The Sanctuary

The following announces the formation of a new and quite different alliance open for the next 60 or so days to all members.  The purpose of the alliance is to promote open and honest discussion on subjects sometimes not allowed in GC.  The overall spirit of what we wish to be is explained below.  Do feel free to contact me if you desire more information or would like to join us.

AJ 

The Sanctuary

In the naming of the alliance the "The Sanctuary" we recognize that there is a certain withdrawal necessary to engage in the battle for understanding and wisdom.  We understand that while things in Illyland may be hectic and full of strife, there is need for a place where the pace is slower and we can engage with others desiring to address issues perhaps unsuitable or too charged for the average Illyite and for General Chat.  Thus, our place will be called "The Sanctuary" and we will be the HIGH Knights of The Sanctuary -- HKTS.

 And while, historically speaking, European knights were seldom humble, rarely lived with integrity, lacked most hints of gentleness, and were seldom above the level of cutthroats, thieves, rouges and thugs....far from being honorable....we also recognize that the romantic portrayal of knights in Western literature has imbued the term with those qualities we seek to emulate in the name HIGH Knight: Humility, Integrity, Generosity and Honor.  And for this romantic and richly imagined vision of what men and women can become, we name ourselves the HIGH Knights of the Sanctuary.

Humility, Integrity, Generosity, Honor.  These are the qualities of a HIGH Knight.  For with Humility we listen well, consider what has been given, and to understand that the force of argument is not the goal, but the forging of new understanding.  Understanding for ourselves and those around us.  With Integrity we call ourselves to do all we can to insure that all we say is as close to true as it can be made.  We do not exaggerate a point to make it stronger, we do not pretend to know what we have little to no reason for knowing, and in all things we accept that we may need to say, "I am wrong," or even "I am sorry."  We are Generous in our discussions because we recognize that a mistake made by one and corrected by another is seldom made on purpose or corrected out of spite.  We therefore accept that mistakes will be made by ourselves and by others and that when they are made we pledge ourselves to correct and receive correction  with a generous and gracious spirit.  And finally, we would act Honorably.  Honor is what sums up the totality of the HIGH Knights.  It is the response of the community to the humility, integrity and generosity displayed by the knight.  It covers all that the first three might miss and the one who is Honored is said to have journeyed far toward the final goal.  It is, of the four, the one given by others rather than built by ourselves.

And because we have withdrawn from the warring of the lands into The Sanctuary, we refrain from war, form no allegiances, compacts, or confabs which do not leave us completely neutral.  If one of our members or friends becomes entangled in conflict, we do not take sides.  We are Knights of the Sanctuary, not Knights of the Battle.  Our battles are with the pen and with ideas and we fight in the various halls of our library, in common room, and occasionally in the larger forum of Illyriad, but never on the fields of this fair land.  

Ajqtrz