The Council of the White Flame

Kinship Charter

I. Overview

The Council of the White Flame is a kinship on the Elendilmir server. Our main objective as a kin is to help each and every member form quality fellowship and raid parties in order to achieve each individual’s gaming goals. While we wish to experience all of the content in game, as well as end-game content, we would also like to enjoy it. It may take us more than one try, but we know that by working together, we can accomplish anything.

II. Recruitment

A. All members should be age 18 or older. The reasons for this are due to the fact that the game is rated NC17 and is meant to attract adults. While we can ensure civility in our members, we can not guarantee that the subject matter of all conversations is suitable for those individuals under the age of 18. Exceptions can be made if you prove yourself to be of a mature nature.

B. All members must be willing to participate in kinship events. These include any fellowships, raids, and social events that the kinship schedules. Please note, this does NOT mean that we require participation, but only the enthusiasm to do so. We feel that the game is much more fun when shared with friends.

C. All members must download Ventrilo if you plan on raiding. We do not require that you speak, but that you at least listen.

D. Minimum level for recruitment is level 15, with the exception of alternate characters. Alts may be added at any level.

E. Any character not logged on for 60 days may be removed for being inactive. To avoid this, please post on the forums regarding any extended leaves from the game. Those individuals removed due to inactivity may be considered to be re-added pending the Leaders approval.

F. All members must be respectful of others in the game. This means no racial slurs, swearing, name-calling, or other types of belligerent behavior. What you say and do reflects upon the kin. We do not allow any of this type of behavior amongst our own members or non-kin players. This includes role-players. You do not have to join them, but you must be respectful of their right to play how they wish.

III. Membership

A. Ranks

1. Recruit – A recruit is an individual who wishes to become a member of the kin. This rank has a MINIMUM trial period of 1 week not to exceed 30 days.

2. Member – A member is the heart and soul of the kin. To become a member, you must have shown to the other members and the officers that you are a positive addition to the kin during your two week trial.

3. Class Mentors – A Class Leader is an individual chose by the officers to help train others in their class by answering questions about traits, gear, and any other class-specific data. These individuals are in no way experts, but are willing to help you find the answers to your questions. A Class Leader must have experienced much of the game content and understand the primary role of his or her class. A class leader may be chosen by the officers for EACH class in the game. A class leader is not guaranteed for each class. Placing an individual still learning a class in a class leader position would be more of a hindrance than a help.

4. Officers – Officers, called Cauns due to our elven charter, are the individuals who have proven to be exemplary members of the kin. They vote on matters regarding the direction and management of the kin. Each officer also has assigned duties and areas that they oversee. This by no means implies that they are restricted to only his or her area. Members may be promoted to officer only if a position opens up, or the leaders decide that a new position must be created. Members must have been in the kin for 90 days to be considered for an officer position. Officer positions and responsibilities are outlined on the website in the officer discussion section.

5. Leaders - Leaders, called Tur due to our elven charter, are the backbone of the kin. The Leaders are in charge of communicating the vision and directions of the kinship. Leaders have all of the rights and responsibilities of the other officers. They are allowed to call emergency meetings for officers. They have the tie-breaking vote of any conflict. The leaders are also responsible for running the officer and kinship meetings, by calling items off as per the agenda, and ensuring that people are not talking over each other. They are also responsible for handling any disciplinary action needed from violation of charter rules and regulations. Our kin has opted for a dual-leadership as indicated by the leader title and the successor title.

B. Removal of Officers

Any officer has the right to step down from his or her current position at any time. Also, and member or fellow officer can petition to have an officer to be removed. The process to do so is listed here.

1. File a Petition – By Petition, we mean write an in game mail or email to the Leader describing the sequence of events, rules the officer is being accused of violating or duties not being completed, and any and all witnesses to the sequence of events. If at all possible, please log any and all chat involved and email that as well. All petitions must be sent privately to the Leader of choice. If it involves one Leader, please send it to the other. Do not cause a scene or other problems by publicly complaining about whatever the problem is. Both Leaders are neutral parties whose main concern is what is best for the kin. All petitions will be taken very seriously.

2. Petition Review – The Leader(s) will review any petitions being filed in order to decide whether there is due cause for disciplinary actions. They will do so by verifying the accuracy of the petition by viewing logs and talking to witnesses. This is done in order to avoid members causing turmoil within the kinship.

3. Petition Vote – If the review is approved, then an officer vote will be held to determine whether duties were neglected or if rules and regulations were violated. It will take 2/3 vote of current officers in order to successfully demote the officer. Upon demotion, the officer will lose all officer privileges and return to member rank. If rules/regulations were violated, then the individual will be reprimanded as well, and in severe cases, removed from kin.

C. Charter Revisions

Any officer or member can request changes or revisions of the charter. Simply submit change request(s) to the Leader by in-game mail or email. Once they are submitted they will be reviewed and voted on by the officers. The vote must pass by majority for the change to get amended.

IV. Member Conduct

We expect our members to treat others how they would want to be treated. For clarification purposes, here are the expectations.

A. Behavior

1. This is an intention repeat post because it can not be stressed enough. All members must be respectful of others in the game. This means no racial slurs, swearing, name-calling, or other types of belligerent behavior. What you say and do reflects upon the kin. We do not allow any of this type of behavior amongst our own members or non-kin players. This includes role-players. You do not have to join them, but you must be respectful of their right to play how they wish.

2. If you have a problem with another player, please try to confront the individual and resolve it amicably. If this only makes the issue worse, then please contact an officer. The officer will act as mediator and help resolve the issue. If it is a non-kin member who is harassing you, please put the person on ignore. If the harassment continues in mails and by other means, then please file a complaint with LOTRO about the individual for harassing you. As always, please log any kind of harassment in chat as proof of the behavior.

3. Show respect for your officers. Officer decisions on topics are final. Officers are required to take suggestions, constructive criticism, and disapproval from members into consideration when making such decisions. It is the officer’s job to do what he or she considers being best for the majority of the kin. As such, the decision may disappoint a few individuals.

4. All members are expected to actually need the items that they remove from the kinship bank. The officers reserve the right to restrict access to chests if items are given away to non-kin members or they feel you are taking more than you give. All items in the kin bank are donated by other players.

5. Please help out another kinmate whenever you can. We encourage grouping and intermingling with each other so that you know all of your fellow kinmates.

6. Do not be greedy when in a group or fellowship. This means to discuss with the other people involved to determine the loot rule. Pass on items that you do not need unless otherwise agreed upon by the entire party. If the Need/Greed roll is being used, please only click Need on items that you can actually use on the character you are on. These items include upgrades to current armor or weapons, crafting recipes that the current character does not already have, single-use crafting recipes for items that your character needs, and crafting materials that the current character can actually use. Do NOT roll Need on an item for an alt.

B. Disciplinary Action

Any violation of the kin’s charter is subject to disciplinary action.

1. Possible Disciplinary Actions

a. 1st Infraction – Verbal Warning from an officer.

b.2nd Infraction – Demotion. Officers will be demoted members and members will be demoted to recruit for of a period of 24 hours to 7 days. Duration of the demotion will be decided on by the Leader.

c. 3rd Infraction – Removal of all characters from the kin. Any of the above steps may be skipped depending on the nature of the infraction. Upon removal from the kin, you may be allowed back with ¾ membership vote. You will have to start over as a new recruit, but with a 4 week trial period.

2. If an officer is present for any violation of the kin’s charter, he or she may take immediate action.

3. If a member reports a violation made by another member, the Officer should gather information from as many witnesses as possible before taking action.

4. Any disciplinary actions taken by an officer must be reported to the other officers and the leaders.

5. Any officer’s course of action will be determined by what he/she considers best for the kin.

6. If the officer feels unable to make a decision at the current time, then they may call on the aid of another officer.

7. Skipping steps of the infraction may only be done with the leader’s permission and only in extreme cases.

V. Raiding Rules

While we have no intention of being a hard-core raiding kin, there are still rules to follow if you wish to raid. There is a forum thread on the kin website detailing all of the raiding rules. These rules MUST be read and signed before being allowed to raid with the kin.

VI. Ventrilo Rules

Ventrilo rules are all posted on the message board that pops up upon opening vent. These rules MUST be followed. Failure to do so may result in a permanent ban from Ventrilo.

VI. Loot Rules

We all want to develop and enhance our characters as much as we can. This is done primarily by loot that is acquired by adventuring. There are a few rules regarding loot and the process of acquiring loot while in a fellowship or raid.

A. Fellowship

1. Any fellowship is allowed to create its own loot rules. Please stop to ask before you kill anything what the loot rules are. Please keep in mind the difference between Need and Greed.

2. Watch for items that are “bind on acquire”. If it is an upgrade to an item that you currently have, then roll on it. If not, then pass (or roll greed). Double-check with the rest of the party before rolling, to make sure you are rolling need if it is an upgrade. This loot cannot be traded from one character to another, unlike most other loot.

3. Feel free to ask other players to pass on an item that you really need. Do not hound them if another person needs it and wins the item.

4. If another person needs an item that you won on a greed roll, then please consider giving it to him or her. We are here to help each other, not just ourselves.

B. Raid

The kin will be using a DKP (dragon kill point) system to determine who will win the loot that drops in raids.

1. Reasons for DKP.

a. To reward those members participating the most in the kin raids.

b. It is impossible to share 1 major item between 12 to 14 people.

c. To help to ensure that every kin member has a better chance at the loot than a person picked up to fill in.

d. To help advance those that help the kin to advance as a whole.

2. Calculating DKP.

a. The points earned are as follows: RSVP & Attendance = 1 pt, Rift Boss 1-6= 1pt, Thrang = 2pt, and Balrog=3pt. Points will ONLY be earned if the boss is actually taken down successfully. The loot costs with be Teal = 3 loot, special drops = 3 loot (These include Non-Combat Pets, Minstrel Music Tomes etc. ), Rift Gem =3 loot, and purple items MAY be purchased with dkp points if desired with a cost of 2 points. Any purple items not bought with dkp will be greed rolled or passed out randomly as the raid leader sees fit. RAID LEADER WILL BE SURE TO ANNCOUNCE SPECIAL DROPS BEFORE BIDS ARE OPEN!

b. Loot values will change as Turbine releases additional books/expansions and as loot improves as the kin Leaders see fit.

c. All other items will be assigned based on class need or collected for the Kin Bank.

d. The Leaders reserve the right to modify the dkp system as needed.

3. Distributing Loot.

a. 1 Teal and 1 Gem per character per run.

b. If an item is an upgrade to an item currently in your inventory, then you MUST purchase it with your dkp when it is your turn.

c. Loot will be distributed to the individual with the most dkp first. If that person passes, then it will go to the next highest, and so on. If all members with dkp pass, then the members without dkp have the opportunity to roll on an item. If no members need it, then any guests in attendance get the opportunity to roll.