Re: Cookies and Mercs

[SCAVard@aol.com]

Poster: SCAVard@aol.com

Someone states that Atlantian fighters are "Rhinohides" and "Unchivalrous".
Some challenge the statement, others challenge the Gentle who made the
statement,  while still others post messages providing evidence of *their*
chivalry.  But in each case, the responder has focused on responding to the
charge rather than taking pause to consider what I feel is the bigger issue.

A comment was offered earlier in this thread which I feel was right on the
mark.  Allow me to paraphrase:  "Whether the claim is true or untrue is
immaterial.  The PERCEPTION in the Known World is that Atlantia cheats."

Rather than focusing on shooting the messenger, I would suggest perhaps that
thought be given as to why this perception might exist, and what steps should
be taken to correct it.

Nobody ever likes to be asked "Are you still beating your wife?".  Or in this
case, "Atlantia, why do you cheat?"  The question assumes something to be true
which is not universally accepted as such, but there's no good way to respond
without lending credence to that assumption.  The person being asked such a
question is already on the defensive, as he must focus his energies on
explaining why the question itself is an issue.

Curiously, I see a parallel between this thread and the "Principality, why do
you want to leave?" thread of last fall.  One way to respond to questions of
this type is to turn it back to the asker..."Why do you think this to be the
case?"  But perhaps in this situation, we need to ask ourself why others think
Atlantia cheats rather than flailing around trying to provide evidence of why
we think we don't.

For what it's worth, whenever I have spoken of Atlantia's fighters with
friends from other kingdoms, the univeral response I hear is, "they hit pretty
hard".  I leave it to the reader to determine whether this is a compliment.

-Vard
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