The Sad Truth

As any member of The Jade Gathering can see upon first glance, we have had a huge amount of people leave the guild in the last few days - 11 people in 5 days, at time of writing. I've pondered this extensively, and we've never had any issue such as this before, so I can do nothing other than blame it on the upcoming expansion; Mists of Pandaria.

Along with other obvious, personal reasons, people want to be in a populace, active guild before the expansion begins, for otherwise they will miss out on a number of things, including, but not restricted to, guild perks. I am blatantly trying to find an excuse for our sudden lack of membership, and I understand that is it most likely also attributed to our placement in Northern Barrens, away from population.

Now, another issue that I can see becoming rather distressing about the Gathering is that, I, myself am going to find it difficult to find time for the guild in my current situation, due to real life issues. I foresaw this coming a number of months ago, but it's recently become more prominent and I can see it intruding upon guild life more frequently in my current state.

This begs the question; how do we fix this? I can see two options that suit me, currently, and would hopefully be most beneficial to all current members of the Gathering. The 'solutions' are listed below, and must be considered thouroughly before a full decision is made; meaning, I want to see your opinions before I come to a conclusion.

1) The first option gives me, and the current members, freedom from the guild, and gives them the opportunity to find another community to RP in without feel of betrayal or other associated emotions. It consists of me ending the guild, and removing all current members from the community on a permanent basis. Obviously, this seems distasteful, but it wouldn't be as blunt as I make it sound.

I would organise a huge major storyline event as close to the date of decision as possible, which would include all members still with the Gathering, and would bring about a close to the guild with as exciting as finish as possible. The event would be on a Saturday or Sunday; whichever is most convenient for the members, and would include other guilds, if wanted.

After this event has taken place, Malvor would announce the ending of the Gathering, and every member would be given something to remember the guild by in future, and would be sent on their way, off to find another guild to satisfy their needs. The removal of members would take place two or three days after the guild as ICly ended, but access to the forums would still be allowed, not that much would go on them any more.

If, in future, I find time to start the guild again, all members currently with accounts on the guilds forums would be contacted and asked if they are still interested, so, if you want to be involved in the guild if it ever begins anew, and you won't be playing the same character, please give me the name of your characters in the form of a reply to this post, just in case.

This would also prompt a forum post on the Battle.net forums, saying goodbye to the WoW community on the Gathering's behalf, and I advise you to visit this and make a reply to it publicly if you can, providing it does happen. Please, while this option is distasteful, it is most convenient for me personally, and would give EVERYONE in the Gathering freedom to find a new, more vibrant community.

2) The second option is much like the first in the fact that it would prompt an end to the Gathering on an IC level, but this time includes a way for members to remain. Once the large event has taken place to end the guild ICly, anyone who wishes would be allowed to stay in The Jade Gathering OOCly and continue to RP with its lasting members.

Events could still be held, but would have very little storyline and would only take place on a Saturday. All members would be welcome to take part in this events if they so wish. The guild would be disbanded ICly, meaning your character would no longer possess any ranks or allowences they were previously entitled to. You would have to RP as if the guild had ended, and was never coming back.

Recruitment would still be possible, and all members would be given the ability to invite new people as they see fit, but these would purely be here on an OOC level, or as simple RPers, in no way affiliated with the deceased Jade Gathering. Officers would be demoted, along with all members, to the lowest rank, which will be given a new title, as voted for by the members themselves.

This option obviously allows the guild to reform whenever possible with minimal difficulty, and would mean that all members of the guild who choose to stay would be able to keep in touch easily. Also, the option for members themselves to create and hold guild events would be possible, if wanted. A forum post would likewise be made to thank the community, and would explain our current situation.

The main issue with this, is, of course, the fact that we would likely have very few members left to actually RP with the guild, and would mean that the community itself would almost surely die over time, unless it was reborn before this happened, which is unlikely. I would remain in the guild as Malvor for as long as possible, but my activity as a member would be low, and I would find it difficult to RP very often.

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Now, both option 1 and option 2 include the guild dying on an IC level at least, and mean that Malvor would all but disappear as a guild leader, and become more of a casual RPer. How you react to these changes ICly or OOCly is down to you as a member, but I want to see your opinion of the options, and a decision as to which you think is best.

Also, please remember to put your character's names down in the reply section below, so if the guild ever does begin anew, I can do my best to contact you and check your interest.

Thank you so very much for the great times this guild has given me, and I will forever remember the fun we've had a members both OOCly and ICly. All of you have had such an impact on how things have played out, and I can only apologise for this somewhat sudden change of feeling towards things. I am also sorry to those who wanted to develop their storyline around the guild and will no longer have chance to do so.

Thanks,
Malvor

Well, is it really that bad, I mean none of our main members have quit.
If this is to pass though, I will miss you all, as you all have been brilliant people to RP with.

Don't forget that guild wars 2 just came out

Don't care Sin.

Guild Wars 2 doesn't mean that people have to leave the guild; just stop playing now. The majority of leavers are still coming online regularly.

Besides, this isn't helpful. What option do you guys think is best?

I will not votes either way the guild dies ic, I really do not know if I will stick around or not. It saddens me to see the guild go down, but I am sure that there will be a fitting end.

Malvor thank you for your time and effort! Of coarse this also goes out to our officers and the members rping with us. I have had a blast with you guys and I will look back with a smile.

If and when the jades return I will be happy to join you guys again.

No offence to anyone else, but this will be the first reply to be helpful in this decision.

First, though, I'd just like to thank you all, for letting me join, for helping me to learn how to RP how I do now, and for being good friends. I only play WoW for RP, and this guild is the only way I can RP anymore.
I will miss all of this, and I'd like to vote for option 2, because it means we don't have to stop being friends, being connected. And, of course, if the guild ever returns, we'll have minimal trouble rejoining. Whoever wants to leave, leave; I've been here long enough, and I'm not giving up now.

Hope all is good in your life Malvor, I know how much IRL problems can suck when all you wanna do sometimes is sit back and RP with your friends.

Something just struck me, we have had a big growth in members after the Felwood crussade.

Perhaps those that joined us where hoping for something like that.

@Sinreas

No offense taken, but I will have to see how it plays out. To find out if Ilidia would stay around or not is not based on only my choice. That is why I do not vote, but if there are enuegh of us staying I would most likely stay as well.

And for a note, if we do return. I think it has something if we are rounded up ic again, it has something epic, emotions and what ever you can say for it.

Don't want to be optimistic or change the subject of the post, but if we all split and didn't have much contact with each other IC after it all, it would be interesting for Malvor or anyone else trying to slowly bring the guild back together, finding people wherever they are now. After all, we can't all miraculously reappear, though sending us all a letter or something would simplify that somewhat. Just an idea, I'll try not to expand it too much and get my hopes up.

The guild could easily continue, if I had the time to do it. I think if we went back to Darnassus, we could easily recruit another 10 or 15 members in around two weeks. But the underlining factor is that I simply won't be able to find the time for it.

As for the re-forming of things, I adore the idea of searching around and picking up the 'dream team' one by one, like in some movie where they reassemble a fighting squad xD

I think, if I can find the time, we might get together again for two or three weeks over the Christmas months, but we'll see how things go IRL. Even if we just get together for one day and reminess about things, that'd be great.

I completely agree with everything Malv said in the above post. And the thing about a movie; exactly what I was thinking when I typed it. That is all, thanka you.

Ah yeah that movie, but as Malvor said, if we replie on the forums and add hints of our whereabouts, it would be more easy to get malv his dream team back together.

But Malvor are you lacking time to set up events and such? Or is it controlling the guild all together?

If the first, the guild can easily continue. With more member events and the main lead with the officers. Perhaps your dream team could find ways to fund our futere travels, as said ic we have non. So we could base ourselfs in Darn or the Moonglade again, seeking funds for the time being.

i think it would be sad to kill of the guild.

instead Malvor should hand over leadership to someone ells for a while?
maybe erl or illidia.

and put malvor into the emerald dream till you can rp.

i really dont care much for looking for rp on veronica again, if the guild dies so does the rp on veronica

Well I agree it would be too bad if the guild died
I am sorry I have not been on as much as I use to but my laptop have not return and I have some test coming up
But if malvor have to be away I agree with Vero make it an rp reason
It is more fun and it makes a story to follow i will help as much I am able but for now I need to keep on on my real
Life but I would love to hear more about that meet up

Since I just noticed it, off-topic happy birthday to you, Sal! (assuming the thing on the bottom of the page is correct)

And it would certainly be a good idea if it were IC, which I was assuming it was going to be in the first place. But, it would be better if we all had an IC reason to go, and it wasn't a particularly tragic/negative ending, like "bad choices are made, suddenly everyone hates each other". Sadness at loosing good friends for some reason, I can do. Bitterness is a no go for me. Everyone understand me? My vague descriptions are vague.

I understand what you mean, Sin, and I'm planning for it now. You'll all have an IC reason to go, don't worry. And it'll suit your characters, I hope.

As for handing over leadership; I don't think that'll happen, I love the guild too much to give it to someone else, and I would hate to see the guild get a bad reputation or fall to ruin horribly in someone elses hands; I want to see it end with a bang, and be remembered as a great RP guild, is what I mean. Not that my Officers aren't capable of this, but it would be a lot of work, and mistakes can be made.

If we choose option 2, then member-led events would be possible, and would likely take up the most of the guild events. But even so, I think it'd be best personally to let things die in one big band, and hope for a possible reformation in the future.

We just want to see the guild stay alive in one way or the other, but I understand what you mean. You have spend time and effort in making and keeping our high name, so to say. I can only respect that, so although I dislike it. Give us your big bang.

Will this forum stay up or will it go down?
So will we use the blizzard forum to tell where we are or this one. To provide a base for seeking the members out, this for finding each other as well as reforming the guild.

WHAT!D: No...no...no! I refuse both options and go for the option 3 i just pulled out my ass...GET..someone to take your place, for the time you are busy! An officer that you would pick that knows how to keep the guild going! Isnt it bit over the top to suddely to end it all, ICly aswell =/ I NO APPROVE! I will hate you forever if you go through thiiis D: I understand though, that you dont have the time yourself, heck, youve been the one controlling everything around here. Ive thought it to myself you cant keep it up forever,but ending it..NNNNNO! D:

I understand what Amo means, but I'd agree with Malv. This has always been his guild, and it should stay that way. We can do events, we can keep the guild OOC, but I think he's the leader. I'm sticking with my choice, and so far I'm the only one choosing. I've also thought of what will happen to Sin IC after he leaves the guild.

Its hard for me to leave, as Amoniel will always stay loyal to Malvor...finding an IC excuse for leaving would be...difficult. I will be the last one leaving!D:

We'll all find it hard, Amo, but at least for the moment, we'll still have the OOC contact of guild chat. We can keep in touch and get into RP even when we're not in an IC guild. I'm counting on that being a good situation to be in. And, we can all run our own events occasionally if we want. Even if it is just to meet up and socialise. I really think this is the best way for us to go, but I think everyone get's the picture, so I'll shut up about my opinion now.

I think Sin's got the right idea, there.

It's nice to have to many loyal members <3

We love ya, man! We aren't gonna let you go without making it all the harder by showing our appreciation and pressuring you to make a spectacular final event! ^_^

With some time to think about it, I say rather kill it ic and ooc or keep something going ic if it remains.

As that will not happen by the looks of it, I will vote 1. Kill it all, but keep your word Malvor, find us to start over.

As seen in most of the post, we love the work you put in, and I am sure most of us look forward in doing it in the future!

As for I
Ilidia, she will follow her Own road or that off Nyllen. I will find out during/after the final event.

My final word is this: Malvor you already know what I think of it, even due the jades will fade, I hope we will cross paths again in the future. Until then and thank you for your effort in the past and present. Thank you.