Rienhardt
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IGN: Rienhard | OOC: Richard
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Oct 17, 2009 10:40:31 GMT -8
Post by Rienhardt on Oct 17, 2009 10:40:31 GMT -8
So, I was racking my brain trying to pick a decent subject for my first column entry. I thought about what's going on in the city now with the skirmish that recently took place, people leaving the city, going D&B and/or being DFC... you read the news. I thought all of those would be to obvious aside from the fact that they've been discussed to death; hell I just didn't like em. So I decided to write about something that I don't think has be brought to public discussion. I was talking to a certain lady a few nights ago about the state in which this town is, and has been in for a bit. Several interesting points were made through out this chat including one that I've been making in similar conversations for quite some time now. I think its safe to safe that the slow season in town is widely known to be the summer, so a lot of people weren't really fazed by the fact that this summer was dead. I mean this summer was redundantly quiet; a lot more then usual. Seems like a lot of pires took a long break simultaneously, while others just left. Now, I'll be the first to say that without certain pires strolling about the streets and causing mayhem or not the city is a little dimmer. But the city is not boring because these pires left. Its the other way around. The fact is that this town now holds a few (very few) large and/or powerful clans and these clans long have been allied. Granted, its a smart tactic to join forces with those that match or surpass your strength, I'm sure. And yea, we all know they've earned it . But while those factions sit comfortably on top tucked in under the same colored banner... you've got an odd bunch of small clans just chomping at the chance to fight amongst each other with what resources they've acquired between fights. Not to mention those formally formidable clans that are so loyal to each other and clan the refuse to give either up. So boys and girls its no surprise that with such political imbalance things have grown stagnant… for all corners of society. I mean fighting over and over for second, third or forth place isn't exactly the beez neez, and I may be alone in this but if I'm ever on top of anything for to long without some motion beneath me I just get bored.
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Oct 17, 2009 12:28:37 GMT -8
Post by black_dragonet on Oct 17, 2009 12:28:37 GMT -8
My human mother had a few wise lines... One of those was "rich people are the ones who keep their monies in their coffers rather than spend it on useless things". I think the same goes with power, and of course coins...
I have found that smaller clans, though often filled with good fighter, are often found wanting in terms of leadership. There are several ways to lose a fight, and also several ways to win one, one of the obvious ones being not to fight it. Yes, a powerful clan is one who choses his fights rather than the opposite, and one who does not even need to fight to make his points.
On that issue, I have already questioned Clan L'inconnu's handling of the Ferry/HA war. Full of very good fighters that clan is, but their leaders consumed or threw away a lot of their resources, getting little gain in their involvement. Said resources they found lacking when they became attacked by the patchwork alliance. Excellent example to my view of how a lack of strategic planning can seriously impair a clan's growth.
I think a lot of clans could thrive and come to greatness if they were not so greedy for fame and glory. Those are not what brings greatness to a clan. I think vampires should invest more in hard work, respect, and common courtesy. Time would bring them greatness.
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Laurelgwynn
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"We Gladly Feast On Those Who Would Subdue Us"
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Oct 17, 2009 15:08:56 GMT -8
Post by Laurelgwynn on Oct 17, 2009 15:08:56 GMT -8
Now correct me if I am wrong and I do not wish to take anything away from what you have said black_dragonet for you have a very good point indeed, But what I think Rien was getting at is, that as these smaller clans in this city piss all over each other, the few larger clans are sitting back and doing what they do best, gather coins gather weapons and bide there time.
With all these smaller skirmishes and pissing match wars going on these last few weeks and months and with coins and resources being depleted whose to say the few larger clans sitting on there unused resources wouldn't just come in and decimate the city. There is a huge unbalance in this city.
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Oct 17, 2009 15:38:46 GMT -8
Post by vermathraxrex on Oct 17, 2009 15:38:46 GMT -8
This is something I have pondered as well. The problem is, the larger groups have formed a pretty solid wall in the sense of you really need to be sure what it is you are getting into if you challenge them. Now, the most logical answer would be for all these second level (and please understand, I am not judging anyone-just using terms to describe the situations) clans to be patient, build up and keep focused on the larger goals. But considering everyone on the second tier is willing to go all out in a piss for distance contest over the most trivial of matters, it makes me wounder if any of them could stay united and focused long enough to accomplish anything except being an amusement for the upper tier clans to watch. There has always been power blocks in this city, but in the past there were enough of other just as strong groups to set up a counter balance to them. But now? It will be awhile till a unified front is born to challenge that successfully. But then again, at the rate some vamps are going d&b from sheer boredom, you could always wait them out. *snickers* For the other side of this is, some alliance of clans may be the biggest thing in the city, but without an equal opposite to work against, the big one begins to suffer in other ways. You can only bank, buy and prepare for so long till the tedium of it drives one to sheer boredom. So yes, the little guys prove no serious challenge, but then again what do the big ones have to work with? They could do a massive sweep of the city and literally take over (shades of when 'Join or Die' actually meant something!) but for what reason? A momentary reprieve from boredom and nothing more. Trust me, Number One is suffering just as much as Two, Three, Four, and Twelve is-trust me.
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Coldy
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Nothing happens unless first we dream.
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Oct 17, 2009 21:33:57 GMT -8
Post by Coldy on Oct 17, 2009 21:33:57 GMT -8
I agree. The summer has left many pires bored out of thier minds. And what better way to cure boredem than to lash out at eachother. Frankly, it's getting rather tiring.
Side note. To quote black_dragonet. "I have found that smaller clans, though often filled with good fighter, are often found wanting in terms of leadership." I don't believe this could have been said any better. This is most definately the case and the smaller clans are dwindling in size as members come and go looking for proper leadership. This may also be another cause for the extreme boredom some pires feel.
Edited: A thousand apologies. I misspelled the name.
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seyda
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Oct 18, 2009 4:49:40 GMT -8
Post by seyda on Oct 18, 2009 4:49:40 GMT -8
It's called discipline. And you either have it or you don't. The difference in being the upper tier and anything lower is the intangibles. Always has been and always will be.
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Rienhardt
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IGN: Rienhard | OOC: Richard
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Oct 18, 2009 16:46:56 GMT -8
Post by Rienhardt on Oct 18, 2009 16:46:56 GMT -8
Its not that black and white, there are a lot more deciding factors in play... but enough about that. You missed the point I was trying to make completely.
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seyda
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Oct 18, 2009 17:09:36 GMT -8
Post by seyda on Oct 18, 2009 17:09:36 GMT -8
Um...deciding factors = intangibles. And I didn't misunderstand you at all. The reason all of them are eating each other alive and the top dogs are laughing is because they have no discipline. Those that have it are on top. Those that don't shoot their wads all over each other in a futile attempt to improve their standing. You've done nothing but restate that obvious; something that the top dogs have known and talked about amonst themselves for years.
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Damari
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Oct 19, 2009 0:25:14 GMT -8
Post by Damari on Oct 19, 2009 0:25:14 GMT -8
*woofs*
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Lameth
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People say I make strange choices, but they're not strange for me. IGN:Lameth
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Oct 19, 2009 0:29:16 GMT -8
Post by Lameth on Oct 19, 2009 0:29:16 GMT -8
And yet, people within some of these considered top tier clans wouldn't know jack shit about discipline if it bit them on the ass and ripped out a chunk. Nor would some considered top tier people, they just happen to have gotten lucky, or known the right people, or both. But thank you, Seyda for your positively meaningful and clearly well thought opinion. Just to clarify, since the man says you misunderstood his point, and you're not him, so obviously you know fuck all what his point actually was. When he says you missed his point, I think you missed his point.
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Oct 19, 2009 1:56:53 GMT -8
Post by vermathraxrex on Oct 19, 2009 1:56:53 GMT -8
Discipline is indeed part of the overall picture. Patience, discipline, in ways the same thing. But even that will hold a power together for only so long without positive goals and motivation. Unless a purpose arises to keep such motivation going beyond simply being number one, it will begin to become a bit disjointed. If and when the smaller clans learn such things they will begin to grow and forge themselves into capable units. But, and to clarify, I am not accusing anyone of being this-just using the historical concept as an example, Nazi Germany built themselves into an effective unit as well, but even they knew sooner or later they had to 'use it or loose it'. Now of course they had geared their economy around the concept of building a war machine, so perhaps their motivation went beyond simple concepts of might and more of economics (to begin with anyway) But the analogy is sound I think. The strain of keeping all focused and battle ready when there is little around to prove a worthy challenge outside of the simple concept of being able to say 'We're Number One!' would have to take its toll eventually. And as city history has taught us all, what rises will soon fall, and what falls will soon rise again. You can see this idea in action in city and human history. Rome was pretty damn awesome at one point in time, but I imagine they could not understand what was happening to them when they watched the Visigoths advancing on the city itself. Think about it.
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Damari
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Oct 19, 2009 3:05:47 GMT -8
Post by Damari on Oct 19, 2009 3:05:47 GMT -8
And yet, people within some of these considered top tier clans wouldn't know jack shit about discipline if it bit them on the ass and ripped out a chunk. Nor would some considered top tier people, they just happen to have gotten lucky, or known the right people, or both. But thank you, Seyda for your positively meaningful and clearly well thought opinion. Just to clarify, since the man says you misunderstood his point, and you're not him, so obviously you know fuck all what his point actually was. When he says you missed his point, I think you missed his point. A classic example of Second Tier Wad Blower
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Oct 19, 2009 3:56:43 GMT -8
Post by ladypeacek on Oct 19, 2009 3:56:43 GMT -8
I believe his point had nothing to do with WHY top tier clans were top and less than so, were that way. Just that if it stays that way, again - regardless of the reasons, things will just cycle over and over until everyone fuckers off and the city is a ghost town. If to change, small clans need more disicpline, and large clans need to step off their high horse, so be it, but till one or the other happens...the city will be a snooze fest. *shrugs*
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Rienhardt
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IGN: Rienhard | OOC: Richard
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Oct 19, 2009 7:05:27 GMT -8
Post by Rienhardt on Oct 19, 2009 7:05:27 GMT -8
Um...deciding factors = intangibles. Not quite... As for the rest, since all you really did was elaborate on your previous statement, I'll reply in the same fashion. You missed the point I was trying to make completely... again. Like peacek said; my point had nothing to do with WHY top tier clans are on top. Even if it did, discipline has not been the only deciding factor. Granted, it is necessary, no one argues that. But there are many more factors in play. But again enough about that. What I was trying to bring attention to is the fact that the there's no longer balance in this town. No balance of power. The power has been in the hands of the big factions (who we all know are allied) for to long now, and they're doing nothing with it. I mean sure, some point, some criticize, some laugh; but other then that, they're just sitting on it. Mean while the rest of the factions refuse to agree with each other long enough to make an impact. Instead they go at it every chance they get. Which kind of gives you new found respect for the little guys, I mean at least they're doing something. People comment all the time on things being boring, stagnant. This is the reason. No one with enough leverage is doing anything. There's no cycle, no motion, no shift. And the city's been suffering because of it. The city need's a make over. If it doesn't get it soon I'm sure the the graveyards will over populate before we know it. PS: Damari I don't think Lameth could have proved his point better had he tried. Point was proven before he made it. Every word you've ever said proves it... not that I keep track. You say so much its hard sometimes... mind numbing @_@
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Andre
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Oct 19, 2009 7:18:37 GMT -8
Post by Andre on Oct 19, 2009 7:18:37 GMT -8
You say that peace is indicative of political imbalance. Surely quite the reverse is true?
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