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Accentuate the Positive
Jul. 28th, 2010 10:44 amI'm finding it's hard to discuss "pros" and "cons" for becoming of Principality. Why? Because each factor can be either a positive or a negative, depending on how you choose to view it. But, lets hit some of the "pro" highlights, anyway. I'll include caveats as to how these might be seen as negatives by some folks.
1. The primary motivation for most people for moving to Principality status is to have our own Prince and Princess, chosen by Tourney, with accompanying retinue, heraldry, regalia, and splendour. This is the obvious visible aspect. It brings Royalty closer to the populace. It gives more people a chance to participate in that splendour. It fosters a feeling of cohesion. (And some folks will look at it and only see the extra work it also creates.)
2. Delegated Royalty - The Prince and Princess would have the authority to grant AoAs, as well as any Principality Awards that end up being created. So, more Courts at more events. More opportunity for recognition. And, when the King and Queen do come for Royal Courts, those are likely to be shorter and more devoted to the higher awards. Who knows, it might even help alleviate the issue of none of the recipients being present to receive their awards? Now, the downsides to this one: There might be folks who would prefer to receive their AoA from the King and Queen directly. Also, being relieved of the burden of bestowing all those awards might lead the King and Queen to visit less.
3. Wise Counsel - Who better to keep TRMs informed of those residents in Pentamere who are deserving of awards than our own Prince and Princess? They can convey that sort of information directly to TRMs. And their word is likely to carry weight. Also, the Prince and Princess are entitled to sit in on Curia meeetings. And opportunity thus opens itself to fix small problems before they become large problems. This can only be a benefit both to Kingdom and Pentamere. This one is pretty hard for me to find a downside to.
4. Smaller, more remote groups have a greater chance to participate in the most inspiring part of the Game by hosting Coronet or other Principality events as they develop. Though their failure to do so could potentially place a greater burden on the larger groups to do so.
5. Creating a brand new Principality offers an opportunity to improve on the traditions of our Parent Kingdom as well as create new ones, all our own.
6. Cohesion. We needs it. Having a rallying banner and an undisputed official head would, quite frankly, help solidify the Pentamere Regional Army. At the moment, Baronial loyalties are much stronger than nebulous Regional ones. Nobody really takes the Regional offices all that seriously. Can you tell me who the Regional Commander is? Regional Seneschal? Chatelain? No one can get behind any one person, because nobody recognizes any central authority. This makes it difficult to act as a group. Difficult to deal with some aspects of the relative isolation from Kingdom events that has been a fixture of the past few years.
So far, we've mostly examined the matter for the perspective of Pentamere. What about the Middle Kingdom? Is it just asking them to do more work just for our benefit?
Nope. Let's examine some of the pluses from the Kingdom's side.
1. Trusted Vassals. If the Crown is willing to let go of some of the responsibilites of ruling, a Territorial Prince and Princess can significantly ease their burden. Someone else can now shepherd 1/4 of the full status groups of the Kingdom. Minor tussles, complaints, and petitions can get filtered. Recommendations for deserving individuals can be distilled. And the guilt of not being able to visit small groups that haven't seen Royalty in 20 years can be assuaged by the knowledge that the Prince and Princess will be there. The Princess can work her magic as local Patroness of the Arts and Sciences, even if the Kingdom A&S Faire becomes permanently fixed in KY and largely out of the reach of many Pentamerans. The Prince can provide leadership and stability for the Pentamere Regional Army.
2. Training Grounds. While some people worry about our ability to fill those Principality Offices (which for the most part are already filled as Regional Offices) others will note that the greater responsibility will cause the creation of a pool of people more able to move on into Kingdom Offices. Serving the somewhat less demanding role of Prince and Princess will also train more able candidates for the Crown - and possibly aid some of those people in coming to the understanding that they don't really want the Crown... before they've gone and won it. And will create a pool of Royal Peers to draw on. While we have a lot of fine people, most of them don't have a rank that implies that it's appropriate to call on them - they way one often does a Royal Peer. Heck, it would even broaden our ability to bid for Rose Tourney (Traditionally, Rose Tourney is officially hosted by a Lady of the Rose. We have... 3? I think?)
3. Minions! Who doesn't love minions? Admit it. And Minions in pointy hats, at that! The King and Queen would possess another couple to delegate to, to have in their entourage, to add to their Glory at Pennsic and other large events. A Prince and Princess of Pentamere could have served as the Crown's representatives at Border Skirmish this past summer, when both TRMs and TRHs were committed to North Oaken War Maneuvers. Pentamere has a special relationship with the current King of Northshield, and such a visit would have been a Good and Noble thing. A Territorial Prince and Princess who DID travel out of the Kingdom from time to time would also be excellent emissaries to other Kingdoms. The King and Queen get to preside over Coronet Tourney, and then participate in the emotional moment of investing the new heirs. And I don't believe for a minute that anybody stands for Crown who doesn't thoroughly enjoy such moments.
Does a Principality create more work for the Kingdom? Yep. We'll be trying the patience of the Dragon Herald and imposing mightily on the Kingdom Seneschal over the years of founding such a thing. I would hope we could do it with their support and encouragement, strengthened by the wisdom of the Kingdom proud of its new child.
So, before you dismiss the idea out of hand, take a walk with me into the world of What Could Be.....
Picture a Fall Coronet Tourney and Investiture, at Castle Farms in the Barony of Donnershafen. The King and Queen sit in State to watch the best of Pentamere's fighters contend for the Coronet. The victor to be the new heir to the Michigan Maple thrones, and bestow on his best beloved a chaplet of apple and cherry blossoms. Banners fly - both of the Kingdom, and of the Principality. The evening sees the investiture of the current heirs as Prince and Princess - with gleaming silver coronets; as well as their new heirs, our own Lord and Lady of the Lakes who step up to take their place at the head of the Principality of Pentamere. Shouldering the burdens, spreading the glory, and nuturing the Pearl of great Price that is Pentamere.
1. The primary motivation for most people for moving to Principality status is to have our own Prince and Princess, chosen by Tourney, with accompanying retinue, heraldry, regalia, and splendour. This is the obvious visible aspect. It brings Royalty closer to the populace. It gives more people a chance to participate in that splendour. It fosters a feeling of cohesion. (And some folks will look at it and only see the extra work it also creates.)
2. Delegated Royalty - The Prince and Princess would have the authority to grant AoAs, as well as any Principality Awards that end up being created. So, more Courts at more events. More opportunity for recognition. And, when the King and Queen do come for Royal Courts, those are likely to be shorter and more devoted to the higher awards. Who knows, it might even help alleviate the issue of none of the recipients being present to receive their awards? Now, the downsides to this one: There might be folks who would prefer to receive their AoA from the King and Queen directly. Also, being relieved of the burden of bestowing all those awards might lead the King and Queen to visit less.
3. Wise Counsel - Who better to keep TRMs informed of those residents in Pentamere who are deserving of awards than our own Prince and Princess? They can convey that sort of information directly to TRMs. And their word is likely to carry weight. Also, the Prince and Princess are entitled to sit in on Curia meeetings. And opportunity thus opens itself to fix small problems before they become large problems. This can only be a benefit both to Kingdom and Pentamere. This one is pretty hard for me to find a downside to.
4. Smaller, more remote groups have a greater chance to participate in the most inspiring part of the Game by hosting Coronet or other Principality events as they develop. Though their failure to do so could potentially place a greater burden on the larger groups to do so.
5. Creating a brand new Principality offers an opportunity to improve on the traditions of our Parent Kingdom as well as create new ones, all our own.
6. Cohesion. We needs it. Having a rallying banner and an undisputed official head would, quite frankly, help solidify the Pentamere Regional Army. At the moment, Baronial loyalties are much stronger than nebulous Regional ones. Nobody really takes the Regional offices all that seriously. Can you tell me who the Regional Commander is? Regional Seneschal? Chatelain? No one can get behind any one person, because nobody recognizes any central authority. This makes it difficult to act as a group. Difficult to deal with some aspects of the relative isolation from Kingdom events that has been a fixture of the past few years.
So far, we've mostly examined the matter for the perspective of Pentamere. What about the Middle Kingdom? Is it just asking them to do more work just for our benefit?
Nope. Let's examine some of the pluses from the Kingdom's side.
1. Trusted Vassals. If the Crown is willing to let go of some of the responsibilites of ruling, a Territorial Prince and Princess can significantly ease their burden. Someone else can now shepherd 1/4 of the full status groups of the Kingdom. Minor tussles, complaints, and petitions can get filtered. Recommendations for deserving individuals can be distilled. And the guilt of not being able to visit small groups that haven't seen Royalty in 20 years can be assuaged by the knowledge that the Prince and Princess will be there. The Princess can work her magic as local Patroness of the Arts and Sciences, even if the Kingdom A&S Faire becomes permanently fixed in KY and largely out of the reach of many Pentamerans. The Prince can provide leadership and stability for the Pentamere Regional Army.
2. Training Grounds. While some people worry about our ability to fill those Principality Offices (which for the most part are already filled as Regional Offices) others will note that the greater responsibility will cause the creation of a pool of people more able to move on into Kingdom Offices. Serving the somewhat less demanding role of Prince and Princess will also train more able candidates for the Crown - and possibly aid some of those people in coming to the understanding that they don't really want the Crown... before they've gone and won it. And will create a pool of Royal Peers to draw on. While we have a lot of fine people, most of them don't have a rank that implies that it's appropriate to call on them - they way one often does a Royal Peer. Heck, it would even broaden our ability to bid for Rose Tourney (Traditionally, Rose Tourney is officially hosted by a Lady of the Rose. We have... 3? I think?)
3. Minions! Who doesn't love minions? Admit it. And Minions in pointy hats, at that! The King and Queen would possess another couple to delegate to, to have in their entourage, to add to their Glory at Pennsic and other large events. A Prince and Princess of Pentamere could have served as the Crown's representatives at Border Skirmish this past summer, when both TRMs and TRHs were committed to North Oaken War Maneuvers. Pentamere has a special relationship with the current King of Northshield, and such a visit would have been a Good and Noble thing. A Territorial Prince and Princess who DID travel out of the Kingdom from time to time would also be excellent emissaries to other Kingdoms. The King and Queen get to preside over Coronet Tourney, and then participate in the emotional moment of investing the new heirs. And I don't believe for a minute that anybody stands for Crown who doesn't thoroughly enjoy such moments.
Does a Principality create more work for the Kingdom? Yep. We'll be trying the patience of the Dragon Herald and imposing mightily on the Kingdom Seneschal over the years of founding such a thing. I would hope we could do it with their support and encouragement, strengthened by the wisdom of the Kingdom proud of its new child.
So, before you dismiss the idea out of hand, take a walk with me into the world of What Could Be.....
Picture a Fall Coronet Tourney and Investiture, at Castle Farms in the Barony of Donnershafen. The King and Queen sit in State to watch the best of Pentamere's fighters contend for the Coronet. The victor to be the new heir to the Michigan Maple thrones, and bestow on his best beloved a chaplet of apple and cherry blossoms. Banners fly - both of the Kingdom, and of the Principality. The evening sees the investiture of the current heirs as Prince and Princess - with gleaming silver coronets; as well as their new heirs, our own Lord and Lady of the Lakes who step up to take their place at the head of the Principality of Pentamere. Shouldering the burdens, spreading the glory, and nuturing the Pearl of great Price that is Pentamere.
