A response...

I happened to come across someone's blog and noticed what that I was the topic of some discussion, so I feel compelled to respond. I'm addressing only what was said, and quite literally - there are no accusations here, and hopefully no intuitive leaps made on my part. If you don't happen to RP online, this won't make much sense to you, but bear with me.

To say that I and someone else have divided MT and turned it into a popularity contest rather than a forum for roleplay by one and all is not only unfair, it is unfounded. First of all, let me point out that the current state of MT has been developing - or should I say degrading - for years, and to attribute it to only two people is just plain silly. Whether or not the Elders were chosen by virtue of popularity or not long ago, I don't know. It happened before I came along, and not much longer after I arrived the whole notion was abandoned. (Incidentally, when the issue came to life once more and people suggested reinstating the Elders, I was of the opinion that they could no longer be truly effective, and I said as much. I won't go into why now, as it's off-topic.)

Whatever myself and any others are planning, it is certainly not with the intent of excluding those willing to take part; in fact, it's very much the opposite. We (and I stress we, as I am not the only person behind this, but in this instance I'll open my big mouth and speak for them, hopefully without upsetting them in the process) have hopes that whatever events we plan or plotlines we put into action, they will draw in those who usually do not rp with people outside their own tight knit groups. I'm well aware of the phenomenon in which people limit their rp to only a select few, and I would like to see that change as much as anyone else would. I've made recent posts on the Mystic Tavern's Official Lycos Club to that effect, as well as addressing other problems that have been going on for too long now. (Yes, before anyone pipes up, I'm well aware that I have been a participant in them, as have we all. I don't pretend to be blameless.) To assume that you have been excluded because you are not intimately involved in the very early planning stages is jumping the gun on your part.

Furthermore, I am well within my right to form a "secretive huddle" and discuss future plans with those who will be helping to set things in motion. If I held an open discussion in the main room about future plans I hoped to put into action, then I wouldn't have much of a plot left to go by. Everyone would know what I wanted to accomplish, and the moment I took it in character, people would immediately put an end to it. I'd like my ideas and those of others to have a longer, more lasting effect than the span of a few days. But more to the point, nothing has happened yet for someone to be shut out of. Ideas are still being tossed back and forth, details are being worked out, so for anyone to think that we are forming yet another clique is being hasty. Frankly, I wonder how it is you knew that we were even working on anything, as I know I didn't tell you and only a few others have been asked for their help so far. Who I choose to help me in implementing ideas is my own discretion. Who becomes involved once the ball gets rolling... let me say here and now that I hope everyone takes part, from old players to new.

The point here is indeed to encourage rp, but to be open about possible plots before the are even fully realized is a little foolish. Anyone familiar with MT knows that as soon as players get wind of a plot about to take place, they make plans to tear it to pieces. While I certainly want there to be opposition, I'd rather it came about by way of in character action, not because they were privy to out of character information and used it to their advantage.

In closing, I say again - No one is being cut off. If you choose to think of it that way, then I am sorry. Maybe once things develop, if indeed they do, because often things are discussed and never put into action, you'll see that our intent was never to exclude anyone. Until then you'll just have to wait.