Bullies?

[Dr. Nash Fang]

Dr. Fang:

Correct me if I am wrong, but was there not a time in history when an offending vampire was killed as quickly as possible? The number of attackers mattered little as long as the offender was dead. What is with the trend of this tactic being named bullying? I prefer to call it conservation of resources, rather than bullying. Thoughts?

A Bully.


Dear Bully:

You are not wrong. Vampires who targeted another for a zeroing in the past usually chose to do the deed as swiftly as possible. In fact, there are still those who do such these nights. I can think of several instances where this is the case, especially within certain clans. I myself am a fan of swift and efficient retribution.

I believe the so-called trend of referring to this alacrity of response as “bullying” is merely another by-product of the influx of vampires who do not wish to be held accountable for their words and deeds. Many of these newer vampires enter the City believing that they don’t have to worry about their conduct. However, at some point, their lack of proper behavior is met with a show of force, generally in the form of a rain of Holy Water or Garlic Spray, quickly followed by speed-scrolling.

The miscreant in a case like this is swiftly and sometimes brutally zeroed by multiple vampires. This show of force is met with a resistance on the part of said miscreant to acknowledge their offense, which brought on the punishment. In order to maximize their role as victim, and shift blame away from themselves, the zeroed vampire will accuse the attackers of bullying.

This is but one example of when the cry of “bully!” is shouted. There are of course other scenarios. And, in fairness to the newer vampires of our esteemed City, not all of them refuse to monitor their own conduct as our miscreant in the above example does. I am but generalizing here, an always dangerous practice.

Now, should you change your modus operandi because of detractors? I say no. There are always those who find it easier to sit back and criticize, than to lead by example.

As always, readers of this column are invited to reply.


Sincerely,


Dr. Nash Fang

[black_dragonet]

*sighs*
There indeed was a time in history when an offending vampire was killed as quickly as possible, and this era fortunately has not stopped.
It remains true that each vampire should be accountable for his own deeds. The key word in the previous sentence is « own ».
There was a time in history when an offending vampire was killed by those they had offended, as well as the relatives, relatives then being either clansmates or family, sometimes both. However, in such times, people who had not been offended did not take part to the zeroing.
To sum it up, family and clan used to and still should zero offending vampires, and please make it mercifully quick and silent (for us).

In recent times, something has changed… Some people have started attacking relatives of the offending vampires, or threatened to attack relatives that happen to be completely unrelated to the offence.
Some people have also started making zeroings an open event. Zeroings are not a free-for all, open-invitation event. They are a clan and/or family taking the proper response to an offence.
Non clan, non-family vampires have no reason whatsoever to be involved in the zeroing of whatever miscreant.
To me, the two above behaviours are bullying, sometimes bandwagon bullying.

A clan and a family grouping to defend an offended clan and family member are a rational and coordinated proper response, have been, and shall remain so.
Non clan, non-family vampires should not be allowed to get involved in a zeroing, since it makes the « rightful » attackers look like bullies. If the « rightful » attackers let others join the fray, then they are accomplices to bullying, hence bullies themselves.
I remember a time when Damari let a group zero a vampire, though she had a strong personal reason to zero said vampire. She waited until the torpor time was over, then attacked on her own. She did not join the previous zeroing…

So, to answer you, Dr Nash and bully…
What is called bullying is not group attacking a miscreant, it is attacking other vampires than the miscreant and/or involving vampires that have no clan nor family relation to the offended vampires.
Attacking as a group is only proper fighting management.

This is only my opinion on the matter, and I am open to any further enlightenment on the issue. I am especially curious to know what the elders think on this matter and the proper way to handle a zeroing.
I know I sometimes am outdated… *grins*

[ophelia Lokason]

Oct 16, 2008 0:59:31 GMT -8 black_dragonet said:

In recent times, something has changed… Some people have started attacking relatives of the offending vampires, or threatened to attack relatives that happen to be completely unrelated to the offence.

Truthfully, this isn't a recent tactic. And it's one I've used myself. Unfortunately at times, the sins of one are visited on another and if it is the only viable means of getting end results then it is certainly acceptable. Often times this practice is used for encouraging, albeit with violence, ceaseing/desisting or if a target is stuck in a rut of refusing to move once the battle has begun.

Sometimes 'talk talk talk' just isn't sufficient or will simply not work or apply. As well, there are limits to just how much 'round table' discussions one is willing to tolerate, if at all. Each case has its own variables and its up to the discretion of the participants to figure them out.

~HiS~

[seyda]

Oct 16, 2008 0:59:31 GMT -8 black_dragonet said:

In recent times, something has changed… Some people have started attacking relatives of the offending vampires, or threatened to attack relatives that happen to be completely unrelated to the offence.

Yes, something has changed in recent times, but it isn't what you're claiming. In recent times, the city has been over-run with vampires who have no clue what really used to go on in older times nor do they care. They instead create their own half truths about what has occurred or what is changing in present day and attempt to use that to support whatever opinion they seem to hold.

The attack of relatives is an old practice. When vampires act without honor and grace in times of war, then unfortunately, those who have chosen to associate with that vampire usually end up becoming collateral damage. For example, when vampires are hiding in shadows from attacks, or when vampires just will flat out not listen to reason.

It's a tactic that has been used by several elders in this city. In fact, it's a tactic that has been used by a lot of elders that you yourself hold great respect for. It's a tactic that has been used a lot in the past, and it will most certainly happen again.

To continue with the topic, at the end of the day, anyone can attack anyone at any given time and their reason can simply be, "Because I felt like it." As long as they are being open and honest about their reasons, it's all fair game in my eyes.

If a vampire does not wish to be attacked by several vampires, then perhaps they should watch what they say and do and not place themselves in a position for it to occur. In my experience, those who complain about the gang mentality are just too inept to be able to create a functional gang of their own.

If you don't want to be attacked by multiple vampires, then do not attack a clanned vampire or a vampire in a strong family. And most certainly do not attack a clan leader or head of a family.

Anytime you take a weapon out of your bag and throw it at another vampire, you are not only placing yourself at risk, but you are placing any vampire that you love and care for at risk as well. Those who cannot see that are living with their heads in the sand.

We are vampires. This is not Romper Room or Pee Wee's Playhouse. We are killers by nature. Stop being pussies, and if you wanna have a threesome with Bert and Ernie, then go live on Sesame Street.

This message is brought to you by the faux mayor of RavenBlack with help from the letters F and U.

[Katastrophe St. John-Talon]

And by the number 69.

[Phoenixxe]

Most tactics have there time and place. Anything from being diplomatic, to attacking close friends or family members of someone.

Being called a bully for attacking someone or a group is nothing new, whining about it isn't even knew. Frankly, there are just more places for those claiming to be bullied to whine at.

[Elektra]

*dies* Kat...