What the other guy thinks.

Konrad_von_Dubrau · Post by **Konrad_von_Dubrau** » Tue Dec 16, 2003 11:45 pm

I care what my _opponent_ thinks about me. I want him to take me seriously, to give me his best fight because he is worried about loosing and I want him to respect me. I'd like him to like me too, but I'm Canadian.

If my opponent is a cheating piece of shite, then I don't really care what they think. But, I will maintain my honour on the field. I have no control over his actions, only mine.

Konrad

Dmitriy · Post by **Dmitriy** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 1:39 pm

Vitus -- well, my question back at you was also an answer. I ask "enemy?" because I have no enemies on the battle field, but brothers in arms. It would distress me to know that someone thinks of me as an enemy rather than an honorable opponent. I was particularly interested in the terminology because *you* used it -- and you are usually very careful with written words and concepts. Others I would think just don't see the fine line between the two words unless you point it out -- and would quickly say they mean "opponent" when asked. You, however, are not, in my experience, someone who will do that sort of thing accidentally. Do you think of the men across the line from you as enemies? Is this a test? Or is this just a rare slip of the tongue?

-Dmitriy
(sorry, this came out like I think you are baiting us or something. I don't. Well, no more than usual

)

lyonnete · Post by **lyonnete** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 2:18 pm

There is nothing so far from indifference as hatred. If I ever did come up against someone I considered my enemy on the field, I would likely care far more about what he thought than the most neutral party. Of course, I would also likely not fight him.

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 3:18 pm

Yes, I used the word "enemy" on purpose to see if it would bring forth additional shades of opinion.

Thaddeus · Post by **Thaddeus** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 12:08 pm

If I find myself facing an enemy on the field I would hope that I have the maturity and presence of mind to simply leave the field for the day. Such sentiments do not belong in the eric. I have never faced that situation, nor do I hope to.

It is my desire to give and receive an enjoyable exchange of arms. If in a melee I am engaged by several opponents, because I am too dangerous to be left on my own, I feel I have acquitted myself well. In single combat I strive to offer my opponent a chance to display their prowess and find in doing so I am often challenged to reach beyond my own limitations and perform mighty feats of arms.

What I enjoy most is to encounter a noble opponent in the thick of a melee and have what is essentially a single combat. It has happened on occasion, mysteriously the swirling mass of Mad Max extra rejects has left us alone and we have fought a noble duel. Those are the moments that transport me and keep me coming back to the game.

Baron Eirik · Post by **Baron Eirik** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 4:13 pm

I can't say I've ever faced an 'enemy' in the lists. For that matter, I'm not aware I have any enemies.

I've faced opponents I don't like for one reason or another. Not the same thing.

If I don't know my opponent, I don't give much thought to what he thinks of me. I fight honorably, to the best of my ability, to defeat him. If he proves to be honorable, I cheerfully will talk to him after about the fight.

If I don't like an opponent, I don't care at all what he thinks, of me or anything else. Such an opponent will get my most 'businesslike' fight.

If you're talking about making an opponent percieve you as a superior fighter to them in order to win the mental game, or underestimating you for a similar effect... Well, that would be giving away trade secrets, now wouldn't it.

------------------
Baron Eirik

dukelogan · Post by **dukelogan** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 4:45 pm

well if that is the case then i can only wager a guess as i only have a small handful of enemies in the world and none in the sca that would fight me anyway. i take the word enemy very seriously and react accordingly. to me an enemy is something that i detest and must destroy at all costs. do i care what it thinks? never.

if the term is not meant as strongly as i view it then it would depend on why we (the "enemy" and i) are so opposed. if that opposition is based on a wrongdoing done to me i really dont care what they think. if its because of some misconception they have of me then i only care enough that i would like to clarify whatever the misconception is. either way i fight for enjoyment and to test myself. if that enjoyment is not there i simply will not fight that person. i can only think of a small handful of people i wont fight in the sca simply because i would find no pleasure in it so im not sure that i can really answer the question with degree of surety.

hows that for being no help!

8^)
logan

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Vitus:
Yes, I used the word "enemy" on purpose to see if it would bring forth additional shades of opinion.</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>