New Outriders New Member Guide

A Welcome Guide for New Members of the New OutRiders

When you joined the New OutRiders (*NOR/), you’ve stepped into a guild with more than three decades of history, friendships, and shared adventures. The Order has traveled through countless worlds since 1992, and every member becomes a part of that ongoing story. This is a guide to help you understand what it means to wear the *NOR/ Jacket, how your early journey unfolds, and how you can find your place within our community.

Welcome to the New OutRiders

*NOR/ is built upon a couple of simple ideas: Have fun and help others do the same, and support your fellow NOR. We value kindness, camaraderie, and the sense of belonging that comes from being part of something larger than yourself. As a member of the New OutRiders, you’re not expected to know everything right away. You’re here to explore, to meet people, and to discover what makes the guild special. We’ll guide you every step of the way.

Your Acceptance and First Steps

When your application is first accepted, you receive a welcome message at the email you signed up with that marks the beginning of your journey as a Recruit. At that same moment, your official roster profile is created on our website. This profile becomes a part of your permanent place in NOR’s history. It’s where your promotions, achievements, medals, and milestones will be recorded for posterity. Every *NOR/ member has one and it grows with you as you move through the ranks.

https://newoutriders.org/guildroster/index.php

The name you used on your application becomes your “Main”, the identity by which NOR knows you across all realms. Even if you collect dozens of alts, your Main is the name we use on Discord, on the forums, and in the guild’s records. If you ever need to change it, an officer can help you update it. Your Main is your NOR identity, and it should be used consistently across guild platforms. Names (and alt names) must follow the TOS of the games and reflect good taste and common decency. This helps to uphold our guild’s good reputation.

Along with the acceptance of your application, you will be invited to join the New OutRiders’ Discord server. Discord is the heart of *NOR/ communication. It’s where we coordinate events, form groups, share news, and simply talk to each other. When you first arrive, most channels will be hidden until an officer verifies you, assigns server roles, and adjusts your server name to match your *NOR/ identity. Once verified, you’ll see the sections for each realm, along with guild‑wide spaces like *NOR/ Castle and *NOR/ Village, where guild members gather to chat and stay connected.

You will also be encouraged to register on our website forums. To do this, you’ll need the registration key provided in your welcome letter email. After entering it, your account may remain locked for a short time due to anti‑bot protections, but it will unlock automatically. If you run into trouble, the guild administrators are always available to help.

The Meaning of the NOR Jacket (Guild tag)

Wearing the *NOR/ Jacket is more than a label above your character’s head. It’s a symbol of continuity, honor, and shared purpose. It connects you to every *NOR/ member in every realm we inhabit and across all time that the guild has existed. When you wear it, you are saying that you stand for fair play, respect, and a willingness to help others.

The Welcome Letter includes the *NOR/ Jacket Creed, a promise that every member carries with them:

“I promise to wear the NOR name with pride. While wearing it, I will bring no shame or dishonor to NOR in word or deed. I will defend it and anyone else who wears it to the uttermost limits of my ability.”

This creed is the heart of what it means to be a New OutRider.

Greeting Guild Members in our Game Realms

We ask that all members of the New OutRiders render the greeting of “Hail *NOR/” into the guild chat when they log into one of our games. It is our polite way of stepping into the shared space of the guild. And if you are already online and someone else offers the greeting, we hail them back, either by name (“Hail, Wiggins!”) or with “Hail *NOR/” in return. This simple custom ties our present to our past and helps keep our community warm, connected, and aware of one another online.

The Meaning Behind “Hail *NOR/

“Hail *NOR/” is one of the oldest and most recognizable traditions in the Order. The symbols in our name are a part of our identity.

The “*” represents **Swift**, the shield with starburst named for the comet Swift‑Tuttle, visible in 1992, the year NOR was founded.  

The “/” represents **Ybarra**, the sword is named after Joe Ybarra, the creator of *The Shadow of Yserbius*, the game which is the birthplace of the Order.  

Together, Swift and Ybarra form the emblem of the New OutRiders; a shield and a blade; light and resolve.   

Your First Rank: Recruit

As a Recruit, you’re in a short introductory period where you get to know us and we get to know you. You’re not yet a full member, not until your induction, but you are on the path. During this time, we look for presence, communication, curiosity, initiative, and kindness. These simple habits show that you’re ready to grow within the guild.

What We Hope to See From a Recruit

Every Recruit arrives with their own personality, playstyle, and comfort level, and we welcome that. Here are a few simple habits that help you settle in smoothly and show us that you’re ready to grow within the guild.

The first is presence. You don’t need to be online constantly, but when you are around, we hope to see you say hello (Hail *NOR/), respond when spoken to, and show that you’re engaged with the guild. Even a short greeting in guild chat or Discord goes a long way.

We also look for basic communication. If an officer reaches out to welcome you, invites you to Discord, or checks in on how things are going, a simple reply is all we need. Communication is the foundation of every strong guild.

Curiosity is another sign of a good Recruit. Recruits who ask questions about the guild, the game, events, or even just where to find something tend to thrive.

We appreciate initiative; even in small ways. Joining Discord, registering on the website, attending an event, grouping with guildmates, or simply chatting with others all show that you’re leaning in rather than hanging back.

Above all, we look for kindness and respect. *NOR/ has always been a guild built on good people. Game skills can be learned. Character is what makes someone a true New OutRider.

Becoming a Full Member: The Induction Ceremony

This is one of the most important moments in your *NOR/ journey.

You become a full member of the guild through your Squire induction ceremony.

The ceremony is held in‑game, led by an officer, normally with witnesses, and it is your formal welcome into the Order. It is the moment you receive your Jacket and become a permanent member of the New OutRiders. The ceremony is simple, warm, and rooted in tradition. It marks your official entry into our guild’s history.

This is why the Squire rank is so meaningful.

The Squire Ranks (Three Stages)

Squire

This is your first rank as a full member of NOR, granted immediately upon your induction ceremony.

Squire Court

Squire Court is your first step after induction. You’ve shown consistency, presence, and a desire to be a true part of *NOR/. You’re learning the rhythms of the guild and becoming a familiar face.

Squire Honor

Squire Honor reflects deeper commitment. You’ve demonstrated reliability, maturity, and a steady presence. You understand *NOR/’s culture and carry yourself in a way that reflects well on the guild.

The Knight Ranks

Knight

Knighthood is the first full senior rank of *NOR/. A Knight is someone who embodies the Jacket Creed, supports others, and represents the guild with honor. Knights are the backbone of *NOR/, steady, reliable, and community‑minded.

Knight Elite

Knight Elite is a recognition of exceptional consistency and contribution. Knight Elite go above and beyond in supporting their realm, helping others, and upholding *NOR/’s values. They are often the quiet leaders who make a realm feel alive.

Champion 

 Champion is a distinguished rank reserved for Knights who consistently contribute at a level worthy of leadership. Champions are the first considered when new officers are needed. They are pillars of the community. Steady, helpful, and deeply committed to the guild’s well‑being.

Traditions and Ceremonies

NOR is known for its ceremonies. They are moments where we pause to acknowledge each other. When we gather in a group, when we speak the words “Hail *NOR/,” when we promote someone or welcome them into a new rank, we’re participating in something that has been done for decades. These traditions connect us to every member who came before and every one who will come after. You don’t need to memorize anything or perform perfectly. Just be present, listen, and enjoy the moment.

Multi‑Realm Membership

NOR is a multi‑game guild. Each game we inhabit is called a Realm, and you are welcome in all of them. Once you are a member in one realm, you are a member in all realms, retaining your current rank in all of our games, free to visit any branch of *NOR/ that you wish. If you ever decide to make a different game your home realm, simply let an officer know so your records can be updated.

Who to Turn To for Assistance

Your Branch leaders and Realm officers are here to support you, and so are your Realm Advisors. Realm Advisors are High Council members assigned to guide each game realm. They help ensure that every branch of NOR stays connected to the larger guild and that traditions, standards, and support flow smoothly across all games. If you ever have questions, concerns, or ideas, you can bring them to your Branch Leader, Realm officers or your Realm Advisor. You’re never bothering us. Helping New OutRiders is part of the job, and we’re glad to do it.

Recognizing NOR Officers

Within *NOR/, officers are the members entrusted with guiding each realm, supporting the community, and upholding the traditions of the Order. You can recognize an officer by their rank: Baron/Baroness, Count/Countess, and Duke/Duchess are the three primary officer ranks you’ll encounter in your game. Barons/Baronesses handle day‑to‑day support and member interaction, Counts/Countesses oversee broader organizational needs within the realm, and Dukes/Duchesses serve as senior officers (Branch Leaders) responsible for leadership, coordination, and maintaining the health of the Realm. 

At the top level sits the High Council, the senior leadership body of the New OutRiders. The title at this level is Lord and Lady. The High Council is responsible for preserving NOR’s traditions, maintaining the Charter (the document that acts as our ruleset for operating the guild, found at https://newoutriders.org/charter), and ensuring the guild remains unified across every game we inhabit. It provides long‑term stability, oversees guild‑wide policy, and supports the officers who run each realm. While you may not interact with High Council members every day, their work shapes the culture, ceremonies, and continuity of *NOR/. They are the stewards of the Order and guide, advise, and safeguard the guild so that every member, in every realm, has a strong and welcoming home.

Finding Your Place in *NOR/

Every member contributes to the guild in their own way. Some lead events, some craft, some help new players, some organize groups, and some simply bring good energy to chat. There’s no single “right” way to be part of the guild. The best way to get involved is to show up, Hail *NOR/ when you log in, and join in when you can. If you ever feel unsure, officers and long‑time members are always happy to guide you.

Promotions: Common Question

New OutRiders’ members often wonder how long it takes to be promoted, whether they need to attend events, or what happens if they play multiple games. The answer to most of these questions is simple: communicate, participate when you can, and don’t stress. Promotions happen when the time is right. Events are encouraged but not mandatory. Multi‑realm play is welcome. And if you ever need a break, just tell us. We’re here for the long haul.

We’re glad you’re here, and we look forward to adventuring beside you. Hail *NOR/!

Lord Garadian,
*NOR/LD-HC