Shireroth

I've been spending this summer in the countryside, doing (simple and repetitive) work by day and reading (the internet) by night, so I guess it's natural that Shireroth's kind of been feeling overly significant to me lately, but... uh...

Well, I'm not big on dream interpretation. I think that lists offering elaborate symbolic significances for dream objects that try to help you live your life as you subconsciously want to are BS (and don't even get me started on the "messages from something supernatural" thing). However, if you've been feeling a certain emotion in your waking life, and that emotion then dominates your dreams, there's probably a connection, even if you can't actually learn anything from it.

Last night, I dreamed I was stuck in a simulation. You know, the Matrix kind of thing, unable to wake up by myself or to affect or sense the outside world. I could talk with friends by telephone, though. Also, I knew the simulation was supposed to be voluntary. The people arranging the simulation were keeping me in against me will. I felt betrayed.

That's all, really. I woke up from this dream at 2 AM only long enough to commit the general idea that I found interesting to memory, and went back to sleep.

Now I've said it before but I'll say it again: I always tried to stay emotionally distant from Shireroth, but the Great Consolidation was just too awesome and I slipped. I was considering not posting this at all, in this age where being a self-described micronational villain in Shireroth is cool and entitles you for kaisership, but hey, I try to be an honest and earnest guy even if most of the activity comes from roleplayers.


So, now that I'm done with the uncool part, here's my current opinion on the succession for Kaisership. I think what should be done:

- Ric should still get the throne. Every argument except Jake's personal feelings of entitlement from private communication says this should be done; Ric is the Kaiser by law, and the one supported by most of the population and the dukes, and the one who's been a Shirithian waiting for his turn on the throne longer, and the right kind of gentle but strong leader to heal wounds caused by Hasan
- Ric should induct Jacobus into the Order of the Dragon, for his exceptional work on the wiki and other contributions. Also, see if benkern will switch the positions of the Count of Florencia and the Baron of the Holy Lands
- Ric should also declare a suitably villainous historical epithet for Hasan (the tradition of kaiserial epithets might be mostly dead, but as we remember from Letifer III, not all dead), perhaps "the betrayer"
- and finally, Jake should stop fighting the "Hasan-imposed government" and start working with the Ric government instead.

And there lies the rub. So far as I can tell, Jake is not interested in surrendering the throne to Ric, though I believe he might be amenable to a different solution. Unless this is put into place, I believe we will not see the end of strife here in Shireroth. I happen to think he believes he has been wronged here, which he has, but also that he is willing to keep struggling to the death or destruction of this nation if another solution is not brought.

Ari, you have one of the cooler heads in micronationalism, and it is okay to have strong feelings for this country. People listen to your words and take them into account in times of strife. Please keep speaking your words of wisdom and common sense. We need a strong dose of this on a regular basis.

- and finally, Jake should stop fighting the "Hasan-imposed government" and start working with the Ric government instead.

*Bitternes strikes again*

That's easy to say. But Jacobus did the same with Hasan and was betrayed.

To be fair, Ric isn't me. He actually cares about your feelings.

Ric should still get the throne. Every argument except Jake's personal feelings of entitlement from private communication says this should be done; Ric is the Kaiser by law, and the one supported by most of the population and the dukes, and the one who's been a Shirithian waiting for his turn on the throne longer, and the right kind of gentle but strong leader to heal wounds caused by Hasan

.

Ooh, is this the place where we get to be honest about stuff?

Because I was thinking sort of along the same lines, except for one thing. For me, Jake's claim comes from the huge amount of work he's done for Shireroth lately, from keeping it alive during the Letifer days to all of the Wiki updates he's been doing. That should be and is a way the Kaisership is decided. On the other hand, Ric is known for being moderate and good at reaching across divides. Personal promises and legal issues are all nice and well but not all that important (except to the people involved, of course).

I eventually decided in favor of Ric because Jake was just burning too many bridges. But I still think Jacobus should get a throne or at least something nice in the future to compensate him for the huge amount of work he's done around here.

Should that be the case? I can think of situations where an individual has done a great deal of work but was not made Kaiser. Merit is important, but hard work does not necessarily make a good leader.

My actions aside, If Jacobus "rebels" every time something doesn't go his way, how would he act when the Landsraad doesn't side with him? Or the Arbiter? When I was Kaiser I have to admit a great deal of frustration when my plans did not come to pass. That was when I knew it was time for me to step down, despite the fact that I had more projects I wanted to complete. When I started questioning the Charter I knew I was risking the well being of the state and therefore knew it was time for someone else. A main consideration of who would replace me was based off of Jacobus' reaction when things didn't go his way. In all cases, he's burned bridges, stated he's willing to sacrifice the well being of Shireroth and generally disrupted things. The original story line I had planned was that I would be assassinated and we'd have an enjoyable Shakespearian succession drama. Then I found out about a few other deals going on (not going to go into it) and also looked at Jacobus' reaction. So, yes he's worked hard. Yes it was insinuated that he would be the next Kaiser by virtue of him being appointed Steward. And yes it is disappointing when things don't go your way. But the reaction was too much. As far as I can tell, being Kaiser is primarily about making good decisions and being able to adapt when and if those decisions go bad. The Kaiser isn't responsible for building orbats or drafting legislation, although he can. The Throne seems (to me at least) to be a sort of "Supreme Arbiter". Ric has proved many many times that he is the man for that job.

So let's look at what would have happened if Jacobus had been made Kaiser? What would Shireroth be like then? I had to ask myself that and consider the options. So no one liked my decision. That's fine, I can take it. I'll most likely be removed as Duke for just deserts as a result. Fine again. And if people think I didn't think this through before I made Ric my heir, they're mistaken. I had anticipated Jacobus' reaction and thought to myself. "If he takes it well and is simply disappointed, I've made a mistake. If he throws a tantrum and threatens rebellion and civil war, I've made the right choice". I stand by the decision I made regardless of whether it is unpopular. I still believe Ric is the better man for the job.

Think about it carefully.

Every "tantrum" I've had in Shireroth has been against the heavy handed, overbearing, concieted actions of a Kaiser unworthy of the honor formerly attached thereto.

Scott's ritual show me that some shred of honor remains in Shireroth.

(continued on the main forum)

I think you're post proves my point further.

Hasan, you must be proud on yourself that you experiment with peoples feelings and with the wellbeing of the state. You are the one that caused the problems, even when you knew how Jacobus would react.

Be very proud on yourself.

Hey, Jonas, I might be emotionally attached but I'm responsible for my own dreams here. In the end, Hasan's doing what makes Shireroth fun for him and quite a few other people. It's just that what he's doing happens to be being a dick.

Hey, at least I'm aware of it.

Ari Rahikkala wrote:Hey, Jonas, I might be emotionally attached but I'm responsible for my own dreams here. In the end, Hasan's doing what makes Shireroth fun for him and quite a few other people. It's just that what he's doing happens to be being a dick.

Yes, maybe. But betrayal like this is not something what I call fun.

Depends on how seriously one takes it. Being a dick can be entertaining for a lot of people. And the PPD count benefitted as well.

Mike Fors wrote:Depends on how seriously one takes it. Being a dick can be entertaining for a lot of people. And the PPD count benefitted as well.

We may praise the Lord* for those posts!


*: Loki of course

fgsfds

Ari's right about one thing at least.

Benkern,

have you received a PM from me just now?

Yes, two, sorry I was typing a post elsewhere and neglected to see it. I shall reply via PM presently.