Gifts galore

Sometimes it can be quite tricky finding something unique and different as a gift for a guildy or friend in wow that is already pimped out to the extreme. Below are a few suggestions of things that just might take that 'OMG WHAT DO I GET' out of your game, and a little more time searching the AH for awesome outfits!

Skills:

Tailoring : As a tailor you can make many a gorgeous and unique outfit. Many people don't keep a lot of the lower level outfits and shirts as they level because they get bigger and better gear. SO and inexpensive and personal present would be to make an outfit! For a female char i would recommend a white woolen dress. For a male character Blue overalls with a Workman's shirt always bring a smile.

Engineering: For any engineers I would recommend going  for something worth a smile. The cheaper options would be things like the mechanical squirrel , frog and chicken !

 Jewelcrafting: For a jewel crafter a little more effort is required. One thing i would suggest is heading onto the armory and looking up the gear of the person receiving the gift. then you could perhaps see if you could upgrade any of their gems!

Alchemy: We all know how expensive potions and flasks are at the moment so if your an alchemist a little flask of potion could be the perfect gift for someone. Find out what abilities they value most and make a flask/potion to boost these skills! If you don't want to ask then an all round improved stats potion would be great.

Cooking: There is one truly lovely thing to get as a present, and that is a chocolate cake!! The fantastic fireworks and happy feeling would really be a great present for anyone in wow epic or newb!

Ah:

Oh the fantastic world of the auction house, it can make or break your bank! Heading to one of the mutual faction auction houses such as the booty bay one can really be great for finding unique gifts! I am always searching the miscellaneous section for new and interesting things for guildies!

Don't forget a lot of the crafted items listed above can also be found on the Ah!

So why not give it a go, and i would love to hear about any unique gifts you can find!

And it all comes crumbling down...

So, your guild is going well, you have nice members and plenty for raids and even close recruitment!

Then... kapow, some one falls out, thinks your the Wrath of the Lich Bitch and everything seems a little bit in tatters.

As you may have guessed this is what happened to my guild this last month. I lost about 10/11 integral members in the space of one week. Including 4 of our top dps in the entire guild, A couple of fantastic tanks, healers you name it we lost it.

Same thing happened to you? Worried it will? 

Well before you cancel your account and throw your wireless mouse across the room take a little chill pill (( no i am not condoning drugs Ty)) relax and review.

OK so, you lost a few, you still have a guild right?  my answer at the time was a grunt and a 'guess so'. 

The best thing you can remember is that they obviously weren't that loyal in the first place and a good solid guild has a foundation of awesome people dedicated and willing to stick things out if a problem occurs.

The best thing that has happened this month would be the officers. They really clubbed together and are keeping things ticking along and making sure i retain that  last morsel of sanity. 

A new start and a new beginning. If the same thing happens to you why not freshen things up with ' a new coat of paint'

Host a tabard competition, to give your guildies a new look to be proud o, get some new blood in the officer chairs, why not get all your officers to make a new recruitment macro and hold a mini competition to see who's is best?

There are many things you can do to perk up a guild after a big loss, or after a while where you think is it all worth it?

My suggestion is rough it out, bitch about it in officer channel till they tell you to shut up, and generally keep going till you get your mojo back!

RP hints tips and rules!

Ok, so i thought it would actually make sense to write a little post about the  Troll that is llortra.

 'I' reside on the quiet realm of Ravenholdt ( RP-PVP)  and run the guild - Ashes of Serenity - (woo!)

I have asked guildies what they would like to see me post on here and one of the first suggestions was a guild line RP story. SO being me, I thought I would elaborate and give a guide to rp . In this post I shall be outlining general RP rules of etiquette in person, and within your own writing!

This is a fabulous Very detailed link on what to do, and what not to do. it gives you an awesome guide when starting a character too!! http://forums.wow-europe.com/thread.html?topicId=118922320&sid=1

But, if your just interested in the basics read on :D

OK so Terminology:

IC - In character. This means that you must speak as if you are your character. You play the role and make no reference to yourself. You really are a balding Orc with the hygiene of a kodo's backside.

OOC - out of character. This means no hiding, no pretending  its ALLLL about you. Say what you like, do what you like (within reason people) you have no lines to read and no act to play out.

So on a realm like ravenholdt, your either IC or OOC. Many guilds such as mine, will have a RP channel for your guild, and host many rp events. 

So, what happens when the dreaded time comes, that you must say something in /s!!!!!!! Well don't panic,  so get yourself a new pair of undies and a glass of milk and read on.

In /s on a RP realm you should always be using IC chat. Because, as we know, most Taurens don't 'got lds of probs wiv net' or think that 'Wow so much cooler than eve' ( though it is by the way.)

You also would not use and Leet speak or 'l33t'. You would use each word in its fullest form. For example, I could say 'i thnk ur gd @ b-in uber' but if i didn't want to look like a total fool ( i do a lot anyway) then i would say 'I think you have impressive powers and skills my friend' or something like that. 

So some do's and dont's:

Don't use smileys

Don't use leet speak

Don't discuss game mechanics and other things your character wouldn't know

DO always use IC chat in /s

DO write words in their full and proper form :D

DO pretend your from the middle ages ( worked for me with how i wrote things ) :D

DO remember to be rank appropriate. You would greet your gm the same as a lower rank. 

The key with rp and your character is imperfection and imagination. Having something wrong or a deep dark secret, as all my characters do ( mostly cos I'm weird) makes your RP story line and conversations much more interesting. Someone who has a deep dark desire for the consumption of souls, would be much more interesting that a perfect little belf with a privileged life who can escape any situation or problem with the flick of a wand. (( see godlike powers in above link ))

OK well 'that's all folks' hope this helps people with their /s , their stories, and their getting told off by harsh rp'ers *coughs innocently*

Ideas and locations!

When you think of about meetings and clubs, full of those odd people that enjoy face to face interaction (freaky) you perhaps think that week to week they would generally meet in the same locations.

With an RP guild, this isn't really that exciting, people want to be able to stare at different scenery week to week as they pretend to listen to guild news and anything else you gather them to say!

One meeting I held, where I used the same location three weeks in a row, it was most obvious several were bored. Not only for the fact that someone needed to be /grats for their highest ever bejewled score during the upcoming events announcement.

At a loose end, as I so often am, I had been trawling the web for interesting ideas for places, events, themes for meetings, ANYTHING! to get the crowds in.

And who would have guessed that my search resulted  in a whole lotta nothing. I was left feeling about as satisfied as a Tauren after eating roasted gnome! It just wasn't fulfilling. Of course I realise you must have guessed that, otherwise I would just have a post full of links to fabulous sites! The little I did find, was purely related to an inter-guild wedding in Stormwind. And for some reason, I don't think my horde guild would get much peace there.

SO!!! Getting to the point (finally) below is a list of events and places to hold them I feel are worth writing about, and maybe will help any officers and GM's out there. 

Rp Events

• Auction - A great one for raising money for the guild! For this event ask any tailors/engineers to make some cheap but good looking or fun items and have them sent to you. You then host an evening, providing refreshments and let the auction begin! Link the item or 'lot' in the chat for people to try on etc.  & start the bidding. Our last one raised 2.5k in an hour of non stop laughter. 
• Seasonal Ball - A particular favourite of mine ( as I love an excuse for a new outfit). You can use this idea up to four times in one year, making it completely different each time. A Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall/Halloween Ball. On each occasion pick a Grand or special location, ask everyone to dress formerly, or maybe even make it black tie? Then simply base activities around the season your celebrating. For example, Apple bobbing or best costume at Halloween. A gathering challenge during spring, or a race along the beach in the summer.
• An Ale and a Tale -  This is a nice relaxing one where you can sit back and let others do most of the work. It gets everyone involved. Pick a fairly quiet Inn, big enough to house you all. Encourage everyone by perhaps buying the first round of drinks! Then you ask people for their stories. It could be there own background RP story, or perhaps even a legendary tale they have heard. Sit back, relax and watch your screen blur through grog and ale.
• Murder Mystery - This requires a lot of work on your part, but has high reviews indeed. You should make it for no more than 15 as you have to write each charachter profile. Then you come up with some funny names and characters. Then the situation e.g "The prestigious head of the Dalaran council was found murdered in his quarters" Then host a 'funeral' or maybe a celebration of their life. There is a cash reward for finding the killer. SO all guests interrogate each other whilst remaining in their character! You can give prizes for best costume, actor etc.
• Quiz Night - gather your guildies for a night of frivolity! Divide your them into four Teams, giving each team a name. If you call them each a colour, you can provide shirts of that colour for added effect! You could try having four rounds on different topics. Such as locations, wow Lore, trade skills and other general knowledge wow questions.  Put each team in their own party within the raid group so they can discuss they answers and one member to /w you their answer. The team with the most points at the end gets a prize. 
• Treasure hunt - This can be played individually or in teams. You decide on a route and set either alts or use an officer and yourself ( depending how much effort you want to put in) and you give clues to all involved  to get to the next location. You can motivate them with a guild member being in grave danger! OR treasure or knowledge or anything you like! And you can make it as RP as you like.
• Party - There is always an excuse for a guild party. Whether it be some one's RL birthday, and so you host it for their Character, or perhaps a guild anniversary. Presents for the birthday girl/boy and some nice refreshments and activities will provide a good time for all.
• Destruction Derby - an awesome way to use those damn tonks we all get for Christmas from Great Father Winter, that only really get seen for about a week after winters veil. You ask everyone to bring their tonks! (kinda doesn't work without them ) Then have a series of rounds with rewards. You could have team rounds, with teams against each other. You have a last man standing round, with all out everyone against each other, until you are left with one winner! You could even have a knockout tournament! The choices are endless. For added fun, you can have specific betting on players, by people already knocked out, to raise money for the g-bank or themselves.  

PVP Events

• Bulldog - Quite a good one for a light-hearted pvp event. Gather at an Arena (Gurubashi in Strangle Thorn Vale has been good for us) and begin with one player in the middle of the arena, **must not be in your raid group** When the shout 'Begin' All players race across the arena, without using mounts! The idea is, that the player in the middle must kill one of the players running across. This person then joins their team ** leaves your raid group** and it becomes two in the middle and the process begins again!! It's a real laugh running across and trying to avoid these guys. Keep going until only one person remains. Its  a good idea, to keep waiting time down, to begin with someone able to resurrect. And no durability damage !
• Retaliation Raid - You announce to your guildies that one of your towns has been raided by the opposing faction. That this is not on, and that you are about to take revenge. Begin with a small town easily taken like Southshore or Tarren mill. You then escalate to a bigger location of more difficulty to 'teach them a lesson'.

Horde Specific Locations 

• Brill town hall - North of Undercity
• Bloodhoof Village - South of Thunderbluff
• Warsong Hold - Ashenvale
• Falconwing Square - West of silvermoon
• Fairbreeze Village - south of SIlvermoon 
• Razor Hill Hall - Razor village, south of Oggrimar
• Gorgeous abandoned island - A 'secret' location with beautiful night views. Perfect romantic wedding location! Only accessible by riding directly north of the undercity till you reach the water. Then enter the water following the coastline for about 10 minutes of swimming to the 'right'. Well worth it.  But an idea to make only 3 do it including a warlock and summon people there.
• Wide Hall - Above Aggamar's Hammer main hall. Dragonblight                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
  

Neutral Locations 

• Gurubashi Arena - Stranglethorn Vale
• Booty Bay Inn - Booty Bay ( nice few levels, and plenty of drink)
• Island - Floating islands in Nagrand with tree's and lakes. Also dark ones available in Netherstorm
  
• Tilted dark pirate ship - floating on an island above netherstorm. In the east.
  
• Scholomance hall - without going to the instance, head round the corner and up the stairs for a large decrepit hall.
• Ravenhold Manor - North east of Tarren mill. A small slope leading up to a tunnel then a sizable manor house and arena type outside space.
• Frozen lake - Winterspring lake. Cold!!!! Make sure you bring mats for your log fires!
• Tanaris Beach
• Pirate Ship - Ship south of Ratchet
• Elevated platform- Coldarra, in northrend has several very large flat area's , with lovely views. No being disturbed by mobs, as you use a lift to access them                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Well that was a long one! I hope this post helps you and your guild to host some new events. I hope to be adding some alliance specific locations soon, and i would love to hear any ideas any has in return.

Ladies... and WoW?!?!? surely not!

True true, the typical image that comes to mind when thinking of a computer game geek, is that tall, skinny, spotty teen sat in the deepest darkest depths of their room ( or is it just my brother?) but ta-da! here I am!

I have played WoW for about three years, after my hubby-to-be (hereafter known as P) introduced me, and I became more obsessed than Dawn French over chocolate.

For the first 4 months or so I milled about, levelling up, pretending not to be a no0b and flitting from guild to guild in search of fellow WoW addicts.

I ended up in a lovely RP guild, rising swiftly through the ranks, and eventually being handed leader ship. *kaboooooooom* etc etc *falls apart due to RL* etc etc

I now run a RP PVE guild ( with a tad pvp to wet the whistle of the lustful)

Oh yea, back to the real post issue....


I have 6 actual RL female players in the guild(inc me). With a total list of about 60, is this about normal?

Me thinks not.



The fact is , for as long as I have been playing, I have only known these girls, and one other!

Why is this, is there no room in this crazy world, for a girl to kick back, fire up her wireless mouse and get killing, maiming and aiding small creatures?!?

Well, I have come to the conclusion, that they are all missing out. When you tell a 'non believer' about the social world that is World of warcraft, you can see their hand slipping to the yellow pages for the 'men in white jackets' to come and whip you off for a good dose of shock therapy.

True I suppose that you could go through WoW a single minded quest machine, making no contact and '/bubble hearth' if anyone attempts to interupt your flow!

I guess its some girls 'cup of tea' to head out into town with the galz, to do some .... w/e they do(i'd have to look it up :S) but I'm proud to be a Lady geek.

/cheer for all out there, doing it for the gals :D

Mummy I hate you!

 You gave birth to this little angel, you held them in your arms, and you believed them to be truly perfect. Then they learnt to talk

My little boy, born in August 06 (currently two and half) looks the spitting image of his father (which one kind old  biddy said, at least we know he's the dad!). He worships the ground daddy walks on. And only recently he has decided, that im not too bad either.

Little-un hit the terrible two's, from about his first birthday. It started with the hitting, then we progressed to the punching, and my favourite, headbutting. Now you may think, come on, a toddler causing that much pain? well forward your address and i'll be round with him, to see what you think!

This carried on, till about a month ago. I must admit i was at breaking point, telling anyone who asked 'how is the angel' that he was in fact, the spawn of satan, and i regularly had to file his horns so no one could tell.

We had a good few months of the no mummy stage. My son would scream if he had to come near me, refused a bedtime story, shouting "NO MUMMY". Every night the same thing ( I expected social services to knock any day with a complaint from the neighbor!

Daddy this daddy that.  *fume*

It wasn't somuch infuriating, as utterly heartbreaking. How could something you merely want to hug, that you gave birth to and look after day in day out , hate you so much?!?!

Simple, he didn't.

I went to look on various blogs and forums, to see if i wasn't alone. 

After trawling the web, several tissues turned to sodden shreds, countless posts saying that people had toddler trouble, but none saying it was trouble for the one that was always at home!!!

"My daughter rejects her dad when he comes home from work"  Now, though this sounded like a dream to me, it made me feel more alone!

Eventually tho, when I stopped looking for the worst, I found them *sterotyped heavenly music* finally!!! Other parents suffering the same.

The solution?

Well I figured there were many reasons.  It wouldnt matter who you were with, if you spent the whole of your day looking at the same face you would get bored after a while! Especially one make-up free, baked bean covered dirty mess of a face I usually have by mid morning.

The key to getting him to want to spend time with me again? Nope, it wasn't to leave him alone. It was , for me, to try to join in with the daddy time.

Instead of getting infuriated, throwing 'In the night garden bedtime stories' at daddy and sulking off, I got even more involved. Starting slow of course. Mummy and daddy reading the sotry together. The next night, alternate lines. The next night oooOOOoo a whole page to myself without screaming!!

We built it up! and that's the key i think. 

So I guess, this whole longggggg (sorry bout that!) rant filled whine fest, is here, a) because its cheaper than therapy, and b) incase any other mum is out there, desperately searching for someone else as screamed at as she is!!