[Dragoon Knights] - please read

[Faeamora]

Hello All
I know that I am only a little lvl 26 NE and I haven’t been playing WOW half as long as most of you; but I really want to help this guild. So this is my problem and solution Post

Problem: Very little guild activity lately. And I know that we all have real lives to attend to, but I miss the days when there would be 15-30 DKs on at once.

Solution: We need to have a mass recruitment. And get a lot of new faces into the DK. Whenever I’m in a major city I like to try to recruit on the guild recruitment channel or even on the general channel when I’m in smaller towns. Also We have never really did a lot of raids or instance runs and if that picks up then I think people would be a lot more interested in staying in DK or joining up with us.

Problem: Very little website activity lately and the website is badly out of date

Solution: We need some new web site moderators who are eager to update the site. I have already spoken to Raien about this but the other moderators haven’t gotten back to him yet.

I hope none of you think I’m being bossy or anything with this post. I just really want DK to be back like it used to. The new CTSD channel and Calendar mod helped with getting us more involved again. But I want DK to be the best guild out there. And I will do anything to help

Sorry again if this sounds like bossy rantings
Please feel free to post you own soultions or other problems

With love for all the DKs
<3 Fae

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[Lochart]

It's no secret that I agree entirely with your first point Faea. Particularly now that Bliz has made end game raiding content available to the more casual player, having enough for instance runs and raids is more important than ever. And with the addition of 10 and 25 man raid encounters rather than the old standby of 40, there should be no reason DK and its allied guilds shouldn't be able to muster enough of a force to smash through them. Problem really is that it's nigh on impossible to recruit high level players since they're already IN raid guilds, and recruiting lvl 20s and 30s does not really help our cause in the raiding regard.

However, I recognize that this is a casual guild, and in my opinion leveling up is more fun than sitting at end game status anyway, so be that as it may. I really would like to see DK have enough competent 70s to start creeping into Karazhan though, because if we can do UBRS, we can clearly get 10 people together at the same time. So long as the recruits keep coming in, and we make sure the players are active and nice people, I think having DK grow outside of current members and their alts is only a matter of time.

As to point two, I sadly know nothing of website design, moderation, oversight, and so forth. I agree, some things here are hopelessly out of date, but honestly, the addition of ctsd and the calendar mod facilitate communication far more easily than DK's website because they are not limited to just our guild. Furthermore, despite our best efforts, we can't FORCE people to read the website, download mods for their machines, or join channels. If they're not going to do it, they're missing out on what DK and Co. have to offer, but there's nothing much we can actually do about it.

Playing experience in WoW is, despite being an MMORPG, largely tailorable to personal preferences: if you want to pvp, many opportunities. If you hate instances or don't have 2-4 hours to play in one chunk, countless quests will keep you busy. And if like me you like to make (fake) money, there are countless effective ways to farm and play the AH.

The point is, since we're advertising ourselves as a friendly, casual, low-key, family oriented guild, no one really has any idea what we're about. Do I have to remain an active member? How many active members are there? Do we have guild events? Do we have organized PVP? Can someone buy me my mount? Do we end game raid? Do we have a Vent or Teamspeak server?

I'm not saying we should drastically change our recruitment style: that would change the core of what DK represents. But our top end players are lacking, and the reason is obvious: we DON'T do end game raids, which is still the way to advance yourself post-70. We've had several long time members leave us because they were going on to end game raiding guilds, and who can blame them given the opportunity to improve their gear? Wintersend and Osodoble left us, and frankly I'm SHOCKED that Valonius hasn't done the same, though he seems to manage to raid without joining another guild. Good for him! To retain end game players we need to at least attempt to build a force capable of end game smashery. If we can start with a force of 10 players I woud HAPPILY take it upon myself to read up on Karazhan and attempt to lead a raid there and see how we do. And frankly, Gruul's isn't all that difficult once everyone knows what they need to do. And without any attunement requirements, it's easy to get into

So those are my lengthy thoughts on the matter. To fulfill my wants pre-BC, I turned to my paladin who is in another guild and was able to raid MC with that group, and even got Wintersend involved as well. I would never leave DK, but I admit, I'm itching for a chance to get into Kara or Gruul's with an organized group that knows what it's doing. I wouldn't even mind wiping a few times so long as we get something accomplished ;D

But in the mean time, we just need to recruit, and hopefully build enough loyalty in our new members so that when they hit end game, they stick with us and are willing to have a go pioneering through end game content. I realize this isn't a short term solution, but we ALL know WoW isn't that kind of game anyway.

~Lochart out

[Lochart]

In the spirit of continuing to respond to my own posts, I bring you this update on the guild membership/website string.

Good news, and a possible answer to a lot of our problems: after welcoming our newest members Summerswater and Runfromfear, I had a long chat with Purr/Lindsae of the White Knights of Azeroth. Both DK and the WKoA seem to have a similar mentality and set up: casual players, not enough high levels to do what we want, and a general shortage of people online at any given time. They are also in an alliance of several other guilds I didn't record at the time, but we talked at length of joining forces.

I of course won't overstep any bounds of guild management and presume to speak for anyone else without checking in, but I can see no reason why we shouldn't welcome another opportunity to rally together with another bunch of able players. As an added bonus, they have the same set up we do: a joint channel for inter-guild communication, as well as using GROUP CALENDAR. I was amazed .

That said, I think there is much potential and we should really get together in game to discuss this at some point, so we can hear from as many as possible. This could be a major step in guild expansion, and go far faster than individual recruitment of low level players. Again, no offense to any of them: we welcome all levels, no real holds barred, but for progress in end game content, the aim is for higher levels of course.

I propose a meeting of at least DK's minds, and since this would involve the Templars and Sisters we should probably have a massive meeting for one and all (which would be good for guild camaraderie anyway) to discuss what I see as a wonderful opportunity for us. I am in touch with both Lindsae and Caoilfhionn, the guild master of WKoA, and have told them essentially what I've stated here. But I don't want to jump the gun or take us in a direction we don't want to go, so I eagerly await your collective responses.

~Lochart

[Ollin]

I'm all for it. Since I'm just a casual player but have been with DK for a long time. I welcome all new ideas and so far have loved the Calender mod. My only thing right now is summer is here and my hours are 50+ a week with 6 days of work with only 1 day off. So until summer is over I will only be on Thursday off and on and maybe a hour or two a day.

Till then I stand by what you want to do Loch you haven't steered us wrong yet.

The Big O

[Lochart]

Brief update for those looking to expand the group with whom they communicate:

After attending a guild meeting of the UGoA, I learned a few things.

1) They have an almost identical structure to our set up, as well as a general outlook: they include no swearing/rudeness in their primary rules as well as be helpful, no begging, no acting like an idiot (i.e. dancing naked on the mailbox in SW), etc. They are a bit more organized as far as meetings go; it sounds to me like they meet every 2 weeks on Sundays to discuss business/questions/concerns/etc. They don't meet physically, but rather join a raid group for dicussion purposes. They allow 2 speaking reps from each guild as well as 3 non-speaking reps, the purpose of which was lost on me, but I wasn't about to start any fires.

2) They have an interguild channel for communication, which I don't want to give out here because I want to respect their privacy, but ask me in game and I'll be sure to pass it along. Similarly they use a mod called GEM (Guild Event Manager) which is identical to Group Calendar in terms of function but the form is a little different. Evidently they had trouble getting people synced to the Calendar, so moved to GEM, but are still trying to get Calendar to work because it's less memory intensive, and easier to background. Again, for those who are interested, I'll share the channel information with you in game if you so desire.

3) As for Calendar, it is used by many but the GL in charge of the moderation wasn't at the meeting or online, so as soon as I speak to him and get that info, I'll pass it along to those who are curious. The same goes for Teamspeak, which they use rather than Vent, but I don't have access to that information yet, for the same reason as Calendar.

4) More generally, as of yesterday we're apparently in our probation period during which we determine if they'll accept us in the UGoA in two weeks' time. So if you get the chance to run with any of the folks involved, whom of course you don't know because you don't have access to their line of communication, be sure to act accordingly. Like I need to tell you that. .

So, ask me for their general information if you're looking to find more people to run with routinely, or just need more people to talk to.

~Lochart the Mighty Warrior

[Raien]

;)Hey guys,

Lochart, I think the UGoA is a great Idea. I would support joining this alliance of guilds to provide us all with more people and opportunities to further our playing enjoyment.

Dragoon Knights, Tashy's Children Of The Templar & Templars Of Gahenna and the WKoA along with the others of the United Guilds of Azeroth should all set up a meeting and iron out the details of organization.

Lochart, please take the lead on this if you do not mind, and let me know what needs to be done and who to contact!

All Dragoon Knights please download the following addons as they will greatly help us all organize instance runs, meetings, news events and chatting with other guilds!

GroupCalendar www-en.curse-gaming.com/downloads/addons/raid/groupcalendar/

Teamspeak www.goteamspeak.com/index.php?page=downloads&id=1a

Also, pay attention to the messages of the day and join the chat channels we mention. These are our joint chat channels in which we can communicate with other friendly guilds to organize ourselves to instance/raid/group with.


Also, If anyone can get a hold of Xintarr please let him know that I need to find out if he has Admin controls over the website that give others access to the tools to update our website. Some DKs like Fae would like to participate in this.

Please help out and recruit more people into Dragoon Knights. The more the merrier

My recruit message is something like this (I macro'd it and use it every now and then when in cities and once when I enter a new zone.)

*Dragoon Knights* We are a friendly, relaxed bunch that help one another & team together. We group up to do instance & quest runs and hold guild meetings. We invite all friendly, respecting people. Visit us at
dragoonknights1.proboards36.com

Before inviting a prospective member they must agree to the following:

No begging, no profanity, and must respect others.

That is all that I can think of right now. Lochart and I will try to continue to pursue collaboration with other like minded guilds to give us all more opportunities in game.

If anyone else has any comments or concerns, please let us know!

Big Bear

[Lochart]

Yet another update, and possibly some repeat information:

I now have the Teamspeak server and password information, as do a few other Knights, so ask around when you're online, and I or someone else can help you out if you're interested. Again, in the interest of privacy, I'm not willing to post it here, unless we get some sort of forum that is password protected and away from the public's prying eyes .

Group Calendar is still a little sticky on UgoA's end, mostly because the players who WOULD be admins of the channel are having the same sort of difficulty setting it up and getting synced that most of us did initially. Still working on that whole thing. More news as it comes in.

For more general new business, and I'll probably do this in another thread in a different forum, I want to compile a list of 70s interested, even if currently unable, in doing larger end game raiding. Even if you're not 70 yet but are chugging away getting there. Just to get an idea of how many, what classes, and general availability WE would have, all other allied guilds aside. Again, this is no pressure: if you find more joy in leveling characters than endlessly chasing after gear in raids, that's totally fine. If you know for a fact you won't have the time it takes to raid even one night a week, also totally fine. I do not want to be responsible for metamorphing DK into something it isn't, which as we all know is a casual friendly guild. But I think it's wholly possible, particularly in our current state of alliance, to be casual and still toss our collective hats in the raiding ring as well.

So look around the forums, probably in "Guild Events" for the beginnings of a list if you're interested in joining up for potential Kara and Gruul's Lair raids. This will also help me keep the other guilds posted on what we can supplement them with and when, even if we can't independently get a raid off the ground just yet.

I'll probably also repost the list of possible attunements/keys and rattle off what I have access to in case anyone else wants to follow suit, but I realize that really, the only things that matter are heroic instances and Karazhan attunement.

That's it on this end.
~Lochart, Meatbag extraordinaire

[Raien]

Hey folks,

As most of you know, we are part of the United Guilds of Azeroth. UGoA consists of a variety of small/medium sized guilds like us - Children Of The Templar, Blackmoon Society, CoolMoon Alliance, Fire and Ice, Knights of Legends, Sraointe Braithrean and White Knights of Azeroth.

We use the chat channel "UGoA" (type "/join ugoa") to chat and GroupCalendar addon to schedule events for everyone to see and join up.

GroupCalendar setup

Config: Manual
Use Shared Data Channel
Channel: alliance
Password: ctsd


We use Teamspeak application to verbally chat with one another using speakers and microphone.

Teamspeak

Server address: 205.234.109.147:8918
Enter your charatcer name for a Nickname
Password: ohiowow


All Dragoon Knights please download the following addons as they will greatly help us all organize instance runs, meetings, news events and chatting with other guilds!

GroupCalendar www-en.curse-gaming.com/downloads/addons/raid/groupcalendar/

Teamspeak www.goteamspeak.com/index.php?page=downloads&id=1a

Also, pay attention to the messages of the day and join the chat channels we mention. These are our joint chat channels in which we can communicate with other friendly guilds to organize ourselves to instance/raid/group with.

Please feel free to create a user account in the www.guildportal.com website so you can post on the official UGoA website:
www.guildportal.com/Guild.aspx?GuildID=114672&TabID=979003

There you will find the forums to our Allaince full of info!

Happy adventuring

Big Bear Raien

[Lochart]

Hey hey DK!

Couple things for the general public.

In addition to the above mentioned mods, KTM or KLM Threat Meter is a Godsend. It's like a damage or healing meter but estimates threat generated for all party/raid members based on damage, DPS spells, and healing done. Catch of course is it can only display values for other people with the mod installed. For casters this is invaluable as it allows you to visualize how much damage it's safe to generate without stealing aggro from the tank. I highly recommend it if you're planning on raiding, but even just in 5 man groups, it's a highly useful tool. Just search any mod site for "threat meter", as some of the labels are different, but you're looking for something like KTM or KLH or KLM at the front. It'll be the one with the most downloads, most likely .

With regards to the guild bank, as most of you now know I control, I've decided that due to my limited play time with the full time job, and since I can't talk to everyone who actually might want something from the bank, a new approach is in order. To that end, if you want/need something from the bank, send TOLFTA an in game mail request, and I will fill it. I honestly don't care what it is; I have no qualms using guild money to buy things off the AH for people to advance their toons. Don't go overboard of course, and if I see one or two people requesting everything and draining DK resources, I'll start ignoring it. But for now, we have a lot of assets just sitting idly by, and they would be better served donated to a cause. So ask for anything: money for mounts, a weapon or armor, recipes, bags, mats (hard or easy to find), and if I can fill it from reserves I will, and if I don't have it in stock, I'll see what the AH has to offer. Thanks to YOUR donations we have a fair bit of gold, so it seems natural to turn it back over to the guild if it can serve a purpose.

That's it for now. See you in game.
~Lochart the Flesh Wall