Welcome to the new UOV.

(This post is re-posted from the new forums. It is here to obtain maximum viewability, and for posterity's sake.)

Welcome, one and all, to the new United Order of Virtue forums! We decided to re-structure the behind-the-scenes workings of the guild a little, and to encourage EVERYONE who participates in the guild to be a part of these discussion boards, we've made it so that the only way to get past "Squire" is for you to register an account here and let us know you're alive.

There are a few changes to the rules (Minor stuff, mostly, but still worth talking about) that I'll go over below.

Guild Description
This one's important - we are first and foremost a social guild. We were built as a way for readers of Real Life to come together to play WoW together. I know that's not exactly what things are these days, but the point is, we're a social guild. We're all here to have a good time. However, due to our fairly large ranks, we also have a good opportunity for handling large raids. As such, we are, technically, a Social Guild that Raids. We're not officially a raiding guild. No matter how far we get into high-level raids, we will never BE a raiding guild. You're not going to get the boot because you die to the cave-ins, (though you might get a stern talking-to by the raid leader) so don't sweat that.

Three Strikes
From now on, we are going to be instituting a three strikes rule. One of the things that needs fixing is that people need to understand that because this is a social guild, there are, in fact, reprocussions for antisocial behavior. This means that once you get three strikes, you're out. How do you get strikes? Any time a complaint is registered with the Lords against you, the Lord (or multiple Lords) it is brought to will review the complaint. If it is found to be valid (And generally if we are not present, we would ask for a screenshot to prove the validity of the claim) you will earn a strike. On your first strike, you will recieve a warning. (probably delivered to your PM box, though it's up to the Lord issuing the strike) On your second strike, you will be issued a second warning, and moved to "Time Out" (A rank where no interaction is allowed, and that only Lords can move you to) for one week. Upon recieving your third strike, you will be removed from the guild, along with any alts you may have in-guild. You do not come back from a third strike. A three-strike removal is permanent.

We should note that in order to recieve your third strike, it must be agreed upon by a majority of Lords. (Currently, that means four.) This means that if you are being removed from the guild, that decision was reached by not less than four of the leaders of the guild. I repeat - this decision is non-reversible.

Field Marshall
The Field Marshall will make sure that raids are set up, managed, overseen, and organized correctly. They will be the overseer on loot distribution and management. They are the final word when it comes to Raid decisions, and is someone we trust implicitly. Overruling the Field Marshall's decisions will not be done lightly (if ever) and will require a majority agreement from the Lords. They are also in charge of assigning Raid Captains for Raids they do not personally participate in. They're the last word on Raids. (Also of note - the Field Marshall will also be a Lord in rank. This will be reflected in the game, as there will not be a "Rank" for Field Marshall, but it's worth noting, regardless.)

Guild Ranks
We have re-structured the way the rankings in our guild will be ordered, and have clarified the duties of the "Management" ranks of Lord and Baron.

• Lords
  Lords are, in no uncertain terms, the leaders of the guild. This guild is not a one-leader guild. Taltos may be the High Lord, but his vote counts exactly the same as any other Lord, and leadership is shared equally amongst them. Lords work together to reach certain decisions, but any one of them is to be treated as though they carry sole responsibility for the guild. We are equal, and speak for each other. As such, any problems occurring in the guild are to be brought to a Lord immediately. We have a system whereby this information is shared amongst the Lords, so every Lord is informed of problems quickly and reasonably. Lords issue strikes, and a majority vote of Lords can issue a third strike, removing someone from the guild.
  
  
• Barons
  Barons are the eyes and ears of the Lords when they are not around. Using the new forums, Barons will be asked to report problems (anonymously from other Barons) so that Lords can deal with said problems. They are asked to help try to resolve problems in a diplomatic fashion when Lords are not available. Barons are also able to invite new members to the guild. Upon inviting a new member to the guild, they are not to be promoted above the rank of "Squire" until they have demonstrated that they have joined the forums and have been added to the "Active Member" user group.
  
  
• Templar
  A Templar is any active member who has achieved the level of 70. (This requirement will be changed to 80 when Wrath of the Lich King arrives)
  
  
• Knight
  A Knight is any active member between the levels of 10 and 69. (This requirement will be changed to 79 when Wrath of the Lich King arrives)
  
  
• Squire
  A Squire is any member who has signed up for the guild, but has not yet signed up for a membership on the forums AND been added to the Active member usergroup, and demonstrating that they can post. All members are reminded to use the name of your main character as your forum username.
  
  
• Mime
  A mime is someone who is unable to do just about anything in the guild. Barons can demote someone to Mime. It's generally used for humor value, but it can also be used by a Baron to resolve an issue.
  
  
• Time Out
  This is a special rank that only Lords can assign to someone. If you're in Time Out, it means you have either received two strikes, or are awaiting removal from the guild. It is used as a precursor to all-out kicking, and as such, Time Out is a rank you want to avoid at all costs.