|
Post by Kanammer on Aug 27, 2006 12:05:28 GMT -5
I would offer a suggestion. I know you have probably already taken care of this, but just wanted to mention it for others to see... Don't disband the guild, pass the leader tag to a mule or some other seldom played character so that 1. The guild does not truly die. 2. So that if you decide things are not what you had expected after some time, you don't have to feel trapped.
I've been a part of Mergers/ Absorbtions before as a Guild Leader, an Officer, and Member and just want to tell you, don't go in expecting zero problems, that should be a given. It will take time to everyone to adjust to it, so give it time and when problems do arise, talk to the officers/Leader that's part of their job. Also, go in with an open mind as to what the other people's characters stories are.
Good luck with it.
Just my 2cp, Kana
anyway, that's just my 2cp
|
|
|
Post by Emizael on Aug 27, 2006 12:25:47 GMT -5
A note on size!
I've been doing /who Lunari's since this topic first came into conversation...
And wow. It seems like at any given time, they have at least 10 on. That tells me, they've got lots of people. And, if we join up, we can be all suave and impressive, and make everyone think that we are so cool, that they will give us free pie.
Come on; free pie, is what this game is all about.
|
|
|
Post by Fechak on Aug 27, 2006 12:36:25 GMT -5
This is a good point Kan. I personally have been a part of two mergers myself and there is an adjustment period. This is to be expected. I am expecting certain things to go smoothly, others to stutter a little. I will be a voice on their council during that time and once I feel my duties are complete in that regard, Fechak will retire for good I expect. No, I won't quit the game, but I will be switching mains - to what? I suppose I'll be feeling out the new situation to find out.
It's also a good idea to keep the guild tag alive.
And yes, free pie is good...
|
|
|
Post by Heng Arikana on Aug 27, 2006 13:31:02 GMT -5
Frankly, I feel a bit out of place even commenting on this. For over a year, Dara and I were tagged DoV, but were rarely around (my fault, not hers) and really not part of things. We wanted to be, for sure, but were outpaced rather easily and fell very far behind - which made it difficult to feel like contributing members. Now that we're caught up (now that I've had more time to play) there are few people around, and it seems like we need to schedule something to get even five together at once. In speaking with my wife, we'd be fine with any move made - and at the same time be saddened that we could not help DoV continue on in strength. We would do whatever we could to continue the tradition, but we're not 'rainmakers' - we couldn't help to recruit new people and rebuild the guild, despite my experiences in the past. I admit that it will be different having another tag over our heads, and not pleasant at first. But as many have said: the change is for the better. Perhaps this new guild will provide different opportunities, and perhaps not, but we're willing to go along. Right now, with four people on at a time, it is very difficult to do anything with our guildmates (and since I'm essentially a level 58 newb - my instance experience starts and ends with Mauradon and ZF, and those were only recent - I can't even suggest things to do). We'd like to expand our horizons within the game, but wouldn't even know where to begin. Maybe with more people on, that would change. And if anyone wants to do anything with any of their alts, please let us know PS Ok, I propose that, as a final guild edict, all of Windfoot's alts have to wear a Scarlet Letter on their chest. I had no idea that Robbyn was his alt, just like I had no idea that Menschk was his alt - and of course I'm sure that somehow I did something to scare Mighty Brave Ser Robbyn from playing during one of our instance runs (since I haven't seen him since...)
|
|
|
Post by Rheyna on Aug 27, 2006 14:23:58 GMT -5
Well, I presided over a merge earlier this summer, as GM of one of two guilds that dissolved to create a new guild together. If you want to hear suggestions about logistical issues that can make the transition more smooth, let me know.
With all due respect to Fechak, I will make one suggestion. The single most helpful thing we did in our merge was have both prior GMs step out of officer roles. This sent a strong message to the guilds that we believed in the merge and trusted the new leadership enough to let them run things. Perception is amazingly important in helping groups manage transition successfully. So I haltingly ask if you have considered having Celera or Vangelis or Kielon take the officer slot on the Lunari Council. Like I said, it's not about who the DoV GM is -- it's that he is the DoV GM. DoV still gets its "voice" heard on the Council, but Fechak sends the very powerful message that he supports this move enough to give up power to make it happen.
|
|
|
Post by Fechak on Aug 27, 2006 14:28:55 GMT -5
Heck I'd be all for that. I'm here to accomodate. The whole reason why I suggested (and like) this idea is so that I could step down while giving everyone the opportunity to continue the game without stagnating in our struggling family. Like before with the original alliance. I just figured we could take it a step further. I'll do whatever it takes to keep us together - even if we move in with some new roomates.
|
|
|
Post by Vangelis on Aug 27, 2006 15:47:23 GMT -5
Thanks for the vote, Rheyna, but over the course of my vacation travels WoW stepped out of my brain and hasn't really stepped back in when I got back home. I'm still not sure when and how often I will be logging in this fall, but it certainly won't be the every-night-at-nine pattern I was enjoying last year. If Lunari asked me who other than Fech would best represent us, I'd say Celera.
[Check the OOC section for some personal news...]
|
|
|
Post by Celera on Aug 27, 2006 19:56:23 GMT -5
Well, thanks for the vote of confidence, Van. Kielon can speak for himself, of course, but I know that his real life commitments at the moment make it unlikely that he would be available for a leadership position, although he would do a wonderful job. The power of being a guild leader is a very small amount of power in a very small venue, and I don't think Fechak is any more interested in clinging to that bit of influence than I would be. (Of course, sometimes it is the smallest amount of power that goes to people's heads, but I don't see much danger of that around here.) I value your experience, Rheyna, and your suggestion may be the right way to go. On the other hand -- as you mentioned earlier -- the dynamic here is a little different. We are really talking about joining an existing group. Anitor will still be the leader of that group, and we will be adding our voices to the many that are already there. As to who sits on their council -- that will in part be up to Anitor and the people he already has there. And Rheyna, I know your suggestion is a strategic one, and has nothing to do with Fechak personally. But it reminds me of something... These have not been easy months to be the Guild Leader. Watching something dwindle away despite your best efforts is discouraging. And as much as this change may be needed, it's not easy to be the one to propose and implement it. We all have our disagreements, and probably nobody has had more private debates with Fech than I have, but he took a tough and often thankless job and has done -- and is doing -- it well. And I appreciate it -- as I'm sure you all do. I'll stop here before I lose my grip on my hard-earned Vulcan-ness.
|
|
|
Post by Rheyna on Aug 27, 2006 20:13:22 GMT -5
In case it wasn't clear, this was in NO WAY a comment about Fechak. I just know that one of the issues we faced was how to help people who didn't bother to be involved in the pre-merge conversation still feel confident that the move was in their best interests. My stepping down (and the other GM doing so, too) worked better than I could have imagined at doing that -- many people mentioned to me that they were comforted by my obvious faith in the leadership of the new guild.
And I agree with Celera -- recommending a merge was one of the hardest things I ever did, and it came after several difficult months of trying to figure out a way to save what we loved without having to kill it in the process. I commend the DoV Council for so bravely looking at the options and bringing their best idea to us for open discussion.
I probably would not have mentioned it if Fechak hadn't said he was planning to retire that toon after the transition. I think I felt comfortable making the suggestion only because I recognize the hard loving work Fechak has put into the guild over the last months. It's not a demand, by any means. And I hope it doesn't obscure my personal recognition and appreciation of his work over this time.
|
|
|
Post by Albured on Aug 27, 2006 21:47:23 GMT -5
Where ever we end up is really not the point at least we would all still be together and who knows maybe the increased numbers would bring some of us out of hiding. Over the last year and a half being in the defenders I feel like you guys are real Friends which for me is odd I don't make Friends easily not a one of you could come to Chicago without a offer of a drink from me and I would hate to see us dwindle away one by one till there was nothing left and we are scattered to the wind. I would hope we get to keep the page and the stories within I don't write much I lack the creative inspiration but I enjoy reading what others have written especially a cowards tale bravo Robbyn bravo alot of these writings are real good and I would hate to see all the talent and manpower put into them wasted. The loss of the ooc channel would be a loss how do they talk to each other out of character and if they don't then they must not be as tight nit as the defenders are. And the difference in the RP levels don't seam that important to me I have heard it said plenty of times RP is what you make of it I am sure we could still have are RP events and some of them would even come and enjoy it. As a matter of fact I have seen them come to some of ours already most recently Valands centurion challenge and we did have a good time everyone together and at least we have a relationship with there people and it is not like we will be tossed in with a bunch of strangers. That is just how I feel I support the merger that is better than slow death followed by oblivion but I am surprised by the few number of people responding to this conversation it is like voting I would think don't complain if you don't put your voice out to be heard if Fechak is to make a decision about the future of our guild he needs everyones input and support. And Like everyone here I feel Fechak has done a excellent job as GM.
|
|
|
Post by Kalmorith on Aug 27, 2006 21:49:03 GMT -5
Oh, dear. The DoV numbers are a bit lower than I thought...and the Lunari numbers are much higher. Up to 40?!! Gosh, I wouldn't get a word in edgewise!
|
|
|
Post by Fechak on Aug 27, 2006 22:56:57 GMT -5
Quick, quick! Someone make sure the check valve for excess ego is still doing ok on my head!!
|
|
|
Post by Emizael on Aug 28, 2006 2:25:51 GMT -5
Okay, so...
Nobody is saying " Hells no, don't do it!" ; the general viewpoint seems to be, " Let's do this, as long as we can stick together, and keep the Forums up and running...", and finally, we all agree that our officers, and our GM have done a great job.
Everyone so far that has chipped in, sees the good points, and the few bad ones, that keep popping up, but, for the most part, there seems to be no negativity, and no resistance to the idea that it has come time for the Defenders to merge into a larger group.
Not to lose our friendships, not to lose our unique natures and relationships, not to lose anything, really. As this whole deal has been presented, the lot of us stand to gain a good deal. It also seems that we aren't leaving anyone behind, here, and that we are talking about doing this as a group, and not just a handful of us leaving in the dead of night. (( Heck, I even noticed that that Kalmorith fellow, whomever he is, seems to think this is a good plan.)) It seems to me that all we are doing is changing our Guild Tag...and nothing more.
We have history, stories, laughs and lasting friendships with the Defenders. Those things will never ever change. We aren't jumping into an unfamiliar new setting, like, a raid guild...we aren't joining an elite group of power gamers, but, we are looking at joining forces with a group large enough to not only provide us with the means to expand what we already do, but they provide us a platform to expand what we are now capable of doing. Put simply, this is a win-win situation for everyone.
So, if the only negatives we can think of is that Lunari don't RP as much, or, Our officers aren't going to be Lunari officers; well, if those are the only negatives...
I would rather have 20 new guys join the Defenders, then the Defenders go join someone else, but that isn't going to happen. Even reading everything posted here two or three times over doesn't change what I feel to be the truth. We all feel that the time is right...to move on.
As for the Leaders here, I would follow the lot of you to Hades and back, in real life or in game. That's what loyal henchmen are for. Changing the company name won't change that...and all of you said pretty much the same thing. So now, what do we do next?
|
|
|
Post by Fechak on Aug 28, 2006 9:04:59 GMT -5
Watch for the sign...
|
|
|
Post by Gudran on Aug 28, 2006 13:17:51 GMT -5
NO, I AM COMPLETELY AGAINST THIS!!!! OMGZ!!!11!!1! Heheh, just kiddin'. I completely support the move. Everyone keeps nailing it on the spot: we are still together and that matters. My only concern has already been addressed as well: the continuation of the forums. I am glad the forums will stay so we can all continue our lore and history. Besides, Gudran's library has to stay... I've been a member of DoV for longer than I can remember ((um.... I think only Wind and Kasie/Turi are still here that are 'older' than I in DoV membership, but both of you are around less than I! )) and am saddened at the loss of the DoV banner, but hey, it is just a name, right? As much as I love DoV as a name ((valor, not volour... hehe)), this move does indeed feel 'right'. I took no classes this summer break and was excited to be able to play with ya'll again, but was sadly dissappointed when only a couple, if that, were online when I was... Gudran ended up sleeping in his library with no visitors, Taelok just kept to himself in the sands of Tanaris, and poor Rassin had nothing to 'obtain' from anyone else. There is a need for more players to make the WoW experience more enjoyable and I feel that this move is indeed necessary. Thank you Fechak and Officers for doing such a great job with the Defenders ((much better than I ever did back then...)) and I hope our family grows much out of this! To us!! *raises mug*
|
|