Creating a Guild Guide

One of the main draws of multiplayer games is the ability to join with likeminded people in order to better accomplish a quest or defeat an enemy. The main way to do this is to join, or create, a guild. World of Warcraft's official site defines a guild as "a group of players that join together for companionship, adventure, economic gain and more." It truly is an excellent way to meet people, and accomplish that which cannot be accomplished alone within the world of Azeroth.

But one of the many questions a new player might have, is how does one start a guild? This guide will take you through the steps in creating a guild in WoW. If you have other questions on how to begin in World of Warcraft, you may want to consult our Newbie Guide.
The Charter

The first thing you will need in order to start a guild is to find a guild master. They can be located in the capital cities. If you ask a guard, you can get directions to the nearest guild master. Here is a list of the guild masters in the main cities, and their locations within the cities.
Alliance

* Funam, Trader's Tier, Exodar
* Lysheana, Craftsman's Terrace, Darnassus
* Aldwin Laughlin, Stormwind Visitor's Center, Trade District, Stormwind
* Jondor Steelbrow, Ironforge Visitor's Center, The Commons, Ironforge

Horde

* Tandrine, Silvermoon Registry, Walk of Elders, Silvermoon City
* Urtrun Clanbringer, Horde Embassy, Valley of Strength, Orgrimmar
* Christopher Drakul, Trade Quarter, Undercity
* Krumn, Thunder Bluff Civic Information, Lower Rise, Thunder Bluff

Once you have found the guild master, you must purchase a guild charter from him. Do this by clicking on the "How do I form a guild?" chat bubble. Then, purchase a guild charter. The charter costs 10 silver and will ask you for the name of your guild. You are able to change the name of your guild, via the charter, so don't worry if you have not settled on a name yet. But you will have something to use as a placeholder until you have settled on a name. However, you will want to make sure to follow Blizzard's naming guidelines on your guild, so that you won't be forced to change it later.

Next, you will need to get 9 signatures on your guild charter. This is due to the fact that a guild must begin as 10 people on different accounts. To request a signature, target the person you want to sign, and click the "Request Signature" button at the bottom of the guild charter.

It's important to remember that if you want a good guild with good people, the best way is to politely ask for signatures. Spamming signature requests on people is a good way to be ignored.

After you have obtained the required number of signatures, return to a guild master, click on the "How do I form a guild?" chat bubble again and turn in your guild charter.

Congratulations! You have now formed a guild!
Now what?

The person who turned in the charter is the guild master. You will now have a guild tag underneath your name, visible to other players. You control your guild using the guild tab which is found in the social window (reached by clicking on the chat bubble icon on your taskbar). All of the controls for the guild master are located in the guild tab.

The guild master can set who in the guild can speak in and see guild chat, speak in and see officer chat, invite/kick people from the guild, promote/demote ranks in the guild, etc. Anything that a guild member can do within the guild in the game's interface is controlled by the guild leader. Guild chat can be used by typing /g before whatever you want to say in guild chat. The guild leader can also assign ranks, rename the ranks, and design the guild's tabard.

To register a crest for the guild that will appear as the guild's tabard costs 10 gold. You register and design the crest by speaking to a guild master in one of the major cities. Anyone can view and play with different tabard designs, but only the guild leader can create one for the guild. You can buy a guild tabard from a tabard vendor. They can be found near the guild masters in the major cities.

Now that you know the basics of creating a guild, don't be shy about getting together with friends, or future friends, and start the beginning of a great guild!