[MR] Permenant Crown event site

[Adeliza of Bristol]

Personally, I believe there are a few things I think people need to be keeping in mind as they discuss this and before they post:

Before you say "what about two or three additional event sites" or "what about one here and one there" please keep in mind that if such sites were available, this wouldn't be being proposed. The basic fact is that there has not been, to this date, any sort of constantly reliable site or bids from any area or any group. No one can be the "fall back" when Coronation/Crown is a month away and no one has put in a bid. Now, if you want to go out there and find those sites, ohhhh please please do!! But until more than one usable and confirmable site has been found, the suggestion of additional sites and sites in additional locations is a moot point. TRMajesties proposed solution addresses the stark lack of groups to be able to plan for Crown in less than six months (or two, for that matter). A Kingdom at the mercy of a failing bid process for such important things as Crown and Coronation is an uncomfortable situation. 

Nothing is written in stone. There will be likely some change to the policies for holding these events to accomodate for the different style of hosting. I don't know where the idea that there is a $1500 income guarantee, but I can tell you from experience that does not always happen. We all have to work with the money we get, so there can be no income guarantee for any event, and expenses must always be met first. Hold Crown in one of the border lands of the Kingdom, especially up here in the mountains of Hawkwood, and you can bank on not making that much. This also addresses the complaint that far lying groups won't get to hold a proper event. Right now, a group in the farthest reaches of the Kingdom will not turn the same profit as they would holding it at BJ Penn. That is a fact. Too far south, and the north can't do it, and vice-versa. If it is in the same place with the same expenses and accomodations, it will be a far greater benefit to everyone involved really. Groups will have a real idea of how much income will be generated by the event, rather than hoping the other half of the Kingdom makes the trip.

This isn't the re-creation of the wheel, folks. Crusades, Sapphire,  even Sea Wars maybe (?) and many other events have had permenant locations. The local groups were not crippled and usually they benefitted from the plan. How is the Kingdom reusing this site any different from Sacred Stone reusing Tripplet Farm for WoW each year? From what I have heard, each WoW only gets easier to deal with as bugs are worked out. Staff is able to pass on knowledge to those who take their place. Autocrats have fewer surprises to deal with. There is a  whole lot of potential for good things coming of this.

If Crown is in one place, you know to plan to go there six months in advance. No different from going to any war or stationary event. If your a merchant, you decide on potential profit vs. expenses, just like any stationary event in the Kingdom, only now you know better what those figures are in advance. Only traveling to Crown if it is within X hours is going to be no different than avoiding it completely simply because it will always be X hours away. If it is a good money opportunity, then it is a good one whether it is two our eight hours away. Just like WoW and other constant events, you commit to what you can and when. No matter if it is next door, you may not make any money or you may not make it to the event at all, no matter the location or distance.

No matter where Crown is held, someone is going to complain it isn't close to them. However, I don't hear people complain that Pennsic is never close, nor Gulf Wars, nor Crusades when it was going strong, nor WoW for that matter. If you want to attend bad enough, you will. Someone is *always* closer to the site. I would propose to all that *prior* to complaining, have an answer to the situation to propose. There has been frequent complaints that bids were turned down due to distance. Well, that will not be a problem with this proposal as the distance will remain the same and the Crown will not have the option to choose a local bid over a far off one. It will require those who run the event to have the proper expertise to know how to run an event that is not in their back yard, therein relying on the whole Kingdom, not just their buddies and local group. Nothing bad can come of that! If you want to run Kingdom events, you have to learn how to run an event that includes the whole Kingdom. Additionally, those around our Kingdom who are proficient with running Kingdom events can be leaned on in case of serious need. If the hosting group doesn't have anyone who can run the event, someone can be found to do so for them, instead of forcing people to do something they may prefer not to. The hosting group should never be shouldering all the duties of a Kingdom event. That is what the Kingdom's Officers, Orders, the Peerages and a plethora of other people are out here for. This may force them all to be implemented as they should be!!

The welfare of the Kingdom needs to have some priority here. Yes, it is important to keep the groups and individuals in mind, but throwing the baby out with the bathwater makes no sense. Kingdom events are becoming more and more in danger of not occuring, and some already have (Universities specifically). It seems to be the knee jerk to say "what about me" or "what about us" but we and us don't mean a thing when Crown is held in someone's back yard due to no bids, sites, or people to run the event. So, keeping in mind that there is no plan whatsoever for Crown Tourney in November, only six or so months from now, is there any other idea that will fix this problem today? Next month even? Suggesting using multiple sites in different areas only works if those sites and areas are all ready to go. They are not and have yet to be at any point in the semi-recent past. Implementing this idea now secures the site for Crown for the next few times, and if the situation with bids lightens up then this can all be revisited. Essentially, the Kingdom is "off the hook" for at least two of its events per year (or four if you throw in Coronation too). This may give a needed gap to allow the groups to start finding ways to fix the situation, that is if the groups actually find real issues with the situation worth addressing. Keep in mind that only two or four events are secured with this, there are still six or eight Kingdom events no one is turning in bids for. This strikes me as a simply a healthy drop in the bucket of a larger problem.

Again, this will not be carved in stone for all time. If things should change and groups suddenly be able to host Crown or Coronation locally more often, then I expect this will be revisited and appropriate changes made. Right now today, all those who enter Crown must keep in mind they will have to deal with the fact their Coronation and Crown is up in the air and dependant on someone out here find a place and put in a bid. As if there isn't enough on the plate of new Heirs, now they also have to figure out who to try and get to hold events. I just don't see that as fair really.

Obviously, I see a whole lot of pro's to this recommendation as a way to address this situation as it stands right now today. There are a few things regarding policies and administration that I look forward to seeing how they are handled, but I have faith in those being worked through when we get there. I truly believe that if we all look at the issue with this specific Kingdom event, and exclude our personal interests and all the "what-ifs" that could be addressed when and if they apply, the solution will be obvious and this permentant site, even if only for the next few years, may be the most viable option.

If there is another option, that is what I really need to hear before I feel this one is out. What we have is absolutely not working and complaining about proposals to fix it without providing working options really isn't productive. No proposal will be without flaws, and if it appeared to be, I promise someone will come up with some. The thing is to find a proposal that fixes the serious problem, even if it has a few flaws too. 

Which flaw is greater, not having Crown Tourney or people always having to travel the same distance to attend be it near or far? Limiting attendance at Crown because it had to be held at someone's home or local Rec. Center, or the populace having to plan the trip every six months if they want to attend? Coronation being on the weekend it normally is no matter what, or having to choose between family commitments during a holiday weekend because it had to be moved to accomodate a site's availability?? Is anyone else tired of not being able to plan attendance at one of the two biggest Kingdom events a year, simply because no one has a clue where it will be held until a couple months prior, at most?! Step back and look at the list of problems currently being juggled before putting this idea down completely. Perhaps there is a better idea, but the only way to know is if all the problems are evaluated and compared.

Ok, that is enough wear and tear on this horse from me.

Baroness Adeliza of Bristol, OP