Legends of Tristram (LoT) started as purely a leveling guild
back in Classic and now is a level 25, successful Horde raiding
guild. In June 2012 we celebrated seven years together. We were the
first level 25 Horde guild on Gilneas. Throughout the game changes
and expansions, LoT has remained a great place to level, play, PvP,
raid, and meet other genuinely nice people.
Back in Classic WoW, folks would level in LoT and move on to other
"raiding" guilds. Members of the guild, including founder and 1ast
GM Akashaa, thought it was sad that people thought you couldn't
have a guild that was a great place to level and a great place to
focus on end game content, but unfortunately that was the approach
most guilds took. Even Akashaa eventually joined the ranks of
ex-LoT members to get some pre-BC raiding experience with other
guilds. Clearly there was a good foundation in the guild, but
members were spread out through other raiding guilds in order to
attain that experience and content.
With the release of the Burning Crusade, many of the founders of
LoT, including Akashaa, Veneficus, Joobadax, and Poisonblade, who
had left LoT to raid, returned home to build something new and ramp
up and conquer the new content. Since that time, LoT has retained
its status as a great place to level and hang out, but over the
years has become a very successful raid guild as well.
Akashaa always had a vision that a guild doesn't have to be solely
focused on raiding and raiding alone to be successful. As only the
2nd GM in the guild's 7+ years of existence, we think people build
bonds through leveling together, doing instances together, getting
achievements together, and so on. When players have these bonds and
shared experiences we think they create a stronger, longer lasting,
and more enjoyable group with which to do end game encounters.
Over the years, as we grew and developed as a more raid-centric
guild, we did come to understand the complexity of trying to do it
all. It's hard to make everyone happy and give them the in game
experience that is the most fun for them when you have players with
conflicting goals, ambitions, skill sets and availability.
So, we've tried to create something that is the best of both worlds
through the use of established policies, good recruiting and
development of players, and a strong core of officers. We have a
dedicated and skilled raider groups, but we also still allow for
casual members, friends and family, and some purely PvP focused
players. However you like to play WoW, we support that.
We also have retained a lighter raid schedule of just 3 days a week
for 3 hours, to accommodate people who have work, school or just
enjoy spending time outside of WOW (yes those people DO exist!). At
the same time during periods of progression we add extra days to
our raiding schedule for those players who are interested and able
so that they can tackle new content.
Over the years, Blizzard helped lower the barrier to entry for
raiding, by giving players multiple ways to gear up without being a
drag on the guild: 5 man instances, reputation rewards, questing,
scenarios, and LFR are all great ways to quickly ramp up so that
players can join and immediately contribute to a raiding squad.
We also retain the belief that real-Life comes first. So whether
it's date with your significant other, homework, business, or
family - those priorities always come first. No one is going to
make you feel badly because you have to live your real life and
perhaps won't be on for a few days or even a few weeks to focus on
other things. People who have other obligations don't have to worry
about being removed from the guild. We will be here whenever you
are willing and able to play. When our members come back we have
helped them gear back up and rejoin one of our raiding groups if
they so chose.
So if you are a nice person, interested in a playing with other
nice, helpful people or you have a friend in the guild, please
don't hesitate to apply or speak with an officer. Our recruitment
is different depending on what type of member you join as. We do
also recruit for standby and future raiders beyond our regular Blue
and Red 10 man groups. Healthy competition does go a long way and
raiding spots do open up all the time. Standby raiders enjoy all
the same benefits as raiders including: paid repair bills, free
enchants and flasks, etc. In addition, they are first in line to
receive epic BoE items that are not upgrades for players in the
raiding squads.
Over our 7+ years we still retain many members that have been with
us for years. Our current raid leader has been with the guild since
BC. This is a great source of pride for us. At the same time there
has been much evolution of the player and officer base as the game
itself has evolved. What remains, though, are the key tenants that
Akashaa had originally put in place. People first. Fun, relaxed
atmosphere. Most of our officers have been with the guild for many
many years, which really helps foster an atmosphere of respect for
the great things that the guild does and the people in it, both
past and present.
So, thanks for taking the time to read this. If you have more
questions, please speak to Sindrelauris or one of our other fine
officers in-game. If you are interested in applying directly or are
looking for other information please feel free to check out our
guild website, link posted below.
Take care, see you in game.
Sindrelauris, GM
<Legends of Tristram> - Gilneas (US)
