/11. Some things never change.

I guess this will be a saga to tell the grandkids about one day...

New members

Please welcome Kwaciutlcs MacTavish to our clan! And, if I didn't already say this ... Aindriu MacTavish also! Two young scotts proudly adopting our clan as theirs, we must be doing something right!

Please keep your eyes open for quality candidates for our clan, especially those from Wigtown and Drummore. It only takes one of our founding members to nominate an (IG) relative, three members (one of whom must be a founding member) to nominate someone out of the blue. If you are a bit shy about making an approach to somebody you'd like to see join us, contact me by message and tell me what you know of the person. I'll follow it up as required.

Brief Clan Update

Membership is witnessing a fairly steady flow of applicants. One (Aindriu MacTavish) has been accepted. Two are in the process (Kwak and Malons_knight). There have been at least three others of whom I'm aware of who have made queries. We are more than holding our own.

National Affairs: Lady Robin and Ragehammer will represent us on a working group which should have come up with firm proposals to put to the King about how our country will be run in future. I understand that the working group is a forum for 'ideas' and I am sure our representatives will keep us informed and take our ideas 'up'. It is a very important thing these two MacTavishes do, please support them if they ask it of you.

Chief: Presently on the road to Drummore and about to run out of cash. Lucky there are family members in Drummore (the whole purpose of the trip having been to visit them in the first place) and already Lizardking has come up with an idea to keep the Chief in bread. I am looking forward to meeting you all in Drummore on my brief stay (my farm needs me). On the return trip, hope to have better luck in Wigtown than I had on the way through, and meet up with my clan members and our present applicant who reside there.

MacTavish Subforum: is keeping quite busy. Most of us have posted at least once. It has been great to see that most of us are using the resource this subforum is. My most fun bit was the Cattle Tipping roleplay we had there. If you haven't read it, take the time and do so. It's got terror and it's got laughter. We've also sorted out a few possible issues about our clan in a fairly open fashion. Worth visiting.

MacTavish's Hut: Got heavy visiting traffic on November 1 when we became a founding clan. I was highly impressed with the spirited turnout then and since. Considering the Hut has never been advertised as such, very impressive. Since then, we are constructing a 'Lodge'. This will be much more substantial than the present hut. You can keep an eye on the progress of the Lodge if you visit the hut occasionally. I don't keep a 'tracker' on any blog, so I don't know if the hut is being visited much unless folk leave a comment occasionally.

Well, that's about it for now.

"The Wigtown Convention"

There's been a recent gathering on a hillside near Wigtown, whereat a large number of Scotts from all clans, creeds and ways of life attended. Under the great flag of our nation, words were freely spoken about the future of our country and how it will be run. Taking longer than many thought, the meeting appears to be breaking into working groups in its third day. May I say that various MacTavishes attended and truly spoke their minds. We made quite an impression.

It's looking like we'll be sending a couple rep's off to join a group who's job is to propose something to the king about how this country will be run in future. They'll be reporting back to us regularly, probably through our subforum. The working group will eventually come up with a proposal for the future, which will then be considered by a Council of Founding Clan Chieftains and voted upon before being submitted to the King to be enacted into law.

Sounds all dry and dusty? You're probably right, but it needs doing so that our freedoms and opportunities presently enjoyed may be preserved into the future as our nation grows. Many many thanks on behalf of all of us to those who have taken on these vital tasks.

And by the way, I'm slowly getting to Drummore and hope to be there 11/12 November. I will be relying upon clan members to help me out a bit, as I miscalculated what the trip would require by way of resources. Silly duffer me. And I can't wait to get back home!

New member in -others lining up.

Aindriu has been accepted into the clan after some debate. I have added his name to our roster in Highland Halls and in MacTavish's Hearth. As soon as he replies to my message seeking his email address and username so I can grant him access to this site and our subforum, I will remove the thread about him from the forum.

Kwak's wait to join ends on the 13th of November.
Malons_Knight of Wigtown has now also applied.

Town and County Economics (long post)

I borrowed the following from this post in archive forums. Although long, it gives and idea of how things work economically in our towns and county. Some of you might find it interesting.

hypno wrote:

First we have no road with any other counties (so no export money)

How the county makes money,
from the selling of animal to the rancher (malus the fodder needed to breed it). -From Gold mine that makes dirrectly money to the county
-From iron mines (we sell iron to blacksmith)
-From weekly tax tavern 20 pounds each (that is automatic)
From the election list (each to be a full list for county election need to paid 1200p that go to county funds)

What is the expense of the county
-Buying of the fodder (if shortage sometime we paid more then what the animal will gives from it)
-Marshals wage (soldiers that defend each town)
-Miners wage (and since we have more mines of stone and iron combine, if all mines are full we loose around 600 pounds a days that we can try to have more money be selling iron but with out trade road pretty hard, blacsmith just need a small amount of what is produce)
-And can loose money if need to do upgrade of a mine after one get downgrade
-the 8 pounds job on the mines page cost 8 pounds to county for absolute nothing back

Now for the town hall money add:
-Lordship IG each days a house of common lorship make sthe town hall get 4 pounds and a lorship of house of lords gives 9 pounds. (very important if you want to help the games and the town to takes those)
-Sell made by the TH, they buy stuffs on auto buy and resell it at higher price on market. -tax if a mayor is crazy enough to create one (very unpopular mesure)
-what is sold in Town hall tavern (beer and meal) Cost of town hall
-Wage of the town militia
-Weekly 20 pounds tax tavern to the county
-wage of state way for state point (each time mayor buy or sold something with out grant that cost him state point, same if he sent letters or start a trial, to get back point he need to hire state way that can produce those point)

Now for the global economy,
i will make analogy think of the county has a pool and the money is the water. Some of teh thing takes out money from it some other add money in it. What create money on the dychy economy -Gold mines (they transform iron and stone into money, since the maintenance require iron and stone, more miners more maintenance cost is high but more gold enter)
-church work (when you work for the church the 5 pounds come from nowwhere)
-Lucky event (when they gives money that create money in the county)
-Vote for the games (the 6 number vote on the uper right in game, each days if people vote in it that gives them 1 pound at reset, takes example that 50 people by town of teh duchy do that, that add 200 pounds of money into the economy of the county, really need to remind people to do it)
-the 50 pounds on creation of character by new player
-exportation (but right now impossible to do with no road)

What remove money from the economy:
-the level up, when you paid the 90 pounds, 500 pounds or 1000 pounds depend of the level, that money is takes by the system so it's a lost to the pool)
-The beer, each beer that is buy, 0.7 pounds return to system and that money lost in the economy)
-Buying of second field to the system not from other player (this money is remove from teh pool also)
-switching field cost 50 pounds (again money that dispear from economy)
-Buying of tavern 100 pounds
-switching shop 500 pounds
-buying of card deck from the NPC merchant 50 pounds (that will come soon enough for the poker in tavern)
-buying of table for poker 50 pounds
-level 3 study 5 pounds each time

Now i am sure i forget a lot but you see a lot remove money from the economy. that why it's important to have lordship, and people vote for the game. More money in the economy more the grow of the county.

If you have more question just ask

I have found a similarly informative post of Hypno's on the 'trajectory' of a new economy, such as is found in a Colony County like Galloway and, more particularly, wherever the next Scottish colony will be.

MacTavish United!

We are a diverse bunch of people! Some of us like making money and playing along 'efficiently' ingame. Others like chatting in pubs. Still others are into the forums. Some love the roleplay aspects. Some are online all the time. Some get to call in, eat work and visit market, and get going again. We cover all the major timezone bands across the globe. Younger and older, male and female, first time MMPOG player, experienced hack. At least six different first languages.
Amazing!

I think we are all finding out where we fit in, which part we can play in our collective story. All of us have something to contribute, solid market citizens, bar flys, role players and political junkies alike.

At some stage, each of us will be able to contribute directly to our clan's future in some fashion or other. So, don't feel bad if you don't think you're doing alot - it's all voluntary and it is all appreciated!

And don't be afraid to try something new if that's what you want - most of us are learning as we go and will certainly enjoy the company.

Quieter Day

I haven't done much stuff today as chieftain, which was nice after recent couple of weeks. The Hut site continues on its path to 'level up' to a lodge.

Around a half dozen of us have tried our hand at roleplay on the forums. I think we all agree its fun. It is also important for our clan that we engage at this level of the game, for it is here that glory and renown will be ultimately won. The at times terrifying, at times hilarious, Cattle Tipping role play on our subforum is reaching its conclusion, we have had an etrant in the Highland jousting tourney (myself), and Lady Robin has spoken on behalf of the people in a large gathering on a hill near Wigtown. Thus, the role play side of this clan is looking pretty good, we are gaining experience and making a bit of an impression. Is good.

Membership: Please keep your eyes open for people you'd like to see in our clan. If you don't want to make an approach yourself, or you want to know if they are already in a clan before asking, please let me know.

Please make a point of saying hello to your fellow MacTavishes if you meet them in a taven or buy goods off them in town. Not always easy in our busy lives, but over time such contacts will be the glue that ultimately binds.

I am off to Wigtown in a couple of days, and then on to Drummore before returning. I hope to catch up with clan members in these towns, and just generally be seen as I find this is good way to raise our profile.

Letters, Fraser and Campbell (long post)

The Fraser Clan is entirely resident in Whithorn. They are unique in that they have a 'Chieftess,' Lady Gypsy Rose. They arrived at the Gathering of Clans out of the blue before the Nov 1 deadline. Well done! Also perhaps of interest to many of us is the fact that four of the seven Frasers have some link to our own clan (according to our archives).

I have had some correspondence with The Fraser. I reproduce the most interesting letter so far.
I first sent a brief letter (not reproduced here), thanking her for visiting our hut own November 1, as well as during the cyberstorm the following night. In her reply (not included here) she alluded to fact that other unnamed clan leaders were giving her a hard time about the fact that her character is female. This was my response:

Lady,

MacTavish has no problem dealing with a female character leading her clan. Many of our most influential members are female. We honour all. In fact, methinks you must be very competent to have raised your people to recognition in the short time you had available. Well done!

Leave ignorant ones to their ignorance. It may mean a bit more give than take on your part, but in the long run the people will recognise wisdom and understanding for what it is.

Looks like 6 of our fellow chieftains have nominated themselves for the council of the new colony (whenever that will come about, who knows). Much experience will be leaving our County with them. These are both things we will need to consider for the benefit of our people(s).

Yours,

Dracmuller of Whithorn
Chieftain of Clan MacTavish

The Campbells (again)

I have also received word from JuliusOctavius of Clan Campbell, effectively summoning myself as chief and yourselves as clan members to Wigtown for a big meeting. I'm none to pleased that he feels it his right to do this, but believe that what he proposes has merit. Therefore I go. And ask all of you to go if you are interested (directions are here).

I wrote this letter to Aqueron, Chief of Cambell, before doing anything else:

Aqueron, Proclaimed Lord of Argyll, Chieftain of Clan Cambell, Greetings!

I have received word from your kinsman, summoning clan leaders to a meeting as clan leaders. I believe that it is necessary we all meet publicly. So I will come. I would like you to note, however, that I would rather have heard such from yourself than from he.

Dracmuller
Chieftain of Clan MacTavish

I hope I wasn't too brusque!

Finally, a quoting letter of mine to Aqueron, which quotes his response to the previous:

"Your want of hearing from myself would have been true if I had prior knowledge of this event. Many times Julius takes action as the Captain of the Army and not as sub under me in the clan. If this were a summons from Clan Campbell to the others such as yourself, rest assure it would have come from me."

Point taken, sir, but we still would rather have heard of it from you. Be it thus. We go because we all need to talk, and be seen to talk, openly so that the scottish people can have their trust in the clan system affirmed. On another matter, I feel I must thank you for your wise words to Aindriu. When he first approached us, I referred him to yourself. I believe he is thinking things over at the moment.

Building MacTavish Lodge

You may have noticed at the Hut that construction has commenced on a new building, MacTavish Lodge. This is all happening in the 'hut' site and doesn't have any (direct) consequence ingame. Nor does it require anything from anyone (except in a RP sense, if you are so inclined).

The pictures I will use are all taken from medieval re-enactment society records. When well and truly done with the building, I will lodge the originals (or at least their address) here.

For now, I must return to the lists at the Highland Tourney where I have a Campbell thundering toward me on pounding steed, deadly lance in hand.

Chief to visit Wigtown, Drummore?

If I can afford it I am thinking of making another trip soon. Perhaps, leave Whithorn in 3 days time [local]. I would intend travelling each day, through Wigtown to visit Drummore before returning. 4 day trip. Thus I can make myself available to meet up with those of our kin in these towns.

Methinks a good thing for a Chief to do.

Redundancy?

I am posting some information both here and on our Sub Forum. This duplication is because some of our kin cannot get into the forum (yet) and others can't get into here (yet). All can get into at least one of these places.

We have kept clan business going when 2 out of 3 servers crashed (3 servers = game, forum, blogger). The value of having multiple locations where we can communicate has already showed itself!

Hopefully the Hearth becomes primarily a collection of more arcane and strategic information, the forum more of day to day details (plus a bit of Role Play!). They should generally remain quite different in content.

Whew...

You may recall that I had earlier issued the Scottish Herald with some notice of our public existence and activities, and how it seemed all I said was refracted through a prism of politics (see posts here for October 2007).

Make of the following exchange of letters what you will:

"The Scottish Herald" Sub Editor ("Clan Politics") to Dracmuller:

i'm sorry to say that the article on the MacTavish won't be done...It has been decided that this time we'll speak about the wedding which is linking Campbells and Kennedys.And next one will probably be on the Highland games...

Dracmuller's Reply:

Mordrag, Editor
We understand that our hut compares not with the splendour of the wedding, and we hope the highland games provide good sport. I just thought you might be able to use knowledge of the hut (amongst similar sites around) for some background, in whatever way you did (or didn't) choose to. Never an expectation of an 'article'.
I look forward to the next edition.
Dracmuller

By the way, is good to see MacTavishes at both the above events !
See here and here.

Children of the Mist v Scotts Nationalists

Debates have been going for awhile on the forums about a proposed 'RP robbery' law for Scotland. Things keep getting heated to much for the mods of the forums (who regularly are imposing cooling off periods and/or locking threads). Out of it all there has come about a competition for the upcoming County elections. Between the governing group (SNP - Scottish National Party) and their challengers (CotM - Children of the Mist).

I am not going to say how you should vote, or how I shall vote. I would just like to encourage you all to keep an eye on the candidates when they hassle you for votes. Don't let them put you off of visiting the taverns, but don't let their excitement get you too riled up. I know for me, a classic politician brings out the mocker in me. I try and watch it, but not always too good at this.

For the record, I have reproduced below my recent post about the issue on the Children of the Mist thread on the forums (CotM is the name of the opposition political party that is running for upcoming County election). I posted under a subtitle of 'My Pesonal View Only.'

CoM were descendants of MacAlpin, the family of first scottish king Kenneth [NB MacTavish also trace descent back through Kenneth MacAlpin]. Hundreds of years ago. Associated with MacGregors, most famously nearly 100 years in future of ig timeline .

I like not this talk of guilt by association, would that not make all us scotts guilty as charged? I for one am proud of association with Clan MacGregor. I don't yet have opinion on practicality of robbery law. My prime allegiance is to Scotland (Galloway).

Prosperity is good. Freedom is good. Difference and debate is good. I agree with Aqueron. Run the election. Debate in Council. Vote.

Fireside Message Box

I have relabelled the 'chat box' a 'message box' as that seems to be its function. At a stretch I'd use it for real time communication Like, if I had to chat with someone in a different town and we therefore couldn't use a local tavern to meet and talk.

Having to 'refresh' the screen every time you want to check for new messages makes it a hassle if what you are really wanting to do is 'chat.' Pubs are so much better for chat, and one can usually find a few minutes alone.

But, always be careful who's listening in a tavern!

A Big Day

Well. We made it! I hope I can take my foot off the accelerator now. I set myself goal of pushing the clan as hard and as fast as possible to today. After today, we will see if it has legs of its own.

As of dawn in Australia, we have 16 members. 4 in Drummore, 2 in Wigtown, 10 in Whithorn. I am still hoping to be able to accept at least one more person into the clan today, but we shall see.

I hope some of you made it to MacTavish's Hut and left a message. I have had responses from the following clans, each saying they would maybe bring a contingent through the site:

Kennedy, Forbes, MacAle, MacLeod and Murray. Campbell has already checked us out a day ago, I expect them at some time. I also think Clan O'Broin will be represented. Duke Hypno, Chieft of Clan MacGillivray is in France and cannot come, but sent a written message (I will put it in comments on the Hut). Brother Chris of Clan Wallace is in retreat at moment.

I've sent a circular letter to all MacTavishes, inviting them to call by especially.

See how we go.

The Toast to the Founding Clans

1 November, 1455
MacTavish's Hut

I, Dracmuller MacTavish, Chieftain of our clan, welcome you all!

Be ye kith or kin, old foe of the field or ally on the hoof, peasant, tradesperson or noble, we extend to you our humble hospitality!

He gestures towards a large table, laden with piles of bread and roasted vegetables, platters of meats and poultries dripping with succulent juices, a cauldron of fish soup, and bowls of endless oatmeal porridge for the traditionalists

But before you begin, I want you to look around. Notice who is here. See them not as the doers of the petty day to day things which fill so much of our lives. Rather, see in them the Founding Clans of Scotland. For our flesh and blood is Scotlands future!

He raises his drinking bowl.

To the glory of Scotland!

And with that the feast began …

The home straight

We are in the home straight to the Great Gathering of the Clans on November 1. I think that there will be RP Highland Games on the Highland Hall Forum. To see a few MacTavishes there would be good. I at least hope to enter in at least one of the competitions (Chief's battle, near the end of the day).

I haven't sent out any more invitations to join our clan today. I feel I've done enough of that. Besides, a lot of the quality candidates have joined a clan by now. I still hope that we'll get one or two more acceptances from those already sent, but am very happy with our clan's membership at present. I think we have a lot to offer Scotland.

I spent a fair bit of time sitting alone in the Whithorn Whistle and Thistle pub or up at MacTavish's Hut, closely examining a lot of maps to help out the Lyons Court in their determination of our 'territory'. Sorry if any of you are historical buffs, but I have opted for our RP version of MacTavish history. I think that will leave us freer to create our own future, and get us out from under the Campbells! I also lodged our historical coat of arms to be considered by the Lyons Court.

I have sent out some invites to various clan leaders, inviting them to visit the Hut on November 1 to commemorate the proclomation of the Founding Clans of Scotland. I hope we get a few MacTavish's passing through also to leave a 'comment' for the future.

MacTavish Lands

A representative from the Court of Lyons has asked if of the two areas the circle above Loch Lomond is the area that you consider the seat of the MacTavish land?

I answered her thus:

I think ig MacTavishes come from the circled area above Loch Lomond:

Somewhere in the triangle formed by modernday Crianlarich, Tyndrum and Killin. This conincides with border area between Dumbartonshire, Perthshire and Stirlingshire, and clans of MacGregor, MacNab, Bucchanan, Campbell and, to north east, Murray. This should leave some flexibility as to which county to locate the seat. I imagine that the ancestral home in Argyll still exists, but has devolved since the clan's disintegration into a minor though independent family.

Coat of Arms to be recognised?

I have just lodged the MacTavish CoA to be registered at the Lyons Court of Arms (forum).

If you don't know how to find your way either to or around the forums, let me know.

Part time warrior blues

Ragehammer has indeed had to decline attendance at the upcoming Highland Games, waving his hammer convincingly towards his anvil as he declaims the urgent needs of the workshop. Who am I to argue! AND I've just been told that I can't substitute a Champion for myself in the Chieftain's fight. I think I'm gonna get pounded by a Campbell ...

One day soon I'd like to go get me a sword!

.

Things to ponder

Highland Games: Check the post on our clan subforum and see if you can get involved. As a minimum, try and visit MacTavish's Hut during the day (November 1) and leave a comment to mark the celebrations that we will hold there!

Clan Champion :We need a strong person for this. There might be a bit of a call on their time at short notice. I have asked Ragehammer if interested, as probably the strongest amongst us at present. I stand to be corrected on this, and Ragehammer has the right to say no.

Ragehammer has indeed had to decline attendance, waving his hammer towards his anvil as he did so. Who am I to argue! AND I've just been told that I can't substitute a Champion for myself in the Chieftain's fight. I gotta get me a sword somehow before the day!

Clan Membership: There are 14 of us at present, and I am expecting at least a couple more to join in next couple days. That puts us at the big end of the middle sized clans, or the small end of the big sized clans. This is a pretty good position to be in around November 1.

I would like all listed here on November 1 to be regarded equally as 'founding members'. I don't do this out of a love of titles, but for want of a title. The function of Founding Members would be to keep our clan healthy.

In terms of new members of our clan after November 1, I think the process for admission should be a little more involved than it has been until now. This is what I have thought (I'll give my reasons later, most important to get discussion going now):

1. To be considered for membership a person must be born or resident in scotland, or have been resident in Scotland when they joined MacTavish. They may not be a member of another recognised Scottish Clan (though may be related to one or more).

2. For a request for membership to be considered by the clan, they must be
a) nominated publicly (on subforum)
b) by at three clan members of who have each been a member for at least one month
(this requirement waived during November as none of us would yet qualify!),
c) at least one of the three must be a founding member.

3. The nomination would remain up on the forum for a week.
Members should feel free to post any objections or agreements there during this period.
a) If there are no unresolved objections, the person can be admitted then.
b) If there is at least one objection that is still held at the end of the week,
a poll will be held on forum for all intested in voting on the matter.
c) In the result of a tie, the chieftain has a casting vote.

4. Result is final (exception - chieftain may allow another application after at least another month has passed, provided all entry criteria met)

What do you think?

I've put a copy of the membership idea up on our subforum, please comment there.

New Chieftain Press Release

After deliberations lasting several days, Clan MacTavish have chosen Dracmuller to be the chieftain of the clan.

Press Release

Preceded by sounds of applause and good cheer, Dracmuller emerged from MacTavish's Hut and announced that the Clan had appointed him Chieftain by acclamation.

"Clan MacTavish and all true friends, hear me!" he said.

"You see before you the Chieftain of Clan MacTavish! The mantle of chieftainship is an honour I will accept humbly but carry with pride!

"My first announcement as Chieftain is to invite any who disagree strongly with any decision of mine to come forth and speak with me before taking any rash action."

Sent to the Scottish Herald

On new colonies...

There is much talk on forums regarding a new colony for scotland. Many of the most active and experienced governmental type characters are queueing up to go and set up utopia. If they all left right now that could be a problem for us.

Why?

Most of Clan MacTavish were either born here (IG) or migrated as low level 1s. We are not quite ready to step into the roles of level2dom, so we will notice the departure of many valued members of our community. I don't primarily see clans in political economic terms, but do take note of structural factors when they threaten the well being of most of our members.

We would face an influx of new characters, including organised groups of migrants with their own visions and plans for our country. This could lead to interesting Role Play, but it could also lead to us being subject to takeover by organised political factions that are not tied to our evolving system of clan and country and who seek to run us for their own (perhaps wider) agendas.

I think, therefore, that a delay of another month or two would be to the advantage of Clan MacTavish.

That's my view, and I have let it be known in Highlands Hall.

I am also pleased to hear that some of us are prepared to join any new colonies that might be formed.

Maps and Territories

Seer of the Lyons Hall sent me a couple ancient maps, asking me to indicate where I thought the lands of the MacTavishes were. The original maps she sent are here and here.



Here are my two extracts from those maps, indicating in red shaded area the two main territories of Clan MacTavish. There will no doubt be other pockets of MacTavishness throughout Scotland (such as in present day 1455 Galloway). The Western most zone is the historical territory, apparantly centred around stronghold at Dunardry. The inland zone, above Loch Lomond, is the region surrounding the original Dunn Tavish.

Dunn Tavish was a 'colony' of the main clan, set up by a younger brother and his followers after having left the Dunardry following a family squabble (RK mixed with RL). The division of the family at that time is probably what kept it relatively weak despite its illustrious origins (RL).

Piper Tom

I hope you have enjoyed hearing Piper Tom and wee Roddy playing the pipes in Hut and Hearth. I have given them a bit of a break in here, too many people have visited and have stretched the down/upload limit of the site PiperTom is at.

I don't wish to harm anyone with my use of their band, so I have made it optional to hear him play 'Scotland the Brave' on this site. Just click once to activate the control on the sidebar, and again to ask him to play.

Hope this helps, Soltario!

Wigtown Pubtalk

Have just spent a fairly long day in the pubs of Wigtown. Most significant results, I got off another 10 targeted invitations (no responses yet) and sat down and talked business with O’Broin and Kennedy Chieftains. Quite different characters, but certainly of a similar mind to myself as regards Scotland's short and mid term future.

There is talk of a signing an ‘alliance’ (whatever that might be) in coming week. I had to say that we’ve not gone formal yet, and that, no, this is not my own little sinecure I have going here.

I let it be known that they have our in-principle agreement to the ethic expressed (peace, but not at any price) and let it be known that we would stand strong with those who would defend what is good in our scottish ways of life against those who might attempt to corrupt this. But we will sign nothing until we are ready.

Sitting with these two senior figures made me feel quite The MacTavish, as together our clans numbered between 30 and 40 characters. It was agreed that we must all look to the future, and build our strength so that peace is possible. Especially once roads connect Scotland with our neighbor!

We also agreed that will forgo much to achieve this position, but it will not be at any price. We will remain wary of corruption. We will respect our various ways of handling matters within our respective clans.

These were valuable agreements to reach in principle.

Also of value, a representative of Clan Rose was present throughout. He did not speak for them, but he was alert to the fact of our meeting and confirmed that Rose is stable again in terms of leadership.

You should have heard silence descend when someone else wondered in a couple of times!

And that’ll be it for now, because I have to go to bed after a long day talking.

Visit to Blackwatch of Clan Forbes

I have visited the Blackwatch of Clan Forbes and spoke thus in the gardens in which they welcome their visitors:

Greetings, brothers and sisters of the Black Watch of Clan Forbes!

I come bearing the name of my own people as honest token of our shared ties, through the people, land and heritage of Scotland.

I feel priveleged to have been directed to this place, for we MacTavishes acknowledge a deep affinity with your discourse to this present time, the age before the Coalescence of the Clans. We share, as a fellow prospective founding clan, a deep and abiding interest in the past, present and future of our beloved land.

I extend to Clan Forbes and their true scottish friends an invitation to visit MacTavish's Hut. It's just off the track to Highlands Hall, you can find it here: http://mactavishshut.blogspot.com.

(raises glass)

To a strong, free and independent Scotland!

I would encourage any MacTavishes who have the time to visit the Forbes at Blackwatch and leave their mark in the Guestbook.

MacTavish Subforum Opens!

We now have our official Clan MacTavish subforum under the 'Gathering of the Clans' forum (click here for link). I think that this is a major milestone. All of us can sign in to use it, except for Soltario and Minuet who don't have forum accounts, or at least don't have them under their own ig names.

I've never moderated a forum before, so my adventure in cyberscottish self development continues apace!

Hope you don't mind the subforum motto I put up, btw - "For a Stong, Free and Independent Scotland!"

Fireside Chat

Has arrived! Now we can talk around our fire about clan business. It stores about 100 messages of upto 200 characters each. To find it, just scroll down this screen. It's beneath the rose.

Many thanks to Balenoape for the link.

Six out of twelve MacTavishes have so far received a key.

Clan Numbers

There are 20 separate clans listed in the Founding Clans thread on Highlands Hall forum. This is the definitive list for purpose of determining who qualifies as a 'founding clan' on November 1st. Around half of these clans have less than the qualifying number of members (6).

Two clans are larger than the MacTavishes in terms of numbers, the McAles of Kirkudbrite (or however you spell it) and the Campbells. The first, from what little I know, are a social gathering. The Campbells appear to have the makings of a political machine (albeit, a fairly benevolent one, at least as tyrranys go).

We MacTavishes have somehow made it onto the socio-political landscape in a fairly big way. I don't know if this is good or bad. It is certainly unexpected.

Live Gloriously!

Trip to Wigtown

I have finally set out for Wigtown, taking advantage of the fact that the robbers and bandits that moved into the County upon its founding are busy arguing about laws with which they can agree in the Highlands Hall. Ironic.

I have bought some new trousers for the occassion, and managed to save enough fodder for my pigs and bread for myself that I and my animals should not starve. I have only about 1p to my name however. Ah well, all for MacTavish!

I have made arrangements to meet leaders of the O'Broins, Murrays and Kennedys (as expected, the Sinclairs ignored my offer to meet with them). I will try and meet with O'Broin and Kennedy separately, as I don't know the nature of the relations between them. I'll fit in Murray where I can, as they are a relatively minor clan. The other two are around our size. O'Broins are concentrated entirely in Wigtown, Kennedys have members everywhere except Whithorn.

Whilst in Wigtown, I intend to search out others of our clan. Access to the town noticeboard will facilitate this I hope.

Finally, I will be dropping in to see Vermelaine's cousin, Vesperal, to give her Vermelaine MacTavish's regards. Vermelaine is our most recently discovered kin. Pay no heed to her french accent, 'tis MacTavish blood true which flows in her.

More canvassing

I have had further enquiry from Vermelaine and Danieltheslayer about Clan MacTavish. That is a hundred per cent 'bight rate' on the second stage recruitment tactic (inviting others to accept the challenge of making the enquiry). I have sent them full invitations to the clan in response.

Encouraged, I have sent off cold canvas 'bait' letters to Tristanv and Gillis just before leaving on my trip to Wigtown.

Blog Admin

I have kept administrator position on this blog. I have ability to alter its format, edit, add and remove things, invite members, ban members etc.

I hope i never have to do any of the nasty things. But will do so if we MacTavishes don't conduct ourselves honourably.

I am NOT storing personal information people have sent me to get access, unless that is required for them to keep access (eg. email addresses). I will not pass these onto others at all, unless someone explicitly gives me permission.

While on the subject of privacy and security, you might wish to disable public access to your blogger profile, which you would have had to set up to get posting rights on this blog.

The reason I disable public access to my profile, however, had nothing to do with privacy as such (afterall, thousands have viewed my profile for my other blogs, and I trust you MacTavishes more than those anonymous people). I did it so that I don't start treating this as 'just another blog project'. 'cause it's not.

I have added two new categories ("Blog Admin" and "Clan Recruitment") and, at Balenoape's good suggestion, an index of categories on the sidebar to the right.

We have a problem with Balenoape's key, and Jayne too has so far only registered as a reader.
Telets is organising his blogger account when has time.
Wognot's put up a comment and has full posting rights.

We're making progress!

Cheers.

Another sounding...

I have asked Vermelaine of Whithorn (butcher) if she'd like me to look in the archives of clan MacTavish to see if she has links to us. If she says yes, she'll get a letter like almost all of you complete with a genealogical snippet.

Have also floated similar request to Danieltheslayer of Whithorn (lvl 1).

I nearly have enough of these 'snippets' now to start work on a family tree (forest)!

Who else has been invited to Clan MacTavish?

Invitees that aren't in a clan that I know of:

Raquel, Yumo, Noplo, Ladyrobin, Gymp, Arielrose, Randalraven, Renegadeintn, Zythore, Paigenorth, Luthienbdwyr, Quik2type,

These folk informed me of their extant clan links:

Phoenixrisen (MacGregor)
Toussan (MacGregor)
LFA (Campbell)
Novaleigh (Murray)
kelwynmikel (Munro)
ClaireElizabeth, Windul, Tristanv, Shani (Fraser)

Getting Clan Subforum (I hope)

After asking around a bit why other clans have a subforum and not us, I have finally written to Isabella asking for one. If and when we get it, I will let us all know. It will be easier for us all to have a say on issues on a forum format than in here.

This place will be good for keeping records and sharing information about history, correspondence, family trees, culture, personal milestones etc.

To get the subforum application in, I nominated myself as 'chief' for the moment. I presume we can change that if necessary.

I see you have a key that works Wognot!

I am concerned at this ...

In the 'Gathering of the Clans' forum will be located the subforums of the individual clans. There were only three such rooms for quite awhile. Now there are more. The MacTavishes haven't been granted one.

I would hate for this to be because we have a hut. I got the hut going while we waited for the 'Gathering of the Clans' (deadline for 'founding clans') is to occur on November 1.

The blog format of hut is for entertainment of members of all clans, and anyone else who's interested. I haven't advertised it publicly, just invited people to it individually. I don't think I was using it to advertise our clan, just create a 'real' experience to those that bothered to come and have a look.

The blog format of the Hearth will best be used over time as an archive for clan stuff, as well as for the more lengthy discourses we might want to vent over time.

The blog format is very much not as good as a forum for group considerations. That is why I'd love our own subforum.

Just thought I'd let you all know this before I had off to talk to an administrator.

Clan and Press Relations

I replied to a recent letter from MacDonald:

You ask who is to write the coming article: Mordrag, to be published in Scottish Herald next edition.

You ask what their motives are: He is listed as 'Clan Politics' sub-editor for Scottish Herald. Has a deadline for submission to editorial committee of Monday (29th) [and they're not all Campbells!]. I assume his motive is to write an interesting and informative piece of journalism. I will give him this grace unless he proves me wrong.

I let him know of existence of MacTavish Hut to provide 'atmosphere' or 'background' for his main stuff. I made this explicit. It was the Hut I wanted to see in the paper, not the MacTavishes. I didn't mention your clan in my 'press release'.

He got back to me, saying "...Thanks a lot for the hint, it's a nice idea for an article. I also know that most of you were Donalds... Maybe i can work a bit around this point too...I don't want it to sound like an advert for a clan :D"

I said:

"...those family links to the MacDonalds are real (ingame) and lie in the Drummore branch of the clan.

"...The link with MacDonald is one of honour more than blood. You see, Eileen MacTavish had to flee Galloway with her sister Elen. Eileen left her son, Lizardking, with her best friend, a MacDonald, on the promise that she'd raise him as her own. Which she did.

It was only very recently that we had interpreted a parchment Elen left behind. It contains a partial genealogy of Clan MacTavish, including the forebears of Lizardking and his ma.

The evidence of this parchment, and the wishes of Lizardking himself, led Alexmac MacDonald and myself to reach the agreement we did."

Our exchange ended with him saying:

"...Thanks for clearing my ideas before i could have done an unforgivable mistake LOL.Anyway, that's a nice background story..."

Maybe I should have just shut up?!!
Live and learn.

I think the initial misapprehension came about because the tale of Lizardking seems to have had some currency in recent past.

I think, let us see what the reporter writes. He knows we watch. Poor guy.

Dracmuller MacTavish

Here is the letter I'd received from MacDonald:

Hmmm i would be interested to know who exactly is to do this story and what they're motives are. Thankyou for telling me and for clearing this up i will try to do what i can from my end.

Five of us have a key to the back room!

Balenoape, Telets, Ragehammer and Wognot should all have received invitations to the Hearth site by now. Once registered for access, that will give us a quorum of 50% to make any decisions which require making in private. I've let the other half of the clan know.

Cheers!

Drac

Letter to Mordrag (damn press)

Had to send off a followup to the preceeding letter to this Reporter of the Herald, as it seemed he was going to concentrate upon the interclan aspects of this site. I let MacDonald know I was doing so, so that he's in the picture should the press try and 'wedge' us or marginalise us.

Mordrag,

Sorry to pipe on so much here. didn't mean it to get so complicated.

The link with MacDonald is one of honour more than blood. You see, Eileen MacTavish had to flee Galloway with her sister Elen. Eileen left her son, Lizardking, with her best friend, a MacDonald, on the promise that she'd raise him as her own. Which she did.

It was only very recently that we had interpreted a parchment Elen left behind. It contains a partial genealogy of Clan MacTavish, including the forebears of Lizardking and his ma.

The evidence of this parchment, and the wishes of Lizardking himself, led Alexmac MacDonald and myself to reach the agreement we did.

Just thought I'd clear that one up.

Dracmuller

Mordrag has told me he will put his ideas for a story up before the paper's forum for discussion. This means that we are likely to get some fairly political types of the political clans comin' visiting our hut in near future. Mordrag himself is a Campbell.

So we all better be on best behaviour ;)

Letter back to Mordrag

Mordrag, reporter of clan affairs ("politics") for the Herald, has responded already to my tip. Here's the response I sent to his musings:

Mordrag,

Thanks for quick reply.

We aren't related to the real IRL MacTavishes. So we're not necessarily related to the MacDonalds (although a few of our clan members have ties). I could talk to you for awhile about the various relationships we have with various clans - but it hasn't really been generated ingame as yet (just a bit of scene setting for our cyberselves). But, those family links to the MacDonalds are real (ingame) and lie in the Drummore branch of the clan.

This isn't really politics (the hut, that is) just a bit of fun. It's what happens behind closed doors which is politics.

I think using as a bit of an atmospheric preamble to your reportage of the Clan Gathering, light hearted but not disrespectful, would be in keeping with the ethic of the hut.

But, freedom of the press prevails so do what thou shalt!

Dracmuller MacTavish

Letters to 'Scottish Herald'

I have written a couple letters to reporters of the Scottish Herald, Loxley (Highland Hall) and Mordrag (Clan Affairs (as I like to call it)). They are both similar to the following:

I write brief message to you as Highlands Hall reporter.

In recent days there has been some strange activity on a hillside near Highlands Hall. It may or may not have reached your ears, but kilted and caped figures have been seen coming and going off the main track by way of a lesser path which leads off through the nearby trees.

Occassionally also, there is the sound of bagpipes coming from that general direction.

If one is curious, one might go and have a look. If one does, you'll come across a strange site. An old and weatherbeaten hut nestled into the trees, people gathered talking inside. A set of bagpipes rests next to the door.

If you ventured into this highlands-like clearing, you'd be greeted by a tall and weedy figure emerging from the hut. He'd pick up his pipes and play you a tune.

Seems like the MacTavishes, keen as ever, have set themselves up so that they can get good seats for the coming Gathering of the Clans!

Dracmuller MacTavish of Whithorn

Scotland Herald Contacts

I've just put this here so I can put up a permenant link to it over time. A handy list for media work!

Current roster:

News manager - LFA
AAP contact - Loxley
Highland Hall - Loxley
Clan politics - Mordrag

Galloway Inn - Senth
Whithorn town - Linglanglula
Wigtown town - Anthalor
Kirkcudbright town - Wakkachuta
Drummore town - Sumi

Galloway council - Sir_Moore
Royal Scottish Army - Mordrag

Entertainment - Spr65, padthai
Freelancer - Andimsum

Welcome guys!

Bal and Telets have both just sent me their emails so I can sign them up for this blog. Am sure looking forward to a bit of company.

We can all make suggestions (by comment or by post) and decide here around the hearth what we want to do.

It has been a bit hard making all the decisions so far myself, or speaking to people called clan 'leaders', because I don't really have a mandate as I see it. Even if I am the 'natural leader' it would be nice to know that others don't take exception to that.

There is also a time limit in my life (lucky I have a fair bit of free time before the Clans gather and we get our rights as a founding clan).

Anyway, welcome to the hearth.

Drac

Dealing with the noise complaint

Soltario left a comment at the hut that he'll be gone a few days. He also said that the site was a bit 'cranky'. I told him I'll make the music 'optional' in near future, as I think that might be the problem.

Unless it is a problem for everyone, in which case I'll do it very soon. I'll look for some feedback.

But I want to leave the music up for awhile as it creates quite an impact for first time visitors. And that is important for our standing as a clan in the minds of others.

Letter to the Wallace

Greetings, Brother Chris of Wallace!

We trust your retreat served its purpose. We MacTavishes will be pleased to see you when you again step forth into the mundane world. The Gathering of the Clans approaches, Scotland needs all the voices of reason and justice that she can muster.

We've recently set up a hut just down the hill from Highland Hall. There we await the Gathering, and our opportunity to exert our rights as MacTavishes and as Scotsmen.

On behalf of Clan MacTavish and myself personally, I wish to extend to you a friendly invitation to call past MacTavish's hut some time. You'll find it here: http://mactavishshut.blogspot.com/

(Raises glass)

To old friendship, and the glory of Scotland!

Dracmuller MacTavish

Drac starts packing.

I have been investigating things before leaving for Wigtown on clan business within the week. Having never before travelled such a distance, it was initially overwhelming to get my head around the things that need doing.

I need trousers, food, money. I will take my staff as a weapon. I'm not yet sure if I'll have to slaughter my pigs before leaving, I suspect I will. I will lose at least a couple of days production. It's going to be a major thing for this level 1 peasant.

Still, the pride of MacTavish drives me on. This work needs to be done at this point in proceedings. I need to sit down in a tavern with others so that I can judge them for what they are. We will need some idea of these things once the big broohaha of the Highland Gathering has happened. When the deals are done and the promises made, we will need to know upon whom we can rely.

So, I'll be off to Wigtown shortly after Oct 23 (when I get my trousers from Rubyfox of Whithorn).

In response to my earlier communications to clan 'leaders' whom I know live in Wigtown, I have had postive replies from the Kennedy's, Murrays and O'Broins. No word yet from the Sinclairs (but that doesn't surprise me, they are an 'invite only' clan).

So. I will be meeting in the pubs with the leaders of Kennedy, Murray and O'Broin, and then I will be comparing Wigtown's inhabitant's names on the Town Hall notice board with those on the parchment me ma left me.

And then? Why, a few letters of course!

Our Homeland

This is a picture of ye olde MacTavish Hills, in which was once found the Dunn of Tavish. I've put it up here for its own interest's sake, but also so I can use this blog as my 'storage' site for pictures etc that I can then use for my 'signature' on the forums.

I am leaning a lot about using computer in cyberspace while playing RK!

Actually, it's a photo taken not far from where I live in real life, as are all the others I've put up so far.

Letters to Clan Leaders in Wigtown

There are some MacTavishes living in Wigtown, but I haven't had any response to the few letters I've managed to send off to our kin there. I think I need to go in person and scour the town notice board and taverns.

For this reason, I will be heading off in the coming week. This will probably use up my total resources that I have worked so hard to accumulate to date but, for the name of MacTavish, no sacrifice is too great!

As the trip will be official clan business, I have contacted clan leaders of the Murrays, Sinclairs, O'Broins and Kennedys (all who reside in Wigtown) to inform them of the trip and to offer to meet up with them during my brief stay.

Letter of intent

Greetings, [Leader's name] of the [named clan]!

I hope to visit Wigtown sometime later this week. I intend meeting up with some of my kin from Clan MacTavish. As this will therefore be somewhat of an 'official' trip I thought I'd better pay you, in your capacity of leader of the [named clan], the courtesy of informing you of my intention.

While I am visiting, I would only be too pleased to meet you sometime and share a wee dram in honour of our prospective clans, and the prospect of a united Scotland protected by those such as we and our kin!

I'll let you know closer to the day when I expect to arrive, but it will be sometime after October 23rd. I will try and be avaiable to meet in a tavern of your choice sometime between hours of 0930 and 1230 GMT. If any day or time would suit you best, please let me know as soon as possible so that I can make the necessary arrangements.

BTW - We MacTavishes have set ourselves up in a hut outside Highlands Hall in anticipation of the coming Gathering of the Clans. You are welcome to visit us there. The hut can be found at http://mactavishshut.blogspot.com/

(raises glass)

To the Glory of Scotland!

Dramuller MacTavish of Whithorn

Clan Recruitment

Greetings!

Here is a report on the Clan Recruitment Situation for Clan MacTavish. We have already surpassed the minimum number required to be officially recognised as a ‘founding clan’ come November 1st. This is good for us members.

We need now to think to the future, we need to think about what will happen as Scotland grows, and as we ourselves progress upwards through society.

PRESENT SITUATION:

Clan MacTavish has eight members. That puts us at the smaller end of the middle sized clans. We are generally level 1, only Telets has a trade. 2 of us are female characters, 6 are male. There are presently 5 MacTavishes in Whithorn and 3 in Drummore. I think only two of us were not born in Scotland in game. I don’t think any of us were born there in RL.

I have sent out 23 invitations to date. About 65% to Whithorn residents, 25% to Drummore and 10% to Wigtown. Several invitations amongst the early batch were graciously replied to by individuals who had already adopted another clan.

Two of us had been signed up by other clans before we discovered our MacTavish heritage, and there had to be interclan communications to sort out the resultant mess (with the result of closer ties with these other clans).

Almost all invitations have been in the form of a personal letter, containing genealogical information and a basic plan of action (get recognised, have a voice in Scotland’s future, live gloriously).

WHAT NEEDS DOING

I think it is important that we locate other MacTavishes. It would be good to have MacTavishes in every Scottish town. I am thinking of travelling sometime in the next few days to locate members of the Wigtown branch of MacTavishes. Kirkcudbright appears dominated by the McAles.

If there is someone you know who you would like to ask to join the MacTavishes, feel free to do so in any way you see fit. It is a good idea, however, to check this list of clan members first to make sure that we aren’t ‘poaching’ (unless there’s good reason, in which case we MacTavishes will look after our own!) - http://forum.renaissancekingdoms.com/viewtopic.php?t=47192&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 –
and don’t be afraid to direct them to MacTavish hut at http://mactavishshut.blogspot.com/

If you want access to MacTavish Hearth, contact me. If we use that site for the moment as a private forum (it is set up to become a group blog) we can have group ‘conversations’ rather than this personal mail business.

For MacTavish and Scotland!

Drac

PS - if any genealogical information or family stories are created in the recruitment drive, I'd love to know about it so I can include it in our family tree (more like a forest!).

The Fire is Lit!

Dracmuller looked out across the field towards Highland Hall, glad that his kin have made it possible for him to be here. The MacTavishes had been every bit as forthright as he had expected.

Within 48 hours of posting out the first invitations to join Clan MacTavish he had had sufficient replies to allow him to march off to tell the powers that be in Highland Hall that Clan MacTavish was here!

The young clan had soon established itself in a hut outside the hall, and now met often in there as they waited the Gathering of the Clans in November.

Alone at this moment, Drac lit the fire in the hearth in the back room of the hut. Around this fire Clan MacTavish can talk about its business while we wait for November.