About
Table of Contents
- What is Seraphim?
- Are There Requirements to Join?
- How do I Join?
- What is Seraphim’s Tournament Rotation?
- What are Leagues?
- What is the Mentor Program?
- The Five Colors of Seraphim
- Diplomacy
What is Seraphim?
Seraphim is currently one of the fastest growing and most active clans on Magic Online. We’re always looking for active members who want a clan where they can interact with other players, toss around deck ideas, play in clan-sponsored tournaments and events, and generally enjoy the game of Magic with like-minded individuals. We have a lot to offer our members, such as:
- An active player base to play the game with!
- Voice Chat (see: Seraphim Voice Chat)
- Frequent Clan Tournaments and Events (see: Events)
- Awards, prizes, and trophies for doing well in our events! (see: Seraphim Hall of Fame)
- Month-long League events, complete with special formats and prizes (see: Seraphim Leagues 2010)
- Fun practice tournaments, to get you in shape for our weekly events!
- Specialty format tournaments for those who like strange rules and combinations
- Fun Forum Contests (see: Creature Deathmatch)
- An interesting organizational structure (see: The Five Colors of Seraphim)
- A clear vision of where we are going (see: Visions of Seraphim III)
- Just simply a way to communicate with like-minded folks.
- Our forums are full of advice relating to issues like deckbuilding and drafting.
- And finally, just some friends to help you play-test decks and run 2HG with!
Are there requirements to join?
All play-styles and people are welcome to join Seraphim. Variety and diversity are two of our core tenets, and we have an entire organizational structure based around these ideas! However, that being said, we do require several things from our members:
- Firstly, we ask that you register for our forums, and participate actively. You don’t have to be an overly enthusiastic poster, unless you want to be, but we do ask that you try to read the forums daily, when possible, and generally make your presence known.
- Secondly, we ask that you play and chat with clan members when online. We are an active clan, and we hold clan events weekly, with even more activities on the way.
- We also ask that you behave in an acceptable way during your time in the clan. Seraphim members are always polite and friendly, we ask that it stays that way.
How do I join?
If you are interested in applying, please visit our Recruitment forum. We look forward to hearing from you!
What is Seraphim’s Tournament Rotation?
Seraphim holds a free tournament each week, and it rotates through several formats. The rotation is fairly straightforward, and looks like this:
- Standard
- Block Format
- Classic Pauper
- Build Your Own Standard
- Chromatic Standard Singleton
The tournaments also rotate times each week. They switch back and forth between Friday at 8:00PM Seraphim Time, and Saturday at 4:00PM Seraphim Time. Since there are five events, they are each held on different days so that, for example, the Standard tournament will not always fall on a Friday.
If you’re ever in doubt about our tournaments (for instance, when they are and what format) you can check them either by looking at the Tournament Page, or by looking at the sidebar on the right side of the main site, under “Upcoming Tournaments”. And remember, it costs nothing to participate in these tournaments. They are absolutely free.
What Are Leagues?
This can be a somewhat complicated answer. For the full explanation, be sure to check out League Season 2010. However, here’s a brief overview of what leagues are:
They’re basically a sealed event. At the start of a particular month, the clan has a specific Block scheduled (for instance, Mirrodin Block). When you register for the league, you will be PM’ed a sealed pool of cards (randomly generated) that you will be allowed to use during the month. These cards will all be commons. That’s right, the League is a pauper league. Over the course of the league, we Rank members based on points. You get points by challenging other clan members to league matches, and then reporting the results of those matches to the Event Coordinators. Each week after the start of the league you will receive via PM 15 additional cards, or a new ‘pack’ that can be added to your sealed pool.
An important thing to note is that leagues are the only event that we have that requires a fee to participate in. The fee is 5 Event Tickets, and you are covered for the entire month. Part of this fee goes toward paying for the prizes that the Top 5 receive, while the rest goes towards supporting the clan’s other costs.
What is the Mentor Program?
The Mentor Program is a 3-month long program designed for players who are new to Magic: The Gathering or Magic Online. The program works by pairing up inexperienced members with more seasoned members of Seraphim. The job of the Mentor is to provide aid with general concepts such as deck construction, and also be available to answer more advanced questions such as card-specific rules and questions about Seraphim tournaments and events. The object is to provide an introductory experience to Magic Online, and to Seraphim. Applying for a Mentor is a simple process. Once a Member, you will be able to view the Clan Members-Only section of our forums. From there, you can submit an application answering general questions about your playstyle and what you would most like to learn and experience in Magic. From there, your application is reviewed by our pool of available Mentors, and one of them selects you based upon the criteria you set forth in your application.
One unique aspect of this program is that Seraphim will also provide 100 free commons and 25 free uncommons each month (there are some restrictions—if ever uncertain, please ask your Mentor for clarification). These cards were either donated by other Seraphim members, or purchased through Seraphim’s Vault. Here at Seraphim, we would like to make sure that members have the highest chance for success in Magic, and we aim to do that by providing cards and assistance wherever needed.
The Five Colors of Seraphim
Basically, our clan will operate within a structure containing five primary supporting elements.
Those elements will be “flavored” based on the five colors of mana, and are as follows:
- Empyral Seraphim (white)
- Azure Seraphim (blue)
- Emerald Seraphim (green)
- Crimson Seraphim (red)
- Stygian Seraphim (black)
- Crystalline Seraphim (colorless)
Each “sub-clan” within Seraphim will have various responsibilities assigned to it. Those responsibilities will be, in part, determined by the respective “flavor” associated with each color of mana.
Each sub-clan will be headed by a member of Seraphim, who will manage the responsibilities of the members of their respective area.
Members of Seraphim can join one of these sub-clans by contacting their respective Representatives. All members are encouraged to take a role within Seraphim.
More sub-clans will be added as needed, and their responsibilities detailed below. Please note that the responsibilities of each sub-clan are subject to change based on suggestions and need.
Empyral Seraphim
This branch of Seraphim represents white mana.
Their values are as follows:
- Order
- Protection
- Light
- Law
White Mana is described thusly:
“White mages achieve balance through strategy and organization. For white mages, society is more important than the individual. They build strong defenses, rally the troops, and protect their allies. White magic heals injured soldiers so they can answer the call of battle again and again. White mages amass enormous armies, but sometimes a single, awesome champion is necessary to teach the enemy a lesson. At their best, white mages are self-sacrificing and moral. At their worst, they are uncreative and even authoritarian.”
Following these ideas, the Empyral Seraphim will act as Seraphim’s liaisons in the Magic Online community. They will be responsible for recruiting and initiating new players. They will act as our voice in Community Events and Tournaments. They are Seraphim’s primary mechanism when dealing with individuals and groups outside of our organization.
Azure Seraphim
This branch of Seraphim represents blue mana.
Their values are as follows:
- Knowledge
- Manipulation
- Illusion
Blue mana is described thusly:
“Blue magic is reactive, calculated, and methodical. Its strength lies in patience and intelligence. Blue mages work behind the scenes, scheming and stealing secrets. They control their environments completely before making a move. Blue spells and abilities focus on prediction and illusion. Blue is also the color of technology and artifice. At their best, blue mages are inventive and progressive. At their worst, they are manipulative and treacherous.”
With this theme in mind, the Azure Seraphim will be the organizers and project managers of Seraphim. They will be responsible for maintaining contact with the various branches and inviduals within Seraphim, and keeping them informed about clan events and opportunities. They will act as the “archive” of Seraphim, recording information and responding to questions posed by members of the clan. They are Seraphim’s primary resource for intelligence and information.
Crimson Seraphim
This branch of Seraphim represents red mana.
Their values are as follows:
- Freedom
- Emotion
- Impulse
Red Mana is described thusly:
“Red mages have no patience for talk or subtlety. They act quickly and recklessly. With red mana, a mage controls the power of fire and earth. Red mages scorch their enemies with fireballs or call down electricity from the sky. They can rattle the foundations of civilizations and destroy the land itself. At their best, red mages are dynamic, passionate, and unbound. At their worst, they are shortsighted, temperamental, and destructive.”
The concept for this sub-clan is simple, spontaneous, and straightfoward, emphasizing the characteristics of red mana. The Crimson Seraphim will be responsible for organizing periodic, on-the-spot games, for any clan members currently online. The precise format of the games will be up to the Crimson Seraphim representative. The games will be single-elimination, with the winner earning points which will be recorded and added to the overall Seraphim ladder. Thus, it pays to be ready to play when the Crimson Seraphim blaze in.
Emerald Seraphim
This branch of Seraphim represents green mana.
Their values are as follows:
- Growth
- Instinct
- Nature
Green Mana is described thusly:
“Green mages understand that the world obeys the law of the jungle—everything is either predator or prey. Green mages do what they can to accelerate and protect nature: jungles expand, artifacts crumble, and creatures regenerate themselves. For green mages, even the plants become lethal weapons. At their best, green mages are instinctual and adaptive. At their worst, they are savage, unthinking, and predatory.”
Growing out of this framework, the Emerald Seraphim are the masters of the Contest. The purpose of this sub-clan will be to foster the development of the Seraphim by proposing challenges of strength and endurance. Each month, the Emerald Seraphim will announce a “Contest”. The exact parameters will be determined by the representative. The monthly “Contest” can mean anything from a forum event, to an extended challenge in-game. The Emerald Seraphim will test the strength of all who wish to master the “Contest”. The Emerald Seraphim will also host the Trials of Fortitude, where clan members will compete against each other using their preferred tribe.
Stygian Seraphim
This branch of Seraphim represents black mana.
Their values are as follows:
- Darkness
- Ambition
- Death
Black Mana is described thusly:
“Black mana offers a host of gruesome spells. Black magic can unearth the dead from their graves and make them walk again. It can spread a pestilence across the landscape and drain the life from all who live there. Black spells can curse victims in horrible and enduring ways. They can warp the mind, poison the land, and kill creatures instantly. But the price is high and the risks are many. At their best, black mages are ambitious and unashamed. At their worst, they are enslaving and devouring.”
The Stygian Seraphim are, appropriately, our darkest, most ambitious sub-clan. The ultimate goal of this sub-clan is to acquire the material needs of the Seraphim, through whatever means necessary. The Stygian Seraphim will propose a prize every two weeks. The value of this prize will be decided by the representative of this sub-clan. A member of the Stygian Seraphim will hold the prize. Any clan member can win this prize by challenging this member to a match and winning. But there is a price to pay. If the challenger loses to the Stygian Seraphim, they must pay a quarter of the price of the prize. The Stygian Seraphim member will also have the advantage. The game will be conducted in the Anything Goes room. The Stygian Seraphim representative will begin the game with 40 life, while the challenger must choose 20. For the Stygian Seraphim, rules are meant to be broken.
Crystalline Seraphim
This branch of Seraphim represents colorless mana.
Their values are as follows:
- Justice
- Precision
- Utility
Colorless Mana is described thusly:
There is no proper definition for those whose mana is drawn from the ambiguous sources of Magic. They are dedicated to carrying out their tasks, and ensuring that they are done efficiently and with a mind to justice and fairness. They are not known for mistakes or tolerance. They perform their function deliberately and accurately. They do not hesitate to punish those who seek to deviate from the structure.
The Crystalline Seraphim are the administrators of Seraphim. They control the sensitive records and items that belong collectively to the clan. They are non-partisan, avoiding close relationships with the other sub-clans of Seraphim. Their main function is to ensure the activity of clan members, and notify them when they near the point of inactivity. The Crystalline Seraphim also function as the collectors of Seraphim. They will hold prizes in trust for those who prove victorious in clan events, and they will moderate trades which take place between members of Seraphim, to ensure fairness and accuracy.
Diplomacy
Are you the leader of a Magic Online Clan, and would like to contact Seraphim? Please create a new thread and introduce yourself (and your organization). We would love to hear from you (and possibly organize competitions and events). If you are a smaller clan, and would like to potentially talk about collaborating with Seraphim (or merging), please use the same link (above) or send me a message.
-Eldritch_Song, Clan Captain of Seraphim
