A guide to ranks on ArdaCraft
If you’ve spent more than five minutes in the ArdaCraft server, you’ll have noticed that not all users are the same. Some user’s names are different colours, and some have a title before them. So what’s this all about? What roles and responsibilities do these ranks entail? And where can I get myself a nice green username? This is a short guide to the ranks of ArdaCraft.
Guest
If you’ve just joined the server, your name will be the default white with the prefix 'Guest'; this is the standard for all users who aren’t members of the build team. As a guest there is actually quite a bit you can do. As well as being able to explore our enormous recreation of Middle-earth and chat to our lovely build team for as long as you like, you can use the all new Pathfinder feature to follow the paths of Frodo, Aragorn, Merry and Bilbo. If you turn on shaders, listen to our OST (yes, we have one) and just start walking, it makes for a relaxing few hours as you experience the wilderness and read some excerpts from the books. If building is more your thing, fear not! Everyone on the server can claim their own 200x200 block plot to build whatever they want, no matter the style or quality; my plot, for instance, has a parkour course and a football pitch.
Apprentice
The lowest rank in ArdaCraft’s build team, apprentices have dark green names and are usually made up of applicants aiming to become a builder. To reach this role, they have passed the standard of building set out in our Application Guide and cooperated with their mentor. Apprentices are able to place or break blocks in the world, but are only permitted to work on one plot per region at a time; once they have finished their work it will be reviewed by the area lead. If their build is good enough, it will be approved and they can upload a picture of it to their application. If not, then they will be given constructive feedback and told to make any necessary changes. Once their mentor feels that they have taken on feedback well, improved their building skills and integrated with the community, they will be promoted to the mythical rank of Builder. The time this process takes can vary. Some breeze through this stage in less than a fortnight, others can take longer.
“The thing I like most about being an apprentice so far is how helpful people are - you can always ask questions and people will try and help you out” -Finn
Builder
The foot soldiers of ArdaCraft, builders are the players who keep the project ticking. They have lime green names and have fully qualified through the application process. Builders have access to tools such as WorldEdit and TerraSniper to work on more complex projects, and are able to take on as many projects as they are able, either in the form of plots in a settlement or their own projects in the world. Some builders are attached to specific regions, whilst others are happy to work wherever. One builder may like to do landscaping, whereas another may prefer working in urban centres. Builder is the role where you can really carve out your niche and bring Middle-earth to life, wherever your passion lies.
“I love being a Builder because I have the freedom to contribute to this amazing project in whilst working in a team” -Me (Foglet)
Builder+
A Builder+ is quite similar to a normal builder: their names are the same colour and they often work on similar projects. However, Builder+s are more experienced and usually lead small to medium sized projects in our active regions. To attain the role of Builder+ you must lead a settlement the size of a hamlet or larger. After we update to 1.20, the role of Builder+ will be replaced, meaning I have just wasted my time writing this.
“I love that people trust me with different projects and bossing around apprentices” -Blither
Landscaper
Landscapers are the ones who quite literally make the world. Whilst Builders create homesteads and hobbit holes, Landscapers use complex programs such as Gaea, WorldPainter and WorldMachine to shape mountains, carve rivers and depict the stunning vistas of Middle-earth as described by Tolkien, all to the standard of the best Triple A games. In game, landscapers work on adding to our enormous repository of trees and lend expertise to a variety of projects where needed. Currently the application process for Landscaper is closed, and they can be identified by their blue names.
“The thing I love most is having the ability to complement the amazing builds throughout the map” -HFranz
Overseer
The rank of Overseer is a rare and important one; whilst the exact number varies, we usually have 1-2 per region we are working on. Overseers have gold names and are in charge of specific regions of Middle-earth e.g. Anorien or Moria. They plan upcoming settlements, delegate roles, provide feedback to Builders and have the final creative say on anything in the region. In addition to this, most Overseers also help apprentices progress if they are working in their region. Whilst there is no formal application process to become an Overseer, they will all have shown skill, expertise and dedication as Builders in order to have been granted this rank.
“Promoting people is very satisfying” -Lomes
Admin
The top dog of ArdaCraft, admins are responsible for making sure everything runs smoothly in the project and have red names. They sort out disputes, direct future planning and help up and coming builders improve. At the moment we have one Admin, Argent, after our Founder took a step back in order to focus on developing the new map. Argent is also the area lead for Anorien.
"I love to see all the things people are working on and that I'm involved in every aspect of the project" -Argent
Developer
Since ArdaCraft is such a large project, with many custom mods and features, we need developers. Our fantastic Dev team regularly edit our ArdaCraft resource pack overlay, implement new features, help us to get through huge updates and much more. Recently our Developers have been working to update ArdaCraft to 1.20 and implement Distant Horizons into the map, which will transform the experience for builders and guests alike. Without our Dev team and their hard work and effort, this project simply could not happen; whilst they seldom join the actual server (with grey names), the work they do behind the scenes is invaluable and greatly appreciated.
Events Manager
Recreating the most beloved fantasy world in literature can be hard work. Whilst we do have fun with each other (or so I’ve been told), our events manager organises larger community events to bring us all together and enjoy ourselves. She organise events such as our movie nights, seasonal events, hide and seek and much more! Our events manager can be identified by her blue Events tag before their username, and really creates a sense of community that would otherwise be lacking
“Hearing the team’s laughter and enjoyment always makes me incredibly happy” -Jes
Mentor
If you apply to become a Builder on the server you will be assigned a mentor. These are experienced players who want to help others improve their building so that they can join the team and further the project. Mentors will talk you through the application process, give feedback on your builds and answer any questions you might have (although you can ask anyone). Mentors are active builders or overseers, and are usually assigned based on the style you are applying in, e.g. a Westmarch overseer would mentor an applicant who builds a roundhouse. Mentors have no image ranks or colours, but do have a rank on our discord.
“Mentors work now for the future” -Meme
Media
There’s no use in making a Minecraft map the size of Dorset without anyone knowing about it. The job of our media team is to spread the word of ArdaCraft and show off our beautiful creation. The media team are responsible for creating posts for our social media channels and building and managing the website. Recent successes include increasing our Instagram following tenfold in three months and fully revamping the website. They can’t be doing too badly, since you are reading this article!
Conclusion
These are all of the roles you can expect to find on our server and in our Discord; hopefully you now have a reasonable idea of who does what in the project and how they contribute to our recreation of Middle-earth.
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