Good afternoon Goats:
I’ve been having a bit of burn out with EVE lately IRL but being a moderate forum lurker and a regular comment thread warrior on TMC, I can’t be completely free of my ‘EVE life’. Recently, I’ve started waving the banner of Razor Dependability. This concept is not new but I want to share my thoughts on it with you all and try to propagate it and sow the seeds if you will:Earlier in the month a GSF Siege FC of some repute made a comment, kinda offhandedly: in response to our Razor War Update on TMC that struck a chord in a lot of CFC members. Note that afterwards the FC :Lyris stated that he had not meant his comment to come out as such, but a lot of CFC folks chimed in:
“Lyris Nairn
• 9 days ago− +
I am increasingly distressed with RZR’s attempts to distance itself from the rest of the CFC, with such words as:“The CFC has officially entered the war and is positioning themselves in G-0Q86. Razor will provide support for timers and assist in RF’ing from time to time.” – This reads as though the CFC were an external entity which RZR sometimes assists, rather than RZR being a part of the CFC.
“CFC & Razor have begun the push for Naglfars.” – Again this reads as though RZR considers itself separate from the rest of the CFC.
Burn the heretic. Kill the mutant. Purge the unclean.”
–
Now you have to understand that Razor, historically has done its level best to ensure that we have a semblance of internal stability and capability in maintaining itself. The purpose of trying to cultivate this type of structure is not so we can be viewed as “Independent” but rather that we know for ourselves that we are not Dependant on others or weak and reliant upon something that could come or go at a whim. Alliances which hold this attitude can survive a number of bad scenarios. Having the capability to work autonomously AS WELL AS interdependently with their Allies without being a burden. Additionally they have the capacity to support other groups in deployments.In short the fact that Razor wants to be Able to stand alone, is not the same as the false opinion that Razor wishes to stand alone.
Razor Alliance for the length of time that I’ve known it and more importantly been a member of it, has striven to develop our own brand and our own identity. From our past propaganda success to our push to hunker down and deploy and become hardened, there’s not a Goat in the Alliance who for a moment confuses themselves with thought that they may be a Goon. My response to Lyris’s post is as follows:
Roland Cassidy
• 9 days ago
I can see how the distinction of self can appear to segregate one group from a gathering of groups. This is far from the case though Lyris. I’ve flown under you and along side of you in Fountain enough to know that when the chips are down CFC relies on CFC.
That said. I’m not a Goon. I’m a Goat. While I am a member of the SA Forums and I read the CFC forums gladly rallying along with the other F1… errr Drone Assisting members, I know that I’m not GSF material. I’m Razor.
As a Razor Member I’ll be there to back up my allies to the best of my personal abilities and the abilities of the Fleets that I can bring to crash down on our enemies. To do that I want my Alliance strong. I want to be able to bear the weight of engagement without worrying that we are too weak to support ourselves let alone fly alongside the people who depend on me and mine.
It’s in every one of our CFC allies interest to develop their own personal identity. To strengthen themselves and gird their members in the knowledge that they fight for not just one (admittedly strong) ally, but a true coalition of Alliances that tow their own. There’s nothing elitist or derogatory towards the group in that. That’s how we all ‘win’.
No amount of spin or poorly worded comments is going to change that for me. And you Lyris need to know that as a commander, you can count on your allies in Razor and consider us with that strength and resolve. Trust me, you want not just Razor, but every member of the CFC to have their shit together and consider themselves as we do.
We are not external from our CFC brethren. We do indeed wish to be able to stand up as legitimate threats even without the CFC. I want Razor Alliance to be secure in itself, to be rugged and capable. I want our allies to be there for me when I need them, and I want to be there for them in return. But I have no interest in being a weak link who Depends on our Coalition instead of Supporting it.
We are indeed autonomous entities, but in our autonomy we show true alliances and support each other. I don’t expect the GSF to change policies based on the opinion of my alliance leaders, much as I don’t expect Gents or FA would bow to the whim of Co2. The beauty of our Coalition is we aren’t required to bow to anyone. We as the CFC bow to no one at all.
CFC is not just the Goonswarm Federation, we follow the GSF as the head of the coalition, gladly and with pride, but there are many here who are not bees at all. According to the EVEwiki:
Goonswarm Federation (CONDI)
RAZOR Alliance (-RZR-)
Fatal Ascension (-FA-)
Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT)
Fidelas Constans (FCON)
SpaceMonkey’s Alliance (SMA)
Executive Outcomes (.EXE)
Gentlemen’s Agreement (GENTS)
Get Off My Lawn (LAWN)
Circle-Of-Two (CO2)
Li3 Federation (L3F)
(My regards to Wall/Init Mercs etc who didn’t have their names on the EVE Wiki to get the copy pasta treatment. Much love.)
Each of us make up a portion of this group. Each of us backing the other because in the end these allies are the ones I’ve flown with time and time again. They can name us separately or they can name us together, but our enemies do know our name.Lyris, I’ll say this again- I’m not a Goon. I never will be a Bee. But you better believe that when I see one in trouble, or for that matter any member of My Coalition… I will be fleeting up and kicking ass. The same way I intend for my Alliance to do as they have my back. Strength in Unity, Solidarity, and Diversity, we are one of many, not just another one of the same. Take pride in our efforts to not be a drain on the CFC and to be as strong as possible independently.
Because when it all comes down to the end of it. I want every member of the CFC capable of handling their own, I want New Eden to know that it’s not just 1 alliance they’ll have to wade through, but each and every one of the CFC alliances as well. Itching to finish whatever gets started.”
—
This generated a solid response in TMC, and praise from Lyris himself. The sentiment of Razor Dependability instead of Razor Independence seems to be catching on as a favorable model to uphold in the CFC alliances, I spotted this gem in another comment thread regarding the GENT’s most recent update:Gent Guest
an hour ago
No, the assault on KE was a smashing success, and we successfully reestablished our identity as Gents first and members of the CFC second.
I mean when you think of Gentlemen’s Agreement, do you think we’re more like RAZOR? or SpaceMonkey’s Alliance?”
I admit reading that comment despite the context of spin regarding GENTS activities I personally had a moment of pride that even one of our CFC line members considered us a model for Dependability. It doesn’t matter what our enemies think really, because at the end of the day I don’t care if the guy shooting at me likes my style as long as his ships blown up, his objective is failed, and his time is wasted. Its guys like this I want to continue my efforts to convey this notion to. That RAZOR is not just a hanger on, but a fully functioning member of the Greatest Coalition in New Eden. It brings me a lot of pride to be viewed as a valued ally. That’s the kind of thing I think we all should find some pride in as well.
It’s high time we embraced the strengths we offer to the CFC and showcase them. I want our Allies to Love the RZR ticker when they see it on Mumble, because they know we come with Dependability. I want 2014 to be the year of the Goat.I’ll see you godforsaken bastards and lovely ladies when I log back in next.
