A Step Backward

For a long time now, the officers of the Symphony have been trying to jump-start RP within the guild. Ever since the Sunwell Plateau was released, and the resolution to the Blood Elves' situation was decided, we've been in a bit of an RP rut that's been hard to get out of. We've had a gray focus, and members that either weren't confidant they could help to start up RP again, or others that simply didn't have the time or the know-how to accomplish such a thing. It was left to the officers to come up with something to try and alleviate this situation. Yet so far, we've been unsuccessful. As always, with real life issues being thrown into the mixture, it's been hard for any of us to think about our characters, let alone the focus and RP of an entire guild. I've personally tried to start IC runs of instances and PvP battlegrounds, but I've been losing my enjoyment in the game, and haven't kept up with my promises.

The officers have since had numerous meetings containing brainstorms and otherwise, in an attempt to pull us all out of the state that we're in. Guild meetings, IC instance runs, raids, etc. We're on the verge of giving the guild a new focus, but the key aspect of member involvement is missing, at the moment. We have an idea for a focus, we have a story arc that's continuing (albeit slowly), but we don't have a concrete way to relate the situation to the members. However, I believe that with a little more attempts from the members to get to know the situation with Anivanthus and the Old Gods, everyone will be able to be involved and contribute what they wish to.

Now, all of that pales in comparison to what the real problem is, within our guild, at the moment. In a world not so far away, the Symphony used to gather in a low-level zone and aid the community, and -enjoy- it. In time, we got wrapped up in raiding and broke away from that, attempting to work on our own characters with our own agendas in mind. I'm just as guilty of this as others, I'll freely admit. When I searched Thottbot and saw the Shard of the Virtuous for the first time, epics flooded my vision. But, no more. I've stopped raiding, and though I'm not here to encourage people to stop raiding, I and the rest of the officers believe it's time to bring love back to the community the way we used to.

What we wish to propose to you all, are three things. I'll tackle them one at a time.

Firstly, we wish to re-introduce the guild hand-out event to low-level zones. Meaning, not necessarily Tranquillien. We may choose to aim at another level bracket, or another zone. What really matters, is that we put some time aside each week to give back to the community that's helped us in some way or another, even though we may think otherwise sometimes. Now, in the past, there have been issues with scheduling that have led to like, 3 people showing up at any given night. So, what I want to propose, is that at the beginning of each week we hold a vote to see which day is best for people, and hold the hand-out then. Also, I want to recommend that we focus on different things to hand out than last time. Particularly, unless specifically request, we should stop handing out crafted armor and weapons. With heirloom items being released and more people being ran through instances, there are other things that would be more desired, such as gathering materials or elixirs.

Secondly, we attempt to bring back the community get-together event that we held for a few times. What this is (for the people that weren't around at the time), is a social gathering held by the Symphony to promote casual RP on the server. We host with food and drinks, and occasionally we hold raffles and hand out prizes to people that participate. Games won't be unheard of either. This used to take place in the Magisters' Den within Silvermoon, but it would almost be suggested that we move it around every time, to spread RP to places outside of the Horde RP hub. The reason this event was dropped early on, is due to a short list of people who attended the second and third gatherings. I personally think this was due to the lack of advertisement on our part, and also to the scheduling conflicts. So again, I wish to propose that we vote on the location -and- the time each week, to help spice things up and keep people interested.

Thirdly, I wish to begin a series of in-character PvP battleground runs. I'm not talking about taking 2-3 people with me into AB once a week. I'm talking about getting a raid together, hopping into AV, and bringing back strategy to prove that the Horde is worth something. The valley in Alterac was home to the Frostwolves since their formation, and we should be damned if the Stormpike think that the best way to beat us is to ignore our troops and go for our leader from the start. With something as simple as sending 3-4 squads to defend Galv, we could turn the tide against the Alliance in a heart beat. I have no qualms with leading these events myself, but I want to see if everyone else is interested before I fully commit to something like this.

So, there you have it. Those are three things that I believe will get us back to the way we used to be. The officers and I would like your opinion on each of these ideas, whether it be critical or otherwise. Personally, I would -appreciate- criticism, so that we can quicker get out of this mess. So, let us know what you think. If one of these things sounds stupid, let me know. If you wanna help out with one or more of these things, by all means, let me know. Other ideas are also welcome, and I encourage you to voice them here.

Open forum time. Go go!

Firstly, we wish to re-introduce the guild hand-out event to low-level zones. Meaning, not necessarily Tranquillien. We may choose to aim at another level bracket, or another zone. What really matters, is that we put some time aside each week to give back to the community that's helped us in some way or another, even though we may think otherwise sometimes.

I used to love the Tranquillen meetings, before the griefers caught up to us, of course   It was a great oportunity to meet with other players, many of them either new to the server or to RP itself.  I think it would be wonderful to get back to that.  I had some very memorable RP experiences during those meetings, and I'm sure we as a guild made an impression as well.  This is an opportunity to "teach them while they're young,"  to let new players see what our server is all about.

Secondly, we attempt to bring back the community get-together event that we held for a few times.

As a newbie on this server, one of the first events I attended on Mellinda was the Symphony's Halloween party two years ago.  (Way back in the day when there was good RP in Silvermoon a lot of the time xD)  It made a huge impression on me, so much so that I transfered lil old Deru here to join the guild.  I'd love to see these kinds of events come back, and I'd be willing to help out in any way that I can.  Also, while I completley agree with spreading the RP around to other areas, I think that at the same time we need to take back Silvermoon.  Our fair city has been taken over by idiots for too long.  I heartily suggest that more of us RP there whenever the opportunity arises.  I believe with more people engaging in good RP inside the walls of Silvermoon, we may see the vamps, the cat people, the sluts, and the idiots fade into the backround.  I suggest we start by cleansing the Wayfarers.  With fire.

Thirdly, I wish to begin a series of in-character PvP battleground runs.

Sign me up!

I just want to make it clear that I'm not trying to criminalize raiding or raiders with my previous post. What I was trying to say, is that it was -gearing- for raids that took our focus away from RP, not the actual raiding itself. Gearing for instances and raids takes a lot of effort, and when most of the guild wants to gear for raiding, it's just going to happen that RP's luster tends to glimmer less brightly than before. I didn't mean to upset anyone if I did, but I wanted to clear it up anyway.

And I remember the Halloween event too, Deru. You know, it's only a month away

I love the first two ideas. ^_^ I really missed the tranq handouts.

The PvP idea sounds fun if I can put enough time aside. I really like the concept, but with school and all - you know how it is. Still, I'd try to make it if I possibly could.

All for guild hand outs! I had fun the last time

my character daessanna is really low level still, but I'd be totally up for helping! I could use my dk to farm some things that i could funnel back to Dae. Those could be given out. I'm just before lvl 30. I wouldn't mind contributing some things either.

I do think for visiting new towns.. something immensely helpful is raw materials for developing crafts. Especially stuff like ore for bs'ing, herbs for alch or inscripts, etc... it's so much easier to level up your mining or herbing so fast... and your skill you use them with never advances nearly as quickly... becuase you have to spend time farming areas when you're still trying to level up.