Posted by Proud Blade(VIP) on October 30, 2000 at 18:43:55:
In Reply to: Proud Blade posted by Bemus-ed on October 30, 2000 at 17:19:17:
I cited Arolin in two contexts: 1) As someone who knows what they are doing in Thera, but usually chooses not to roleplay more than the paltry amount it takes to keep from being denied. Ponting stands out as an early example that shattered any illusions about Sylvan being the "elite RP" cabal that it is sometimes claimed to be, in my opinion. (*) Obviously, I have no way to tell what Arolin is capable of if he actually gave a shit. But I am fairly convinced that he does not give a shit. 2) As someone who developed his skills, in part, by "bending" the rules. Whether or not he's still doing it, he's where he is, in part, because he got a lot of information that he didn't earn. Frankly, I would have thought that Arolin would be more bothered by Arcane's assertion that he isn't a top-tier player, since he wears both of the above with some degree of pride. Ironically, the only reason I have enough ammunition to take shots at Arolin is because he brags about the above two things rather frequently on the Forum. I'm not nearly "connected" enough to know that about most people. If you or Arolin wish to discuss this further, email me at proudblade@qhcf.net. (*): Granted, there are less-than-impressive examples in most cabals, but Sylvan maintained a facade of being "above" them for a while. I'd say recently they are about average overall, with some quite good, and some that make you wonder. I am a confessed Flontiphile, after all. > I've been gone a while now and have been reading the last few pages of the boards and I am amazed at how often you can bring Arolin into your messages to make a point, or comparison. I know him better than anyone, and am in the best position to do the comparisons and for the life of me, I cannot understand you always bring him up. It's obviously personal, you hated one of his characters when you were young and impressionable on CF and that hatred has grown, as have you. Sure you may have surpassed certain aspects of his playing (I have no doubt that you are able to play characters with more meaningful roles than both him and myself), but I really think you should lay off. The only thing that really gets under my skin is the common attitude that SMUG cheats and will continue to cheat. SMUG got a bad name by the people that introduced us to CF back in '96 - '97. Before you were around. Since then we have been more than harshly treated, and will continue to do so by people like yourself. Sure we've had the permagroups, but have we since the rules were changed? No. Arolin has not done a single thing against the rules since the Shannagen/Yagar thing (which in my mind was completely legitimate anyhow), neither have the other few remaining members of SMUG. The immortals will have you believe we have, denying Jarmel's and my character for being on at the same time (apparently both being played by myself or Jarmel -- yet impossible that each of us controlled one (that has happened on about three occasions now)). To sum up, I really think you should try find someone more worthy of your attention. At least if you are going to use him or anyone from SMUG as an example, refrain from the rules aspect unless you are directly quoting an action from the past. Do you really want to be fuelling Arolin's ego anyway?