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 …