PREFACE: After an interesting discussion with Ahnk, I'm entertaining the thought of destroying the Coalition. As the past will show, I've a long history of semi-breakdowns/cries for attention where I complain about how hard it is to be TRF's good guy until people make me feel better. I don't intend to do that here. What follows is a more dispassionate thought about the state of the galaxy and what TRF's about that simply happens to feature the Coalition, an idea that I've heard and now want to pass on for discussion. With that out of the way, let me proceed.

At TRF, perception is power. People are powerful if they are perceived to be powerful - like the Empire. Lately however, the Coalition hasn't been looking too hot. For those keeping score at home, Joren burned out, we bungled a major offensive, started a diplomatic disaster at Glee Anselm, did a piss-poor job of dealing with three separate invasions (are there any more?) and are currently in major butt-kissing mode over the whole mess. The Colonies are leaving the Coalition, and about half the provinces still in it are suspiscious of each other and aren't getting along well at all. The Black Dragon War, though not yet finished being written, didn't go well for the Coalition's East and drained a fair bit of resources, while the Coalition's recovery and growth is basically a neverending staircase.

In other words, perception-wise, we're going down. The question is how far? I could write the Coalition coming apart, breaking into pieces, civil war and power struggles. The advantage of the subfaction system is that those who worked to make stuff in the Coalition can take those things and escape the destruction, and go on writing free of the Coalition. There are many ways it could happen - the Empire could eat us alive, civil war, political and economic decay, you name it - and there are many fine stories to be told. The position of lightside leader could pass to some worthier successor, like the Commonwealth or some new faction free of our baggage. It would even be poetic, coinciding almost with the end of the Jedi.

The big question as to wether this should be done or not is not how it would be done, or how it could impact the galaxy, or even wether it should be done. The question is: Can (or should) the Coalition recover and defeat the Empire?

The Coalition exists for one purpose, to continue the Lightside/Darkside conflict and overthrow the Empire. Practically, however, we are the weaker state in every way. My leadership is not as effective as Simon's. The membership of the Coalition is less entrenched or powerful as the Empire's. The foundations, the ships, the territory, the economy, everything is weak and frail when compared to the Empire. To even get to a point where the average Imperial roleplayer would have to respect the strength of the Coalition will take years.

It also takes a great toll on myself to keep writing like this, driven pretty much solely by my belief that TNO can be toppled. Some would argue that TRF isn't supposed to be about toppling governments or the 'game', but the story instead. Others would say that TNO simply cannot be toppled, being that it's grown too powerful. Still others would say that the problem is a perception one - that no one can grow as powerful as TNO because we can't imagine anyone else reaching that level.

To counterpoint that, however, the Coalition has done feats in the past. It survived disastrous wars, it recovered when it was expected to die, and it grew at times when it was under threat. I'm not brilliant, but I'm dogged and the Coalition has had some determined members before. We're fairly weak when compared to the Empire but we're still the #2 power in the galaxy, and when it comes to who wants it more, it can hardly be contested that the Coalition's been surviving a long time to take over. There's enough of a case to be made to say that we may recover and one day even defeat the Empire - that too would make a fine story.

TRF is still a game, and no matter how much finery is added to it, it obeys a few rules of gameplay. Namely that few things are bolted down, and that thanks to the common sense rule anything can happen if the right circumstances come along. Simon Kaine could accidentally kill himself tomorrow in a small, skirmish fleet battle when he forgets a planetary shield is up and flies right into it. An inferior Coalition could beat a superior Empire in the right circumstances, especially if a finely crafted story adds flourish to the plan and weight (or gravitas, if you preffer) to its' execution.

However, the conflict in my mind is at a dead heat. On the one side is an absolute, near-zealous faith in the righteousness of the Coalition, the importance of good beating evil, my own ability to forge ahead despite the doubts of other, and faith in the quality of the Coalition despite people's disdain for it. On the other hand is the Coalition's deciling support, increasing frustration, and gnawing fear that this entire project is in vain (as in failed, not egotistical, I'm already aware of that).

So I invite you to answer the question for me. Since TRF is perception-based, if everyone is of the opinion that it cannot be done, then there you go, it literally cannot be done and I should look into making the most of the story opportunities presented to me instead of working to goals I'd be denied anyways. If there is a strong opinion that the Coalition still serves a purpose by fighting towards the liberation of the galaxy, and that this is a real possibility and not a mad quest, then I'll keep at it. Simple as that. I cause enough frustration and irritation with my schemes, but if they have a valid chance of success I'll keep at them.

In case anyone's concerned, a strong no vote wouldn't drive me from TRF. Sure I'd be depressed, but I might also be a lot freer and might even write something new and fresh instead. Now that I've thought of this though I can't go on writing what might end up being an impossible story without checking to see if that's the case or not.

P.S. I seriously don't want to come over self-centered, vain, or egotistical, while at the same time I'm forced to aknowledge that this is kind of a selfish way to solve a problem and draw attention to myself. I apologize for this now, but the question's really starting to eat at me and even people on my own side have been asking me if this is all worthwhile or just madness.

You're not asking the right question.

It's the only question I care about, Ahnk.

But it's the wrong question. If you asked the other question, the answer would be the right answer, but since you're asking the wrong question, the answer will be the wrong answer.

You're protecting your silly interests the same way you did when we were arguing this. The difference is that you don't have the will to argue it, so you phrase a question in a way where no answer will be given not to support your point to avoid the fact that the idea presented to you by myself and others is without a doubt the correct course of action.

IMHO we seriously NEED a strong good side presence on this board, especially in the light of the TJO recent 'disbandment'. Unfortunately though, a lot of people here seem to like playing 'bad guys' instead, which causes an 'imbalance' of power. If we lose the Coalition, that will be one less group that helps balance the scales and would leave those that DO want to play a good side faction more hesitant to start one in the face of such powerful opposition. It's because of this I dislike the notion of taking over and controling planets like we do here: the balance of power is far too dependant on player base and right now that player base is overwhelmingly evil.

Knowing this it makes it hard for people like me that want little to do with the 'controlling government' bit to want to write their storylines. The worry being what if TNO comes in and takes/destroys the homeword and throw everything in my planned story arc out of whack? That kind of worry makes me wonder if Kal and I should just move our story stuff to another board where there isn't this 'planet take over' bit. It would be a shame...since we do have an audience here that enjoys reading our storys...but easily done since (in my case anyway) we never really 'connected' with many other writers here (partly because few wanted to join in the few threads we had open). I don't want to do that though.

Getting myself back on track here... we need the Coalition...hell we need more factions LIKE the Coalition to even things out here. But is anyone willing to do that? (I can't since I could be deployed at any time again and forced departures like that wouldn't be good for leading a faction...)

We don't necessarily need the Coalition, in fact it might be better at this point if the Coalition disbanded and a new lightside group set up camp with a fresh start. Considering the state of the galaxy, I personally lean towards a return to Rebellion tactics.... no strong governments and whatever, just fighting TNO...


But I'm a hopeless romantic.

I don't think the Coalition should be destroyed. Yeah, failures and defeats happen, no matter how strong a faction is or isn't. The British Empire has been defeated in its heyday. Things happen. Dolash, you seem to be looking at this from a somewhat skeptical IC standpoint. But this is a OOC decision, and I think that this is going to be taken from an OOC standpoint. As well, I don't think this is a decision that one person should make. If it's going to be dissolved, everyone within the Coalition needs to discuss and have a say in this (preferably in private), because everyone has contribuated to what the Coalition is.

Having a new lightside group that is like the old Rebel Alliance, like Leia suggested, would be interesting from a number of points, and it could eventually balance out of the Darkside vs. Lightside groups. I like the new idea myself, but I think having the Coalition is something that should stay.

TNO cannot, and will not be toppled. There is simply no way to do it.

Why?


Because the members of TNO will never accept anything less than victory. And if they ARE defeated, it is prearranged and the TNOer throws us a bone.

People join TNO not necessarily to be the bad guys, but because it is an easy way to get some victories and build up a strong reputation. The age-old argument that TNO wins because they are stronger and bigger will always win out.

Drayson posted several times in Bilbringi that he was winning because his troops were better trained than GCs, and we were essentially a bunch of idiots who fly into interdictor wells and abolisher fields.

I have spent years at TRF trying to earn respect from people, and I have been fleeting longer than almost everybody on this board (including Drayson), and I was pretty much written off as a retard.

In an environment like that, how could GC win?

Unfortunately, I agree with OS.

Dolash, you have worked your ass off turning the Coalition into a respectable faction here at TRF. I was blown away when you recovered from the first war with the Empire, and shed your innocence so to speak. I've told you this on AIM before. You learned how to play the game. People tell you its not about beating the other side, its about the story, but they're full of shit. TRF is a game, and a very original game. And this game is all about winning. We just incorporate good stories into that game. Sometimes, its true, the stories matter more than the game does. But the game is always there.

But the Coalition has so much bad baggage associated with it from your past mistakes and the past and present mistakes of your members (the latter of which is much more numerous) that its hard to imagine you guys ever coming out on top, ever truly sticking it to the Empire. Hell, Omnae's propaganda has half this board convinced that the Empire is truly a good guy faction. Hes half convinced me in some threads. And then, you know, there is Telan, who actually believes dictatorships are the way to go. (I love you Telan. Number One fan boy.)

But the idea of creating a clean slate, and starting anew, either with a fresh government-based faction or a guerilla/rebellion based faction as OS suggested would be a great idea, and would definitely reinvigorate the Battlegrounds a bit. After all, TNO can't declare war if you don't have a government. And they can't turn around and punch you square in the face after you try jabbing back when they jab you if they can't find you.

But I can also see the merits of keeping the Coalition alive. Of the hard work that has been put into it. Of how much the glory would be sweeter if finally, at the end of all things, you did manage to come out on top. That'd be absolutely fantastic as well. Either way, and I hate to say this.

Its your call. We're just here to cheer you on.

Too bad that won't happen. Ever.