What is commonly asked before a first evening?
Questions that newcomers ask most often, answered without hurry, together with a few about ranks and conduct that long-standing members ask as well.
What do newcomers ask first?
Does taking part cost anything at all?
No. There are no fees, no tickets and no charge for tea or for the use of any game. The guild is run by volunteers and nothing in the house is sold. Time and goodwill are the only contributions we request, and the goodwill is by far the more important.
How old must I be?
Members must be 18 or over, without exception, and we may ask a newcomer to confirm the fact. The guild is intended for adults, and its evenings are arranged accordingly. Guests of members must be adults as well, and may be asked to complete the join form on their first visit.
Must I attend every week?
No. Many members attend on one evening in the week, and some on one evening in the month, which suits the campaigns well. Campaigns are arranged to survive absences, and nobody is asked to explain theirs.
Is the house accessible?
Please telephone or write before your first visit and tell us what would help. We shall arrange a seat, a clear route and a table that suits you, and we prefer to plan with you rather than to guess.
What happens if the evening is full?
A table can usually be made. If it cannot, a Warden will explain, offer a place on the next evening and, wherever possible, find a short game for the interval. Nobody is turned away without a plan, and the next evening's first seat is kept for them, with a Guide to greet them at the door.
Why are there so many questions?
Newcomers apologise to me for asking questions, and I always tell them the same thing: the guild exists because of them. A question is evidence that someone is paying attention and wishes to do the thing properly, and I would sooner answer a hundred of them than see one person leave without having asked.
For this reason the answers on this page are written at the length at which I would give them in person. If something has been left out, please write to the house and I shall add it.
How do ranks and conduct work?
How is a rank awarded?
Ranks are awarded for helping newcomers and are proposed by other members, never claimed by the person concerned. A Companion has played a full season; a Guide has hosted five first sessions; a Warden is a Guide who also tends a part of the house.
Can a rank be lost?
A rank is a record of what has been done, so it is not removed because of a poor evening. It may be set aside, however, if a member's conduct has caused serious distress, as the community code explains.
Who settles a disagreement about a rule?
The game master decides at the table and the matter is reviewed afterwards. If it cannot be settled there, the question goes to the referee, who gives a written answer that is applied to every table.
What does the moderator do?
I moderate the chat server, meet newcomers, speak privately to members whose conduct has slipped, and keep the community code to hand. I am not paid, I am not infallible, and I am always willing to be corrected, preferably over a cup of tea.
May I raise a concern privately?
Please do. Write to the house or speak to any Warden, and the matter will be handled by one person who was not involved. Nothing you say will be repeated without your consent.