Battle Guild Discussion

[Catharsis]

This is both IC and OOC, so I'm posting this here:

LOTS of you showed up at the Battle Guild meeting tonight. Quite impressive, really.

Much was discussed, but most important was Ser Alexand's ideas for the direction of the guild. I have my own ideas, but I was hoping that others would voice their opinions first.

So, now that we've had the meeting and Alexand has had his say ... what does everyone think?

Here's a run down (edited):

Alexand says, 'I propose, that the Battle Guild embrace an important facet of this community, and that is one of Balance."
Alexand continues slowly, "And by this I mean to say, that the Watch performs the function of supporting the Queens Law and her arms."
Alexand continues slowly, " And our brothers the Duelists are dedicated to the Honor of our beloved Queen."
Alexand finishes slowly, "And the leaves the third part of the balance askew. To protect the warrior spirit of her Highness."
Alexand says seriously, "To put it bluntly, I prepose that we become her Warrior Monks dedicated to the purpose her spirit."
[ insert various objections to the word "monks" and resulting chatter here ]
Alexand says, "One might see it as the physical embodiment of balance. One which I propose we seek and will perhaps never find, but by the journey enlighten our spirit and therefore the Queens if she will it."
Alexand grins broadly, "Of course this path, like all others is not for all. It requires dedication to purpose and we must come to agreement."
Alexand says, "As far as this goes. I propose that all meditate upon this for one moon. I see no answers forthcoming with ease."

[end of that part of the meeting]

Comments? Is Alex off his rocker? Does he have a good idea that we can run with here? Tell us!

[Catharsis]

The FULL log of the heart of the meeting can be found on the Battle Guild page at:
www.geocities.com/battleguild/ (http://www.geocities.com/battleguild/)

Click on "Meetings"

[Delacroix]

While the Battle Guild addressed the possibility of seeking a charter, we never addressed the reasons for doing so. We never addressed the costs, and we never addressed the benefits.

I spoke with Alexand today and learned the reason why the Battle Guild seeks a charter - so that its members may carry live swords. Bear in mind that the Battle Guild accepts just about anyone. Put these together and it means just about anyone in the castle can get a licence to wield a live sword just for the asking. Personally, I find this very irresponsible. Not only does it violate the spirit of the Queen's law, but the desire to swing a sharp blade is a poor reason to enter the Queen's service. And frankly, there are quite a number of people I simply wouldn't trust with a sword.

There are reasons to seek a charter; the desire to contribute something constructive to the bailey, be it protection, education, or the mastery of an art. These reasons need to be considered carefully, however, and there is nothing constructive in the goals as they stand. We must also consider what we will offer to theQueen as service. While we have heard the idea of being the Queen's marital spirit, we really have no understanding of what that will mean. As a guild, we should offer an active contribution to the bailey as a whole, and I stress the word active - not just waiting for a fight to break out somewhere and present ourselves saying "We're the Battle Guild. Come fight under our conditions!"

In regards to our current "goals", I cannot support seeking a charter just to wear a sword. I would like to invite discussion on good reasons why we might seek a charter and offer some suggestions myself. For one, I believe each guild should offer its members some activity and self-improvement even outside of meetings. The Watch patrols and keeps order, the Awakeners seek out and help the newly awakened, Poets compose, and Gardeners raise plants. While the sword guilds can practice, I would like to see something more meaningful to our guild if we should seek a charter.

-Delacroix

[Darren Brimhall]

We could be a exstenstion of the Watch, maintaining law and order with in the Outer Balley. Last Monday's fight in the Dining Hall brought this home to me due to the fact that it took way too long for a Watchman to be found.
If the Battle Guild is to be a ballance within all, then such powers must be granted to them. But, by the same tolken, it's membership should not be so easily attainable. Responcibility is the key word here, and can be seen in one's belief's, action's, behavior, and in how one handles themselves in various siturations.
Jayland didn't join up for the pleasure of wearing steel, he joined on the principals of law and order.

Darren Brimhall

[Atama]

We could be a exstenstion of the Watch, maintaining law and order with in the Outer Balley.

Yeah, that's gonna happen. http://www.skotos.net/ubb/tongue.gif

[Catharsis]

Originally posted by Darren Brimhall:
Last Monday's fight in the Dining Hall brought this home to me due to the fact that it took way too long for a Watchman to be found.

Since then, there now exists a Watch call that certain individuals have that can call a watchman to them when it is needed.
I believe this will assist in this sort of problem.

[Catharsis]

Originally posted by Delacroix:
I spoke with Alexand today and learned the reason why the Battle Guild seeks a charter - so that its members may carry live swords. Bear in mind that the Battle Guild accepts just about anyone. Put these together and it means just about anyone in the castle can get a licence to wield a live sword just for the asking.

I would propose a system of ranking .. or tiers, that study of the sword would allow individuals to achieve. With such a system, an actual live sword would only be available at a level higher than a novice.

Make sense?

[Faith]

That's a great idea!! So live swords are only for the top ranked in the Battle Guild...makes sense like purified water. http://www.skotos.net/ubb/smile.gif

Caroline *Faith*

[Catharsis]

Talking to Delacroix, Haemos, and Alexand tonight, Alexand had some good stuff to stay, so I'm posting it here for everyone:

------------------------------------------

Alexand says, "Out of our chaos comes purpose, which I will explain, though perhaps badly."

Alexand says, "Out of our number, I wish to build an elite corps who are dedicated to the Queens purpose. This corps shall be formed of our strongest and best and limited in number in comparison to the whole guild."

Alexand says, "We are not the Watch."

Alexand says, "We are not the Duelists."

Alexand says, "We are the Battle Guild."

Alexand says, "And so, we neither protect her laws, actively. No seek to protect the meek, acticely. This is not to say any of our number are forbidden these tasks."

Alexand says, "We shall be her best. And the group shall be formed by a [monthly/bimonthly] contest to see the strongest of our fighters. Only the core of us, shall be able to overide the entrance of someone into the core for reasons of honor, or fear that the queens spirit shall not be kept."

[Catharsis]

And then we kept on talking. (gawd, what an evening!!)

Here are some of the basic ideas we wish to include in the charter:

Keep membership as open as it is now. This basically entails talking to a leader (Core members, more on this later) and showing up to a practice or two.

The idea is to have a few levels within the guild. Core Leaders, Corps, and general Members. At the Corps level, they gain the right to carry a sword and have access to the practice swords (Maybe). Core members are the elite, the leaders, those who can accept and kick out members.

Yes, kick out members. Just because you can get in doesn't mean you get to stick around. We won't ask for much, but we'll get a list of kick-out-able offenses. Some will be obvious, such as disrespect towards the Queen. We'll work on this.

Responsibility of the core members ... if they let in a bad member, it is their responsibility to deal with them. Either talk with them, teach them, or ask them to leave the guild.

As for what makes someone a corps members or a core member ... we're working on that too. Fighting the higher level members makes sense. Much like proving yourself for a belt in the martial arts.

Over all else, Alexand and Etain will retain Veto power. That will be their one power as the Founders of this guild. Granted, we can rebell against them if they do something we don't like ... so it's not absolute power, but rather a sign of respect

Knowledge ... the higher up you move, the more secrets you learn about fighting. And yes, there are secrects. Just ask Delacroix or me. We have a few.

Above all this ranking/tiers ... we WILL be a brotherhood, a fraternity ... the levels are simply a matter of duties and knowledge. The youngest members will be as welcomed as the eldest. Respect will be shown to all, but it won't be offical. I shan't frown if someone doesn't bow to me. Haemos is a good example of the jovial atmosphere that I would welcome in the guild. In this way, we'd be the anti-Watch. I would ask for respect while teaching you, as any sensei would, but beyond that, we are all equal.

Okay ... I think that's it. I'm sure I've forgotten stuff, but PLEASE respond ... yea or nay or how about this ....

I'll be looking at this whole discussion when I write up drafts of the Charter before the next meeting.

Rah.

[I_am_Haemos]

After giving this alot of thought, I have to say: yes.

[Darren Brimhall]

Sounds reasonable..
But can it accomidate my rotating schedual in RL?

Darren Brimhall

[Catharsis]

Originally posted by Darren Brimhall:
Sounds reasonable..
But can it accomidate my rotating schedual in RL?

We talked about some of that last night ... Alexand might want to respond a bit differently, but I think we see it as, players who try, even on limited playtime schedules could still get to the middle level. It might take a little bit longer, but inconsistent schedules shouldn't hamper it too much. The top level, the core leaders ... that would obviously require a commitment to the game. Most of this will probably change as things progress, but it's just for fun you know. I'd like to see the Battle guild really go somewhere.

[Alexand]

Broad Grin.
It seems that you have all begun to discuss the changes that will occur at the next monthly meeting.

What is the purpose of dueling in the Queen's domain?

Why should you be given practice steel, if you are not ever worthy to carry a real blade?

Prove to me you are worthy.

Go with Strength;
Alexand.

[Kristine]

Finally!
I understand!

I'd have to say it's a great idea.

~Kristine