State of the Guild Address - August 2010

Happy end of summer, comrades!  


There seem to be many rumors circulating about the apparent lack of online presence of our members.  I'd like to take this opportunity to address the unfortunate fears that have reached even my ears!

This summer has seen many changes, comrades!  Many of us have traveled, found new opportunities, worked hard for seasonal cash, and have spent much time on actual RL adventures.  Others have simply created alts to experience the Alliance side of the game, just to try something new.  Much will change in the Cataclysm, so it's understandable that many would try to experience as much of the world as possible before it is gone forever.

This time devoted to enjoying the Summer months as well as alternate faction experiences has in fact lead to a decreased online presence.  But this has been so for many a guild, not just our own.  Make no mistake, our clan is not disbanding.  Our guild is not ended.  Do not let the scarce membership you may find online on any given day lead you to despair. 
Our close friends, Bound for Glory and Enemy of the Sun, intrepid and active Raid Guilds, have reported similar membership login patterns.  


It is Summer, comrades!  It is the time for vacations and camping, outings and feasts!  Do not think that the rich variety of Real World ventures at this time of year as a detriment!  On the contrary, it is quite the opposite.

One of the central principles of our clan, as it should be for anyone who journeys through Azeroth, is that RL comes first.  Adventuring through the lands of Horde and Alliance should not impede you from having and cultivating a life outside the World of Warcraft!  

This is, and has been for quite some time, a Gameplay Guild.  The word "Game" in 'Gameplay' is emphasized here.  This is a game, this is your game.  Thus, it is completely up to you how you choose to play; hardcore and casual, heavy raider to lore and quest hound, it doesn't matter so long as you truly love the game and enjoy playing it.  This will not change as long as I am the Hokage.


Now, sadly, many of our membership has left us.  Most of them interpreted the lack of online membership as a decline in the guild.  It is true that in recent months we have not undertaken any guild raids or even activities with the regularity that we enjoyed in the early Spring.  Others who left did so because they desired to partake in the assaults on Icecrown Citadel before the coming Cataclysm.  This is understandable, and as I stated, it is their right.  

As Hokage of the guild, I too would have liked to see us take the fight to Arthas' very doorstep.  But my own RL obligations prevent me from dedicating the time that would be necessary to plan and execute such forays on any sort of regular basis.  I, personally, simply do not have the time available to create an endgame raid presence.  So for those who may be impatient, or unwilling to run the raid progressions themselves, I want you to know that I understand.  As this is your game too, it is up to you to decide if joining a more regular Raid Guild is the path you'd like to take.  I only ask that you do not treat your comrades as a Revolving Door.  


I also want to make it clear that, over the last year, I have been on the lookout for a Champion.  Someone who has the interest, the leadership skills, and the time to coordinate and train our members and to form a Raid presence within our ranks.  This Raid Captain would have been empowered with the full capability to create and schedule raids, to recruit and train potential Raiders, and to coordinate and lead the actual attacks.  In my history with the guild, there has been only one who was empowered so, but regrettably they lacked the dedication necessary to be such a leader.  I have since offered the job to a select few others, but none have taken up this cup.  I tell you this because I still have a vision of a Guild Raid Team within our casual Gameplay atmosphere.  This opportunity has been available, and remains available to any who wish to take on this tremendous honor, this monumental responsibility.  

I shall describe the job of Raid Captain now, so that there are no illusions about what kind of work will be expected.


The Raid Captain, if chosen, will be promoted to Sannin.  They will be empowered to one end only: to create and maintain a Raid Team, and to conduct Raids.  The Raid Captain will be responsible for recruiting Raiders, maintaining a roster, scheduling, and leading assaults.  The Raid Captain will, as Sannin, have full disciplinary discretion when it comes to Raid Team members.  Probably the greatest challenge, aside from actually maintaining the Raid Team itself, will be for the Captain to maintain the Guild's standing environment of fun and gameplay.  Raiders are notoriously petty and elitist, and it will be the Raid Captain's responsibility to make sure Raider Recruits understand the basic Guild rules of behavior and follow them.  Raiders will not be beyond discipline, and even expulsion, for unacceptable behavior.  

If you feel you know someone who could take on such a challenge, including yourself, please contact me, either in game or via email, and we shall see if we can get it rolling.  Hopeful candidates are encouraged to read more about the vision of the Raid Team, aka: ANBU, here.


So that's about it, comrades.  The guild stands, still intact, still playing.  I hope this has put some of the fears and questions to rest regarding our recent low attendance, as well as recent departures.  If you have any more, as always you are encouraged to ask me directly, either in game or via email.

We are the Horde.  We are the sons and daughters of Wind and Rain.  We are eternal, relentless, and unyielding!  By Blood and Honor we serve, in the name of the Warchief, for the Glory of the Horde!  Lok'tar Ogar, Victory or Death!!

Go forth to Victory!!


~Ogami, Hokage of the Shades of the Rising Sun