Announcing the Great Hall of Crafts - a Charter and FAQ

[Digger]

Mae Govannen, my Good Kinfolk,

Well, the House of Goodsong is enjoying a good beginning of its enterprise.  However, the need for other crafts is serious in our kinship.  This need is not simply to have some of the fine items that we can make, but to learn the crafts, to collect recipes, and to gather resources from basics to trophies.  I have heard that several of you would like to make this happen in a true RP fashion.  Therefore, I am proposing the Tinnu Uin Galadhrim Great Hall of Crafts.

What is the Great Hall of Crafts?
The Great Hall is made up of the many 'Houses' for each crafting vocation.  For example, the House of Goodsong is the kin's tailoring House within the Great Hall of Crafts.  Other kinfolk will open a House for each of the other vocations that produce goods.  For example, Calandil might open the House for woodworking, Hosklar could start the House for Armor, and Fireborn the scholar's House.  We shall aim to create a House in the Great Hall for each producing vocation.  The Great Hall of Crafts would then become our kinship's center for crafting excellence - a place to learn, create, and gather together those things that serve our kinfolks needs.

What is a crafting House and what does it do?
A craft House is a group of kinfolk for a specific production craft, such as tinker, scholar, woodworker, metalsmith, etc.  A House offers many services both to the kin in general and to its members.  For the kin, this is the place to contact for services to upgrade your equipment from jewelry to weapons.  It is also a place to send supplies for these crafts such as ores, hides, gems, and even trophies.  For the members of a House, it provides a place to exchange recipes, share resources and ingredients, create fine items, and collaborate on advancing the craft.  In short, a House is organized and run by folk who share an interest in a craft for the benefit of our kinship.

What services are provided by a House of the Great Hall of Crafts?
Services vary by the House and its members, but we suggest going beyond the simple provision of items and developing a consultation approach.  A consultant meets with a client (often through simple chat), inspects or measures the clients current equipment, elicits information about the client's desires and needs, and makes recommendations about how the House can aid the client.  It is important for the House of Goodsong that we do not recommend character builds, stats, or item attributes, but instead understand the client's desires and seek in our members ways to support those. The consultation, as many of you know from working with the House of Goodsong, is a delightful RP experience, and it is handled much as one would expect upon shopping in a fine store in RL.  Additional services may be created to broaden the experience and improve the quality of the new equipment.  For example, in our House we furnish dyes to color our fashions to the client's preferences and latest styles in Eriador.  A House's services distinguish it from the mere vendor or AH experience, and these make our clients truly enjoy shopping with us as much as getting the new gear.  Services are only limited by the imagination of the House members.

What does it cost for items and for resources?
No charges are made ever for creating for our kin by the Great Hall of Crafts.  This is exclusively for those of the Tinnu Uin Galadhrim.  Our resources are provided by generous kinfolk, and sometimes they are gathered on special Craft Hunts sponsored by the Great Hall.  These Hunts will become RP events for our kinfolk, and we will scour areas to collect and share provisions needed for fine crafting.  Of course, solo gathering is always welcomed, but as we organize our first Hunting Day, you may find this is a truly fun experience in high RP style.

When do we start and how?
We are trying to find a time when those few members who want to help lead and open a House in the Great Hall can get together.  At the moment, it looks like Sept. 9, Sunday, is the first time everyone can meet.  We are suggesting this first meeting to organize things be limited to only those folk who want to found a new House or be a part of the Founders Circle of the Great Hall of Crafts.  If you are interested in helping at this first meeting, please let me know if you can make the gathering on 9/9 at 4pm EST in the Catwoman's House in Bree.  We do need a good group to get this moving on the right foot.  If you think this will benefit our kinship, provide new RP experiences, and give us a distinctive advantage in our struggles, please do join the Founder's Circle at our first meeting.

What positions are needed to be filled?
Grandmaster of the Great Hall - I shall ask our Tur to hold this position for the beginning
Masters of a House - we need one for each producing profession.  All except tailoring are now open.
Master of the Hunts - we need a person who will lead and conduct the kinship Hunts
Master of Learning - we need a person who will track our members' advancement, counsel in their craft quests, direct new members to a House, and see to the needs of our members and kinfolk.

Each of these positions will need members to help them.  So the Master of Learning will have a team, as well as the Master of the Hunt, etc.  These are not one person responsibilities alone.  Through working together, we can achieve great things.  Other positions may open as we learn more about this enterprise.  So, regardless of your level, the Great Hall of Crafts needs your help.  Join us on this most worthy endeavor!  Help make crafting a fun part of the whole experience of being a member of our wonderful kinship.

Post your interests here so we can start organizing ourselves and build this Great Hall of Crafts.


No in elenath hîlar nan hâd gîn,
(May all stars shine upon your path)
Digger Goodsong
A Hobbit with a Needle and Thread

[Mordorrain]

Outstanding Idea!!

I will be there at the meeting and unless a more senior woodsman or woman offer there services, I offer mine as Master of the Hunts.

I look forward to seeing you online soon.

namarie
mordorrain

[Orophor]

Master Goodsong.

I marvel at your energy and inspiration my friend. I will do my best to support your efforts however I am able. Alas, the time you have appointed ((Thursday, 9/9, 4 PM Eastern)) to meet is one that I have already promised elsewhere ((meetings at work)). If this is the only suitable time, then please convey my regrets at missing this initial meeting to those that attend. As an alternative, later that day ((Thursday, 9/9, 9 PM Eastern)) or perhaps two days latter at its current appointed hour ((Saturday, 9/11, 4 PM Eastern)).

Regards,
Orophor

[Digger]

Ah, sometimes those elven calendars are a problem.   September 9 (Halimath 17 in Shire reckoning) is on a Sunday rather than a Thursday.  This date may still present problems for some folks.  So I am waiting on more feedback before locking down the date, time and place of the Founders' Circle meeting.

[Orophor]

Ah, well if the Númenóreans had not added an extra day to a week and doubled the number of months in a year, perhaps I would not make such mistakes. My applogies. Sundays are still bad for me though.

[Digger]

Mighty Mordorrain, my good friend,

How perfect that a hunter should be our Master of the Hunt.  The position is yours, and my thanks for taking this on.  We can discuss how you envision your responsibilities in a private message thread, if you wish.  The mission of the Master of the Hunt is simply to supply crafting needs by holding regular resource hunting events for the kin.  The Houses should provide you with their 'wish lists' of things.  And Hunts might gather in one location, divide into fellowships (by level for target areas), gather for a period of time, and return for a celebration and recognition of what has been gathered.  Great Hunts are always fun events.

We have many details to consider such as how to distribute gathered resources to the Houses, how to make the Hunts fun and enjoyable, and what kind of recognition/rewards to we want for a Hunt's top 'hunters'.  All of this is in your able hands to think on and imagine.  We never want this role to become a burden on you or to interfere with your individual achievements.  May I suggest that you get a few others to help you create and conduct these Hunts.  Through your leadership, we will now be a kinship that Hunts together!  Let the Hunt begin!

Cheers,
Digger

[Digger]

Let me see if we can arrange the Founders' Circle meeting for Saturday, September 8 at 4pm.  That may work for you and others a little better.  Just let me know what is best, and I will adjust.

[Mordorrain]

Master Digger

I will do all I can to provide leadership and as many materials as the kinship needs and desires.

Thank you for the opportunity.

Mordorrain

[Erazor]

Dear Digger,

I shall lend my small skill to the crafting of fine War Blades.  At this time, I am a Master Artisan, but I am working on my Grand Mastery.  I shall try and make the meeting, but, the war takes much time and I might be called to duty.

Respectfully,
Erazor

[Calandil]

As I've said before, my skills in woodworking are at your disposal.  I'll be happy to take up leadership of such a House if there is need.  The appointed meeting time ((9/8, 4pm EST, I'm assuming)) should work quite well for me.  I do have an idea or two related to organization to possibly bounce around.

[Osun]

Greetings,

Given both Osun and Ithril are skilled in their respective crafts, Metalsmithing/Tailoring and Jewelcraft, I would be interested in attending such meeting.  However, Sunday at the suggested time will not work for me.  (Bears Charger game - sorry been waiting for football season to start for some time).  I believe I am free that Saturday though.  I do need to check my scheduling with my dad though (he had a stroke a year ago and needs 24/7 supervision and only has  a 24/5 live-in so my siblings and I alternate on weekends).  I will keep my eye on when you lock down a time and see if I can attend.  If this plan works out nicely I look forward to Osun giving customers a hard time to going to elves to make their armour . . . and men . . . and hobbits . . . and well other dwarves too depending on his mood.  Heck if we had enough armoursmiths he might even refuse to service any non-dwarfs and send them to another one- would that be too harsh?

Osun/Ithril

[Digger]

My beloved kinfolk, 

The meeting of those interested in helping start the Great Hall of Crafts is now set for Saturday, September 8, at 4pm EST at the Catwoman's House in Bree.

For those who have an interest in organizing the Great Hall and starting a House within it, please do attend if you can.  For those who are not sure of their role but want to help get things rolling and organized, also please attend.  For the simply curious, we will keep you fully informed after the meeting of our plans.  To be effective we cannot have too many folks attending.  Should we find that the group is large, then we will break into smaller groups and work on parts of this new addition to our kinship. 

I look forward to helping us find a fun-filled way to give crafting a boost in our gaming experience and to help our kinship discover new ways to have fun together.

Cheers,
Digger

[Digger]

Mordorrain has accepted the responsibilities of being our Master of the Hunt.
Erazor has undertaken the establishment of a new House for the learning and creating of fine metal weapons.
Calandil has begun the development of a new House for the learning and creating with the beautiful woods of Arda.

We still have openings for those interested in becoming the Master of a new House:
      - Master of Learning
     - House for jewelry
     - House for scholars
     - House for cooking
     - House for metalsmiths
     - House for agriculturalists

Several are considering becoming a Master of a House, and many ask what are my responsibilities, how do I go about it, how much time does it take?  These are all good questions.  Let me take them one by one.

What are the responsibilities of a Master of a House?
The primary responsibility is to enable the members of the House to provide services both to their fellow members and to their kinfolk. 

For their fellow members, the House provides a way to learn new skill, recipes, and crafting knowledge.  It also is the distribution place for resources needed by the crafters and gathered by their kinfolk during the Hunting events conducted by the Master of the Hunt.  Serving their fellow House members in this way and other creative ways is very important.  The Master ensures that this is being done by setting goals, providing support, and organizing the members to deliver these 'internal' services to their House.

For their kinfolk, the House provides services that involve the creating of items for use and the consultative services that help kinfolk determine their needs, place orders, and enjoy the whole RP side of visiting and shopping at a fine House of craftsmanship.  A client base is built up by the House because items do become worn and out-dated.  The clients return for future consultations and more items to upgrade their gear and equipment.  Decisions are made by the client, recommendations about options available from the House are explored, and overall, the clients of a well-run House become loyal and devoted to working and supporting that House.  These same clients are the ones who are most eager to help with the next Hunt to gather resources for their favorite Houses.  The Master guides the House members towards these services, helps them envision their roles as craftsfolk in a Great Hall, and supports their efforts to develop the House's client base.

How do I go about establishing a new House?
First, let me know the crafting profession that you are going to develop a House around.  If that one is open, then it is yours.  If not, then I will point you to the current Master who is most likely eager for your help.  Next, start thinking and imagining what your new House will do for its members and our kinfolk.  What services will you offer?  How do you see these happening?  How can you make it fun for everyone to belong to your House and help grow it?  Should you have a meeting?  How might that be done in RP style?  Want refreshments?  Do you serve them or is someone else in charge of that?  And let your vision of your new House grow and grow as you imagine more and more about it. 

Next, start a thread and get some new members who share your interest in your craft.  Now what do they think of your vision?  How can they add to it?  What do they imagine a really great House to be like?  And now let your vision become everyone's vision as they add more and more to it. 

Finally, select a name.  You can do this or your first group of members can work on it together with you.  The name should not just be House of Tailors, for example.  Give it a boost and use your lore and make a name that everyone likes and has some punch to it.  Now you can talk with your new members and set some goals that you all want to achieve.  How much advancement do you want to make?  When will the House be open for services?  What supplies do you need?  Who is going to do what in the House? 

Remember: The more you do yourself, the less fun it is for others.  The less you do, and the more time you, the Master, spend enabling others to do things, then the more fun it is for all concerned.  A good example of this is our own Tur who does this extremely well.  Follow his example and enable others rather than do it all yourself.

How much time does it take?
Truthfully, this is a really important question.  It takes only as much time as you enjoy spending on it.  The first priority of everyone in the Great Hall is to their own pleasure in playing the game.  If any of this becomes a burden, something is wrong.  Please see me at once.  Want to spend regular time every week?  Say every Friday evening is craft night with the House?  Great, do that.  Want to just focus on crafts for a while fully?  Great, do that.  My advice is to develop a routine because routines generally help a lot with getting things done and enjoying them.  But please spend as much or as little time as you wish addressing the responsibilities of House Master.  Feel like you will do too little?  Then why not get a partner who wants to do more than you?

I hope that these ideas and suggestions will answer some of the questions I hear in-game from folks.  Please let me know if I can aid or support you in any way.  If I don't hear from you, I will assume everything is fine.

Cheers,
Digger Goodsong

[Jasrion]

count me in! I'm all about the crafting, and working together and sharing our talents will be really satisfying. I'm no master, but Tinkering has always been in my family and I'm always looking to sharpen my trade skills.

[Digger]

Latest Update on the Great Hall of Crafts:

Open positions:
Masters for following Houses: Metalsmithing, Farming, and Cooking
Master of Learning - critical role to ensure the future of the Great Hall (our own Master of all learning and growth)

New Houses:
Scholars - see Master of scholars, Fireborn
Woodworkers - see Master of woods, Calandil
Weaponsmiths - see Master of blades, Erazor
Jewelers - see Master of jewelry, Irreth and also Jasz
Tailors - see Maser of tailoring, Digger
Gatherers of all kinds - see Master of the Hunt, Mordorrain.

The Great Hall of Crafts is growing.  Find a House for your profession quickly.

Digger Goodsong