A Call to Arms

[Holister]

Greetings. Ben Holister here with a serious question. As of late, this place has become the local branch of Villains R Us.

Lets see who we have amongst our midst that should take a strictnyne cocktail.

Dele Morte
Jeremiah Dark
The Dark Voice
Deathblaster
Dym
The Gentleman
Evil Ron
Khavik
Gabriel
Elliot Windner
Nain Rouge {hopefully dead}
Gothicfox {hopefully dead}

Hopefully stay quite DEAD!

Stephen
The Unnamable
GRIM
Loki
Dr. Shepard {&}
The Four Horsemen

And those were off the top of my head, though I am sure they are plenty more I am not even aware of.

While I am on the subject, where the Hell is everybody.

Everyone is all over the place and half our current members are either MIA, hospitalized, or hiding.

This is why we as a combined whole need to get our act together. It was mentioned in a much earlier topic that we should pull our resoiurces and act more like an orginized agency rather than a bunch of gun toting vigilantes {one of which I happen to say I am}.

Look at us though. We don't even know what we are doing half the time because of a lack of communication, denied need to know iformation, and one too many of us playing lone wolf.

There is also way too much "cloak & dagger" crap for my tatse. This is supposed to be the LazloSociety/Agency, not the neighborhood rec center where you hang out just because your current group has noting better to do.

Of course society members and society agent have different standings and responsibilities so as agency members we have a responsibility to proect the society from riff raff and other despots who think they can waltz in and start barking threats. That has to stop here and now.

Another thing, Who is Who? I don't know any more. Too many damn secrets, even from one another. Each time we with hold vital info, or even subtl personal problems, it always seems to catch up to us. Sure its great for suspence and the occasional "awe factor" but come on guys, if we are not here for each other, then who the Hell else can we trust.

I also suggest a lable or "red flag" for all abble rousers, villains, and members of questionable alignment, some thing like WARNING! Bad Guy at Play! Is that too much to ask.

Another thing. We need a better system of ommunication, operation relay, and command structure {so to speak}. In recent months I have seen that the following members are the top guys in the society in the event of real trouble.

Ron
Bert
KT
Shadow
Myself

Us five are the regulars who are here almost everyday. So my idea is that the binary memebers of the society should at least check in with one of the above mentioned when out in the field or if something odd or evil happens. We need to do this and keep up with it. If for any reason, to keep tabs on each other so we don't have to keep adding names to our Memorial Wall.

Another problem I see is our lack of shared knowledge. We are an agency folks, yet certain people have certain knowledge and training that might be valuable group wide. Bert took a giant leap forward and had a society weekend training where he shared his knowledge with others and vise versa. We need to do this regularly, maybe once every four months.

Vital knowledge and training is key in fighting the threat of supernatural evil. We can no longer have a select few people holding the chalice and lord it over the rest of us.
So I say we should have the following courses at each of the quarterly events:

The Arcane
Combat Training
Monster Lore
Field Medical Training
Psi Training
Tech Training

I think that should cover the basics and bring us all up to par with current events.

We should also keep a contact list of each member and their primary and binary specialties so we know who to reach for a particular problem.

We also have NO current actual members who are anything other than human {I hope}. I stand firm when I say this is a good thing right now. I say no more non-humans should be allowed access to the society, its resources, and its shared collective. This was always a mistake that has come back to bite us in the ass, hence the problem with our current list of villains that needs to be dealt with.

One more point of interest.
Why is it when there is a problem, we are half ass about it, most of the time, I include myself in this.

Seriously, when some bad guy or SupNat menace rears its head, first we insult it, then we only take pop shots at it. F**k that! We need to collaborate, drop what we are doing, and neutralize the threat before it becomes another Dark or Dym or whatever.

Logos is right, how many innocent people lost their lives or have had teirlives ruined because of Dark, look how many of our own people have also at the hands of Dym. We take these menaces to lightly, when we should be crushing them out of existance.

I just want everyone to think about what I am syaing and don't go looking for insults with this post. We seriously need to step back and envision the big picture here folks.
We all need work, we all need to improve, and we all need to strta working together as a team. I am affraid if we don't these chronic villains of the month will eventually get the better of us.

I have include a Start up for the contact info List; it will go like this:

1)Handle
2)Status
*{freelance, society member, or agency member}
3)Primary Specialty
4)Binary Specialty

That should be simple enough.
Bad guys need not apply!

[KonThaak]

Some quick problems that I think we need to clear up:

1: Gabriel hasn't done anything particularly harmful, leastwise not against us. He may only be helping us so long as it's in his best interests, but his code of honor won't have him out harming innocents as soon as he gets what he wants.

2: DeathBlaster hasn't actually done any serious harm. The worst he does--I feel, the worst he's capable of doing--is causing annoyance among our ranks. I also get the feeling this is going to bite him in the ass someday.

I'd appreciate seeing both those names pulled from the "villains" list. Gabriel's a vigilante more than anything, and DB's...just annoying.

3: While I agree that half-assing against the true villains shouldn't be acceptable behavior, I think we should keep our heads cool when one pops up, make sure that they are, indeed, a threat, before we decide to act, and potentially take down some innocent who thinks this is just some role-playing board or something along those lines.

Other than that, that sounds good.

I can only attend the meets in my area, though... I broke my retirement for one situation that I felt truly merited it, and I'm still kinda torqued about it.

For the record, I never meant to hold what knowledge I have over anybody else... Ask Ron, or Bert, or anyone else. I've tried to be forthcoming with information as I realize it's necessary. I don't have the time to just post everything in some thread...

Although...maybe we could have another couple of boards done? Pendragon, would that be possible? One for "Philosophy, Religion, and Ethics", and one for a bestiary on demons, monsters, and other baddies?

[Holister]

I don't fully agree with you about Gabe thee Josh. He is too unpredicatble, his behavior lacks any sense of loyalty say to you {and that is even iffy}. Let the other pass their own judgement on him and where he stands.

As for Deathblaster, who here does not want to see him fried. Again, let the others decide.

[KonThaak]

Alright, I won't argue over Gabriel...

As for DB... This guy's pry some high school student somewhere. Annoying as he is, so far as I'm concerned, he's an innocent who's never truly dealt with this stuff before.

If we seek his demise simply because he annoys us, we're no better than those we claim to hunt.

I'll admit, I used to get quite irked with him, too, but even when he bothered me, I never once thought he deserved to die for posting inanities on a forum board.

C'mon, guys, we are better than this...

[Holister]

I agree we shouldn't go and wack the guy, maybe he is just some disfunctional misguide youth who gets his jollies screwing with legitimate indivduals such as ourselves.

All I am saying is that we confront him personally and see for ourselves. This way if he is just some kid, we can talk to him, maybe fill him in on what we really do and the importance of our work. If he is some wack job bad guy wanna be, we take him down nice and quiet like.

[GhostSpider]

You know Ben, I can not help but notice the incredible similarities between this post and the one that you posted way back during the Four Horsemen incident.

No non-humans. The Lazlo Society is here for ALL who would fight the darkness.

I agree with the need for better communications. I disagree with a command structure though. I will take suggestions and pointers, but no orders. Not even from those I respect.

I agree that the five members mentioned are the guys who usually take charge. However, referring to them as the regulars is insulting to the other reuglars here. Certainly we don't take charge, and for good reason. Zack and Logos are too new, i'm no leader, and Darknyht seems content to remain as a freelancer. (I apologize to anyone i've left out). Still, we are here on a regular basis too. All I ask for is a little respect for the other regulars here. We might not be the leaders you guys are, but we work just as hard.

[KonThaak]

I must've skimmed through Holister's post, 'cuz I didn't see anything about command... I didn't address the "no non-humans" thing because as of right this moment, it's not an issue.

If the Hit Squirrel makes a comeback, I'll be the first to vouch for her...

Speaking of whom, she's got me worried. I would leave home to find her, but we haven't heard from anyone in the animal group for a while... I don't know where to look.

But at any rate, you are right, GS... Any and all who are here to fight against those who would willingly and remorselessly prey on our people are welcome in my books.

It's just a moot point to argue, right now.

[Holister]

I agree with the need for better communications. I disagree with a command structure though. I will take suggestions and pointers, but no orders. Not even from those I respect.

There for lies the problem. There are too many chiefs and not enough indians. In times of conflict, what I suggest is an establish chain of command to establish order and keep a mission running smoothly. The best example of this was when Ron rescued his daughter.

I suggest a mission leader who is familiar and experienced with handling a situation; and a second in command who can see through the mission if the team leader should happen to fall. The whole "lone gunman" mentality has to end for us to truly work together for the sake of The Society and everything it stands for.

I agree that the five members mentioned are the guys who usually take charge. However, referring to them as the regulars is insulting to the other reuglars here. Certainly we don't take charge, and for good reason. Zack and Logos are too new, i'm no leader, and Darknyht seems content to remain as a freelancer. (I apologize to anyone i've left out). Still, we are here on a regular basis too. All I ask for is a little respect for the other regulars here. We might not be the leaders you guys are, but we work just as hard.

There was no disrepect mentioned or insult implied.

I should have used the words senior members. Those with more experience. I understand we all work hard, but the fact is, some of us have more practical hands on experience on and off the field.

This is the reasoning behind those five as my choices for field/team leaders.

[Holister]

As for non-humans. I myself was going to ask Celeste Darken, a vampire, to marry me. Not exactly the action of a bigot.

My only concern, as was hers, was if and when the time came for her to have her existance ended, it would be by more than likely one of us. As was the case.

Ron was left with no choice to to kill Celeste. I understand why he did it, but I know I will never forgive him. This is the point. Why place the burden of responsibility on a fellow team mate, and also have that team mate bare the brunt of the aftermath. It is not fair for anyone.

If there is a non-human ally who hunts the same evil as us, that is all said and good, just do not let him announce his or her existance here in a public manner to avoid any inner conflict within The Society.

[Bert_the_Turtle]

I disagree too Ben. I loved Cee. I didnt' get to know her very well though, I wish I had gotten to know her half as well as you did. If I had our situations may have been reversed.

But we should welcome the non-human hunters here as well. For all the conflict they cause, I believe it made us stronger.


Second, I disagree with your chain of command premise. The greatest weakness but greatest strength of The Society is its decentralization.

We need to establish guidelines for establishing who is in charge and what their duties are, but beyond that it should be left alone.

I agree we need more training seminars. Also the location should move every time to increase the chance of someone attending one of them.

Oh, and, can anyone find me? I'm in a wheelchair with my leg in a cast somewhere in Russia.

[GhostSpider]

Great, now we get to play Where's Waldo: Bert edition.

I wasn't calling you a bigot Ben, I just thought you were being a little narrow-minded.

As for the "chiefs and indians" bit, I only said I wouldn't take orders. Now, if someone were to phrase the order as a suggestion, I would have no problem with it.

With the "regulars" business, I do think you should have gone with senior members.

Bert, like I said, give me a description of where you are. Within 24hrs my artifact will have recharged enough for a short jump. Also, a description could help us if we were to use magic to track you down.

[Bert_the_Turtle]

Uhhhh, I just sent you some digital photos of where I am. That's thebest I can do.

[Ron Caliburn]

No monsters would be a good start. So let's revoke the memberships of those we got - by destroying them.

[DarKnyht]

While I agree with the intent of the first post, I do have a few issues with it.

First, I take some offense at being called young blood. Outside of Ron, Ghost, and Shadowstalker, I am probably one of the older members still active (I also remember Traveler King when I first arrived here). I just took a roughly a year away to learn some needed skills and gain some control with my abilities. And as it was pointed out, I spend a good part of my time on here as does others.

Second, centralized command just doesn't work in our situation. We have no central headquarters and the odds of getting one is extremely slim. It is too risky. Too many things would take the opportunity to severely cripple the society. If you want to have a command structure, make it cell based. That way one cell taken does not jeopardize the others.

Now, on the good side I agree with the non-human policy. But then, my reasons are that I don't trust them and would rather not have them around at all. That is one of the reasons why I am a freelancer. Lazlo is supposed to represent the ideal of good beings working together for the good of all and I currently cannot fully support that

You are also right when you say we need to put our skills/talents to use. Each of us have strengths and weaknesses, I work with computers and do research yet rarely am I asked to tackle such tasks by the society. We need to improve on this.

[Deathblaster]

We also have NO current actual members who are anything other than human {I hope}. I stand firm when I say this is a good thing right now. I say no more non-humans should be allowed access to the society, its resources, and its shared collective.

Whoo-hoo! Dose thus mean your over the vamp? Yeay!

2: DeathBlaster hasn't actually done any serious harm. The worst he does--I feel, the worst he's capable of doing--is causing annoyance among our ranks. I also get the feeling this is going to bite him in the ass someday.

THats cuz you ain't never seen me mad treehuggger.

[Logos]

you know what? I'm starting to agree with Holister's idea. We could have an optional group, run by several of the senior members of the society, that is less centralized than what Holister is suggesting, but...

Ok, here's my idea. Some here seem to be rather... Affluent (that means some of you have a lot of money!). If some of these fortunate members decided to hire full time hunters, I think, not naming any names, but certain individuals who happen to be L.E.O.s, may or may not decide to take a job. This is purely hypothetical, just shooting the breeze.... But these hypothetical L.E.O.s also wouldn't accept a paycut, the rich folks in charge would have to match or beat an honest cop's wages... hypothetically.

OK, NOW walk.

[Ron Caliburn]

I dislike 'professionals'

[Kolya]

Yea, me, too.

I at least have to have some dinner first.

[Ron Caliburn]

Your a soldier, major difference.

[Thomas Sheldon]

Watch it there kiddo, on some days I resmble that remark.

No worries though,most people show stronger distaste when they know anything about my work.

[Ron Caliburn]

If you onl;y care about the money, I already have plenty enough distaste for you.

[Thomas Sheldon]

If you get into this line of work for the money, kiddo, you don't last long. One side plays you against the other, untill they find someone cheaper and more reliable, then you get a retirement gift of about 250-300 grains of lead.

I am successfull enough to be able to set my prices, and pick and choose on jobs, I had the advantage of already having a reputation before I ever started getting paid by the job. I don't need the money, but what am I going to do, take up knitting?

[DarKnyht]

There is the great problem. We need members that are paid to investigate the supernatural so they are free to come save our collective rear-ends, while we don't want people only in it for the pay.

Too professional and we question their loyalties, not professional enough and we can't rely on their availablity.

[concrete_Angel]

DK brought up a good point. "Good beings working together for the good of all." Lazlo wouldn't have wanted this "we choose who can benefit humanity" crap. The whole non-non-humans thing is total bull. If Will has some valuable information for your society, does this mean you won't give a damn because he's a ghost?

I'm just trying to bring the whole argument into perspective. (sorry if I soung mean, I'm having a tough weekend)

As for better communications, if there's anything you guys need, let me know. I'm willing to help in any way possible.

ps, I don't withold information. If you want to know it, I'll tell you if I know.

[Bert_the_Turtle]

I wouldn't care he's an assassin so much if he wasn't trying to assassinate me. I took out my share of targets.

[Ron Caliburn]

I am always concerned by anyone who uses this life as their primary source of income . . . it seems so dishonest without the proper measure of idealism.

[concrete_Angel]

Cram your idealism! We ain't fighting dragons and saving dmasels, and most of us are in this "business" because we don't want to die. (or we have someone else we don't want killed) If anyone thinks this kind of crap happens because of our noblest of intentions, then try asking how helpful that is against someone who couldn't give a damn as long as they get to kill you. The fact that anyone can even TRY to make this as a primary source of income means he's either the luckiest bastard on the face of Earth not to get into the really bad crap, or he's damn stupid.

[Ron Caliburn]

I ain't fighting to survive - if I was in it to survive I would go find a great place and bunker up.

I'm fighting so that the other folks survive.

[KonThaak]

Amen, Ron...

Though surviving does have its perks. For one, if you survive today, you will have the chance to save more people tomorrow. People who might not survive if you don't.

Sorry, don't mean to add pressure to your life, but I'd rather see you around to live it. ^_~

[Ron Caliburn]

I fight to win.

Living through the fight is generally one of my win conditions.


But if I'm going to have to lay down - I'll make sure I take somehting nasty with me.