This entire section is in process, and may be modifed significantly as we see how these concepts play out in the game sessions. Since i haven't played the game all the way through i don't really know the specifics of play at higher levels.

Suggestions and ideas about other ways to attach value to attaining new ranks are welcome.

Some players prefer to operate autonomously most of the time instead of sharing their gathered/found resources with other guild members. These players consider the primary benefit of membership in this guild to be the availability of mature players to assist them in party activities, but wish to keep (or sell for their own benefit only) all items which they obtain in solo play. I am fine with that approach, with the understanding that those members must accept 2 consequences of that choice of playing style:

• they are unlikely to advance very far in guild rank
• when playing in a party comprised exclusively of guild members, the member of the party with the highest guild rank has total authority to determine the distribution of all items obtained via drops by any member of the party

Although members are free to choose to accept these consequences of non-participation in the guild economy, we explicitly encourage all guild memebrs to do so.

The guild recognizes the following ranks, in descending order.

• Master: the guy who established this guild and takes the time and energy to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. The Master is required to adhere to the principles of Nairen at all times, and to set the best possible example of courtesy, sportsmanship, and respect for all players in every interaction. The Master is required to comply with the spirit of this guild at all times, but is not expected to adhere to every person's individual idea of what that means.
• Elder: an active or retired member of the guild who has made a level of contributions to the guild that far exceed the benefits he/she has received from participation, who has mastered all aspects of the game appropriate to their class and professions, and who has consistently demonstrated the spirit of Nairen to all players of the game
• Avatar: an active member of the guild who has made a level of contributions to the guild that far exceed the benefits he/she has received from participation, who has nearly mastered all aspects of the game appropriate to their class and professions, and who has consistently demonstrated the spirit of Nairen to all players of the game
• Exemplar: an active member of the guild who has made a level of contributions to the guild that far exceed the benefits he/she has received from participation, who is beginning to master all aspects of the game appropriate to their class and professions, and who has consistently demonstrated the spirit of Nairen to all players of the game
• Patron: an active member of the guild who has made a level of contributions to the guild that far exceed the benefits he/she has received from participation
• Supporter: an active member of the guild who has made a level of contributions to the guild that exceed the benefits he/she has received from participation
• Contributor: an active member of the guild who has made a level of contributions to the guild that are at least equal to the benefits he/she has received from participation
• Participant: an active member of the guild who has begun to make a reasonable level of contributions to the guild and its members.
• Initiate: awarded to aspirants who are found to be a good fit with this guild
• Aspirant: allows potential members and the guild an opportunity to check each other for proper fit.

Details of the rights and responsibilities of each rank and the criteria for advancement are listed on their associated links. It is your responsibility to follow the criteria associated with your current rank. If you would like to be promoted to the next rank, be sure that you read the associated link and work to meet the criteria for it.

Guild services include (but are not limited to):

• donating gathered resources to guild crafters
• donating dropped items to other members who can use them
• donating crafted items to other members who can use them
• donating magic items to enchanters for disenchantment
• donating cash to other members
• assisting members in quests or other activities
• assisting members in increasing their leadership skills
• performing craftmaster, clanmaster, or classmaster duties
• performing crafter, merchant, or courier duties
• storing inventory for crafters
• enhancing the reputation of the guild among non-members
• participating actively in role playing that enhances the enjoyment of other members

Suggestions for additional services that should be worth points for advancement are solicited.

2. Members of the guild do NOT compete with each other for rank. If you meet the minimum requirements for a rank and attain the identified number of advancement points, you will be awarded the associated rank at the next guild meeting.

3. Most ranks have a minimum class level requirement (MCR), a minimum number of class levels earned while a member of the guild requirement (MMR) , and a minimum requirement for professional skills (MPR). The Guild Master may choose to waive these requirements in recognition of special service to the guild, but in most cases these requirements will be enforced as described herein to ensure that those who are at a specific rank have participated in the guild at the appropriate level to have earned that rank.

4. Players are free to adopt the persona of a character who does not wish to advance beyond any specific rank, or who is selfish enough that he/she never does more than the minimum expected of them as a member of the guild. Those who make this choice could easily attain level 60 in the game without accruing an associated high level rank in the guild.

If you have made this choice, please inform the guild master of this decision. I take it as my responsibility to help all players advance their characters by advising them when they are not advancing at the standard rate, but will definitely respect (and maybe even admire!) a player's decision to role play a less ambitious character and leave it at that. Beetle Bailey is definitely a valid inspiration for a role playing persona. I am playing Kweezee that way.

When i do post a first pass it it, i am sure that it will require further tweaking. I will make every effort to avoid frustrating players in this regard, but in return i also expect your understanding that this will take time - and trial and error - to get correct.

In the interim, players are expected to take every opportunity to perform guild service and horde service, ensuring that the guild master knows that they are doing so.

Periodic mail message to Aglutis detailing services performed is the best way to ensure that your contributions are explicitly noted. Be as specific as possible, because it is probable that you will get more credit for donating a stack of iron than for donating a stack of copper (as one example).

It is possible that we will skip the mechanics of this matter completely and just operate in that ad hoc manner for the long haul, but i thik that players will be more comnfortable with an objective tally than wth leaving it to Aglutis' 'general impression of your level of participation', so i am willing to put in the associated effort (eventually). This will be a matter for discussion among the members when i reach the point of defining it more explicitly.