Open Guilds

[Lhunithiliel]

I have noticed that many people in this forum seldom visit the guilds.
It's understandable. I myself at first thought of the guilds as some sort of closed societies ("masons' -type" ;) ) and did not dare peep in their halls.
But now I am a guild-member and I can tell you, especially to those, who are new-comers to TTF - WELCOME to our guild, or to any other. There you'll find interesting topics to participate in their discussion.
The guilds are NOT closed societies! :D

[Hirila]

Nothing against you Lhunithiliel: but this post of yours sounds as if you were trying to convert us to some sect or sell us weight-loosing-pills.
"I didn't know and didn't like the thought... but now I have tried and it is wonderful!"

:D Sorry, that was just what came into my mind the very second I read your post.
But yes, people: I, too, have finally found freedom, faith and fun in a guild. Come on, they don't bite. (Cool alliteration, uh?)

The only thing: you have to subscribe your soul to a daylong interest in your guild. It takes up much of your time. (Or at least it takes me much time. But this may be my fault.)

[Maedhros]

Remember, that some guilds have restrictions. One that I particulary dislike is that to become a member, you need to be of certain age.:confused:

[Ancalagon]

Would that be The Guild of Ost-in-Edhil (http://www.thetolkienforum.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=52) or The Guild of the Periaur (http://www.thetolkienforum.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=33) you would be talking about? Then again, The Guild of Ost-in-Edhil was always aimed at the older members of the forum because there are so few contributing, nor will that change. Suffice to say, no matter who joins us, they are taken as they come, no need for them to take a test, or be measured on their knowledge in order to become part of a hierarchy within the Guild.

All are welcome, as long as they meet the basic requirement, 30+, it really is that simple:D

[Lhunithiliel]

Nothing against you Hirila , but I'm not a tradesman and I'm not trying to sell anything!
Just that I shared an opinion doesn't mean I'm offering something!
As far as I have noticed this is the place where the TTF members can share their opinions with the others concerning the TTF itself.
If this annoys you (though I can't see why:confused: ), blame it to those who gave us the liberty to do this.
And if youre saying that I'd better keep quiet, then tell me your reasons.

Besides, there are a lot of interesting threads within the guilds that are open for participation to ALL members of TTF and do not require them to be members!

[Hirila]

Oh, good God, no. Please don't take this wrong! I never meant to say anything against you. I just thought it funny.
Come on: let sarcasm enter your life. And please don't be angry with me. This place (TTF) is too peaceful to disturb it because of a misconception.
Peace?

[Maedhros]

Yes, but I believe that another guild for teenagers was in the process of being created. Oh well, everyone is entitled to their opinion.;)
I personally think that this is more important:
People who can THINK. Age is not important, but a good mind and a semblance of wit are.
It is interesting that I heard a rumor that stated that "an age restriction" was set to leave out a certain unwanted member of the forum in that place, but that is just a rumor right?;)
as long as they meet the basic requirement, 30+, it really is that simple
I just don't get it. It's illogical.

[Ancalagon]

It is interesting that I heard a rumor that stated that "an age restriction" was set to leave out a certain unwanted member of the forum in that place, but that is just a rumor right?

What utter tripe Maedhros. Whoever mentioned that to you does not represent me, the Guild or this forum.

[Carantalath]

Thank you Lhunithiel for posting this. I have been scared to try to join any guilds, fearing that I might seem stupid compared to the other people who are already in the guild. I didn't join any guilds at first because I had no clue what they were. Now that I know and now that I don't really care if I am the most clueless there, I think I'll have to check out the guild section and figure out which one I'd like to join. Thanks again!

[Maedhros]

What utter tripe Maedhros. Whoever mentioned that to you does not represent me, the Guild or this forum.
Ok, but I still find the restriction illogical.
Suffice to say, no matter who joins us, they are taken as they come, no need for them to take a test, or be measured on their knowledge in order to become part of a hierarchy within the Guild.
Oh, the guild is not perfect, but what better way to judge someone that their knowledge, love and willingness to learn about Tolkien, instead of a restriction that has nothing to do with the works of Tolkien. After all, isn't this a Tolkien Forum.

[Lhunithiliel]

Hirila , PEACE, of course! :p
After all, we are guild-mates!

I usually have a solid sense of humour, and this morning, reading again your post, I really don't see why I was so annoyed! I guess last nigtht I was a bit too tired.....
Anyway, applology - accepted, file - cleared, final verdict "friendship" :D

And please, help me take the boys ( Maedhros and Ancalagon) apart!
They have entered into such a battle!

Boys, I know that the "personal touch" in everybody's relations is very important, so I feel it was not just the "30+" restriction that has provoked this "battle", but perhaps the way it was applied.
I really don't know the history of this "debate", but PLEASE, don't fight!
I think it is but a trifle which should not impede us from having fun and from getting knowledge in this forum.
I guess that the Guild-Masters of those guilds, where age restrictions are the basic principle, wished only to point out that age definitely has impact on the way one perceives and provides facts and opinions.
.......Though, sometimes, one could be very well mistaken! One can be 42 and have the "burning" spirit of 24 (or much younger even!)! ;)
Then, which guild should such a person join?
I,personally, don't like the age restrictions (I don't like ANY reastrictions!), but on the other hand, I don't see myself discussing the latest LOTR-based computer games or similar teen-age matters with the wonderfull teens in this forum.

So, PLEASE, make peace! OK?
--------------------------------
Carantalath, I'm glad to have been able to help you overcome the same confusion about guild as I once had. :p

[Hirila]

Personally I just can't understand why everyone has a problem with these "restriction" as you all call it.
As long as Team A keeps Team B out of something and Team B doesn't let Team A join their club at the same time... everything's okay. I think sometimes you really need a place where you can stick together and talk matters over without those nosy little youngsters going on everyone's nerve. The other way round the younger ones like to be unwatched from the really old "forum-dinosaurs".
Why not? There are stricter restrictions in the world. So let's try and accept these here and learn there are things you cannot change.
(Of course only if there are certain ethical rules observed.)

And the really hard fights about these "restrictions" have already been taken to an end. Somewhere on this forum we should find battered pieces of it. So Madhros and Ancalagon hould know better than to start it again? Okay boys?

And Lhunithiliel: to prevent us from ever standing on the etch of a quarrel again: I have some sort of dry humour that often is misunderstood. And often I don't see that I hurt people with it. Please tell me if I ever do again.

[YayGollum]

'Sup, dudes? Nice thread! The guilds always did seem to me to be just a place for people to go when they have nothing better to do with their time. A place for Tolkien enthusiasts to talk about other things they like. When I showed up, none of them interested me too much, so I made my own. The guild of Outcasts, for the crazy people who are Outcasts in any way. Which pretty much includes everyone, regardless of age. :rolleyes:

[Popqueen62]

Originally posted by Maedhros
Remember, that some guilds have restrictions. One that I particulary dislike is that to become a member, you need to be of certain age.:confused:
Whats the age rule? I've never heard of it.

[Hirila]

There are two Guilds with an age-rule:

You have to be older than 29 (?) to join the Guild of Ost-in-Edhil and younger than that to join the Guild of the Periaur.

[Lhunithiliel]

I'll paraphrase the advertising words of the Hallmark Movie Channel like that:
"Come to our Guild! Come to our world! Find what's going on." :p
No restrictions whatsoever! :D

[Anamatar IV]

okay...ive always thought that the only age guild was periur (sp). But they have it in theyre description. Why does ost-in-edhil have an age restriction?:confused: Ancalagon said because there were so few members contributing. I think thered be more members if the age thing were lower.

heren istarion is an open guild

[Ancalagon]

Ost-in-Edhil is simply as it states; the Fortress of the Eldar. The age issue is not designed to alienate anyone, but to ensure that others would combine to challenge those few members of the forum who are over 30. None of us who are participants in Ost-in-Edhil can join The Guild of the Periaur, because we are all too old.....!

Anyhoo, I would encourage all members to wish to debate Tolkiens work, to join up to a guild (not necessarily under the same roof), produce a team and challenge other Guilds to debates. That has always been my vision within the forum nor will it change.