VJL Un-merges with MGF
- Medieval Herald
- Jan 31, 2017
- 4 min read
Nya Stillwater announced the return of the Virtual Jousting League (VJL) in January 19, 2017 after having merged with the Medieval Games Fellowship (MGF) 2 1/2 years ago.
VIRTUAL JOUSTING LEAGUE REBOOT
Thursday, 1/19/17; 5 PM SLT The Virtual Jousting League has been reborn and the Stillwater Jousting Team cordially invites everyone to the return of our weekly jousting series.
Learn more at: http://virtualjoustingleague.weebly.com/.
Star List and with all fouls on. 35 degree max turns. The format will be our new 3 GAME GUARANTEE. All jousters who attend will be able to joust at least 3 times. Winning conditions will vary based on turnout.
BRIEF HISTORY
The first public announcement on the formulation of the Virtual Jousting League was September 5, 2014 in the Medieval Joust Group for an 'Open House for the NEW Virtual Jousting League organization' to take place Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014.
Nya Stillwater, founder of the group, shared his reasons for starting the new League in a lengthly statement sent to various SL groups on September 15, 2014. Previously, he had served as the United Jousters first chairperson, and principal architect for the groups initial website and constitution.
See MEDIEVAL HERALD post:
September 24, 2014 - 'New group Virtual Jousting League announced' (VJL)
The VJL was among several groups formed in 2014 in response to the divisive and exclusionary practices adopted by the United Jousters group towards groups such as the SLTA and DDA.
See MEDIEVAL HERALD post:
April 10, 2014 - New Group 'Jousters 4 Jousting' is formed'.
June 8, 2014 - New Jousting Systems Announced at SLTA Anniversary:
UPDATE August 2014 - Creation of the 'Second Life Medieval Games Association' (SLMGA)
Although the VJL was announced in September 2014, it quickly merged with the MGF in October 2014, sharing similar goals and ideals with SLMGA founder, Bri McMahon of the Nevermore Sim. Together with 'Jousters 4 Jousters' the groups came together under the name 'Medieval Games Fellowship" or MGF.
See MEDIEVAL HERALD post:
October 21, 2014 - 'Groups merge under 'Medieval Games Fellowship' (MGF)
The MGF group charter promoted an inclusive and supportive relationship for all groups, and included a diverse group of owners such as Bri McMahon (SLMGA), Nyza Stillwater (VJL), Nephilim Ventris (Dragons Lair), Forester Lowenhart (Double Dragon Academy), Ricci Juliesse (Jousters4Jousters), Amza Hydraconis (Renaissance Island), Cesta Franizzi (Dunaisling), Hina Mhia (Highgarden), Altarius Flanagan (Avilon), Belladonna Mandrake (Valkyrie) and others hosting jousting events.
Accounts vary on how deeply embedded the VJL was in the MGF. For example the SL Medieval Games Wiki in 2/15/2016 on the MGF website described the relationship as a merger:
"In Late September, McMahon began talks with the Virtual Jousting League's commissioner, Nyza Stillwater, after a falling out from the United Jousters left them both dissatisfied with the current state of medieval sporting affairs in SL. Stillwater agreed to merge his efforts and resources with McMahon's ideals, and as a result on October 1, 2014, the Virtual Jousting League merged with the SL Medieval Gaming Association".
According to the history section on Virtual Jousting League current website, the relationship is characterized more as a partnership remaining its own organization.
"Another group, the Medieval Games Fellowship, was founded by Bri McMahon on August 18, 2014. As the two had similar visions on what a group entailed, On October 1, 2014, Nyza Stillwater agreed to merge with the Medieval Games Fellowship group, making up the group's jousting division, while still remaining its own organization."
The eventual extraction of the VJF from the MGF, or departure from once held similar ideals, may have its roots in issues surrounding Nyza Stillwater's use of the MGF group to pursue a personal agenda no longer in keeping with the ideals and direction of MGF, according to earlier reports in the Herald.
In February 2016 he was criticized by other MGF group owners for promoting personal event schedules and interests outside the Second Life grid, in violation of TOS guidelines and directing players to InWorldz through a calendar devoted to promoting events in SL, hosted by MGF owners.
This resulted in Nyza Stillwater posting a public apology in the MGF group.
See MEDIEVAL HERALD post: October 21, 2014 - Groups merge under 'Medieval Games Fellowship' - UPDATE 2/2016 - MGF Notice February 24, 2016: "Making Things Clear"
A few days following the public apology, Nyza removed his name from the MGF owners group February 27, (while retaining a VJL proxy in the group) for reasons cited in a public notice as:
"Indefinte Hiatus from MGF Stuff
With my focus on the Stillwater Sports Team, the Stillwater Institute of Medieval Arms, OpenSim projects, and other personal matters both in VR and in RL, I've decided to go on an "indefinite hiatus" from all Medieval Games Fellowship administrative duties for the time being. My focus is on being a happier person overall and to focus on what needs doing. If you have any admin questions related to anything MGF, you'll want to direct them to Bri McMahon. Thank you, Nyza Stillwater"
See MEDIEVAL HERALD post: October 21, 2014 - Groups merge under 'Medieval Games Fellowship' UPDATE 2/2016 - MGF Notice February 27, 2016: "Indefinite Hiatus form MGF Stuff"
The current website history for the Virtual Jousting League cite the reasons for the departure of the VJL from the MGF was 'a collapse in MGF administration and renewed support for a more realistic type of jousting.'
"The Virtual Jousting League went dormat during the rest of 2015 and all of 2016 as the internal administration among the Medieval Games Fellowship gradually collapsed....
This partnership would last until February 17, 2015, when Stillwater returned VJL to its own group, his reason being due to his vision for a renewed focus on realistic jousting and the fact that this kind of jousting lacked its own group among the current available offerings."
According to the VJL history, the diminishing number of hosted jousting events in SL prompted the VJL to establish itself once again as its own group, operating under its own principals, structure, and tournaments, so that it could focus on its own events, while remaining true to its original beliefs.
