Miss Tazzy Stream-Dancer,
A good day indeed to you, Miss. I sincerely hope that it is one that finds you and yours well. With that being said, please allow me to introduce myself to you.
My name is Brian Alexander McDineen-Ravenlock, Patriarch to the Ravenlock Family of Rhy'Din, One of the founding three members of the Clan Ravenlock (Along with Jewell 'The Empress' and Alexander), and the one as you so most interestingly had stated, ?The one who started the triangle?.
Or perhaps, we can call it a Triad, since you referred to 'Applied Negotiations' when it came to the adoptions you also made mention of.
Whichever is easiest for you would work, as far worse things have been written about myself and the family, I am a part of.
All of that aside, I would like to clarify some points and then enlighten you a bit more on these family relations you believe you have a grasp on, all too well. Because in truth, you have no idea what so ever what the hell you are speaking of, but that's alright. I am here to assist you and to more so assure you do not cross the stream of ignorance, and somehow wind of up on the banks of stupidity.
I will handle these in no particular order, so let's start with this:
As to the Ravenlock family; they have their hands deep in the City Watch running the 27th Special Operations Division as well as the Marketplace Chamber of Commerce. Ever wonder why their division seem to be the only effective Watch Force whiles the rest of the police in Rhy?Din city are caught with their pants down during crimes? I think it?s time for us to learn the phrases, diversionary tactics and political scapegoats. Furthermore businesses seem to thrive when they are part of Ravenlock?s Chamber of Commerce, and suffer if they are not. Strong arming is not a new trick but it is effective.
First off, the Ravenlock Family does not run the 27th Division of the Rhy'Din Watch & Localized Militia, nor do they run the Special Operations Division of the 27th either. The 27th Division is in fact a semi-privatized branch of the Rhy'Din Watch that answers not only to the Watch itself, but also to the Local Government of Rhy'Din itself. We are funded by the Local Government, along with private donations from various parties within the area we serve, hence why our home is located in the center of the Marketplace itself.
The 27th was founded years ago, when crimes within the Marketplace and City began to exceed the parameters of the original localized militia branches (Pre-Watch), and something more permanent and definitive was required at the time. I personally founded the 27th along with Kerri Al'Tuatha, and Epona, with the permission of the Watch and to this day, we still have an incredible relationship, not only with the Watch, but the City itself, as we also serve outside our area per the Mutual-Aid pact we have with the other branches throughout the City.
Yes, I am the Commanding Officer of the 27th and I have also served in other branches of the Watch as well, before being given command. So in short, The Ravenlock Family does not 'run' the 27th, I command it and we answer to a higher command, always.
Feel free to drop my and have a look at our books, they are open to all.
Now let's talk about effectiveness...
The 27th is not the ONLY Watch branch that is effective, and to even think that really makes me wonder what the hell you were drinking when you wrote this, but for the sake of this dance, I will have to take the lead, if you don't mind.
My division, is a special operations division as stated before. We train daily for the things that the exceed the parameters of the normal rank and file. Things that some branches are unable to deal with, or cannot deal with for some reason. Now that doesn't take anything away from any of the work done by other branches, it just means we have more experience in dealing with the 'not so normal' things that happen in this wondrous town of ours. We also deal with things a bit more definitive than others, because we are equipped and chartered to do so under our Mutual-Aid pact agreements. We show up, we assist, we clean up, file reports and take our leave.
We saw a need for a specialized unit before others did, thus we were better prepared when things would go badly, which mind you has been a lot less as of late, thanks to the efforts of the Watch citywide, and the great citizens and organizations spread throughout the city. None of us could ever do this alone, we each do our part and it's worked out very well so far.
Now you mention 'political scapegoats', I would love for you to elaborate on this for me, as I do not recall ever using anyone, or thing as a scapegoat, but if you have anything by all means, please share with us all, as you should know by now I am one of the most open people within this city, so please-- have at it.
The same can be said with the 'Diversionary Tactics', I'd like you to elaborate for me, if you could.
Now let's talk of the Greater Marketplace Chamber of Commerce, which is NOT mine and never was. I am one of the founders, along with several other concerned parties such as Myllyanna Lotus, Vice Admiral Jesse (And whatever titles she has added since), Ciarth Whitemane, Crow Thorne, Vanessa Tigarian, Wanda Lensherr, Caroline Granger & The Rhy'Din Small Business Relief Fund, Sadie Jenkins, James Roe, Andu, and Rena Gautreaux.
The Chamber is an organization that supports the improvement of the Marketplace in a positive fashion by supporting local business in and around the Marketplace in many difference facets. We assist with things like Gatherings & Street Festivals, the most recent being the Archmage Tournament Street Festival which I was very thankful to have been a part of. We also assist business owners in securing grants and loans, along with ways to improve their particular venues without breaking their banks. That's just the tip of the iceberg so to speak.
You should actually drop my one morning, and have a look see for yourself. Again, as with the 27th our books are always open.
However, I have yet to see any businesses suffer for not being a part of the Chamber. Nor have I seen any strong-arming either, but since you are so enlightened I put it to you once more, please share with us, so that we all may understand more so.
So with the 27th and the Chamber taken care of, let's shift to the 'Big Three' as you called us along with the Shimmerscales and the Spiritors...
I will say this, here and now and I hope you understand.
Just because Icer was made a Ravenlock, does not mean that every one of her offspring adopted or otherwise are Ravenlocks, because they are not.
In short, Icer is one of the Ravenlock Clan. She is in fact a member and has been one for years, which is something I am very proud of. I love her dearly, as does the rest of the family. However, this does not mean her multitude of offspring are Ravenlocks. They are Shimmerscales, father by Aurthur and mother by Icer.
Yes I am referred to as Uncle, but that title is an honorific one.
Just because the Shimmerscales took part in the great 'adoption war' along with some other families that reside in the city does not make any of their acquisitions, Ravenlocks.
They are not.
Spiritors, Birds, Alcars, whatever... Just because they were adopted by the Shimmerscales at one time, or were born to them and then defected, adopted away, or what have you-- they were not Ravenlocks in that square dance of theirs.
Our the families close? Most assuredly yes, they are. We assist one another, we work with one another professionally, and guess what---- we've even fought one another.
It's a complicated deal I know, and I can tell by your article here that you truly had your work cut out for you in spades.
I mean there were so many things left out, such as my term as the Minister of Citizen Resources for Governor Driscol, my being the future 110th Husband to one Tara Rynieyn, my being the first member of the Avenger's Initiative to publicly have it known, the relationship between the Ravenlocks and Brambles, or Bloods, or our relationship with the Helstons. The Order of Scathach, and the CoS as well.
But that's alright, that's why you can always make this a series. I mean you have so much insight as to us already, so your head start is assured.
Personally, I cannot wait to see what you give us next.
In any event, if you want additional clarification you can always find us within the Marketplace, we are settled in a new building called 'Unkindness' , feel free to come on by. Perhaps you can stay for dinner and meet the rest of my family, too.
Best Regards,
Brian Alexander McDineen-Ravenlock
PS: I know I covered little myself, and I apologize for that. It is my hope you do take me up on my offer and spend some time with us.
