Shattered Kingdoms

A change should be made regarding this. One should be allowed to leave a cabal or tribunal via a quit command. This will give the oathbreaker flag. If the current cabal/tribunal allows the member to leave by removing them from the organization the oathbreaker flag should not apply. This will effectively give the cabal or tribunal the ability to choose who they wish to punish for leaving. Some leave for the right reasons, others do not. This would put it all in the hands of the people that are affected by such a move as well as give the player the choice to leave the faction whenever they wish, though, incurring the oathbreaker flag. Thoughts?

Oathbreaker does not prevent characters from rejoining the organization that they left: It prevents them from joining other organizations. Cabal and tribunal hopping shouldn't be done, as you make oaths to the cause. Hence, you are known for the rest of your life, or until IMMs intervene, as an Oathbreaker, preventing you from going elsewhere.

However, if you are a Druid, you can join the Guardians with OB flag and vice-versa, or Hammer/Keeper, Hand/Crucible, Talon/Fist.

Well, it's nice to know there is a little flexibility. My main reason for mentioning this is because I've seen a few people complain about the long timer. It made sense to offer a way around it if both parties felt the need. This could certainly be done via an RP stand point. Further more.. if someone releases you of your oath that is in no way breaking it. If they said no, we will not release you from your oath, but you leave anyway... that IS breaking the oath.

The "long timer" has to do with completely switching factions, which must be facilitated by the staff, and I personally think it makes plenty of sense. If you vow to give your life in service for one organization and then leave -- on whatever terms --, why on earth would another organization assume that your word was of any more value than the first time you gave it?

I think the indignation about the time and effort requirements (Yeah, it's not just a timer. It's time spent actively engaged in your progression to the new organization -- being an 'unofficial' member [retired/inactive time doesn't count for anything]) stems from the fact that we like instant gratification. It's usually pretty easy to get into that first cabal or tribunal, after all. And really, it is undoubtedly easier to just roll a new character.

I really forsee that this is one of those things that Dulrik will not be budging on.

You mean "Not" be budging, right?

Yep. Fixed

That was my exact point.. you can RP a very good reason why things happen. What I suggest isn't your player.. just leaving. As I mentioned, if you.. 'just leave' you have the flag and the long wait. Also, do you think there should be a little room for improvement on the oath taking itself? Should we all be forced into giving an oath for life, or could the oath be for a period of time, at which point you would have to then decide to give another oath for life, or leave under honorable conditions?

You're free to join another faction on a character if you put in the effort. That no one is willing is not indicative of a problem with the system but with the expectations of people playing within it. Oaths are meant to be for the life of a character. It's just how it is.

The expectation that an oathbreaker will 'never' be allowed into another faction represents the reality that 95% of those that complain about it will not put forth the time and effort it takes to overcome it. It's much easier for most people to level a new character from scratch. I'd say we get someone who is willing to play a character long enough without holding a membership to overcome the flag about once per year.

What's the actual RL timer, if you don't mind my asking?