1. What is the Gnomish Rescue Squad?

The Gnomish Rescue Squad (GRS) is a World of Warcraft guild on the server Argent Dawn, Europe. The guild is a band of gnomish rescuers, who really like to head out into dangerous parts of the world to rescue people, goods and money.

2. What is the GRS Special Service?

The GRS Special Service is the "sister guild" of the GRS, consisting of members from other races than gnomes. Originally this was started as an alt guild to the GRS, but we're open to outside members too.

A joint team of GRS and Special Service members is a force to be reckoned with.

3. What kind of guilds are the GRS/Special Service?

The GRS and the Special Service are guilds for role players. Basically, this means that we try to stay in character as gnomes in a wartorn, yet curiously funny world.

We're not really hardcore RP'ers, and we are forgiving of people new to RP. You'll also find that the GRS or the Special Service rarely initiate long-lasting dramatic storylines or demand that our members turn up at set times every day of the week. For the most part, we try to enjoy the relaxed fun of WOW's basic gameplay (questing, PVP, instance runs etc.), but with the added flavour of playing a band of rescuers that discusses the monster they just slayed, tries out the newest gnomish inventions, has a cup of coffee in dangerous surroundings or turns up at events that others arrange.

4. What are the membership requirements to the GRS and the GRS Special Service?

Are you interested in joining the GRS? Good! We're curious and happy gnomes, willing to embrace new members. We have some requirements, though, but they are not too hard: 

  • First of all, you need to be a gnome. Very important, this. If you're not, perhaps the Special Service is better suited for you?
  • You also need to be willing to RP. Please stay in character, and don't start discussions on real-life topics in /say. Just try to play the role of a gnome in Azeroth, and you'll be fine.
  • Once you turn 40 and want to buy a strider: buy a blue one. This is the official strider type of the GRS. You're of course welcome to use other mounts when not on official GRS business
  • Once you turn 70 and want to buy a flying mount: buy a snowy (white) one. This is the official flying mount of the GRS. You're of course welcome to use other mounts when not on official GRS business
  • You accept the requirements and regulations indicated in this FAQ
  • Read the GRS boards regularly, since squad news and upcoming adventures often are discussed here
The Special Service sound interesting to you? Good! The requirements for joining are as follows:
  • You're a Dwarf, Draenei or Elf
  • You're a priest, druid, paladin, shaman or hunter
  • You also need to be willing to RP
  • You accept the requirements and regulations indicated in this FAQ
  • Read the GRS boards regularly, since squad news and upcoming adventures often are discussed here
There are no level recuirements for membership in either guild, and as of yet no mount requirements for the Special Service.

Alts of GRS members are welcome in the Special Service, and vice versa.

5. How do I join the GRS or the Special Service?

If you meet the requirements above and want to join, just follow these simple instructions:
  • Read through this FAQ, to check if the GRS or the Special Service will be interesting guilds to join
  • Post a brief application on our boards. Just follow the instructions and use the application form on our boards: http://www.grs.webfire.org.uk/forum/index.php?board=5.0
  • Soon, an officer of the guild will be in touch with you in-game to give you further information
  • Usually, you will be asked to join us at our Monday guild meet to introduce yourself to us. You will then be accepted as a potential recruit
  • In the following week, interact with as many of us as possible. If we like what we see (and we often do), you will be accepted as a full member at next week's meeting, in a small yet stylish ceremony
6. Who are the officers of the GRS?

The GRS is led by guild mistress (or chief) Frigga Yulesdottir. In addition, there's a team of four officers:
  • Forn
  • Gnarmowockel
  • Crazy Twistbolt Fuzzlepocket
  • Albie Frazzlestick
7. Who are the officers of the Special Service?

The Special Service is led by guild master Bodwych Ironboar.

8. How do the GRS and Special Service communicate with each other in-game?

In addition to the regular guild channels, the GRS and Special Service share a chat channel called grs. Once you're a member of either guild, simply type "/join grs" to get access to this communication channel.

There are no strict rules for guild chats and the grs chat channel - they are a mix of IC and OOC (although it is of course nice if people stay in character, to add to the immersion of the game). The chats are there to increase the fun for the members, so think twice if you really need to post what you're about to say. Some general guidelines for things to avoid in the chats are:
  • Curse words, especially using spaces and punctuation marks to avoid the curse filter (light IC cursing relating to the adventures in Azeroth is alloweed, though)
  • Quarreling, bickering and hateful conversations
  • Long-lasting OOC discussions
  • Discussions between 2-3 members which are of little interest for the majority of the others online

The officers of the guild will enforce these rules if needed.

If you need an IC explanation of why the GRS and the Special Service are able to communicate together over long distances, the Squad will provide you with the latest of gnomish techological marvels - the ear-plug based radio! With this, you are able to contact other members in guild or grs chat, be they next door or in another corner of the known world. Still, keep the amount of static noises in the chat channels to a minimum.

9. Do the GRS and Special Service meet regularly?

Yes, we usually arrange an official guild meeting every Monday night, 8PM game time, at the GRS Headquarters in Menethil. The HQ is the ship "Seaulcus", which is moored to the Menethil docks and hopefully won't sail away. At the meets, new recruits are welcomed, exciting news are shared, peanuts are eaten and coffee is consumed. If you have issues to be raised at the meeting, it is nice if you let the guild mistress know about this beforehand.

If you are a GRS or Special Service member, and are online at the time of the guild meet, it is very nice if you attend. Should you be late, come as soon as you are able to. Meetings can take anywhere between 1-2 hours.

Apart from the weekly guild meet, members often go on rescues together, but no specific days or hours are set for this. Our members are encouraged to arrange events, joint quests, instance runs etc. on their own initiative, so don't wait around for others to do this for you. Use the GRS forums to coordinate rescue needs (post a suggested date and time), or use the chat channels to seek others willing to join you on the spot.

10. What is the GRS welcome speech?

This speech is usually given to potential new recruits of the GRS, and is given by the guild mistress, miss Frigga Yulesdottir.

"Brother and sister Gnomes, I crave your indulgence for a short while.  For some while now I have travelled the lands, seeking new experience and broader horizons, but in one area I have become disappointed.  Bad enough that we have lost our city, to become exiles in this world.  Worse still that we are often looked upon with pity or amusement, regarded as children merely because we are short of stature.  But for me what has become the most disappointing aspect of Gnomish existance is that so many of my brothers and sisters seem to have lost their sense of self and Gnomish Pride.  To this end I invite any and all Gnomes to join our clan the "Gnomish Rescue Squad".  I cannot offer great financial incentives for joining but what I do propose is greater yet, I offer you Pride.  When tall ones are in trouble let there be Gnomes rescuing them.  On the Battle Grounds let Gnomish Rescue Squad enclaves be havens.  For Gnomeregan and the Gnomes !!!

11. I have not been playing much lately. What will happen to me if I don't log on?

Should you stop playing the game, the following measures are taken from the GRS and the Special Service:
After 1 month, your guild rank is lost, and you are marked as "In Absentia"
After 3 months, you are dismissed from the guild

Although this happens automatically: should you feel that you want to stop playing your character, quit the guild or stop playing the game, it is nice if you give us notice of this. We care for and worry about our members, and it is nice to know what has happened if you don't show up for a while.

12. Does the GRS have a guild bank?

Yes, we do. Currently, there are no strict distribution rules for the goods in the bank. If you see something you like, ask the chief or one of the officers if you can have it. If you'd like to donate things to the bank, a lot of stuff is appreciated: Strong weapons and armour, engineering gadgets, crafting goods, various recipes, cards, money and the likes.