Greetings from Bill Bekkenhuis

[Bill Bekkenhuis]

Though I seem to have picked a very inauspicious time to do so (with the death of the Kaiser), I would like to participate in these forums if that's okay.

My name is Bill Bekkenhuis and I'm currently a citizen of Brigadoon, er, I mean Morovia.

Michael Fors contacted me regarding some legal issue and, after convincing myself that he had not come to place me under arrest, I heard him out.

He thought I might like to hang out here for a bit, so I'll give it a try - again, if that's okay with everyone.

My condolences on the Kaiser's passing.

[Scott of Hyperborea]

Oh no, we're being invaded by Morovians!

Anyway, good to see you here. I used to follow Morovia a bit, and I was impressed with your attempts to discuss theology there. You're actually here at a good time since we (unusually) have two religion related threads going on now ("Who's Pulling the Strings" here, and "Christ Is With Shireroth" in the Multi-Temple). If you want to bring any of that here, the Multi-Temple is the place to do it, but I warn you there are a lot of pretty strong atheists around.

Please do stick around, and don't worry too much about the weird simulation stuff going on all the time.

[Krasniy Yastreb]

*prises the shepherd's crook off from around Bill's neck with copious amounts of Vaseline*

Welcome back to the one true motherland!

[andelarion]

Oh hi! I remember you

You're the one who kept Morovia alive for such a long time. All cred to you!

[b3n|<3r|\|]

Haldo and welcome to Shireroth!

[Malliki]

Welcome Bill! We're just in the middle of a regicide/succession/coup d'état/rebellion/peaceful transition of power. I hope you'll join once you've had a look around.

[Kaiser Loki II]

Welcome, thrice Welcome!

Be sure to pick up your "I support the legitimate Kaiser" button at the door. that should keep you safe in all camps.

[Liam conToketi]

KAISER LOKI RETURNS!

[Jonas]

LONG LIVE LOKI !!!
HE'S OUR SAVIOUR!

[Kaiser Loki II]

RALLY TO ME, SHIREROTH!

The Golden Mango Throne is not a prize to be won by the throw of dice!

[Jess]

Or is it?

[Kaiser Loki II]

Only if we have the loaded dice.

[Erik Mortis]

[Bill Bekkenhuis]

I'd like to thank you all for your warm welcome.

Your really warm welcome.

In all candidness, your somewhat uncomfortably warm if not downright blistering welcome.

It really was not necessary to throw the reigning Kaiser under the bus and descend into civil war and the disintegration of society simply on my account. There must be a heck of an entertainment budget here.

I mean, a modest ice cream party would have been fine

But, seriously, I shall endeavor to walk bowed in the fond hope that all the shooting will be over my head.

And find out about the law in Shireroth. I have many questions.

For example, are sidearms required?

If so, I want a sword cane. As a friend of mine once said, it's the perfect weapon. If you mug someone and they pull a gun well, that's bad all right, but a worst case scenario you've probably considered.

But if they turn with a whirl and unsheathe a sword cane and shout, En Garde!, then you know you're facing a crazy person who has been just itching to have a go at someone

Again, many thanks.

[Malliki]

Sidearms aren't really required, unless you want to stay alive. Glad to have you here Bill.

[Kaiser Loki II]

Sword cane is good, some of us carry Broadswords.

(Whistles the Sword of Madness overhead.)

It's a fine sword!
When the Sword of Vengenance appears, I wonder if I can carry both?

[Bill Bekkenhuis]

Oh no, we're being invaded by Morovians!

Anyway, good to see you here. I used to follow Morovia a bit, and I was impressed with your attempts to discuss theology there. You're actually here at a good time since we (unusually) have two religion related threads going on now ("Who's Pulling the Strings" here, and "Christ Is With Shireroth" in the Multi-Temple). If you want to bring any of that here, the Multi-Temple is the place to do it, but I warn you there are a lot of pretty strong atheists around.

Bah!

I've crossed swords with atheists since the Olden Days on talk.religion.misc and talk.atheists (which I think I even voted for). And again, with the Internet Infidels and the Xianity Yahoo discussion group.

And I've bested them each time. (Which, loosely translated from the ancient Greek, means they think I'm an idiot. )

I'm a Christian who believes in the Trinity, the Incarnation, the Atonement and a couple of other obscure theological terms that escape me at the moment. But I also go to a Unitarian Universalist church. (Does that split an infinitive? "But I go also"? Whatever! )

So, all bets are off. Even I don't know what I believe!

Also, I was the founder (and almost the sole participant, if I remember correctly) of the Briesk Freethought Society, so I have that going for me as well (not up there with caddying for the Dali Lama, but the best I can do.)

Thanks, Scott, good to cross paths with you again.

[hypatias mom]

Bill--

Welcome to Shireroth. I'm glad we could provide such a rousing welcome for you. I hope you decide to stay here. It sounds like you would fit right in. As H4773r says, "We're all mad here." Yes, you are encouraged to carry a weapon if you feel threatened, but not all of us do.

Shireroth has many interesting people and places, and we have room for you if you immigrate. (Oh, btw, I'm Minister of Immigration and Naturalization, and would love to approve your application for citizenship here.)

You might also be interested in our local customs. When celebrating or offering to the local gods, people bring a celebratory explosive, firework, hand grenade, etc., whatever will go B0O0/\/\. And celebrations are often accompanied with orange beer, sparkling mango juice, spicy chicken and fired fish. It's a party here.

[Scott of Hyperborea]

BILL BEKKENHUIS FOR KAISER!

[Kaiser Loki II]

He would make a very good one. Skilled, well-spoken, diplomatic.

[Scott of Hyperborea]

You know, this is exactly what happened on Hypatia's Mom's "Hi, I'm Hypatia's mom, I'm just here looking around to see what my daughter's doing on the Internet" thread, and from then it was...probably less than two years until she became Kaiseress Carol I.

[Kaiser Ayreon]

And immediately there were calls for a Kaiseress Hypatia's Mom!

[Kaiser Loki II]

Her Kaiseresship was merely in unfortunate times.

Carol II?

[Scott of Hyperborea]

Ayreon: Carol was Hypatia's Mom...unless I'm misunderstanding what you're saying.

[Liam conToketi]

I think he's saying there are calls for her kaiseresship now...

Hey, I'd be all for it...

[Kaiser Ayreon]

You're both wrong. I meant that once she appeared in Shireroth, people craved for her to ascend the throne. Whether it was humorously or seriously I can't remember

[Kaiser Loki II]

She was a noble Kaiseress!

http://www.shireroth.org/shirewiki/Kaiseress_Carol_I

[hypatias mom]

While I appreciate your kind remarks about my reign, I was merely selected to caretake a very sick and dying Shireroth after her Kaiser had thrown in the towel, twice. Most of the old guard had left, Erik had RL issues and was unavailable to help, so I was asked to hold the throne. I did my best, but I don't have the imagination of youth, nor am I a role-player, so I was really out of my depth.

Yes, as a matter of fact, I did join because I was suspicious about this weird group that had captured my daughter's time and interest, and wanted her safe on the internet. I laugh about that now that she has now gone on to oher things and I am still here, apparently acting as the dorm-mom for the country.

I have no desire to rule again, and though I have my favorites here, I merely wish for things to all be trruthfully done, and above board. May the right Kaiser be crowned. The decision has not been finalized. I await the outcome of this present conflict with interest.

[Jess]

I Like Mike (Fors)

[Erik Mortis]

I like Ike... wait...