> It sounds like your best chance of coming out of that
>circle alive was to watch huraz die. I'll never understand
>why you jacked Rhuean while Huraz was writhing when it would
>have meant one less berserker maniac in the circle but oh
>well...its just another part of the rites that serverely
>disturbs me and snagged the Comamnder position away from the
>one person in that circle that earned it.

To help Clarify:

Intronan and I had a couple of different takes on the Rites. We weren't in total agreement about a couple of things, one of which was how the Rites were progressing. We let the players sort that out.

For the most part, it was Intronan's Rites. He did the majority of the work on the circle and put in the time and effort into getting the Rites together. There are two parts to the Rites, in this particular Rites, one of those was avoided. For specific reasons. Everyone that participates in the 'Rites of War' or the duel to the death is 'worthy' of becoming leader. Else they wouldn't be there. Even if we are unsure about that person, if they win, they will 95% of the chance get the position. Whomever came out on top in that situation would have been named leader.

I also argued the hit, run, hide tactic. Against warriors, the use of stealth is highly important for assassins and thieves. The Circle (the new one) was created to take full advantage of all types of terrain. No one should be subject to having to fight another person on his terms. Much of this new Circle employs the ideals that we are trying to focus on in the village.

You just don't try to stand toe to toe against two warriors who have specs in weapons you don't know (Axes for one) - which made me think of how cunning it was for Karkanen to exhaust Rhuean's weapon resources as an alternative tactic.

Intronan and I were in a disagreement about whether this showed cowardice or not. I say not, and Intronan as well as any of you are welcome to dispute this on these forums. I will continue to think that Huraz and Karkanen were using their strength in this situation. I also think it was good tactics to make allies to help choose the victor of the Rites. Using all of your abilities to the best of your ability is part of what the second portion of the Rites is all about. Utilizing the strengths of your allies and exploiting the weakness of your enemies is also what the second portion of the Rites is about. In no way did I see anything wrong with the outcome of the Rites.

* What will be interesting is to see evil ragers turn around and backstab those supposed allies.

This would probably be a good discussion in reference to future Rites. While I was disappointed Rhuean didn't get the position (because of his great efforts and dedication) I was in no way in favor of him on the basis of his efforts*.

*I still think he should have tried to immort such a great character.

HammerSong