The RP people that don't max out stats are exactly the kind of people that are important for this. Not everyone in real life is an olympic athlete, so such people are considered above ordinary. If every single person went around maxing stats, the realistic diversity would be eliminated, and the standards of "average" would be too high for most new players.

The question: Are maxed out stats -average- strength? I don't think it is... but then again everyone can do it, why shouldn't it be average? You wouldn't have a problem with this at all if players weren't able to max every stat they have. I've rant about this before but I'm not sure whether it will ever happen (especially because its 'unheard' of to have a limit to the amount of leveling and grinding one can do).

Priceless Research

For a full day Demoik rested on one of the upper pathways in the Citadel of Death Realm, moving if anyone were to approach, to another hiding spot. In the cold dark he waited for the signal Rioqura promised he'd give when it was time to move.

"Get ready Citadel! Today we burn this place to the ground! For Laanx! For our masked god of Yliakum," came shouting, ringing throughout the darkness around them.

That would do it... Demoik quietly moved into the library's main room where he saw many of the acolytes and readers filling out, some with swords drawn. Obviously they weren't very surprised...Still, for his needs this would do quite well. Meanwhile, within the library Alkanar, a new Xacha acolyte, gathered those present together.

Alkanar looked around quickly, taking a glance at everyone. "This isn't good. If we just stay holed up in here, the rest of the Citadel will fall!" He motioned for everyone to come by him, in the end three klyros and a diabolo, pointing at two the the klyros, Eckar and Velatrius, "You two come with me. The rest take the path to the left when leaving the library. We need to cover every inch of the Citadel."

Eckar and Velatrius both nodded, following Alkanar out down the lower path. Quickly, Vayl, the diabolo, and Kiou, the other klyros, ran the other way to head whatever forces they could find off.

In the quiet Demoik slipped in, moving silently between shelves. He was dressed in purple robes, wearing a skull mask, looking the part of one of Dakkru's priests incase on were to appear. The library contains many books, much of them written by Londris himself. However, other agebound and high priests after the years have written the works of these cases, some of them darker than others.

Rioqura stared up, glancing at the two men, xacha and klyros, and the second klyros, a female, all armed. He smirked, in front of him 5 lemur's, each masked in red, short sword readily in their firm grips. With a certain voice, he spoke, "For Laanx this place will be destroyed."

Eckar gave the ynnwn a sneer as she glared at him, "You so sure about that?" Before he could answer Alkanar was already in action, raising his arms, red way energy flowing through him.

"You're the foolish one for coming here. You will only end up sacrificing yourselves to Dakkru in the end." With that he conjured a storm cloud above the group, lightning striking down wildly at them. Three of the lemurs were unfortunate, hit right away and meeting the end the xacha promised, the other 2 striking Alkanar with their blades making contact with his shoulder and stomach, luckily dodging a ball of fire sent after him by Rioqura.

Eckar was quick to respond, close to one of the other lemurs, trying but unsuccessful at attacking the man back before receiving a wound of her own in her left wing. Enraged and determined Velatrius ran up to the lemur, his blades going for the masked mans legs. Quick on his feet, the lemur jumped up before delivering a blow the the klyros' head, the impact mostly absorbed by his helmet.

Eckar let out a growl thrusting her sabre violently into the lemur's chest, stabbing him through the heart. The masked man let out a cry of pain, the cold metal tearing through him before he fell to the floor, dead in a puddle of his own blood. Velatrius was quick to finish the other one, spinning towards the last lemur, his axe chopping right at the man's unprotected neck, mask and head flying off, hitting the ground in the brutal chop.

Still weak, Alkanar rested while the two klyros turned to face Rioqura, Eckar kicking one of the fallen masks away. Before they knew it the ynnwn ran off, trying to escape. Both klyros cut him off quickly, standing with blades drawn. Before they could make a move a cloud of darkness surrounded them and by the time it had faded so had he. With a frown and a few curses they ran off to join their other comrades.

Demoik found what he was looking for, flipping through the pages and checking for the authors name. It was correct, as was it on the other tome he had selected. Quickly he slipped the two tomes into the folds of his clothing, glancing around a few times to make sure none had seen him. He still had one more thing to deal with.

Kanti smirked, standing with five masked Lemurs in one of the outer halls, "Hey again! Maybe you'll see how it feels to be outnumbered now," he said to Vayl and Kiou as they approached.

Quickly, Vayl's hands wend for her longsword hilt, eyeing them darkly. Quickly she drew, at the same time flicking a dagger from within her cloak at one of the 5 lemurs, piercing through the mask into his face, making him fall to the ground. Another lemur rushed her, but the diabolo was to quick, her sword lashing out at his, making it fall into the dark pit below them.

Kiou pulled out his bow, quickly knocking an arrow. He pulled on the string gently, holding it at the max for only a moment before releasing, the arrow hissing through the air and finding itself embedded in one of the lemur's skulls.

Kanti frowned, spitting on the ground, "Useless." He motioned a hand, one of the lemur's rushing at Kiou, while the lemur nearest Vayl tried to back away, still disarmed. Kiou jumped back a bit, unable to fully defend the lemur's attack, slightly injured in his chest, Vayl turning to him instead, thrusting at the lemur attacking the klyros while the other backed away. Quickly the masked man ducked, slashing Vayl in the thigh before an arrow landed in his own back, making him fall into the darkness.

The last armed lemur quickly fell, leaving Kanti with the man who lost his blade, "Time for the fun," he shouted laughing. Then he rushed at Vayl, while the weaponless lemur rushed Kiou. The last lemur was quickly defeated, Kanti, in mid-rush, falling prey to Vayl's blade, pierced in the chest, blood spilling down his lips. Quickly the klyros tried to attack back but Vayl was once again too fast, a spire of flame rising around her just as Kanti disarmed her, forcing him to jump backwards.

Quickly Eckar and Velatrius rush to the battle scene, Eckar leaping as Kanti moved, swinging her saber into the air, then down upon the klyros' head. Un-expecting and unprotected, the blade lodged into his fragile skull, Kanti quickly falling limp to the ground, dead.

Done with his business, Demoik quickly left the way he came, back into the upper pathways of the Citadel, then away, into his hiding spot in the Death Realm. If Rioqura and Kanti were to survive they would meet there. If not, it wouldn't matter. He'd simply have to do things on his own.

Faceless Meeting

Steps with a small red carpet lead to the alter, and upon the alter lay a golden hand, all hidden in rooms made of shadow, in a temple that does not exist, in a world trapped behind black torches. Alkanar stood before the alter, his ears ringing with the sound of the Whisper's dark voice. He had been summoned, though for what purpose he had yet to find out.

Saggi walked down the tunnel, into the main room of the temple, his hand brushing away some soot and ash from his robe, eyes looking up at the Xacha infront of him, "Ah, well well well, what have we here?"

Alkanar turned back to Saggi, his head cocked back a little bit. "Have you been summoned here as well?" The ynnwn nodded and so Alkanar responed, "Call me Skrein."

"Right. I am Saggi Lezeheso. Tell me...Skrein. No one in this temple goes without purpose....some goal. What is yours, what are you trying to accomplish?"

Alkanar turned back to the statue, now facing Saggi. "I want power. Power to control my own destiny."

For a moment Saggi thought, then finally he gave Alkanar a nod, smirking, "Right, you want your power....And I think I see why it was we both stand in the temple." Slowly the ynnwn reached into a small pouch by his side, pulling out a small shard of dark crystal, "True power must be aquired by careful planning, deception, destruction. I will destroy the followers of Dakkru, of Xiosia, of Talad, one at a time. I will make Laanx hated throughout Yliakum....undermine it all."

"So, were you brought here to give me a shard, or is there something more?"

Saggi placed the shard back in the pouch before tossing it to Alkanar, "I was brought here...to make you the new face of Dakkru. Give the would a reason to hate her. Real Dakkru followers will join you...I know it."

It did not take long for Alkanar to reach the Death Realm....There he met Vertum and presented him with his shard of the Dark Crystal which he claimed he was 'returning to its rightful place.'

Reuniting

Among the dark halls of the Death Realm, Demoik wandered, nothing but his two broadswords and a loincloth with him. His eyes eventually spotted another ynnwn and a klyros with him. Quickly and silently he went up to them, his face void as he reached the pair.

"Rioqura, its been a while."

Shocked at first, Rioqura examined Demoik. Then he let out a hearty laugh, "Finally got yourself killed Demoik?" Kanti joined him in the laugh but Demoik didn't seem as pleasant.

"There's no time for your idiotic games. I need to go to the Citadel. After I've gotten what I need I'll have to go....both times must be under cover. I don't even want anyone to know I've been here....Any ideas?"

The Gate

Saiix looked up, infront of him, after so much hard work, it finally stood tall, wood and stone, wrought together, shards of black crystal finally assembled around.

Vayl's eyes narrowed as she muttered "He said I'd never see him again, that it was a promise. I at least deserve to know why my father sent me out here to deliver a crystal to you."

"So then Nalirar really isn't coming back...." He turned to look at the unfinished gate, "This has been our goal, what we've worked at. The ultimate passage between ths realm and those in the death realm. A sort of way to bring the dead here, and create a land for us in the realm of the living."

Vayl raised a brow, looking around him to the portal once more "How will it keep the ages of those returning from the realm from causing their death?"

"We are unsure....This is an idea we've never tested but were told by another faithful of Dakkru that it would work. He's the one who taught me necromancy and suggested it would be useful to build the gate, and protect this place from the Octarchy...We seek no war, just a place for Dakkru's religion to be furthered."

Slowly, Saiix put the last crystal into place, gazing at his creation with wide eyes, "It's finally done... I have not failed you Nalirar."

The End of the Beginning.

Alone in Darkness stood two men, one in red and one in black, ynnwns, for a long moment silently gazing. From the hill they stood atop they could see much of the area, but their eyes were focused on one spot, the Stone Head. There was all they had hoped for.

"Does this gate truly lead to and from the Death Realm," Demoik asked, face covered by a red mask.

"No. The gate can take one to the Death Realm though... From it, only Dakkru's gates can do that as far as we know...You will go inside, slay Saiix, and then go into the gate. Afterwards I will take the shards of Dark Crystal Nalirar brought here, and have the gate burned to nothing.... They will be useful in what's to come."

Demoik nodded, "Very well. I will be quick...Once I finish in Dakkru's realm I shall return here with that which you seek." He gave Saggi a bow, than ran off towards the Burial Well.

It would not take long, Saggi knew it. Demoik would kill Saiix and go through the gate. Saiix would no doubt survive to, no doubt arrive in the Death Realm himself. Dakkru's filth will come for them soon. They've stolen her property, tried to infiltrate her realm, all to undermine her eventually. He would not be surprised if Dakkru herself came with rage and destroyed them all.... But, it wouldn't matter. She is just another puppet who's strings are being pulled at. Only the Black Flame controls this game.

He'd done it all, manipulated Saiix through Demoik, taught him how to raise the dead so he could build a gate in sufficient time. He had Nalirar tricked into thinking that this is what Dakkru would want, had him risk it all to bring shards of the Dark Crystal to the living realm. Now, Nalirar was dead, Saiix was to die, Demoik was to gain access to the goddess' realm, and Saggi himself was to gain a few shards of Dark Crystal. The beginning was done.... There was some cleaning up left to do but now the plan was in motion.

(Necrovalley my friends, is over. Skrein still has to make a post about a sewer raid that was done to clear up all the zombie madness but thats it. I'm putting the zombies and the uber powerful gate to DR aside to now focus on another event, for which this stuff was kinda like a 'prologue' to. I'm glad for those who enjoyed it, thanks for joining in and I hope you join in The Unseen Crusade )

This guild is officially made ingame. If you are interested in joining you can find me playing Demoik, or Rioqura. Also keep an eye out for our work. Event

Two pairs of feet slapped hard against stone, running as if Dakkru herself were on their heels. Behind them were shouts, weapons thrown in their direction. Some hit, blood spilled, but it no longer mattered. Mere death fanatics cannot contest with the will of the chosen.

Heavy was their breathing as they ran into deeper and deeper darkness, seeking desperately for the escape to their peril. They met their savior, tall, covered in silver armor, a red mask with a snake curling around it emblazoned on her chest, torch in her hands. The stopped, holding out that which caused their foe to chase them for so long. This was it, their salvation at last.

Her voice cut through their thoughts, "Your sacrifice will not be in vain."

The flames of the torch disappeared, with it the girl. Two more, unworthy and unneeded, to die among the countless, the faceless.

Origins

Among those who choose to follow paths as twisted and dangerous as ours, there have always been those who rise above, and those who are crushed. It is the belief of the Immortal Harrow that those who are destined for greatness are family in all but blood. Termed 'Harratros' by the group's leaders, they feel themselves an immortal people of the Black Flame; a line of prestige and royalty that continues to pass on the harrows, the pains, and sufferings from generation to generation in search of truth.

Harratros are born with the Whisper in their head, born with the capacity and power to lead. They consider themselves nothing short of Royalty.

Purpose

The goals of the Harrow are numerous, many the secret wishes and desires that awaken when ambitious men try to work together. Most seem to work towards their own agenda, however there are a few threads that join them together.

Keeping Secrets Hidden: Above all the Harratros and their workers feel themselves almost as a police force for the Black Flame. In scripture and story warnings are given of the consequences for betrayal, for trying to leave the service of the Whisper or tell its secrets. To deal with those who show even the slightest weakness the Harrow employs slaughter. If they haven't killed you then no doubt some other power did.

Desecration: The gods are believed to be weak. Proof of this is there inability to foresee, plan, and act like the Black Flame. While they hide our faith spreads like a plague through the people. It is for the Black Flame to contend with the other gods. For its people, we contend with religions and those who have found power in their religions. Worship must be destroyed.

Advancement: Though we are destined for power we will not simply stumble upon it. We must continue to seek power, advance ourselves, as we are destined to succeed. Experimentation, combinations of ritualistic practice and magic, and searches made into that which is the past are common for members of the Harrow, all in the goal of finding new power.

The Masquerade

To remain above suspicion for more than just a simple cult the Harrow has taken precautions, publicly allowing themselves to take on many attributes that could be seen in Laanx followers. Many of them wear masks whenever they are not hiding. Those who hide in public claim to be Laanx followers in case they are ever caught.

Dual Masks

Among the Harrow are two symbols, both that could easily thought to be of a Laanx follower. The first is that of a frowning mask with a snake curling around it. Some members have this symbol on articles of clothing or jewelry. This symbol can also often be found burned on bodies of those who are attacked by the Harrow. The second symbol is a smiling mask, though no members ever wear it.

Mask of Fools - This is the frowning mask. It marks one whose blood is to be drained for no other reason than to promote chaos and fear. This mark is burned on, using a metal imprint.

Mask of Whispers - This is the smiling mask. It marks a true enemy to the Harrow. The burn is delivered so that if one dies or fails in killing the enemy others may see it. This mark is usually burned onto the face if it can be done.

Ranking System

Among the Harrow are the self-proclaimed most powerful members of the Black Flame. They do realize that there are too many disputes and differences amongst themselves to work as a small unit efficiently. To deal with this they allow other worthy members of the Black Flame to serve under them. These Loyals make up a majority of the Harrow. Only Harratros have the power to command, their sect known as the Royals.

Loyals

Jester - Jesters are the initiates of the Harrow, forced to adorn masks and act like fanatic Laanx followers, a form of ritualistic hazing. Each of them carries an iron imprint of the Mask of Fools to cause chaos.

Masked Priest - These few carry the Mask of Whispers, their only duty to seek out targeted enemies of the guild and deliver the mark.

Unseen Crusaders - The highest of the loyals, Unseen Crusaders have left behind madness, their purpose now to destroy anything that stands in the way of truth. Known to them as the Unseen Crusade they work to undermine religion wherever they can, efficiently but silently.


Royals

Lord - Lord is the title given to lesser Harratri, of which there are few. They have command over the Loyals, their duties to deal with making sure they do as instructed. Most Lords side with one of the higher Harratri to keep themselves out of harms way. They too, however,  often have secret agendas.  

Masters Whim - The most prestigious of the Royals each feel themselves only second to the Black Flame itself. Because of this arrogance conflict between the ambitious is constant, leaders usually being the member feared the most. A majority of them go by their own, self-appointed, titles, refusing to be addressed to anyone not of their 'same' rank by anything but their title.

The Black Flame - Only the Black Flame itself calls true command over our sect. The Flame's goals surpass our own, its power the only path to truth.

Current Conquests

At this point in time the Harrow has found itself and its focus on the desecration of religion. Its design specifically makes it look like a Laanxist cult, trying to force to public and people to show more hate and dislike for the famed 'Masked God' of Hydlaa.

A majority of the Harrow actually resides in the Death Realm, locked in secret battle with the followers of Dakkru. To those who they fight they still appear as a Laanx cult but make no mistake that the Black Flame comes to destroy the people of death. More and more of the group is returning to Yliakum, at the moment focusing their efforts on the people of Hydlaa and the cities surrounding it.

OOC

Of course, follow the rules of PS, stay in character, realize this guild is made for fun and to be fun for any involved with the plots we carry out.

Know OOCly that Harratros is just a title, created. It doesn't mean anything, impart you with any special powers, or really mean you have any special place with the Black Flame than any other Black Flame faithful.

I must advise you gain access to the Black Flame temple. You -have- to read the books and understand them, no exceptions. I can understand if you've obtained access with other characters and rather not go through the process again but make sure to let us know before hand.

Know before entering the guild that there are plans for a lot of conflict both with outsiders and inside the guild itself. We are all trying to get ahead of each other and if I were you I'd make sure that your character is watching out for themselves as a top priority. For the sake of giving a good starting point my characters, Saggi and Demoik, act as 'leaders' in the guild with Saggi at the top. Go ahead and try to take me down, I welcome the challenge.

Recruitment

War with the people of the death realm has made the Harrow weak, low on members and in need of new Loyals and in search of fellow Harratros. If you've a character or want to make a character to join our cause do so by contacting myself or Skrein through PM or posting here. If you are interested in being a Harratros inform us in the message. You can also speak to us on our forums.

I think a better idea would be to limit the number of members a guild can have until it accomplishes certain server specific goals which would unlock increases capacities. Have the starting membership limit be 10, say, and then allow GMs to increase that by a set amount, say 5, for successful participation in events. I don't know maybe it couldn't work, but maybe assisting in OSP initiatives could count as well towards the participation requirement.

Of course there isn't much of a problem on ezpc as people mostly are not there but bug testing could be the test there....

Limiting the number of members a guild has won't stop OOC guilds from existing. First, I'd like to make a point that a lot of the guilds that people do feel disrupt RP used to be RP guilds a long time ago. They worked their way up years ago. They just lost sight of things and ended up as they did. I can make a guild, work myself up to 20 players, then just lose interest. Suddenly there might be a new 19 disruptive players running around.

A better alternative might be to have certain quests that only guildleaders can do that would increase the guild's member cap, and there would be a "guild faction" in the faction's menu in the skills & stats screen that would affect what quests the guildleader can do, for good or for evil, and these quests might give guilds certain special items or trophies for their guildhouse.

Throwing a quest at every problem doesn't solve the problem. Guides to solve quests pop up quickly, for everyone. I've seen IC and guilds that I'd consider OOC have guides to quests. If I say 'do a quest to get 5 more members' how long do you think it will take before everyone does that quest as just another requirement to have a guild? Get the cash, get 5 members, do the quests to get the additional 5, etc. A quest will change little.

Am I right in thinking that your idea is aimed at reducing the amount (or power anyway) or "greifers" on the RP server?

There definitely seems to be a problem with OOC behavior, but I am not sure this would help reduce it much. It would certainly increase the workload for the GMs, or whoever would be responsible approving new guilds. 

You are right but it isn't increasing the workload by much because I didn't suggest that anyone approve new guilds. I suggested only certain players be given the right to run guilds, not every average joe off the street. I also suggested that if you are a player with a guild idea but not the permission to run a guild that you'd be able to post the idea on the Guilds Forum. If an approved guild master saw the guild and liked it they would act as guild master for your guild idea.

I totally agree with I think everything that has been written here. It would be amazing if guilds with houses and the potential to hold interesting events and such would take advantage of this. I know few do it but I think all should have to... Whether you are throwing a small party or some kind of sophisticated meeting to rally support to deal with the sewers rat infestation there should be something. It would lend to stimulating Player interaction and RP on the server as well as help guilds with houses find new recruits by getting new players interested in the events.

I see no downside if those with guild houses preform their roles well.