A Llama's guide to successful factions

Successful factions: How does some random person's clan suddenly sprout up to become an animating force of the Territory War world, like the Harshland's faction KINGDOM? How do you handle your faction so that at the instant of turmoil, it doesn't absolutely fall apart? What the heck are factions even for anyway?

This guide is here to give you hints and tips on how to be a good faction Leader, Director, Marshall, or Executor.

Factions: The Basics

For more faction information go to the Factions article.

Why choose to be part of a faction?

Factions are groups of people working together for a common goal; be it conquering territories, holding people's hands through the whole game, assisting newer players, or being a bunch of jerks and picking on people smaller than them.

Let's face it; one person can't do this game alone. IT PHYSICALLY IS IMPOSSIBLE. Many have tried. It doesn't work. Don't be so prideful that you're too afraid to ask for help. If you belong to a nice faction, they'll help you. (Or if you belong to a jerk faction, they will probably call you insulting names.) Factions are there for players to not only work together as a large version of a squad, but it allows people to interact as a sort of "gaming family" with other players.

Faction Ranks

When you first join a faction, you will be ranked as a "Commissioner." These are just your average players who aren't charged with any responsibilities other than supporting other faction members. HOWEVER, just because they don't have a rank, doesn't mean they're not important.

Commissioners are the lifeblood of any faction. They're the guys you need to take care of. If you're a higher rank, they are your priority to assist at all times, no matter how stupid the request is. This also applies if you're a higher level. Even if you're doing something important (of course, don't let it get in the way of something TOO important) it's always a good idea to help out a member of your faction. They may learn something from you, or gather some inspiration from your strength, and that will mean they'll stick around much longer than if you ignore them and treat them like crud.

• Executors

Executors are the guys who your leader hires to gather members that will benefit the faction as a whole. Generally, you want strong members, but of course a faction full of strong people isn't always a good thing! After all, if your faction is 80+, you might be seriously smoking everybody around you, but all that your guys will do is pretty much complain about how bored they are!

It's an Executor's job not only to make sure that there's always a fresh face in the area, but it's their duty to also answer questions when they can, and help as much as possible. The best bet if you're a faction leader is to appoint those who have been playing the game for a little longer (Team Llama recommends any player who is doing well at levels 30+.)

• Marshals

Marshals are the guys next in line. There's only four (4) Marshals per faction, and each one plays a part. When a Director or the Leader of the faction is missing, it's up to them to make decisions, and sometimes they can be difficult. The four Marshals should be people who get along with one another. Think of the Marshals as something like a council, or the Senate; they make choices and ask higher people what their clan should do next, etc.

• The Director

There's only one Director, and he/she should be highly respected as second-in-command. They answer only to the Leader of the faction, and therefore they're in charge while the Leader is gone. Directors should be respectful and act LIKE a Leader...and not actually think they are. If you're the Leader of a faction, make sure you choose someone who is cool-headed and polite, and easily handles nasty situations. They should be someone you trust, because Directors have a LOT of power!

• The Leader

Leaders are just that. If they say something, you should do it. They are the guardians of their factions, and they should do their best to not only assist their own, but welcome new blood into the faction as well. Leaders are the guys who make the big decisions, so if you're looking to start a clan, make sure that you know you're ready to handle the responsibility. After all, nobody wants to be in a faction that's empty and dead.

Of course, if your leader is a jerk, berates you, scams people, bullies people, looses their temper often because of something stupid, belittles you, or anything nasty like that, it's time to leave the faction. Chances are, if the Leader is that bad, some of the other members will be to. (Although the "one bad apple spoils the bunch" theory doesn't always apply.)

Types of Factions

• The Player Killer Faction

This faction is always looking to PK someone. Always. They love to beat up on other people and take their stuff, and sell it. This is of course not to say they're bad people...it's just that everybody else hates them! Sure, if you manage to get into one of these clans, people will probably wet themselves on sight...but you may also attract some unwanted attention. If you like to PK, this is a clan for you!

• The Helpful Faction

These kinds of factions are always nice to have if you're an experienced player looking to be someone humane, or you're a new player looking for some advice and help. Everybody likes these factions, but they're constantly bullied by bigger clans, and more often not taken seriously. Lots of people start out with these factions, and then move on to bigger and "better" ones, so if you're going to Lead one...expect a lot of people to come and go.

• Territory War Faction

Territory War is all about working together, beating the snot out of other players, and having fun at the same time. This is a great clan to get into once you've leveled to a good amount, and learned the better parts of the game. (Recommending level 50+). There is a section on Territory Wars located on the following page: Territory Wars

• The Goofy Faction

These guys are the life of the game, I tell you. They're super friendly. They like to hang around and just...chill. Often you'll see them hanging around in main cities in large groups, just having some fun. If you're going to be in a Goofy Faction....make sure you have nothing else better to do with your life. It's rare when they'll actually get off their behinds and help you with something.

Common Q&A's

• Q: Born_Free, my faction is pretty lifeless. Nobody is ever on. Why?
  
• A: Well, you have to remember that people have lives. Always keep this in mind. You could also be in a different Time Zone as most of your faction. Or, hey, your faction might not be a talkative one. Try to liven it up. Ask questions. Offer help. If they snap at you for being chatty, it's time to leave...nobody decent should ever loose their patience with a good question.
  

• Q: I have a problem with someone in my faction. They (Insert Problem here)!
  
• A: Well, sometimes you have to suck it up, and move on. If the person bothering you is a higher rank, just keep quiet, let it blow over, and contact your leader. Explain your side of the problem. If your Leader is a decent one, they'll look into it, and hopefully be smart enough to look at both sides of the picture.
  

• Q: Can you PK (player kill) someone in your faction?
  
• A: Trust me when I say this....Yes. However a faction with some form of brain cells will forbid something like that.
  

• Q: Born, how do I get ranks in my faction?
• A: Work hard. Offer help. Be kind. Give Advice! If your Leader has half a brain, they'll give you a position. If not, it's either because they DON'T have a brain, or they have positions filled already by good people. (Or not good people. But that's your call.)
  

Tips, Hints, and Other things

Sharing is Caring: Give your factions members stuff you don't need/want, but be somewhat intelligent about it. Nobody wants to buy weapons/armor/etc that's busted or damaged.

Keep it Cool: Yelling and LOLIMWRITINGINCAPSLOCKS doesn't help. If someone snaps at you when you're trying to be chill with them...just blacklist them and contact someone of a higher rank. If you're a Leader, it's time to administer a banhammer.

Shop-a-Lot: Keep tabs on your factions shop. (It should be an active account.) Donate supplies to it! Donate extra money you're not spending to your faction's bank! (Also usually another account.) Little things you do can help your level 1 faction sprout some wings! It's also a good idea to put any skills you learn to the test. Make some potions! Make some weapons! Make armor! DO STUFF!

Forum-in-Motion: Make a forum for your faction! This way, you can plan events, keep tabs on your members, (And if you set a place up, you can know when they are or aren't active.) and learn a little more about them. You'd be surprised how well your faction will do!

Activity on the Rise: Be as active as possible. When you log on, say hello. This lets people know you're at least somewhat giving a rat's turd about them. Get some friends! Tell them how totally cool and uber awesome/powerful/sweet/gnarly your faction is. If you're not an Executor, ask one that's online to add them to the faction and give a username.

Happy Family: If you don't cause waves, you don't have to surf them! Play nice. If there's a squabble, don't add to it.

Blood Brothers: Back up your brothers (and sisters) in arms! So what if they're being picked on by another faction...factions are no fun without rivals anyway!

Stupidity, in A Minor: -_-+ Don't make your faction look stupid. People will laugh at you, and then laugh at people in your faction. Your clannies will not appreciate this.