grahamkeatley

Its with great joy and pride that I step up in front of you this very night. The flag that I fly above me now, is a flag I have flown over my head in CN for over two years. Its a flag that I personally have represented to symbolise more thins then my own National Flag. For TOOL is a union of many different Nations and many different cultures and has some how come together under this symbol. Looking at it now; Japanese flag stripped of colour, a simple light fade with an emblem of a Hammer thrown on top. Broken down like that and in truth it is nothing all that special. It means very little. People can take what they want from it. They can pick it apart for socialist identity, they can come to the theory its liberal because the hammer is facing the left. Some have said its dull, that its not representative of the light. To all I say, its TOOL. It has grown on me over the months and months to a point where I dont want to be without it. Like any basic meaningless tricolour, any formation of stripes, squares, triangles or stars - broken down they mean very little in comparison to what it means as a cultured symbol. Every flag over time builds its own identity and culture around it. Without a doubt TOOL has found a suitable flag, in that regard. Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our Order shall be righteous as well as strong. Tonight, for the first time, I get to fly my Flag on my Nation knowing its coming from a culture of strength, solidarity and respect. And everyone who identifies with the TOOL culture gets that chance. People dont fight for flags, they fight for one another, they fight for unions and beliefs. So I want to emphasise that this achievement was not a goal, was not an objective or mission. This is but a mere cherry on the cake, a cake which we have spent months and months slaving on. A cake which everyone involved should be proud of, as much as I am. TOOL is a fantastic community, one of a kind, in my opinion. And this way of identifying ourselves as uniquely apart of such is amazing, and im delighted we now have this chance. Both in game with our flag and on this communities forums through our Pip; all TOOLs and TOOL sympathisers can enjoy being a TOOL, in the best possible meaning of the word. o/ TOOL o/ Custom 55 And a big salute to all of TOOL's friends, allies and well wishers; im in a good mood so why not celebrate it. A big kudos to Feigelinc for designing the Pip and for all his work on gaphics and designs in TOOL, and one to arabbeast; a long standing friend who designed TOOL's Flag back in the day during a 15 minute brain storm session for ideas. GK

I like you. even if you did predict us to only rise 450+k in the next 6 months. You remember things. I like that, very important trait. ^^ This is not our entry, its our Pip from our old forums. I am still quite partial to the old times (Hence our flag) so you never know. Haha, and the favourite creation on the forums is a peach! Peaches, in fact. Quite special.

Hey guys. I dont think I could respect you guys anymore then I already do through contacts through DefCon. Zoom I have especially enjoyed our head banging conversations as of late and its a pleasure to converse with you guys. You definitely have some great characters in your midst. In saying that, its an honour for TOOL to get this chance to work with you. And we look forward to the future.

Less then I would of expected. And getting less every run through. We put as much effort into trying to keep our Applicant AA clear as our main. Its awesome credit to our recruiters. Whenever asked they step up to the plate, they do so with aplomb.

Awh, no worries. Not getting grumpy at all. I love the banter involved in the Race. And its a thread I check nightly; I was just paying NpO indirect props by saying this race is a one horse bet.

The issue is not about Aid. Its the ability of fallen Nations to grow quicker after Wars have ended. We all know thats the case.

Pfft, I dont know about you... But with the situations as they are Sanction let alone TOOL should be easy pickings for an Alliance like NpO. Yes, right now there are constraints. But due to sizes of Nations at present. You will zip up there. I wont even dare call this a race. And I certainly dont mind being a pace setter for a "team leader", if you get the cycling terminology.

Im looking at the in-game states now... MA? What happened?

'at a boy.

Cant wait until the TOOL Applicant AA makes it onto the Race.

Please? I will be active; I swear.

Can I join TOOL? What do I need to do?

We have had sadder days. This isnt a bad day, we have just altered our way and how we see the best method for going forward. Our Academy (TOOL Applicant) will start to kick up some dust shortly. And when we once again jump over 300 we shall have earned it thoroughly. Gk

Is it growth, or just gains from the merger?

Also, now the first Alliance to equal/surpass their score from a week ago after the game changes.

There are a few exceptions. Mainly the more elite groups. But I think the exceptions only end up proving the rule. Grem, TOP, OBR, Valhalla... These would be Alliances I would consider to have a high activity on their forums. Im not basing my idea of activity from in-game. Not at all.

Naw I understand that, and I didnt take offense to it. RIA have become close friend/rivals with TOOL over the last month or so. Score is not a judgment of power. But a pulling together of different standings to ascertain a ranking. Ranking again doesnt symbolise strength all the time. TOP are impressive, stuck to their guns on their way and are seeing the dividends now. Thor, I think the rate of inactivity tends to be across the board. Its always going to be harder when you arent coming from another community. But the level seems to be 70-85% inactivity in-game. With about 10-25% activity on the forum. TOOL match that, and did so when we surged membership last time as well. I just think its I dont know, redundant to start off competing for Score. Knowing full well how its calculated only to back down on it and call the other bloated with members. Seemed like an off the cuff remark. Thats all I was responding to.

Bloated is a rather misused word here if you ask me. The score takes into account membership, so why would a score be bloated simply because of high membership. Surely, its just as valid a form of gaining score? Also, its not like our NS isnt growing. In fact if I am reading correctly, we have the highest percentage growth of ANY alliance for the last week at 13%.

The Order of Light - Flag The Order Of Light (TOOL) welcome you to come and join in the success of the White Team. The sphere one of the most united and prosperous around. Proven from its inception that great things belong here. TOOL itself is the embodiment of this prosperity and looks forward with every step to its future success - With you involved! All interested Nations are offered the same advantages as most alliances around and with a set up ready to enable a great community to be had once the members start their TOOL careers. Any wishing to join feel free to Sign Up on our forums. I guarantee a decision on membership within 48 hours of your posting in the New Applicants thread. Forums - Here! TOOL! --- - Lord Captain

Nobody reads anymore... VE will be on come Saturday. A week after he started taking stats for them again.