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

Letter to a Campbell

The (in)famous JuliusOctavius has recently assumed leadership of the Scottish branch of the Campbells. I have been having a brief friendly exchange with him. He asked me about where we stand on 'official alliances' between clans etc. I thought my response might be interesting to those of you who care about such things. So here it is...

Julius Octavius Campbell, greetings from Whithorn on the sea!

I find that a good daily workout, smashing steel in my forge, helps me appear level headed when I emerge in public. Whatever works...

As to Clan business, I have been approached by various clan leaders over time seeking these 'official' alliances of which you speak. I say to you what I have previously said to them,

I do not presently abide by the concept of 'official' clan alliances, at least in regards to ourselves. We regard all clans as our blood allies, even when that blood is running hot.

I place great regard in the clan 'system', though I recognise it as being potentially Scotland's weakest point as well as its strongest asset. When contesting matters of honour I always try and also keep in mind this point. But, if a clan breaks with us, I am sure our emnity will be as pronounced as our friendship. I hope it never comes to that.

There is much work that can be done to strengthen links between the clans. We, for example, will soon be congregating in Ayr for a Shindig with your relatives. By partying with them we build a link to you guys.

I see two things as majorly strategically important for the mid to long term future of clans ... how the concept of organised clan militias translates into practice, and how strongly we continue to stamp Scotland's clannish nature upon our national and county institutions and cultures.

Always keen to exchange views,

Dracmuller MacTavish of Whithorn
Chieftain of Clan MacTavish

McKenzie replies

Greetings Dracmuller,

I'm more then certain that we'd find you and your kin places to rest their heads. Several days spanning a weekend would be perfect. A Bonfire and a grand cooking would be a great idea!

I have let my town Mayor, who is also a McKenzie, she has said she will try to have a good feast prepared in the taverns. The only question I have is if you know roughly how many will be showing?

To a grand friendship,
Kishen McKenzie

I've replied that we should have a rough idea of numbers within a few days, and asked him if possible to (1) not be too publicly specific with the dates, and (2) have the RSA keep alert for robbers.

Letter to the McKenzie about a shindig

Kishen McKenzie of Girvan is the Chieftain of his Clan, the most significant indigenous clan of Ayr. He and most of his kin live in the same town, one day by foot from Wigtown, two from Whithorn and Kirk, three from Drummore, Lanark, Stirling and Ardencaple. In recent correspondence (not recorded here) he accepted an offer to extend an invitation to us (!) for a shindig (party) between our clans. Because of the travel time involved, we are looking at departing in around two weeks. Hopefully that allows enough time for people to put their affairs in order.

Below is one of my letters, suggesting a possible date.

Greetings Kishen,

Thankyou for your warm reply to my query. It gladdens me that civility amongst true scots is still a virtue that is valued.

I have broached with my kin the concept of a shindig in your fair town. If you could put us up there would probably be groups arriving from both Glasgow and Galloway for the affair. I have suggested several days, spanning a weekend - gotta think of all those to whom weekends are not good for RK as well - in which RP and tavern crawls occur. Perhaps a grand bonfire, cows on a spit with side threads of all sorts?

Three or four days spanning the weekend of 5-6 July would probably be good logistically, and not too far away that people lose focus...

Your thoughts?

Dracmuller MacTavish

It's been too long!

Having returned from his trip to the borderlands in Eastern Galloway, Drac settles in at the Hearth to recount a little of his recent experiences.

I set out in a travel group from Whithorn with Asbgas and Helian MacTavish. We met up with Aelin MacTavish in Wigtown, and travelled on to Kirk the following day. We spent a day there (I worked someone's field) and met up with Malons Knight MacTavish who was stranded there. Then it was on to Dumfries.

Dumfries has only about 140 residents. There were quite a few nobles around when we arrived, but that is because it is so near the border and there was a fair bit of interest in events there at the time. Most of these nobles left over the following week. It was very strange to see myself and Asbgas as amongst the highest ranked folk in town on the town list.

I spent a couple days cutting wood, and the next four or five days 'guarding the power'. I sold them a couple blunt axes as I knew that there weren't enough resident smiths there to keep things going smoothly. I gather that there is generally a shortage of stat workers in town also, though not as chronic as it used to be.

There were three pubs in town. Generally always someone around. Market was sparse, but enough food to eat. I managed to get a blue bonnet there on my first day (haven't seen one anywhere else). Forbes are probably the major clan, but they seemed less hostile than the Forbes of Drum. Sadly, I think that some of the Forbes way of doing things has been seen by other locals and has been a disincentive to join a clan. Sigh.

I didn't do any active recruiting but I think we created a good impression (which is at least as important). In fact, by not recruiting we may have advanced our reputation.

While in Dumfries Asbgas and myself went on a bit of a tour of the castle. Actually, we went and looked at some catacombs beneath the castle, and barely escaped with our lives. Due to some quick wit on Asbgas' part I was able to able to bring back an ancient roman dagger blade to add to the collection of knives I have at my forge.

The return trip was fairly uneventful. I missed catching up with Jazstar as we passed through Kirk, but we weren't going to delay our return as our money was running out and our farms needed attention.

All in all, a valuable expedition. I would encourage all MacTavishes to have a bit of a journey beyond the next town on the road. You can appreciate the diversity of this huge community best by spending a little time in various places.

Of course, now I've been bitten by the travel bug again, I want to travel again. Perhaps a trip to Lanark?

A quieter week in the Kingdom

This has been a quieter week in the kingdom of scotland.

Constitutionally speaking, Galloway's outgoing council ratified the draft Constitution as its final act before departing office. Therefore, all three counties and the Gathering of the Clans have all supported the draft. It has now been submitted to King James the Second for his consideration. If and when he approves our Constitution, the National Assembly will assemble, clan armies will become lawful, and the fun will begin.

Politically speaking, Antek MacTavish has gracefully retired from Galloway Council, having not stood for re-election. Not a complaint was heard of his performance during the most tumultous council term Galloway has yet experienced. Well done Antek! Aelin and Yankie MacTavish have taken seats on the new council, and Bonquida might still get a seat if anyone vacates their seat. I should also say that Aelin is now Duke of the County (?), the first MacTavish to hold such high office.

Personally speaking, I have recovered from both my computer virus and my 'flu virus. No lasting damage was done except that when my hard drive melted down the fire destroyed the MacTavish archives. The worst loss was the total destruction of the carefully compiled MacTavish genealogy and family tree. I'm thinking of an alternative way of doing it as I write...

A letter to a kinswoman (long post)

Recently I sent the following to a relative in Lanark who is concerned about the recent 2 week forum ban placed on Sajanzv for 'flaming'. Apparently it is quite an issue locally. As a member of the Privy Council of the Regent (where 2 of the 3 flames occurred) I have access to the relevant threads. I cannot quote them, but can give a bit of my view.

Anyway, I have received a number of letters about the issue. So I have published here the most comprehensive response I've yet given. So that we all know my personal views on it.

I write you about the issue with your friend. I looked at at least three of the threads which caused his troubles. I can only say what I think of the situation and what follows is my personal view at the moment.

Firstly, as usual, Saj had a good idea. What he then did, however, was act like 'a bull in a china shop'. He accused two other players of lying, made his good idea into a 'all or nothing' demand. My own view is that that is not any way to talk to anyone in this game, let alone the Regent in the Regent's home. So he basically got suspended for bad manners.

Secondly, it is important to note that it was for forum breaches, not the RP or political aspects of what was said, that Saj received his penalty. In the linlithgow threads, others intervened but Saj came back for more. It was only then that the matter was referred to the censors. An appeal occurred. Their initial decision was upheld. Many fine scots have worn a ban for similar reasons (I recall once when our general, captain, count and trade minister all had bans on them).

Thirdly, the whole issue of the Regent and 'democracy' is a very delicate issue. Being Scots, there are different views on it and they are often strongly put. In this situation, to flame and insult could lead to very serious consequences, such as outright rebellion, repression, civil war.

As Saj is a player who has obviously invested a huge amount of time and energy into the game for all of our benefit I imagine his forum ban is causing him great sadness. I hope that he has got over the shock and decided to remain and continue to participate. It would be sad for him and for Scotland if he did not. Sadly, as the issue which he raised became 'political' with his raising it, I suspect that it will now take awhile longer to achieve what he originally asked than it once would have.

In my dealings with Seer she has always been considered in what she does. She is very aware of the anti-regent position held by many. She may even hold those views herself for all we know. Even if I don't feel comfortable with her at times, I would trust the power to be in her hands more than any other player I can think of (and I have had dealings with most of the leading characters in the land). The fact that she has not gone around and stuck her nose into everything says something about her own concerns regarding the power that is in the regent's hands.
I can't speak of Dragon of Lyons Hall, having not known him long enough. He did seem to be leading Saj on. Saj should have realised the nature of the contest. Live and learn.

I don't know what england is like, having never been there. To date the main battles in this land, to keep us distinct, seems to have been around the co-operative nature of scottish society and our clannishness. I hope this never changes. Another difference is that we have a regent who questions her own position more intelligently than any others I've yet heard speak on it and who has refused to interfere in the people's affairs even when all else around urged her to do so. She has not boasted of this, and the events in her chambers are basically kept in-house to allow honesty within. But this has been the case.

I fear that many who speak of 'democracy' actually want the strongest and the loudest to get their way without the risk of authorities preventing that (I'm not saying this about Saj, but several other Gunn's can act that way). People of high ability often would set the world up as a meritocracy. And that can be even more exclusive than a royalty.

I'd be interested to know what Loren Soth thinks of this all.

None of us like everything in the constitution, and the clans probably gave away more than any other group. The challenge will now be for the National Assembly to keep the ship of state afloat. The MacTavish Representatives on the Assembly will both be independent types.

I've said more than enough. Talkative me! I guess it boils down to - there was a reason for what happened, the decision was appealed, and in my opinion there has been no lasting harm done to anything but people's pride. I hope.

Yours truly,
Drac

Hopes he hasn't upset too many people by baring his soul here.

Moving right along...

I've still not got my 'old' computer going. New hardrive installed but now an issue with the video card. Still I managed to catch up with some clan admin this morning.

We now have 50 members. Thanks to the spark of Destrata and the energy of her friends, there are now ten MacTavishes in Lanark. Well done folks, make the most of it! I believe the Roses are the other major clan presence in town, from past dealings they are a nice and friendly bunch of people generally speaking. Four more of us have become level 2s over the past week; Lucifera (Ardencaple) is now a baker; Jubox and Quik2type of Whithorn, weavers; and, Jayne of Drummore, a miller.

Our clan subforum keeps fairly busy, albeit mainly with new applications for membership at the moment. There's a thread there seeking your thoughts on what our clan is and could be doing. Please have a look and post your ideas there.

In national affairs, the Scotish Constitution awaits the ratification of the one remaining county (Galloway) before becoming law. Our two brave MacTavish representatives, Ragehammer and Lucifera, both await the opening of the National Assembly (we get two representatives due our status of one of Scotland's Founding Clans). Expect there to be a bit of shake up of national power structures in the months following the opening of the National Assembly.

Galloway Council elections finish in a couple days. It is likely that the Scottish Democratic Party will take a majority of seats (fingers crossed). If this proves the case, there could be upto three MacTavishes on the County Council (Aelin, Bonquida and Yankie) and a MacTavish as Count! I urge all MacTavishes resident in Galloway to get out and vote, and be careful you place your vote in the box of the SDP ticket!!!

There has been a slight increase in clan hostilities recently. The MacGregors have shown their robbing colours again, laying silent seige to Dumfries castle in April. The Forbes have run a ticket in the Galloway elections, and elevated a squabble between their chieftain (JeffersonDavis) and the Wallace Chieftain (Brother Chris) into the beginnings of a feud. Tempers seem to have calmed recently, and the MacGregors have dispersed, but the potential for major conflict has shown itself. Through these troubles we have kept a quiet presence in the background (as also, I hear, during the present dominance of the Gunn clan in Glasgow) and kept going in our own little ways to improve the situation.

This gives us great credit.

Tending the Hearth

I apologise for not posting much here recently. I have had various IRL crises this past week, and still don't have regular computer up and running, but I hope to do something at this hearth this weekend.

Until then, I'll just clean out the ashes and collect a bit more fuel for the fire...