Why the branches matter
The Aldacron remembers the pain of friends leaving Shadowbane and, with it, the Guard. Chapters were the answer: let the games change without asking the community to start again. Proper gave that fellowship a home beyond any one world, including for members who no longer played.
The charter’s structure has a human purpose. Advocates help a shared interest take root. Stewards commit to making a chapter work. Mentors pass on the Guard’s history and principles. The titles serve the continuity of the community.
The historical structures below retain their own dates and rules. They are not a statement of current governance.
The early Orders · 2002
The early Guard organized defense through four Orders, each with a Protector and an elected Seeker. Together they remained one brotherhood.
- Lion
- Defended the city, walls, gates, and Tree of Life; protected returning allies.
- Hawk
- Counterattacked besiegers, their camps, and siege equipment.
- Wolf
- Watched surrounding lands and disrupted enemies through mobile attacks.
- Fox
- Handled travel, diplomacy, information gathering, and covert work.
Rank and council
The sequence ran from Yeoman petitioner to Pathfinder, Tracker, Seeker, Protector, and Lord or Lady Protector. The plan placed five core leaders and four acting Seekers on the Inner Council. Unlike later Proper’s liaison role, this era’s Seeker was an Order lieutenant and council member.
Orders elected their acting Seekers monthly. The surviving document contains organizational plans, not a current roster or meeting schedule.
Proper · The enduring community
Purpose
The 2009 charter described Proper as the lasting, game-independent community based in the Glades. Joining was optional; chapter membership already made someone part of the Guard.
Ranks
- Yeoman: trial member, without Proper voting rights.
- Pathfinder: full member, with Proper voting rights and full membership across chapters.
- Tracker: recognition for dedication, without additional privileges.
- Seeker: liaison elected by full chapter members; up to two per chapter.
- Sage: former Elder with at least a year's service offering advice, without a Council vote.
- Elder: one of five elected leaders serving annual terms.
Supporting roles
Five elected Mentors guided newcomers. Advocates developed game interest; Stewards prepared chapters; Scholars recorded community history.
Admission
Sponsorship, petition, interview and a membership vote preceded Yeoman status. Mentoring and community participation led to a recommendation and community decision on Pathfinder induction. Inductions fell on March, June, September and December 21; petitions needed at least 30 days beforehand. Community nominations for Tracker required three months as a Pathfinder.
Chapters · One family, many games
Purpose
The archived framework treated chapters as game-specific branches of the Guard. Its multi-game approach aimed to preserve friendships when members changed games.
Formation and leadership
- A Proper member could request an interest forum and become an Advocate.
- Five committed full Proper members became Stewards and declared their dedication to the Elders, establishing a chapter.
- Participating full Proper members determined the Inner Council's selection and structure; Stewardship ended when the Council was established.
- A majority of chapter leaders had to be full Proper members. Exceptions required community discussion and Elder approval or a two-thirds Proper vote.
Local freedom, shared commitments
- Chapters set gameplay goals, recruitment policies, culture and ranks within the Guard's community standards and protective identity.
- In-game titles could vary; shared forums used standard Guard ranks.
- The Elders or a Proper membership vote could dissolve a chapter, including for lost Proper participation, damaging conduct or separation from the Guard.
The Guard of Agon · Darkfall
Chapter vision
The archived Darkfall charter blended guild organization with Agon's fictional history. Its goals included recovering and defending a homeland, opposing threats, creating a trading sanctuary and exploring the world. Its fictional alliance united mahirim, mirdain, humans and dwarves.
Ranks and command
- Yeoman: petitioner paired with a Mentor; readiness determined the mentoring period.
- Pathfinder: full member with voting and member-area access.
- Tracker: veteran recognized with additional privileges.
- Seeker: officer appointed by a Protector as a lieutenant, without a Council seat.
- Three Protectors led the Hunt (PvP), Hearth (crafting and city upkeep) and Harvest (PvE). Each held one Inner Council vote.
- The Guardian led the chapter, diplomacy and Council activity, ensured newcomers were welcomed and mentored, and held two votes.
Specialty roles
Roles existed independently of rank. Elected racial Speakers fostered roleplay. Mentors introduced recruits to the community and recommended ready Yeomen for Pathfinder. Guardian-appointed Skill Advisers shared expertise and developed skill plans.