All your board are belong to us. You are on the way to permission.

Hahahaha...


And now because I am beyond all hope, the pony version.

If it helps, the first time I typed it, I tabulated the votes for another mini, iximaz, as well. So at least you got one mention!

{... I don't think that helps, actually}

No, you're probably right.

hS

... I'm inclined to go with a less formal way of handling this. I'll work up an 'FAQ for Returnbies', which will include something like this:

Q. Can I give out [[Permission]]?

A. Were you ever a Permission Giver? If not, we're afraid not! If you were, it'd be a good idea to familiarise yourself with the current system - it might have changed quite a bit since you were last here. It's also recommended that you take an active role in the community for a while before you start granting Permission - that way you know who everyone is, and everyone knows you.

That gets the gist of 'Emeritus' across, without formalising it into a title (and leading to Hieronymus' dilemma of who updated the Wiki). Thoughts?

hS

Looking on the Wiki’s list of Permission Givers, the First Five (Jay and Acacia, and GreyLadyBast, Miss Cam and Thalia Weaver) cannot be affected by community decisions. Should they have “permanent” appended to their names?

Everybody else who is not also currently a voting member of Plort’s Baronical Council (BeautyID, Bjam, Doc Filth, DML, JulyFlame, Kaitlyn, Laburnum, Leto Haven, NenyaQuende, Rohirric Monkey, Sedri, Tough Cookie, Trojie and TZA), is by default considered to have been seen only very occasionally at best for a long time, and will get “inactive” appended to their names. Any objections? July?

Supposing that “zero activity” for at least one year will be the consensus, at any time (or only at a specific occasion, like the annual Baronial Council?), somebody suspecting that a PG may have left without notice may ask whether PG Insert-Name-Here has been seen posting on the Board, chatting in the IRC or editing the Wiki during the last year. If nobody speaks up within a reasonable span of time, somebody may then edit the Wiki to append “inactive” to PG Insert-Name-Here. (This will probably be Makari’s fate in the near future, leaving us with ten active Permission Givers.)

But I don’t see how automatic reactivation after three months of sufficient activity should work. The Wiki doesn’t edit itself.

HG

I'd like to think that our senior PGs are sharp enough people to not need rules to tell them to not give permission if they've been out of the loop for a while, though.

*shrugs at*

I could see some sort of minimum-activity standard. I have, obviously, really not been active on-Board, although I'm in the IRC most nights.

I think the 'zero activity for a year' benchmark is a sound one. If a PG Emeritus returns and wants to have said status removed, they should demonstrate a reasonable level of activity on the board for at least a month. PGs are a major part of the community, and and such need to be involved with it.

Also, I average 5-10 posts a month? Sheesh, I'm slipping. I need to step up my posting game. *glares at the beast known as Real Life, which is currently hiding in the corner of his room*

Dann is around the IRC pretty frequently, so he wouldn't fall away under "inactive", and I'm pretty sure I've seen VM there several times over the past ... while.

I like the ideas you set forth (inactive for at least a year is probably a good length of time) and if the PG has been inactive since before the new system was implemented, then it's probably safe to move them to Emeritus as well.

I was under the impression that VixenMage, Techno-Dann, and Araeph were chronic lurkers, so they'd be up to speed with the new system... Was I wrong on that? I have seen them pop in occasionally, and not just for the recent vote.

I also agree on the 'active for a given period' thing. Not really much else to say on that.

But, erm, since when has the wait for Permission been six months? At least, that's the impression I got from say you have to meet it for three months. That's midway between the line for requesting Permission. Did I miss that discussion?

Well, by those rules I'd go straight to Emeritus... I know I post very rarely any more, though I lurk a lot. And I'm fine with that on a personal level.

But on a broader view, it seems to me what you're suggesting is basically "if you're not these particular people, you have to meet a certain (arbitrary?) standard or lose certain abilities until you specifically ask for them back". And that feels a litle bit like, perhaps, favouritism?

Keep De'endee's construction was nearly complete, thanks to the extensive use of magic. Lady Iximaz smiled to herself as she looked around the recently-built great hall, though the smile quickly disappeared when she remembered the veritable mountain of paperwork awaiting her.

The newly-appointed Baroness rubbed her temples, grudgingly deciding it would be best to not delay in answering the other Barons' missives. Newness to the position aside, she was also the youngest Baron now serving on the Council, and she couldn't give anyone a reason to doubt her ability.

She made her way back to her chambers, her boots falling heavily on the flagstones. Inside, her desk was nearly hidden beneath all the scrolls; it looked like several more letters had been delivered during the day. She groaned and reached for the scroll bearing the mark of Baron Huinesoron.

After reading through it, Iximaz groaned again and let her head fall on the desk, accidentally crushing several scrolls.

"Well, this is just perfect," she muttered, balling up the letter and throwing it over her shoulder. "Of all the bad timing— ugh!" She reache into her desk and pulled out a fresh piece of parchment, failing to notice that it was stuck to the letter from Knight Jumper. Iximaz penned a brief letter to Baron Huinesoron expressing her regrets, but she had already announced her intentions to throw a banquet of her own in honor of he knights who were moving to her barony.

"And what a foolish decision that was," she said aloud, scratching her signature at the bottom of the letter and blowing on the ink. She seemed to be talking to herself a lot as of late.

It was true, though. She was already in far over her head than she'd anticipated, learning the niceties of running a barony such as setting and collecting taxes, settling trade agreements, forming tentative relationships with the other barons— and then she'd gone and decided to throw a banquet, of all things!

Jaikaiar willing, things would soon settle down and she would be able to resume her fight against the Marizu. But until then, she would have to wait.

The transformation had been a rapid one. In a few days, what had been a relatively open stretch of low, rolling hills near the Iron Highway had turned into a teeming sea of tents and carts. The entire area was alive with activity: soldiers training, children at play, merchants hawking their wares, cutpurses plying their trade, and grey-haired scholars giving lectures to whomever would listen. Had the buildings not been made of canvas, it might have passed for almost any other town in the protectorate.

Baron PC, the Poor Cynick, arched one eyebrow as he looked over the makeshift community from a nearby hill. It was both astonishing and gratifying, how the people had flocked out to the site where -- Mike and Joel willing -- the fortress of Worhkshap would soon arise. The first time he had emerged from his own tent and seen the others rising nearby was when the truth of his appointment became anchored in his mind. A missive was one thing, but this? Hundreds of people sheltered under his banner? That was more than any gesture from the Baronial Council.

He let his eyes trail back down to the various documents on the table in front of him. There were engineering analyses about the stability of the land, architectural plans for Worhkshap itself, guard reports on incidents in the tent city, and a dozen other things that needed his attention. But what he was most interested in now was a map.

"You are certain this is the most recent map?" he asked a nearby page. "I recall there being some confusion before about where the borders of Barony Thanasius Ampelius fell."

"Yes, my lord," the page replied. "A messenger brought it directly from Borrd itself."

PC traced one finger along the newly delineated lines. "It seems I came out of this quite well. The other new barons have rather less expansive domains."

"Perhaps it was a reward for your service, my lord," the page replied.

PC was silent for a moment. "That may be," he finally said, the doubt heavy in his voice. "Or perhaps there is something else at play, especially considering that the major mines fall under my dominion." The baron leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers together. "The Council is ever so fond of their games of intrigue. I cannot help but feel that I am either being tested or being used."

He looked up at the page and allowed a faint smile to come to his face. "In any event," he continued, "it should prove to be interesting. Perhaps it would behoove me to test the waters, so to speak."

The page straightened up as PC rose to his feet. "What would you have me do, my lord?" she asked.

"I want messages sent to the other barons thanking them for their support. Have gifts sent to those whose lands are now under my dominion. Nothing outlandish, but enough to demonstrate my gratitude for their reasonableness."

"Anything else?"

PC paused again. He glanced down at the map. "Organize a scouting team. I want to see if there's a pass through the Mountains of Reverence that might support a road. Having an easier way north would be of great benefit."

The page nodded. "Understood, my lord."

"Excellent." He picked up a missive from the reeve of Risersh. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have new duties with which to acquaint myself."

[Thought I'd get a little bit more into the role-playing aspect.]

Baron Huinesoron stepped out into the central court of castle Kwenaya and smiled as the wintry air washed over him. Across the level ground, beneath the branches of the great tree that rose from Kwenaya's heart, two of the castle staff were deep in conversation. As the baron approached, he hailed them: "Rosalind! Terri! A fine morning, is it not?"

The two women made their greetings - Rosalind with an awkward curtsey, Terri with a small bow. "The weather is very nice," Rosalind said, "though it's also nice that it's warmed a little - otherwise the Font of Bulapka would still be frozen, and that wouldn't be nice."

Baron Huinesoron noted the harpoon she was holding, and nodded in satisfaction. "Your catch will be the centrepiece of our banquet," he told the castle's fisher. "I trust everything is nearly prepared?"

"Ah," Rosalind said, and glanced at Terri. "Well. That is to say."

Huinesoron raised an eyebrow. "I'm waiting."

"... I have fish to catch?" Rosalind offered. She gave another curtsey - still clumsy, but holding a spear as long as yourself will do that - and fled. The Baron watched her go, then turned to Terri.

"Is she having difficulty catching enough fish?" he asked. "I know winter is hardly the time for it, especially in the Font."

Terri looked faintly uncomfortable. "It isn't that, milord," she said. "It's... we've had some replies from your... guests."

"Ah!" Huinesoron beamed. "The new barons! Which of them have sent word?"

"... all of them," Terri said. "But the word is... perhaps not what you would wish."

Huinesoron frowned. "It will be rather difficult to change the date at this juncture," he said. "Perhaps if we simply extended the festivities to cover a second day... I can help Rosalind out with the provisions myself."

"Uh." Terri's discomfort was clearly growing. She pulled out a letter and held it up. "Baron PC sends his apologies," she said. "His new barony will require some time to set to rights, so he will not be able to attend."

Huinesoron chuckled. "A pity," he said, "but fair enough. Baron Phobos spent little time in the south - I can only imagine how disorganised the mines are. But what of Ba- I mean, Lady Iximaz? Critta-Kalthin, at least, can need little restructuring, after all the work we've put into it."

"Yes, milord," Terri said, switching to a second sheet. "But she has announced her own feast, to celebrate the arrival of Sir Storme of Hauk and the Knight Jumper in her barony. Ah, Dark Civilian Aakmal will be providing the food."

"That seems... fair," Baron Huinesoron said. "Could we send a message to her, offering to combine the two feasts? We could hold a festival in Ozerbord, in celebration of the new barons."

"Um." Terri turned the sheet of paper over. "She... appears to have reused a page from the Knight Jumper's letter to her. He is... somewhat uncomplementary about yourself and your lady wife. I... rather doubt he would attend."

"I see." Huinesoron pinched the bridge of his nose. "Then it will be Thanasius Ampelius alone. Very well: let the invitation be extended to all who dwell in the Monastery of Spectacle, in celebration of my former knight's elevation. It shall be a banquet to-- you're giving me that look again. What did he say?"

Terri opened the final sheet of paper. "Machinations, conspiracy, schemes... basically, it seems he's accusing you of promoting his cause before the Council for the sole purpose of ensuring Lady Kaitlyn's appointment."

"Hmm." Baron Huinesoron looked up at the great tree, to the pale blue sky above. "Well, then, you may as well tell Rosalind she can relax; we won't be needing that fish after all. And... are our messengers in residence?"

"I believe so, milord," Terri said. "Do you wish them sent out?"

"Yes. Please send Sandra to Ofum to inform Captain mal Orn that I will be requiring the use of Aberration. And send Freckles to El-J-- to Barony Kaitlyn. My wife is surveying the site for her hospital; let her know that I am heading to the Marizu League, and that her companionship in arms would be greatly appreciated."

"I... yes, milord." Terri hesitated a moment, then asked, "Milord... what will you do?"

"What I am best at," Baron Huinesoron said, turning on his heel. "Kill the Marizu." And he stalked off towards the armoury.

hS

“Now this is ridiculous,” Thanasius Ampelius said, looking at his two compatriots (plus Kagemusha) and slapping the scroll on the table so it unrolled. “Barons, Knight, and civilians of Plort, yada yada, old people no longer being here, boring council stuff… ah, here it is. Fourthly, it gives me great pleasure to announce the creation of four new baronies. The Baronial Council has discussed the candidates extensively, and surveyed the feelings of the populace, and we are pleased to confer the rights, privileges, and duties of a Baron of Plort upon,” he paused and took a breath. Death Dendle chuckled under his breath. “Lady Iximaz — have we heard of her? Lady Kaitlyn — more of Eagleshadow’s politicking… Sir PC — makes sense, he’s one of the greatest men of our age… and one Thanasius Ampelius, the Warrior Monk.”
Thanasius got up, shot the scroll a disbelieving look, and started to pace around.
“Don’t tell me ambition did not stir in you when you heard that,” the body double offered from his dark corner. “I know for a fact you were busy acquiring new weapons recently.”
“Well yes!” Thanasius stopped in one place for a moment. “That crossbow needed repairing! Even though we found it in that despicable Marizu’s camp, it could still be used for good! And did you actually expect me to turn down a gift from Agog? That’s my home, you know!”
“Besides, if owning weapons correlated to political ambitions, I’d probably be spending more time in the cities,” noted Karrin the Blue, tapping her fingers against her swords.
“In your case, I’d check whether there’s a magpie in your family tree,” Death Dendle retorted. “You gather swords the same way Thanasius here gathers books or a magpie gathers shiny baubles.”
“Well, perhaps I’ll change my crest’s hummingbird to one, then,” Karrin replied drily. “In any case, we’ve gotten somewhat off topic.”
“True,” agreed Thanasius, who continued his pacing. “Now I’m supposed to claim a piece of land, no? And assume responsibilities… and sit in the thrice-accursed council! Look at that letter! Even July of Castle Flayme approves! I thought she didn’t think of me very highly after that argument!”
“Perhaps this is her revenge, then?” suggested Karrin.
“She didn't strike me as the underhanded type,” Death Dendle said. “In fact, quite the opposite: she’s blunt. I mean, she set sail to lands unknown some time after he left for Ydyff.” He nodded toward his master.
Karrin blinked. “I was joking. Did — did I not make that clear?”
“Apparently not,” Thanasius gave his body double a withering look. “Anyway… no, this is probably Baron Huinesoron’s doing. It’s not written in that” — he pointed at the scroll, which rolled up again — “but the rest of the missive said that his wife doesn’t actually have any voting power… just, y’know, territory. And guess where? El-Jheycom.”
Karrin raised an eyebrow. “Than, you do remember that I have as little knowledge of the politics of this land as a desert rabbit does of sailing, don’t you?”
“It’s simple, really. That was her old land… they declared independence, if I remember what I read correctly, but were absorbed back into Borrd after a while,” Thanasius said. “Anyway, my point is this: he probably wanted to throw suspicion off that move. What’s bothering me, though, is that so many people agreed… there were signatures in that other scroll — knights, citizens, the like; Skaer'morys the Silver, Knight Jumper, Lady Iximaz...” he sighed and massaged his brows. “Nevermind that; it’s just my inner conspiracy theorist. Let’s see what we can do about this.”
Karrin peered at the missive and walked over to one of the shelves, pulling out a map and setting it on top of the table. “Hmm... The law only requires that you have lands and a castle, correct?”
“And council participation, but yes, that’s about it.” The monk peered at the map. “Honestly, there’s no place I’d like more than this one.” He looked up, toward the high ceiling of the central hall of Castle Spectacle. “This place has been a home to me for a long time. The valley, while small, is fertile. There are deer in the woods; there’s that little stream...”
“Well, it’s certainly a better idea than leaving. We’ve just gotten the libraries in order, too,” noted Karrin with a smile.
Death Dendle left his corner to take a look at the map. “Look at this town,” he said, pointing to a town, situated on the coast, so small that the map didn’t even have its name. “It’s pretty close, and you need a port. It could use some hustle and bustle and maybe some help. As things are, they are vulnerable to being raided by the Marizu, and the closest place they could get help from is Risersh, which is quite a distance away.”
Karrin the Blue examined the map. “Skypcht? It’s rather small, so you wouldn’t have to worry about too much bureaucracy. The shipping industry there’s not large, but it’s fairly resilient... I’m still surprised at how quickly they rebuilt after those storms two autumns ago.”
“They are good people,” the Fast Seneschal, silent until now, said. “I remember setting a forge up there after the storms hit. They are a diligent people; they started rebuilding right away.”
“My sort of people, then,” Thanasius decided. “I shall send the Council a reply.”
He picked a quill and a (mostly) empty scroll out of the general mess that covered the table. He started writing on it, muttering under his breath. “To the Council, yada yada, honorifics, blah blah, the Baron Thanasius requests the lands at the southernmost tip of Ozerbord, those surrounding the vale of the Monastery of Spectacle, and the nearby town of Skypcht, as territory. Yada yada, officialiasms, signed, Thanasius Ampelius, Baron.” The monk paused and showed the scroll to the others. “What do you think?”
Karrin nodded. “It certainly looks official.” She smiled slightly. “Hm... As the Seneschal and myself live here, should we swear allegiance or somesuch?”
“That would probably help later down the road,” Thanasius said. “Plus, I’d need someone to tell me when I’m doing stupid things, no? You two helped me a lot, and I’d hate to be forced to evict you because of some stupid bureaucratic rule.”
“Well, I’d hate to be evicted, so that works.” Karrin picked out another scroll and began to write. “Hm-de-hm, officially swear fealty and allegiance to the Baron Thanasius, blah-blah will pay taxes and reside in territories, signed Karrin the Blue, Mage.” She blew on the ink carefully.
The Seneschal took the scroll Death Dendle was trying to hit his head with and quickly scribbled something on it, spreading sand on it to dry the ink. Thanasius took a look above his shoulder and hmmed.
“That’ll do. I hope the vultures at the Council won’t eat us alive for the slightly informal phrasing.” The monk rolled the scrolls up and looked at his Kagemusha. “You’ll be the messenger.”
“I hear and obey.”

While it is true that the Poor Cynick has wandered the lands of all of all four nations in the past, he feels most strongly connected to Borrd. He therefore requests a domain somewhere in that region. However, being as he is a scholar before a warrior and has thus spent much time perusing the many libraries of Wechi, he would ideally like his territory to border that nation.

...that, though she may now be a Baroness, she is a knight first and foremost and will continue to be referred to as such, rather than as Baroness.

She also requests a small portion of land along the coast of either Borrd or Ozerborrd where she might build her keep. Nothing expansive, as larger baronies are harder to manage and she wishes to focus on her campaign against the Marizu.

[By the way, the last two stanzas made me d'awww.]