The Exchange is a guild of independent seafarers, artisans, and merchants that operate as a distributed network – for partnership and protection – as we explore Verra together. We are a medium-sized organization with a cap of ~150 members. To preserve close community, alternate characters are not allowed.
The Exchange is centered around sea trade and exploration with a home port city (economic node next to harbor) for mercantile activity on land. As a business, we service our customers in shipbuilding, sourcing and shipping of goods, and animal husbandry. Hence, the Exchange will be trusted on the server as a neutral organization with high quality offerings. Profits are reinvested into guild/node progression and dividends are distributed to Associates.
Trust is our watchword. In banking, diplomacy, and battle – a character’s ‘handshake’ is our contract. All our members are seen as equal based upon sincere effort. We build each member to be fully capable in combat and progressed in trade skill. Those that intentionally seek to use the Exchange for selfish gain or evasion need not apply.
Secrecy is paramount; as we keep important trade strategies among Associates. Squabbles with other guilds, nodes, and players are avoided to ensure neutrality and prioritizing business over dominance. While we prefer Associates live in our home node, we allow members’ fealty to their respective nodes, thus enabling our members to play solo without guild prejudice.
'Long Live the Merchant Mariners!' The Exchange has four elected and six appointed officers. Three of the four officers are the council. One is at large. This council is the decision-making body of the association elected on an annual basis from its associate members. The other six appointed officers are in charge of their areas of expertise. The general membership hierarchy, in order from lowest to highest is associate, leader, and officer. After the AOC launch, an applicant for membership must be at least level ten (10) in-game. If the association is at maximum capacity (medium guild), we will announce and suspend new membership until there are openings. All associates have the right to vote in elections and on referendums.
PRESIDENT – Is final authority in any decisions using ‘Robert’s Rules of Order.’ Provides guidance and vision to the association. Consulted in any negative disciplinary decision of its members or foreign relations. The president is deposed if he resigns or goes ‘missing’ for more than 60 days, calling for a special election.
COMMANDER – Presides over all internal association gameplay. Their appointed officers are the Captain of Navigators (Raids & Quests), the Master of Crafters, the Master of Processors, and the Master of Hunters & Gatherers. Organizes and announces PVP and PVE raids. Oversees strategic & selected caravan and seafaring protection orders as personnel availability and interest permits. In charge of association NPCs.
AMBASSADOR – Presides over external association activities. Their appointed officers are the Chief Moderator (on-line editor, secretary, and election administrator) and Chief Architect (professional IT developer). The ambassador acts as the intermediary between Ashes of Creation officials, other ‘guilds,’ and the AOC community as a whole. The ambassador has the authority of the President to make decisions within his purview. The Trade Emissary complements and works with the Ambassador.
TRADE EMISSARY (at large) – Has privileges to dispense association funds within reason for the growth, influence, and benefit thereof in consult with the Ambassador. The Emissary provides a financial report (as the treasurer) twice in a year by Excel spreadsheet. Responsibility to disburse profits to associate members in cycles. Sponsors mercantile workshops. Acts with the authority of the Ambassador within his purview. As the officer at large, the emissary can fill the role of another respective officer in their absence.
ASSOCIATION RULES (Draft): Direct threats, personal attacks, and griefing (in-game) are not allowed. Profanity should be kept to a minimum. Associates represent themselves and are held accountable by all players in the community and Ashes of Creation moderators. Other ‘guilds’ have little sway in discipline because our nature frowns upon arcane structure that purposely singles out tags to instigate drama. Should an associate be timed-out, then both antagonists are given a cool down period (such as a day). No grudges are allowed. The Ambassador (officer) can refer extreme intentional mischievous cases to the ‘council’ to render any decisions in letting members go (withdraw by choice or kick). However, members have a right to defend themselves, and any inappropriate behavior by the other party (complainant) in eliciting a response such as ‘soft trolling’ negates (in said referral) such a release. It is understood that associates are at least 18 years of age, understand & agree with the rules posted on this website, and commit a primary character to the Exchange. Our members should avoid lodging frivolous complaints.
The association does not believe in or tolerate evasive behavior. Members are not allowed to have other accounts for purposes of spying, sabotage, player stealing & coercion in other guilds. Likewise, we do not tolerate those with allegiance to other guilds infiltrating our own. We are not a 'feeder' guild. Members that are evasive will be 'kicked' from the association given veracity. Hence, the Exchange will be known on the server as an agnostic and neutral group that can be trusted in this regard. All members & visitors shall be visible on the association's discord site.
MEETINGS ON DISCORD OR IN-GAME (Draft):
General. The President will alternate open general meetings with closed officer meetings every 30 days (subject to modification). Election votes pass by simple majority & referendums pass by two-thirds majority. The Chief Moderator as the Secretary will run the elections by secret ballot and shall not disclose member votes. The President reserves their vote as the tie-breaker. The elections are held in the month of December.
Gaming. The Commander will host a monthly coordination meeting to organize and announce four raids (weekly interval) for PVX and four escort service (or list) missions. These activities will be published as 'pinned' on Discord under the respective text channel to include specific objectives and allow members to sign-up. Guests may be invited to a raid as long as the raid leader(s) are notified in a timely manner respectively (subject to modification). The Masters will likewise post a professional development day (mentoring or research activity related to Tradeskills) each month. Example - week 1 hunter or gather, week 2 - boat crafting / siege weapons, week 3 - processing, week 4 - end item crafting.
Finance & External Relations. The Ambassador will host a meeting every three months to review communications and also update the Trade Emissary Profit Matrix. The updated Profit Matrix TBP for member review. Facilitate any financial transactions (subject to modification). The Trade Emissary will sponsor one in-game mercantile activity per month to educate and enhance associates of their capabilities in the art of trade & in-game financial influence. Example - members vote for a mayor: An event that makes members aware of the importance of influence and virtual engagement.
