[MR] Principalities and Driving Distances

[Smith CTR Jeffrey C]

Good afternoon all,

It has been interesting to watch this discussion from what I personally feel
is a valid complaint about driving distances and the economic impact of
traveling to one about a prospective principality in the north of Atlantia.

I don't feel that there is a definate connection between the two.  While
having a prince and princess to hold courts (and add 4 main events to the
calendar) may be nice, it really doesn't solve the problem regarding
distance to attend *kingdom events*.   It only gives the people in the
affected area more to do without traveling a long distance.  That can be
done more simply by hosting more four more events every year in that area. 

Honestly, I have no opinion on whether or not anyone, anywhere in Atlantia
forms a principality because the discussion is just hypothetical at this
point -- if it were to be seriously considered and in my area, I might feel
differently.

That said, let's look at events and driving times/costs.

I have recently moved here from a kingdom *much* larger in area where fuel
costs are *much* higher (overnight drives and airplane trips to attend
events are fairly common there).  I don't want to make this a "here's how we
did it elsewhere" discussion, but the solution there was to rotate the most
significant events to different parts of the kingdom to afford everyone the
opportunity to attend them without having to sell the house to get there.
Atlantia can be neatly divided into several areas (I am purposefully not
using the word "region"):  Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South
Carolina which includes nearly all of the Realm.  Why not rotate the most
significant events (including crown tournaments, coronations, and
university) from region to region.  The calendar merely needs to reflect
that the next (for example) crown tournament is to be held in Maryland and
bids are due by whenever.  If no one submits a bid, then an extension is
granted including an opportunity for other areas to bid.  The process is
simple, affords everyone an opportunity to attend major events at least
periodically, and is easily managed -- I know because I did it -- and if I
can do it, it must be simple ;)

The counter-proposal:  central locations where all events can be held is (1)
hard on the local populace (as pointed out already) since they will
routinely face a hard job and because it limits their ability to hold "fun"
events, and (2) permanently hard on those near the periphery of the kingdom
(define that how you will).  I see no real advantages.

Just food for thought.

Barcsi Janos

PS - Apologies if this comes through more than one.  It appears to be rejecting my posts repeatedly.