The Sirame Status Quo

[Dragonslayerelf 654]

    The following message would be addressed to Aenor, as well as transcribed and placed in the front of the barracks. It would read thusly, and be written in the same rigid hand as Lindrael of old.

“My Sirame brethren,

Long have I lingered amongst the trees of Laurelin contemplating my father’s loss, before the Aspects bid me return to the city from whence I came. You may hardly know me, but I know myself. I am the son of the El’Naeri, son of the Gate-Graven of Laurelin, son of Lindrael Taliiyh Torena, Melgarth Taliiyh Torena. I have returned, my Sirame brethren, to find that the Sirame is as it was when I departed: Lazy, and passive. The clattering of wood against wood is not heard in our halls as we practice for war, nor is there the sound of the whip falling on the backs of those who defy our laws and our practices. We have grown lenient, we have grown spineless, we have grown lazy. I remember reading of the practices of the Sirame of old, when, in a world called Athera, there was a specific enforced training time where those Sirame who had signed up were called to action, to lay before them arms and armaments and practice, where the whip fell and where the promotions were had, where we greeted each other as brethren and congratulated those who were promoted as brethren. Here, I come before you all, and say that we need reform. We need to change our practices, so we may, once again, be Sirame,  and restore honor to our military.

Many have forgotten the origin to our order: The Order of Sirame. Sirame, meaning Honor, was meant to originally restore honor to our people, and restore honor to our practices, and now, while our culture is rich and prosperous under Artimec Carmae’onn, our military is falling behind and lacking. Our Annil, the respected veteran Aenor Calthil, is dormant, and I believe that we need a new Annil. I would suggest myself, but should another be selected, I would like to outline points of reform for our order.

On my first point of reform, which I would ensure to institute, would be a defined gathering time, at which we would all gather in a designated area and perform certain activities that would pertain to the Sirame. There, we would train for battle, to ensure that we are at all times battle-ready, announce promotions of the various individuals in the Sirame, and deal out punishments to those who do not follow our creed.  These would occur every Elvish Saturday, at a time which is still under consideration. Lindrael fought for this vision, however, his was a distorted sort, and he did not see the Aspects’ light clearly. However, Cernunnos has blessed me with the foresight that he lacked, and as a result I have given part of myself to his dedication.

On my second point of reform, we would have punishments instituted for various crimes under the Sirame. For a minor offense, they would simply get a public telling off, and a slap on the wrists with a spruce-wood branch. For a larger offense, a public flogging is in order, which would take place at the beginning of the gathering. For a felony, and something that strictly breaks the code of the Sirame, and also defiles the laws of Laurelin, they are to be branded with a hot iron, depicting the Oak Tree, the symbol of the Sirame, and banished from our lands. For treason, nothing could suffice less than the headsman’s axe.

On my third point of reform, our ranks should define the privileges of any individual in the Sirame. For Averns, they are but able to fight in wars. They are our aspirants, those who, if they show promise, are promoted to have greater purposes. They are our strength, and they are our weakness. For Haler, they are able to undertake the immeasurably important task of manning the gate, as well as having all rights that an Avern may possess. For a Naeri, they are allowed the wordless permission to marry within the Sirame, and also hold a family of their own. For a Chirr, they are able to distribute all punishments up to just below that of a felony, as well as command men in the Sirame’s name, and suggest promotions to the current leader of the Sirame. For a Ceru, they are the second in command to the Annil, and should the Annil be absent, they take all roles and responsibilities of the Annil. They may also distribute punishments up to that of a felony. The Annil is our leader, and they, and only they, may deem an action treason within the Sirame, as well as cancelling training sessions and being the general of the Sirame in times of war. The High Prince and other Princes have power over the Sirame as well, and the Annil is their subject, not their equal. These permissions are to ensure that the Sirame members have the motivation to lunge ahead, and the motivation to continue to excel in defending the walls of the Principality as a whole.

And with that, I would like to add one more thing. I am not Lindrael, I do not hold the same racist and irreparable ideals towards our allies and other non-elvish nations. I do not approve of racial discrimination against half elves, dwarves, humans, orcs, or any other visitors to our nations, so long as they intend to cause no harm to our citizens or our people as a whole. I am Melgarth Taliiyh Torena, and I wish to say that the Sirame is in need of change.

No longer will we lay dormant in the gatehouse, gambling our earnings away. No longer will we be under-equipped and unable to ward off our assailants. There will be a time when we, the Wood Elven peoples, will be driven to war, but it is not yet come. I seek to prepare us for that time, and to ensure that we may conquer when all is said and done.

I seek not only the High Prince and the Princes’ approval, I seek the Annil’s permission to act in his stead, as a temporary Annil to break the status quo in the name of our nation, and in the name of Sirame, in the name of our honor.

~Melgarth Taliiyh Torena, Elder of the Taliiyh bloodline of Torena.”

 

[Kaelan 1918]

Lyemar nods his head at that, a small smile spread across his lips. "I wouldn't want a Torena to lead us. But we need some reforms in the leadership of the Sirame."

[Destroyer_Bravo 1054]

"Wait, they don't let their goons man the gate? How did this guard force remain coherent?" states a professional guardsman incredulously

[Treshure 5817]

"Two things mobilize a militant force: desires to defend or desires to go on the offensive. The wood elves are currently under no threat. Likewise, they have zero ambition to conquer new lands. As for crimes, the common vice of violence is not prevalent in wood elven society; rather it is moral degradation that assails them. This is an ambiguous and something taken lightly, nothing to truly motivate a guard force. If none of these variables change, the wood elves will not have an active military."

[WuHanXianShi14 0]

"I'll be content as long as I can summon enough Sirame on short notice to handily deal with whatever bandit or spookmen walk into town. Which, we can do without making an el'avern who joined a week ago its Commander." Artimec said plainly, ripping up the poster.

[Guest]

Kairn blinks. Vehemently.

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, rosediode said:

"I want him as a temporary Annil like I want a hole in my head. I didn't think the Sirame could suck any worse, but here I am, constantly astounded by the increasing stupidity." remarks Arianna pointedly to Kairn. 

 

"It's surprising but not unexpected." He smirks faintly at his wife before crossing his arms. "Let stupid do as stupid does in the mean time, real change will come eventually."

[arakrsptec 171]

Wistari opens the gate, asks three questions, then closes it.

[Drop Koala 332]

30 minutes ago, | ZipZapMan | said:

Lyemar nods his head at that, a small smile spread across his lips. "I wouldn't want a Torena to lead us. But we need some reforms in the leadership of the Sirame."

Damai would be extremely hurt by these words "Slander is not needed between Sirame"

[Dragonslayerelf 654]

Melgarth would sigh, saying "At no point did I say 'Make me an Annil', but I did say I would accept the position with honor." in a calm, collected voice that would betray a slight degree of frustration. "I'd prefer that you focus on the main message, that being, the Sirame need change. Change in leadership, change in practice, and change in attitude. This is not about a petty power-grab on my part. Not to mention, I've been a Sirame for more than a week, however I've been off seeking solitude in the Aspect's wood."

[Bepsi 2]

"I suppose some reforms are needed?" 

Artozka shrugged after reading the poster, walking off into the gatehouse content with his posting.

[molly molly molly 1329]

Kolohe Finnigan sighs from the heavens. 

[Your Favorite Impure 736]

((Here's hoping third time's a charm when trying to type this up and post it))
The letter would be brought to Aenor's attention, the grizzled elf's blue-hued eyes scanning each line with scrutiny. After the grizzled elf finishes reading the letter, his brows furrow as he stays silent in contemplation for a few moments. After some time, the Annil would emit a growing chuckle, shaking his head a bit before meandering over to his desk. Soon, he would begin to pen a response to the letter and poster:


To the bold Avern, Melgarth,
I must admit, I admire your desire to approach an issue without hesitation. I will be the first to admit that the Order is in a lull of sorts, given recent events. However, you must keep in mind that you have only recently returned to your 'Ame brethren after the conclusion of yet another wearisome war. We have achieved what we hope to be a long-lasting peace, thanks to the continuing efforts of our High Prince, Tristin, and of our cultural head, Artimec, and we will take advantage of said peace to its fullest extent. You reference times long past, in Athera and Vailor; times which you were not present for. I can say with absolute surety that what is occurring now within the Sirame occurred back then numerous times, and has happened to many different orders spanning the ages. Activity rises and falls, similar to the ever-changing tide of the ocean. In this time of peace, I seize the opportunity to work closely with my officers to reform to the Sirame into something competent and honorable. However, such change does not happen in a day, nor in the blink of an eye. There must be a sturdy base from which to work on, and once it is defined, one is able to expand from there.

Regarding your first reform you would make, if you were given my authority, I will state that coming to an agreeable time to conduct a large training session is difficult. Not every mali is one and the same, each differing in what is occurring in their own lives. Large sessions such as those aforementioned were attempted, and will continue to be attempted if the Order so desires. We have implemented a Drillmaster previously, though complications that I will refrain from delving into arose, and we will find an apt replacement as soon as the opportunity presents itself. I will also state that I have conveyed my desire for Sirame to participate in spontaneous spars and training sessions. You do not require the sanction of myself or the other officers to show initiative. Find your meandering brethren within elcihi and offer a spar, offer to delve into the handbooks which you are given and further study that which you are to abide to. I trust you have the resourcefulness to better yourselves, to prove you are devoted to carry out your duty not only to your city, but to your people. 

In reference to your second reform you would enact: we have had punishments for the Sirame outlined for some time, passed during one of our Convocations long before you returned. I can only assume you wish to see the aforementioned list, so I have procured a copy and will have sent it with this letter, to read at your convenience. The list is subject to edits and tweaks, so I would recommend to glance at the notices within the barracks in the future to ensure you're informed. I have informed my officers of my desire for them to enforce these punishments more frequently and aptly. With luck, the Sirame will soon regain its composure and those who are issues will be shaped into better versions of themselves, and finer evariran. This is an aspiration in which I hope we can all strive for.
Finally, I will keep this portion of my response succinct by simply stating that I am open to new notions from all Sirame, no matter their standing within our ranks. Whether you wish to approach me privately or profess your desire to change in our Convocations, I will always retain both an open ear and mind. Should you personally wish to continue to pursue changes regarding power held within the ranks, approach me and I will ensure it is a topic added to the agenda for the next Convocation.

I can also ensure that neither of those you mentioned, or myself, will approve of such a ludicrous request, as positions of power are not freely given out, rather they are earned. Continue to show initiative as you have, and I am sure you will do well in this regard.

 

-Annil Aenor Calithil

[Daisy 9735]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

If you feel this is a mistake, please contact myself or any FM and we'll restore it.