First of all, I want to let you know that I'm aware this is going to be
a very unpopular change with some segment of the Achaean population.
Please don't think we came to it lightly.

From now on, non-novice guildmembers who don't have class will only lose
10% of the lessons in their class skills rather than 50% as was
previously.

Our rationale
-------------
I'm not trying to cast blame, please understand. However, our hand was
forced. We got tired of losing newbie after newbie who, when faced with
having to conform to overly-strict guild requirements (such as writing
an essay), simply left the game. This isn't going to fix that problem by
any means, because being able to leave your guild with a minorish loss
isn't a substitute for being able to join the guild of your choice. We
will probably be instituting further changes regarding a newbie's
entrance into guilds and gaining of class. However, we do believe it
will be more fair to younger players, particularly those who have
purchased credits.

We know that letting guilds have at least some control over classes has
produced a lot of interesting tensions into Achaea. We're not trying to
get rid of those. We are, however, reacting to the fact that many guilds
seem to slowly and constantly drift towards increased elitism over time.
This is, perhaps, natural, as there are often more novices than there
are guild members qualified to assist them.

We are currently looking into and designing methods by which, hopefully,
the burden on guild leaders/elders/novice helpers is reduced by
automating and assisting the fulfillment of some of the most common
guild requirements among newbies.

In any case, I do apologize to those who are pissed off about this, but
consider a brief hypothetical scenario: How would you like it if, in
your first mudding experience, you were told to write an essay, refused,
and were kicked out of your guild, losing half the effect of the credits
you'd purchased with real money? I know I'd be pretty pissed. 10% I'd
accept as a reasonable penalty for "failure", but 50% I most certainly
would not accept. It is, after all, supposed to be entertaining.

Penned by my hand on the 19th of Aeguary, in the year 370 AF.