Locating our Forum

Things have been crazy with the new forum set up. It will take a while to settle down there. I am hoping people give it a go before throwing hands up in the air.

We now access the forum through the game, and everyone's forum account is now linked to their game player account. New players will have an account automatically made for them. Us old characters must link our old accounts to the new system.

Click on 'forum' in bottom left of game screen. This will lead you to a screen with three major choices, beneath a 'box' which has to do with 'NPC's (Non Player Character).

To 'activate' your old forum account, click on the THIRD option. It will then ask you five simple questions to link your game character to your forum account. You should only have to do this once. Once you've activated your account you should be able to access forums.

If you click the FIRST option on the 'forum' screen from which you chose to activate your account you will be taken to a small forum board which contains those public forums to which you have access. In theory this will be Highlands Hall, your County Inn and your Town forums (plus FAQ and a few others). Please note, our forum is NOT under 'The Gathering of the Clans' in this forum.

If you click on the SECOND (French) option on the 'forum' screen from which you chose to activate account you will be taken to the much larger 'second' forum board, containing all the private subforums. You will only have access, of course, to some of these. Our clan forum is about half way down the (huge and chaotic) list of private forums. Still in the 'Kingdom of Scotland' section (about a dozen entries down).

NB among the various 'glitches' are the following:
- your avi has dissappeared, will be back later
- you will have to set up your 'profile' again for your account, adding back your banner/sig
- the 'second' forum is a strange blue colour, change it back if you want (through profile)
- the link between your character and your town isn't always correct if you are travelling. This is a big bug I think they will try and fix very quickly.

There are lots of things to complain about the new system. I'm not trying to stop you, but please be careful on the forums to complain if you must about the changes, rather than admin.

The dogs of war

If you hadn't noticed, there's a few armies kicking around Scotland at the moment. I believe they include Forbes (Clan army in Drummore, Galloway), 1st Galloway Regiment (Royal Scottish Army), 'Fury' (rogue army led by Tosher MacGregor, last heard of in Ayr City) and I hear rumours of the Glasgow Regiment (Royal Scottish Army) forming in Glasgow somewhere and Ayr Regiment (Royal Scottish Army) forming in Ayr. On top of this, an english army either in or heading to Cumberland.

Forbes army, not doing much except flexing muscle in Drummore area.
1st Galloway Regt, mustering and about to march.
Fury, recruiting in Ayr City before continuing to head South.
English army, stepping up provocative verbal threats at Captain of Galloway Regt.

Tosher army formed in Ardencaple. Gathered many thieves and rebels to its ranks. While it recruited the town was on alert and therefore lost a week's production. Glasgow Regt said it would deal with it. Galloway raised its Regiment in case Glasgow didn't. Ayr scrambled to raise its Regiment but a little hamstrung through lack of high level characters.

Tosher marched south, declaring it only wanted to get to England. English threaten scotland, saying this would be cause for war if we let Tosher through. Glasgow Regiment not formed and so Tosher gets his army out of Glasgow county. Rumours of deals being done behind this. Ayr military beg Galloway to come and help it. Ayr politicos threaten Galloway to stay out. Galloway continues to muster therefore. English start stepping up the threats.

In the Galloway Regiment at the moment the soldiers are pretty pissed that it looks like we will have to fight (and some of us will die) do defend england from invasion by scots. Those who have so far done nothing to stop Tosher's march threaten Galloway with anathema if we let Tosher through as they don't want a war with england. Ayr on high alert, Glasgow marshalling.

That's the present situation. If I had to I'd put money on it I'd say it will come down to Tosher either making a move on an Ayr town and us having to seige him out, or a battle on a node in Galloway as he makes a run for the border. Whether the english then invade will probably largely rely on how large our losses are in the fight to defend their property.

Confused? Aye. Do I sound cynical? Aye.

And all of this on top of instability in our national government (see post below).

Interesting times indeed.

Days of wine and ....

Rage MacTavish recently started a petition to retire the present membership of the National Assembly. This has caused some fairly major dispute across the land, including within our own clan hall. At time of writing this, there were about 60 odd signatures on the petition (it requires 100 signatures to have its effect). At this exact moment, of course, the forums are not working (as they are being reorganised). Lucky Assembly.

There are quite a few MacTavish signatures on the petition. The other obvious group which has signed en masse is composed of members of Tosher's rogue army (see post above this one). Highly ironic chuckles. It's interesting to also note that a lot who signed this petition also had their name on the petition which sacked the Regent in the days immediately preceding the first gathering of the Assembly.

The petition itself is on Highlands Hall thread, along with a discussion on it in a separate thread. There is another discussion on it in 'Holyrood House' forum, in the public area of the National Assembly subforum. I haven't signed it yet, not sure if I will. I don't wish to stop others making up their own minds, and certainly won't hold your decision against you if you do or don't sign.

The petition is the only constitutional means by which the people of Scotland can discipline an Assembly with which they are unhappy. And a lot of people have been unhappy with the Assembly of late....

The grim reaper

We've taken a bit of a hit in terms of our numbers, back down to less than 60. Four of the recent five departures were because of death (Firesage, Pasqualina, Natura and Sweetmeg), one due to permanent retreat (Wognot). Pas had language difficulties, Natura was noob, not sure about Firesage and Sweetmeg (both from drummore), Wognot's work took him away.

Oh well.

Letter to Dewey - Mayor of Ardencaple

Ardencaple is at the north west limit of present day Scotland, two days travel from the larger towns of Glasgow and Ayr. Arden is a fishing village, Scotland's smallest (not counting Ayr City). I have written to the mayor of Ardencaple, warning him of the impending visit by a number of MacTavish tour groups during our tour of Glasgow County.

Greetings Dewey,

I don't know if you have yet heard from your fastness at the head of the Loch, but a bunch of MacTavishes are about to land in your town. At reset, should be half a dozen of us, with a friend who is with us by the name of Jurl. On the morrow I am expecting probably this many again to be arriving. We intend departing the day following that. I think Lucifera and Stri will be putting us up for the night.

I think most of us have brought our own food so shouldn't cause you too many problems there. Some of our younger kin will probably seek out some day labour. The older amongst us plan on a day of fishing so we can soak our tired feet in the waters.

On a personal note, I must say that I have long been looking forward to casting my line out from your shores. So much so that we have come here ahead of Stirling in our travels.

Cheers,

Chief Dracmuller MacTavish of Whithorn

Since I sent the letter, he has already replied and said we are welcome to buy and work as we chose, and to enjoy the hospitality of the town.

Travel Advice

I've sent the following to the two other mob leaders who will lead us out of Girvan...

I received the following from Whithorn Band about settings for 'move options' for leaders of mobs (on the travel screen)

"In these times of robbers frequently attacking, We should be setting to:
- Travel Always
- Fight Always
- I will not hesitate to kill my opponent. No longer :I Try To Spare My Opponent's Life

"The kill setting will boost the patrols FC and will not really kill anyone, unless they have already been in a fight and lost recently."

I've set to 'kill', assume you have too.

The thieves are in Girvan. If we can get a headstart on them to Ayr they shouldn't be bothering us. They think we are in Girvan for a few days more so if we meet them it's just bad luck.

We now have three groups with twelve people in them. Stoink might try and join a group at the last moment, otherwise he has said he'll travel on his own (I've mailed him about this bad habit he is developing). Jazstar is working and being picked up by Tuski soon. Malons will head back to wiggie some time soon.

We should be traveling for a few days now ... Ayr, Muirkirk, Lanark, Glasgow, Ardencaple. IF you let your mob know that you are hitting 'travel' each day, it's up them to hit 'follow the leader' or get left behind.

See you in Ayr.

Drac

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.