Nyyark

No, you were running the right path =)

Alone again By Myself Wondeing my ways Hidden trails with unplanned stays "why?" rolls softly a whisper on my lips An unfelt emotion escaping in whisps Hidden from Me A spider hides her brood Fears being devoured By Myself

I like it, your writing definatly shows improvement. Kepp up the good work Falc

Well Zool, because you only get a vote on higher positions, why not give them responsibilities? I think that it is correct that the Pen is a very lax guild, but making it a social gathering only seems like a mistake. If a person is too low to meet the social gathering's minimum requirements, they are in alot of trouble. I would think the one of the Pen's goal is indeed growth. Now that is what I base almost all of my beliefs on how this community should work. So if that is a disagreed point, I can't debate anything. I think that the Eldership should assign Jobs for voting members. Now I doubt many of the voting memebrs will like that, but they could forfiet teir vote so that they don't have their responsibilities. Maybe another rank? Bleh this is not thought out at all, so If I've said something stupid, I ask for forgiveness.

Depression is an infectious rot. Don't keep light of your enthusiasm from burning it away.

Are you saying that unity is a goal at the Pen? I have always wondered if it was. I think then, that unity would be helped much more if the newer members had a better way to acclimate. I find that I am having trouble fitting into the established society, and though I know that I'm not being rejected, it really feels that way sometimes. I have a feeling that I'm not the only one. I know as a Page I should be proving my worth to the Pen, but I wonder if it’s worth it. I'm not sure the Pen is proving its worth to me. I would think that the voting members, especially the bards, would try and help the new members fit in. There are lots of initiates and pages, so I can understand where it would be overwhelming, but it could be as easy as sending an email to a new member telling them you like what they are doing, and you look forward to their future achievements. Its always nice to have a contact on the inside, it makes the Pen seem much less cold and impersonal.

I like it! I love having a good day. And this poem helps me to remember those when I'm not.

In the darkness bells were ringing. Normally this would have pleased him, but right now the Jester was past the point of pleasure. Only the melancholy stain of the chiming was able to pierce his fog of thought. It was far too in accord with his goals, so he silenced them. He couldn't find the king. He had no idea where to look, or what to look for. His only memories of the Monarch were fuzzy, and he wasn't sure if they had existed yet, or if in some symbolic way, he was creating them now. All he wanted was to jest for the King, but his needs were far outweighed by the other matters crowding on his scale. A brilliant flash of light gave all his ponderings to his subconscious. Out of the darkness he had only himself to hide in, a dangerous situation most braved without thought. To him his face was a mask. It was a solid white with a black triangle coming down on the left, centered over one of his yellow eyes. He wore a full body suit that covered everything but his hands and face. It was split into quarters with varying colors, and though these often shifted they always remained opposite. He allowed himself to jingle again. He was still with in the Circle beneath the Directional Mirror, but was approaching the boundary fast. The ancient Lord Keller was his destination. He had decided to present his concerns there, almost certain to be betrayed, or worse, misunderstood. Lord Keller was very knowledgeable about the Lands in which the Game was set. Unfortunately, he knew little about the Game. Jester had been raised in the game, and Keller had been raised in the Hall, He thought perhaps they could help one-another. Keller was most approachable in the lower levels, and those were much safer. In the lower levels Jester wouldn't have to be Jester, and Keller too would probably be someone else. It was only in the highest-level Jester had to be himself. Most believed the circles were the highest level, but Jester had a feeling that that was false. As Jester stepped out of the great circle the world increased. He was in a valley of checkered angles. Shattering the surface were huge reflective obelisks. Each aimed or split a beam of colorful light. Jester sprinted catlike over a sharp ridge to find a bowl shaped depression. It had three Obelisks on its rim. Red, blue and gold streamed from these into the center of the bowl. Jester entered the light and stopped feeling himself. Edited by: Nyyark at: 12/4/02 2:13:28 pm

I always pictured the ranks as something showing that a memeber has grown. This would be comparing the member, to the member. From what I understood growth was one of the the key objectives of the Pen. The other was having fun. I always assumed that people were promoted based on their growth. I am a relatively new member however, and I could easily see how I could be wrong. I think that Ranking is great for showing what stage of growth a member is in. I agree however that this shouldn't cross compare writers. Now if a really really good writer joins The Pen, this means that they would have a much harder time to get promoted. That is the real downfall to this method. As for ranking being administrative, I totally agree. I truly don't think any society can function without role definition, much less a society in which every member is very capable. Nothing gets done, and people get frustrated. Which is why I would like to restate that ranks should be given more specific tasks, or at least a better description, and that the Elders should formulate something like a semblance of government in which to operate. I figure that we are indeed a writing guild, and that collectively we should be able to create a workable system as long as we don't hurt each other too badly in the process. I really think a few pieces of legislature from the Elders to the members would really get The Pen's blood flowing again.

Though that seems the diplomat's way, I belive it would add to the division, lack of structure, and confusion that is haunting The Pen. I think its a good idea, I just am not sure if the cure is better than the sickness =)

What stronger critism than Ranking? I think ranks are a vary good way to show that the Members and Elders aprove of what is being done at The Pen.

Golden light streamed at an impossible angle from the Sunset Window to the left. It lit the Amber Circle with a dark rich golden-brown light, bringing out the fire of age from the center of the circle. Directly above, the Noon Window was a piercing blue. The light shot down and hit the huge suspended Reflection Mirror in the center of the Hall. The Mirror shot it to the right, where it lit the garden circle. Behind the massive empty throne, the silhouette of a window frame let in dark red light, which shot around the room bouncing off the jagged mirror monoliths that broke the floor. The floor itself was a multi-plained mathematical equation gone wrong. It consisted of black obsidian and white marble, these both representing the quickest and the slowest of rocks respectivly. These were the masters of the floor in everyplace but the Great Circles. The walls looked to be of ancient stone, and each seemed about an equal distance from anywhere in the room, because as one approached the walls, they seemed to all get farther away. Just one of the many reasons traveling between the Great Circles was dangerous, for unless the exact path was the travelers knowledge, the traveler would wonder the floor between endlessly. This didn't stop the many who tried, but it did few who passed the task. However the one place every traveler knew to avoid was the center. Shrouded in complete darkness the center of the Hall was directly beneath the Reflection Mirror. It was here that the Hall looked the smallest. It was here that all the paths could be seen, and it was here that no pretty colored light could put a shielding shade on reality. This is too, where the Jester was. The Jester was in the Center, at the fringe of everywhere. He sat on a non-existent chair of belief, and his smile was a frown. He failed to find the absent king, and failed to destroy the great circles. Everyone in the Hall played the Game, and he was plaing to end it. Justice would not take her turn till the game was over, and this is why He had opponents. The goal of his enemies was to keep the game going forever and take the throne. Their problem was that the throne was on a wall, and the only way from them to reach it was convince enough players that they were already there. The many others were pawns to these players, their goals as mysterious to the Jester as the Jester's goals were to them. There was not much time left, and Jester knew this. One of the players would find the throne soon, for a few had already figured out the king was gone. If anyone save the king owned the throne, the Hall would shatter, leaving the winning player all it pieces, and a multitude of places to play its new game. The Jester decided the Game would have to end here, no matter the odds, no matter the opposition. Edited by: Nyyark at: 6/9/02 5:11:04 pm

Perhaps a set promotion date would be good, you could have all disscusson come to a close at that date. It works for the senate of the US =)

survival doesn't amaze me as much as growth. I like it.

I don't think sleep is the soultion either...

A magic spring, surround by stones A well of sorts. This is what I found While Jogging in My jogging shorts. Random impulse took control and my money flew Into the watery hole "Splash! Crash! What The!" Roared the black abyss Before my toes "super powers" I cried at my now animated water table pore "yes sir coming right up" Zoom, Lazer eyes Blast, speed of light Zip, Kabang, Kurbob Cat teeth, night sight cool hair, strength of might! Strutting like a photon I flex and the world is gone Haha I'm cool! Edited by: Nyyark at: 5/23/02 2:08:51 pm

I like it, it has the theme to be a really good song.

Excuse me sir... I think that a more detailed system of guidelines would be helpful, because as of now, the only thing I know I'm supposed to do is get promoted. I guess the Elders are supposed to get things done, though that is a rather vague definition, and it seems as if the voting members have no purpose. Perhaps a few bills should enter the Minstrel Hall?

I'm sure you can just be friends... (emotions bite, better to be a robot =)

(Conversion Confusion, this is the fifth post in the thread) I liked it, thats really good. Keep it up.

Nice, I don't know if using your poem would be Mother's Day spirt though...

www.dracat.net/~wyvern/dsa/ Scroll down to the E-mail me and check out the Adress. Oh Yeah!

Why not try the Recruiter's Office. I think you could make it. This was pretty good.

Twirling blues and purples Over a colorless checkered floor. Whirling reds and yellows Forming a silent dancing roar. Frozen sharply in a snap As a cold intake of breath. The black and white collapse like glass, And the dancers fall like petals Spinning madly in the abyss In a twisting angry gust. Floating Midnight black above them I stare down in disgust. How could I not know what we were? They must of known before now. Such a sweet whisper in my ear That sent my world falling down. I can't live with this, I can't live with us, There are one too many that are missed, I'll tear off the garment in one mighty thrust. Swirling swiftly the black cloak falls To join the others in the dance. While glowing and appalled Truth takes its first stance. Edited by: Nyyark at: 5/9/02 1:58:57 pm

If I understood you, then I'm very sorry. Well written piece of work. Though It doesn't use any superfluous imagery or metaphors, it comes across not needing them. I thought the emotional state of the situation was conveyed very well.