The first lesson of the Dragon is Loyalty. Loyalty to one's guildmates, loyalty to one's guild, loyalty to the Way of the Dragon and loyalty to one's land . Without loyalty, the Family crumbles and is sundered. Thus, the first lesson and the first Laws of the Dragon are :

1. The Dragon Faithful are loyal to his or her guildmates above all things. The Dragon Faithful will sacrifice his or her personal desires when necessary to aid and succor his guildmates, even unto the laying down of his own life for them. This Loyalty also manifests itself in the following ways :

1. In worlds where group activities are required or preferable to single-person activities, Dragon Faithful will always seek to form guild or predominately guild groupings first. In the case of a member having a choice between a group that may be more profitable for the member but containing no Dragon Faithful and a group that the member would gain less from but contains one or more Dragon Faithful, the member faced with this choice will be expected to choose the group with the Dragon Faithful member, even though the personal gain may be less. This is Loyalty.
   
   
2. Members of the Dragon Council of any given world will make themselves available to respond to any reasonable request for assistance or advice unless participating in a scheduled guild event that makes it impossible. Members will accept the fact that during such times this may be the case, but Dragon Council members will be available at all other times, even if responding to such requests requires them to abandon an activity they are engaging in for their own profit or enjoyment. This is part of the compromise Council members must willingly accept in exchange for the prestige and honor that is inherent in their position.
   
   
3. Non-Dragon Council members who have achieved a level of experience or rank within the guild (as determined appropriate by the Dragon Council in the world where they have achieved said rank or level of experience) are bound by the same responsiblities to aid or advise their guildmates as a Dragon Council member is, with the understanding that it is the responsibility of a Council member to provide these things first, and they (a Council member) are required to meet these responsibilities if at all possible. At no time shall a non-Council member be compelled to meet these duties in the place of an available Council member unless the non-Council member is willing to do so and able to in a timely manner. Otherwise it remains the Council member's responsibility. Only if no Council members are available (i.e., online) at the time of the request does it become solely the responsibility of the non-Council member to adress the needs of their guildmate.
   
   
4. In the final case mentioned above, where no Council members are available, should the situation arise that two or more of the designated non-Council member who the responsibility would fall to ARE available and it is inconvienient for all who are available to do so resulting in a dispute over whom it is the least convienient for, the solution is simple. ALL available members whose realm of responsibility responding lies in are expected to respond, thus negating the argument. While it would be hoped that resorting to this would be unecessary and that the argument would be a contest to see who would respond rather than a debate over who wouldn't, should this fail to be the case then this sub-Law applies.
   
   

2. A Dragon Faithful is loyal to his or her guild. A guild is nothing without its members, and the guild is the vehicle that allows us to teach the Way to new followers. This Loyalty requires the following conditions :

1. A Dragon Faithful that is actively inhabiting any world that the Order of the Dragon Faithful have an official and sanctioned presence in is encouraged and welcome to participate as a member of the Order of the Dragon Faithful in that world. Said participation shall not be forced, but will be strongly encouraged.
   
   
2. A Dragon Faithful that wishes to be an active member in any given world where an official and sanctioned Dragon Faithful presence exists is required to wear the Dragon Faithful uniform or "tags" on any and all of their avatars on that world. Possession of an avatar wearing the "tags" of another guild after the member has become active with the Dragon Faithful may be overlooked if the member has just joined, but all avatars must be "tagged" within a period of three (3) days after joining. If circumstances dictate that the member must leave the world (go offline) before the "tagging" of all avatars can be completed this time limit may be exceeded, but the member is then responsible to see that this occurs the very next time he or she is in the world (online) and a Dragon Council or otherwise authorized member is present to do so. Failure to comply may result in suspension or expulsion from the Order of the Dragon Faithful.
   
   
3. Dragon Faithful in a given world are to be considered Dragon Faithful in any other world they visit where an official and sanctioned Dragon Faithful presence exists should they wish to participate there. They are exempt from any probationary period or other waiting time as may be required by a completely new member to achieve full member status, and are instead granted this status as soon as they become active with the Dragon Faithful in that world.
   
   

3. A Dragon Faithful is loyal to the Way. For the Way is more than just a code of behavior, it is a part of who we are and the very essence of what it means to be a Dragon Faithful, whatever world we may be inhabiting.

4. A Dragon Faithful is loyal to his or her land. The land provides us with the means to grow, as individuals and as a guild. We will strive to defend the land as long as doing so does not conflict with our loyalty to our guildmates, our guild or the Way.

The second lesson of the Dragon is Respect. Without respect, Loyalty is hampered, if not indeed destroyed. Respect not only for those followers of the Dragon, but to all we meet. While it is true that some we meet will prove unworthy of our respect, until such time as this becomes obvious for all to see, we will treat everyone with Respect and the courtesy born of it. Thus the second lesson, and the next Laws of the Dragon are :

5. At all times, even in times of disagreement or dispute, the Dragon Faithful will treat his or her guildmates in a respectful manner and, when necessary, agree to disagree on an issue of contention. It is understood that harsh words may be uttered in the heat of a moment, and this is accepted, provided that once reason returns the utterer seeks of their own accord to make amends and apologize for their rash behavior.

6. For the purposes of the Laws regarding Respect, designated allies and friends of the Dragon Faithful will be treated in the same light as a guildmate, although as in the following Law, disciplinary action considered because of a dispute may be waived on a case-by-case basis by the Dragon Council if sufficient evidence exists to prove the member was unduly provoked and made every attempt to conduct themselves in the proper manner.

7. Disputes with others are inevitable as we walk the worlds we inhabit. The Dragon Faithful will seek to avoid such disputes whenever possible and conduct themselves in a respectful and reasoned manner when unavoidable. Realizing that, even with the best of intentions and self-control, a dispute may still become heated, the same conditions will generally apply as in a dispute with a guildmate, although if it can be shown that the other party was unduly belligerent and provocative exceptions may be made by the Dragon Council and disciplinary action may be waived, to be judged on a case-by-case basis.

8. The Dragon Faithful does not kill others without good reason. The only acceptable reasons for the slaying of another are :

1. Self-defense if attacked first.
   
   
2. In defense of the lands we currently occupy.
   
   
3. In retaliation for the unjust slaying of a fellow Dragon Faithful or our allies, provided this is approved by the Dragon Council.
   
   
4. If the target of aggression is a sworn enemy of the Order of the Dragon Faithful or our allies and such action has the prior approval of the Dragon Council.
   
   

The third lesson of the Dragon is Honor. Although Honor may at times be a difficult quality to assess or define, those possessing it know it in themselves and can see it if it exists in others, provided they look closely and long enough. The Dragon teaches us that Honor is equal to Loyalty and Respect in importance. Thus the third lesson, and the Laws of the Dragon regarding Honor are :

9. A Dragon Faithful will conduct himself or herself in an honorable manner at all times, and take no action that will result in establishing an undesirable reputation in regards to himself or herself, or the guild. A Dragon Faithful will always endeavor to present himself or herself and the guild in the best possible light.

10. A Dragon Faithful will never engage in the practice of kill-stealing. While it is understood that this may occur occasionally as the result of an accident, to do so purposely and with full intent will be considered a violation of Dragon Law of the utmost severity and dealt with as such.

11. A Dragon Faithful will never engage in the practice of stealing from or "scamming" others. While many of the worlds we may walk have safeguards that may make this more difficult or even impossible, should we find ourselves in a world where such is not the case, this too shall be regarded as a High Crime and dealt with accordingly. Some exception may be made if thievery is a primary point of a world we inhabit, but this must be reviewed and approved by the Grand Dragon Council, and not simply by the Dragon Council of that world. In addition, this dictate prohibits the stealing of loot from any creature or person killed by another person, unless with the express permission of that person. Note that this does not include "abandoned" loot, i.e., loot that has been left discarded or ignored by the player, although if an item has obvious value it is prefered that the finder remain in the area for a few minutes to see if the owner comes to reclaim it.

12. A Dragon Faithful will take it upon himself or herself to uphold and abide by all Laws of the Dragon and report violations of said Laws by other members to the proper Order of the Dragon Faithful authority as established by the Dragon Council of that world. Having sure knowledge of violations or witnessing them to occur and remaining silent will be regarded as a violation very nearly as severe as that which goes unreported should it be discovered later.

The fourth lesson of the Dragon is Integrity, in all its meanings. The Integrity of the guild will be protected by the Dragon Council, as will the Integrity of its members in issues where this is possible. Individual members are reponsible for maintaining their own Integrity and upholding that of the guild's. Adherence to the Way, to the laws as dictated by the Ghods of any world we may inhabit and to any additional terms that may be negotiated by the Dragon Council in regards to alliances or treaties with other guilds is required and expected of all Dragon Faithful and are vital to the maintenance of the Loyalty, Respect and Honor of guildmates, friends and allies, and other guilds. Thus the fourth and final lesson of the Dragon and the Laws pertaining to it are :

13. Dragon Faithful are forbidden to engage in "begging", be it for coin or equipment. If a Dragon Faithful sincerely needs either of these things, they are to POLITELY ask for them from their Dragon Council members or other guildmates. Dragon Faithful will be provided with equipment appropriate to their experience level or the means to aquire it (except in the case of migration to a new world where all are new; in such a case all will help with what they can, but mainly fend for themselves until viably established) but excessive requests in these areas may be considered "begging" and appropriate disciplinary action may be taken up to and including expulsion should the practice be engaged in repeatedly.

14. Dragon Faithful are expressly forbidden to allow non-members access to their avatars bearing Order of the Dragon Faithful "tags". This Law is necessary as non-members cannot be expected to be familiar with our Way and our Laws, and the risk of damage to the Dragon Faithful name too great to accept.

15. The sale, trading or any other exchange of Dragon Faithful "tagged" avatars to a non-member is likewise forbidden. Should a Dragon Faithful no longer wish to continue their inhabitation of a given world and wish to bestow ownership of their avatars to any non-member in any way, shape or form, the avatars must remove their tags prior to the transfer of ownership. Failure to comply with this Law will result in the member's expulsion from the Dragon Faithful in any and all worlds the Order of the Dragon Faithful are present in. If the person the ownership of the avatars is being transfered to wishes to seek membership in the Order of the Dragon Faithful, they must apply themselves and meet all appropriate requirements before being accepted as a member.

16. Dragon Faithful are expressly forbidden to knowingly exploit any "bug" for any reason. Wanton and willful violation of this Law will result in immediate and absolute expulsion from the Dragon Faithful anywhere we may be found. Unknowing exploitation of a "bug" may be tolerated, but once informed of the presence of said "bug" any further exploitation will be considered a High Crime and grounds for expulsion.

17. The use of "hacks" or "cheats" falls into the same category as "bugs". Many worlds now seem to be adequately protected against such abuse, but discovery of a member using anything of the sort in any world where they are an active member of an official and sanctioned Order of the Dragon Faithful presence will be considered a High Crime and result in immediate expulsion.

18. Wanton, willing and knowing violation of the Ghod-decreed laws (Terms Of Service and/or Rules Of Conduct) of any world where there is an official and sanctioned Order of the Dragon Faithful presence, regardless of whether the member is actively participating in the Order of the Dragon Faithful there or not will be considered a High Crime and result in expulsion if discovered.

19. Harrassment of any person, be it within a world where an Order of the Dragon Faithful member is actively participating (in-game) or outside said world (through email, messaging services such as AOL Instant Messenger or ICQ, verbal contact through internet programs or telephone or through physical contact, i.e. a face-to-face real life encounter) will be considered a High Crime and result in expulsion if discovered. In addition, if the Dragon Council or Grand Dragon Council feels that any real physical danger to the harrassed might possibly exist, appropriate legal authorities may be notified of the behavior.

20. Any act that is determined by the unanimous decision of the Dragon Council to be a traitorous or seditious act or determined by unanimous decision to have been a wanton, willful and knowing act to harm the reputation, cohesiveness or sovereignity of the Order of the Dragon Faithful guild in any way, shape or form will be considered a High Crime and result in expulsion.

"These then are our Laws and our Ways. Strive to achieve them in perfection, oh ye Faithful, yet rest easy in the knowledge that even the Dragon himself is not flawless. That distinction is reserved for the Creator alone, yet we follow the path set for us by the Dragon that we may seek to approach this lofty goal. Follow it well, my bretheren. And never, ever, forget the Ways of the Dragon."