Competencies/Masteries

[Alric, son of Harland]

First and foremost: The following are the opinions of a single person, who has no authority, power, or control in any of the LBTL's Realms. I'm just yakking, friends; please don't take offense.

There are a few changes that I feel should be made, that will improve this Realm, and if implemented, could improve other Realms as well.

1. We need to start having real weapons checks at every single event, including practices. This serves two purposes.

First, it ensures that no unsafe weapon gets out on the field. Some of you pay constant attention to your weapons, and self-check before, during, and after an event, but there is no such thing as absolute objectivity, and it would be in the best interest of Safety if someone else checked your weapons.

Second, the Land Between the Lands has the honor of co-hosting Weapons Check at Rag next year, and we need more experience. Having a formal weapons check two or three times a week improves our skills as individuals and as a whole. The more we check together, the smoother the process will run at Rag.

2. We need to reinstate the competency (or "proficiency") system.

First, calling it a proficiency is misleading.

Proficient:

1. well-advanced or competent in any art, science, or subject; skilled: a proficient swimmer.
2. an expert.

Competent:

1. having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, experience, etc., for some purpose; properly qualified.
2. adequate but not exceptional.

Regardless of what we call it, the purpose is the same: Safety. No fighter should be wielding a Red during his first day of combat, unless he is in a controlled setting, fighting one-on-one to learn the game. We've all seen someone strike too hard with a big weapon or flat another fighter because they lack experience. This is an unsafe practice we can prevent by putting a system into place. The system is uncomplicated, so don't fear that this will be like the Ranks and Masteries of old.

Fighters must prove themselves Competent with a weapon style at least once a year. A fighter's Competencies may be revoked at any time if he shows himself to be unsafe with a weapon style. To earn a Competency, a fighter must demonstrate safe fighting skills before a Realm Leader or Master of the style.

Masters are not required to test others for Competency, but an unwillingness to help the Realm is frowned upon. If a Master is found performing incomplete tests, or passing someone without a test at all, his Mastery will be revoked, and possibly his Competency as well.

The Competency and Mastery tests would be very similar to the way they were under the old systems. A Competent fighter can fight safely with his chosen weapon style in any position against any other weapon style in any position. Standing vs. legged, armed vs. standing, et cetera. A Master can defeat another Master at least half the time, and can handle multiple opponents using various weapon styles.

*************

It is my opinion that similar systems have floundered in the past due to a lack of initiative on the parts of individual Realm members, and friends trying not to "boss around" their friends. But it is my belief that no ego is worth putting an unsafe weapon on the field, or a safe weapon in the hands of an unsafe fighter. I would gladly accept the secretarial burdens of tracking everyone's competencies, but the most experienced and safest fighters must perform the safety tests, and individual Realm members must be willing to sacrifice a little combat time for the good of the majority.

What say you, friends? Will you give of yourself to improve the Realm?

Alric

[Baethor]

I was actually going to bring up to zaron and nichtmar the idea of weapons check. But more of a training check rather then a full weapons check at practices. basically the weapons are tested more by the new people as the experianced checkers watch, give advice and help the newcomers learn what a safe weapon looks and feels like.

I like the idea of using the term "Competency" Rather then proficiency, it does fit better.

[Sir Rune]

One, We have instated the proficiency rule already, as of post Ragnarok, sooo, we are good to go there, and an tracking them, I have it all taken care of, all ranks, masteries, proficeincies, and progress through the ranks are all on file, that can be found here www.geocities.com/rune_walker49/MittelmarchRanksChart.pdf. Thanks for the concern Alric, see you soon,


Rune

[keyna]

They have already been talking about weapons checking at practice. They have started a plan in motion to follow thru.

LBTL was voted to help run Weapons check at Rag next year with Dominion. Zaron has already been talking with them so that we are practicing correct methods for the next year.

[Sir Nichtmar]

definitely agree with all of the above, Alric do happen to have a digital copy of that Weapons Check Test that used to exist, or wait Semi you made that right, could we steal that?

[Alric, son of Harland]

Yeah, Semi made that. It was kind of a heralding/weapons check test, and some of the rules on it were Belegarth, since CM used the "best of both worlds" theory, but it was good stuff and can definitely be adapted to our ruleset.

*************

Like I said, I don't mean to offend anyone by suggest changes. I'm not implying that MM's leaders aren't doing their jobs, I'm just offering suggestions for improvement, which is something I think everyone should have a right to do (and more people should exercise that right).

Rune - Can I ask how proficiencies are tested, how often they're tested, and by whom? How strictly are they enforced? Is there a copy of your checklist at every practice or battle, so the Heralds will know who should or shouldn't be using certain weapons? And if there is a time limit on proficiencies, shouldn't there be dates on that spreadsheet?

I don't mean to sound insulting, it's just that the "Proficiency" system has been implemented at least twice before this, and failed both times because individuals didn't offer themselves for testing, and the leadership didn't force the issue (just to clarify, I'm talking about that lazy slug Alric, not Zaron).

Alric

[Sir Rune]

haha, no worries,

Proficiencies are tested by Zaron, Nichtmar, and myself at the moment. Mostly Zaron and Nichtmar. I will have one of them better answer the questions here, cough cough, nichtmar post, hehe, but, yeah. When there are more people who are deemed by those two to be proficient in every weapon style, then there will be more people who can test these things, but mainly, its just so that we dont have the newer people running around with flouintine swinging wildly, incurring possible injury, same with reds, bow, jav's, start them single blue, go up from there.

no, there isnt a sheet at practices, but that is a good idea, i will get one made up and bring it with me, thanks

and, unlike most places, we dont have "active" heralds at practice very often, and by "active" I men the people in yellow tabards who watch the fights. The leaders call the fights, or somone calls the fights, and we fight, no reason for an active herald at a practice, at an event, deffinatly.

The proficiencies will be enforced by the leaders, be it practice or event, if your not proficient, your not using it. This enforcing also falls to the elder members of the realm, who know what is safe and what isnt.

Also, when i say practice, Im not saying that they cant use it period. Otherwise they will never become profiecient with a weapon. If someone wants to fight them off on the sideline, and help them to improve, than fantastic. But in the battles and games at practice, the standards will be in place. ok, off to practice now,



Rune

[keyna]

I can see the reasoning behind testing to use reds, arrows, spears. If you want more power in your hands, you should know how to work it.

I understand people need to have rhinohidding trained out of their system.

I understand we need a safe environment.

Being "FORCED" to do a compentency brings up alot of issues. You either have people who are hard core fighters or people who come out for a bit of exercise and fun. Your going to loose the second group if they are forced.

If you want to do stuff these types of things have worked:

1. Drills/exercises: There have been several times when we've had large groups, like the skater kids, where Z spent a whole practice doing drills.

Maybe the first 30-60 minutes of the big practices can be spent doing those drills. They really cut down on unsafe swings and rhinohiding.

2. Spend some time showing the different weapons and doing demos of how to properly use them.

3. Taking some time to properly explain how the games/battles go. People just assume everyone know whats going on. Just today I had someone asking me questions because she had no clue what was going on.

I've seen Zaron talking to new people but sometimes there are too many. I did see Oof step up and grab someone new and help.

We need more experienced fighters willing to help with these proceses like that.

No offense to alric or anyone else...but people are always making comments on how to "make things better". I dont see those people coming to practice everytime trying to help make those changes. Zaron and nichtmar make good leaders but they cant do it all themselves.

There are some practices where all Zaron really got to is deal with parents or teach new fighters.

If you have 20 people at practice and 10 of them want to test Zaron, Nichtmar and rune cant do it all alone and make sure practice is still moving.

Bottom line is we need to have more people put their actions where their mouth is.

If Zaron and Nichtmar even had 3-5 assistant leaders helping run practices, herald, teach newbies, give rides, ect ...there life would be so much easier and we could have a better handle of teaching proper methods of fighting and weapons use.

[Zaron]

To answer a few of your questions.

Proficiencies are tested by fighting either Nichtmar, Rune or I one on one, and then having us observe you during practice field battles once you can fight safely in a one on one setting. We are also discussing adding something in between proficient and master in order to use a wepon at an actual event as there is a large difference between using a weapon safely with 20 people on the fiend and using it safely with 100+ on the field.

We have weapons check now once a month at LBTL battles. Nichtmar and I discussed Sunday and are planning on implimenting a weapons check once a week at practices. A weapons check every practice is abit much as that would be 4 weapons checks a week. We don't even have that many at Rag. These will be assgned to people and they will be expected to show up and run them under supervision in order to prepare us all better for next years Rag weapons check. The rule about being sent home from practice if you bring an unsafe weapon out on the field has is still and was always has been in effect, although many have forgotten about it as most of our members check their weapons themselves before practice and have them checked by someone else if they are questionable, so it has not been served out in a long time.

Touching on what Keyna said. She is right on. There are alot of people that have great suggestions of things that can be implimented, but we rarely get someone who wants to impliment it themselves. They want it implimented on someone elses time. Nichtmar and I unfortunatly only have 24 hours in a day like everyone else and must pick and choose what to impliment and the best use of our time if we have no help. So my suggestion is that if you have a suggestion that everyone agrees to, and you really want it implimented is to get with the leadership and make it happen.

[Alric, son of Harland]

rune said:

and, unlike most places, we dont have "active" heralds at practice very often, and by "active" I men the people in yellow tabards who watch the fights. The leaders call the fights, or somone calls the fights, and we fight, no reason for an active herald at a practice, at an event, deffinatly.

While I agree that a dedicated Herald isn't necessary, I see a lot of good that can come from it. If we put a yellow tabard on someone who isn't afraid to call someone out for blowing a shot, rhinohiding will occur less and less often. Cheating hasn't ever been a big problem in Mittelmarch, but ego and adrenaline sometimes cause a fighter to ignore a hit. The Herald would remind him to take that shot, and he'll be more likely to take them in the future. Rhinohiding goes down because cheaters know they'll be caught, and inattentive fighters pay closer attention because they don't want to be labeled a cheater.

Not only that, we'll be able to train new Heralds, which will help us during the Olympics, because no matter how awesome and helpful they are, we shouldn't be using other Realm's fighters as Heralds. It reflects poorly on us, because it looks like the LBTL can't even field 6 of our own guys.

Not to mention, Heralding experience helps a player grow as a fighter, and as a public speaker in general, which is an important skill no matter where you go in life.

keyna said:

Being "FORCED" to do a compentency brings up alot of issues. You either have people who are hard core fighters or people who come out for a bit of exercise and fun. Your going to loose the second group if they are forced.

In Stormhaven, when new people show up and want to try the game (which happens all the time, since people are walking past us on their way to or from class/dinner/whateva), one of the experienced fighters steps away from combat and give the basic spiel, including visual demonstrations:

"This is a sword. This is the striking surface, this is the non-striking surface. If you hit me in the arm, I drop whatever is in the hand and put the arm behind my back, like this. If you hit me in the leg, I take a knee. If I lose two limbs, I'm dead, if I get hit in the torso, I'm dead. The head and neck are off-limits."

Then the experienced fighter spars with the new player for a few minutes, maybe letting him try one-on-one with a newer fighter, while he Heralds. Once the new player has the basics under control, the experienced fighter introduces more of the rules.

"This is a shield. A shield can block this sword with no penalties, because it is a Blue weapon, which means it's one-handed. Two-handed weapons, like this sword, are Red weapons. Two solid blows from a Red will destroy a shield. If you're still holding a shield after it is destroyed, and someone hits it again, you lose the arm, if you can't drop it before it's struck again, it counts as a hit to the torso, since your arm is technically gone."

More sparring, the new fighter assimilates the new information, and we move on.

Green/Yellow weapons are explained, a little more sparring, and in under 20 minutes, the new guy is ready for combat. He may wield a Blue, with a shield if he wants it, and may throw Rocks or Javelins. A careful eye is kept, and corrections are made politely, so as not to embarass our new player.

He fights like this for the rest of the day. If he wants to learn to use a Red or fight with two weapons, he may be taken aside and shown, one-on-one, after he has proven he can fight safely. By the second or third practice, he should know the basics of every style, with the exception of polearms and archery, which are inherently more dangerous, and reserved for fighters with a little more experience. Most fighters find something they like, and stick to it, but any fighter could learn what he needs for almost every Competency within one week of MM practices.

keyna said:

No offense to alric or anyone else...but people are always making comments on how to "make things better". I dont see those people coming to practice everytime trying to help make those changes. Zaron and nichtmar make good leaders but they cant do it all themselves.

I agree. Nichtmar and I talked about this two weeks ago. I know I'm guilty of making suggestions from way up in Muncie, when I wasn't attending MM practices and therefore wasn't able to help implement my ideas, but I'm back now, and am more than willing to step up and help. I have plenty of Heralding experience, and am learning more and more from Z and others about weapons check. I'm also addicted to Excel, and would be happy to organize and track a Competency system.

zaron said:

We have weapons check now once a month at LBTL battles. Nichtmar and I discussed Sunday and are planning on implimenting a weapons check once a week at practices. A weapons check every practice is abit much as that would be 4 weapons checks a week.

I agree that a formal weapons check at every practice would be a lot of effort. What I'm suggesting is more along the lines of a quick once-over by someone other than the weapon's owner. When you get to practice, open your trunk and let someone else come feel on your foam, while you do the same for him.

A formal weapons check once a week would be great. As I understand it, smaller "local" practices are held through the week, while Saturday is the big practice, where everyone goes to a single location, which changes week to week? If that's the case, official weapons checks on Saturday would be great.

*************

To expound on Keyna's point...I think people need to step up and help run this Chapter. Mittelmarch is a great place, but it can get even better, if individuals will commit themselves to another hour of "community service."

*************

I think I've mentioned a similar idea under a "Ranks" discussion, but this is applicable whether you want to earn ranks or not...

What if, when you first joined the Chapter, you were assigned a "tutor" or "mentor" to guide you through the beginnings of your Dagorhir career?

For example...

Brian hears about this game from his friend, and after being pestered for a while, finally comes out to a practice. He is introduced to a few people, and then is told he will have a mentor to show him the ropes. He meets Gravein, his new mentor, who takes him aside and spars with him for half an hour, teaching him the basics of the game and helping improve his technique just a little. Brian really enjoys the practice, and he swaps phone numbers with Gravein before taking off.

That evening, Gravein calls Brian to ask if he's been to the website. He gives Brian the URL, and urges him to think a bit about his character. Brian visits the main site, then the message boards. He hops around, reading this and that, and spends the next couple days at school coming up with character ideas.

Gravein calls Brian Wednesday night to ask if he'll be at practice on Thursday. Brian's friend isn't coming to practice, so he says no, but Gravein tells him to wait by the phone for a couple minutes. Gravein calls back a minute later and tells Brian that Nichtmar, who also lives on the eastside, will give him a ride. He tells him to grab Nichty's number from the message board, and they'll talk more tomorrow.

Brian ride to practice with Nichtmar, and when he gets there, Gravein asks about his persona. Brian sketches out the basics, and becomes Telathiel, an elven warrior from a war-torn world. Gravein (a tree-hugger himself) is pleased, and spars a bit with Telathiel, then passes him off to Baethor and Zaron to learn Florentine and Red fighting.

Gravein asks Baethor if he can bring Telathiel over on Friday to learn weaponsmithing, and Baethor happily agrees. Others join them for a pizza/smithing party, and Telathiel heads home with an uncovered Blue, crafted with his own hands.

Over the weekend, at Gravein's encouragement, Telathiel reads about garb, and heads to Goodwill. He arrives at practice the next week with the minimum garb.

As the months pass, Telathiel relies on Gravein less and less, and as Gravein mentors more people, Telathiel shares some advice from his own experiences. In time, Telathiel will be a mentor, and give back to Mittelmarch, his new home.

*************

Long-winded, I know, but I hope it clarifies my idea. In my example, Gravein didn't do THAT much. He was already going to attend practices; the only difference is the half hour or so he spends at each practice passing on some of his knowledge. And sometimes, when he knows that someone else is better at a given style, he asks that person to teach his pupil, which means Gravein isn't missing out on fighting time of his own. He gave a few minutes each night the first week to keep in contact with Brian. This kept Brian motivated by making him feel welcome, and helped him progress rapidly by giving him some direction.

It's not much to ask, that a person give a little back to this wonderful game of ours, especially since it's going to be taking a lot of effort and stress off the shoulders of MM's leadership, who have given so much to make our Chapter (and our lives) better. Zaron, Nichtmar, and Keyna work really hard to keep MM going strong, and deserve better than, "Gee, thanks," when they go out of their way for a person. Leadership is a thankless job, and they knew this when they assumed the responsibility, but it's still tough. Saying thanks doesn't mean nearly as much if you continue to rely on them to run the whole thing on their own. Step up and take a little bit of responsibility, and they'll appreciate it so much more.

A short finish to a really long post...

I know some of you DO put forth the effort to help the leaders, and there are some besides Z, Keyna, and Nichtmar who ARE Mittelmarch leadership. And there are some who help a little, when they can. I'm not throwing dirt or implying insults or bashing your efforts; I'm just trying to spur the community as a whole into action. We could be SO much more than we are. We could be SO much bigger, and be having even more fun (hard to imagine, right?), so let's all step up, take a little bit of the load, and make MM the best it can possibly be.

Alric

[keyna]

First, none of this is meant with Ill will..it just seems like this is being beaten into the ground.

We to give the basic speil to a new or potential fighter, so I dont know why you think we need to imporve that. I'm talking about rules of games and things. It's getting more people who are willing to take time out of their fighting to help someone else.

Everyone forgets or gets caught up in the moment...you'll never change that. Having a herald ride you at practice can only raise tempers.

Now taking one practice a week where a Herald in training can practice for experience is another thing.

We only had another realm member help herald at the O's because they couldnt fight and wanted to help. The day the rest of the LBTL helps as a whole then I will take critism about it.

If things run smoother like we talked about on the LBTL boards I think the problem will be solved next year.

Rune has a spread sheet already that is tracking peoples progress that want to progress in masteries. Why are you trying to change that? It might use a revision or boundaries, but talk to him personally about that. From my understanding this is his baby now.

Helping means sticking around and staying focused, not flaking out.

I like you Alric, we all do. Make it to practice and participate. See with your eyes every practice the workings of MM now. Then talk to people about making changes you think need to happen.

Why should we even bother talking about any of this if you arent even active and participating at least 50% of the MM practices.

I personally am done with the topic until I see you at practices.

[Sir Nichtmar]

Things have been running rather smoothly, I don't believe we'll be making in HUGE changes, because it's not necessary. We've been spreading out the responsibility and we are implementing better weapons checking. Honestly I only skim these long winded opinionated posts nowadays. It's no insult just these conversations need to be discussed together or over the phone. Perhaps we should consider some sort of council to meet once a month or something.

[keyna]

I think a council meeting would be the best solution for these sorts of things.

Maybe have a deadline each month by which people have to submitt a request to have a council meeting. This way if there are no topics up for debate we dont have to meet.

[Sir Nichtmar]

hmm thinking on it now, Zaron and I are realm leaders, we do have those who have upper management potential that we listen to, but I think all discussion of altering ranks, whatever should be kept off the boards, i'm also considering keeping things like planning the O's off the boards. boards are simply used for public communication.

Zaron, let me know if you agree and I'll make it happen.

[Zaron]

I agree to some extent. We should keep things very simple on the boards, polls and/or non respondable threads just to let people know what is being considered.

[Alric, son of Harland]

This wasn't meant to sound like a demand for change, or an insult to the current leaders. This was meant to be a discussion of ideas, and an encouragement for Mittelmarchers to step up and take some of the load onto themselves.

I apologize if my message came across as pushy or presumptuous; I thought the disclaimer in large, bold text would make it clear that I was merely "thinking out loud." In the future, if I have an idea, I will only share it with one or two people, rather than trying to get feedback from dozens (which obviously failed, since five people have responded).

Alric

[Sir Nichtmar]

I'm not insulted, I just think some things should be discussed behind closed doors. I do care what people want for the realm, but every decision doesn't need to be ran by everyone, As Realm Leaders it is our responsibility to make decisions for the Realm, whether they are wrong or not, we'll learn from it.

[Zaron]

Agreed to some extent Nichtmar. I want everyone's opinion on any subject pretaining to Mittelmarch, but I don't think every discussion belongs on a public message board. Speaking of that. Nichtmar, is it possible to add a board for only Mittelmarchers?

[Alric, son of Harland]

If you're asking whether it is possible...yes, there are a couple ways...

You could set up a board that is only accessible by the "Mittelmarch" usergroup, then assign all Mittelmarchers to that usergroup.

You could set up a password-protected board.

You could set up another message board altogether, viewable only by registered members, and require validation for registration.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each.

Alric