To be honest, I don't know how I became a Maran so fast. I don't even know how I got the tat so fast too. But I did roleplay my ass off. I won't say too much more cause I'm still playing, but I've found that you get much more attention like Vyn said when you play out your role and do it consistently. This is actually my first Maran and I'm pretty sure that I fumble around a few times, but my role works well enough to the Maran way. So my suggestion from actually being a Maran, just roleplay. Find something different. I know alot of people think I'm copying Yaofhil but in all honesty, I think I'm pretty different. I think Vyn can say that better than I can.

"Smokey my friend, you are entering a world of pain."

There are a few things that I look for when reviewing the Squires for promotion to full Maran:

1. Normal activities: What they are doing on a normal basis. Are they sitting in the Inn socializing amongst those they would hunt? Are they collecting/helping others collecting shinies when there are enemies they should hunt? Are they sitting in the guild? Or... are they actively pursuing evil folks in the manner prescribed for the Brigade?

This one is huge for me, especially for Squires. As there are imposed raid restrictions, the personal hunt is the most viable option for Squires to make an impact. Too often, I have seen folks doing some of the activities above when they have enemies they could (should) be hunting. A cabal requires a roleplayed lifestyle, and true Maran know there is much given up when taking on that duty.

2. Mindset: Why do they hunt the evil and how do they articulate this? What's the catalyst that's bringing them to exterminate evil, and how do they go about doing this? Do their actions support their role, position, etc.

3. PK Success: While this is not the major thing I look for, I do certainly hold this as a factor. If you're dropping everytime you're trying to take someone out, it may be that you're just not ready for this type of playstyle yet. Certainly, you're not going to be in a place to guide squires in the ways of the elder cabalmembers.

4. Who are you and what makes you stand out? I do find that I watch characters that walk-the-talk in an intersting fashion more readily than others. How's that brought out? Unique roleplay and consistency. Maybe something that seems unfair, but I have a lot of folks to watch, and the ones that bring life to the game seem to be the ones to catch my eye.

Anyway, hope this brings some insight into what I look for. Shokai, while on a hiatus, may be able to bring some additional insight into what he looks for, although we are eerily consistent (read: He trained me well) in our approach and what we look for.

thx, Vyn

Thanks for the input and will continue to try hard to become a full maran, seeing as it is one of my chars main goals since some of the things that have occured have gone down(all in my role dont wanna go into it here). I am still a bit confused though how Fahnrore got maran so quickly I mean he hasn't been in the Fortress for more than a week and all but I guess you are the Imm and have had the chance to observe his actions more than I have *chuckle*.

Thanks Again,
Vashka

Here's why:

1) There were SO many other squires in the fortress in the last month or so that have deserved the title far greater than Fahnrore. They RP'd. They defended against the odds, they begged to take the sceptre. And yet someone put into effect some dumbass rule that they can only take the sceptre with a maran about.
2) When someone contacts you and asks to speak...and you reply "spend more time in the Fortress" and then Fahnrore is inducted...tatt'd 24 hours later...how do you think thats going to make people feel?
3) How can you guys justify branding a character as a maran just by throwing it at them like "here, you're a maran, bleh whatever, take it and get out of here" There is one character you did that to. There is supposed to be something to make the event significant. When you dont do such, you make it insignificant and then the character is looked at by the owner as a waste.


This just pisses me off. After seeing all the good squires leave, and the remaining ones blown off as if they dont matter. If you wanted to get a new bunch in the Fortress you should have told everyone instead of blowing them off and all the hours we put into this goddam game as well as you people do. There were a TON of great squires that never got the time of day. In no way does this have anything to do with Ishyrmir of old, because I could give two shakes of a dogs tail about the Fortress, I think its too dam political. But this latest stunt Vynmylak is just pitiful. And yes Fahnrore you ARE copying Yaohfil's RP. But I guess everyone has to have a ####ing dumbass accent for their character to get a tatt.

Call whatever you want, however, I call them as I see them as well. If you want specifics and/or feedback, that's one thing. To try and drag down another active character by feedback that can influence others out of the game, I find it pitiful and childish.

Again, I'll go back to this: Play the role and show the understanding, and more than likely I give the benefit of the doubt and a shot to take on more responsibility and challenges.

I have seen few folks that truly go out and carry out what is expected of them consistently. I could care less if you get pissed at me, but if I see someone who's far more concerned about their set of clothing, swapping gear and beer with evil characters at the Inn, going out to collect that 5th piece of limited gear to put in their inventory while they have evils in their range, etc... the list goes on and on... well, I have to question whether this is someone I feel holds the line and would make a good Maran. Unfortunately, a lot of this goes on and when I'm watching folks and see this, I "bleh" this activity and go on to watching others that are trying to earn their stripes.

I honestly have no idea which category Ishymir fit. My playtimes have only recently returned to something I would consider consistent. In checking the prayer logs, I saw your playing times fit into my hiatus. It's a real shame, because you had a good dumbass accent with that character that would have fit right into my tattoo strategy.
I'm playing the "sounds like sour grapes" card, and if I'm wrong, guess it really doesn't matter.

-- Vyn

I was one of those squires, Ishymir. I had a character that was inducted right around when Ulthur passed on. I had that character up til I made Fahnrore so you can't criticize me for not saying something bout other squires. It sucked cause the only maran that was around until Siorgriend was basically Yaofhil and occassionally the Marshall would so up. Also because there were less evils about, hunting was kinda of a bitch to do.

This character is pretty brand new but guess how many hours I've logged in since making him? Its pretty substantial. If you log in for at least a couple hours, there is a good chance that you are going to see me. So as for the whole getting inducted then getting a tat, I think the numbers of hours that I played works well with that. There have been maran who were inducted after 50 hours by Shokai. And you can't criticize the process because you don't watch other players. There is apart of my current character that difuses what is going wrong with alot of the squires. Until they recognize that their duty comes before everything else, they aren't going anywhere.

So quit bitching and play the game.

"Smokey my friend, you are entering a world of pain."

Oh and I hope I'm not irritating you, Vyn, by responding to some of these. It just upsets me when people are saying things that really don't need to be said. As for the whole Yaofhil comment, I may talk like him, but I am definitely no Yaofhil. The player behind him is much more experienced and a better overall player. So don't say that I'm copying him because I'm not. I specifically made him different from the past captain. Shut up, grab a hold of your nuts and brace yourself.

"Smokey my friend, you are entering a world of pain."

1) There were SO many other squires in the fortress in the last month or so that have deserved the title far greater than Fahnrore. They RP'd. They defended against the odds, they begged to take the sceptre. And yet someone put into effect some dumbass rule that they can only take the sceptre with a maran about.

I would make a safe assumption that you are not an authority on what would make a good maran or what squires should or should not have gotten a full induction. Especially coming from someone who played a char who apparently failed at getting a full induction. And that "dumbass rule" has been in effect for some time. Before I took my break.

2) When someone contacts you and asks to speak...and you reply "spend more time in the Fortress" and then Fahnrore is inducted...tatt'd 24 hours later...how do you think thats going to make people feel?

If that's all it takes to upset you, and make you feel like a char isn't fun, then I would suggest a different cabal.

3) How can you guys justify branding a character as a maran just by throwing it at them like "here, you're a maran, bleh whatever, take it and get out of here" There is one character you did that to. There is supposed to be something to make the event significant. When you dont do such, you make it insignificant and then the character is looked at by the owner as a waste.

I am certain you are either over exagerrating or outright blowing smoke up our collective asses. Every maran induction I've ever seen or heard about has been a touch more meaningful and personal than that.

This just pisses me off. After seeing all the good squires leave, and the remaining ones blown off as if they dont matter. If you wanted to get a new bunch in the Fortress you should have told everyone instead of blowing them off and all the hours we put into this goddam game as well as you people do.

I would guess that they weren't going for a "new bunch" so much as characters that have what they are looking for. No one forces you to attempt to join a cabal, that's a decision on your part. If you don't have a strong enough grasp or are able to consistently pull it off, that's your fault alone.

There were a TON of great squires that never got the time of day. In no way does this have anything to do with Ishyrmir of old, because I could give two shakes of a dogs tail about the Fortress, I think its too dam political. But this latest stunt Vynmylak is just pitiful.

Again, you are making the assumption that *you* know what makes a good squire and a good MARAN.

And yes Fahnrore you ARE copying Yaohfil's RP. But I guess everyone has to have a ####ing dumbass accent for their character to get a tatt.

Unless you've seen his role I'd say you are talking out of your ass. But then again, I'd say this entire post came from there as well.

That this discussion happened in April. Just read it, and the self-righteous know it all attitude of the post irked me a bit.