msmemory_archive: (arms)
msmemory_archive ([personal profile] msmemory_archive) wrote2006-10-19 03:08 pm

Crown

I love this kingdom, I really do. But sometimes I do get wry amusement from it.

About 10 days ago, which was early, I received my spreadsheet with the roster of Crown List entrants, so that I can prepare my Order of Precedence march of combattants. It was 29 lines, which was 30 fighters (one combattant couple, as usual). Looking it over, I discovered that half a dozen of the "usual suspects" weren't there, so I created entries for them, figuring I can toss out the extra cards if the Crown doesn't opt those fighters in at the last minute.

Just now, someone leaked a list of the entrants on a household list, forwarded from one of the shire lists. 43 names. Including some but not all of my "missing" fellows, and a couple of people I'd heard through the grapevine had submitted letters of intent but had not confirmed. Snicker. I'll bet that list is slightly longer yet before the day.

Now, personally, I'd be all in favor of doing as several (most?) of the other kingdoms do, and posting the list of entrants a week or two before the tournament. Surprise only goes so far - and a posted roster would cut down on the nudging and whispers. Then it could be all corrected and updated before the tournament day, too. I know the secrecy thing hearkens back to the First Tournament years, when a fighter did not have to announce his inspiration's identity until his victory, and I'm enough of a traditionalist to respect that, but I think there is also much to be said for proclaiming as a joyous announcement who the contestants will be, both combattants and consorts.

Re: If by "funny" you mean "awesome"

[identity profile] hrj.livejournal.com 2006-10-19 07:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Westerners would have a reaction similar to the An Tirian one mentioned above, i.e., equivalent to baby-eating. 160 certainly isn't routine, though, unless you're counting both combattants and consorts. The really really memorable crown lists here have broken 100 combattants, and those usually involved reigning during some important anniversary or notable event (e.g., hiving off of new kingdoms).

I'm of the same mind as the comment two nodes up (sorry -- can't see the poster while in reply mode) who sees LOIs as a "first test", except that I've said that about the membership requirement. And yet somehow you still got Mr. Megaduke showing up the morning of with a photocopy of a fax record to the membership office dated that morning asking for special exceptions. (This was back before "instant membership" was a technological possibility.)