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Many people don't take the time to realize it, or
haven't been around long enough to notice it, but the Realms
has a history, and studying that history can prove
interesting. Like in real history, there is a tide in the
affairs of mankind, a tide that we all have seen the effects
of, but that few recognize. The pattern that has repeated
itself again and again is that a certain group will suddenly
become very large and powerful, only to lose its size equally
dramatically. I have taken the liberty of labeling this
phenomenon as 'the Fad'.
What has happened again and again is that one group will
somehow suddenly be considered the 'cool' group to join, and
many people will flock to the banner. All too often the
fresh followers are not fully committed to their new group,
or haven't grasped the seriousness (and thus stability) of
swearing fealty. Eventually, they drift away to the next
group that begins with great fanfare and high promise. Now
the Fad isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as one
recognizes what is happening and isn't disappointed or
disillusioned when fortunes change suddenly. Even the some
of the most stable and largest groups have enjoyed the fad.
At one of my very first events, the Tourney of Fools, I
participated in the largest mass-swearing of fealty that I
have seen before or since. Chimeron, rising from Valehaven's
ashes, was suddenly enormous. That size dropped somewhat (I
myself negotiated independence two years later) but has in
later years been on the upswing not by a sudden swing of
opinion, but by gradual and stable accumulation. The next
instance was Tiathan. Through great cunning, a genius at
manipulation and PR, and shrewd tactics, he rose in nine
short months from a newbie to the most powerful single person
in the Realms. But his power went into decline, too. He was
smart enough to see this happening, and struck at Chimeron as
soon as he saw the trend. Had he made his move while still
on the upswing, I think the outcome would have been more in
doubt.
While Blackwood experienced a brief up-and-down swing
from the Fad at this time, it was Ironhand and the
Borderlands who stepped in to fill the power vacuum left by
Taithan's passing. The number of Taithan's former followers
in the Borderlands was what made me first form this theory,
which I observed in action in the years following. Ironhand
was less subtle, quietly intimidating small, independent
groups to swear to him or be crushed. After one small but
visible group defied him, the tide had turned, and he
disbanded his group some months later. For a while I thought
that it would be the Emerald Empire that would rise next, but
I proved to be mistaken. House Phoenix, already of
impressive size, grew quickly. Morgil was wise enough to
recognize the phenomenon, and adjusted his policies to
augment the swing in the form of increased emphasis on
recruitment, knighthoods, and holding impressive court. At
this last season's Tourney of Creathorne, he was at his
height. But the Fad moved on.
Predicting where this trend will occur next could be
useful. Some groups, most notably Folkestone, have
safeguarded themselves from the Fad by the careful screening
of new members. It is neither quick nor easy to become a
member, and those that do are naturally very dedicated.
Other groups that exercise care in allowing new membership
are likewise protected. One wonders who is being effected by
the Fad now, but it would be improper for me to speculate in
this forum.
This long history impresses me with the importance of
taking care in the building of one's group. I urge
prospective followers to take longer to decide whom to
follow, to get to know the situation better so that once the
choice has been made you will be happy there. Swearing
fealty should be a serious thing. And I likewise urge the
Nobles to take care to shape their groups to their vision.
After all, the ties of fealty are two way, and by the law of
the land, a Noble is responsible for the actions, for good or
ill, of their followers.
Of course, making a big splash can be a lot of fun, and
if that's what one is after, this article can help. But
remember that this, too, shall pass. |
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History