Guild Rules and Guidelines

1) No drama. When it comes to OOC drama, we carry a heavy stick, and use it swiftly. Drama includes but is not limited to excessive bickering, put-downs/trash-talk, gossip, rage quitting, and jealousy. When OOC drama is an issue, a warning will be offered once, and if that doesn't end it, the guilty party will be booted from the guild.

2) Above 18 only. Be Mature. All members will conduct themselves with maturity (not to say you can't be silly!) and with respect. As we aren't meant to be a kids' guild and don't police our members' RP, applicants must be 18 or older.

3) Characters cannot be godlike or ridiculously overpowered. You cannot single-handedly bring down a city wall with a fireball, fly, be telepathic (metagaming), or unbeatable (PvP determines this). Your abilities fall within those of the game mechanics, and godmodding is not accepted in the guild's roleplay. Likewise, a character cannot be overly important, such as the commander of Divinity's Reach's army, or the queen, or related to the queen or other important characters in the game world. Your character must stand on its own merit.

4) Keep private RP off the public channels. Private RP will not be policed. If you want to RP mature themes, keep it private. If foolishly public mature RP puts a stain on the guild, the result can be a boot, and it should go without saying that willfull mature RP with minors will result in being booted (possibly for both parties).

5) Entrenched Position Policy: If a subject comes up in OOC chat, and it's obvious that both sides are firmly entrenched, recognize this and drop the subject. This includes matters of religion and politics. When it comes to such things, it's best to just agree to disagree, rather than causing issues for the whole guild, so please keep these themes out of open chat.

6) Names: We will not accept characters who use phrases, slogans, leet speek, or random words as names. A character's nick name can be explained in RP, but keep in mind we are trying to promote, not ruin, immersion.

7) 3-Man Voucher: All new members of the guild will require three current members to vouch for them (with advisor discretion able to override one way or the other) before they are admitted to status higher than associate (the probationary rank).

This might seem like a daunting rule for incoming recruits, but getting your three vouchers will be easier than you'd think, as you'll be RPing your way into the Duchy anyway!

The purpose of this is three-fold. Firstly, it strengthens a sense of community, encouraging members of the guild to get to know the newbies by creating IC and OOC connections with incoming recruits. Secondly, it ensures that recruits are willing to invest in the Duchy. Lastly, it limits membership to people who are able to mesh well with others and generally get along well with current members of the guild, thus helping to reduce drama. (You're not required to like everyone in the guild, but you are required to treat everyone with dignity and respect.)

Associate status will last about one month, during which time vouchers from members will be taken in secret. At the end of the introductory month, if a player has had three members of the guild vouch and has not been reported for abuse or unacceptable behaviour, they will be admitted fully. (Any such claim of abuse/inappropriate behaviour against a player has to be substantiated, and will not be accepted if there is no evidence to support said claim.) Vouchers are expected to have RP'd/played with the vouchee long enough to get a balanced look.


8) Rules on In Character-ness:
We are primarily a roleplaying guild, with a love for the game as a whole (roleplay, PvE, PvP, WvW, craft, etc.), but we understand that not everyone can be IC all the time.

On the whole, though, while doing all of these different things, it's important to remember that as an RP guild we want to help improve the immersion of our fellow guild members. Don't use slang, net abbreviations, or smileys in RP, and try to 'keep it real' in your interactions with other players.

The guild hall will always be considered an in character zone, so don't run through town throwing spells, or with a train of undead in your wake unless you want to face IC consequences. It's preferable to stay in character as much as possible, but understandable that it's not reasonable to always be in character in an MMO situation. Please use discretion and respect for your fellow players. Should more relevant channels be implimented, they will be classified as available.

Chat channel usage should be as follows:
Local/Say - IC.
Guild - OOC, unless needed for an event. This will be made clear if it needs to be used. Guild chat is not telepathy.
Party - IC/OOC at the discretion of the party.
Team (WvW PvP) - OOC

9) Rules Regarding Duchy Laws
The Duchy's posted laws are in character, (please also review them here) and are not meant to be restrictive but to improve immersion and provide basis for RP across many classes and character types. We do expect that if you break a law in character that you will also be mature enough to deal with the consequences in character.

Fines are all quite minor in terms of the actual game currency a player will acquire through regular play (and may be waived OOCly), and the laws are all very much common sense. Jail time/exile status can be worked on in RP, and possibly avoided with higher fines. The no magic/summons laws help to improve immersion over all. Remember, we're here to have fun, and providing an in-depth society with real consequences is part of that fun. Also note that thievery will require the participation of the victim as much as the thief in terms of RP.



Structure and government: Characters in the guild will fall into the political/military/social structure of the Independent Duchy of Corussa. Minor nobility is permissible, but keep in mind that outside of powers granted by the Duchy itself the authority of a noble is severely limited (a knight in England would not have much say under a French Kingdom).

Higher nobility titles can be granted by the duchess for service rendered to the duchy. Being independent, the duchy does not hold an implied loyalty to the Kingdom of Kryta, however it does consider Kryta an ally, and often hires out its services in a mercenary/privateer fashion to the Krytan throne. Nobles joining the guild should preferably fall under the rank of knight or dame (both considered equal in political and military status) to leave room for character growth, and to avoid unwitting usurpation of implied powers within the guild.

There is a certain level of meritocracy within the political structure of the guild. One who proves themselves a valuable vassal of the duchy, even a commoner, could rise to a granted title of nobility.

For relevent information on the political structure see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duchess

The governance of the Duchy is like that of an Enlightened Despotism. Rule is in the hands of the nobles and appointed advisors, with the interests of the greater Duchy and its subjects in mind. While not a democracy, the views and needs of the populace are to be considered at all times, and actions which improve their general well-being are considered the best choice of action. This is expressed through the rank structure of the guild.



Duchess > Head of state, and has the final say on all matters, consults with advisors regarding major decisions. The Duchess Aislin holds this hereditary title.

Advisor > Appointed guild officer or guild founder, advises the Duchess in decision making, and works with the Aldermen to decide how best to serve the people of the duchy. Works with a great deal of authority in day-to-day matters. In the absense of the Duchess in a major event, the word of the advisors is law. Advisors can demote or exile an individual if there is just cause. Advisors are typically the heads of one of the guild's sub-factions. (Admittance closed/special case)

Alderman > A highly productive citizen of the duchy, be they common or nobility. They are respected by their peers and the public at large, and represent the people's interest in meetings with the Advisors or the Duchess. These citizens stand out above others because of their commitment, and act on behalf of an appointed section of the community. An Alderman is at the head of the citizen's council, and typically holds a position near the top of one of the guild's sub-factions. Aldermen may be invited to specific advisory meetings regarding their sphere of influence or in matters that are not considered too sensitive. (Limited admittance)

Patron > A notable citizen. They generally act for the benefit of the duchy and its people. While they do not carry the authority of an Alderman, a Patron is known to be helpful, and beneficial, and is recognized as such. The title can be honourary, involving no specific responsibilities other than continued distinguished service to the Duchy, or can bring obligations should such be accepted, and should there be a desire to climb the social/political ladder. Patrons will often act as officers within one of the guild's sub-factions. (Open admittance, can result in a title of nobility based on RP)

Citizen > A typical member of the Duchy. They are an active member of the community, live their lives, and take part in events and activities.

Subject > This rank denotes a new member, or an individual whose participation in the duchy is sporadic. While this position denotes full membership, it is equivalent to that of a landed immigrant, and this person needs to show their dedication to the duchy to attain full citizenship.

Associate > A friend of the duchy who, while not a full member, is considered an honourary member due to RP/friend relation. This may include ambassadors from other guilds, or just friends who like to RP, and have cause to be part of the duchy's community of players, but without the benefits or obligations of full membership. This is also a probationary rank.



Fun is the Key: We play the game to have fun, to be a little competative when we want to be, or to just get away after a long day of work. To that end, it's best to live amicably with the other members of the guild. If there are disputes, deal with them in a mature fasion between yourselves if you can; if you cannot, then bring it to a guild officer (Advisor) and they will act as mediators in the dispute. If that is not satisfactory, then the guild leader will get involved and judge as fairly as possible. If members of the guild are making it so that it's not fun to play, then those members do not have a place, and may be booted temporarily until they get their heads on straight, or permanently if they cannot. The structure of the guild both IC and OOC is meant to help minimize issues that will hinder the fun for others.

Try to find a place where your interests and talents lie. It's no secret that we all have different likes/dislikes, or varying talents in many different spheres of influence or interests. This guild was formed with the intention of catering to a wide variety of playstyles, while also encouraging a united mindset of "We're serious RPers, who want to play the game to its fullest." Try to get involved in the aspects of the guild that you enjoy the most.