An Open Letter To Cloaks Everywhere

by Arthearius, 160 days ago

Greetings Cloaks,

I write this letter with a great deal of sadness in my heart. But in the same heart I feel great pride and accomplishment. In short, Black Cloak is to officially close it's doors on December 31st, 2012.

This may come to you as a surprise. No doubt that it surprised me when I realized that it needed to be done. Generally, when a guild folds it's in the darkest of hours and the mood is solemn and quiet. The membership is low and the exodus has already begun. This is obviously not the case with Black Cloak. Our guild has plenty of members, it's unique dedication to playstyle that meets lifestyle where it should is still speaking to players and our recruitment has stayed strong. These are not the reasons Black Cloak's sun is setting. Instead we are closing our doors because it is simply time to move on. Enough of our leadership has decided it's time to hang it up, and thus we are here at this point in time.

I am sure there are questions and I am afraid to say most will go unanswered. However there is one question I will address as a last act of leadership. Why not just give the guild to someone so they can continue Black Cloak? This is a valid question and here is my answer:

I have poured my heart and soul into this guild since it's inception in the West Commonlands in EQ back in 1999. I have picked up the ashes and re-fired it several times. I have brought it from only a few brave souls to a collection of great players numbering in the hundreds. I am proud of what I have achieved in my time and will never forget what this guild has given back to me. If I were to just hand the reigns over to a new leader (and I don't know who since those I have lead with in the past are also moving on) they would effectively be starting everything over. It would be their guild, their vision and their trial. At that point the guild should be restarted in that vision with a collective agreement of it's founding members. In other words, their story should start as did Black Cloak's story. Somewhere in the great lands of Tyria with a few brave souls.

It is my hope and desire that a leader emerges and rallies those who would wish to start a new legacy. The forums here will stay open until the subscription runs out and the in-game guild will remain open as long as there is a need.

Go and begin anew. Find a new legend, a new future. But never forget those who you have grown with in this guild or the memories made with fellow Cloaks.

Thank you for your support over the years. I wish all of you good luck in your next adventure. If anyone would like to stay in touch please email me at:

blackcloakguild at gmail dot com

Thank you!