Welcome to Gaia! ::

Happy 2016, Everyone!

First of all, a few things we wanted to mention;

Firstly, for those that haven't noticed yet, the Legendary Lotto has been updated! It's Meloetta this time. Good luck to those going for it!

Secondly, the Shard Shop Sale will be ending on February 1st! Don't worry, the Shard Event is still going. Although the items in the shop will be returned to their normal price, your characters will still be able to travel and find the shards in their locations. For those who were not a part of the guild when this event took place, or for those that just want to refresh their memory on the event, or check the locations, that information can still be found in the first post of the Shard Bank. The Meteor/Shard Event will likely continue until this summer, so don't worry, there's still ample time to get that traveling done.

Also, FAQs have been added to! They can be found at the bottom of The Rules thread and the Pokemart thread! They will be added to as we go, and another will be added to the Attacks/Abilities thread, so be sure to check them if you have any questions. Of course, still feel free to ask questions if you have any! These are just here to save some time for some possible questions : )

Now, finally, some of the mods have been noticing something that's been concerning us, and we wanted to discuss it with you.

We've been noticing that some people haven't been active in the guild, but will show up specifically for events, particularly those with big give aways, and especially those with legendary options.

We're going to be honest-- this has been making us a little uncomfortable. We understand being busy, and being uninspired, but hearing nothing from members, not even a warning of inactivity, and then seeing them roll for legendaries, especially in the lottos, where only one person can win, makes us uneasy. The events like the legendary lotto are made to give our members a chance at a legendary, and though we currently have no activity rules, several of us are unnerved by the idea of it being won by someone whose only activity is to try for a legendary, when we have members who have been actively contributing and posting in the guild, and who also wanted the legendary.

It also makes us feel a lot like the accounts are just there to get prizes and increase the odds of a legendary. We can admit that we're hyper sensitive about the idea of people using mules, or even having their friends roll just to increase their odds, but this kind of behavior is largely against several of the reasons why we made this guild.

We've discussed making activity rules for things like the lotto, or other restrictions to reduce the chance of unfairness, but ultimately we wanted to ask you, our members, what you think. We don't want to be tyrannical-- but we are extremely uncomfortable with it. If no one else cares, then we will leave it be, but because this is such a major issue for us, we wanted to address it, without simply slapping rules others might find unfair or unnecessary, into place.

We would primarily like to hear your opinions on this regarding the Legendary Lotto, because it is competitive, and it is unfair if people were to rig their chances through mules or getting help from their friends, but we welcome opinions on other similar events or situations as well, of course.

Thank you all, again, for all your help, activity, feedback, and support. As we start the new year, and approach our first year anniversary, we want to be sure to let you all know how much we do appreciate your opinions, and hope to be able to discuss this concern in a civil, and considerate way.

what!? people really do that in the guild?
I do notice people who don't seem to post (I might be wrong as I don't stalk new posts) but claim in giveaway.
well, I am joining the rank of no rp-post, but claiming in giveaway anyway . . .

*cough* anyway, I support the idea of placing requirement for legendary lotto.
like posting their latest rp post or maybe number of post in guild or hiatus.
I think it will also be good to put that people who have won previously must not join the next one
they will have to wait until the next after the next.
Perhaps there's also "reputation" thing that the crew can use as a way to determinate entry.

P.S: I actually don't care for legendary personally as long as they don't become a "cheat".

I've been less than great with activity lately, but I still manage to post when I feel up to it. This kind of thing happens with any giveaway that are rare. I think it'd be best to just let everyone roll for it, but then have a requirement of activity in order to earn the legendary. Least that way people won't feel left out and it's up to the person rolling if they truly want to RP in the guild. Obviously if something comes up in real life and they tell a mod, then the activity requirement can be delayed.

Considering more than half the people who posted just rolled so they could have a legendary regardless of what it was, this whole thing is a bit ridiculous. If you're going to stop people from rolling due to activity, then people whose character(s) won't actually appreciate/use the legendary all that often shouldn't roll either.

For instance, Cedric's character Aston will fully appreciate and care for Registeel because it's a Stell-type and he loves Steels. If someone like Cheria won it, then it'd just be a trophy for her basically. Meleotta is a character Cain's character Mitsukini can fully appreciate because he's a song performer, and what better Pokémon for him is there than the Melody Pokémon? If someone like Teito or Skye won her, she'd be neglected. A Cresselia would be a fitting Pokémon for someone who has nightmares, like Cheria or Sable, while a Darkrai would be the perfect companion for a character like Ophelia. Victini is a suitable legendary to be owned by Teito or maybe even Marx and Darren.

If you're going to roll at all, make sure your character will actually fit with it. Most people, including me, just roll to get a legendary. I doubt all of us actually care what legendary it is. activity should definitely be a factor, but there's also the whole "this person's character isn't even using the summoning item/legendary! it's so not fair!" thing to consider.

I'm not saying they need to have a plot. Hell, that's too far in my opinion considering some of us aren't that creative. Just that people should be considerate and think over whether or not they or a character legitimately wants the legendary available. If not, then they should be human enough to back out and let the people who do have at it.

It's nothing you can control, I know, but it's still an issue that needs to be recognized.