how does this stuff work?

Yeah, it's been a lonnnng time, but a few of us have decided to get back into WoW in time for Cataclysm. We're reactivating accounts, installing updates and addons, and kicking down for our guild's Ventrillo account (currently 3 months for 10 users).

Not surprisingly, we've logged on to find our guild bank has been completely wrecked. I've been booting all unknown members (please email if you were kicked by mistake). Bankserson is opening a ticket about this, but the truth is we're not that worried about it.

Hey, I've got to get back to configuring PitBull and Bartender--and try to remember how to heal. L8r!

Unfortunately, the population of the Zuluhed server is small enough that members and friends of the Azerotian Protectorate continue to run into the players of Holyherbman and Masiah, so this issue simply won’t go away. This post is an attempt to provide visibility and transparency to this matter. It may be linked directly at "http://www.apzulu.com/news/show/220908".

Towards the end of 2008 two players joined the Azreothian Protectorate while leveling, having been invited by AP members during pugs. Both Masiah and Holyherbman were very active during their 24 hour membership, and made notable requests of their new guild. To their credit, the existing members of AP were extraordinarily responsive to the Masiah’s and Holyherbman’s requests, supplying them with trade goods for crafting and gear, and even running them through a few instances.

The response to these acts of kindness is, quite simply, the most immature and vicious behavior I’ve seen to date in the WoW universe. The day after joining, without provocation, Masiah and Holyherbman attacked the members of AP in guild chat, spamming abusive, inflammatory and racist slurs at the online members. Checking the guild bank after their departure revealed that they had also taken as much as they could before leaving the guild.

As of this writing, Masiah is a member of the guild Epedemic Bar Room Heros and an active endgame PUG player who frequently appears in groups and raids. Since the example given above is only one example in a recurring pattern of behavior, moving past this event has proven problematic. Members of AP maintain that this kind of behavior is unacceptable in any world. As demonstrated by this online post, we have become more vocal in our stand against this kind of divisive behavior.

In the end, everyone is encouraged to make their own decisions, and those choices should be peacefully respected. Speaking for myself, I will never play with Masiah or Holyherbman.

It’s been too long since the last update; a lot has happened since last month’s launch of Wrath of the Lich King. I’ll try to keep this update brief.

One of my favorite personal challenges that arose with the launch, after months of waiting for my pre-ordered copy of WotLK to ship, was the realization that the computer I’ve been using no longer met the system requirements for WoW. Panic subsided and reason set in shortly after, followed by the long, painful process of migrating all of my computer files to a newer computer. I’m still working out some of the kinks—I’m still not entirely sure that all of my emails are reaching me.

In-game dynamics have been absolutely insane since the launch. Battlegrounds are swarming with Death Knights (yes, they’re overpowered), the Auction House is flooded with overpriced crafted items, and fortunes are being made from harvesting new resources. I’m not sure what it was like when BC launched, but the launch of WotLK has made a lasting impression on all of us. Very fun!

Despite any outward appearances, development of the guild continues. The most significant news I can report is the purchase of our fourth guild bank tab, which cost a whopping 1000g! A lot of guild members contributed significant amounts of gold to make this happen. Thanks to everyone!

With the fourth tab acquired, our guild Treasurer, Mikaar (aka, Bankerson), has taken considerable time to reorganize our guild bank. The priority of the bank will continue to be to make valuable consumables readily available to guild members. Armor kits, potions, sharpening and weight stones, and various scrolls help our members buff up so they can level faster. (Remember, less useful donations will be sold or disenchanted to raise money for more useful resources, and rare items will be held in reserve on our restricted-access Tab 4.)

Guild recruitment continues to bring in new people. The majority of our newest members have found their way into the guild after being referred by an existing member, which I think is outstanding. The Azerothian Protectorate should be a union that all of us are actively involved in and happy with. Few things demonstrate that spirit as clearly as promoting our guild to others.

That’s enough for now. More later.

Moving on…

Upper and Lower Blackrock Spire (UBRS/LBRS)

Despite our best intentions, there simply weren't enough of us online to form a 10-man raid party for Upper Blackrock Spire this last Saturday… which didn't come as a surprise. Often, the best way to get an accurate read on the reality of one's position is to make an attempt and fail. There's plenty to be learned from this failure. No worries. It could be worse.

Regardless, we did form a group and completed Lower Blackrock Spire on Saturday. I'm pleased to report that I am currently in possession of the Seal of Ascension, which is the key to accessing UBRS. I hope that we'll be able to form a group to run this raid as soon as time permits. (UBRS is a 10-man raid for levels 55-61.)

Thank you Shylana, Mikaar and Mammoth for making that happen!

Guild Recruiting

Recruiting efforts formally began last Friday (Halloween), and the Guild Roster on this web site currently reports that AP has 21 members. Since the fact is that people have alts, I don’t like to look at those numbers to really assess any level of growth in membership. However, I do love the fact that I saw twelve people online in the guild at one time on Saturday! We've added some extremely positive personalities to our ranks; we're moving in the right direction.

Guild recruitment is a vital component to AP's agenda; for now, we all should take an active hand in our guild's recruiting efforts. Sure, everyone quests in Azeroth, acquiring fabulous rewards and knocking out personal achievements, but that's a far cry from contributing real value to our guild's community. The Trade Channel is the most visible means of recruiting… and it's also the least effective. Word-of-mouth always carries more weight than any other form of communication. You can help the guild most when you get involved.

Melroric Promoted to Head Master

Finally, I would like to thank Melroric for accepting the position of Head Master. If you've read this site's Government page then you already know that the HM is second in command in the guild… which is an honor and a serious commitment. Mel's consistently demonstrated the kind of selflessness that best promots the success of one's peers. I know that he is a substantial asset to us all.

"Guild Before Greed"

–Father Hamilson, Guildmaster