The Black Company Wiki - Home
Welcome to the Black Company Wiki site! These pages contain essential guild information in the form of our Company Charter, Bylaws, and written Annals which contain our known histories. Take your time, read through, and get to know our organization.
THE BLACK COMPANY GUILD CHARTER
I. BACKGROUND
II. MISSION STATEMENT
III. COMPANY HISTORY
IV. CLAN OPERATION
V. MEMBERSHIP & RECRUITING
I. BACKGROUND
About four centuries before the first chronicle, twelve companies surged out from the mythical land of Khatovar, birthed in blood and fire. Little remains to lend insight into the purpose and identities of these early warriors, and all but one company returned to the Plain of Glittering Stone. The one that remained behind was The Black Company..
It was believed that all Twelve Free Companies of Khatovar exploded into the world at the same time in a vast orgy of fire and bloodshed. But in fact, the Black Company were one of the last of the Twelve Free Companies to emerge from the Plain of Glittering Stone. Instead of a group of bloodthirsty zealots, the original Black Company were a troop of embittered men who marched off somewhere they didn't want to go for reasons they didn't understand. (see The Black Company novel by Glen Cook)
II. MISSION STATEMENT
A. Description
The Black Company is a US-based gaming guild modeled after the fictional series of same name by Glen Cook (Europeans also welcome). However, TBC is not a roleplaying guild. The Black Company is a military-styled clan with a preference for online war-based games (of any genre). Historically, the clan has flourished in games offering strategic military objectives and some freedom as to how they are achieved. We've played quite a few MMOs, but love first-person shooters just as much.
B. Purpose
Our primary purpose is success in and enjoyment of online games. Membership in the Black Company requires a commitment, although not a full-time one. For us it's about action and fun, first and always. Although we have a number of veterans and ex-servicemen among us, we do not require members to salute and call each other 'sir'.
C. Mercenary Contracts
The Black Company has taken in-game player contracts for mercenary work in the past. And we will do so again if such is possible, fun, and suits our mandate in that particular game.
III. COMPANY HISTORY
A. TBC History
The Black Company (Black-Company.org) was founded in April 2003, in the game Anarchy Online (RK-I). The Company then established themselves in Star Wars Galaxies, at Corellia (Corbantis), where military operations were conducted over the next year. The Black Company later formed active units in the games Battlefield2, the World of Warcraft (Illidan, then Haomarush), Eve Online, Call of Duty 4, the Age of Conan (Cimmeria), Warhammer Online, Darkfall Online (EU-I), Aion: Tower of Eternity, and Global Agenda.
B. Method of Operation
Historically, the Company has carried out operations in unconventional ways. TBC method of operation is to use whatever methods are proven to work and abandon those which do not. Or in the words of Bruce Lee, “let what works be the test for what’s right”.
IV. CLAN OPERATION
The Black Company clan operation will be as simple as possible. Wherever possible, practical and fun, the Company will emulate the example set forth by the books. However, the Black Company charter and rules will be made to effectively serve the guild and not vice versa. The Company will record, but not be rigidly bound, by the edicts of history. It is rather a living and ever-changing entity comprised entirely of, by, and for its membership. At its’ most basic level, the Company is a brotherhood of mercenaries, a family of sorts. Thus there is no room for drama, and drama as such will be squashed.
Use of Ventrilo is required for all Black Company operations and scheduled events (See Voice Comm SOP below).
A. Ranking System
The Company Chain of Command (COC) will be efficient and in accordance with the books. The leader of the Black Company is known as the Captain. The second in command is known simply as the Lieutenant. Beyond that, there are the unique roles of Standard Bearer and Company Annalist. The Captain will provide guild direction and establish battalion leadership (LTs). Lieutenants will coordinate with the Captain in establishing a ranking structure suitable for that particular game. Thus the Black Company clan ranking structure is both fluid and informal – in effect all sworn brothers are equal. Unless otherwise specified, the chain of command is as follows (these may be replaced with game-specific rank names):
TBC Chain of Command:
Captain – Guild leader
Annalist / Standard Bearer – Unique officer roles
Lieutenant – Overall game leader
Commander(s) – Officers
Sergeant(s) – Squad leaders
Corporals — Former officers
Grunts – Sworn brothers
Recruits – Guild applicants
Recruits are taken on to grow the Company ranks but have yet to prove themselves or swear an oath of fealty. Recruits do not enjoy the same privilege and distinction as full sworn brothers of the Company who have earned their stripes in action. Recruits will therefore not get first shares of clan resources, nor do they enjoy any voting rights. It is the responsibility of recruits to actively contribute to the Company or forfeit the opportunity for membership. They are taken on for a trial period of no less than one, nor more than four months before being either accepted or denied as a sworn brother.
V. MEMBERSHIP & RECRUITING
He wants to join the Black Company? What’s wrong with the fool?
-One-Eye
A. Clan Motto
Full membership in the Black Company can be understood in the terms of the clan motto which is
Of, By, and For the Company (OBF). What this means, is that we do things on our own terms here. Its essence is that of self-sacrifice on behalf of the guild over individual gain. It essentially means “clan before self”. This motto has been the cornerstone of the Black Company experience and its initial use is attributed to Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address.
B. Membership & Applications
“Gentlemen, this is.. Raven. He wants to join us. Raven isn’t his birthname. Doesn’t matter. The rest of you lied too. Introduce yourselves and ask questions."
-the Captain
TBC will grow its numbers as needed, but is never under any pressure to accept substandard applications. The Black Company will recruit as many, or as few quality members necessary to ensure success of the clan in a fun, social environment.
What TBC requires of its members is simple: they must take a new name (preferably same as their main character in a TBC game), must swear fealty to the Black Company, and must actively contribute to the clan in-game. In addition, ALL recruits must fill out a simple application, be able to follow instructions well, and be willing to participate in an interview if and when one should be granted. Lastly, all members and recruits must be at least 18 years of age and be mature adults. Also, a sense of humor never hurts. Failure to qualify or adhere to these standards will result in a rejected application and/or removal from the Company.
ACTIVE AND CAPABLE PLAYERS MAY APPLY BY REGISTERING ON OUR FORUMS, VISITING THE APPLICATIONS FORUM AND FOLLOWING THE POSTED INSTRUCTIONS.
C. Company Standards
At no time shall any member of the Black Company (including recruits) in any way abuse, harass, or threaten any other player from any game or any guild. Nor will any member post or communicate anything which may be misconstrued as hateful, vulgar, discriminatory, or otherwise illegal. Cheating (hacking, aimbots, exploiting geometry, etc.) in any game is prohibited.
D. Recruiting
The Captain and Lieutenants will appoint capable individuals to the job of recruiting, in order to meet clan and battalion recruiting goals. Those selected to become recruiters will be the most professional and experience in our ranks, and must be willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
E. Moonlighting
The brotherhood encourages long-term, loyal membership. If presented with a choice, we must all pick a side. The Black Company therefore has a moonlighting policy which does not allow for dual membership in both TBC and non-TBC guilds within the same game and on the same server. Members who are found to have alts belonging to other guilds on a server that TBC maintains an active presence, will have their membership revoked.
Other TBC guilds:
There are many other guilds that go by the name "The Black Company" in many different games. It is not of interest to us to list, categorize, or characterize other Black Company guilds. To
each Company
Of, By, and For their own. The clan name and concept are nothing new, nor are they original. We share them freely with anyone with a love for the books by Glen Cook.
Thank you for your interest in the Black Company!
