[The Barrow-Wight]

I’m afraid I'm not going to support construction of The Gauntlet Tavern on the Downs.

To begin with, each RPG already has an Inn where players can practice their writing skills without being confined to the parameters of a specific game. Members are able to come and go and have interesting conversations while in whatever character they happen to be wearing at the moment. The Inns provide a central place for players to interact without obligation, and they have been highly successful since they first opened.

Next, we have never had an off-topic area on the Downs, and this dueling idea would basically be an off-topic arena for people to have random, clever debates about a whole lot of nothing. If an official location for dueling were sanctioned, it would only open the door for future requests for similar off-topic efforts. We’ve avoided them this far, so we’re going to stand our ground and stay within our current guidelines.

Lastly, our RPG system has evolved into a fantastic source of wonderful reading. Our method of strict game moderation and demand for skillful writing has made it one of the best gaming areas on the Internet. Our players are really authors of Middle-earth, and I am proud of every story that has been played in the barrow. With such a standard of excellence of true storytelling, I am unwilling to wander in the direction dueling would take us.

Sincerely,
The Barrow-Wight