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Post by Dario Tashavan on Jan 7, 2013 9:17:06 GMT -6
So, I guess the question is, what is the functional difference between someone holding an Initiate rank and someone holding a Keeper rank?
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Post by Gintigael Gemweaver on Jan 7, 2013 10:58:50 GMT -6
It seems to me that an Initiate is someone who is not in the guild yet who is attempting to join? So it's not really a rank in the guild?
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Post by chaiguy on Jan 8, 2013 0:47:31 GMT -6
So, I guess the question is, what is the functional difference between someone holding an Initiate rank and someone holding a Keeper rank? I think that Keepers will get a minor magical item (or two), like a magic ring for example.
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Post by Bristol Glory on Jan 9, 2013 20:15:03 GMT -6
I'd like to see the Guild host a weekly get-together of some kind. General in scope and out in the public. Just a gathering to promote roleplay and socializing 'in-person' within the guild and with the general public. A few RP-based guilds I've been a member of through the years have had this kind of event, and it always brought in a new member every now and then. Either someone who happened to be passing by and joined in the roleplay, or from curious onlookers.
I see this as a great recruitment opportunity, as well as the other benefits outlined above. However, it could also be worked into our 'application process.' I like the idea of in-game/in-character interviews to get a good handle on the person interested in joining, but I would like to avoid weighing the process down with intimidating things like voting, or even full-on applications online if we can avoid it. I think requiring prospective members to attend one of these gatherings (ideally a once-a-week event) alongside their 'sponsor' or whomever they are seeking membership through, learning about the guild from, etc. would be a great way to see how they interact with others.
On the out-of-character side of things, we could invite them to spend time in our TS/Mumble/whatever-we-wind-up-using server as a guest. That way we can get to know the player, and they can get to know us. Sort of an organic, mutual interview without all the official ties.
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Post by chaiguy on Jan 10, 2013 1:09:36 GMT -6
@ Bristol: As much as I believe I would enjoy meeting everyone in the guild in person I don't think that requiring prospective members to attend a meeting is very doable since hopefully we'll have members from around the world (or at least wide spread). Also in regards to the meetings, once a week probably won't work for me. I have a lot of obligations, as I'm sure everyone does.
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Post by Erian El'ranelen on Jan 10, 2013 2:29:53 GMT -6
After thinking through this and reading all the posts, it seems to me some/most are thinking of Initiate as Applicant, i.e. a person that wants to be in the guild but hasn't made it yet. Once you are in the Circle, you are automatically a Keeper. We absolutely need some term to describe people outside the Circle but interested in joining, but I don't see this label having any lifespan outside the application window (which sounds like it would ideally be 3-7 real life days, enough time for the player to interact with some other Circle folks and get a nod for joining us). Applicants get nothing other than a guarantee of time to hang out with us in the game (and we could have weekly out-of-game social events, just not face-to-face; I think that's what Bristol means?). Keepers get full Circle access, plus a nifty (but non-magical) ring, Wardens gain the right to vote but must dedicate more fully to one Ring and also get a free enchantment on their ring. An Initiate might actually be a position within one of the Rings, e.g. an Initiate of Steel denotes a Keeper that is actively seeking to become a Warden and/or gain higher rank in that Ring. This is Ring-specific however and not all Rings have Initiate ranks. Does that all sound right? Just trying to keep all this straigth in my head as I think more on the sub-charter for the Ring of Gold.
I'm apparently in a very parenthetical mood this week from reviewing my posts...
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Post by Lorhayden on Jan 10, 2013 7:30:57 GMT -6
Erian's description of the Initiate makes a lot of sense for me. There I believe there has to be an applicant phase where more than one person should get to run around with the Initiate and 3-7 days really isn't that long of a time to sus someone out. By that time they should have played with other Keepers and Wardens and by the end of the week an approving member will bumb them up to Keeper. Once a Keeper that individual can then choose there ring/rings. Through hard work and dedication that person would then go through process of becoming a Warden of one Ring.
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Post by Hroderich Gottfrei on Jan 10, 2013 7:47:45 GMT -6
Should it take 3-7 days or sponsorship of 1-3 standing members? If you want to bring in a friend, is that different from bringing in a complete unknown?
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Post by Dario Tashavan on Jan 10, 2013 7:52:26 GMT -6
Well, I would contend that the purpose of the 3-7 day window is to *find* someone willing to sponsor you. If you're bringing in a friend, presumably they have already gamed with at least one member for several days. =P
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Post by Erian El'ranelen on Jan 10, 2013 8:25:14 GMT -6
Agreed--if someone's already been playing with a Circle member for some time, that could count toward their application phase. At the basic level, the application process should (1) ensure the player is a good fit for us and (2) ensure the guild is actually something the player will enjoy. So, the process/requirements should only be as complex as necessary to satisfy these requirements. Thus, the application process could be an either/or of a new person spending X days with us or getting X Wardens to sponsor them in (I don't think we'd have Keepers with this ability, else it will be really easy for one person to con his way into the org, then waive in a bunch of malcontent buddies). Of course, I may be missing a core requirement we need to add to the mix.
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Post by Dario Tashavan on Jan 10, 2013 8:34:07 GMT -6
Excellent point about the Keepers, Erian. The only thing I would add to it, and more from a thematic aspect than anything else, is that before they become a Keeper, they have to work with existing members to obtain the materials necessary for their Keeper's ring. (or whatever insignia we devise)
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Post by Gintigael Gemweaver on Jan 10, 2013 10:25:01 GMT -6
The quest for the materials for the ring is something I would love to happen. It gives the possible Keeper time to play with a number of guild members, it shows a desire for solidarity, and it helps lower the initial cost hit that the Rings of Earth, Wood and Iron will take when giving away free materials and goods.
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Post by Dario Tashavan on Jan 10, 2013 10:46:36 GMT -6
Well, and I'm thinking the basic level ring we give to Keepers should be fairly simple materials to aquire too, so it's not like "You must be teh UBAREST!" to join.
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Post by Gintigael Gemweaver on Jan 10, 2013 10:51:17 GMT -6
I completely agree
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Post by WxCougar on Jan 10, 2013 13:54:28 GMT -6
Having them help get the material for the ring also gives them a sense of "I helped get this". It's a lot more personal and meaningful than just handing them something at joining.
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