Earlier today I got to sit down with the leaders of the four guilds that together make up The Shadow Hunters Guild and it's Branch System. I wanted to ask them about their current plans and updates to the guilds as well as their expectations for the ever growing group. The leader of the main guild, Master Slayer Lanyx, was up first, and he sat with me for a few questions, followed by his Daughter, Commander-General Raven of The Shadow Hunters Spirit Haven, Ryuujin Magus Xain of The Shadow Hunters Kage Doragon, and Commander Xiro of The Shadow Hunters C.R.O.S. Division. Here is what they had to say:
Master Slayer Lanyx-
Who will be affected by the changes?
The people who will mostly be affected by the changes will be the moderators, who will have new areas to upkeep, And our regular level members who will have new areas to explore and interact within.
What are your plans to expand the guild?
I intend to open more open RP areas so that members don’t have to wait for moderators to post new topics and can post replies so there is more productivity in the story lines, and members are able to freely interact with other members instead of waiting on moderators to post.
When do you plan on starting the updates?
The updates are already being started, with any good project comes the planning then the execution, without proper development, a project cannot be successfully completed.
Where are people going to see the changes happening?
Several of our "failed" areas will undergo changes into new areas, the compound, which has always been a staple of the Shadow Hunters, will be remaining but the description will be updated, with the possible addition of a map, and several new areas shall be added for a wider variety of guild member interactions. The Public Zoo area has yielded it's personal sub forum spot for the offices of "The Shadow Chronicles" newspaper office. Guild member profiles area will be moved to the Out of Character Section to make way for a new area, the details of which have yet to be established. Moderators will be issuing challenges in the BattleDrome to promote usage. The Arbitrary Arbitration has been sold back to the city, and shall be converted into another open RP area. The Hunters Training Academy will remain for new members and will be open for usage as need be. The Hotel de Ritz will remain open for use as well. The non operational C.R.O.S Headquarters shall be converted into a recruitment center for those who wish to join the elite Special-Ops team. All are welcome to apply for the team but only the best applicants are accepted. Outside of the guild, there is the possibility of a Tavern being set up, that caters to the needs of various races and cultures. We will also be constructing a “The Town,” style area where new businesses will be set up and operated. This area will also be where guild members have the option to rent space for personal shops. After all updates are finished as desired, we will be accepting applications from other guilds to become our “bad guys” and we shall be opening battle grounds for head to head combat situations against said enemies all across public RP forums throughout Gaia.
Why did you decide to update the guild?
Hopefully by updating the guild format, we will see and increase in new members, as well as the possible return of older members and an influx in productivity.
How long do you think the changes will take and what is current status?
I would estimate that changes will be completed by the middle of July, and we are currently still in the planning and development stage.
Commander-General Raven -
Who are you trying to reach as possible members for your guild?
One of the requirements is that people who join have a high sense of spirituality or through the power of their own heart, are able to leave their body or transform into some sort of incorporeal form.
What is your influence for the guild and what is the guild’s purpose?
Our influence is the soul reapers of the popular Anime series, Bleach, and the purpose of our guild is to hunt down the enemies that cannot be harmed by normal means and can only be destroyed through methods of the spirit.
When did you first decide that you wanted to establish a guild of aforementioned purpose?
I’ve always wanted to have a guild based on Bleach, which is my favorite Anime series.
Where do you see the guild headed after it takes off?
I see how many guilds there are dedicated to Bleach RP, and how popular they have become, and hope to become popular for RP that is modeled after Bleach without completely copying the series itself.
Why did you work towards becoming a guild leader in the Shadow Hunters Guild hierarchy?
To be completely honest, I wanted to follow in my daddy’s footsteps and command the same amount of respect that he does.
How is it that someone at your age is able to obtain such a high rank and become a leader in a branch guild of the Shadow Hunters?
I may be seven in years, but my body and mind are that of an 18 year old and I gained the wisdom and spiritual ability from my parents. I may be young but I am still quite powerful. Like King Louis XIV, who‘s reign lasted seventy-two years, which is the longest documented reign of leadership started when he was just under five years old, so my mother, father and I do not see age as any factor in my ability to lead, and have full confidence in me.
Ryuujin Magus Xain -
Who is your greatest influence that made you who you are today?
Ti' Lung, Master, Uncle, He is a great man, who taught me all I know.
What training did you go through to become the Witch-King of the Kage Doragons?
I trained every day since I was five and I still train daily so that I do not lose my skills. I practice many forms of martial arts and every night I study from my spell book. I train with every weapon known to man so that I know how to use and how to counter them.
When did you obtain the level of master ninja?
I was 5,032 before my uncle Ti’ Lung bestowed upon me the dragon belt.
Where is your branch of The Shadow Hunters based out of?
My base is a tower made of onyx on a rock island that floats through a dimension called The Void, there is nothing else but other floating rocks in nothing, it is a safe place to practice our arts to the full extent. All of my members wear a necklace that allows them access to the void and leads them directly to my tower.
Why did you decide to go with Kage Doragons as a guild name?
We are a guild that practices the shadow arts and the dragon or Doragon in the language of the Orient is a sacred animal so I chose a name that reflects both my heritage and my skills.
How does your guild associate with the other branches of The Shadow Hunters?
We of the shadows do not mix freely with other people. We are there when we are needed but we are never seen, we come when we are called, but we move like a shadow through the night, and we leave no trace except for the carnage we leave behind.
Commander Xiro:
Who is the founder or founders of C.R.O.S.?
The founders of C.R.O.S. are Master Slayer Lanyx and Myself.
What does C.R.O.S. stand for?
Combat and Rescue Operative Squad.
When does a situation become a matter that calls for the assistance of the C.R.O.S. Division?
The division is called when the job is beyond the skill level required by lower ranking officers.
Where are C.R.O.S. members trained?
At the C.R.O.S. Headquarters, in a secret facility, within the boundaries of the compound.
Why was C.R.O.S. developed?
C.R.O.S. was developed as a means to defend against and defeat high class Preternatural Beings.
How does the skills the C.R.O.S members best serve the needs of The Shadow Hunters?
Our operatives are trained in specific areas to best serve the needs of The Shadow Hunters.
The final question was asked to all leaders as a general question:
Is there anything that you have not said about yourself or your guild that you wish for the readers of The Shadow Chronicles to know, be it a quote, pledge or final thought?
Master Slayer Lanyx: I stand inside the darkness, striving for a Flicker of Light. Just as I stand in the Light, surrounded by the Darkness. It is only when I choose to ignore the darkness, both inside me and around me, that I am truly lost to it. I shall be here, standing both against the dark and as a part of it, Even if it is by myself.
Commander-General Raven:I believe in the power of love. Through love I can overcome all obstacles, and that is why I am grateful for my family. If you come and join us, we shall make sure your voice is heard, as a raging roar in the silence of a night filled cave.
Ryuujin Magus Xain:I may be part of the shadows, born of them, but that does not mean they rule me. I may be an Assassin, and reviled by some as an evil man. But I know in my soul, that if I fight for what is good, and pure, and just that I have struck a good blow against the Darkness, even if it drags me down with it, I have prepared the way for the next generation.
Commander Xiro:Come out, Come out...Wherever you are.
In Closing, with these four brilliant minds as our leaders, the future of The Shadow Hunters and the branch guilds is looking forward to a bright, constructive future.
Master Slayer Lanyx-
Who will be affected by the changes?
The people who will mostly be affected by the changes will be the moderators, who will have new areas to upkeep, And our regular level members who will have new areas to explore and interact within.
What are your plans to expand the guild?
I intend to open more open RP areas so that members don’t have to wait for moderators to post new topics and can post replies so there is more productivity in the story lines, and members are able to freely interact with other members instead of waiting on moderators to post.
When do you plan on starting the updates?
The updates are already being started, with any good project comes the planning then the execution, without proper development, a project cannot be successfully completed.
Where are people going to see the changes happening?
Several of our "failed" areas will undergo changes into new areas, the compound, which has always been a staple of the Shadow Hunters, will be remaining but the description will be updated, with the possible addition of a map, and several new areas shall be added for a wider variety of guild member interactions. The Public Zoo area has yielded it's personal sub forum spot for the offices of "The Shadow Chronicles" newspaper office. Guild member profiles area will be moved to the Out of Character Section to make way for a new area, the details of which have yet to be established. Moderators will be issuing challenges in the BattleDrome to promote usage. The Arbitrary Arbitration has been sold back to the city, and shall be converted into another open RP area. The Hunters Training Academy will remain for new members and will be open for usage as need be. The Hotel de Ritz will remain open for use as well. The non operational C.R.O.S Headquarters shall be converted into a recruitment center for those who wish to join the elite Special-Ops team. All are welcome to apply for the team but only the best applicants are accepted. Outside of the guild, there is the possibility of a Tavern being set up, that caters to the needs of various races and cultures. We will also be constructing a “The Town,” style area where new businesses will be set up and operated. This area will also be where guild members have the option to rent space for personal shops. After all updates are finished as desired, we will be accepting applications from other guilds to become our “bad guys” and we shall be opening battle grounds for head to head combat situations against said enemies all across public RP forums throughout Gaia.
Why did you decide to update the guild?
Hopefully by updating the guild format, we will see and increase in new members, as well as the possible return of older members and an influx in productivity.
How long do you think the changes will take and what is current status?
I would estimate that changes will be completed by the middle of July, and we are currently still in the planning and development stage.
Commander-General Raven -
Who are you trying to reach as possible members for your guild?
One of the requirements is that people who join have a high sense of spirituality or through the power of their own heart, are able to leave their body or transform into some sort of incorporeal form.
What is your influence for the guild and what is the guild’s purpose?
Our influence is the soul reapers of the popular Anime series, Bleach, and the purpose of our guild is to hunt down the enemies that cannot be harmed by normal means and can only be destroyed through methods of the spirit.
When did you first decide that you wanted to establish a guild of aforementioned purpose?
I’ve always wanted to have a guild based on Bleach, which is my favorite Anime series.
Where do you see the guild headed after it takes off?
I see how many guilds there are dedicated to Bleach RP, and how popular they have become, and hope to become popular for RP that is modeled after Bleach without completely copying the series itself.
Why did you work towards becoming a guild leader in the Shadow Hunters Guild hierarchy?
To be completely honest, I wanted to follow in my daddy’s footsteps and command the same amount of respect that he does.
How is it that someone at your age is able to obtain such a high rank and become a leader in a branch guild of the Shadow Hunters?
I may be seven in years, but my body and mind are that of an 18 year old and I gained the wisdom and spiritual ability from my parents. I may be young but I am still quite powerful. Like King Louis XIV, who‘s reign lasted seventy-two years, which is the longest documented reign of leadership started when he was just under five years old, so my mother, father and I do not see age as any factor in my ability to lead, and have full confidence in me.
Ryuujin Magus Xain -
Who is your greatest influence that made you who you are today?
Ti' Lung, Master, Uncle, He is a great man, who taught me all I know.
What training did you go through to become the Witch-King of the Kage Doragons?
I trained every day since I was five and I still train daily so that I do not lose my skills. I practice many forms of martial arts and every night I study from my spell book. I train with every weapon known to man so that I know how to use and how to counter them.
When did you obtain the level of master ninja?
I was 5,032 before my uncle Ti’ Lung bestowed upon me the dragon belt.
Where is your branch of The Shadow Hunters based out of?
My base is a tower made of onyx on a rock island that floats through a dimension called The Void, there is nothing else but other floating rocks in nothing, it is a safe place to practice our arts to the full extent. All of my members wear a necklace that allows them access to the void and leads them directly to my tower.
Why did you decide to go with Kage Doragons as a guild name?
We are a guild that practices the shadow arts and the dragon or Doragon in the language of the Orient is a sacred animal so I chose a name that reflects both my heritage and my skills.
How does your guild associate with the other branches of The Shadow Hunters?
We of the shadows do not mix freely with other people. We are there when we are needed but we are never seen, we come when we are called, but we move like a shadow through the night, and we leave no trace except for the carnage we leave behind.
Commander Xiro:
Who is the founder or founders of C.R.O.S.?
The founders of C.R.O.S. are Master Slayer Lanyx and Myself.
What does C.R.O.S. stand for?
Combat and Rescue Operative Squad.
When does a situation become a matter that calls for the assistance of the C.R.O.S. Division?
The division is called when the job is beyond the skill level required by lower ranking officers.
Where are C.R.O.S. members trained?
At the C.R.O.S. Headquarters, in a secret facility, within the boundaries of the compound.
Why was C.R.O.S. developed?
C.R.O.S. was developed as a means to defend against and defeat high class Preternatural Beings.
How does the skills the C.R.O.S members best serve the needs of The Shadow Hunters?
Our operatives are trained in specific areas to best serve the needs of The Shadow Hunters.
The final question was asked to all leaders as a general question:
Is there anything that you have not said about yourself or your guild that you wish for the readers of The Shadow Chronicles to know, be it a quote, pledge or final thought?
Master Slayer Lanyx: I stand inside the darkness, striving for a Flicker of Light. Just as I stand in the Light, surrounded by the Darkness. It is only when I choose to ignore the darkness, both inside me and around me, that I am truly lost to it. I shall be here, standing both against the dark and as a part of it, Even if it is by myself.
Commander-General Raven:I believe in the power of love. Through love I can overcome all obstacles, and that is why I am grateful for my family. If you come and join us, we shall make sure your voice is heard, as a raging roar in the silence of a night filled cave.
Ryuujin Magus Xain:I may be part of the shadows, born of them, but that does not mean they rule me. I may be an Assassin, and reviled by some as an evil man. But I know in my soul, that if I fight for what is good, and pure, and just that I have struck a good blow against the Darkness, even if it drags me down with it, I have prepared the way for the next generation.
Commander Xiro:Come out, Come out...Wherever you are.
In Closing, with these four brilliant minds as our leaders, the future of The Shadow Hunters and the branch guilds is looking forward to a bright, constructive future.
