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Only Guild You Need To Know.
defkon
Member Posts: 3
im going straight to the point. If you want a clan that has 100+ members, wants to rule the server, very PVP oriented, great community, and is EVIL.... then look no further.
If you want to join a carebear clan then please join some random guild without a cause.
1. Who are we?
Hand of Set is a RP/PvP guild for the game Age of Conan. The guild was created in June of 2006 by our Prophet, Nkosi. Many months later, High Priestess Sanakhti would take over the leadership of the guild. The guild is now run by a Council of five, each over a respective Sphere of influence. The spheres are Military(pvp), PvE/quests, City building/planning, Diplomacy, Role-Playing, and Guild Records and Roster.
2. How many members does Hand of Set have?
Currently we have 103 active members in Hand of Set. Unlike many of the other Pre-Game guilds out there, we do monthly roll calls at random times. Thus if you are not active on our forums, you miss the roll call and are removed from the guild. Roll Calls are announced via the forums and emails. This gives plenty of warning to all members. But the basic principle is: We have 103 "Active" members. In previous roll calls we have removed nearly 100 "less active" members. Some guilds boast high numbers, we boast active and dedicated members.
3. What is with the spheres of influence?
Each sphere I named above has one Council Member leading it and one Apostle assisting. The Apostles were each elected into the position by the entire membership. The reason we have broken our guild leadership into Spheres is we feel it is easier to manage that way. Each Council Member has complete control over their sphere and makes decisions in that sphere without the need of council meetings or voting. This eliminates red tape and allows decisions and progress to be made quicker. Obviously if a decision needs to be made that potentially effects all spheres, the Council meets and votes on it.
4. What are Hand of Set's plans once AoC is out.
Hand of Set is a RP/PvP guild. This basically translates into Hand of Set choosing a RP/PvP server. Hand of Set does not require it's members to role-play, but it does not look down upon those who do. Hand of Set will be a major player in Player verses Player and we intend to put much of our resources and effort into such. We also plan to conquer all of the PvE content. Basically we are attempting to achieve everything possible in the world of Hyboria. The guild wishes to be a suitable home for die hard pvpers, role-players,and PvErs. Expect 2-3 PvE raids a week, a couple of Role-Play events a week, and PvP every day.
5. What are the requirements for becoming a member of Hand of Set?
In order to become a member, you must:
1. Choose Stygian as a race. There are no exceptions..none.
2. The only priest class we allow are Scions of Set. No others. No exceptions. None.
3. Be an active member of the guild and contribute to guild events, raids, and so forth.
4. You must be at least 17 years of age.
Go here and fill out an application. After submitting your application, you will be contacted via the forums for a voice interview in Ventrilo. If the applicant is approved, he/she becomes a full member. This is for Pre-Game only.
Once AoC is out, Hand of Set will continue to take applications, though we will be much more selective. Obviously once the is game out, we will have an easier time assessing the applicant's abilities. The same process will continue after the game is out, with one major exception. If the application is approved, the applicant will "NOT" become a full member until a one month trial is completed. Unlike many guilds, this one month trial is not a trial only in name. The Neophyte or applicant will undergo many tests to prove their worthiness in this month, some of which will try their patience, skill level, maturity and discipline.
6. Stygian only? No tanks? What gives?
An issue of some debate before on our forums here and our own website. The best way to answer it is this: We do not yet know how in game mechanics will work. I know, from 10yrs of mmo experience, that tanks are always required in order to succeed in major raids, etc. But AoC has shown it will be different in many respects. If Lichs and Heralds of Xotli can do the job, our policy will remain as is. If we need tanks to survive, then we will adjust. In summary, we "will" succeed in our plans to conquer PvE content and PvP. We will do what is necessary to succeed.
7. Does Hand of Set have in game alliances and enemies yet?
Absolutely. It is hard to carry on a war pre-game, as such we must wait until the game releases to properly dispose of many of our enemies. Hand of Set does have some enemies, as people always try to topple the older, stronger foe.
We are allied with Sanguiphoria, The Acolytes, and Black Lotus. This is an alliance most of the community is aware of. It joined four of the largest and most organized pre-game AoC guilds together in mutual defense and friendship.
There are other alliances that I will not go into here.
8. Are Europeans welcome in Hand of Set? Or is it US only?
Though we do accept European members, we are a US based guild. Our official time zone is EST. We will be on a US server. Europeans are highly advised to consider this before they apply to Hand of Set. The majority of our events, raids, etc will be done during US prime time hours, which is basically while the Europeans are asleep. This is simply because we are a US guild on a US server. Recently Funcom has announced via Friday Update that Europeans will be unable to play with US players unless they purchase a US copy. They also warned those who do to expect high latency. Please keep this in mind when applying to this guild if you are European.
9. Is Hand of Set really a guild of evil people?
Evil in game, not in real life..well not all of us..I am...so I'm told....hmm. Yes Hand of Set is an evil guild and we will play it that way. As our dear Prophet Nkosi said, "Be warned. This will be a PVP guild full of evil players with many friends in the community. Betray us at your own peril."
Website: www.handofset.com
IRC: irc.funcom.com
#handofset
Comments
i love how nowadays people recruit for games before they even come out and once they do then they disband because the leaders dont like the game hehe
Interesting, your allies the Acolytes strongly discourage/forbid random ganking of players...wonder how they'll take to your focus (which I assume will be more of a "if its red, its dead policy")
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
this is true. but we are also a guild that oppose ganking unless we are at war or differences with that guild.
true we are a pvp rp guild. but we also have some dignity =]
There is a significant difference between having a policy against randomly ganking a player we don't know, is not interfering, threatening or otherwise impeding us or what we're doing, and not ganking anyone at all. We have no qualms whatsoever about using excessive force against our enemies wherever we find them.
Both my guild and the Hand of Set have held together for years. I won't deny that the above described situation has happened in the past and will continue to happen, but that is far from a likely situation here.
In any case, greetings Defkon. Heronblade, Erudite of the Acolytes, at your service. I'm glad to see you here.
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
Hemingway
Not to burst your bubble but if KOS comes to this game. Your guild will be second fiddle.
There is a significant difference between having a policy against randomly ganking a player we don't know, is not interfering, threatening or otherwise impeding us or what we're doing, and not ganking anyone at all. We have no qualms whatsoever about using excessive force against our enemies wherever we find them.
Both my guild and the Hand of Set have held together for years. I won't deny that the above described situation has happened in the past and will continue to happen, but that is far from a likely situation here.
In any case, greetings Defkon. Heronblade, Erudite of the Acolytes, at your service. I'm glad to see you here.
Hmm I coulda swore he wrote the Hand of Set guild was formed in 2006. Doesnt that mean a year, give or take a few months, and not years . Sorry I just wanted to but in.
P.S. Win a chipwar lately? (without having to ks, lol)
Alies? already? smells like a zerg is in the making.
And ya KoS is a force to be reckoned with
Please don't pre-game.
Its not random when you are a bunch of evil, racist, snakefucking, demonlicking, necrophiliacs!
Of all that is written, I love only what a person has written with his own blood. -Nietzsche
I honestly believe that you cannot accuratly describe a guild until the guild itself has formed. Sure, the concept is nice, but eventually a guild followed the collective desires of the players. Casual may turn hard core, PvP may turn PvE, Honorable may turn cut-throat, and small family into huge mega guild.
You never know what monster you will turn into once you get into a game.
Torrential
Torrential: DAOC (Pendragon)
Awned: World of Warcraft (Lothar)
Torren: Warhammer Online (Praag)
Its not random when you are a bunch of evil, racist, snakefucking, demonlicking, necrophiliacs!
LOL Sturm, aren't you guys allied with the BrownCloaks?
strange...i used to know someone named Sturm in UO.
In any case, are you trying to suggest that it is impossible for new guilds to make a name for themselves? That no matter how well organized they may be, they can't possibly stand up to a guild that just happens to have a bit more time under its belt?
If so, I'd suggest you duck and cover. Real life's got a couple of hard hitting left hooks coming your way.
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
Hemingway
A lot of new guilds are made up of old friends from older guilds anyway. I know I've seen some of the HoS members in guilds on other games, swg was one of them. I still have buds I've been noobing it up with for near a decade, though only a few of our old clans and guilds are still kicking, we still team up once in awhile. I guess there's a difference between guilds who mostly want numbers and make being in a guild more of a job and those guilds who are made up of old and new friends who play for fun.
My guild have had to find a new home so we chose AoC. I'm not familiar with the established guilds there, but the one guild who gave us a decent welcome were Hand of Set. Instead of acting like the big boys on the block and giving us a hard time for being a new guild there, they've been helpful and have given us a few pointers and info about the game. A guild is as good as it's members, and old established guilds need to worry more about holding themselves together then bragging themselves up.
Never give up and never surrender!
Too bad DHL fell apart. Would have been nice to play a PvP oriented game again with the best guild I've ever been a part of.
"There is as yet insufficient data for a meaningful answer."
Was he by any chance a GM blacksmith that had the market cornered for awhile lol?
"im going straight to the point. If you want a clan that has 100+ members, wants to rule the server, very PVP oriented, great community, and is EVIL.... then look no further."
How evil can you really be?
100+ members...in what games have you just been SO evil?
Do you drop out of trees at night and steal babies like those damn ninja dingo dogs?
That Guild Wars 2 login screen knocked up my wife. Must be the second coming!
I think your guild sounds great. However, like many have stated, I find it hard to choose a guild to associate with until the actual game is released. Talking like AoC is a PvP oriented game is a stretch for me as well. The random ganking as put before in this post is something that is associated with early UO (i.e. not really seen in today's MMOs, well not to that extent anyways). I'm hoping that a guild like yours can function in AoC successfully because if it can than it means AoC will be set up the way I'm hoping. I just have doubts about any MMO released these days though because they always seem to become carebear simply for the high subscriptions.
There is WAY too much that we do not know about AoC at this point to actually form a guild that will be a powerhouse. You are talking about not even having tanks?! I'm telling you right now, you're going to have to adjust that so you might as well do it now instead, like you put it, waiting till the game comes out and seeing how it is.
I applaud you for getting excited early and being so organized, but I would recommend that you wait till the month of release till you actually get too active.
No offence but the Hand of Set is Allied with 3 other guilds and we all will be playing on a RP-PvP type of Server (assuming all things been said by devs are right)
RP-PvP servers will be OPEN PvP everywhere apart from hubs/cities. SO it is a very orientated game, it was designed to be OPEN PvP not long into the process of making the game.
Our guilds (Acolytes, Black Lotus, Sanguiphoria) are signed up to mutual agreement by the "Hyborian Accord" (found on the official forums) along with other similar minded guilds, that won't do the whole gank, camp respawn thing in AoC. Our guilds by seperate goals have clear direction and ambition, Guilds like the Acolytes and Sanguiphoria have an open race policy, and although on the face it something like that might conflict with the ideals of a Stygian Race only guild like HoS - it doesn't - period. We all have common goals for the game, and the alliance was a natural extension of this. Many other guilds have formed alliances, even though they are not supported in game - but we still know how on the battlefield it will all play out.
Actually the whole reason why over 200 guilds already have formed is because of the great deal of info released about the game.
The Hand of Set is a 'Stygian only guild' and therefore accepts players of only that race - This means Stygians can't be 'tanks' or more specifically 'Soldier' class - Stygian are the only race that specializes in the Mage class. So telling the guild (One person) that 'they will have to adjust' is quite flawed - some of these guys have been around following the development of the game from the start and do so on a daily basis - Soaking up every little bit of information and making informed guild decisions based upon it.
Many guilds have a back story to offer more meaning and direction, The Hand of Set ties directly into Stygian lore and thus from developer feedback have quite a good understanding of how the classes will work. Stygian mages can bcome Lichs, Necromancers, Heralds of Xotli and Demonologists. For those who choose to follow the ways of the Rogue or Priest, they can also become Druids, Assassins and Rangers.
The whole basis of our alliance is formed not only upon friendship over the waiting period, but for mutual 'back-up', common ideals, thoughts and direction about how this 'collective' will play upon release. Better to have a structure in place now rather than a dis-organised start.
The HoS just like other guilds forming for AoC, have a vast background of experienced mmorpg'ers. The ability to form bonds in playstyle to know your fellow guild mate and alliance friend is far more valuable then trying to do this from launch, when we have other objectives in mind.
I can see why your kind of worried, but knowing the full facts of the game like these guys do doesn't worry them in the slighest nor any other alliance member guild.
The getting to know each other is abundant on a daily basis, right now im on IRC on average everyday there is like 30 people in each of our seperate channels. We talk, we play we get to know each other more so and new people to the guild. When your looking at the numbers of people in each of our guilds your realise its more of a community away from a community.
When they talk evil - its more to do with the Lore and the whole 'Stygia' + 'Set' thing on the go, alot of that is via RP especially on their forums.
EDIT* So please remember quite a few people were already members of other communities to do with the lore before the game was made - such as some members of the 'Snowhawk Clan' - which Sturmrabe is a member - Snowhawkes being Cimmerians Only have naturally taken to forum disagreement (in good gist) with say members of the HoS or other Stygian only guilds, because its friendly banter, its all good and there we have rivalry on a large scale pre game - adding to the natural way GvG games go, in game things will probably go down a different way.
Joining pre-release guilds has never worked out for me before, in any game. (Unless the guild was formed in Beta, but that's a little different)
In my own experience it doesn't matter how big, friendly, or organized the guild is prior to a game's launch, it all falls apart once the game is released.
So all I will say is good luck to you all and I will see you on the RP server!
"There is as yet insufficient data for a meaningful answer."
LOL one race only and only one specific healing class . Umm I haven't followed this game much but I do know this. Classes and guilds and whatnot ALWAYS are better off with a mix if you can have it.
Think of it this way and I hate to use WoW for the expl.. but I know everyone reading this will understand my point by using it.
Making the rulset you have for classes would be like everyone rolling a gnome and starting a guild. In thoery this sounds cool a bunch of gnomes running around and stuff but then you realize that you can't be a priest as a gnome. Your entire plan just went to hell.
Point being I'm sure as hell they are not going to purposly make certain classes usless witch by your strategy your kind of depending on.
for expl a guild of gnomes has no druid so hence looses the best buff in the game.
Your plan of one race and only one class of healer is flawed in more ways then I can even think of. Especially seeing as the game is not even out yet. How in gods name do you know your choice wont be the weakest and don't give me research as an excuse cause we all know that things could get tweeked before launch. Even if your sure of your stability if it makes such an overpowered team don't you think Devs will notice that and nerf the hell out of it.
Anyone who submits to something like this before launch is doomed to fail IMO.
"The most important thing is to have the design support the players in setting their own goals in both cooperative and competitive interaction with one another." - Ironore -