What is the role of the LoD Empire?

One of our new empire members had the following questions to ask, below, you can read a few of the first replies from our private forum.

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Besides the obvious stepping stone to LoD Proper, what are the expectations of the minor leaguers?

Are we considered "pledges", like in a fraternity, where we must follow orders from LoD Proper?
Do we have to collect resources constantly in order for LoD Proper to use?

I assume members of Empire will have to "pay their dues" to show our dedication to LoD...I'd like to know whether it is more along the lines of showing we value Guild > Self or just being good little LoD bitches.

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My reply:

We want new blood, you want to roll with the best. Win/Win. As for duties, we will need to play Darkfall in greater capacity before we can make that determination, but rest assured that if the empire members are asked to gather logs, that the Lords themselves will also be gathering logs.

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Murd's Reply (Famous ATC host and LoD Lord):

Any former Shadowbane Empire members may want to chime in. While in DF, you have most every right AND obligation as any LoD member. But only through LoD proper can you become a full-member that spans across ANY game in the future.

Because you are new, you will be expected to show your loyalties and skills on a more frequent basis. However, as we get to know and trust you...it will become less of an issue.

We are a pretty blunt group of guys. We like to PK, raid and conquer. We like to pillage and loot, but don't encourage exploits. We're not good at giving warm fuzzies and fake MMO medals on the forums. All we can promise you is fun and the possibility of joining a 10+ year MMO vet guild.

Empire is CLEARLY nobody's bitch, but just beginning their path to being a Lord of Death.

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Apok's Reply (Former SB Empire member turned full member):

As an empire member from SB the best things I can recommend are: (I'm sure there's more but these came to the top of my head first)

1. Keep your mouth shut on the political forums once DF starts. We have people whose job it is to be the public liaison and get our word out. LoD doesn't need a forum warrior to make a statement. We do so in game.
2. Speak up when the guild needs help. Lots of people got bounced for choosing to XP when we needed them. Remember guild > self. Plus, you'll get your levels and cool loot sooner or later anyway.
3. Don't try to be a hero. Listening to orders from the target caller either made or broke battles for us in any game. Organization is key to the success of this guild.
3. Kick it with us. You got our back, we got yours. LoD is a lot of fun. We recruit the best to be the best. Show your skills and what gaming talents you have. The rest will fall into place.

Of course these rules above are pretty much universally recognized by everyone in the guild. Just because I say don't do this and that doesn't mean that members, like myself, adepts, lord etc don't also follow suit with these rules.

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Roby's Reply (LoD Lord):

We don't really know what will be required, thats all being discussed, and will become apparent as we get into game, but it's not like you will be slaves. You will fight right along side us, reap the rewards of our victorys, and thrive off the fats of our lands.

I have no idea of the requirements for buildings, gear, regs, ect. But if we need 2 million logs and 1 million stone to build our castle than yes, there will proably be a requirement placed on everybody, not just empire. That's the whole point of Guild before self, everyone that is currently a Lord, Adept, or Member, has shown that willingness to put the guild before self and spend that 2 hours a week farming lumber rather than do what you want to do. It might seem harsh, but it's also alot of the reason LoD is successful, you gotta work together to get the job done. Everyone will be required to contribute, all the way up and down the rankings.

Now it's really gonna depend on the empire member individually what they want to do and accomplish. If for example we decide we need 5k logs from every LoD member a week, the donations will be tracked by whomever is in charge of that, if you are not pulling your weight you might get cut from the team, if you pull the 5k asked, nobody will bother you...however if you actually want to get into LoD and move up the ranks I would suggest donatiing the 5k + as much as possible, your contributions will not be overlooked.

And beyond that it will also depend alot on what you do with your time with us, example: lf someone that donates the minimum 5k lumber but is a phenominal PK and can ass tool everyone in LoD in a duel, and decides to spend most of their time ass raping our enemys in the name of LoD will be noticed and have a good chance to find sponsors and move up the ranks.

Example 2: Someone who rolls a healer class and shows up giving it their all at the required raids, events, ect. but is not a natural PvP master and spends the rest of his time crafting, harvesting, and generally being a nessicary backbone to the guild welfare will also be noticed, and sponsored and have a good chance to move up in ranks. The guys keeping us geared will have many friends amongst the guild.

Or anywhere between the two finding whatever balance suits you best 50/30/20 PK/Crafter/Forager...whatever you like. Obviously PK/PvP is truly the heart of our guild, and typically that's who fits in best.

Just general eagerness to help amongst the guild will be an important factor, how willing are you to drop what your doing and help out a guildmate in need???

There will be plenty of people that don't care to move up the ranks in LoD and just want to fight along side us knowing we are no non-sense so to speak, we don't like to loose, and we take this shit very seriously in the MMORPG department when we have a game we all stand behind. Those people will hopefully meet the minimum requirements from the guild and just have fun on the paintrain as it steamrolls through the DF landscape.

So yeah, it's all up to the individual empire member and what they want to accomplish with the opportunity given to them working with LoD.