The Tribunal ended around the end of February, settling my official year of restriction. While I had been remade an officer at the end of a seven month trial, I felt that it was respectful to not take on the role of Highlord until I completed the full year.
Meanwhile, Debia (mostly) and I have maintained Tellings and participation in festivals in order to earn the credits to upgrade the tower. The museum was fixed to allow lore songs, a stove and kettle added in the kitchen, and new plantings to the underground caverns have been completely unnoticed by most that call the Tower home.
Upon the introduction of new officers in late fall – Eoghain immediately demanded to be made Highlord after a very long absence. He had given up this seat over five years ago, and his role as an officer and getting re accustomed to Elanthia was still fresh. I had told him that I intended to bid for Highlord, after I committed my year and we will address the lack of council in another six months time as everyone gets settled into their new roles. All officers, including Eoghain felt it more prudent to focus on settling in first, since some had not even been Tower members prior to the induction.
And, six months did pass. The only other time Eoghain attended a meeting as an officer – was to bid this time for Balance. We have members globally, and I am only one person. I needed a means to allow the opportunity to be fair and for me to be organized in this venture. He wanted it to be open. I agreed.
I created an application, outlining what I hoped should be minimal requirements (6 months of activity) and questions similar to what was asked of me (what do you hope to accomplish?). If we couldn’t find someone worthy or had the time to dedicate – this would serve as guidance and motivation for someone that truly wanted to be involved in the future. As tempted as I was, I did not insist that applying for a Council position – required the running of an event first, as it was for mine.
I wanted active members. I think we all do. People that would contribute, would come to Tellings, and would be able to work with the officers to promote activities, engage in the community. Positive things. Moving forward. Alas.
Eoghain took it upon himself, to balk at everything. Insisting council members should have no responsibilities despite him citing it was a job. That there should be no requirements to have the role, and specifically a written application is an affront. I can only assume he felt I would think he was not qualified to be the unbiased Balance, the stable personality required for the role, the engaged and un-selfish persona that we need for such a council position. I even offered to ask him the questions face to face, rather than fill out paperwork. (Text is text, after all.)
But, as soon as I opened my mouth that others were interested in the role of Balance (at the time, Alisaire and Surion) – he immediately rushed to the Tower, as witnessed by our enchanter who was resting there. Using a newly returned member, promoted him with no authority as his Council witness and named himself Balance. I can only assume he feared he would lose, otherwise.
Yet, here we are. And this, is why I cannot in good conscience – recognize this quickly gathered, last minute membership that have donned titles under false pretenses.
When accused that I must have been politicking too, I had to shake my head. “No”, I said. “I’ve been teaching.”
And thus, I know now how Tah’lad felt when his nephew Korthyr Faendryl abandoned The Way.
….But there is always hope. From the ashes, we have been reborn. Perhaps something positive can rise up and guide us for the future.
