To pug or not to pug.. that is the question.

Entering the guild common room, I sat down for a nice cup of tea. I pulled out a flask of yummy rum to add a nip when I heard the most absurd noise coming from outside. I sprang to the door to see what was going on and wouldn't you know it; 10 people were standing outside with these annoying little four legged animals at their heal. Strange looking creatures, I thought, with their faces all squished in. I think it was called a pug.

I walked over to the young human warrior and asked "what pray tell are those and where did you get them?" He pointed to the message board so I went to have a gander.

"To all heroes and heroines of Azeroth. Be it decreed that there is a new contest in town. We would like to encourage you to get to know your fellow Azerothians and thus we are offering a prize hound from our litter just for you if you join a group with people you don't know....." The sign went on from there, but I think you get the gist.

I returned to our common room to mull this over. Yes, picking up groups randomly is fun from time to time, but the longer I thought about it the more I hoped that this new found contest would not encourage people to group with non guild members more than working together as a team. My heart began to pound as I stood up and paced back and forth the length of the room. (I stubbed my toe too! Who left the battered Hilt in the middle of the floor!) Contemplating I thought, grouping is how we build on friendships, respect, and learn to work with each other. If we never group together anymore... what will become of our guild? Will we go our separate ways? Will people get bored of each other?!

That was a few weeks ago now and I'm pleased in the last weeks to see that my fears have be squelched and our guild is strong and as bold as it ever was. As I sit her alone in the common room I think of the group that has just flown to the new found dungeons in Icecrown. Ahh.. the Pit of Saron smells so sweet the stench of death and decay... (but I digress)

I am encouraged to see that people have been looking around the guild common room first before setting off on some adventure. Quite often there are people waiting in the common room for someone to ask them to hop on a dragon and fly to Northrend. Thus, I wanted to leave you all with a few words.

Keep questing and running dungeons and raids together; that's how we get to know each other's style.

Keep grouping with different people in the guild, it's good to get to know other people in the guild besides those you've known for ages.

Don't forget about some of the new level 80's they need gear and we can help them by inviting them to our group. Also, there are still some questing there way up. Let's remember to help them out too!

Yours always,
Queen Kaline