Scottish Style

Another quick review of events around the Kingdom.

Our clan numbers seem to have stabilised (60), albeit with a few of us having gone into retreat around the time of the recent forum changes. As our age profiles develop it might be an idea to again start scouting the young ones we meet to see if they might be MacTavish. Particularly to hear from her place of retreat that Ladyrobin indeed still watches over us.

MacTavishes fought in both RSA regiments in the recent Battle of Muirkirk. Various of us were individually successful on the battlefield. Of particular note, Gryphon MacTavish joined up just for the fight and then managed to get a fatal wound in on Tosher MacGregor, the rebel leader. Well done! Cheatley MacTavish was associated with some of the rebels before the battle, recently was the latest of a long line of successful rebels in Wigtown, Galloway. He isn't welcome in our hall anymore, and would be wise to avoid meeting up with certain of his cousins if swords are in play. I think we all agreed that even good families like ours have our black sheep. Hmmm.

Asbgas and Destrata, our newest Assembly representatives, are posting and voting. They're also giving us 'nutshell' guides to the issues being debated (freedom of information and clan armies, by the sounds of it). Thanks guys. I should also again here mention Lucifera who certainly kept the buggers honest during the closing stages of her assembly membership. Thanks heaps Luci.

Nationally, debates continue about the form of government. There are glimmers of common ground being found amongst the factions. But it seems to me that there are a lot of potential fracture lines. I truly hope that common sense prevails.

Here's to "Lots of quiet days in the renaissance! Scottish style!"

Raises glass

Peacekeeping in Kirk

Just to show how RK can take off from under your feet, I somehow ended up leading a group of Whithorn Rangers to Kirk. Here we are, a bunch of farmer militia from over the hills, patrolling the strange streets of Kirk and trying to keep the locals from tearing each other apart as they get over the shock of having their town hall overrun by thieves and subsequently trashed and looted. Not a pretty sight.

And while all that's happening outside, I'm aiding negotiations between the factions inside. Talk about a strange situation.

And to think it all started out as a regular monthly two day patrol to nearby Wigtown.

On Travelling Freely

At present a handful of thieves are gaining far more prominence than their deeds warrant. They do this because the RSA in its peacetime persona is effectively unable to 'take out' the robber bands because to do so would cause a lot of injury and death amongst innocent travelers caught in the crossfire. Luckily, the thieves are themselves ineffective against well organised groups of travellers (armed mobs of sufficient strength and weaponry to fight off any high level brigand).

The ideal prey of the robber is a lone level 1 with their lifesavings in their backpack, setting out to start a new life. Or a small bunch of disorganised low level revellers going on a county wide pub-crawl.

I would hate for a bunch of MacTavishes heading to a clan gathering to be mistaken for a garden variety pub-crawler by these thieves. Besides our good cheer, we should also maintain our reputation for toughness. Do that by travelling in armed mobs and retinues, armed with shafts (swords and shields are no good for 'peacetime' combats against robbers). Communicate, don't be afraid to ask other relatives in your town or county if they can lend a hand.

I'd like to know that all the Dry's and Prut's and other assorted thieves will keep their distance when they hear a bunch of MacTavishes marching by!

Copied from our clan's forum

The Most Noble and Chivalous Scottish Order of Saint Andrew?

A Campbell, a Kennedy, a Forbes and a Sinclair band together and create a "Noble and Chivalrous" order of knights. To my ear that sounds a little pretentious, a little english even! The most valuable service they might provide, perhaps, is an elite band on permanent station and, if so, good on them. It is more likely that we will have a 'chivalrous' (roleplay) order to fight civilised (nobles) tournaments against similarly well-to-do english. Fun if you are into that kind of thing I suppose.

Perhaps something a little more raucus, a little less chivalrous and a little less noble. Like a cross border raiding society or some such? A little less lords and ladies in the courtyard, a little more good folk and gentle in the cattle byre?

Puts his nose back into joint and wanders off.

Clan Update

We are expanding our presence. Clan was very prominent in recent RP of some note in Whithorn (Destrata led from the front in a witch hunt). Yankie has started off Pig Rolling RP on our clan forum. Over in Drummore, Lucifera is out fishing with some interesting types in her refugee thread.

In clan events, we have joined the United Clans of Scotland political party. Lady Robin, Antek and myself are our representatives. So far, looks like a bunch of people trying to look at developing scotland by working together. Will be updating as we go on clan forum.

Clan is presently equal third largest. We have several applications for membership up on the forum, and there are a couple more who are thinking about it. Still no official members in Ayr, and the bulk of us still reside in Whithorn. Though I think there's a critical mass in Drummore (I hope you guys are supporting The World's End tavern, run by Luthien Bedwyr MacTavish).

More and more of us seem to be using Signatures on our forum profiles. There's a thread on our own forum where Lady Robin has kindly offered to help those of us who don't wish to make a signature banner ourselves (me personally, I loved making my own banner).

That'll do for the moment. Please leave a message on the chatbox in here if you pass through.

In defence of clans

The following is a recent post of mine at Highlands Hall where someone asked the question abut being in a clan. You can read the original thread here.

I am a clan chieftain, having formed clan mactavish in the early days of scotland. I was a total noob to this type of game, but a bit of an old (jaded?) hand at certain political games (always oppostional till now). I thought of making a clan that wasn't a political machine (having a fear that that was what would happen to many - I'm glad I the fear seems unfounded as there is so much more to clans that that).

So I got into it and MacTavish was formed. Now pretty big, always changing its focus of activity, disputing and scrapping and laughing amongst ourselves but getting to where we're going. We are very diverse in age attitude opinion and playing style. But that's good for us, good for our communities. We're all learning as we go so its an interesting experience. Together.

Almost everyone in our clan was invited in. We've accepted those who asked to join, but not too many of those. I suspect thats because we've kept in the background up to now. There's lots of reasons why we ask people to join, generally because the player has 'style' of some sort. That doesn't mean rich and famous, just means that they seem to be willing to have a go and keep an open mind. Only a fraction of us are active on forums, but that's reflective of RK generally. We try.

Unless you've got a good reason not to, I'd encourage all to join a clan. It adds layers to the whole experience and makes our land unique.

Newsflash - War Approaches!

The scottish nation marshalls itself for war! If you are already in the Royal Scottish Army (RSA) you should contact your local town band leader and ask for orders (check on the forum for the Regiment if you don't know who your local leader is). If you want to join the RSA, you should contact the RSA by posting on the forum for the royal scottish army at the Highland Hall (or contact your local leader if you know who it is).

For those who will be marching to the muster (gathering of the army), you should ideally take a weapon (shaft or sword), shield, 6 days food and some spare money. If you will need to manage your fields while you are gone, you should take enough money to do that as well. We don't know how long we will need to stand to arms or march around the countryside. Also, we don't know if we will actually have to fight. If we fight and die, we come back. If this happens, won't be able to fight again for another 45 days though.

If we have to fight, you get a bonus for every 50 points of strength or charisma you have. you also get one point bonus for having a shaft, and either 2 or 3 bonus points for having a sword. A shield will help defend you. If you go into battle as part of a (mounted) 'retinue' you will get another bonus for being mounted (even if you are not an ingame lord). At least, that's how I understand the IG rules about war.

If you stay behind, we will need the economy going at full speed. The army will need food and other supplies if this goes on for a long time, as well as people to carry the supplies to the front.

If this gets heavy, it will require maximum effort from all of us!

I have posted this on the forum also...

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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!