[edit] Overview

The Skullsplitters is a roleplay-oriented guild in the online game Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, which is scheduled for release in March 2008.

Our plan is to provide a fun, friendly playing environment in every aspect of Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures. Wether you like to role-play or not, wether you like to just PvP (Player Vs Player), PvE (Player Vs Environment), or just like to sit in the local tavern getting totally smashed, we'll always be there to support your interests every step of the way.

[edit] Expanded General Information

The Skullsplitters are made of ranks from all races, and all classes. Other than the Challenge of Conquest there is no ceremony, forced religion, or politics within the Brigade. Although there is a ranking system, and structured hierarchy, it is strictly for organizational purposes, and is not a political arena. This means that if a Lokhagos feels that a Soldat has been insubordinate, he will deal with it as he sees fit. There are no tribunals. Each rank of the hierarchy is to obey the rank above it without question. The Brigade is meant to function as an efficient army and many aspects of the guild have military structure. The primary difference between a king's army and a mercenary army like the Skullsplitters is that our allegiance is paid for and when the money runs out there is no loyalty.

We fight for the love of battle and for wealth & power. It should be noted that the Brigade doesn't expect loyalty from it's ranks. Conformity and compliance with the leadership's wishes will be bought, beyond that it may be enforced with a sword, but there is no illusions of loyalty or "glory for the Brigade" in the Skullsplitters. Realism, egotism, and hedonism may be traits likely to be found in a Skullsplitter, but generally speaking we don't act selflessly for others or for honour. From a roleplaying aspect all Skullsplitters should share this ideology, or have a sensible reason why they would be a mercenary if they don't. Economy inherently stands beside a desire for power, and so there will be a home for crafters, as well as warriors, with emphasis divided equally between both types. Above all we don't want to enforce a certain way of gaming or type of character suitable for the guild, and so we're very accommodating of any character traits so long as they make sense within the confines of the game itself. No matter what your interest in the game it can be accommodated in this guild.

[edit] Brigade Structure

The heirarchy of the Skullsplitters Brigade is a unique, anarchy inspired military structure that relies on every other level of the structure tree. There is no micro-management within the structure, but it is a very well organized and 'pecking order' respected structure. A Skullsplitters member must be savvy enough to use the structure to his advantage enough, but social enough to ensure that he has the support of his brethren, as any Skullsplitter without suuch support is a floating Tiro member, and is considered guildless even though he may be associated with the Skullsplitters.

A Small excerpt from the words of the Skullsplitters Brigade Chief (Guild leader) Calamus: "Beside me are the Legatus. The Legatus carry out my commands in organizing our ranks. Aside from my words directly the Legatus� command is absolute. Under direct command of the Legatus are the Lokhagos. Our infantry is our backbone, but without direction you are nothing more than a pack of war dogs.

The Lokhagos give you that direction, by commanding our Lokhos. Our Lokhos are our Brigade divisions, made of our following rank, Soldats.

As Soldats, the majority of our ranks, you are our blades. You are our axes, our spears. Our battles, and our victory are painted with the blood of our enemy. That blood is spilled by our Soldats ferocity! Beneath you are the Tiro. Tiro are nothing more than hungry dogs, lined at the Brigades teat, hoping to become Soldats. Until you are promoted from Tiro you are nothing, and you will be treated as such.

Tiro do as you are told, and if you do not then the crows will feast on your corpse. But if you follow orders, and make yourself worthy, you may be lucky enough to someday command your own Lokhos, or, over my body, command the Brigade as Chief."

[edit] Role-Playing Environment

In roleplay, the Skullsplitters will aid in PvP on the side of the highest bidder. We cannot be persuaded to a side based on anything more than who has more money to offer, this is the most basic tenet that the Brigade was re-founded on after the overthrow of Hedj Iretey. It is important to note that the roleplaying of this ideology is separate from the gaming ideology.

The Skullsplitters guild does plan to have friends in this game, and we do not consider the guild a separate entity from everyone else in the game. The Skullsplitters guild is very good at separating roleplaying from gameplay and expects to have very friendly relationships with other gamers, even when our brigade has been hired this week to siege their city. Although animosity for the guild will certainly exist, we hope that most players will see the Skullsplitters as a sword devoid of sentience and not as the fighter wielding it.

With all this in mind, the story of the Skullsplitters evolves with the game over the course of the games existence.

As mentioned earlier, Role-Playing within the Skullsplitters is not mandatory, but optional. Although the Skullsplitters would prefer role-players to provide a better role-playing environment for everybody, it is not mandatory. Since the Skullsplitters will be forming on an RP-PvP (Role Playing Player Vs Player) server, most Tiro's (recruits) would most likely be interested in role-playing.

[edit] Challenge of Conquest

In another excerpt from the Brigade Chief Calamus himself: "The Challenge of Conquest is the only tradition that we observe. At most times tradition is a distraction. It clouds men�s minds, preventing them from making decisions that need to be made in the present. Politics are saturated with meaningless tradition which prevents governments from ruling their countries. Religion is rife with so much of it that even it�s most devout followers can rarely agree with its own teachings. The Skullsplitters no such burdens. Our tradition is renewal, not of the past.

Every new moon our ranks are offered the opportunity to succeed our Brigade chief and take his place. At times there are none who challenge the Chief, but it is not accident that our only tradition ensures that no one chief shall remain long enough to fall tainted by tradition. The Challenge of Conquest is held as a ceremony where all ranks, excluding the unproven Tiro are given chance to challenge the Chief in battle. If multiple challengers present themselves to the Chief, then those challengers must first prove themselves worthy to each other, before they can face the Chief. Once a single challenger remains, he enters into single combat against the Brigade Chief, and he who immerges victorious will gain, or retain the rank of Brigade Chief� for as long as he can hold it. The Challenge of Conquest is not to the death, although many Chiefs and many challengers have fallen during its ceremony.

My ascension to Brigade Chief serves as an example of need to avoid tradition in the Brigade Chief. My predecessor, Hedj Iretey was a fierce warrior. For a long time his ascension brought renewed wealth, and victory to our Brigade. Hedj Iretey reigned for more than 3 years, and for his first year none felt the desire to challenge his rank. Eventually Hedj Iretey began to forge alliances with the Aquilonian Kingdom. He became little more than a pup, suckling at the teat of King Conan�s throne. Our battles became only for Aquilonia, our pay was decreased, the Challenge of Conquest ceased to be held. Hedj Iretey became so concerned with continuing his reign that he forgot a Skullsplitters charge, and he quickly beheaded all who spoke against him. I, and his other Legatus gathered together, knowing what had to be done. I was chosen to end his reign. He did not survive the battle, and I now wear his ring as a symbol to never allow his mistake to be repeated. When my time comes, I shall embrace it.

Once a Chief is defeated, he resumes his previous rank within the Brigade� assuming that he still breathes. A former chief is given no more heed than his new rank demands, although a former Chief may challenge again for his rank. When the desire for power is greater than the desire for the Skullsplitters, the Legatus are granted the right to overthrow the Chief, by calling a Challenge at their will so long as all Legatus agree. If that desire for power consumes a former chief bending his sight away from The Skullsplitters, then the Legatus will send him to his creator. Rarely does a former Chief challenge without reason.

This is the way of things. It is the way of the Skullsplitters."

[edit] Brigade Goals

The following is a basic summary of what the Skullsplitters would have to offer you:

The Skullsplitters would provide an interesting and unique experience within Hyboria, with plenty fun and comradery along the way.

The Skullsplitters would provide a complete experience in PvP, from small five man skirmishes to all out siege warfare.

The Skullsplitters would provide a rich, in-depth role-playing community with plenty of character development and friendship opportunities.

The Skullsplitters (with its respectable members) together, would strive to explore and experience all Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures has to offer, from exploring ancient dungeons to climbing the tallest mountains.

The Skullsplitters wants to meet you! Head over to http://www.skullsplitters.org to inquire about joining, ask questions, or just to say hi!