The New Rider Handbook

Featuring the “Top 10 Things You Should Know About RoR”

 A Quick Guide to the Riders of Rohan Kinship

Original: 4/06/2010

This document is meant to be an orientation guide to the details of the Riders of Rohan (RoR) kinship.  The members and officers hope that this New Rider Handbook will provide new Riders and the public in general with the important information they need to know about our kinship.

Please note that since this guide contains dated information, it will be updated as necessary.  The most updated version can be found at www.ridersofrohan-lotro.com.

1.  Gaming Philosophy in a Nutshell – RoR is a casual and laid-back kin that works hard to create a family-oriented gaming experience free from overly restrictive rules or regulations.  We are not a “hard-core” raiding kin but we try to raid together as often as our schedules permit.  We are very laid-back overall but are strict on the following issues: 

a. Don’t break the Turbine Terms of Service (ToS)

b. Don’t conduct real world buying or selling of LOTRO in-game currency (gold buying and selling)

c. Don’t break the RoR Code of Conduct (CoC)

d. Don’t use hateful, abusive, “flaming” or especially vulgar language in any communications venue.  All disagreements should be discussed only via private messaging

2.  Leadership Structure and Philosophy – RoR is governed by a set of Executive Officers who share equal and complete authority over the kinship (an Oligarchy).  The Executive Officers govern by committee and are aided by the Officers.  The leadership of RoR operates from the standpoint that leaders are here to serve the members and each other in the best interest of the kinship.  We do not allow leaders to abuse their position for personal gain.  The following individuals are currently Executive Officers and Officers in RoR:

            a. Durlarf – Kin leader and Executive Officer

            b. Thorr – Executive Officer and kin leader successor, former kin webmaster

            c. MajesticMyst – Executive Officer, former kin webmaster

            d. Throklin – Executive Officer and former long-time RoR kin leader

            e. Fistindillus – Executive Officer and last remaining RoR founder

            f. Norinrad – Executive Officer

            g. Taradanag – Executive Officer

            h. Bulvar – Executive Officer

            i. Szarwyn – Officer and RoRWeb Webmaster

            j. Jamuil - Officer

3.  RoRWeb – RoRWeb is the Riders of Rohan kinship website located at www.ridersofrohan-lotro.com. 

• Each new Rider will be provided with an account on the website. If you are a RoR member, old or new, and you do not have a website account, please tell any officer. 
• The website was created by and is maintained by Szarwyn, the RoR webmaster.  Questions about the website can be directed to Szarwyn or any officer or executive officer. 
• The website is a critical part of kinship communications and the calendar is the only place where official kinship functions are scheduled. 
• The website contains the RoR event calendar, forum, LOTRO game guides, picture gallery, private messaging, helpful LOTRO related links, and more.
• All members are encouraged to contribute to the website by planning, posting and leading events via the calendar, taking part in the forum discussions, creating and posting game guides and posting both in-game screenshots and real life pictures to the gallery. 
• You should spend some time checking out the website if you are new to the kin.  It’s well worth it!

4.  Ventrilo Server – RoR operates a Ventrilo in-game chat server for its members and officers.  This is a free benefit to members.  All members are highly encouraged to use the Ventrilo server as often as they want.  The Ventrilo access info is located on the RoR website and in the kinship welcome message you see each time you login to LOTRO.

5.  Kin House – RoR actually has two kinhouses.  We have our main kinhouse and a secondary kinhouse used to store crafting materials.  The main kinhouse is located at 2 Highspires Street, Tonbry, Thorin’s Gate Housing Area and is open to all members.  After a two week “recruit status” period, all members have full access to the main kinhouse chests and can deposit or take items.  We ask that you only take what you need.  The kinhouse is also the location of all kin meetings and some other kinship functions from time to time.   

6.  The Crafting Material Bank – RoR offers a crafting material bank to members.  A special character is maintained as the crafting material bank and is operated by Thorr.  This character uses the secondary kinhouse to store crafting materials.  The idea is that members can donate anything to the bank including unwanted crafting materials and any type of junk loot.  The junk loot will be sold in order to help pay for the two kinhouse rents and to fund other kinship activities.  The crafting supplies will be stored by the special bank character.  At the same time, every member can request any crafting materials they need...for free!  All you need to do is send an in-game mail with your crafting material request to the special crafting bank character (not to Thorr).  Members can find out the name of the bank character by visiting the RoR website or asking any officer.

7.  Posting Raids/Group Events to RoR Calendar - RoR loves when members get involved and have the desire to post and lead raiding or grouping events.  The calendar on the RoR website is where events should be posted.  If you are interested in planning, posting and leading events, please request the event be posted through the “Request Event” option on the “Member Panel” of the RoR website or contact an officer or executive officer.

8.  Getting involved is Critical! – As a new member of RoR, you may or may not know anyone in the kinship or you may have many friends that are already in RoR.  Either way, the best step you can take as a new member is to get involved.  RoR is chocked full of super friendly people who quest together and raid together and just have fun.  So, unless you just want to be alone and solo your character (which is perfectly fine), speak up in kinchat and get to know people.  Ask what everyone is up to or ask if someone would like to join you for a quest or skirmish.  Maybe there is a raid forming that you can join or maybe you could put together and lead your own spontaneous raid.  The members of RoR are the key to RoR’s long term success and prosperity and the number one way to ensure both is to get involved in the kin...doesn’t matter how...just get involved and have fun!   

9.  What if your lower level? – Since RoR accepts applicants of all levels and all classes, you may join RoR and be significantly lower level than most or all other Riders who are online when you are.  Although RoR does not “powerlevel” any of its members, there will probably be help available.  Riders routinely go out of their way to help new or lower level members.  But...and this is important so I bolded it...you must speak up if you need or want help!  Mention in kinchat that you need/want help with a certain quest or completing a deed or anything else.  You may not get a response immediately or you may get multiple responses.  It is a common occurrence to see a person ask for help in kinchat and have a band of 4 or 5 or more level-capped Riders offer to join them.  The key point is to speak up and don’t get discouraged if everyone is busy at that particular moment.  If you don’t get a response, look to see if a raid or large group event is happening at the time as this could be the reason you are not getting responses.  Regardless, a good idea would be to wait for 20 or 30 minutes and then ask again.  I can almost guarantee that you will get a positive response at some point.

10.  We want your feedback! – The Executive Officers, Officers and Members of RoR want and need your feedback.  If you are a new member, please don’t feel like your opinion does not matter or is unwanted or unwelcomed.  Everyone’s opinions matter and are taken seriously in RoR.  If you see something that needs improvement, speak up in kinchat.  If you’re not comfortable saying something in kinchat, contact an officer or executive officer via Private Message or post something on the RoR website.  The key thing is to speak up and let someone know your opinions about improving the kin.  Your opinions and suggestions will be taken seriously and will be considered for implementation based on the best interests of the kin.

The Officers and members of RoR hope that this helps our new additions have a better understanding of RoR.  Above all, we want you to feel welcome and to have as much fun as we are in the relaxed, family oriented gaming environment that RoR strives so hard to create.  So get involved, chat it up with other members and officers and let's get down to our business of choice...annihilating the evil hordes spewing from the depths of Mordor!  See ya in game!  Ride On Riders!!