Goblin Squad Member
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I am back from my vacation! So excited to be back in the swing of things. I'm still the diplomat & recruiter for Full Metal Syndicate, I didn't dissapear.
From the beginning FMS has worked very hard to find our niche. Back around the time of the second kickstarter, we arrived on the forums under our main guild's name, Gayme 0n. We were passively reading the GW information trickling in.
Then a few months back we get the wake-up call from other companies that Land Rush is imminent. We quickly realize we need to figure out our part in the community. Gayme 0n is a brilliant rainbow of players, one of the few multi-game LGBT organizations. We fiercely love that rainbow, but we need to be more than that. So Full Metal Syndicate was born, focusing on crafting & metals.
That's when the diplomacy really started. The Big Three all opened their doors and welcomed us whole-heartedly. For me, that was the first moment that I really got excited about the community. The positivity was overflowing. I am sure the other independents know exactly what I am saying.
At the time though, we didn't feel like we had gotten our idea right. We developed our thoughts long range. We need to be economically strong to build ourselves in the early, we need to specialize in the midgame, and at the time siege happens we will be interdependent with other companies and settlements.
Crafting some things that are exclusive will help us early game, but what was missing for the mid-game? That's where paladins, justice, and religion came in. Other communities are going for broad appeal, while we are staying focused.
However, we know that alone we would be weaker. Furthermore, we expected mergers to happen during Land Rush, so we started as soon as we can. We are incredibly lucky to find Peace Through Vigilance and Fidelis, they both want the same things we do. And it's really great building Ozem's Vigil together.
We have accomplished a lot as a company. We founded the largest independent settlement that exists in Land Rush so far. I'm sure there is plenty of speculation why we are still independent. The point of this lookback is to clearly and definitively proclaim: We are a company based in diversity, we take our independence very seriously. We want to keep that atmosphere for our players.
In the socialization that is happening during Land Rush, information is getting muddled. By looking back on all the positive gameplay we've all experienced, Full Metal Syndicate just wants to reinforce what our company's core value is, because it truly goes beyond pixels.
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Goblin Squad Member
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BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO!
Very well said. I am really glad and excited to be playing with you. I'm equally excited to be playing with fellow independent thinkers Peace Through Vigilance and Fidelis.
We all might find things harder being independent and specialized, but in the end we will be forging our own path and that's what ultimately matters.
For others out there that feel pressure to conform, know that we've made it our purpose not to. Do not feel pressured into doing something you might not want to do for your company or settlement. Make up your own mind.
Play your own game, your way. You will find that there are others whom will be there and will support you.
Much love.
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Goblin Squad Member
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Hi SirZac,
Welcome back! I've for the most part enjoyed the posts of people from your settlement, regardless of which of the 3 companies they come from. We're happy to be close to you and really wish you luck in the land rush.
The independence comments really catch my eye though. Are there really any settlements, besides those that are part of the Empire of Xelias, that are not independent? I don't really know of any formal, or even tentative, alliances right now but perhaps I've missed some. Talonguard built itself as a settlement of independents and independent companies. Does something disqualify us from being so in your eyes?
For those of you lurking instigators, the people of FMS are great and I've no intention of my question rising to conflict with them. I'm just trying to understand where the perception came from.
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That is a great question Athansor.
I'd like to expand it a little, and ask you guys about your stance on what independence means as well.
Does FMS refer here to Company Independence, or individual PC Independence? Some mix thereof etc, I'd be interested in seeing some others view on what it means to them.
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Goblin Squad Member
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The independence comments really catch my eye though. Are there really any settlements, besides those that are part of the Empire of Xelias, that are not independent? I don't really know of any formal, or even tentative, alliances right now but perhaps I've missed some. Talonguard built itself as a settlement of independents and independent companies. Does something disqualify us from being so in your eyes?
With apologies to FMS and Ozem's Vigil, I think the answer to your question is that some folks have gone to great lengths to portray the Roseblood Accord as a formal alliance (contrary to the very plain language of it, and the repeated explanations from practically everyone involved). I think it's a shame that happened, but what can we do. Rest assured, no one in the Roseblood Accord doubts your sovereign independence, or any other signer's either. My honest hope is that no one feels pressured to do something they don't want to, or think is not in their best interests. That's actually a very important principle to me, and something I've fought hard to implement.
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Goblin Squad Member
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With apologies to FMS and Ozem's Vigil, I think the answer to your question is that some folks have gone to great lengths to portray the Roseblood Accord as a formal alliance (contrary to the very plain language of it, and the repeated explanations from practically everyone involved). I think it's a shame that happened, but what can we do. Rest assured, no one in the Roseblood Accord doubts your sovereign independence, or any other signer's either. My honest hope is that no one feels pressured to do something they don't want to, or think is not in their best interests. That's actually a very important principle to me, and something I've fought hard to implement.
I had suspicions that this would come back to that, but was reluctant to outright assume so. Should we use our own perceptions of the Accord to tout Talonguard as the largest independent settlement that wishes good will to its neighbors? In reality I know that isn't the truth of the matter so we would never do that. I hate to see the Accord twisted up the way it has been, but I feel no need to have yet another thread derailed by arguments over what it means.
P.S. Looks like Morbis security programming kicked in again.
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Goblin Squad Member
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Ozem's Vigil are great people. I have discovered this first hand, by taking the time to know them personally as people on their Mumble server, and they have been nothing but welcoming to my visits. They are just that nice. They are also intelligent, independent people more than capable of determining their own future in this game. They already know I will support them in whatever choices they make for the good of their membership.
As for the players of the Xeilian Empire, we helped coordinate Fidelis' move to Ozem's Vigil to help find them a home more in keeping with their chosen alignment. Some have assigned ulterior motives to this move. Honestly, I don't care. Besides, if you think Quietus and company are the type to be easily manipulated, you haven't spent enough time with them to know better.
I'll let both these actions - taking the time to know them as people, and thinking highly enough of them to share long time friends as their new members - speak for my affection for the members of Ozem's Vigil that I have come to know over the last month or so. Actions, not just words.
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Goblin Squad Member
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The independence comments really catch my eye though. Are there really any settlements, besides those that are part of the Empire of Xelias, that are not independent? I don't really know of any formal, or even tentative, alliances right now but perhaps I've missed some. Talonguard built itself as a settlement of independents and independent companies. Does something disqualify us from being so in your eyes?With apologies to FMS and Ozem's Vigil, I think the answer to your question is that some folks have gone to great lengths to portray the Roseblood Accord as a formal alliance (contrary to the very plain language of it, and the repeated explanations from practically everyone involved). I think it's a shame that happened, but what can we do. Rest assured, no one in the Roseblood Accord doubts your sovereign independence, or any other signer's either. My honest hope is that no one feels pressured to do something they don't want to, or think is not in their best interests. That's actually a very important principle to me, and something I've fought hard to implement.
Or perhaps it's meant to reinforce that Ozem's Vigil is not "under control" of Pax Gaming, as some have covertly or overtly suggested (not pointing fingers though) as a response when other make such speculations as you have pointed out.
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Goblin Squad Member
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Or perhaps it's meant to reinforce that Ozem's Vigil is not "under control" of Pax Gaming, as some have covertly or overtly suggested (not pointing fingers though) as a response when other make such speculations as you have pointed out.The independence comments really catch my eye though. Are there really any settlements, besides those that are part of the Empire of Xelias, that are not independent? I don't really know of any formal, or even tentative, alliances right now but perhaps I've missed some. Talonguard built itself as a settlement of independents and independent companies. Does something disqualify us from being so in your eyes?With apologies to FMS and Ozem's Vigil, I think the answer to your question is that some folks have gone to great lengths to portray the Roseblood Accord as a formal alliance (contrary to the very plain language of it, and the repeated explanations from practically everyone involved). I think it's a shame that happened, but what can we do. Rest assured, no one in the Roseblood Accord doubts your sovereign independence, or any other signer's either. My honest hope is that no one feels pressured to do something they don't want to, or think is not in their best interests. That's actually a very important principle to me, and something I've fought hard to implement.
By claiming that Ozem's Vigil is the "largest" independent Settlement, there is an unfortunate and yet unmistakable assertion that Talonguard is not independent.
I fail to see how Ozem's Vigil's perceived need to proclaim their independence from Pax Gaming could answer the question Athansor asked. However, I do feel a lot of sympathy for Ozem's Vigil being thrust into a situation where they're being characterized as something they're not, and having their clarifications used to further drag them into a conflict they clearly want nothing to do with.
I think it's a shame this thread has been used to rehash a very tiresome debate. I have no reason to doubt the integrity of the leadership of Ozem's Vigil (including Fidelis). I have no reason to doubt the assertion that Ozem's Vigil is independent of any manipulation from Pax Gaming. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Mbando, and no reason to mistrust FMS at all.
I think the timing of the announcement that Fidelis was joining Ozem's Vigil was unfortunate, but it may have been a blessing in disguise for me personally because my respect for Mbando and my desire not to cause any problems for FMS or Ozem's Vigil caused me to completely abandon what was no doubt a very worn-out dispute.
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Goblin Squad Member
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By claiming that Ozem's Vigil is the "largest" independent Settlement, there is an unfortunate and yet unmistakable assertion that Talonguard is not independent.
I have to agree that was an impression that could have been caused by that post.
I don't think that direct personal offence was meant to any single entity. Our members enjoy complete freedom of speech and things can be read strangely without background context. YMMV.
I am completely convinced that Talonguard is independent (they are also larger) as well as anyone else that says they are. Recent postings by many members of the RBA convince me of that. Part of this angle was looking to set Ozem's Vigil apart and unique. It is not easy to be noticed with 2 such popular social groups all over this forum.
My apologies for any offence caused to anyone whether you voiced it or not.
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Goblin Squad Member
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By claiming that Ozem's Vigil is the "largest" independent Settlement, there is an unfortunate and yet unmistakable assertion that Talonguard is not independent.I have to agree that was an impression that could have been caused by that post.
I don't think that direct personal offence was meant to any single entity. Our members enjoy complete freedom of speech and things can be read strangely without background context. YMMV.
I am completely convinced that Talonguard is independent (they are also larger) as well as anyone else that says they are. Recent postings by many members of the RBA convince me of that. Part of this angle was looking to set Ozem's Vigil apart and unique. It is not easy to be noticed with 2 such popular social groups all over this forum.
My apologies for any offence caused to anyone whether you voiced it or not.
To be clear our standing, FMS, on independence was never meant to slight anyone. Our opinion of other groups being allied wasn't seen as a negative, but a strength. We were promoting our own strength as we saw it with no association. Due to the loose agreement of terms other members have with the Roseblood Accord and the confusion some more prominent members have with each other, a misunderstanding has occurred. We understand and know what it's like to have that misunderstanding from others on the outside looking in.
Looking forward I am excited to reach out to others and move forward discussing what's really important...the game.
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Goblin Squad Member
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Note that the Keepers of the Circle remain open to any such discussions. I personally believe Ozem's Vigil will be a haven for Keepers traveling through your area, given the very compatible nature of our two organizations (and of course Mbando and his fine folks as well). I do not know the Fidelis crew nearly as well yet, but feel certain the experience will be similar.
For the conversation on independence, I can certainly see the importance of using that statement from a recruitment perspective. It is true, however, that Talonguard and indeed Keeper's Pass are also independent settlements. Even if we (the Keepers) should enter into other agreements with groups, at present one of our primary goals is to ensure we remain independent and free to pursue our goals through non-aggressive forms. Becoming subservient to any other group would likely compromise our ability to maintain this tenet and all Keepers are united against such a breach of our sovereignty.