A word from the Editor

Love was in the air this month with the amazing Valentines party hosted by one of our keen eyed editors Mystery! This party was a huge success with a great turn out from all three guilds. A good time was had by all, and the games and competitions continued late into the GMT night. Thorn

Love Runs Deep in DAD

The ancient tradition of Valentine's Day celebrated since the 17th century has come a long way since this ancient date and here at DAD we made 2008's Valentines an unforgettable one with a vast party of games and treats for all DAD members whether in love or alone. The party just two days after the 14th of February was a huge success as guildies came appropriately dressed in red for the occasion. The press team attended the event in hopes of some good screenshots and we found the guild hall bursting with party animals (some literally) and handouts of alcohol and fireworks free for the occasion. The event was kick started with fireworks and booze a plenty, crowds gathered round eagerly for the cupid's quiz which tested DAD's knowledge of this romantic holiday. Next came "A fight for the heart" where guildies battled it out on the battlefield for goodies and cash. The themed party seemed a hit as guildies from all over the world attended the party and trekked around the Guildwars world in search for the one and only. The party soon died down but by the end of the night there were still numerous guildies playing a game of “guildies of the heart” in which guild members where described and then other members had to guess the name of this guildie. One thing you can rely on when with DAD is the great parties and this was no exception with nearly every guildie in DAD at the party to compete and socialise it was the perfect evening. With Saint Patrick's Day looming on us we may have another excuse to party in true DAD fashion!


Article by Mystery Mesmer Pictures by Ikra

Member Interviews!

Conducted in a controlled enviroment using Jump leads and a car battery, by Mistress Bella!

Well, it's that time again; time to delve into the minds of a few of our members. Be wary for these are dark, evil places that may not be suitable for the timid or those with a weak heart. This month it was Bella who chose to sit down with the three victims in question and have her way with them. Not for the squeamish.

Virtuous Pol:

Bella - Ok, let's begin with the boring stuff. Please list your age, favorite character/campaign and how many total hours logged?
Pol - I'm 36, this is my favorite character and I love Nightfall. Total hours logged are 2638 over 18 months.
Bella - I'd say a vacation is in order, wouldn't you?
Pol - Lot's of DL on a pre character. Lol
Bella - *laughs* Well, has your age difference ever been an issue, seeing as you are, like me, one of the older players?
Pol - I kind of got upset when a guildie called me "a scary old man", but I got over it.
Bella - Funny how suddenly 36 is old, isn't it?
Pol - Yes. Although I don't feel old, I have been playing games for over 30 years.
Bella - Indeed. Well, since you're a guild leader let's talk about that, but first I'd like to know how you found this nuthouse.
Pol - I started playing Guild Wars from a 15 hour trial disc from a magazine. I accepted a guild invite from a long gone member. (Killian the Ranger)
Bella - And what were your first impressions of DAD?
Pol - It was hard to get into it at first, but like I always tell new members, make use of AC and soon you'll fit in.
Bella - Good advice. I found what worked for me was annoying Draco as much as possible.
Pol - That is fun and informative.
Bella - Ok, so you're fooling around, getting to know people. How did the position of guild leader fall into your lap?
Pol - That came as a total shock. I went on holiday an officer and came back to find myself leader. Lol.
Bella - No notice at all that this was coming?
Pol - The guild was in turmoil, the founder left in a storm of controversy. The new leader was struggling and not enjoying it. Then, POW! Pol for guild leader.
Bella - Any reservations now that you're in the driver's seat?
Pol - Sometimes is hard work and not much fun, but overall I enjoy the position.
Bella - I can see how it can be a double edged sword.
Pol - Well, good officers like Ben make it easy, lazy ones harder.
Bella - Except when those good officers are always begging for scrimmage matches, ha-ha. Ok let's switch gears a bit. Looking back, what's the most noobtacular (ok it's not an actual word) you've ever done?
Pol - I almost sold a green bow for 40g instead of 40k as well as selling black dye back to the merchant. I've never had a single black dye drop since. I think the gods are punishing me.
Bella - That's Anet karma at work. OK what's your proudest moment?
Pol - I suppose being made GL was my finest moment. I ran to tell my wife and all I got was, "ummm…ok."
Bella - "Now take out the garbage Mr. Guild Leader"
Pol - Lol, it was more like, "Now unpack the holiday things."
Bella - Ha-ha. What does she think about your playing?
Pol - Sometimes it's a problem because of the time invested, but I try to strike a balance. Weekends are our time normally, so I'm on more during the week.
Bella - The age old question: Guild Wars or shopping?
Pol - She doesn't think I can watch TV with her and play at the same time. Lol
Bella - Well, most of you can't Ok, chicken or fish?
Pol - Fish
Bella - Coke or Pepsi?
Pol - Coke (diet)
Bella - Draco or Bella?
Pol - No Comment
Bella - No problem I can edit that later.

Thank you Pol. Next up we have the one and only Editor of your paper, Cornered in the guild hall, with nowhere to escape, Bella attacked me with her questions!!

Enjoy!

THORN BAIN

Thorn: Please don't make me spell my own name.
Bella - I may but you'll have to do it in Sanskrit. Ok, what is your age, favorite character/campaign and total hours logged?
Thorn - This is going to be like getting blood from a stone.
*editor's note: apparently Thorn was not having the best day.
Bella - Don't make me get my whip.
Thorn - Please do.
Bella - Focus!
Thorn - Ok, I'm 18 (19 in June) and my favorite character is my ranger (Thorn Bain) and campaign is Prophecies. 2,252 hours logged.
Bella - Nice, one for Prophecies. It never gets the recognition it deserves.
Thorn - Best of the lot in my opinion.
Bella - I knew I liked you for more than your sash making skills.
So how did you drunkenly stumble into this pub we call DAD?
Thorn - Well, that all started when my brother was recruited and he dragged me in with him. He was first in, but I was much pushier. That was 1 1/2 years ago.
Bella - As an obvious extrovert, do you find that it's a quality that helps or hinders you in DAD?
Thorn - Extrovert?
Bella - Outgoing, I'll try to refrain from the big words. :D
Thorn - Ah, gotcha. Well, I tried to push my way into everything when I joined, but in a good way. I think it helps a lot. I can usually push other guildies into helping me.
Bella - Such the manipulator. What were your first impressions of the guild as a whole?
Thorn - I really liked it. It was my first pro guild. I had been manning a small guild called Lyssa's Chosen for around six months, my brother and Letty being officers. Apparently the guild was scammed, and then I joined another before finding DAD. I immediately fell for it. Everyone was awesome and helpful; I then met Myst and wanted to work with her.
Bella - Ahh, so you knew Letty before DAD?
Thorn - I've known Letty for a while. She was in my Photography course in college. So I actually know her in real life.
Bella - I must say her Facebook picture is the cutest thing. Plus she's sporting a drink, so that's bonus points right there.
Thorn - haha, she definitely knows how to party.
Bella - And yet I wallow away in boring California. No fair. Ok since you mentioned her earlier, let's talk about our fearless leader shall we?
Thorn - Aha, the Mystery. What do you want to know?
Bella - Well for starters, you two are digitally joined at the hip. Not that I know what that's about *cough*. How do you think other members take that?
Thorn - I think most are cool with it. Draco just likes to use it like he's bowling, just to see how many pins he can knock over, but some are jealous. And I think you know who I'm referring too.
Bella - *clears throat* Ok, moving on.
Thorn - *interrupts* But Mysty and I have been friends since my first DAD party when I dressed in pink (Sorry Antoine) and she joined me. We've been pretty much inseparable ever since.
Bella - I can relate. It's nice to have that single person who understands you more than anyone else.
Thorn - We're practically best mates on here and she literally knows everything about me. It's good to know I can log on and talk to someone who understands my pathetic whining. Sometimes I just log on to have a laugh with her.
Bella - ha-ha…indeed.
Thorn - She can always cheer me up and get me to pick on Draco and other people.
Bella - Well, he's such an easy target you know? I enjoy it immensely.
Thorn - It's a great pastime, like croquette actually.
Bella - I think maybe I won't mention a joke about balls and wickets and just move on.
If you had any advice for new players, what would it be?
Thorn - Forget your fears and shyness, just dive in headfirst. It's what gets you noticed. I used to be shy and it didn't get me anywhere.
Bella - Good advice, but don't you think it's a fine line between confidence and arrogance?
Thorn - Very fine, you have to watch what you say in front of others. For example when the press team died off, I desperately wanted it to work properly. So I thought, "Ok, let's do this right". So I formed a great team and planned it all out. Hopefully it's working.
Bella - So far so good.
Thorn - The main reason was I wanted to entertain the guild, I mean it is for everyone after all.
Bella - Then get Dorvan a spellchecker. Ha-ha
Thorn - That falls on Dorvan's editor. *laughs*
Bella - Yes he should, doubly so for these batch of interviews. Ok, almost done then you can go back to instigating…uh I mean helping others.
Thorn - I don't mind :)
Bella - Chicken or fish?
Thorn - Chicken, especially when eating Subway while drunk.
Bella - Dryer sheet or fabric softener?
Thorn - Oh, fabric softener all the time.
Bella - Guinness or Bass?
Thorn - Bass…as in?
Bella - Ale...I'm so disappointed. And you call yourself a drinker.
Thorn - Then I'll pick Magners.
Bella - Favorite word?
Thorn - Awesomesauce.
Bella - Draco or Bella?
Thorn - Drella.
Bella - God, what a concept…I hate you.
Its ok you can look back now its all gone!

FUERY

Bella - I'll begin the same way I always do. Age/fave character/campaign and total hours logged?
Fuery - I'm 21, my favorite character is Fuery, and campaign is Prophecies. I've played for 1545 hours over the past 30 months, and I've been in this map for 1 minute. @,..,@
Bella - Ok, let's get right to the point, or should I say "points"? Why a vampire? Why have you embraced that persona? And stop looking at my neck.
Fuery - When I started this character, very early on in post Ascalon, I died and my body glitches out and I rose into the sky. I said to Twili, "Look I'm a raging vampire" ^,..,^ your neck is sexy.
Bella - Please focus on the questions, not my soft and supple neckline that you'll never have the pleasure of tasting.
Fuery - Argh! Ok.
Bella - Ok, so how many guildies have you actually bitten? And stop pouting.
Fuery - More than I can count. I remember I made a few vampires and then they spread it around like mad, but were all hunted down by the guild, supposedly.
Bella - I've seen the dust piles.
Fuery - That's horrible.
Bella - Only for my allergies. Are there any drawbacks to being a lonely vampire in a guild?
Fuery - Yes, there's the lack of food, lack of teams and living under the stairs of the guild hall is a dark damp life.
Bella - Well that's the path you chose.
Fuery - I did not, it chose me.
Bella - Alright then, whatever you say. Well if you've been under the stairs for all this time, you must have seen a lot. Let's go back to your first week in DAD.
Fuery - I've seen great members come and go. When I first got here I was impressed by all the active friendliness and I knew this was my home.
Bella - under the stairs of course.
Fuery - it was the only place Uncle had for me at the time.
Bella - Poor vampy, and here I was given the keys to the executive washroom. I guess favoritism doesn't apply to vampires.
Fuery - NiBellale?
Bella - No. Here, have a rat instead.
*chomps down the creature*
Ok, it seems everyone here has that one person who they gravitate towards or who may have helped them at one point. Who is your special someone Vampy?
Fuery - It's impossible to single any one person out, but if forced I'd say Uncle. Cause he's the man.
Bella - Ok, what was your shining Guild Wars moment, the one thing to tell all your bloodsucking buddies?
Fuery - Well that was obviously when I first reached level 20 in Prophecies, which was very close to when I became an officer in DAD2.
Bella - How has it been being an officer? Drunk with power yet?
Fuery - Well, I'm not the best recruiter, but I help whenever I can.
Bella - Well who is then?
Fuery - Drunk with power?
Bella - No, the best recruiter. Besides we know its Draco who's drunk with power, and possibly me a little.
Fuery - Not sure, I don't pay attention to that…Mystery maybe? And I noticed you have pulled in a lot as well.
Bella - Ok what's the single piece of advice you could give a new player to DAD?
Fuery - Just be yourself, and lose the shyness. Soon you'll be swarmed with friends.
Bella - Chicken or fish?
Fuery - Steak
Bella - Aluminum foil or plastic wrap?
Fuery - Aluminum. Only so the aliens in Signs can't read my mind.
Bella - Favorite word?
Fuery - NiBellale.
Bella - Juice or Sunny D?
Fuery - Blood mixed with juice in a Sunny D bottle.
Bella - Draco or Bella?
Fuery - Bella. ^,..,^
Bella - Holy water or stake?
Ha-ha just kidding Vampy

Title Achievements of the Month!

Congratulations to all!!

Special Thanks to Bella this month for her amazing new design for the Shiverpeaks Courier Header seen right at the top :D thank you from the Press Team!!