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The Path of EverQuest 2

Introduction

Before reading this document, you should have already read The Path of Bellum Aeternus. As a member of Bellum Aeternus in EverQuest 2, we have certain expectations and guidelines that we all need to abide by. The number one rule is to have fun, and in our experience, folks who join BA find that by having some structure and organization is directly proportional to the amount of fun that is to be had. That's not to say that we have very strict rules and regulations that need to be adhered to so that we can have a good time, but there are certain guidelines, especially within parties/groups, that need to be followed so that every member of the team has a good experience in-game.

Expectations

We have fairly high expectations for the maturity of our players. As such, we don't want there to be any question about what is acceptable behavior. All rules will be enforced in a "Tough, but fair" manner. If you play straight with us, we will be more than willing to give you a second chance. These rules exist to ensure that EVERYONE we play with has fun, member or not.

We expect the fun to come out of the camaraderie of our players and the success of our tactics. We are fundamentally egalitarian in our outlook, accepting anyone into our outfit and giving all the opportunity to seek leadership positions. As a mature group, we treat everyone -- ally and enemy alike -- with the highest respect both in-game and out

Ventrilo

BA uses Ventrilo almost as if it were a religion. We've found that coordinating attacks and accomplishing missions is best served by using voice communication. Even if you are shy or don't have a microphone, it is required that you download and install Ventrilo so that you may at least listen to and hear the commands while in group play. Ventrilo is fun - we promise. We understand that EQ2 provides a soloing experience, and while Ventrilo is not required outside of group play, it is suggested.

Ventrilo is Required for Guild Groups and Raids

Getting Started

Ventrilo is fairly easy to get started with. Once you have downloaded and installed the client:

• click on the arrow button next to the "User Name" box to give yourself a user name
• next, click the arrow button next to the "Server" box and enter the information that is posted in the guild MOTD
• lastly, click the connect button...welcome to our Ventrilo server!

Ventrilo Layout

There are five main areas on our Ventrilo server - Soloing, Crafting/Harvesting, Card Games, Grouping, and AFK channels.

If you are looking to team up, please either post a "LFG" message on the /guild channel, or pop from chanel to channel asking. Also, feel free to add a "looking for group" comment to your name using the "Comment" button.

Remember that when you join another group's channel, they may be in the middle of something - please wait for a break in the action before interrupting. Once you have joined or organized a group, please join one of the Group channels and have your groupmates do so as well, as groups in the solo channel tend to put a damper on any other conversation ungrouped folk may wish to have.

We will add more channels as necessary. Feel free to just chit-chat in the Lobby before joining a team.

Language Policy

We want everyone to be comfortable here, and if foul language is making anyone uneasy... it doesn't belong.

An occasional blurt out is tolerated but anything derogatory, racist or sexist is prohibited. This is especially important when a derogatory comment is directed at a person.

What may be acceptable to you, may not be to another.

Recruitment

Candidates

Bellum Aeternus is dedicated to achieving that “next level” of game play through superior organization and tactics. BA:EQ2 is looking for quality players that wish to partake in a structured, team-oriented environment. We look for various traits such as: maturity, quality, respect, reputation, and ability to handle groups/RAIDS, willingness to learn, and fit with the "BA Way." We are not a casual family guild nor do we consider ourselves an elite hardcore guild. We coin our guild, “Family + / Uber Lite.” With organization and tactics and fun loving guildmates, we achieve more.

If you seek that style of game play and agree with The Path of Bellum Aeternus & The Path of EverQuest II, you may be right for us. We do ask if you are in an existing guild that you let them know you are leaving and why. There are four processes than can lead to an invite into the guild.

ALTS for an existing BA:EQ2 member

• Sign The Pledge
• Ask a Officer/Legionnaire to invite you
• An Officer will promote you directly to Legionnaire Alt

Existing BA member in good standing in a different Province

• Seek out a Officer/Legionnaire to speak with you
• After talking to one, you may be potentially invited as a recruit
• Sign The Pledge and get Ventrilo up & running

Real-Life Friend/Family of a member in good standing

• Talk with a current Officer/Legionnaire
• After talking to one, you may be potentially invited as a recruit
• Sign The Pledge and get Ventrilo up & running

Others

• Talk with a current Officer/Legionnaire, who after speaking with you may grant you “Recruit/Go To Webpage” status, which grants Guild Chat access only
• Your Recruiter will direct you to our web site to read the Path, ask for access to the forums, get Ventrilo up and running, and pledge your character
• After you have completed the above you will be granted “Recruit” status
• In order for you to be promoted to Legionnaire and gain the privilege of wearing our Guild Tag and achieve other Guild permissions, it will be your responsibility to seek out members of BA and group with them
• During your grouping let them know you are interested in becoming a Legionnaire
• Find two members that are willing to recommend you as a legionnaire
• When you have two members willing to recommend you and when they are both online, have them send /tells to an Officer requesting them to speak with you
• After talking to an Officer, and demonstrating that you have completed all the above tasks, you will be promoted to Legionnaire
• If the above steps have NOT been completed within 30 days, your character will be removed from the guild

Ranks

There are 7 In-game Rank Levels in the EQ2 Guild System. We use these ranks to manage our players as well as confer Rank in-game.

All Ranks listed below will become effective 02/24/2007

Governor:

Governors will ensure that the guild, within EQ2, is governed in a manner that is consistent with the guidelines and ideals as communicated in “The Path” of Bellum Aeternus. An individual may have only one in-game character ranked as “Governor”, all other characters will be placed at the “Officer Alt” rank.

It is the responsibility of the Governors to:

• assist their members in accomplishing the goals they have set out for themselves as a group.
• assist all existing ranks in their duties.
• ensure that all duties of each rank are clearly communicated and understood.
• ensure that all member issues are resolved in a fair, unbiased, and timely manner.
• resolve any issues that the Centurions, Senior Legionnaires, or Recruiters request assistance with.

To obtain the rank of Governor, you must:

• have been a Centurion in good standing for at least one month and in the guild for at least 3 months.
• obtain the agreement of all existing Governors that promotion is warranted.
• be an active member of the guild, Governors not present on-line for 30 days will have all of their characters demoted to Legionnaire status

Centurions:

Centurions are a key representative of Bellum Aeternus. Centurions are expected to be impartial and respectful to friends and enemies alike, both in-game and out-of-game. Centurions are the voices of reason and those who will be most expected to live up to and enforce the rules and regulations of Bellum Aeternus. Consider that as a Centurion, it will be your job to serve your Legionnaires. It is almost impossible for even a small group of people to co-ordinate without leadership. As a Centurion, you will be providing them with your leadership and sacrificing some amount of your game-play to enable the entire guild to achieve greater things. An individual may have only one in-game character (your “Main”) ranked as “Centurion”, all other characters will be placed at the “Officer Alt” rank.

It is the responsibility of the Centurions to:

• authorize members after they have taken the pledge on the forums.
• form and lead groups, calling strategy and moves.
• maintain the quality of Bellum Aeternus by enforcing the rules and ensuring that everyone is having FUN.
• communicate The Path to prospective members.
• ensure the prospective member clearly understands the recruitment policy and the steps they need to take to become a member of BA
• promote recruits to Legionnaires. ensuring the recruit has completed all required steps in order to become a Legionnaire
• be an active member of the guild, Centurions not present on-line for 30 days will have all of their characters demoted to Legionnaire status

To obtain the rank of Centurion, you must:

• have been a Legionnaire for at least one month.
• have the agreement of the majority of Centurions and Governors that promotion is warranted.

Officer Alt:

Officer Alts will have the same in-game privileges the “Centurion” rank. You will be responsible for carrying out your normal duties according to your “Main” characters rank.

Legionnaire:

These are the general members, and they are the lifeblood of Bellum Aeternus. The above ranks exist solely to support Legionnaires. By signing the pledge, each Legionnaire makes a commitment to Bellum Aeternus stating that they have read and understand The Path, that they will take the time to learn how we operate within EQ2 and that ultimately, they are the kind of person who finds teamwork to be FUN.

It is the responsibility of the Legionnaire to:

• communicate The Path to prospective members.
• ensure the prospective member clearly understands the recruitment policy and the steps they need to take to become a member of BA
• be an active member of the guild, Legionnaires not present on-line for 60 days will be removed from the guild

Legionnaire Alt:

Legionnaire Alts will have the same in-game privileges the “Legionnaire” rank. You will be responsible for carrying out your normal duties according to your “Main” characters rank

Recruit

You will be considered a recruit after you have read the path, pledged your character(s), and demonstrated that you have Ventrilo installed and are able to use it. At this time you should be grouping with BA members and actively looking for recommendations from existing BA members

About Recommendations

To be able to recommend someone for Legionnaire:

1. You must be a member in good standing.
2. You must have been a member for at least one month.
3. You agree the recruit fits with the "BA Way" and the ideas of The Path

Recruit/Go To Webpage

When you are first invited, you will be this rank. Within a week of joining Bellum Aeternus you MUST visit and register on the forums, request access, and sign the Pledge for Everquest 2. You must get Ventrilo up and running. Failure to do either will result in your removal from the guild. Existing members can inform officers/leaders of issues and/or concerns via /tells or PM’s.

Miscellaneous

Party Etiquette

Hunting/Questing:

Priority is given to lead parties to a Officer or Leader, AKA Centurion or Governor, if one is available and interested in leading. Otherwise, anyone is welcome to hold the "party leader" position while hunting. Officer/Centurions are tasked with learning how to lead parties to ensure the best benefit for everyone involved.

Raiding:

Official BA raiding parties should be run with a Officer/Centurion or Leader/Governor as party leader. If neither is available, a Legionnaire may receive a battlefield promotion, but must step down and promote an Officer/Centurion if one comes available and joins the party. Room must also be made for an Officer/Centurion in a raiding party if one comes available; in this case, a secondary party may be created, led by the ranking Officer/Centurion. (similar to a General)

Leaders and Followers

Making the choice to be in a party is agreeing to be led by a party leader who knows how to keep his/her party alive, well, and profitable for all involved. To this end, it is important that the right people not only lead parties but that all involved in those parties know how to follow simple commands and direction. In hunting parties, the leader will always assign a puller, whose responsibility it is to engage mobs in combat. The party leader will also direct the party toward an agreed-upon goal, led by the puller. It is never okay to move ahead of the puller while in hostile territory, nor is it okay for anyone other than the puller to purposely engage mobs in combat. Doing so will most likely result in being asked to leave the party. The leader will also almost immediately identify any healers in the party that can assist in a support role. Whatever tactics called for by the party leader must be followed. Rests/opportunities to sell/regroups are called for regularly. If you feel you need one, please speak out (either in Ventrilo or in /group chat). Once one is called by the party leader, no one is to move on until the leader selects a new destination or target.

I'm dead, now what?

Always wait for direction from the party leader before releasing your spirit after a death. Party coherence is crucial, especially when traveling far from Respawn points. Another player/priest might be available in the party to resurrect you, or the party might choose to leave a dangerous area to regroup to allow you to come get your body. It is much better to resurrect you on the spot versus having to travel a great distance to get your shard back.

Equipment/Loot Policy

Bellum Aeternus handles loot on a Need Before Greed (NBG) basis in both grouping & RAIDing. Loot is only open to anyone after no Need is established.

Grouping

The group party leader must ALWAYS set the loot standards to lotto. When any item drops, the process will be:

1. Everyone clicks on ALL for the lotto (except for NO-TRADE items & items not wanted)
2. If anyone in the group has Need (see definition below) they call Need
3. If there are multiple people calling Need, a person wins the item if they called Need and won the lotto
4. Otherwise everyone that called Need /random 100 with the highest winning
5. The person that has the item hands it off to the person that declared Need or who won the Need roll
6. If there was no Need called, the item winner is free to do whatever they would like with it (i.e. Give it away, barter with it, or sell the item to better their character)

RAIDing

The guild leadership reserves the right to guild bank anything if the item usage is not known, if the item is used for starting or progressing a future RAID, or if it is an item is deemed critically important to the guild as a whole. The RAID Leader must ALWAYS set the loot standards to leader loot only.

People can call Need on one Fabled, one Legendary, and one Spell Scroll. After winning one of each, they will only win again if all others of their class have won. Open rolls can only be won once per person per RAID. Once everyone has won an open roll item, the rest will be Guild Banked.

All No-Trade items will be lottoed when they drop, all other items will wait until the end of the RAID.

At the end of the RAID, the process will be:

1. The RAID Leader / Main Looter will link all non-vendor-trash items (see definition below) in raidsay one at a time.
2. If anyone in the RAID has Need (see definition below) they call Need in raidsay
3. If there are multiple people calling Need, the RAID Leader will /Random 1-X, and the person who called need 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc will get the item.
4. The RAID Leader / Main Looter will hand the item off to the person that declared Need or who won the Need Roll
5. If there was no Need called, the RAID leader will /Random 1-24 (or however many are in the RAID), with the person in the winning position on the raid window getting the item. The winner is free to do whatever they would like with it (i.e. Give it away, barter with it, or sell the item to better their character)
6. All vendor-trash items (see definition below) will be sold to a NPC vendor and guild banked for future payment of authorized guild transactions (i.e. guild-house, reward programs, etc.)
7. The money & any items reserved should be deposited in the guild bank within a few hours after the RAID.

Vendor Trash Items

Are items obtained during an official RAID that have no stats on them or have no purpose are meant to be sold to a NPC vendor and the money mailed to the guild bank.

Need

Need is defined as a claim made against loot for your current character only. Need may only be called for items that meet the criteria detailed below. Based on the following criteria, all Need calls are considered equal. All conflicting needs are resolved with a /random 100, highest wins, ties re-roll. For example, a Medium Armor Wearer and a Heavy Armor Wearer that both meet the criteria below, both may call need, and a /random 100 will determine who gets the item.

Violation or abuse of the NBG rules may result in a loss of the calling Need privilege for a period of one month or, in egregious cases, could result in your removal from the guild. Officers and Raid Leaders have the right to disallow a Need call at their discretion.

Need called on scribed items (i.e. spells/crafter recipes):

• You must be able to scribed the item immediately or within 10 levels
• You should not have the item already or have better

Need called on equipment in your highest armor type:

• You must be able to equip the item immediately or within 2 levels

AND the equipment meets at least one of the following criteria:

• Has a minimum +5 improvement in any one attribute (see definition below)
• Has a minimum +15 combined improvement across multiple stats (not including resists)
• Has a class specific effect/proc (i.e. +5 Berserk, +2 Parry, Reflect Magic)
• Has a non-specific beneficial effect/proc (i.e. power regen).

Need called outside of your highest armor type (i.e. on very light when you can wear medium):

• You must be able to equip the item immediately

AND the equipment meets at least one of the following criteria:

• Has a minimum +10 improvement in any one attribute (see definition below)
• Has a minimum +30 combined improvement across multiple stats (not including resists)
• Has a class specific effect/proc (i.e. +5 Berserk, +2 Parry, Reflect Magic)
• Has a non-specific beneficial effect/proc (i.e. power regen).

Attributes: STR, AGI, WIS, INT, STA

Stats: STR, AGI, WIS, INT, STA, AC, DMG, Health, Power (everything but resists)

In the case of equipment, need can easily be verified with an inspect. If you are challenged about your Need call, do not take it as an insult just simple link the current item and work it out. If the issue needs to be decided on, please provide links to both items to an officer so they can decide.

Based on the above ruleset, Need may not be called for any of the following reasons:

• To make money on items by selling them
• On rares or rare substitutes
• For alt’s and guildmates that were not in direct participation with the Group/RAID responsible for obtaining the item
• Because someone else already won something at that event or on that day based on calling Need
• For crafter recipe books for a different character
• Just because the item is a certain color con to you
• If you are restricted from calling Need

This method is designed to be as fair and as efficient as possible. By doing the loot at the end of a RAID, the RAID group is not in jeopardy of an add or ring event. By lottoing on everything in a group, the group is only interrupted if someone calls Need. Also, no one loses out on an item by preemptively hitting the decline button. If a person wins an item with no need being called, they are allowed to do whatever they want with it. The guild recognizes the importance bartering and buying/selling items to better your own character, but only after no need is established within your Group/RAID.

This standard is expected to be followed in ALL Groups/RAIDs run by BA, even with non-BA players.

Giving While it is not a requirement, we strongly encourage you to share loot that you cannot use with non-group members. Passing items that you have outleveled or can't use down to lower level members increases the effectiveness of the entire guild. Please don't deprive yourself of income, but consider that a 50s piece of loot for you may greatly benefit someone who is half your level.

Recieving If an item is given to you by a guild member, you MAY NOT SELL that item, unless you have explicit permission to do so or it is a NO-TRADE item. The item must be either given back or pass onto another guild member. Remember, there is no obligation for them to give you the item and the expectation is that it will go to benefit the guild as a whole by helping your character.

Guild Bank

The Guild Bank exists to allow our players to help one another out. If you get a tradable drop or adept that is quite nice, you are welcome to share it with your fellow guildies.

Basic Guidelines

1. Yes, please, take what you need. Withdrawls should follow the guidelines for "Need" in the NBG section of the Path of Everquest II.
2. Don't put anything in the guild bank that you wouldn't equip/use yourself. We do not have enough space to allow tons of one stat loot items.
3. Don't put 'common' collectables/loot in the Guild Bank. Everyone has a Blue Butterfly. Not everyone has a Purple.
4. Only place RARE harvestables in the bank.
5. Don't put items that we have no players to use.

Bank Usage

Guild Bank 1:
Contents: Collectables, Equipment 10+, and Activatables 10+
Item Limit: 25 items/24 Hours
Coin Limit: 1g/24 Hours

Item Rotation
Collectables - Bi-Monthly
Equipment/Activatables - Weekly

Guild Bank 2:
Contents: 1 Row Equipemnt/Activatable 10+, Remainder Tradeskill Books 10+
Item Limit: 25 items/24 Hours
Coin Limit: Deposit Only - Coin will be split between GB 1 and GB4 every 2 weeks.

Guild Bank 3:
Contents: Adept I, III, Master I ONLY
Item Limit: 4 items/24 Hours
Coin Limit: No Coin

Item Rotation
Adept Is - Every 2 Weeks
Adept IIIs, Master Is - Depends on Guild Composition

Crafting

Craftingskills are possibly one of the greatest benefits that Bellum Aeternus can provide to a member. Our system for TradeSkills provides our dedicated crafters with an opportunity to work their skills as high as possible, allowing them to create equipment for our guild members to better outfit them.

Our system of Crafting involves voluntary involvement from our members (Note: anyone is welcome to work on crafting)

In order for us to work better as a team and to achieve great success we are implementing a very simple system. We (all crafters) will sell and supply items to the guild members at cost, less any materials provided. See the Crafting forums for specific details of cost. We will sell to the general public (where applicable) at normal market cost.

Crafting costs the crafter money and time, we will respect that.

This is a voluntary system and is to help the camaraderie of the guild. We do prefer that you work with the guild and guild members before using public crafting and selling.

Please note: if you do not participate with our crafting system, we understand … heck it’s voluntary! But do not expect to receive any benefit from the guild crafting if you are not providing materials and/or covering costs. By the same reason if you charge any guild member for items at public pricing, please don’t wonder why no one will be giving you supplies.

Suggestions of how to help the guild and make a better playing environment:

1. Send crafters items even if they don’t need them yet. They will be soon and you’re saving yourself a few steps in the future.
2. Do things like crafting for other people and gathering for other people even if they are not doing something for you at that given moment. It is a great thing to do something nice for someone else just for the sake of doing something nice.
3. Always ask if someone needs a particular item and try to get it for them.
4. Gather, Gather, Gather! There are so many items available for gathering. Be aware of what is rare or in high demand.

How do I benefit from this? Simple. Post a work order for a specific item in the forum from the crafter with your in-game character name. Use the format provided in the forum. Alternativly, send an in-game E-mail with materials and/or coin. The crafter will check this, get back with a reasonable time (1-2 days), and either create the equipment and send it to you OR post that there are materials needs preventing him/her from doing so. (in the beginning of retail launch, please be patient for the crafting skills to come up to level, so the time it may take to get an item may be a little longer.)

Please sign up on the appropriate thread with your gathering skill, and see the specific EverQuest 2 Crafting Forum for complete details.

Multiple Guilds In Bellum Aeternus we are an understanding group and do understand if you belong to multiple guilds in EverQuest 2.

We do have one special requirement for those in multiple guilds. You must PM a Governor of EverQuest 2 and let us know that is what you are doing. Failure to do so, will/could result in guild removal. We would rather have things in the open for a more enjoyable game.

Final Thoughts

Have fun!

The most important thing that we hope you take from being a member of Bellum Aeternus is that you are having fun. If you’re not having fun, then please let us know.

If you have friends who want to join or meet folks who you think would make great additions to our guild, have them talk to a Leader/Governor or Officer/Centurion. We'll invite them to the group and give them instructions on how to join.

Let's help make Bellum Aeternus the best guild in EverQuest 2. Look out Norrath… Bellum Aeternus is hot and bothered and we’re on the prowl!

Sign the Pledge

Now all that’s left to do is sign the pledge! Click here, select EverQuest II, and enter your character name(s).

Note: You must have registered on the site, clicked the activation e-mail link, and logged in, in order to pledge.

Welcome to EverQuest 2, Bellum Aeternus style!