Abington/Abington Account/Interviews

The Abington Account is dedicated to capturing the words and thoughts of the times. Occasionally, we will do a whole interview with a subject in hopes of gaining an in-depth look at a viewpoint.

The Kingdom, and the Abington Account do not necessarily endorse anything said in an interview.

Gabriel, April 03

Today we are interviewing Gabriel, former King of Abington.

• Q:What was the most important factor for your election as King?

A: The notoriety a position such as High Marshal gives you. People were used to hear my name all day screaming around. Add this to the support of some elder TL and an clear objective/policy in mind.

• Q: How was the life as King? Tell us some of your frustrations, achievements, plans...

A: It was a very interesting one indeed. You are loved and hated at the same time, admired and cursed, a hero and a vilian. It is a life of self-abnegation and devotion to the realm and to its interests. The greatest achievement, as I see it, was Abington participation in the Southern Federation. Different from what many think, it was primary a Carelia/Redspan alliance formed after the conflict that erupted inside the SA between Abby/ASI. Redspan left Abby/ASI to seek a more stable alliance. Being able to convince Carelia/Redspan to embrace Abington in their alliance and build the trust relations to the point we see today was the greatest achievement for Abington.

My greatest frustration was having to declare war on ASI, a southern realm. My dream was to unify the south so we may never have to fight each other again, what was happening for over 3 years. Wars that did not benefit us at all, wars that were influenced by third parties... The Abby/ASI war can be compared to the Darka/Talleruim war in it's impact.

My plan, originally, was to end the wars Abington was fighting and improove the image our realm had with the others and unify the south. There are realms that blame us for actions taken 3-4 years ago! The war against ASI scratched our image a little with the Eastern realms, on the other hand, no realm, including ASI, can say that I was unfaithful to my word and to the agreemens signed. Abington stance was known by all realms, always... This is seen by some as "Abington ruling the continent, acting as police" for I always spoke out if I agreed or disagreed with an action taken by a third party and what would be Abington stance in case an action I disagreed was taken.

Neutrality or omission of a big power such as Abington can be desatrous to the balance of forces in the continent. I believe the Drachenwald episode was the one that caused the greatest uneasiness in some realms. The crisis in Central Atamara due to the possession of Tarasac escalated into a big conflict. Talleruim wished Drachenwald dead, CE announced that would only help Tara regain Tarasac and that would not destroy Drachenwald, Tara does what CE says... they were after land, any they were allowed to take. Abington could not be hypocrate and say what Drachenwald did was right neither could say the Falasan TO of Tarasac was fair, as it was fruit of a secession condemned by all realms including Falasan.

I saw the war to define the possession of Tarasac as a legitim one between EA/NA and also saw as legitim Talleruim claim over Eagle Glen, region given to Drachenwald by them based on a lie. But I did not see the destruction of Drachenwald as a whole realm as legitim by any party involved and declared Abington would interfere if the existence of Drachenwald was threatened, which is, if Drachenwald was left with less then 3 regions.

Some argue Abington had nothing to do with the Central Atamara crisis, nothing to do with Drachenwald. After seeing CE destroy Callaway II, Lamar, almost destroy Redspan, promise support to the rogue goverment of SH (Tuch III) and let it be destroyed, I could not, in good conscience, watch another realm be destroyed because of greed, because someone had the power to.

This, I believe, also had a negative effect in our image with some realms interested in the destruction of Drachenwald.

• Q: You said that the declaration of war on ASI frustrated you. Why? Did you change your mind after their new policy concerning Redspan/Carelia? Do you regreat signing a CF with them?

A: Well.., the war against ASI had a clear objective: Remove Ash´rily from ASI possession, therefore minimizing the chances of ASI attacking Abington to take the rest of the Island they claimed as thiers. Once this objective was achieved Abignton had no legitimacy to continue the war against them. We didnt seek land nor the destruction of ASI... Ash´rily was offered to EA as a place for colonization since day 1 of the war, I asked ASI to allow Drachenwald to have Ash'rily...They rejected. All other actions, all other TO, were intended to speed ASI surrender of the city to speed the end of the war.

So, no... I do not regreat signing a CF with ASI. I regreat the fact that the war adquired much greater proportions because of ASI stance. It should be a simple and fast war. That is why we attacked Ash'rily and tried to TO it fast in the first days of the war, a blitzkrieg as some called it. We would spare EA and ASI of much of the problems if the city felt that day.

The frustration came from the fact that we had to war a southern realm. Frustration comes from the fact that ASI stuborness concerning the Island prevented diplomacy from avoiding the war. It is not this simple but pretty much resume it. It would take a book to explain the factors that led to the Abby/ASI war. Misinterpretation, different expectations of the treaty and of each other realm are the main causes.

Now if I changed my mind after... Yes, I did... One of the causes of the war on the Island was ASI contacting our enemies to attack us, so they could get the rest of the Island. Today ASI is working with the same enemies to attack Redspan and extort the Island. When Carelia was still deciding if they were going to forfeit the Federation or not, no "reparation" was brought by ASI.. At that point, what Carelia did/did not while helping their allies against ASI was not a concern to ASI. The moment Carelia declared their support for Redspan, they forge this reparation demands.

Same thing with Redspan. The discussion was about Rogershore and Byblack. After NA announced their support, ASI starts claiming the need of a city and thretens to take Sullenport. When Abington offers Worght to them ASI changes the terms and now cliams a "big" city... and so on... They will keep changing the terms until they reach what they want.

• Q: Why do you believe Falasan is supporting this war? The growth of Tara should be something Falasan might be concerned of, based on the history of the relations between those realms?

A: That is a very pertinent question, one with a very simple but very complicated asnwer. Policies are based on interests. Morality is subjected to convenience, such as rethoric. Let me give you an example: Realm A and B are fighting realm C. During the war, realm C sides realm B to attack realm A. Realm A will argue that realm C is a backstabber bastard, dishonorable... Realm B will say that realm C was tired of living under the oppression of realm A, that they decided to do the right thing and fight against hegemony... Realm C is acting in the best of their interests. Realm A is reprimanding realm C and realm B is defending realm C because it is convenient for them. If the opposite happened, realm B would be cursing realm C and realm A would be praising realm C.

You call someone a backstabber because they betrayed you. If they betray a third party to side you you will call him "best friend" because it is convenient for you... because you are interested in his friendship.

So, Falasan is not supporting ASI because he agrees with their claims, because Maniac believes DR is right... Falasan is not judging this. They will support ASI because it is interesting for them to have in ASI a stronger ally. Falasan does not want NA to grow but also do not want to have ASI weak. The bargain costs are higher with third parties and lower with allies. Working with ASI, convincing them to support you will be easier and less costly then negotiating with all SA or NA for such help. So, having a stronger ASI means greater support at a cheaper cost.

Maniac knows DR arguments are weak and shallow. He knows his arguments do not stand a criterious and impartial judgement. All recent rulers elected in Carelia/Redspan already noticed how stupid DR sounds. Why do you think DR, in all his messages, has to reaffirm how noble, how flexible, how kind, how autruistic he is being? The truth is clear, you dont need to explain it. You dont need to announce how good you are being... if you are truly good, people will see it. If you have yell "I am not a liar" every time you say something, something is wrong! Normally people will not suspect you are lying unless you give them a reason to. But if you know you are lying you will always be afraid that someone else will take your mask off. You have to reaffirm to everyone the mask you are using is the truth about you...

• Q: What rulers you hold in the highest regards? And in the lowest?

A: Wintermute was one of the ones I hold in the highest regards. Eston always had a history of good kings. Kahooli is no expection. Krypton is great and very wise, same I say about Sordnaz.. they are both immune to BS. It was great to deal with Manaydur. The things we discussed, our deeds what we faced together... it was great. Achilles is very sincere and open.. I always enjoyed his honesty... his only problem is that he is very rash is making conclusions, what makes him somewhat instable. Maniac and DA3 always defended their realm interests skillfully... Talius Sargeras was perhaps the best king ASI ever had, if not the only one...

In the lowest regard I hold Paradigm. It goes wordless the harm he done to his realm... Valgin is another very poor ruler... and lately DR of course! Too many masks to trust him... Too full of BS... The only one he deceives is himself...

I had no serious problems with Zadar or Captain. Zadar broke the only word he gave me so I dont trust him much.. Captain is too insecure and attached to the past what prevents him from looking foward, from looking beyond. Both Murat and Kostaja are very fair rulers but money stands in the way of trusting them or not.

• Q: There is a rumor that Silverstone wish to duel you to the death. Can you confirm it?

A: It is true. I told him I will fight him and I will, although his motivation is flawed, for it based on a lie someone told him. But it is not the time to duel him, for I hold many information about deals, negotiations and events that happened during my rulership. I cannot leave my liege unattended in his first days as ruler, speacilly because DR is a master of distorting truths and inventing facts.

• Q: How do you see ASI newpaper publication? Any comments?

A: No, absolutely not. They are absolutely right in their intentions. Propaganda can have a very strong influence over less informed minds. When you are ignorant about a fact, you "eat" any BS someone offers you. Let them do their job. I do not rebuke them for trying to spread lies, for trying to make us look bad... it is perfectly normal for reporters. What I would rebuke is if readers of that paper actually believe in what they write! (laughs)

A lie told one hundred times can became truth. Let them try... In the end they will have at least a legend. Add it to DR romances and we have the greatest production of fictional books in the continent.

• Q: Why you have a high bounty on your head?

A: First because I made a difference in the continent, second because no one was able to collect it yet.

• Q: What is the most difficult challenge you think is ahead of us?

A: Consolidate the Federation. It goes against the interests of many realms.

• Q: What would you like to say to our readers?

A: I thank this journal for the opportunity and hope you enjoyed the interview. If you have any question or comment please contact me personally or through the editors of the paper.

• Q: Thank you for your time and thoughts, Gabriel.