The Creed of The Spartan Legion

 

Sparta First

A simple statement with a complex meaning. In general it means that the needs of the guild as a whole out weigh the needs and desires of the individuals within it. That is not to say we do not want our members to thrive, for we do. It is just to say that we expect all members to do what is best for the guild as a whole. This can be seen in the expectations that we have for all our members. If you join us, you will be held to these expectations. All judgments of your character, both good and bad, will be compared to them. Take faith that what is expected of you is expected of all members to include the Master of the Guild and his/her Advisors. If you are in the Spartan Legion you are never alone and never without the aid of friends.

Spartan Oath

*I will defend the Spartan Banner- Members are expected to assist each other within their means. This is to include coming to the defense of a member or members in need and using all powers, skills and items to ensure that they are victorious. Take heart though, that in your time of need your guild mates will be there to assist you. An example would be the following. A 45th level character is being attacked and puts out the call. A 49th, a 48th and a 40th are online. When they arrive they find their mate in a battle with 3 characters all around 70th. The 49th and 48th immediately join the fray and concentrate on one character. The 40th, being of lower level heals (skill) the 45th and draws the attention of one of the enemy combatants. Since the 40th is of little use dead they recall (item) and return and do it again. Since the battle is going our way now, the 40th, when the enemy again seeks them out, runs in circles until the offender can be attacked by one of their mates. The other characters in the mean time have used hp potions (items) and one has handed another a better weapon since he had just created a new one of more value for himself. After the battle is over, the character with the borrowed weapon inquires and the person who handed it to him offers it for sale at a discount of what its value is. (Recommended 10-20%) In this way he has made the guild stronger and the attackers will think twice before they attack again. In other words, "Attack one of us, attack all of us".

The only exception to this is a Challenge. If two or more persons want to fight without interference then it is preferred that it is in the arena. This is not a requirement. Members may still trade, loan, sell or gift items to the member in order to assist in their victory and may stand by to ensure no one interferes. This may include casting buffs and heals to counter such actions of the opponents friends not included in the challenge or attacking persons who interfere. Please announce any such challenge before it is done to ensure guild mates do not interfere unknowingly in a personal challenge.

*I am one of many-
Members are expected to remember that their actions affect all guild members. The image we portray and the respect or fear of others will be seen through your actions. This requires us to ask certain things not commonly found in other guilds. Be precise in speech. If you threaten (warn) someone, do it in a way that is not vulgar or filled with slang and childish terms. "Coward", "Leave or Die", "Be warned," or similar statements are acceptable. "***", "your momma is so...", "suck my..." or similar statements are not. If in doubt, turn on your PK and after a pause, attack. That will be clear enough. Sometimes actions speak louder that words.


*I will reflect the Spartan Ideal-
You can be hard and Spartan with your speech. You can be harsh and unforgiving. You can be unhelpful of those outside of the guild and scoff at those around you, but you must not perform any actions that are seen as immoral. Examples include sending a person on a "fools errand" like, 'Yes I know how to get a pet, go to Merac and find the Doom Slayer outside the gate, he is easy to beat and will drop the pet." Do not ask prices above what an item can be purchased for at the NPC merchants. i.e. selling Bloodseals for 3,000 gp which can be purchased for 1,000 gp at the merchant. Plussed or bloodsealed items are valued as you see fit. This also includes reporting useless items as good in order to sell them. i.e. Telling the uninformed they should buy the "talismans" you have because they will need them for a later quest.  Your actions should reflect honor. You are also expected to follow all game rules. No macros, bots or exploits will be tolerated. Anyone found doing any of these will be removed and reported promptly.  Leaving the guild to join a different guild for Castle Sieges or other such similar events is not permitted. This practice loads a guild unfairly for an advantage and is not considered honorable.

*I value the opinions of those found worthy- You may argue the value of an idea or selected course of action. You may not however verbally attack the person who suggested it. In other words, a Guild mate suggests you attack a Titan and leave the Healer until last. "That is stupid, you don't know anything about Pk do you?" is useless and you are expected to never do it. "Well, the Titan has high attack and hit points, but has low defense. If we do not attack the healer she will just keep him alive while he kills us." is an example of arguing the value of an idea without attacking the person.

*I will never assist an enemy- You are expected to keep all persons in the dark as to the abilities and capabilities of our members. If someone inquires about a member’s weapons, level, or abilities then be evasive or misleading. There is an art to such things. If you are not versed in such tactics then say nothing or direct the person to ask directly to the member in question. However, please listen to others when they divulge such information as it may be useful to us. On a more serious note are actions traitorous to the Guild. This includes, leading a member to ambush, assisting or not defending a member being attacked, or giving information that assists an attacker in defeating a Guild mate. This may also include having an alternate player in a non allied guild and without the Master Of the Guilds  prior knowledge and  approval . Any such action will bring serious repercussions. Immediate removal from the Guild is only a small part of the suffering you will bring upon yourself and those you associate with in the future. If you at some point desire to "walk other horizons" and leave the Guild, you will be released, but this rule still applies. Former members are expected to not give any such information until it has become useless to our enemies.

*Others will desire my place-
"A Sense of Aire" One of those odd statements that is often misunderstood. If someone asks to join you might ask, "Are you worthy?" That would reflect a Sense of Aire. You count yourself amongst a reserve few that are equal to the task required of the guild. You are not just a person randomly grouped with your fellows, but you are a member of a group you know you can count on until the bitter end. This is not to say that you are conceited or mean spirited, just proud. How will you react if the person answers, "Yes."? Maybe they would like to be judged and found worthy to stand with you.

Other items

Killing others-
There are times outside of war when you may be forced to attack another player. You are expected to defend yourself with every asset and skill in your possession. Attacking other players should not, however, be taken lightly. The ramifications of needless killing can effect the Guild as a whole in both image and the number of attacks we receive. Hunting persons incapable of hurting you (red naming) is not only an unwise use of time but it could make you a unable to provide the assistance the Guild expects of you by lowering you attack values. It can also make you and those around you a target of needless attacks. The Pk system of this game is far from perfect, but it is what we have and so we must take care to use it wisely. Someone insulting you is merely an attempt at controlling your actions and is not considered a reason to fight. As a member of Spartan Legion you are considered above such childish actions. Someone attacking you, stealing or attempting to steal your kills or breaking your camp may be attacked but consider the ramifications first. We do not want to be seen as allowing or as needless killers. Remember, if you want to just fight for the enjoyment, the arena gives all of the mystery and challenge with none of the penalties.

Dying on purpose-
There are times when a person wants to die in the game. This may be to remove "evil points," to maintain a level or to maximize the use of a characters skill gathering or pet leveling ability. It is easy enough to die in this game as you have probably already seen. Attacking  the Grand Golden Dragon in Egeha is an almost sure way to die. Selling a "Blue Name" to others is discouraged but is allowed. Things like this should be done in private and out of the view of others as we do not want to be seen as easy targets. If you have a need to die, it can be arranged through An Advisor , a War Councilor or the Guild Master. We do not encourage or discourage such tactics as intentionally dying, but we do not want your death to give others the feeling that we are allowable or easy targets.

Guild information

Guild Organization-

The guild has a chain-of-command. If there is a problem with an action or statement of a guild mate, or if there is a question on an item of the requirements, they are to be brought to an Advisor or War Councilor first. If an Advisor or War Councilor is not online at the time and it cannot wait, then it may be brought to the Guild Master.  If the problem is with an Advisor it is still brought to them first. If you are not satisfied with their answer or action, then you may ask that it be brought to the Master of the Guild. Be advised, the Advisors will report most of their decisions to the Master of the Guild anyway, so the decision may not change. Know that we seek to ensure our members are happy and will try to settle any and all problems in a satisfactory manner.

War Council-

The event of war is not taken lightly. We will declare war when it is in our best interest and our best advantage. We will NOT inform our enemies that we are at war. "Let them find out by the counting of their dead." Wars will be decided by a minimum of the Master of the Guild and both Advisors and the War Councilors.
 

Guild Meetings-

Guild meetings will be an organized affair. Members are expected to sit to one side of the guild hall directly in front of the War Councilors. Advisors are to either side of the Guild Master. The meeting will take place at times most convenient to the most members. Briefs can be sent to members requesting them who are unable to attend. If it is found that there is a sizeable number of persons who can only attend at a different time then a mini-meeting may be scheduled. One member will be the designated Sergeant at Arms. This person will speak in Trade Chat (Green) in the Guild Hall and will ensure order. He/She will also call out whose turn it is to speak. Refrain from talking until called upon. The Master of the Guild and Advisors will speak in Guild chat (Purple). All others will speak in Common (White) during the meeting. You will identify yourself as someone wishing to speak by stepping into the aisle. Please ensure your questions or statements are on the item in question at the time. If you have other subjects you wish to speak on wait until that subject is addressed by the council. If someone asks the question you were going to ask, or if it is answered before it is asked please step back to the side. This will ensure that everyone has a chance to be heard. It is also preferred that all weapons are put away during the meetings. The exception is the Sergeant at Arms who will remain armed. After the meeting is over you may mill about, show off your weapons or talk in Guild chat as you see fit.

For Practical purposes, most guild information will be passed via the private guild forums.  Guild meetings may be held in the forums from time to time to facilitate different time zones and schedules. For this reason, registration and participation in the Spartan Legion Guild Forum is necessary.

Judgment

Trial- As stated before the trial consist of 10 actual days of play. During this time you will be evaluated by your Advisors, War Counselors, the Master of the Guild and the Full members who are around you. If your actions are not reflective of the guild and are seen as correctable then the time may be extended to continue this evaluation. If your actions are not considered acceptable nor correctable you will spoken to in private and be dismissed.  If you do not feel you are up to the requirements asked here, or feel that they are too harsh or unfair then please save yourself and us the time of evaluating you. There are many guilds that will ask little of you and will be formed of "whomever" will join. Seek them out instead. Any person desiring to be released during/before the 10 days are up will be with no questions asked. Such persons will not however be re-invited until a satisfactory explanation is given. The 10 days will begin again from the start if they are re-invited. If this sounds like the sort of people you want to be associated with and you feel you are worthy, then please apply. We hope you will become a member and live and die with your fellow Spartans.

Initiation-
After the trial has ended, the character in question is called before the Council to be Judged. This is always the last order of business in Guild meetings. The initiate is required to state exactly the requirements posted above that contain an asterisk (*). After each, the initiate is required to state what it means to them in their own words. (This can be as simple or as complex as desired. Length of words will not make it more likely to be acceptable, only the content) After the final statement is complete the initiate will state, "Sparta First" to signify the end. The Council will then pass their votes. A decision of "Worthy" will be the final requirement for the initiate to become a full member of the Spartan Legion. Those who are found unworthy will be removed. Full Members are the only ones who can hold positions in the Guild. At the decision of the Council, certain things may be put to vote and all active full members can cast one vote each. Once you have become a full member you can also request items to be brought before the council during guild meetings. Your Advisor can give you information about how this is done. Initiation may from time to time be done via private conference with the Master of the Guild and or their appointed GA's.


Expulsion-
We hope that by careful consideration we build an active guild filled with cooperative and like minded players. We also hope that this screening process will save us the trouble of having to remove anyone from the guild. We are not however, unwise enough to believe this will never happen. The following is just a summary of the reasons that will cause you to be removed from the guild.

Desire-
You actually want to leave. Although this is not technically an expulsion, we list it here. The reasons that such a thing may happen are simple. The player may want to join the guild of a friend or start their own. The player may want to play on a non-Pk server. The player may be leaving the game entirely. It is desirable and expected that the player will notify the guild concerning their intentions. If the player leaves the guild without notification they will be considered to have left not on good standing. Any consideration of returning to the Guild would only be possible with a full and compelling explanation of the reason why to the Master of the Guild.  Return would be subject to approval by the Guild Master.

Uncooperative game play-
The player does not follow the items listed in the Spartan Oath. They do not, however, do anything considered harmful to the guild, they just do not perform as expected. Such persons are not treated with disdain, just as incompatible to our designs for the guild. Included in this, are those who are inactive for extended periods of time without a prior explanation of their absence. Upon return, such players may be re-instated. Conditions may include their time in the guild, their activity before their absence and the explanation for their absence.
 

Unworthy- There are always those who at first seem Worthy and who show their true colors later. This may be any actions seen as in violation of the Spartan Oath, cheating or other actions that bring disgrace to their Guild mates or the guild. Such persons will be considered as outsiders or will be shown disdain according to the reasons for their release. Cheaters will, as mentioned before, be expelled and reported. We will do everything in our power to ensure people cheating suffer the maximum consequences.

Absence-
If you are absent from the server for more than 21 days without informing a member of the guilds administration,  you will be removed from the guild. Re-entry would be dependant upon the reason for absence.

In Closing- If anything in this seems extreme or harsh, please look elsewhere for a more compatible guild. If however, this looks like the type of things you would ask of applicants if you were to set up a guild, then please apply. 

Our current Positions are;

Master of the Guild-  Chimeraa
Trusted Advisor- Raji
Trusted Advisor- Messis

War Council - Ayla,   Darkfast

Original Founder, and still Revered - Beres