Call of Fate
Give us a brief description of your guild and why you chose the name you did.
The Call of Fate is a social group of friends from all over the world who have come together to enjoy questing in a spirit of mutual support. We have grown a lot since our birth - the real key to our guild is the level of maturity and respect we expect from the members. The name came out of our original AC1 guild on Frostfell which was the Paladins of Fate. When we realized that it was becoming clear that the group was going to start expanding into other games, the name was updated to keep the “Fate” and allow for worlds where “paladins” didn’t fit (like Hibernia in Dark Age of Camelot, for example).
What is the main focus of your guild?
Well, I addressed some of that in #1, but to expand on it a little – we are a questing and social group. It’s important to keep the calendar filled with weekly events that involve taking out the epic boss mobs, as much as it is important to keep events like crafting nights and guild meetings. Members having a sense of belonging and a feeling of “what’s next” is a priority.
How long has your Guild been around?
We’ve been around since AC1 beta in 1999. Other than a few UO guilds, that makes us ancient in MMOG terms. :P
How was your guild founded and who are some of the founding members?
The guild was founded in AC1 beta when Ishamael Creed summoned the Great Apple Demon in front of a throng of screaming teenagers in Holtburg. Although the Apple Demon did not actually appear, his magnetic personality paved the way for a great run as one of the most well-known monarchs in AC1. Along with Maingray the Advocate and Cerebus the Grump, this trinity of guildmasters has had a blast organizing and supporting many game worlds since! In addition, each world has its own monarch and officers, so depending on what game you’re talking about, there are a lot of different “founding members.” Panzar and Army of Asgard, for instance, is our Dark Age Midgard branch, whereas Dunver Blackhand leads House Cormyn in Shadowbane. It takes a lot of leaders to bring it all together, and we’re happy to be working with such great players.
What kind of structure does your guild have in terms of leadership and roles they play?
As we’re a multi-gaming guild, there are multiple levels of command. We try not to let things get too bogged down in bureaucracy, so in general the ranks are divided into recruits, trusted members, a few elder/leaders, and the game monarch. The leadership of each game we’re involved in form a High Council that directs the overall guild and acts as a rudder into the future. We always love to see new folks eager to take the lead, and encourage upward movement based on contribution of time and effort. When people ask “what do I have to do to be a guild officer?” the answer is always the same: Leaders lead. By your actions you justify your position in the guild and move upward or downward based on that.
What resources do you provide to enhance interaction between members of your guild?
We believe the community outside the game is just as (if not more) important than the one inside the game. We work really hard to keep guild tools up to date! CoF has portal sites for each game which host news, events, the message of the day, screenshots – and a full set of forums for each world, with personal messaging support. We're *extremely* excited about what we’re hearing regarding Horizons and the fact that we can apparently hook into a lot of game functionality through the website. We can’t wait to get cracking on making Horizons data pop up in our guild’s site and build some enhanced information features. Will we be able to buy/sell/trade inventory offline from the game or keep live chat going with ingame and out-of-game members? *jig of joy*
What are some benefits to being in your guild?
Aside from the free beer? Well, it’s the best damn group of players there is! If you like good people, generous mutual support, and the sexiest guildmasters on the web, this is the place for you.
What single moment in your guilds time, have you found the most memorable?
Hm…there are so many in 4 years…but one that jumps out is the time in AC1 that we had a guild wedding and staged the kidnapping of the bride! It was a great roleplaying event that nobody expected. We ran ½ the guild around Dereth trying to find the bride from the clutches of the evil villain. Although we state that we’re not a roleplaying guild, we love having fun like this, so you never know what’s going to happen.
What event has changed ‘you’ the most, since you have been in the guild?
After dealing with so many people over the time we’ve been together, one thing that keeps being true for me is that no matter how much you think you know, there is always someone out there who can surprise you. In that way, I think I’ve learned to look for the best in people – and when you give most folks the chance to shine, they take that opportunity. Of course, some will also take that opportunity to shock and dismay you (lol), so it all comes down to continuous learning.
Does your guild have or will your guild have planned gatherings, and if so, how often? (In game and/or Real Life)
Gatherings are a big deal in CoF! It’s totally optional, of course, and the attendance varies depending on where in the US we meet up. We’ve had gatherings in San Bernardino, CA (and a renaissance wedding at that one), Las Vegas, Milwaukee, Detroit, Indiana, and Seattle. So far it’s come at a rate of about 2 gatherings a year. The next one is looking like it’ll be in North Carolina and attendance at that one should break all previous records. (Anybody have an antacid?) In game gatherings OF COURSE on a regular basis.
In a short paragraph, tell us why someone should join your guild.
Fight hard, play hard! It sounds like a Marines commercial, but that’s what you’ll get here.
If someone is interested in joining your guild, what application process (if any) must they go through?
We try to strike the best balance between letting anybody in with a pulse and being so esoteric that after 6 weeks you’re still not sure of your status. We ask that potential members visit the web forums, register, and post a hello message telling something about themselves and their play style. Then we meet up in game, do some grouping, and if things fit, welcome aboard!
What games has your guild been a part of to date?
Current active branches in: AC1, AC2, Dark Age Midgard and Hibernia, Shadowbane, Star Wars Galaxies. We visited AO at release and hated it. Also, the occasional Neverwinter Nights game on the side. Expansions currently planned in Horizons, EQ2, City of Heroes, and Worlds of Warcraft.
What attracted you to Horizons and where to see your guild in the world when Horizons starts?
We’re very excited about the potential of Horizons. We’ve found that since AC1, there hasn’t been anything to truly sink your teeth into if you’re a big fan of questing and social interaction. We hope that Horizons becomes the heir apparent to AC1, which, sadly, AC2 never managed. CoF is going to be a beacon in the world of Istaria, fighting back the Withered Aegis and staying at the forefront of the war effort.
Have you ever been a Leader of a Guild before? What MMO and what was the size of the Guild at peak?
I think I’ve mostly answered this, but our Horizons leadership team has been at the helm of several games previously (and still). Our most populous branch has been about 200 active players, but we don’t believe size is the best yardstick for a guild. An enthusiastic group of 20 beats a non-organized apathetic group of ten times that, anyday!
Tell us a little about your gaming experience and role as ‘guild master’.
It’s a challenging job (and it is a job). With trying to make sure the website stays current, keeping fires put out in each game world, finding ways to give the guild better support, and following the latest news which might impact you hugely one way or the other, it’s amazing when you actually have time to just sit down and play the game. We keep hoping that one of us hits the Lotto so we can all ditch that tedious “real world” job thing and just do this!
As a ‘guild master’, tell what is the hardest set back you’ve had to deal with and how you handled the situation. (Which MMO was it and what was the out come?)
The hardest set back is ALWAYS when you have to watch someone (or a group of someones) that you really like walk away from the guild. It happens, from time to time, that people have different views on what should be going on in a game and even if you’re friendly about it, they need to split off and try it their way. We always try to be encouraging about it if it’s something they need to do, but it’s not a happy moment. It hasn’t happened that often, but it does happen. After such splits, the guild officers always get together on it and assess what happened and how we might do things differently to avoid it in the future. It’s always a learning experience.
What would you like your guild’s role in Horizons to be?
We’re looking forward to acting as Advocates in the world of Istaria. We want people, whether they’re in the Call of Fate or not to know who we are and that we’re always standing at the ready to help. We remember the Advocate and Sentinel program from AC1 with a lot of nostalgia, and we’re forming our guild to specifically try and engender that role in Horizons.
Where you do see your guild a year into the game?
Based on the last few releases, I almost hate to answer this one! Ok, assuming Horizons isn’t a sow’s ear like the last couple? We look forward to having an established city/castle area, still growing, and taking the lead in the war against the Withered Aegis (assuming we haven’t beaten him by then).
Any other details about your guild that you would like people to know?
Your list was very thorough, so I don’t think I have anything to add. Thanks for giving us a chance to toot our own horn!
