Curse

Blue Steel · Sep 05, 2005, 08:36 PM // 20:36

[CENTER]An Important Expansion and Structural Change to my Original Academy

As many of you may know, I founded an Academy many, many months ago dedicated to finding and training the very best runners in the game of Guild Wars. My values and reputation have always been cemented in principles of honesty and maturity, and as a result the Academy I formed was incredibly popular. I charged tuition at the time of 15 ecto to be associated with legendary gamers and have the chance to review materials on running skills, strategies, and business models and have access to me and other runners for answers to build questions and demonstrations of build and run techniques. Applicants by the thousands sought admission, and the vast majority were turned down by an admission board that I had formed. We were, and still are, extremely selective. Those who joined and graduated made millions of gold, and the [LBS] name and tag became synonymous with professionalism and ability.

The Lady Blue Steel Runners Academy (“LBSRA”) was founded in an effort to find those with integrity and certify them as able to do the most difficult runs in the game, like FoW armorer runs, without any problems. The certification under my name was sufficient that they could charge payment in advance of the runs and collect premium fees from elite clientele who sought to have runs completed on-demand, with absolute confidence, and no hassles or delay.

A number of exceptional people have wished to have access to that name and reputation but simply could not afford it. As the Academy grew, my officers introduced additional hurdles to admission, and even fewer of the people who were qualified to be in the Academy were accepted. Eventually the Academy doors were closed to all new comers.

I was able to find time to return to the game of Guild Wars after moving from Chicago to Southern California, and have played through Factions and enjoyed getting reacquainted with numerous old friends. I am constantly asked when I log in, however, when the Academy doors will be open again, and so, without delay, I am thrilled to announce a new, restructured, and growing Runners Academy!

We will be having an announcement party and celebration in The Great Temple of Balthazar, International District, Sunday evening at 7:00 PM Pacific time. At that time we will be playing games, dancing, chatting, giving away millions of gold worth of perfect weapons, free mini pets, free runs, and more. We will have contests and activities and a generally awesome time. Keep an eye out for future announcements regarding the party.

Let me explain a little about how the Academy has been restructured: I wanted to expand the Academy to be an entire alliance, rather than just a nebulous Academy and associated guild. As a wildly successful guild, thanks in no small part to the tremendous leaders and talented individuals who joined, the Academy has a deep and proud tradition and heritage. We have always been recognized as a symbol of excellence in PvE and the game services industry, which we spawned. We have, through our history, however, lost some of our best players because we offered very little in the way of organized PvP or even a place to pursue PvP as interest grew. The model that we now are unveiling is a system of interrelated guilds, all part of a “Blue Alliance” that extends the LBS brand into additional areas. For example, we have a guild for traders, a guild dedicated to PvP, a “bootcamp” guild that is the entry point for everyone who seeks to join the expanded Academy, and have the potential to open additional guilds dedicated to faction farming, gold farming, or any other aspect of the game that people wish to discuss or share information regarding. Consequentially, when you apply to join, you will be considered for a first threshold of integrity, ability, and maturity in the guild referred to as the Sentinels. The Blue Sentinels are the recruiting arm for the larger alliance, and it is from there that the guild leader of the Academy and the guild leader of the Warlords, our PvP arm, will draw their membership. It becomes something of a residency requirement and evaluation that takes the place of the tuition that we previously charged to those who wished to join.

On with the legal disclaimers . . .

We are removing any tuition or fee requirements to join the Academy. All that is required now is an application at our forums: www.swordoflaban.net/forum in the Guild Wars section of that community. Though there is no tuition, we are absolutely committed to retaining our reputation and not having any loss in the quality or integrity of our business. Therefore, please understand that we will be, as always, exceptionally selective in reviewing applications. Given especially that people are not making any payments to join, which was at one time a first and very effective threshold of honesty, commitment, and experience with the game, we reserve the right to deny applications, to never respond to applications, and to remove members who violate our ideals of maturity, intelligence, integrity, and professionalism. We reserve the right to remove problems from the alliance or any of its guilds without notice and without hearing if necessary.
I have never made promises or guarantees that those admitted would become great runners without effort on their part and commitment to the ideals that make for success in both life and games. I make no promises as to how often I will be online, how thorough the information you will find is, or how successful the alliance will be in PvP. As with the original Academy, I offer a name and associates to those interested and expect that information I provide about builds, business, and strategies will be heavily supplemented by your own study of that information and additional resources like Guild Wars Wiki, www.GuildWarsGuru.com, and the information, videos, maps, builds, techniques, and other tools that members of the Academy and related guilds develop and willingly share with one another. Please think of the Academy as a research and development facility, a place where the best can succeed and learn secrets from those who have gone before, but it is not and never has been a place where you will be spoon-fed.
Not all of my former officers and graduates were in favor of expanding or re-opening the Academy. This new effort promises nothing but work for us, and no financial gain in any way. Nevertheless, most of us have always cared more about creating great things and contributing to the community than we have cared about gaining virtual wealth, and for me personally, I have had more virtual wealth than I know what to do with for more than a year. I mention that not all of my former officers were in favor of this expansion simply to avoid confusion: some of them still want to run under the [LBS] tag and advertise their graduate status in their service threads but may not be found currently in the Academy or larger alliance. I am fine with that decision on their part, and recognize and respect their contributions, even if they do not share this broader vision. I support the graduates of my Academy as long as they maintain the ideals that we represent, and will continue to defend their ability and quality.

Thanks for the tremendous support and interest over the last year and going forward. Feel free to ask any constructive questions. Thanks, and do not forget to join us for the in game celebration we are planning!

RUNNING RATES TO BE RUN BY ME OR A GRADUATE OF MY ACADEMY

I am adding this information here to combine all the information into this one thread so we can serve more of the elite clientele who regularly message us for assistance powering through the game. When you need gamers with the greatest range and depth of experience, the greatest equipment and the most effective builds possible, and reputations for integrity that match our ability, we are the ones to message.

We no longer do many of the standard runs. You can find others for runs through the early game; you don't need a true professional for that.

We will still do early runs, but only if an entire party needs us or an individual is willing to pay the "entire party" price to have us come and run them immediately. Consequently, most of our runs have either new starting points, or have increased "full party" prices.

THE STANDARD PACKAGES

Standard Run
Beacon's Perch to Droknar's Forge
30K for the party

Extended Run
Yak's Bend to Droknar's Forge
50K for the party

Power Run
Ascelon to Droknar's Forge
60K for the party

Sanctum Cay Run
Lion’s Arch to Sanctum Cay (also stopping in Temple of Ages and Fisherman's Haven)
15K for the party

Temple of Ages Run
Lion’s Arch to Temple of Ages
10K for the party

Furnace Run
Camp Rankor to the Deldrimor War Camp
30K for the party

Jungle Run
Lion's Arch to Henge of Denravi including all jungle outposts
75k for the party

Please note, we don't expect to do many of these standard runs, as others can do them and don't require a full party or full party rates for less than full parties. We only make them available simply to offer a full range of service and in case customers have been scammed by others enough on these routes that they are ready to have trustworthy runners come and get them through extremely quickly, regardless of the cost.

THE EXECUTIVE PACKAGES

Ascension in Style
Lion's Arch to Augury Rock (visiting Temple of Ages and Fisherman's Haven and completing the following missions along the way: Sanctum Cay, Thirsty River, Dunes of Despair, and Elona’s Reach)
Ascend at a lower level than any of your friends! All you have to do is fight your mirror self!
75K per person

World Tour
Visit every location short of the Ring of Fire – Go from Ascelon to Thunderhead Keep, visiting such remote locations as the Granite Citadel, Magumma Stade, Deldrimor War Camp, Fisherman’s Haven, Bergen Hot Springs, and the Ice Tooth Cave.
Perfect if you want to start a new character and buy lots of skills to unlock for PvP.
400K per person

Executive Packages are still available on an individual basis, and we will coordinate the parties if we choose to take more than one person at a time. We can also start from other locations, like Ascalon (100K), Sanctum Cay (65K), and Amnoon Oasis (60K), or run just individual missions, and may offer minor discounts for those alternate starting locations. The expensive parts of the Ascension run, though, are completing the missions for you, especially Thirsty River and Dunes of Despair, so the prices are not significantly lower for starting in a different location.

THE SOUTHERN SHIVERPEAK PACKAGES

Iron Mines to Copperhammer - 15K per party
Copperhammer to Granite Citadel - 20K per party
Droknar's to Iron Mines - 25K per party
Iron Mines to Thunderhead - 25K per party
Thunderhead to Grotto - 15K per party
Droknar's to Rankor - 10K per party
Rankor to War Camp - 30K per party

Drok's to Granite Citadel - 60K per party
Drok's to Grotto - 60K per party
Full Southern Shiverpeaks Tour - 150K per party

The Southern Shiverpeaks are handled just like the standard runs, on a per party charge basis, so they are very affordable if you want to spend a few minutes getting others in one of the areas to contribute to the cost of the run, or still not out of reach if you want to pay the entire party fare yourself if you are in a hurry. If you know or can find 6 others who want the same run, most of these runs are less than 10K per person through some extremely challenging areas that require a little bit of fighting and a little bit of running. We do complete missions in this area as part of the run (beating ice caves is the fastest way to get to Iron Mines and on to Copperhammer or anything else, and beating Iron Mines, and getting you infused along the way, is the best way to get to Thunderhead or Grotto).

MISSION COMPLETION

Ice Caves of Sorrow - 25k per person
Iron Mines of Moladune - 40k per person
Thunderhead Keep - 100k per person
Ring of Fire - 250k per person
Abbadon's Mouth - 250k per person
Hell's Precipice - 300k per person

FISSURE OF WOE FORGEMASTER ARMOR CRAFTING SERVICE

Completion of the quests required to obtain Fissure of Woe Armor from the Eternal Forgemaster - 250k per person

SKILL CAPPING, MISSION RUSHING, SPIDER SERVICE, ETC

Price based on the time spent completing the request 100K per hour with a 50K minimum

POWER LEVELING

Anyone interested can contact an Academy member for specific power levelers, fees, and other details of approved power-leveling services to quickly get a new character to level 20 (or something less than that if desired).

Thanks!

Hanso Togakure · Sep 13, 2005, 05:04 PM // 17:04

Admissions Board Members

Brutaniu Mason
Crovax Blackthorne
Elita Coldheart
Hanso Togakure
Sir Craig Gordon (Citadel Runner)
Nakora the Swift (Capitalist)
Oreos and Milk (Hockster)
Von Skleeve

Official Certified Graduates of LBSRA

The Blurr
Chiara Giulietta
Nakora the Swift ("Capitalist")
Elita Coldheart (Mindcrime)
Brutaniu Mason
Hanso Togakure
Ww Aa Rr Ii Oo Rr
Orchid Winter
Mistress Nightside
Crovax Blackthorne
Sir Craig Gordon (Citadel Runner)
Hook Echo
Pavia Zaikus
Got Roids
Kaylee the Brave
Lord Feyr
November Raine
Oncemuch Loved
Prince Stormchaser
Darkened Paladin
Eks Bee
RippinNShreddin
Von Skleeve
Teh Bestest is Here
Helios Hephaestus
Dmitry the Great
Drevik Crimson Hero
Gerisan Athalagan
Gruug Stormfist
Halguard Silverhold
Major Dread (JaktUp)
Linda Heartilly
Mr Happycakes (Masterbeef)
Sergio Leone
Oreos and Milk (Hockster)
The Herbilizer
Devaney
Arano
Nich

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Steel

As Academy Founder, I am thrilled to extend formal congratulations to Hanso Togakure, who has been invited and accepted the position of Acting Academy President. Hanso is dedicated and honest and has been integral to the development of the Academy and supporting the associated guild. Hanso is expected to be serving in the capacity of Acting Academy President until the release of Guild Wars: Factions. He will appear as the guild leader and be able to increase the efficiency of Academy administration while I am personally unavailable due to numerous other time commitments.

We all wish Hanso the best, congratulate him in his new position, and reiterate that there were almost a dozen highly qualified candidates for this opportunity who would have all done amazing work.

Thanks for all everyone has done to contribute to the Academy, build up its significance, and cement its place as the original, leader, most successful, and truly unique institution in Guild Wars.

BuddhaSpirit · Sep 14, 2005, 12:00 AM // 00:00

I'm interested in joining this academy.
IGN Lord Mishief

Anita · Sep 14, 2005, 01:57 AM // 01:57

I was wondering, forced to be a sword warrior ? Couldn't it be an axe one ?

Blue Steel · Sep 14, 2005, 02:04 AM // 02:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anita

I was wondering, forced to be a sword warrior ? Couldn't it be an axe one ?

There are specific reasons why this build works best for sword warriors. Most people don't appreciate a couple of subtlities about certain sword skills that make them ideal for carrying people through missions (i.e. fighting without the normal number of people in the group). It may not be possible to do a couple of my powering people through mission runs with an axe, though you may be able to adapt the build. I recommend you just pick up a sword and a second piece of armor with a minor swordsmanship rune and switch from axes to swords on the missions and then back to axes for PvP and regular PvE. Now that there is no attribute refund points, its easier than ever to be adaptable. Not many people know this, but Lady Blue Steel is actually a hammer girl in PvP and uses axes occassionally in both PvE and PvP . . .

Meta Physical · Sep 14, 2005, 02:23 AM // 02:23

Wow... this all sounds so exhillirating - Sign me up, but give me a week or 2 to level my warrior, get some stuff together, and gather the enterance fee

Sounds interesting, defenitly seems like I'd be learning from the best after I see all the praise you just rake in

In summary: Give me 2 weeks and you have a new student - I'll be sure to get back to you with an update of my situation

Meta

FyrFytr998 · Sep 14, 2005, 05:01 AM // 05:01

Well, I have had two of my characters run by the LBS service. Money well spent if you ask me. So I am now in the process of getting my Wa/Mo leveled up. I was wondering if you could be a little more specific on the prerequisites needed. Like do you need to be lvl20? Is there a specific armor type? And seeing as I still haven't fininshed the game. What are the 15 attribute quests? Is ascension needed?

I told you during the run you made for me. Money is no object. I just want to start class with everything I need to succeed.

Blue Steel · Sep 15, 2005, 12:20 AM // 00:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by FyrFytr998

Well, I have had two of my characters run by the LBS service. Money well spent if you ask me. So I am now in the process of getting my Wa/Mo leveled up. I was wondering if you could be a little more specific on the prerequisites needed. Like do you need to be lvl20? Is there a specific armor type? And seeing as I still haven't fininshed the game. What are the 15 attribute quests? Is ascension needed?

I told you during the run you made for me. Money is no object. I just want to start class with everything I need to succeed.

You will want to be level 20 by graduation and you will want to have armor like gladiators or something, but there are more specific instructions in the study manuals you receive upon paying your tuition. There is some flexibility, but some armors and such are better than others. You will want to have at least one of your swords be one you are willing to customize. There are 2 quests in the game that give you attribute points for completing them: you will want to do thise so you can get your attributes up to the levels I instruct in the guide manuals I send. You may want to consider buying the manuals now, even if you don't have the warrior at level 20 yet so you know exactly what you need to do.

Andy of Glacieria · Sep 15, 2005, 11:55 AM // 11:55

IGN Andy of Glacieria, decision's made. I'm joining.

Blue Steel · Sep 17, 2005, 03:41 PM // 15:41

Daily Bump

Blue Steel · Sep 19, 2005, 06:06 AM // 06:06

I'm pleased to announce two new graduates from my academy - Elita Coldheart and Nakora the Swift (who goes by "capitalist" here in the gwguru forums.) They are both excellent runners who have my confidence in runs. Congratulate them when you get the chance!

striderkaaru · Sep 19, 2005, 04:29 PM // 16:29

just dropping by to congratulate the new grads and wish the academy and new students the best of luck.

it's always a pleasure working with blue and company, and their skills are definitely top notch.

Takeko Nakano · Sep 19, 2005, 05:06 PM // 17:06

I'll be a little bit brutal here. The idea is interesting, but if I had 1.5m gold, I seriously wouldn't be that worried about getting much more. Perhaps some people are serious spenders who want full sets of 15k, even fissure armour for their characters, the best weapons, etc.

Well, go for it. But I'm happy with what I have. And, I might add, it is possible to work out running methods yourself. I went on one run, and I can remember most of the skills used, as well as the methods used. If I wanted to spend my days running around the world map, I would - but I'd prefer to "play the game".

Also, as indeed you pointed out, success in the game is about learning how use your skills correctly and working with others - not how to make the most money.

Anyway, all the best for your new enterprise.

EDIT: Though the run from Droknars to Copperhammer Mines is indeed tricky, you can fight your way from one of the mission areas in the mountains much more easily.

The Herbalizer · Sep 19, 2005, 06:32 PM // 18:32

I am interested about this academy however I have a few questions: -

There are a large number of people who are wanting to join the academy but how will you be able to teach them all without it taking ages?

I am still in education and can no longer set aside vast amounts of time to play and make gold. I can afford everything on the list accept for the superior vigor rune and doubt i will get 80k in time to graduate. Will you allow me to use just a major one as I can only play for 1 hour a day.

How will you prevent people posting the manuals on how to do it as I will be having to make some huge sacrifices e.g. selling my crystalline sword to be able to afford this and i have a bad feeling that the guide will apprear on the internet.

If arena net change the run routes in a way which makes your build recommended unsuable what happens?

Will you offer top up lessons to allow for in game changes?

Thankyou in advance and btw I think your academy is an excellent idea and wish you all the luck with it.

Blue Steel · Sep 19, 2005, 06:51 PM // 18:51

Okay, a number of excellent questions, let me try to help.

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