Cameron de Grey – The Village

Post WoW Omnibus Meeting Wrap Up

Greetings friends! It been a while since we had a gathering and discussed the proposal. This year at War of the Wings we took a minute! The timing was not as optimal as it could have been, and I know it was on people’s radars, but next time, come and chat!

The discussion revolved mostly around the basics of, ‘What is the Omnibus Peerage?’ I tis important to go over the basics from time to time.

The Valiance Proposal is to the martial community, what the Laurel is to the arts and sciences community.

Let’s dive in to a couple of the questions that were discussed…

Q: What do those who would be members of the Peerage call themselves?

A: The Order of Valiance was chosen by a ranked popular vote in the “Martial Peerage” Facebook group. The name “Valiance” is a place holder until the college of Arms would approve a name. At the time of writing, there is no title such as, “Laurel”.

Q: Who is allowed to hold discussions or promote the Proposal?

A: There are no restrictions. It would benefit you to reach out to the community to promote the meeting or action, generate buy-in, and spread the word. It would also help someone looking to host something like a meeting, or promote an event, to consider your own bias and affect to the space around you. One could sum this up by saying, ‘Be visible, not bold’ Be inclusive and empathetic, listen to contradictory voices. Try to understand opposing points of view or variations on thinking. When you are considerate, you may expect same consideration in kind.

As it relates to being visible… Make sure martial events are happening with regularity, opening avenues for discovery and inclusion. Make sure we as a community are talking to autocrats, event planners, and local groups about how we can better integrate and be more visible. More here. We can’t wait for our passion to be represented, we need to wear it proudly and share! Ask me about favors you can wear and share!

Sponsor events, share info, talk about the values and virtues of honoring those who are peers as peers for who they are and what they do. Read the proposal! Be ready to answer questions and help people understand why it is so important.

Though you and I may not expect to be among those so honored to be a Peer, we must all exemplify the ideal of the Peerage and the Dream. Meanwhile let us support those who are worthy, and deserving!

Discussed the culture and inclusiveness. I’ll link to previous posts (2018, 2016) so you can read what was shared.

There are many ways to show your support, please learn, share, and actively support the inclusion of the remaining segments of our Society actively precluded for bing recognized for exactly who and what they are.

Support the Valiance Proposal!

Meet and Greet for the Valiance Proposal at War of the Wings (Omnibus)

Greetings friends one and all!

Its that time of year where a young persons fancy turns to thoughts of Peerage for those who are deserving…

This year at War of the WIngs we are pleased to announce at least one meeting regarding the Valiance Proposal (Omnibus Peerage). We will be meeting at Vingolf at Saturday October 21st at 3:00 pm. Scheduled for one hour depending. Look for the banner!

This will be an open forum to discuss any issues or concerns about what the Peerage aims to achieve, walk each other through the process, or simply answer questions.

There have been several meetings over the last decade which have been successful. We had an array of positions on the proposal and discussed them openly. Very civil conversations and all voices, pro and con, were welcome.

This is the environment we want to foster this year. Bring your thoughts and concerns, or simply listen.

This Society is made great by those that care for, and nurture it.

Share the flier, and get involved!

Read a review of how our last meeting at Pennsic went!

The Reports of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

Reversing my Position

Well friends, despite my frustration and disappointment in the Society, I am going to reverse my previous position to walk away. ‘Well, no s**t there I was…’ at what was supposed to be my last event fulfilling my duties, and word to good people who deserve nothing less. Allow me to explain a little…

There have been a lot of conversations with people regarding the Martial Peerage, town hall meetings, group discussions, and back channel meetups. There are a great many people who support a path in some form or another. Some of the conversations have been supportive, especially recently.

I would like to point out here that I don’t normally spark these conversations, strangely enough people usually start the conversation with me when I am at an event. I try not to bother people with the #MartialPeerage issue, because, well, its their time too. They surely have other things they think are important to them…. but I digress.. I have organized discussions, yes, but in casual meetings, I generally try not to.

I have recently had several chats with people that I greatly respect, who have showed empathy, respect, and open minds. Having these convos have brought me to another place of understanding. Provided more information and perspective. These friends helped reveal to me that there is respect and honor, even in some places I may not expect. Remind me that perspectives are important, and context helps.

But you said…

Is it hard to ‘swallow my pride’ and reverse my previous statements? No. It isn’t about ego or pride. Though I have ego I try not to be driven by it, it is not a barrier.

This doesn’t mean things are ‘o.k.’, they aren’t. Bias is fairly rampant in this Society. I don’t think ignoring it helps. Always call out a bully. ALWAYS.

I’m still looking at other groups such as the EMP. I love ‘re-enactment’ and the lifestyle, the singing, music, arts, storytelling, martial activities, and so much more. But letting the bullies have the last word has never really been my style. So I’ll stick around. I’ll try to be supportive, inquisitive, and empathetic. It is hard when you feel as if you are personally being attacked sometimes. What is always worse and weighs on me the most is seeing others give up, dismayed, lose hope, feel targeted… It is hard for me to watch this year in and out.

This post is about me, sorry. It isn’t about me though. We all deserve a better Society. Can we please all demand it instead of asking? It is our home too.

And now for something completely different…

LANCELOT: No, no, sweet Concorde! Stay here! I will send help as soon as I have accomplished a daring and heroic rescue in my own particular…

CONCORDE: Idiom, sir?

LANCELOT: Idiom!

Targeting Groups – What’s your beef with us?

So what’s the ‘Happs’ Man?

I get a lot of PMs mostly good, some negative. That’s all ok. I appreciate the perspectives. I would like to note one quote, “… my [arguments] with the fighters…”

I think it is important to stress here that my main issue is with the BoD. I have no quarrel with the ‘fighters’ or any other group. Speaking a truth or pointing out an injustice is not a declaration of war; it is an invitation for discussion.

That is not to say that some people who consider themselves ‘fighters’, have a beef with me. Let’s keep in mind what what my argument is now, and always has been: Allow Kingdoms a path to recognize those who are Peers in martial groups.

To the main Point

To clarify more recent posts and comments made by myself in reference to Pennsic. In general, people who are in ‘control’ of events and making rules for scenarios are included in the people I am regarding. Arbitrary restrictions and exclusions are not ok.

Take for example Pennsic. For as many years as I can remember, the field battles have excluded specific groups from playing in over 50% of the scenarios (minimum): Combat Archers and Siege Engineers. The issue is very simply that we are also fighters. The idea that we don’t meet some people’s definition of fighter is wholly irrelevant. It is ignorance and prejudice. We as a group pay the same dues, have the same restrictions, spend time mastering our skills, drive the same distances, on and on. So how is it these specific groups are excluded?

Said directly to me the morning of the field battle while acting as CAMiC: “We’re just not going to have combat archery this time”, the MiC

“I didn’t train for years to take the field and be killed immediately by an arrow.” Historically nobody did, but it was a reality. What it truly comes down to is two main things: bias, and scenario set up. I know fighters and marshals who take great strides to seek a more equitable field of battle that does NOT include sidelining specific people. To those people I greatly respect you. You are truly enlightened and understand what the game is about, and moreover are a good person in my estimation.

Who’s Field is This Anyway?

Simple answer, “It is not yours, it belongs to us all.” We as a Society all pays dues and choose our passions. We deserve and demand to be on that field, EVERY. TIME. POSSIBLE. So how did we get to a place where certain groups get to chose who can or cannot play? I’m not totally sure the answer is relevant, save a better understanding of our past so as to learn and grow. If it is safe for a combatant to take the field, make sure it happens. Pole-arm fighters have never had to show up and ask if they were going to get to take the field that day. ~nuff said

Bias

Whoever you are, get over yourselves.

Scenario Set Up

There are many things that can be done to make the game more equitable. Rules or suggestions can and have been made to groups and proficiencies. Speaking directly to CA however… Limit the number of arrows when a combatant takes the field. When they run out, they have to resupply at the line/res point (an idea from a person whom I won’t name without permission). There are others but you get the idea. The goal should be (assuming there is nothing on the line, like a War or something) to have fun. We should all strive to make it more fun and equitable for all of us, as best we can.

Worth noting, that if one side brought twenty archers and two engines and you didn’t, who’s failure is that? Not the archers or engineers! Your commanders and armies should have a complete army, you could be training together, learning from each other, advancing tactics, improving! Avail yourselves of every tool available to your army, and fix the gaps that exist, don’t sit people out or split them up under the guise of ‘fairness’. We archers and engineers are proud as well, we want to fight for our Kingdoms and Groups.

Wrapping Up

Because someone doesn’t respect or like a person or group is not an excuse to exclude them. It isn’t your game. If you can’t be an adult about it, perhaps this isn’t the hobby for you.

So am I ‘warring’ with ‘fighters’? Nope. There are some who take offense to my words but that says FAR more about them than it does me. Honor is not reserved only for those that hold a specific weapon. It is achievable, and held by us all regardless of ‘your’ opinion.

My beef is not with a group, it is with ego, indifference, and bias.