V.U.S.E. (Now Recruiting!)

[Darkneon]

I. About Guild

• 1. General Information
  2. Alignment
  3. History

II. Guild Activities

• 1. Science & Exploration
  2. Independent Programs and Research
  3. Interactions with Others
  

III. Organization

• 1. Structure
  2. Ranks
  3. Recruitment
  4. Current Members

IV. Rules & Regulations

• 1. IC Rules
  2. OOC Rules

V. Ending Notes

_________________________________________________________

I. About Guild

1. General Information

The Vaultspringer Union of Sciences and Exploration (VUSE) is neutral, non-profit organization that focuses on the preservation of Azeroth's history and environment. This includes the study, conservation, and exploration of various zones throughout the world. VUSE also engages in other types of research including (but not limited to) medicine, technology, and animal husbandry.

VUSE consists mainly of non-combat orientated characters such as engineers, chemists (alchemists), biologists, archaeologists, explorers, professors, adventurers, and so on. Due to the dangerous conditions in which most research and exploration takes place: military personnel are always welcome.

2. Alignment

VUSE is designed to facilitate as much interaction as possible with other individuals and guilds (Horde and Alliance alike). The guild does not discriminate between Alliance and Horde. However, due to a heavy reliance on Alliance-based sponsorship: VUSE will not freely grant membership to Horde-affiliated persons. VUSE chooses to remain sensitive to the fact that the Alliance and Horde are at war.

3. History

VUSE was originally founded by Wimrick Hagin Vaultspringer 25 years before the First War. The organization was rather small and was only able to maintain itself for 26 years by selling research to the Explorers' League, before collapsing during the First War when its members had to depart in order to assist in the war effort.

Wimrick has a few reasons for revive his former guild. Mostly in response to heavy environmental issues (e.g. deforestation in Ashenvale, the hazardous effects of new technology, and the remaining devastation caused by the Plague) and the potential loss of ancient history because of national priority shifting towards the warmongering and the Explorers' League's new, narrower criteria.

Learning from his mistakes, founder Wimrick will be seeking much more financial aid and personnel. He anticipates that by striving for more altruistic and larger goals, that science and discovery will prevail over the repercussions of war and intolerance.

[Darkneon]

II. Guild Activities

1. Science & Exploration

Science – Research, Experimentation, and Quest-creating

This field is designed for those role players who do not wish to solely focus on combat, as well as those people who like acting as plot-drivers and storytellers. Those who specifically choose to dedicate most of their time to this area of VUSE will mainly be doing a lot of laboratory and field work in Alliance territory. Things such as recruiting adventurers to help thin overpopulating species, experimenting with new chemicals and machinery, and serving as advisors to those people whom request it.


Exploration - The Risky Road

Exploration is intended for those who want to mix danger and work. They will commonly operate outside Alliance-held territories and in smaller groups. Some combat-experience for your character is recommended here, as you will most likely have to fight a few hostiles to perform your duties. A dead scientist is... not a very good scientist. Exploration will include recovering artifacts and fossils, as well as mapping hostile regions and communing with undeveloped tribes and factions.


Shaken, Not Stirred - The Medium

You will not be limited to either one or the other, and are welcome to participate in both. It's always possible that a research team working in the Wetlands has to travel north into Arathi. I merely think it's fair to provide options and alternatives.


2. Independent Programs and Research

Characters will be able to petition for their own independent projects and story lines. This activity will be fully funded by the guild so long as the administration deems it necessary. However, your character is always able to pursue their own interests without involvement from the guild.

The administration will also be creating programs to focus on specific areas of interest (expeditions into Un'goro Crater, for example). I am hoping this will add great diversity within the guild. That way, you will always experience something totally different with each character.

VUSE will make excessive use of teamwork. When enough members are available, you will be assigned to a team depending on your ability and skill. Each team, or a set of teams, will be given control over a certain program to complete. Conversely, You may request to work independently.

3. Interactions with Others

As stated previously, VUSE is all about communication with others. Although we will have some guild-only events and meetings, we will be relying heavily on assistance from other guilds and individuals.

How?

Well sponsorship for one. This time around, VUSE will not be relying on the method of selling research for funding. We will have to seek other alternatives, as well as rely on common generosity from travelers. We will also be offering our expertise towards those who request it. I won't give you a detailed chart that covers everything we can possibly do, because the size of that chart is entirely up to the innovation of our members.

[Darkneon]

III. Organization

1. Structure

There is no dominate chain of command. Instead, the guild structure can be broken down into three parts. The administration (Union Administrator and Chief of Staff) supervises the entirety of the guild and selects managers to guide the independent components of the guild, such as experiments and teams.


2. Ranks

Union Administrator
Superintendent of all guild operations, the Union Administrator is responsible for managing the financial, coalition, and policy-related aspects of the guild. He is responsible for updating the guild objectives and ensuring the organization stays true to its mission. He will usually consult with the Chief of Staff and a select team of Scientists and Specialists on how to proceed with a certain objective. This is usually what leads to the creation of research teams and programs.


Chief of Staff
The Chief of Staff manages all features of the guild relating to recruitment, promotions, and groupings. Grouping in a sense of creating and deciding which members will be a part of what research teams, committees, and programs. Managers usually report to him when they have a need for a certain specialist. The Chief of Staff will be the acting administrator in the case where the Union Administrator is unable to perform his duty.

Requirements

• Entirely up to the Union Administrator.

Manager
Managers are in charge of the research and development set forth by VUSE. This can either be in relation to guild-issued or independent research. This group usually consists of Specialists and Scientists who have been selected or requested to lead a group of researchers. They are responsible for all aspects of their selected team, as well as any objectives placed upon them by the Union Administrator. Managers retain the right to assign specific jobs to their research team, perform authorized operations, and recruit interns unless stated otherwise by the Union Administrator or Chief of Staff.

Requirements

• Above-average skill in scientific fields
  
• Actively apart of VUSE for a 2 week-period

Recommendations

• Professional demeanor
  
• Communication skills
  
• Exceptional Initiative
  
• A recommendation from a manager or peer
  
• Participation in at least one guild-hosted event
  
• ((Some DMing experience, or at least the will to learn how to))

Specialist
A seasoned researcher who has chosen a specific science to focus on. This allows him to have more in-depth knowledge when compared to someone who's skill ranges across a wider spectrum of sciences. Scientists may apply for this rank if they show interest in taking charge of any guild objectives or programs that directly deal in their field of expertise.


Scientist
The main body of VUSE. This rank includes all capable Biologists, Chemists, Engineers, Historians, Explorers, etc. They make up the bulk of research teams and provide the entire framework for the guild. Without Scientists, the guild would have no engine to power it.


Novice
The apprentice and greenhorn. They are often assigned to teams where they may further their education under Managers and with more experienced scientists. They are usually left to do the more tedious works of the team. Such as filing reports, running errands, and cleaning up. However, they will be given more slack than other members of a research team. They are but students that are here to learn, and Managers will be more than willing to get them hands-on experience.


Intern
Fresh volunteers who are have either not been assigned to any specific program, and are uncertain if they wish to remain with VUSE. Expectations are extremely low for Interns because they have been known freak out when you inform them they've just stuck their finger in Dihydrogen Oxide. This group also encompasses temporary members.


3. Membership Rights and Bonuses

• You have the right to request a promotion once every other week after having been active in the guild for a 14 day period. The Chief of Staff has the right to take this right away if you abuse it.
  The right to perform independent research that does not compromise the safety of others or the environment.
  
• You have the right to decline any task assigned to you, but by doing so, risk being kicked out or stripped of rank. This should not be a problem, however, as anything assigned to you shouldn't be that large of a moral-issue.
  
• You will not be required to pay for any equipment or samples (and anything else you need to be able to perform your duty). You only need to provide your own food, shelter, and clothes. VUSE may cover your room-and-board depending on the situation.
  
• Those who hold the rank of Scientist or above are granted full, free Health Insurance (Managers have the ability to apply for affordable Life Insurance). The Guild will cover any injuries, illnesses, etc. you encounter while in the line of duty. Anything else will be situational.
• Novices will be granted limited Health Insurance to cover any accidental injuries obtained while performing guild operations. Novices get nothing, tough luck.
  
• Scientists, Specialists, and Managers may seek a retirement plan based on availability and guild funds.
  
• Everything else, I believe, is just common sense.

4. Recruitment

VUSE has no policy that deniess anyone membership based on faction, race, gender, or otherwise. However, certain races and classes that will have to work harder than others to gain memberships, and there is a 50/50 chance of getting denied. This includes Orcs, Trolls, Forsaken, Warlocks, Death Knights, and any other group that has negatively impacted biological life, and Azeroth, as a whole.

Gnomes, Dwarves, and Humans (especially those of intellectual pursuits) will have the greatest chance of being accepted. Still, anyone is welcome into the guild as long as it is reasonable.

Anyone who requests to join V.U.S.E. will do so on an internship. This is so we can elaborate your skills, give you time to fill out the resume, measure your dedication, and finally place you.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: All members will eventually have to fill out a resume for the guild archives, so that we may present information on our members upon request from a superior authority. This resume must be completed if you plan to advance further than the rank of Novice.

Resume Template

Spoiler:

Name:
Age:
Gender:
Race:
Associations:
Former Associations:

( ) I have scientific experience
( ) I have little or no scientific experience

Fields of Study/Expertise, Include any Specifics.
Place a '*' by the one or two you have studied most.
EXAMPLE:
Physics (Engineering)
Chemistry (Organic and *Alchemy)
Social Sciences (Geography, *Sociology, and Psychology)

Scientific Experience:

Combat Experience:

Do you have any history with the Law?

Would you rather participate mainly in Science/Laboratory Work, Exploration, or both?

Desired Rank:

NOTE: You are welcome to elaborate on any of these.

4. Current Members
Player Name: Character Name - Rank (Fields of Study) Race

• Darkneon: Wimrick Vaultspringer - Union Admin (Historian, Biologist) Gnome

[Darkneon]

IV. Rules & Regulations

1. IC Rules

• Safety – Recklessly endangering others or doing anything stupid will earn you a place as an intern or Novice.
  
  
• Crimes - Anything stated illegal by Alliance civil law will result in your removal from the guild. (e.g. stealing, murdering, etc.) Controversial subjects, such as treachery are defined by the administration, not the law.
  
  
• Misusing Equipment/Purposely Damaging the Environment – You will be removed from the guild and expected to reimburse all affected parties (including VUSE) for all damage caused.

2. OOC Rules

• Respect – Inappropriate remarks, insults, intolerance, disrespecting and back talking to any GMs or authority figure, gossiping, and acting like a baby will not be tolerated.
  
• Maturity – If you or anyone else insists on creating OOC drama and cannot find the means to sort it out yourselves, we will find it easier to get rid of you than try to work it out for you.
  
  
• Misusing the Word: A Lot - This is a pet peeve of mine. It's is 'a lot' not 'alot'. Unless this is a spelling error in place of 'allot', it will not tolerated and met with plenty of wrist-slapping.
  
  
• Issuing Character Warnings – Should the time ever come anytime you are participating in a guild event and have to issue one, you also apply a character warning to yourself.
  
  I believe you should only issue a character warning when you yourself are willing to let your character die. CotH advocates fairness, and continuing with the intent of killing another person's character when you yourself are not willing to let your character die is just poor taste.

Spoiler:

NOTE: Punishment will always be situational. I retain the right to act in the manner I see fit in response to any rule-breaking ICly and OOCly, as well as idiocy (metagaming, whining, etc.)

__________________________________________________________

[Darkneon]

V. Ending Notes

Introduction
Hello, there! First of all, I'd like to dedicate these posts as my 200th since Feb. 2009! Such as I did with my 100th earlier this year for It's Your Character: A Guide to Making an Effective Character Profile.

V.U.S.E. has been an idea I've had several months before the Restart. I did some earlier planning, and even discussed it with a GM - however, I noticed the guild I was creating then seemed more of a cheap version of Fable's Heroes Guild (Please don't ask me how this happened). I had been in way over my head, and stressed for quite a while on how I could incorporate the D&D system to make combat realistic.

I just scrapped the entire thing, and decided to start over. Which was perfect, as the restart pretty much reset everything. My main inspiration behind this guild was just to create more opportunities for players. Though, that's pretty much been all covered up to this point.

I'm really entertaining the idea that a lot of players who decide to join will be very dedicated. VUSE will run mainly on their creativity. I will try to personalize as much as I can (especially any role systems), but I also realize that sitting around and dissecting frogs can also get very boring. I'm hoping some of this can be picked up through involving ourselves with other guilds.


Exploration
I'm very excited for this! It will basically be held like any other D&D adventure you've experienced, but with some tweaks, changes, less paperwork, minimal rolling, and no leveling. For one, there will be less combat - though the times when you do will be far more realistic. This is usually difficult in other events and guilds because of a constant and numerous amount of encounters, but not to worry! Most of enemies you will face while working for VUSE will be what you call "bosses". Defeating them will not rely on only good rolls - but your brain.

Exploration will also involve a lot of traps and puzzles. So make sure to eat plenty of 8-layered Wheats before joining in on the action. I plan to keep character death to a minimum, only extremely important (recovering a legendary item) quests will encourage the possibility of having your head imploded by a shadow mage.

Don't think I'm going easy on you though. There will be more than a fair share of injury, incapacitation, and finger-losing. You may even misplace a limb or four.


Cataclysm
I've taken future events into heavy consideration. I was afraid while designing the guild pre-restart that we will do so much that there will be nothing left to do in the end - or that it would all get redundant and boring. Now, I'm really looking forward to using Cataclysm as a major push to fuel Guild Activities. In my opinion, there will be a lot more to do once it occurs. Mainly because the event heavily impacts a lot of environmental aspects - which is just what VUSE specializes in!


Player Privileges
If you're planning on joining, I recommend you have a lot of innovation and initiative. If you don't, start looking for some ambition. A lot of problems with guild activity is that players solely rely on the guild leader to keep everything active. By creating the Manager rank, I'm basically going to be assigning mini-DM roles to capable members.

The guild is also broken into smaller teams so that you may create your own story lines and form strong (or bad) relationships with your fellow scientists. Still, I will be diving head-first into this guild and focusing all my attention towards it while on CotH. Mostly through a main story line, guild meetings, and large events.

Don't worry though, you won't be completely isolated, and inter-guild activity will be encouraged. You will have many opportunities to meet and interact with fellow guild members.


Opening Thread to Discussion
That's about it! I'm now inviting you to leave any feedback, comments, or questions. I will do my best to answer and will edit this post with a FAQ.

Oh, and I'd also like to thank Piroska (if you're reading this) for the inspiration that your guild post (The Regiment) provided for me while I was creating this. I was often stuck on how to format and keep it interesting.

Thank you!

[CallMeMelissa]

This sounds absolutely amazing! I'd really love to get involved with this as soon as possible. I love the organization, dedication and strong backbone of ideas and rules that have gone into this. When recruiting is open, If I wanted to join would I apply in-game? Or post something here or what?

Thanks for this opportunity!

M xx

[bobjr]

Very interesting! I'd be happy to join as a caravan guard of sorts, heaven knows killing boars all day isn't doing wonders for my income.. Also I like exploration RP!

Bobjr ( Character name: Amled )

[Napoleon]

I'll definitely have a character for this purpose

Looks great!

[Darkneon]

When recruiting is open, If I wanted to join would I apply in-game? Or post something here or what?

In-game is preferable, though I understand we won't always be conveniently online at the same time. PMing is always an option. We can better work out the details that way. The choice is yours, really.

Recruiting will most likely begin within the week (no later than Saturday, Aug. 2 - It's currently closed because there are a few last-minute reviews I'd like to go through before opening up for business. I posted this early to give a heads up and get some feedback. So far, the it has been very positive. Thank you for that!

When recruiting does open, it shouldn't be complicated at all. OOCly, you really don't need anything but a basic understanding of the science fields your character is involved with; nor will you be requested to gain anymore. Our focus here is role playing, not learning. Joining VUSE will be as simple as finding Wimrick and requesting an internship. Internship will be the platform on which you launch your future (or hysterical failure) with VUSE.

Within the few weeks or so of the guild, moving up in the ranks will be fairly quick due to a low populace. I expect it to slow down eventually as we gain more members and events grow larger.

[Darkneon]

Apologies for double-posting but...

Recruiting has Officially Opened!

How do I get in?

There are two ways you can do this.

• 1. Find Me In-Game on Wimrick (Usually in the Commons or Hall of Explorers in Ironforge)
  2. Send Me a PM

If you decide to send me a PM, please take the time now to fill out the resume, as found in Section III, Article 4. I will post it below for your convenience.

Resume Template

Spoiler:

Name:
Age:
Gender:
Race:
Associations:
Former Associations:

( ) I have scientific experience
( ) I have little or no scientific experience

Fields of Study/Expertise, Include any Specifics.
Place a '*' by the one or two you have studied most.
EXAMPLE:
Physics (Engineering)
Chemistry (Organic and *Alchemy)
Social Sciences (Geography, *Sociology, and Psychology)

Scientific Experience:

Combat Experience:

Do You Have Any History with the Law?

Would you rather participate mainly in Science/Laboratory Work, Exploration, or both?

Desired Rank:

NOTE: You are welcome to elaborate on any of these.

I will reply with the confirmation that I received it, and will reply again once I have reviewed and accepted it, or if I need anything changed or elaborated on. We will then discuss the things regarding your recruitment such as when, how, where, and all that jazz.

For those of you who find me in-game, you may do this anytime you like. Keep in mind though:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: All members will eventually have to fill out a resume for the guild archives, so that we may present information on our members upon request from a superior authority. This resume must be completed if you plan to advance further than the rank of Novice.

What are my options?

Anyone who requests to join V.U.S.E. will do so on an internship. This is so we can elaborate your skills, give you time to fill out the resume, measure your dedication, and finally place you.

An exception to this is that during the first few weeks of recruiting, your character has the ability to request the Science rank upon the time of his/her joining. However, (s)he will need a completed resume and the background/experience (V.U.S.E. will be conducting background checks or short interviews when available).


When will the first event be?

I've already been contemplating over this, and have an everexpanding notebook of ideas to go off of. However, I will wait until I see how many members join in the next 5-9 days before deciding one. The first even will be no later than two weeks (Sept. 7). This is only in an extreme case, I plan to have it much earlier than that!


Good luck, and I hope to see you all in-game!

[Catherina]

I'll perhaps bring Jacinda into the picture just for this. She's a crazy gnome inventer whom is quite the rough type. <3

Her lore is slightly confusing though as she thinks a blood elf is her mother o.o!!