Brief note re Clan Armies

There are a number of Clan armies floating around Galloway these days, Forbes and Campbell. Both were last seen in Dumfries area. I believe that the Gunn's formed an ingame army a while back also, somewhere up near Stirling (it disbanded). Other clans are feeling slightly nervous, as the Campbells at least are spouting many threatening words against peace and good order in pursuit of their own agenda.

Under direction of the Steward, the Royal Scottish Army engaged the Campbells in what turned out to be a skirmish at Dumfries. Sadly, the Forbes got in the way and took most of the damage, allowing the Campbells to scurry behind Dumfries town walls before the RSA could hit them again (oh, so brave, those Campbells). Faced with the probability that many innocents would die if the town was stormed, the RSA leadership pulled back and granted a yuletide truce. Of course, the noisier of the Campbells saw this as a sign of weakness, which makes one wonder about what they would have done in the same position...

For awhile, the Campbells were shouting out about MacTavish, Wallace and Fraser - somehow believeing that we were the main force behind the RSA. Ha. I disabused them of that notion as well I could, but took note that they are looking for scapegoats for their own foolish behaviours.

For now, we aren't up to forming a clan army on our own. We are getting closer. Wallace, at least, is in a similar boat to us.

Not all Campbells are part of these troubles, by the way. I feel for those that don't agree with what their egomaniac leadership is doing.

At time of writing a yuletide truce is in place. Come the new year, interesting times indeed....

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

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.