The Future of Troll's Bane
Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 4:58 am
At the moment Troll's Bane has limited access to its tax funds. All building projects are on hold with little hope that they will resume in the near future. We are currently unable to use our own jail. These are the realistic limitations we have in the coming months that we will have to accept. The lack of tangible progress will probably reflect poorly on me, and that is fine. I wish the town could have a large guard and plenty of taxes to spread to around. I wish all would be able to see their goals of building a home come true. But this may not happen as soon as many would like. These limitations also mean I won't be able to do all that I promised. The Seahorse repairs have been delayed. I won't be able to help crafters much with limited funding. Even the promise not to tax land owners is under pressure. But why tax them on land they can't even currently build upon?
Since we cannot judge progress by pointing to a building we can only focus mostly on the less tangible things. These include running the guard, keeping the system functioning, stopping corruption, assisting those in need, and the bonds between citizens. This brings up yet another problem. Quite frequently in the past month there have been many personal squabbles between citizens and other citizens, or citizens and residents, or citizens and outsiders. These quarrels are based on political preferences, romance controversies, rumors, or just personal dislike. Almost everything the town has done whether it be a policy, a land decision, or a guard hiring, is met with problems stemming from these conflicts. So-and-so was rumored to be a former temple member, so-and-so slept with someone's husband, so-and-so insulted someone's honor.
In many instances a citizen may have committed deplorable acts in the past. But have temple members not successfully repudiated their past associations? Have misguided men not found the correct path? If one tried hard enough they could find every person on this island deplorable in one way or another. Big or small, rumor or fact, it is irrelevant. If all refused to cooperate, as many do, to work with those they dislike, then Troll's Bane would field a vacant army if it ever needs one.
You may not work with people you like. You may not get as much money as you want. You may not get as much fame and attention as you want. You may not get as much authority as you want. There's always a reason not to do something. But not doing something never got people very far.
Perhaps I can tell a story of a chaotic time in the town's history. When the Temple first formed they took the tactic of attacking the town with violence to accomplish their ends. Most towns on the island didn't want anything to do with the conflict. It was Troll's Bane alone who had to bear the burden. A number of public officials took a stand against the Temple including Samantha Meryadeles (magistrate), Stephen Rothman (governor and guild leader) and myself (magistrate then governor). Stephen was arrested by myself and Samantha over accusations of corruption. Many disliked Samantha. Brer's insanity was mistaken to be Temple influence over his mind, and I replaced him and consolidated authority -- many did not like me for that. There was plenty of ill feeling to go around. But not for an instant did anyone let that get in the way of trying to make the town better. Stephen continued to fight even after a huge mob overthrew him and chased him from town. Everyone worked to make the town successful. Even the Temple was defeated -- the closest it has ever been to eradication. Hellbriar was cleansed only to be desecrated again later. A demon invasion was also stopped at around the same time.
Troll's Bane outlasted Darlok, it outlasted the Temple, it survived a long drought, it was victorious in orc wars, goblin wars, undead wars, we beat Negros, we beat foes that seemed like they were sent from Moshran himself. But many would rather put personal conflicts, drama, or personal ambition above all else. Those great victories were not won by those people. The town did not reach new heights on the backs of those people. I have been guilty lately of this as much as any -- this is not meant as a harsh insult to anyone. But now I am done playing any such games .. and I hope others will join.
And after so much talk of what we can't do I think it should also be mentioned what we can do. We can make a good guard. We can make one of the least corrupt towns known in the island's history. We can make a better atmosphere -- no jailings, no false accusations, no foreign influences in the town. We can work and plan for future improvements when the possibility becomes available. We can create a town full of talented crafters, perhaps with the assistance of town funding. We can protect contracts and land owner's rights.
The town has stagnated due to petty arguments, drama, rumors, and other stupidity. How things go from here is up to everyone else.
F
Since we cannot judge progress by pointing to a building we can only focus mostly on the less tangible things. These include running the guard, keeping the system functioning, stopping corruption, assisting those in need, and the bonds between citizens. This brings up yet another problem. Quite frequently in the past month there have been many personal squabbles between citizens and other citizens, or citizens and residents, or citizens and outsiders. These quarrels are based on political preferences, romance controversies, rumors, or just personal dislike. Almost everything the town has done whether it be a policy, a land decision, or a guard hiring, is met with problems stemming from these conflicts. So-and-so was rumored to be a former temple member, so-and-so slept with someone's husband, so-and-so insulted someone's honor.
In many instances a citizen may have committed deplorable acts in the past. But have temple members not successfully repudiated their past associations? Have misguided men not found the correct path? If one tried hard enough they could find every person on this island deplorable in one way or another. Big or small, rumor or fact, it is irrelevant. If all refused to cooperate, as many do, to work with those they dislike, then Troll's Bane would field a vacant army if it ever needs one.
You may not work with people you like. You may not get as much money as you want. You may not get as much fame and attention as you want. You may not get as much authority as you want. There's always a reason not to do something. But not doing something never got people very far.
Perhaps I can tell a story of a chaotic time in the town's history. When the Temple first formed they took the tactic of attacking the town with violence to accomplish their ends. Most towns on the island didn't want anything to do with the conflict. It was Troll's Bane alone who had to bear the burden. A number of public officials took a stand against the Temple including Samantha Meryadeles (magistrate), Stephen Rothman (governor and guild leader) and myself (magistrate then governor). Stephen was arrested by myself and Samantha over accusations of corruption. Many disliked Samantha. Brer's insanity was mistaken to be Temple influence over his mind, and I replaced him and consolidated authority -- many did not like me for that. There was plenty of ill feeling to go around. But not for an instant did anyone let that get in the way of trying to make the town better. Stephen continued to fight even after a huge mob overthrew him and chased him from town. Everyone worked to make the town successful. Even the Temple was defeated -- the closest it has ever been to eradication. Hellbriar was cleansed only to be desecrated again later. A demon invasion was also stopped at around the same time.
Troll's Bane outlasted Darlok, it outlasted the Temple, it survived a long drought, it was victorious in orc wars, goblin wars, undead wars, we beat Negros, we beat foes that seemed like they were sent from Moshran himself. But many would rather put personal conflicts, drama, or personal ambition above all else. Those great victories were not won by those people. The town did not reach new heights on the backs of those people. I have been guilty lately of this as much as any -- this is not meant as a harsh insult to anyone. But now I am done playing any such games .. and I hope others will join.
And after so much talk of what we can't do I think it should also be mentioned what we can do. We can make a good guard. We can make one of the least corrupt towns known in the island's history. We can make a better atmosphere -- no jailings, no false accusations, no foreign influences in the town. We can work and plan for future improvements when the possibility becomes available. We can create a town full of talented crafters, perhaps with the assistance of town funding. We can protect contracts and land owner's rights.
The town has stagnated due to petty arguments, drama, rumors, and other stupidity. How things go from here is up to everyone else.
F