I couldn't believe my ears...

[Gunak]

Well, seeing as being Brigadier is the same as not being able to have your own opinion about certain things, I guess I resign. Obviously I cannot continue. When outside pressure strikes you onto the ground with a cruel iron gauntlet for saying what you believe is right and good for the country, it is what a wise man would do. Therefore...

I'd like to ask anyone willing to become Brigadier to step forward. I'll hand the title to whichever current or former Redboot officer that feels up for the job. Any takers? Perhaps you, Ergg, with your brilliant morals and good heart, would like to have it? Think about it. I am done with it, since the high lords of Dasar have spun the bottle and it somehow landed on me. Furthermore, I have a feeling having you as a superior would not be anything I would enjoy at this time, so I will quit the Brigade as well. You will find my uniform in Corporal Thack's room. I'd like to thank those who have supported me at times, and I hope we will meet again.

-Dram Rosscobble, Conjurer

[Loki]

ha! all these years spent trying to cause the downfall of the pinkboots and they do a better job for us than we could ever do ourselves!

[Chaos Charos]

This is unbelievable shakes his head in dismay

Dram, I personally think you do the right thing to resign, I would definitely have done the same under these current circumstances; being court-marshalled is one thing, but being publicly humiliated and then having your capabilities as leader questioned in public (not in a formal Redboot hearing) is totally unacceptable.

I trust your services will be sought by another organisation soon.

~ Charezon

[The Ergg]

Never, at any time, did I indicate a desire to return to the brigade, especially as its leader. I know that I am not Brigadier material.

I never wanted you to leave the Redboot. In fact I suggested that you stayed at a reduced rank. You do the Redboot good. Just not as the Brigadier.

Public embarassment was not my intent, nor was any kind of humiliation. I did want you, and everyone else, to see why your actions were damaging to the brigade.

I do apologize for any embarassment or humiliation. I am glad you have stepped down, but I do hope that you will reconsider resigning from the Redboot.

My concern, as it has ALWAYS been, is for the law. And for those who would enforce it.

Please reconsider leaving the Brigade.

[Jehannum]

OOC:

the kid who testified about his murdered father, the Corporal. Of course I feel sorry for him, but at the time I could do nothing but wonder how he appeared at such an appropriate time. I, however, dropped out of the conversation as soon as it took an insulting tone. Accusing anyone was never my intention.

Now...look. This was an RP'd event. Responsible roleplayers shouldnt see a difference between NPCs and PC's but that whats going on here. Had time alllowed, there should have been countless family members of the families of the slain guardmen who had more of a right to speak at the assembly than most of the people there. It would have been nice for some of our actor people to volunteer to play the part of the bereaved but again time and massive effort stood in the way.

Also from a RP's perspective, Drams existance probably shouldnt begin when he logs in and end when he logs out. The NPC guardsmen are supposed to be men and women under his command. I dont understand how he can say that he did -see- the events happening when of course he would tend to the wounded and hear the reports of his men.

Also Ill take this opportunity to remind people that Dasaria is an RP'd monarchy. There is no bill of rights or the right to a fair trial. The fact that a hearing was allowed rather than the monarch quickly ordering him executed on the spot should be considered for what it was: an effort to be just ((and have fun)).

In my opinion OOC, I think it would have been more appropriate for Dram to speak in the defence of the soldiers under his command, but he made an IC decision which will have an effect on his IC status as a representative of the crown's authority. Thats the beauty of it....for Kell and Dram and everyone: your RP'd actions have an effect on the fate of your character for good or ill....the players make their own fates.

I was wanting very badly to let Kell walk free and get a chance for redemption, but that would send a message that characters arent really held accountable for their actions in the RP'd enviornment. That enviornment happens to be ruled by a queen who is steeped in religion and zealotry...ie crusaders and paladins. I was relecutant to have the queen execute him because well...Kell is a rocking character and it would be a real shame to have him out of the game. It was a mix of responsible RP and OOC consideration.

Anyway...sorry for the interruption of an IC post.

[Gunak]

I have made my decision already. When I first joined, I told Gandreck, who asked me a few questions, that I'd join for some time since I saw the presence of the Brigade as a good thing in Daris, and since they had helped me out of quite a few situations, such as one where I got robbed by Rati. Until this time, I have given out countless warnings, killed even more enemies and arrested numerous criminals.

I think I've done what I agreed to do, and now it's time to move on anyway. I hope we can let this discussion die, and that the Redboots can have a private discussion about their next leader and what my rank should be in the unlikely event that I would ever return to the Brigade.

OOC EDIT: I was well aware of the fact that the boy was DM controlled, and RPed along with it. Dram made some very thinly covered accusations towards the Queen and the Knights, but dropped out of it. In his mind, it was all arranged, but he didn't want to get hanged for accusing the Queen.

Also, I made a few mistakes during Dram's testimony, but he's always been RPed as a bit of a bastard, and that day it just shone throught. I can't say much else, beside the fact that I'm not such a great roleplayer

[Chaos Charos]

...I was relecutant to have the queen execute him because well...

*His eyes turn a brighter red as anger besieges him*

What!?? You mean you actually influenced the queen's decision behind our backs? This is an outrage, I call for a mistrial immediately!

I knew from the start that the queen would find Kell guilty, she is biased towards the Drow nation, being a Surface Elf herself! *slams his clenched fist on the table in a fit of rage*

The queen's decision was finally swayed in the given [read: wrong] direction when the boy was brought in to deliver his testimony - he was coached to say what he did. His father was killed during the night shift, at which time it would practically have been impossible to positively identify Kell as the murderer, it could just as easily have been one of them G' Elles!

I once again call for a mistrial

*steps off his soapbox*

~ Charezon

[Gideon Du'Bois]

I have made my decision already. When I first joined, I told Gandreck, who asked me a few questions, that I'd join for some time since I saw the presence of the Brigade as a good thing in Daris, and since they had helped me out of quite a few situations, such as one where I got robbed by Rati. Until this time, I have given out countless warnings, killed even more enemies and arrested numerous criminals.

I think I've done what I agreed to do, and now it's time to move on anyway. I hope we can let this discussion die, and that the Redboots can have a private discussion about their next leader and what my rank should be in the unlikely event that I would ever return to the Brigade.

Dram, i sat in those pews for the trial, and heard what you had to say. I never had to meet this Kell face to face, and maybe your memory of him is what good there may have been in him. However our Queen made her decision.

Your fellow Redboots, may have felt lost or betrayed, but you spoke your mind and your heart. Everyone makes mistakes, and when one sits in a position of need and authority, the easy target that position makes can be difficult to bear.

But I, and others, think it is a mistake for you to resign. Nor do i think after days anyone can suddenly cry out for you to be demoted or removed. Everyone makes mistakes, and no Brigadier before you was perfect either. I urge you to keep your office, ask for advice from those who think you did wrong, ask council from those you think will lead you in the correct direction in the future. But the town, its laws, and its citizens need a strong leader now. Let this be a stepping stone, and move forward.

Gideon Du'Bois

[whiteguyinblues]

((Sgt Vrok of the Redboot Brigade))

Me dun't wan see you go Brigadir Dram! Me and you's join da brigade togeter. I remembers it like yesterday when you mes and Tim ran wit Brigader Kurich and the rest of da brigade. Now tim es gun, don't you leve to Don't step down from a rank dat you ERNed.

"salutes'

[Kell]

Amen Charezon, I support your words to the fullest. Mind you though, there aren't many surfacers who aren't biased where it comes to drow.

And all because I'm black.

*pouts*

[Ramblinwomble]

And all because I'm black.

And there I was thinking it was because you had killed, maimed and tortured an impressively large number of citizens. Consorted with other enemies of the realm, and otherwise done eveything you could to make it clear that you had no use for the company of civilized people, until such a time as things became too hot for you and you wished to come back into the fold. I'm glad you've cleared up that up...

~Elorian~

[Kell]

I'm glad you understand.

*sniff*

[Chaos Charos]

...Mind you though, there aren't many surfacers who aren't biased where it comes to drow.

And all because I'm black.

Ha! I would be willing to bet that many of the inhabitants of Dasaria are actually quite fond of Drows, but they are too afraid to voice their opinions, seeing as how their "good queen" rules them with an iron fist.

I agree that it is all because ye are black. Someone needs to sneak into the queen's chambers at night and paint her black - then you'll see how quickly the laws get changed.

Mindless do-gooders

~ Charezon "instrigator extraordinaire" Eos

[Allexia]

Listens to the debates curiously, with a slight frown on her face.

[Vashan the Hunter]

All this open animosity needs to be channeled into something productive. For a small fee I can help the situation...