A Note on Culture, Community, and Conduct

A Note on Culture, Community, and Conduct

Just recently, I have achieved my 30th year with the New OutRiders. As a proud member, I have been reflecting on the following and would like to remind our members of what we stand for as a guild. We have grown, spread out to new games, remained in some old ones, and continue to move with the times. Some things are a constant though and we can always rely on them as a centering point for our guild’s culture.

As you may know, the New OutRiders is one of the oldest continuously operating online guilds, begun in 1992 and operating for over almost 33 years now. We are more than a bunch of names on a game’s guild roster though, we are a gaming community that has a legacy of camaraderie, creativity, helpfulness, trustworthiness, and purpose shared across generations of gamers, with a historical presence in 38 online games and even a Dungeons and Dragons tabletop group.

This is exactly what what we strive to be, and our reputation is everything. Often, other well-established guilds will have heard of us and are aware of the foundation we stand upon. I even know of a guild that just achieved their 14th year, starting out in Battlestar Galactica Online and now multi-game itself that has based its own ruleset on our guild’s charter during their formation, even while having not a single member who has been a part of NOR.

That is the impression we make. The responsibility and honor of building and maintaining this reputation falls upon ALL of our members.

Whether you are a recruit, a full member, or an Ally, your presence here with us matters. You’re part of something that has endured because we treat each other, and our traditions, with great respect.

What binds us together?

-Our ceremonies, which mark our milestones with meaning in front of the entire guild.

-Our events and adventures, which bring joy, laughter, and shared memories.

-No matter which game you play with us, it has the feel of a NOR Realm.

-Our Jacket Creed, which reminds us that the guild name we wear is also a promise:

“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 vow is not just roleplay or for show, it is a reflection of the values we live by. It is the foundation that has earned us the reputation that we have held for over three decades. This reputation was cultivated before a lot of our members were even born, or, at the least, when they were small children. There are even occurrences where a veteran gamer will spot a member wearing the NOR tag in a game and remember our guild from other games they and we have been in and know what it is that we traditionally stand for and that we are trustworthy, helpful, and kind.

What It Means to Be an Ally of NOR

Allies are friends of the guild. Raiding companions, family members, or collaborators who walk beside us even if they haven’t taken the Jacket. If you wear the NOR tag, even as an Ally, you are:

Expected to uphold the tone and spirit of the guild.

Asked to respect our traditions, even if you don’t share them.

Invited to participate in events, voice channels, and community life.

Trusted to contribute to a space where others feel valued and comfortable.

Our Guiding Principles

To all those wearing the NOR name, whether a Recruit, an Ally, or a full member, new or long-standing:

Diverse perspectives are welcome, disrespect is not. We celebrate humor, creativity, and differences. But we also protect the tone of our space. That means avoiding:

Mocking or belittling our guild events, ceremonies, or customs.

Undermining or disrespecting our leaders, officers, fellow members, or game realms.

Turning our guild’s cultural moments into punchlines, Whether through outright mocking them, sarcasm or attention-seeking behavior such as interrupting them. These moments are meant to be special to the players being honored.

Dismissing our values as trivial or performative.

We’re here to build and maintain something meaningful together. Whether you wear the Jacket or walk beside those who do, The continued success of our guild asks that you carry yourself with dignity, respect, and honor.

Lord Garadian,
*NOR/LD-HC