User:VanDikov

Resonance is the name of a dominant guild in the fictional world of Ragnarok Online's created by GRAVITY CO., Ltd based on the manhwa Ragnarok by Lee Myoungjin. It is currently lead by 3 people; Raditzu, Dischord and Tyche although its official leader is Raditzu. The guild was formed on March 20th, 2007 and is still very active till today.

Background of Resonance

Resonance is an extremely competitive War of Emperium guild meaning that most of it's membership compose of players who must actively participate in the War of Emperium. Recruitment into Resonace also reflects this and recruits will be rejected from the guild if they're unable to participate in the War of Emperium. However due to the familial nature of the guild once inducted, membership is for life less critical exceptions such as "guild-hopping" or expulsion. Inactivity for War of Emperium can be tolerated for members. Also, as a guild compromising a fair amount of females, Resonance is also tolerant towards and displays high sexual tension among it's members.

History

Resonance's history has always been the subject of comparison with another top tier guild; Raven's Nest (now disbanded). Prior to Resonance's existence, many Wars of Emperium (WoE) were being contested on the "Anima" server by various guilds for economical gain and bragging rights among each other. However due to some discrepancies in the adminstrating staff of the Anima server, most guilds chose to abandon the server, leaving Raven's Nest as one of the "big" guilds remaining behind in a severely depleted and uncompetitive War of Emperium scene. Two War of Emperiums later, the leader of Raven's Nest at the time; Gene, chose to disband Raven's Nest citing that it was "for the good of the server in the long term, if the Ravens were to return to their nest for the time being" and that he was also tired of his guild being branded a Game Master's guild, in that Game Masters had helped influenced the equipment most of his guildsmen don, drastically altering the advantage confered to them in Wars of Emperium.

Most players interpreted Gene's decision at the time to be a gracious one, in that by retiring his monopolistic guild, smaller emerging guilds would be able to take advantage of the fact that the WoE battlefield was theirs for the time being to adapt to and learn but there were some dissidents of the decision, accusing it of being a decision of arrogance. Most Ravens' at the time were disappointed and surprised at their leader's decision as it rendered them guildless. Raven's Nest officially disbanded on March 18, 2007.

While most of the ex-ravens began to look for new guilds to be recruited into, Raditzu, of Raven's Nest pedigree created Resonance and quickly recruited all willing ex-Raven's into his newly birthed guild. Most of the ex-Raven's returned to battle with Resonance under a different banner. While this was occuring, Gene imposed temporary self-retirement upon himself, bitter, that he disbanded his guild, only for it to take up arms to potentially monopolise the WoE scene with Resonance.

Famous Opponents

Resonance has enjoyed it's fair share of WoE successes in it's battle-filled history. In the time of it's existence, Resonance by far can be counted as the most consistent in WoE defence with it's strangehold on the prestigious Prontera Castle 1 for the good part of 8 months where no other guild at the time would be able to keep a castle for more then 2 months at a stretch.

Grand Lethals Threat

This feat caused much anger amongst many smaller guilds to the extent that on April 14, 2007, the leaders of "Emperial Army", "Shadow Circle", "Dark Descendants" and "Alliance Legacy" (all mid-tier WoE guilds) combined their forces into "Grand Lethal" variants to challenge Resonance on the WoE battlefield. To varying degrees, the formation of Grand Lethal was successful in challenging Resonance for WoE economy, fame and glory for the WoEs it contested territory against Resonance.

There were many weaknesses in the Grand Lethal camp though, which helped Resonance to victory over them. Most of the time, due to their large numbers, there was a lack of organization among it's members who had a laiisez-faire approach to War. Also, due to them having four different leaders, it was also difficult to communicate a unanimous decision to the lower echelons of the Grand Lethals.

Grand Lethals were finally undone in the Battle for Prontera 1 on May 23, 2007 where Resonance snatched victory and following a slew of heavy morale-sapping defeats, Grand Lethals disbanded in mid June to once again leave the WoE scene for Resonance's taking.

The RPG Alliance

Soon after disposing of their fierce rivals, their fiercest rivals yet were to come. Gene, who decided that he could succeed where Grand Lethals failed, decided to bring Raven's Nest back to contest WoE with Resonance. Due to their intertwined nature of their guilds, Resonance began to see a large exodus of it's core Raven's Nest players returning to Gene's side due mostly to loyalty or glory-seeking.

Raven's Nest however were still unable to compete equally with Resonance at the time of their return and made allegiance to guilds "Premonition" and "Glowstick Tribunals" in a bid to shore up their participating "strength" to compete with Resonance's already established and active player base. Most spectators at the time agreed that the new stable; The "RPG" alliance would bring a more emotional aspect to WoE, as friends would have to ignore their friendships due to them being on rival factions.

The RPG alliance however did not play aggressors early on as the leaders of the alliance sought to consolidate and strengthen their forces by staking out Geffen Castle 3 Territory. As it was well known that a protracted War would favour the RPG alliance, on June 20, 2007 Raditzu led his first contigent of attack forces and laid seige to Geffen Castle 3 to stem the growing strength of the alliance. On July 4th, conincidentally the Indepedance day of the United states, Resonance successfully repelled a large contigent of RPG alliance's attacking forces and a few remnants of the Grand Lethals in the historic Independance Day Battle.

On July 18th, 2007, after a lengthy battle, the RPG alliance is defeated and lose Geffen Castle 3 to Resonance for a short while, before reclaiming the castle with their economy destroyed by the conquerors. Gene is infuriated and heated exchanges over Anima forums ensues with accusations of Resonance abusing a well-known glitch in the Star Gladiator class to their advantage. It is a trying time emotionally for both guilds as therivalry becomes personal.

On June 25th, 2007, The RPG alliance again suffer another defeat at Geffen Castle 3. The alliance decides to flee and capture Payon Castle 3 to reconsolidate alliance forces and rethink plans and strategies. Rivalry between Raven's Nest and Resonance intensifies over the coming WoEs after The Sacking of Geffen Castle 3.

The first major victory though for The RPG alliance came in the Battle of Anima on August 11th, 2007 where Gene exercising his influence, persuaded all WoEing guilds to attack Prontera Castle 1 ; Resonance's Stronghold. After a protracted siege on the castle, Raditzu abandons the castle and Prontera Castle 1 eventually falls into enemy hands. The Battle of Anima is the most remembered battle in Anima, for being one where all guilds come to do battle in a single Castle, unprecedented warfare until piloted by Alliance leaders. It would remain to be the only time, where all guilds in Anima would ever come together again.

However, following a brutal counter-attack by Resonance on August 15th, 2007, Resonance reclaims their stronghold of Prontera Castle 1 while defeating Raven's Nest at Payon Castle 3. It is a defeat that the alliance never recovers from and Gene goes into retirement once again, while Premonition and Glowstick Tribunals leave the alliance to go their own ways.

Hope

After a long and ardous war with Raven's Nest, Resonance recovers only to be constantly threatened by Hope, then an emerging top-tier guild coming into the scene. Their leader, OneDeep would however engage Resonance with guerilla warfare, many commentators agreeing that Resonance was inexperienced in the stealth and speed tactics that Hope employed, after only experiencing all-out warfare in their previous wars. Prontera Castle 1 was contiously raided by OneDeep culminating in a crushing surprise defeat with Hope and Frailty`(Another WoE guild) taking over Prontera Castle 1 in the Battle on All Hallows Eve.

Due to OneDeep's inactivity and the inability of his deputy; Rodrigo`, Hope disbanded at the turn of 2008, following several unsuccesful attempts at storming Prontera Castle 1.

Frailty`

Frailty` is currently still active in the WoE scene and is seen as the guild with the most potential for successfully challenging Resonance's stranglehold on WoE. Frailty` have participated and lasted many campaigns against Resonance but have never actually instigated any until the start of the new year. A more recent rivalry, the general feeling among Resonance is that of contempt for Frailty` however, after several strategic and key victories across several battlefields in the War of Emperium, this feeling is slowly changing.

Mark of The Elite

Mark of The Elite; MotE, was recently created by PwnCrazy!, who rebelled against Raditzu and Resonance after disputes about how Resonance should be run. MotE is politically seen and regarded as a mutiny against Resonance as PwnCrazy! had left with several players of Resonance to stake out Geffen Castle 3; of ex-RPG alliance heritage, widely regarded as the most challenging castle to attack and to defend. As of January, MotE's war policy is that of watch and wait and have not actively shown aggression to Resonance, though many expect this stance to change once oppurtunity favours MotE.

Notable Battles

Capture of Prontera Castle 1 March 26th, 2007 - April 14th, 2007, would be the inital battle that gave Resonace sovereignity over Prontera Castle 1 for the Wars to come.
Retreat of Resonance April 14th, 2007 Resonance defeated at Prontera Castle 1 and retreat to Geffen Castle 3 for one WoE. They retake Prontera Castle 1 the next.
Battle For Prontera 1 May 23, 2007 Grand Lethals strike at Resonance's stronghold and repelled. Another costly defeat in a losing war costs the Grand Lethals precious morale and economy.
Siege of the RPG alliance June 20th, 2007 Raditzu leads a crack team of siege specialists and strike the Alliance while they're rebuilding in Geffen Castle 3. A stalemate and lockdown between Resonance and the Alliance ensues.
Independance Day Battle July 4th, 2007 The RPG Alliance's first assault at Resonance's bastion result in the Resonance taking the field. It will not be the last time the Alliance harries Resonance.
Battle for Geffen Castle 3 July 18th, 2007 Alliance stronghold of Geffen Castle 3 successfully sieged and plundered by Resonance, The RPG alliance retakes their destroyed economy at the end of WoE.
Sacking of Geffen Castle 3 July 25th, 2007, Resonance break through the faltering Alliance defences of Geffen Castle 3 and capture the castle. The Alliance flee to Payon Castle 3 to consolidate and recover their forces.
Battle of Anima August 11th 2007, A major victory for Alliance forces when they rally all guilds in the server to siege Resonance's Prontera Castle 1. The largest-scale battle in the history of the server and Alliance forces capture Prontera Castle 1.
The defeat of the Alliance August 15th, 2007, Following a counter-attack by vengeful Resonance forces over the loss of their castle, Prontera Castle 1 is retaken while the Alliance is defeated finally in their base of Payon Castle 3. Alliance never recovers from battle.
Battle on All Hallow's Eve October 31st, 2007. OneDeep and Hope's militia tactics and guerilla warfare secure Prontera Castle 1 in an unexpected outcome.

Guild Diplomacy and Alliances

Resonance is officially allied with Red Shield; lead by -=Alucard=-, Mighty_Daks; lead by Reginodky and Starlight Sonata; lead by _____. Over the course of Resonance's history, it's allegiances are strongest with Red Shield, who have been dependable allies in their wars together.Over time, Red Shield has structured it's combat formation to be somewhat similar to Resonance and the two guilds often extend messages of goodwill to one another.

Red Shield presence was significant in the Battle on All Hallows Eve, October 31st, 2007, whereby pooling forces with Raditzu's Resonance, they overcame Hope and Frailty` to retake Prontera Castle 1. In the "Battle of Anima" where Red Shield and Mighty_Daks presence helped to equalise a badly imbalanced 6 to 1 ratio of enemy troopers to Resonance troopers.

Resonance has also given military aid to it's allies in Wars of Emperium. Capture and siege troopers are often dispatched to assist in Red Shield and Mighty_Daks war operations. As a result of their close allegiances, most people have mocked the relationship between Red Shield and Resonance, with Red Shield taking the brunt of the perjury such as "Reso's Dogs" or "Reso's slaves".

Officially, Resonance does not have open hostility to any guild in general. However on February 19th, 2008, unanimous decision was made to discontinue their policy of defending Prontera Castle 1 preferring instead to raid other castles across the server. As a result of this decision, Prontera Castle 1 has been subjected to the most attacks every WoE in the wake of Resonance's choice.

Resonance also extends discounts on guild provisions and supplies to it's allies.

Controversy

Despite it's glory, Resonance has come into it's fair share of criticism and controvery due to some of it's questionable displays.

Due to the Raven's Nest "GM Guildship" status never being settled and Resonance inducting a lot of ex-Ravens into their ranks, some of the playerbase still believe that GM intervention is still taking place in Resonance. There are claims that the success of Resonance is due to Raditzu being the puppet character of a GM.

Also, Resonance is notorious for it's off-WoE "Valk team", which basically consists of a team trained to kill Valkyrie Randgris, a notoriously difficult boss which drops very sought after armours upon death. The monopolisation of the armours from Valkyrie Randgris cause Resonance to have a very big say in the high-end of the Anima market.

There are also claims that Dischord, the co-leader of Resonance is secretly a gay lover with another lower ranked minstrel in Resonance.

The Future of Resonance

Resonance as a guild will most probably continue to dominate the WoE scene for quite some time, due to the victories that they've had. Challengers for dominance also still have a lot more combat-experience to gain and a lot more to learn before they can equal Resonance. As a result of their economy on Prontera Castle 1, they have enough guild funds to support the guild for another year.