On the Theory of Narrative Causality

[Ari Rahikkala]

I've been polluting a bunch of threads around the place by telling Erik to step down as Kaiser without ever really telling anyone why... well, here's an apology and clarification for all that. Erik, your reign as Mors V has been one of the best Shireroth has ever had, if not the best when you compare what we have now to what we had when you came in. You've absolutely done nothing wrong, and I am sorry for making it sound as if you had. The civil war is a strictly positive thing too (though it took me a couple of days to realise that), and you should congratulate Carol for noticing and using the opportunity to make the best of the spark that you created.

No, it's not Erik as Kaiser that I'm protesting... it's the continuation of Kaiser Mors V when there's every chance that the civil war will provide an excellent chance for him to give up his reign in order to give credence to the war. Maybe he will charge into battle and be slain by a worthy enemy - the next Kaiser, for instance? Maybe the war will wind down and he will step down as if to stop the fighting - it will make the war go out with a bang and, despite knowing the reason, it will appear wonderful anyway when you look back on it later. Maybe he'll be betrayed, maybe he'll go insane and blast the country with nuclear bombs... you have an opportunity to make history cool here, Erik, don't let it pass by!

(just to reiterate and make sure you understand: It really isn't about you. It's about the story. We've been weaving a coherent Shirithian narrative for close to a decade here. Sometimes things just happen for the sake of the story.)

This same story is, by the way, why I endorse andelarion as the next Kaiser. He hasn't publicly established whether he's willing to take the position or not, but in your position, Erik, I'd be willing to give it to him. As Ardashir put it - Long live Andelarion, Lord of the Two Realms, Emperor of the Two Worlds! The tradition that the Kaiser can't be a dual citizen is... not important if you can really trust the person, and I definitely trust Ric. Much more important than upholding the tradition is the fact that andelarion as Kaiser would be immensely cool.

And of course, if you just want to continue being Kaiser, you can do it under a different name - if you ignore Mahamantot I's reign, that's what you've been doing so far as Mors V anyway...

[Jonas]

And of course, if you just want to continue being Kaiser, you can do it under a different name - if you ignore Mahamantot I's reign, that's what you've been doing so far as Mors V anyway...

Mahamantot I brought the kaiser back to live! You can't ignore hime

[benkern]

What about Kaiser Augeore then? He should be included if Mahamantot is included.

[hypatias mom]

Ari--

The only problem I see with Ric as Kaiser is that he is (or at least, was, I'm not sure) Shah of Babkha. Last time I looked he has more than one micronational citizenship, making him ineligible for the position, though he is eminently qualified.

[Jonas]

What about Kaiser Augeore then? He should be included if Mahamantot is included.

Kaiser... who?
He isn't worth it.

Hail to the dead Mahamantot I! Hail to our current Kaiser Mors V!

[Ari Rahikkala]

Ari--

The only problem I see with Ric as Kaiser is that he is (or at least, was, I'm not sure) Shah of Babkha. Last time I looked he has more than one micronational citizenship, making him ineligible for the position, though he is eminently qualified.

Uh... did you read my post? That's the reason why he should be the Kaiser!

[hypatias mom]

I did read your post, and the last time I looked, the one citizenship for the Kaiser rule was still fully in force. How does one get around that little obstacle? Yes, it would be cool, but unless Erik changed things by Kaiserial fiat, he could not reign here.

[Aurangzeb Khan]

The Kaiser can still break his own laws can't he?

[hypatias mom]

Of course, he can if he wishes. He is Kaiser, and can do anything he wishes (within the tolerance level of his subjects, that is).

[Aurangzeb Khan]

(within the tolerance level of his subjects, that is).

Which brings us back to Ari's contention that Ric is well within the tolerance levels of almost all of the Imperial Republic's citizen-subjects:

The tradition that the Kaiser can't be a dual citizen is... not important if you can really trust the person, and I definitely trust Ric. Much more important than upholding the tradition is the fact that andelarion as Kaiser would be immensely cool.

[hypatias mom]

I concede your point. I think, however, that Erik's reign should only end when he chooses.

[Aurangzeb Khan]

On your last point, agreed.

[Braden Indianensis]

Honestly, if you replace Erik right now, Shireroth will go to hell in a hand-cart.

[andelarion]

As much as I am honoured to be seen as a potential kaiser , I have to agree that Mors's reign ends when he so chooses. I hope chooses wisely when the day comes, because this country needs a devoted leader, and Erik is the überleader of Shireroth.

It is an interesting scenario that Ari brings up. It's very cool. Doing things for the sake of narration is a concept worth exploring. The civil war that we're (almost) plunged in is very entertaining, and I will certainly remember it for a long time.

[hypatias mom]

Taking things to extremes when the right people are in place to play off of it can develop into an amazingly wonderful adventure. Thanks, guys, for taking this little incident and running with it.

[Scott of Hyperborea]

NO!

I'm usually the first person calling for Erik's head, like when he was chronically inactive as Mors IV, but...this is the best Kaisership we've ever had. He hasn't made a single misstep. And he's only a month and a half or so into his traditional three month reign.

The recwar is obviously screwed up. Erik posted something like "Hey, I'm sending paratroopers in, haha" and everyone was so desperate for something to be happening they blew it out of proportion. It's not reality's job to fit itself to what happens in a badly-planned recwar. If it were, we'd all be dead thanks to Troy Thompson and his nuking ways. It's a badly-planned recwar's job to adapt itself to reality. If people were actually revolting because they hated the Kaiser, that'd be different, but nobody is.

Oh, and to the people supporting Ric - THE CROWN IS NOT A TOY. We seem to have this thing going on ever since...well, Aurefiction at least...that it's fun to give the crown to whoever it seems most surprising to give it to, so we can be amused by the results. Well, even though I've never been able to convince Erik of this, who the Kaiser is is the number one factor in whether Shireroth lives or dies. I think Ric's a nice guy, but it's completely against the law for him to get the throne and I don't think "But wouldn't it be cool if the same guy was in charge of Babkha and Shireroth" is, in and of itself, sufficient justification for handing a country over to someone.

Until three months to the day after Mors' coronation, I say, HAIL ERIK. And if I have to, I'll send the Hyperborean paladins into the recwar to defend him.

[Kaiser Mors V]

I think I h ave a very 'Erik' solution to this problem of who's the next Kaiser....

[Harald of Froyalan]

NO!

I'm usually the first person calling for Erik's head, like when he was chronically inactive as Mors IV, but...this is the best Kaisership we've ever had. He hasn't made a single misstep. And he's only a month and a half or so into his traditional three month reign.

Shyriath was Mors IV. I remember this very well because it was during his reign thay I became a Citizen of Shireroth.

I furthermore agree with you that Kaiser Mors V's reign is the best Kaiseral reign ever.

[Shyriath]

Until three months to the day after Mors' coronation, I say, HAIL ERIK. And if I have to, I'll send the Hyperborean paladins into the recwar to defend him.

And I'll find a way to raise the old Knights of the Burning Claw from the dead, as well! Fear the zombies!

Shyriath was Mors IV. I remember this very well because it was during his reign thay I became a Citizen of Shireroth.

*Bows*

(Didn't I get awarded some Stormarkian order back then? I was thinking about that while I was filling out the census, though for the life of me I can't remember anymore what it was or what I would've managed to do to deserve it...)

I think I h ave a very 'Erik' solution to this problem of who's the next Kaiser....

*Wonders if it'll involve very large B0O0O0/\/\s*

[hypatias mom]

Erik--

Seriously, I think the most "Erik" solution you can come up with, if you are getting tired of the way things are going right now, although I think they are a blast (sorry, an old word, but I don't know an equivalent current one), would be to just find an interesting way to return as a different Kaiser. I think, though, that Mors V is a great Kaiser, and Kaisers have the right to be a bit strange and unpredictable--that's what makes them interesting. We love it right now and would hate for things to settle down into a rut again. Please stay.

[Liam conToketi]

(sorry, an old word, but I don't know an equivalent current one)

Meh, I still use the word "blast" in that sense. I don't know if there is a more current word...

[Scott of Hyperborea]

Shyriath was Mors IV. I remember this very well because it was during his reign thay I became a Citizen of Shireroth.

Sorry, I was thinking of Letifer II.

[Kaiser Mors V]

SCott.. We need to get you drunk....

[Jonas]

The good kaisers/leaders are always killed in history, aren't they?

Hail to Mors V! That he lives forever!
Or long enough...

[Harald of Froyalan]

*Bows*

(Didn't I get awarded some Stormarkian order back then? I was thinking about that while I was filling out the census, though for the life of me I can't remember anymore what it was or what I would've managed to do to deserve it...)[/b]*

Yes, you were appointed Knight Companion of the Most Magnificent Imperial Order of the Sovereign Viking Crown on February 13, 2005. I became a Citizen of Shireroth on February 22, 2005.

[Harald of Froyalan]

The Kaiser can still break his own laws can't he?

Unfortunatly there is also is an MCS rule which prohibits persons from being head of state of more than one MCS members.

[Ari Rahikkala]

If andelarion were named Kaiser, I don't think the MCS would have a problem with it... Scott's right, though, I'm a bit too eager to see Shireroth and its crown as things to play with...

[benkern]

If andelarion were named Kaiser, I don't think the MCS would have a problem with it...

I think they would, since there are various interpretations of the pretext behind that rule.

[Maksym Hadjimehmetov]

Let's just say that whoever of the rebel faction reaches Shirekeep first is the new kaiser when Erik decides to step down!

[Jacobus Loki]

Ric is a good guy (for a Babkhan. Hey , wait, the Babkhans are friendly now....)

But I think the one-citizen rule is a good one. I mean, a grasping, greedy, power-mad person, like say (er) Jacobus would always be promoting himself for the job, and that would be worse for Shireroth than Erik on a two week Courvoisier bender.

(Of course, if Shireroth were to conquer Morovia and the FRC.... , nah, Vincent wouldn't like that at all......)

I LOVE THE IDEA OF NARRATIVE CASALITY!

One of the reasons the Cyberia Wars lasted as long as they (have? did?) was the infamous, evil Simulations Control Act, which made the President into God for all intents, (none of them ever even had a Sword of Light or of Vengeance.) and the incredible abuse thereof.

Back on point. Yes, N.C. would generate all sorts of weird posts, but so what? If it was good/weird somebody would add to it, and if it was bad/weird, a consensus would squash it, or re-direct it, fairly quickly.

This leads me to another though which should have its own thread...