Kinship interview: The Green Company

Middle-Earth is a world brought together by creative developers and lore given to us by J.R.R. Tolkien. With the MMO market growing, we often forget the rest of the letters that go with that initial, the RPG. Mega Multi-player Online Role-playing games, but one group remembers that passage well. The Green Company is a hearty band of role-players keeping the spirit of role-play alive in Middle Earth.

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Martuk: First off, thank you for taking the time for this interview.

Ardra Ruthanakhas: No problem, glad to do it : )

Martuk: Please introduce yourself and your Kinship for our readers.

Ardra Ruthanakhas: Well I am Ardra (Ruthanakhas) and I am the Captain of The Green Company kinship on Landroval.

Martuk: What type of Kinship is the Green Company family, Role-play, Raiding, or other?

Ardra Ruthanakhas: We are primarily a role-playing kinship, and even in casual kinship channel chat that makes up the brunt of what we do. The base concept for the group is a hybrid-group of Dunedain rangers, Elven ambassadors, and free-folk aiding Aragorn's Grey Company in Eriador.

Martuk: Nice back-story.

Ardra Ruthanakhas: Hehe, you can thank our founder Borrhavan for that idea.

Martuk: One of a lot of Kinships shortcoming resides in lack of leadership participation. Can you tell us, how is the leadership within the Green Company? Are the leaders active and readily available?

Ardra Ruthanakhas: Leadership has been an interesting issue in the company over the last month. I am actually the third captain to have run of the kinship, with Borrhavan and Anowyn having held the torch before me. In the recent months we have worked hard to get a sturdy leadership structure going, and it has gone quite well with the leadership each having individual roles and tasks, and our veterans taking an active role as well. All in all, it has come together wonderfully to form an active and competent base of leaders to preside over kinship needs. : ) Last months, not month actually. : )We also integrate RP into our leadership titles and tasks, which makes it extra fun.

Martuk: Nice job. Do you host any Kinship events for the members to participate in?

Ardra Ruthanakhas: We do host specialized RP (and more recently RP/Questing) events every few weeks, but our main event is our weekly rendezvous/meeting. We come together on Saturday nights, have some fun role-play, go over kinship business, then either continue role-playing or head out to do some questing. In the case of elaborate stories (we have actually had people show up at the door and just start playing) the RP can go on for hours.

Ardra Ruthanakhas: I know our Huntmaster, Scorric, is going to be putting some events together based on questing/deed/chapter needs as well.

Martuk: Get a good group of role-players together the party can last forever.

Ardra Ruthanakhas: Oh goodness... and we do allow a fair deal of the absurd for flavor lol.

Stacy Jones: You mentioned you have special role-play rank titles. Can you tell us a little about those?

Ardra Ruthanakhas: Well, it divides into two categories. There are time-based ranks and position based ranks. The time based ranks increase at intervals of one, three, and six months and the titles are based on whether the character is a man or an elf. For men, its Ranger-Initate-->Ranger-->Ranger-Elite-->Ranger-Veteran, while for elves its Elven Envoy-->Elven Ambassador-->Estelcyll-->Sadron Tirith. The position based ranks are things like Huntmaster (head of quest event), Lore-Scribe (Tolkein-Guru), Craftsmen Foreman, etc.

Martuk: Clearly defines the duty.

Ardra Ruthanakhas: Aye, and it makes it easier to say who's who without having to break character : )

Martuk: How many members does the Green Company currently accommodate?

Ardra Ruthanakhas: Well, things have been a bit quiet the last two weeks because of school starting, but on normal terms we have approximately 25 people on the roster, 10 of which are very active, some of which are alts, and a few who under special circumstances can't be online as much.

Martuk: Can you tell us how someone wishing to join the Green Company can do so, and what sort of requirements do you expect to be met by your aspiring members?

Ardra Ruthanakhas: Well, we have an application process that starts with applying on our website at http://thegreencompany.guildportal.com . Once you fill out an application (I review them quite often), it is reviewed and then if all goes through well, you are added to the roster in-game for a one month trial. We are not terribly strict and the main requirement is a willingness to role-play. You don't have to be a veteran and we welcome newer folk who want to learn, you just have to be willing to learn, grow, and maintain a respectful play-style. Currently for the month of September and October, we are aiming especially at recruiting rangers, but if any elves see this interview and want to apply, just let me know in their application.

Martuk: What is the Green Company stance on Dwarves and Hobbits?

Ardra Ruthanakhas: Well, originally it was a men and elves only kinship. Recently, we altered that to make exception for... well, exceptional dwarves and hobbits. Because they're an exception to the general rule, they have to go through a slightly tougher application process, but if they can prove themselves, I am glad to make an exception (plus those sorts of things make for great RP hehe).

Martuk: That and in the absence of Gnomes, Hobbits make a nice punting substitute.

Ardra Ruthanakhas: Aye... and it gives our Huntmaster someone to scare with his collection of shrunken heads.

Ardra Ruthanakhas: (I'm so not kidding lol)

Before we concluded, I asked Andra for any words the Green Company might like to share with the LOTRO community.

Well, if anyone is ever looking for a good time Role-playing, or wants a representation of The Rangers of the North at an event (or is just bored lol), feel free to either join us sometime or call on us for aid! We have literally had people walk up to us in the middle of events (who knew who we were) and just start storylines. Its great stuff, and we love it. We love you Landroval... keep on rockin'.- Andra Ruthanakhas

Read The Green Company Tentonhammer profile Here.

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