Introduction
For the third installment of our Featured Guild column, I'd like to present Argenteum Astrum, a RIFT guild anticipating the release of TOR. A.A (for short) is a RP-PvP guild who fights for the Galactic Republic and has a commitment of freedom, allowing players to play the game as they wish. It's not often you find a guild with such a lax outlook on how you play your game, but it's a gem when you do. I look forward to seeing these guys make their move from RIFT to TOR, and wish them luck in doing so. If you would like more information about the guild, feel free to browse their website, or perhaps if you are a RIFT player, go ahead and join in on the action.

Argenteum Astrum
Hi Brent, we've found your guild on Star Wars: The Old Republic | COMMUNITY and have taken a keen interest in your guild. Let's get started with a few basic questions to formally recognize your guild, and then move to the more in-depth stuff.

Some of us prefer to be the good guy, while others prefer to be on the darker side of things. What alignment are you looking to present this guild as?
The Galactic Republic

Why did you choose to be Republic?
The lore wise the guild Argenteum Astrum, recordes and perserves knowledge. We will have a positive impact upon the universe by sharing this knowledge and the Light. We will seek out ancient and new lore and technology. Given this ideology it seems good to avoid "The Sith Empire"

When looking for a guild as a raw recruit, one of the things I personally look for is a guild that fits my needs in terms of play style. For example, I would prefer a guild that is flashpoint oriented, but also enjoys a lot of heavy PvP outside of scheduled raid times. How would you say your guild functions on a day to day basis in terms of this?
Members of the guild will be organizing and running raids as they see fit. This includes both PvP and PvE and so other members will have the freedom to choose to do whatever they wish to at any given time. Over course the nature of either endeavor requires a certain level of time commentment to the others of the group.

Some games I've played have had good RP elements, while other suffered in this department. Considering the spectacular back story and following that Star Wars has to offer, I can heavily anticipate a lot of role play servers and guilds out there. What is your guilds take on RP?
We are RolePlay; However all members are free to choose their own level of involvement. We firmly believe in giving people the freedom of choice.

All types of organizations have to have some form of branding or just a place to...well...organize. Do you have a website that we can look at? Does this website have any function other than guild recruitment?
Absolutely! Argenteum Astrum The website is where we organize. All guild members are required to register on the website and at least visit it once a month. Anyone who doesn't do this is free to return to the guild when they are able and willing to return to the game.

Some guilds I've seen have a rather militant structure in terms of their officers and members and how they correlate. What kind of structure does your guild have in effect? What are the terms of promotions?
At this time promotions are based upon guild participation and displaying leadership qualities. We are small though and are very willing to evolve and advance towards assimilated ideas and goals as we grow. A guild is made of more than a few people. For this reason our full officer positions are elected by the membership.

I've seen restrictions when applying to guilds, and for the most part I agree with them. When looking for recruits, do you have any restrictions such as age, availability, other games played, etcetera?
You have to have played World of Warcraft!!! No really, our ownly restriction is that they are legally old enough to play the game. The structure and method of the guild weeds out immature people with zero patience all on its own.

I would think that recruiting for a guild effectively in a game that isn't to be released for several months would be difficult. How have you been advertising for recruitment?
Yes this is a definite obstacle. Currently we are opreating in the game Rift by Trion. We have submitted our website to google, and are using the official forums to find interested people. Also we currently have a facet of the guild in the game Rift. It seems many people in this game are waiting for The Old Republic's release as we enjoy the Planes of Telara.

Guild policies vary from guild to guild. Could you enlighten us with how strict you would say your guild is and what kind of policies you have in place?
We only have a few rules as outlined in our guild's charter and that charter is absolute to everyone, even me. Everyone must be treated equally or we become nothing more than your average guild. There is nothing wrong with that but A.A. desires to be extraordinary instead of average. The members are protected by a bill of rights tailored to be relevant to online gaming.

Here at JediTank.com, we encourage guild leaders to be as strong as they can be in terms of leadership skills and offer private forums for the leaders and officers of TOR guilds to be able to discuss interpersonal issues and bounce ideas. Is this the kind of thing you'd be interested in participating in?
Absolutely! I see what you mention as a way to learn from how others operate, and hopefully we both can from their mistakes too.

Guild Recap
Name: Argenteum Astrum
Members: 3
Alignment: Republic
Roleplay: Yes
PvP/PvE Orientation: Our aspirations are PvP and PvE both instance and world.
Website URL: Argenteum Astrum