Organization

The organization of the guild reflects its philosophies as a roleplaying and adventure guild. Over time, our organization has slowly evolved to it’s current form. Due to our size, the guild is organized into a series of groups or ‘Orders’. These are provided for a number of reasons. First, they serve as an RP outlet. They also allow us to administratively organize our members better, and in the case of the Ducal Guard, provide an extra level of recognition for our most senior members.

Overall we are an organized and structured guild, but also realize that we’re all here for fun, and to that end, strive to maintain as much of a ‘family’ feel to the guild as possible. We hunt and quest together, and try to ensure folks get to work with a wide array of guildmates. Over time, some members are promoted to higher levels of responsibility where they serve as leaders, role models, and enforcers of guild policy. Still others have responsibilities over specific areas of the guild’s inner workings. But all of us are here to have a good time.

Advancement
A comprehensive list of the titles associated with each of our Orders can be found here. Characters who’s skillset span multiple orders (like a tamer/bard) can select to join any order they are eligible for.

New members are encouraged to take a hand at leadership, and when we see a member who has proven their dedication, leadership skills, and enthusiasm for the group, they may be advanced to the status of a Senior Member. This is the first command rank in the Marrach Faol hierarchy, and is signified by the silver wreath. The term ‘Senior Member’ refers to any member of this rank or higher. Senior members also have an expanded set of responsibilities within the group, including conducting interviews and leading hunts.

Next, senior members who continue to remain active by leading lances and hunts or hosting events, and who have demonstrated sound leadership skills, will be promoted to a Command Rank for their order. Command Rank members lead veteran hunts, and help with our weekly guild hunts.

The next step for a member would be to be placed as the Archon of one of our orders. This is primarily an honorary title, but included to recognize the best of our senior members for proven loyalty and leadership abilities. The symbol for an order’s Archon is the gold wreath.

Next would be an invitation to join our most prestigious order – the Ducal Guard. This is our oldest order, and has a long and proud tradition. The Ducal Guard represent members who have a proven history of loyalty, leadership ability, and encompass many of the ideals we observe as a guild. Within the Ducal Guard itself there are also senior ranks, as well as a command rank (the Archon of the Ducal Guard).

Finally, the pinnacle of any member’s career in Marrach Faol would be an appointment to the High Council, where they are involved in forming policy, and working with the Guildmaster and other HC members in shaping the direction of our guild.

Marrach Faol Orders
Below is a summary of our various Orders. Other than the Ducal Guard, no order requires the wear of a specific uniform or mode of dress. However, Each order does have their own official colors for those members who wish to wear the colors of their order. These can be found here.

 

	Crimson Magi The Crimson Magi include all of those that choose magery as their profession. Previously limited to only those that had achieved Grandmaster status, it is now inclusive of all mages, regardless of skill. The official color of this order is crimson red – either from a special dye tub (the darkest red), or the deep red of Tailor BoD reward cloth.
	Ducal Free Militia The Ducal Free Militia include all who chose the warrior skills as their profession (other than paladins).  These include all melee weapons as well as archers.  Previously this order included a wide array of professions, including both mages and bards – but has been changed to only include those of the warrior profession.  The official color of this order is Marrach Faol green.
	The Black Company Our oldest Initiate order, this Unit consists of those that specialize in the arts of stealth, poisoning, and assassination. To become a member, the candidate must have at least one of the following skills: Hiding, Stealth, Lockpicking, Poisoning. These members are of primary use on treasure hunts, or in other activities where their skills might be useful. Although a strict uniform policy is not required, their official colors are black and dark gray/blue (the shade of the darkest blue in a special dye tub).
	Order of Virtue The Order of Virtue includes those that follow the path of the Paladin as their chosen profession. Previously, this order was an optional order for those warriors with three GM skills or more. The function and the coat of arms for this order has been changed with it’s conversion to our sole Paladin order. The official colors of this order are dark blue (the darkest blue from a special dye tub) and white, either natural or from tailor BoD reward cloth.
	Order of the Tao The Order of Tao (meaning “The Way” or “The Path”) is dedicated to the Ninjas and Samurai within our guild. The official colors for the Order of Tao are black and dark red (the shade of the darkest red in a special dye tub).
	Order of the Wyrm The Order of the Wyrm is dedicated to the tamers within our guild. Previously, this order included only tamers of higher skill. It has been changed to include all who select animal taming as their profession. The titles have also been updated. The official color of the Order of the Wyrm is Blaze tailor BoD reward cloth.
	Order of ShadowsThis order is reserved for those that pursue the dark arts of necromancy as their profession. The official colors for the Order of Shadows are black, and coal gray tailor BoD reward cloth.
	Order of the Silver HarpThis order includes any member who chooses the path of the Bard as their profession. Previously, these members were spread across various orders. Now, they have an order of their own. The official color for the Order of the Silver Harp is deep sky blue.
	Treasure HuntersThis order includes all treasure hunters, as well as non PvP thieves and rogues. The official color for this order is dark bronze from a special dye tub.
	Ducal NavyMembers of this order are the fishermen and seafarers of the guild. Entry into this guild can be accomplished in one of two ways. First, any member with the fishing skill may automatically join. Second, members may also join this order if they wish to use it as an RP outlet for a seafaring persona.
	Merchant’s Guild This order includes all craftsmen and merchants, including smiths, tinkers, miners, bowyers, carpenters, tailors, alchemists, scribes, and fishermen. The official color of this order is the darkest forest green of a Special dye tub.

The Ducal Guard and the High Council

The Ducal Guard
The primary purpose of this unit is to serve as the personal guard to the Archduke. It’s members are selected from those senior and command rank members who have proven their loyalty, valor and leadership. Membership is through direct appointment by the Archduke, and the Guard will report directly to the Captain of the Guard (see below). Members of any combat discipline may be selected, including both warriors and mages. The candidate must have at least two grandmastered skills before being eligible for the Ducal Guard. Titles will be changed accordingly, and a strict uniform policy will be enforced – M^F green cloak, white surcoat or White robe for males, white dress and M^F green cap for females. The members in this order will be limited to 10% of the total players in the guild.

Due to the nature of the DG and what it represents, promotion to Ducal Guard rank and above carries a more restricted set of membership requirements. These are in place to prevent conflicts of interest, whether current or potential, and ensures undivided loyalties at our highest leadership levels. It’s important to note that members below the DG level can perform the same leadership tasks as a DG member, so we felt it reasonable and fair for those folks wishing to aspire to the very highest posts in the guild, that higher standards be put in place. Specifically:

– Members of the Ducal Guard must be Marrach Faol exclusive. Meaning that their characters are on one of the four M^F stones (M^F, M*F, B^C, B-C). As a ranking member at the highest levels of this guild, we expect your UO focus to be on the strength and improvement of Marrach Faol.

– Exceptions (subject to approval) will be made for vanity/training guilds where the member is the sole guildmember of these guilds, and also for family guilds, where membership consists of the member and their spouse and/or children.

– This includes participation in outside guilds with unguilded alts in an attempt to bypass the requirement above.

The High Council
The final phase of advancement is appointment to the guild High Council. The High Council was established to discuss important guild decisions, and to delegate much of the day to day guild operations done previously by the Guildmaster. Each member of the council is appointed specific duties for the guild, ranging from candidate administration to inter-guild relations. High Council members also have strict requirements regarding activity and leadership.

In addition to aiding the Archduke in keeping the guild running smoothly, High Council members also serve as the final voting authority for promotions, awards, and policy changes within the guild.
Archduke/Archduchess (Guildmaster) – Kale/Kielia
Responsible for the overall direction of the guild, and appointment of High Council members.

Founder – Aedilwulf
Aedilwulf was the founder of Clann Marrach Faol.

Court Viscountess – Mya
Second-in command of the guild in the event of the Archduke’s absence.

Captain of the Guard – Open
Commander of the Ducal Guard, responsible for hosting of semi-monthly PvP tourneys

Master of the Hunt – Soltan
Responsible for organizing guild hunts and expeditions, responsible for producing the weekly hunt schedule.

Court Seneschal – Livia
Responsible for training and candidate/recruit administration

Court Archaeologist – Mya
Responsible for hosting monthly treasure hunts

Court Inquisitor – Asmodai
Responsible for internal guild security.

Court Bard – Vicor
Advocate for bards

Lady Marshal – Fox Terrier
Responsible for training and monthly non-hunt events (jousts, etc.)

Court Baron – Gahlen
High Council members who have chosen to step down from the greater requirements of time and effort of a High Council spot, but who still wish to remain in the decision making process.

Court Emissary – Open
Responsible for inter-guild relations and hosting of monthly shard-wide events

Court Sage – Open
Advocate for mages and necromancers.

Guild Quartermaster – Open
Advocate for artisans, crafters, fishers, and treasure hunters.

Court Tamer – Open
Advocate for tamers

Court Registrar – Open
Responsible for keeping our rosters current, tracking our membership base, and ensuring titles and honoraries are set.