Upwards and onwards

First of, on behalf of the entire officer crew I would like to wish all our members, recruits, friends and acquaintances a Happy New Year and we hope 2013 will be a magnificent year for everyone.

2012, it has to be said, was not the easiest year in TWA history, lack of content alternated with very hard content caused many issues with member activity and class balance within the kin. However, 2012 was also the year that proved that the system of governing that we have put in place works.
Of course not without it's drama and setbacks, however the kinship is still here, still strong and still a force to be reckoned with.

It is easy to look back and see the negative sides, for example the loss of some of our older and more outspoken members, or the inability to do all of Orthanc in T2. But one should also look at these in a positive way, TWA recognises when certain personalities no longer fit and has the ability to part ways in a friendly fashion. And TWA gets further into the top end content than any other casually oriented kinship on the server.

But ultimately we should look back and see things that truly matter, 2012 saw the addition of some great new members, not only in the game but in real life as well. By my count 4 babies were born to kinship members this year, each one joyfully announced on our own forum, an unprecedented number in the kinships history. New relationships were forged and new friendships and the bonds that hold us together tightened even more.
There was also hardship, none less so than for our officer Grimdoin, but the support and compassion shown by everyone in the kinship should make clear without a doubt we are more family than kinship, and together we can conquer the most dire of situations.

In 2013 TWA will continue to strive to be a home for an eclectic mix of personalities, we will continue to strive to bring top tier content to not just the raiders but all members willing and able and wanting to do it. We will continue to provide a low pressure environment when it comes to gaming commitment, that is to say, this kin will always acknowledge that real life must and does come first while at the same time help those with less time, or less luck, as much as possible.

The game changes and the community changes, thanks to our democratic system we are one of the few kinships in the game able to deal with these changes in a timely, fair and balanced way. I hope that members realise, like me, that they are part of something unique and treasure the experience.

For 2013 I ask everyone to look upwards and onwards, to make it our greatest year yet, to bring honour to the TWA tag, to make jealous those without it, to continue to help and care for each other as you did so splendidly last year, to continue to find solutions to the problems we face as a group and not just as individuals. To work together, cry together, laugh together and curse together (usually at me).

In 2013 let's make our light shine brighter than ever.

Annui Calad

Your proud leader,
Thoronthor

I just had to pop in upon seeing this and share in the gusto and merriment. I've been kept at least somewhat appraised of recent events in the kinship through Fae and whatever she has encountered both in-game and on the forums, and many of the things you reference here are among those she's shared with me. All of which have strengthened my belief that this is where one should be if one plays this game.

Thanks for a lovely New Year's greeting. Take care of yourselves.

Teolwyn

Well said, Thor!

Threclo on Facebook

Well said!

Heres looking forward to a great 2013 for TWA!

Great speech! Best wishes to Thor and all the kin for 2013. Now, where's the beer? :xm4:

Is he finished speechifying yet?
Gimmee beer!
Waves to teo when ya coming back?

2012 hasn't been the easiest year. Not for me personally nor for LOTRO. The game is aging and despite the long awaited Rohan there seems only little being done to keep veterans enticed to the (end)game. This reflects not only within TWA but also other kins I have friends in are affected. The lag is killing PvP, mounted combat and raids. It generally adds to the frustration as well.

I am curious where 2013 will take me in LOTRO. Until then I will sit back, relax and enjoy the ride where ever possible...

You often don't appreciate what you have until you realise how life might be without it. TWA is indeed virtually unique, in my experience of online gaming, and I would go so far as to guess that some of our members stay with the game during its inevitable fallow periods purely because of the kinship.

I've been playing Rift and The Secret World in a small way ever since they came out, and have tried and dropped another 4-5 MMOs over the last few years; in none of them was I lucky enough to find and join a kinship (or equivalent group) even roughly as effective, functional and sociable as TWA. That has to mean something...

One of the truly fantastic things about this kinship is the open and friendly atmosphere.  Typical speech by Thor which raises a smile and pride to wear the TWA tag.

I am hoping 2013 brings us an improvement in end content to keep seasoned players logging back in.

Happy New Year all and a prosperous new year!!!

You often don't appreciate what you have until you realise how life might be without it. TWA is indeed virtually unique, in my experience of online gaming, and I would go so far as to guess that some of our members stay with the game during its inevitable fallow periods purely because of the kinship.

I've been playing Rift and The Secret World in a small way ever since they came out, and have tried and dropped another 4-5 MMOs over the last few years; in none of them was I lucky enough to find and join a kinship (or equivalent group) even roughly as effective, functional and sociable as TWA. That has to mean something...

Will have to let me know which servers Kai as I have Rift and just bought Secret World!