For those of you that don't scroll down....

I need to say something and get the word to as many as I can to try and save something I value...Since Rachel pointed out that all she really knows she learned from this board I feel as though I am informed enough to venture my words to this. Rachel, I want to point out that you just said some very dangerous things. Specifically, the words "our side"

They're strong words. They imply factionalization. Once that happens, then the possibility of misunderstanding disappears and the decision (yes decision) of differing dogma sets in.

This is not flame, not attack, not even me picking 'a side'. This is me saying that every single person I have met at this game (even Bill, Steve, Nick all the 'mutineers' as Jim put it) added something to the game. Right now, there is a lot of misunderstanding brought out late at night by harsh words and hurt feelings, but only if people choose to allow it to further will it. Jim, you are hurt because people are bailiing on you seemingly because of probloems they have had but never voiced to you. But that isn't really why you're mad at them. You are mad at them because you feel that by their leaving they are saying you suck as a person. This may not be the case,. but you have accepted that it is, and so you must overcome this impulse.

Bill, you feel as though Jim has always treated you as auxiliary, never given you the powers of an ST, rather the title and then did things his way anyway, not taking your advice, not even listening to you. But that isn't why you're mad either. You're mad because you feel like he is calling you incompetent when he does this, basically saying, you suck.

So you two have more in common than you think.

Everyone else has the same issue, for whatever reason...and the basic truth from what I see is that everyone has someone in the game that they feel are saying 'you suck' to them.

Marci says that every day...but thenagain I do... heh heh.

Regardless, and all humor aside, the problem Marci and I have is that we see value in EVERYONE that has been in this game. You know, when Marci and I get together over lunch at work we talk about this game. We enjoy it. I have LARPed longer than most of you have been Role-playing and I'm not trying to whip out a Gamer Big-Dick contest I am saying that I have STed a game for nine fucking years...and this one is as good as that one, if in a different way. That isn't to stroke Jim's ego...because Jim isn't responsible for it.

You all are.

Everyone of you who Narrated, everyone of you who played. Each of you had a duty to the game. Each of you took part in the game. So things didn't flush perfectly square here, so things didn't fit right there... no story is without errors.... loko at Jar Jar.

What I am trying to say, is that all of you are in this together. I personally don't think anyone should bail on this game.

You want to improve the game? Take it from someone who saw these problems five years ago, and saw how we solved them (both sucessfully and UNsuccessfully in some cases) have a Board of Directors.

It works.

Everyone in the game is a Director...most of us only direct our own characters actions. However, if something happens the ST and the Narrators can't come to agreance on, then throw it to the players to voice a decision on. Make it a forum, becasue when it is all said and done, WE ARE A TROUPE. ALL OF US.

I may be the new guy on the block, but I am here. I have a voice. And I have ideas on the sotry. I won't youch plot, but I can tell you that I have an effect on it. I can prosper it, I harm it, I have that power. Never should that be forgotten, it's not a threat, but a truly wonderful gift. If used and nourished, it can make the game better than any ST or Narrator. And we all, everyone of us, have that power.

I've spent a long time talking about this, so I'm going to stop. If I have caused just one you, any 'side' any 'faction' any 'one' to think and wonder what COULD be. I'd love to talk about it.

If it's too late...then I'm sad...but it's not the end... because they're dots on paper...I'm the magick...and so are you.