Before I get started here, I wanted everyone to know that you are doing an amazing job within this free company, and we wouldn't be where we are now without all of you. :D
Now, for business…
As of today, according to the Lodestone, our Free Company is ranked 14th on the server. 14th. FLAME is just over two and a half months old, and we are 14th on one of the biggest servers (if not the biggest) in the game, with only 137 members. Looking at the other free companies, we gather free company seals (which determine rankings) more efficiently than any of the FCs on our server.
We have gotten to this point due to the amazing efforts of everyone here. You have gotten us this far, and for that, we thank you.
So where do we go from here? Sitting at 137 members as of today, we are considered a mid-sized FC. After speaking with quite a few members, we seem to be split between two paths in which our FC can go from here. In one hand, we can keep our numbers in this range, and remain a small community (of which we have the best community of any FC on Gilgamesh). In the other, we have the option of continuing forward in our recruitment, and expanding our ranks even further, to possibly become the top FC on Gilgamesh (or even the game). Hearing arguments from both sides, I came to a conclusion. Why not both? Our FC is home to some of the nicest, and most accommodating people on Gilgamesh, so who is to say that adding more members will affect that? Only one thing will affect how people feel in our FC, and that is how they are treated. Seeing that we treat everyone with respect, that shouldn't be a problem.
From this point, our goal will be to expand our ranks, and to be known as the "friendliest free company on Gilgamesh." We will be a larger free company that feels like a community. To accommodate the amount of players we aim to take in, we have a few changes that will be taking place.
Changes to Ranks
As of right now, the officers and masters are attempting to put together a new hierarchy system in the FC. We have 5 total ranks at the moment, and plan to expand to around 10. The project is being put together by Auric, and reviewed by the other masters.
Why are we doing this?
As the free company grows, we will need more help near the top ranks of the scale. We plan to split the masters into two responsibility groups to help lighten the load of managing more members (half the masters will be administration based, the other half will be community based, also note that all masters will still be capable of doing what they do now, were just looking to concentrate efforts where they need to be focused on). The lower tiers will also be split into more ranks. Promotions will be based on merit, and time with the free company in some cases. The lower ranks are being split because we want to offer more services to our members without being swindled by thieves that join to steal from the chest. We also want members to know they are being seen in the FC, and to honor their loyalty. As you move up in ranks, you will gain new benefits (as well as responsibilities to an extent, but we won't lay responsibilities onto you unless you are selected as an officer), such as access to tab 3 of the FC chest, as well as others that were coming up with along the way. Look for more information on this in the coming weeks.
Sticking to Da Rules
We have always taken our ruleset seriously in FLAME, but as we continue to grow, the need for it increases. Masters and officers will continue to enforce the rules as needed, but as a member of the FC, we are asking YOU to be a beacon in the influx of new members. Remember, anything you do in game carries the FLAME tag with it. So be an awesome person. Be the person that brightens another's day.
As members of FLAME, it is our duty to shine bright where others do not. Members of FLAME have been known to take time away from other tasks to help people where they can. As more members join, it is our job to make them feel welcome, and to help where we can. Whether it comes to someone needing a craft, or to someone needing bodies for a dungeon run, be a beacon. Be a role model in our community. Become the embodiment of FLAME.
If anyone has any questions or concerns regarding the upcoming changes/recruitment, please contact me here, on Facebook, or in game.
Caius Cosades Admin replied
520 weeks ago