[Artemisia] Northern Region

Fri Mar 18 22:46:15 CST 2005

Good gentles of the list:

I do not frequently reply to this list as more oft than not I wind up placing my foot squarely in my mouth more than anything else.  I've found that often my words have garnered more enemies than friends.  That is surely not my intention even though many would ascribe such intent to them.  None the less, I thought I would weigh in on the issues of late. 

So, that all aside, here then are the thoughts of one who has lived the dream in other other kingdoms (good to note I'm not the only ex-Darkwoodian in the crowd BTW) and yet has not completely become one with my new home.

Some of the issues that have been brought up are indeed impacted by mundane truths which can not be ignored.  It is mundanely true that Montana is more sparsely populated than other parts of the kingdom and certainly more than most parts of the Knowne World.  This presents the groups in Montana with some rather dilemic problems and by extension, the kingdom as a whole (or is Montana not a part of the kingdom?)  Further if one protracts the kingdom as a whole, its overall population density is indeed lower than quite a few others.

How then can this be overcome?

Firstly, allow me to tread on unholy ground for a moment.  I support the idea of a northern region, not as a barrier, but more as a centralized effort for a large geographic area.  With that out of the way, I'll continue...

For example, if the group in Boise has an event, while I may dearly wish to particpate, the truth of the matter is, that mundane facts will weigh upon that descision, such as gas prices (some estimates see it being $2.75/gal by this event season) and travel times from Billings.  No matter how much one wishes, they cannot in fact, divorce themselves from real life.  Therefore, the callender needs to be segregated geographically to take those considerations into account because we are only graced by a certain number of warm weather weekends in this kingdom.  Attempting to parse those out between groups, giving each equal access, but not protracting geographic proximity is perhaps not the wisest of things, especially protracting the aforementioned facts.

Moving further into unpopular but true territory...  While it is SCA tradition for local groups to conduct events, that is not a strict law, as any group at any level can sponsor an event.  There could therefore be kingdom or region sponsored events, the responsibility for which could be diseminated to the various groups in a particular wider geographic region such that it was a joint effort that drew upon the talents and efforts of a larger number of people. Heresy I know, but when you see so many complaints posted regarding lack of willing manpower, perhaps that is an option.  Simply broaden the base.

Next there is a crisis that confronts this kingdom that some may not be aware of.  Many of us travel outside of kingdom boundaries "to get our fix" because there is not enough to keep us at home.  

When I first moved here, this kingdom had two well attended events; Uprising and Griffon's Fury.  

Griffon's fury has simply disappeared and been replaced with a vaporous promise of "a great northern war".  Unfortunately, nothing "great" has appeared to fill that void.  Now I know some are going to point at the fact that the wildfire conditions have been the crux of the problem, but if one thinks outside of the box, you will be led to ask "why not move it to a location that is less fire prone that may lie outside of the goegraphic boundaries of the sponsoring group?"  Further this reinforces the contention that cooperative efforts between groups may be a good thing.  

Moving on now to Uprising...  Here, I'm liable to step on a few more toes.  What the heck, I'm in this deep already...  

I've attended the majority of Uprising's since I moved here.  Each year the price of attendance seems to increase with very good reasons.  Each year, attendance has seemed to dwindle, also with very good reasons and each year I have witnessed what seems an increasing number of complaints regarding the event.  

That means two things.  

Firstly, the populace needs to understand that this is the LAST kingdom-wide event left on the callender!  You may have to accept some inconveniences to attend.  

Secondly, the autocratting staff needs to take every complaint to heart and make every effort to make the experience ameniable for all of their guests.  This includes some serious review of the site.  I know finding sites is difficult, but have all avenues been truly investigated, including a site that lies perhaps somewhat outside of your territorial boundaries?  Or am I the only one who's heard rumblings from significant segments of the population who may not attend this year?

The fact that we as a folk, the Artemesian folk, do not get together more often than we do is a travesty.  We need a "national" identity that draws us together to common goals and aspirations and that can only be fostered through interaction and honest discourse.  If we have no "kingdom" events left what are we but guests in the kingdoms where we do attend events?

People seek vindication and fulfillment.  When they find it, they are happy.  When they do not, they are a discordant lot of whining malcontent.  The volume level of that malcontent can be used as the pulse of a group.  Some wish things to stay as they are, remain unchaged in perpituity, but Darwin would tell us that those who refuse to adapt to their environment are destined to join the dodo.  I'm certain no one wishes that right?  Change is not, of neccessity a bad thing.  Adopting unadvisable changes can also have detrimental effects.  So let's do nothing illadvised, including doing nothing.

Please understand that I am playing devil's advocate here.  I'm attempting to stimulate discourse.  I'm trying to provide impetus to think outside the box.

Anyone who thinks I've overstepped my bounds, feel free to kick me at your next convenience.  I'm used to it.  I think I'm growing callouses.

For those who wish to assign nefarious intent to my words, can I kick you? (as none is intended).

In service to the dream,
Lord Iohne

Si hoc legere scis numium eruditionis habes. 
Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate. 
Terream non malas.

My Blog:  http://ggthoughts.blogspot.com

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