The OFFICIAL THREAD: The Ascalon Royal Family Masquerade Ball, Community Event

I have to ask, will staff members be allowed to enter the costume contest? obviously the judges can't, but what about the rest of us? okay, so I'm really just looking for an excuse to get some new armor, but really, I'd love a chance to enter once the thread is posted!

**still collecting donations from my guild...the numbers are piling up though, very exciting!**

Sry... all staff members are exempt from being part of any of the contests or games (cause we're getting paid). maybe we can have one on thursday at the staff meeting. Get some small gold or something.

oh poo! way to crush my dreams! just for that maybe i don't want to be staff anymore! haha, yeah right! you couldn't pay me enough to give this up now! ahh well, at least I still know I've got the coolest looking armor..uh..I mean, costume out there!

in that case, I suppose I'll actually tell my guildmates when to look for that thread to pop up, maybe I can give them some style tips (dwayna knows they're mostly men and completely fashion clueless!) they'll need them!

Change of plans... Friday is officers meeting. Around 6PM EST (10PM GMT in serenity Temple ID1) Be there please staff!

Ive just been messin around lately, but ive got a stash of some kinda good stuff in my storage that I can donate. Ive got an ungula axe...rare-skinned hammer (forget name)...nice (but req 12) shadow axe...margonite gem...2 stygian gems...a green...and som other stuff. Case in point. im farming colossal scimitars so the loss of som of this stuff wont be a big deal if I get one. Its all I got .

I could actually use a Colossal Scimitar, req10 or higher of course... that or elemental sword/dwarven axe/serpent axe. Why? Secret, but it involves another contest in the works that Izzy kind of gave some ideas about (yes Izzy, ANET staff game balancer) More on that later, I love causing suspense.

You can easily solo farm them (although rare of course. thats why they cost alot ) at the beginning of the Moddok Crevice mish in hard mode. Just dont agree to go with the person and ur fighting all warrios (with the exception of the paragon). Ive not gotten a colossal yet but I did get my ungula axe in there.

It is official. Gaile Gray will be attending the event, as will hopefully Alex Weekes. Not sure if it will incognito or not, but she will be there. Things are certainly looking up for this great event!

Would you like me to spam the event in Kamadan, LA, and KC to get mor people?

I already have been for weeks, and gotten 60-70 people who didnt already know about it informed and excited. Did yall not seen my post earlier?

great...right as I'm eating >_> jk jk
I'll see if I can make it.

I'll be there. Might be a bit late since my class finishes at 6 my time (which is 10 GMT).

Cheers.

-Ume

If you are going to attend the event for CERTAIN guys and girls, please post your intent here.

Example: I am going to be there for sure!


This will give me a conceptual idea of how many guests I can expect.

Thanks, Rahja.


BTW: An update on current donations! Donations have totalled over 2 million gold in total value! Keep up the good work guys, still need about 700k more in donations to hit my goal for the size of the event. Great work!

Can i be runner number 1? i have run many people this way at least 100 and know what im doing. either pm me in game: Username- Griffin Ator
or email me at: [email protected] also how do you enter the costume contest?

This sounds fun - I'll be sure to be there!

Gonna do my best to be there.

Count me in =) and possibly 4-5 people from my guild. Am I correct in understanding that all the Ascalon running positions are filled?...I still see slot 1 open. If so, I'd like to apply - but no references available [nobody in my guild navigates guru T_T I do it for them]. In any case, =) please feel free to PM myself or my husband if you need more backup runners or announcers.

IGN- Artemis Moonx / Red Moonx

are we allowed to enter mre then one character i te costume contest I really love my mes and ele! I wouldnt know how to choose!

oooo. srry I cant giv u the stuff that I mentioned earlier. I gotta use it to buy a staff I need for my eles new farming build. srry. However the farming build is for colossal scimitar farming in a different spot. Chances are i'll get proably MORE than 1 before the party and i'll be about to giv u lots of money.

Aww, I'm disappointed. I was really looking forward to this event, but unfortunately it's held at a bad time for me.

I'm not complaining though. It's impossible to find a time that's good for everyone. 8-10pm EST is best for me, but of course that would exclude Europe. Good Luck with the event. I hope everyone has a good time.

If you can't decide which of your character looks best, then how will the judges possibly decide?

Honestly, I doubt that it will be allowed, but the rules have yet to be posted. It's been stated that a new thread will be posted in the coming week, detailing the costume contest, with rules & signups, so I'd just sit tight and wait...

Who needs Europe? lol jk.

I just noticed something, Rahja you said that the runners are going to be stationed in the ID of Ascalon. How is that gonna work since most people arent going to read this there just gonna hear about it and show up in random places frantically trying to get a run?

I'm coming! Also, I've kiiiiinda been advertising this in every major city for at least an hour with plenty of PMs...so expect a "few" extra people...aaaheh

I know that I have to be there.

My runners will be placed in specific areas for people who have read the thread. They will advertise in public chat for those that have not carefully read the thread or are not forum goers.

Wonderful Jeans! I look forward to seeing if you get some nice results!

Sorry Raven, but you are correct. I cannot make the times work for everyone, and I do apologize.


I received an email from Gaile Gray regarding the event. Unfortunately, ANET will not be able to sponsor the event in anyway, due to the production cycle , ATS testing, GW:EN, GW2, etc. This may sound disappointing, but you must understand and accept that ANET is a company, and they are trying to fulfill our greater need for GW:EN and GW2. They have our best interest in mind, and I support them in their efforts. Also, understand, that their involvement is better kept to random and unannounced, as any planned involvement in my event may cause hurt feelings for someone else's just as involved and wonderful as this one promises to be. I respect ANET's decision, and I ask that all of you do as well. I do not wish to bring hurt to any other community event planners we may see in the future. Their lack of involvement officially is a necessary thing if community events are to be truly owned by the community. We can still make this event a wonderful occasion filled with fun times, and fond, warm memories. Thanks for understanding everyone!

Gaile has expressed to me that she WILL be attending at some point during the celebration. This is most wonderful news, and she will be our honored guest during her visit. My staff will be prepped on her arrival.
HOWEVER! Please understand this. Gaile will not be attending the event to answer questions for a chat log... Please do not move the focus to her, she is simply a guest. I think that Gaile would just like to hang out with us for a while, and enjoy the party herself. I ask that you do not ask her questions not pertaining to the Ball, and do not spam her. I will hope that mutual respect will play a major role here, and that Gaile will be treated as just another party goer with the perks of getting free drinks and sweets. She is welcome to participate in the scavenger hunt, be a guest announcer for the Bad Badger Costume Contest, or whatever she wants. Being an honored guest of the Ascalon Royal Family is quite the honor, let us hope she looks the part! (maybe you can get to level8 on your ranger Gaile?) I am also hoping that Alex Weekes will be attending the momentous occasion, and the same mutual respect "rules" from above should apply for him as well. Thanks a lot guys for understanding and welcoming Gaile and hopefully Alex to the event without all the "official" questions. Let us just have fun!

With the recent announcement of the Birthday of Guild Wars, I think we might be able to add cupcakes to the event prizes, provided I don't have to use only my own supply. A donation of 5 cupcakes per person attending if possible will allow these fun treats to be included in the Ball's feast of fine treats and sweets.


The event is forming to about 80% completion this week, as I am beginning the scavenger hunt item selection, code words, and other complex issues. Upon completion, another look at the events will be taken. I have a team currently working on an alternate plan for a side event, but nothing further will be discussed until the positions I need filled are indeed filled. Get those references rolling.


The last item for discussion is donations. I am still short about 30 obsidian shards of my donation goal, as well as around 25 rubies and 25 sapphires. Explanations for these amounts I cannot provide, but I can tell you that if I meet the goals, the event is sure to offer some LOVELY prizes. The prizes will be announced in the opening of the event.


As a note: I do not have GM (Moderator) purple text in the game. During the event, I ask that no one uses the Trade Chat. I will use the trade chat in a manner similar to Gaile Gray, as will my staff if they absolutely need to. This will enable quick communication from myself to my staff, as well as to the masses. My words will play an important role in the event, as I want it to run smoothly. I ask that we use that "mutual respect" I mentioned above, and that you guys and girls abide by this "rule" so the event is the most fun it can be. If I cannot communicate smoothly with my staff and the party goers, the party won't be as enjoyable as I have planned it to be.


A note to Gaile and the ArenaNet staff: I certainly hope that your 2nd year celebration is going to be good... because I am going to try and trump you! I expect a job offer on my desk by May 6th at 3PM EST! Just kidding (or am I?)....


Anyways everyone! Keep posting your interest in the event. Thanks!

<3 Your host,

Rahja.

Heh....No comment..

Surly you must have enough stuff by now rajha, ive been at the camp - loads of donations comming in

There can never be enough donations, ever. The more donations, the more prizes and fun the party will be. Staffing is increasing, the event is in full throttle. All looks like green lights for launch.


REMEMBER: STAFF MEMBERS MEETING. Please, only staff show up!

Serenity Temple ID1 Friday @6PM EST (10PM GMT) PLEASE BE THERE.

Am i allowed to post here what i'd like to enter in the costume contest?

I just hoped you picked a time when there are less jackasses and retards floating around in the game, cause by what I normaly see when it comes to things like pictures, games and spamming, no one gives a crap. oh well.

and about trade chat. Maybe we should set up a TS or Vent for all the staff to use for that night. Might take care of spam in trade chat that I expect from people who just heard about the party from someone.

ok new rule. If you tell anyone in the game then tell them to come here because we need people to know the rules and know how to act for Gaile.


ps.
At the Staff meeting bring your best cause I'm gonna be taken pics galore.

My luck is horrible. everyone else is getting colossals from zehlon reach and Ive just been gettin lots of max golds. At least one of them was an ungula axe. But I havnt gotten any tattooed scimitars or colossals. I'll keep trying though later today. Its gonna be a great party. You can count on me donating a crapload of max golds too

NO! NO!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
I'm away on the 5th of may >_<;;
gored engine gored engine gored engine gored engine gored engine gored engine gored engine gored engine gored engine gored engine gored engine gored engine gored engine gored engine gored engine gored engine gored engine gored engine gored engine :'(
I'm so down right now D:

^ can we get this changed to a decent post?

Well I am now officially completly Hyped up about this

/excited

cummon 5th of may

Just a quick question (I've been watching and reading this thread for at least a week or so now)

Just wondering if there is much point a non Mesmer or Elementalist entering the costume competition? My ranger has some nice formal attire, but its nothing compared to what they get as standard

Also is it possible to donate sweets on the night? I'm not very wealthy or anything but If I get any leftovers from this weekend I'd be glad to donate them I've been looking forward to this for ages

Well, I can't promise 30 shards & 50 gems, but I've got a couple so far and a lot of other things.

As of this moment the following has been donated -

40,000 Gold Pieces
159 Champagne Poppers
148 Bottle Rockets
118 Sparklers
65 Hunter's Ales
45 Lunar Fortunes
43 Shamrock Ales
26 Golden Eggs
17 Four Leaf Clovers
15 Snowman Summoners
12 Chocolate Bunnies
10 Transmogrifier Tonics
8 Squash Serums
7 Yuletide Tonics
3 Obsidian Shards
2 Ghost-in-the-Boxes
1 Ruby

We've also had a promise of 15k from another officer who has yet to catch me online, and pledges of uncertain amounts on our forums to come and donate when they see me in game, plus I've yet to add my own cash to this fund. I hope this will help you once I get it to you (I told them I had to have it all by next thursday)!

And yes, I will be at the staff meeting tomorrow.

Here's hoping everything goes well.

Have I just gone blind or has the announcement for The Ball on the official GW site in the community section been taken away? I thought that was really strange and seemed rather shady (like the missing planet in Star Wars II). Then again. . .it could be just me. Maybe when Rahja mentioned that ArenaNet couldn't support any community events, because of hurt feelings, that highlighting it on the community boards would be a breach of that idea. I take back the "shady" part of what I said in that case. I have full confidence that ArenaNet has the best intentions. I remember a month before rumors of GW:EN and GW2 began, thinking about how I would follow ArenaNet where ever it went with its Guild Wars franchise (and they hit exactly what I hoped for on the head!). Their team fascinates me and constantly delivers above and beyond the call of duty. I could go on and on. . .But that would belong in a different thread. I'm just attempting to making the point that although ArenaNet is a company, they have us in their hearts and want to make the best game possible. No doubt, they will do their best to make sure everyone is considered and make the right choices. I look forward to perpetuating our community driven event in the much loved GW world. Perhaps our next community driven event should focus on thanking the Guild Wars Team for their thoughtfulness and hard work. Their service is of the highest quality in my opinion. A happy birthday to Guild Wars and a huge thanks to the hands that created it.

I don't have any references as I'm new to this forum. I do lead a ~50 member guild that is the leader of a 6 guild alliance. I would venture to say many of them could vouch for me. In the words of Samwise Gamgee: "I just want to help." Anything I can do? I have the most fun in GW when helping others and am committed to doing so.

I completely agree and that is exactly what I have been doing in my travels. I've seen several of you mention that you have been spamming the event. Thats great, I only hope that ya'll have been doing it wisely (like covering one region at a time and covering ToA when we have favor and Tombs when we don't). I've said it before but I'll say it again: I want to form an advertising party. Message me and maybe we will be recognized when Rahja announces the staff and special thanks! haha just kidding.

HAHAHA You guys act as thought people are going to follow rules...

I like how you said we NEED GWEN and GW2 lol.

well it's better than hoping idiots don't come to the party, or for anet to change thier minds and code some stuff for us.