The foundation of the Dark Empire, the 2700+ member organization founded by Proconsul Kaloc, was shaken by the secession of half of its High Council. Jennara and Linnan, the leaders of the Dark Empire Guardians (DEG) and the Guild Builders Alliance (GBA), respectively, have withdrawn to form a new guild, the aptly named Imperial Guardians. The DEG and GBA together constitute Dark Empire's entire supply chain.A dispute over the disposition of "uber" weaponry precipitated the conflict. When Kaloc's explanations did not satisfy some members, disagreements continued until they began being concluded by summary expulsions from the guild. This proved the crack which spread quickly through the dam of unity within the Empire; members quickly became resentful of perceived constraints on their personal freedoms of opinion and expression, and what began as a drip became a flood of highly talented and dedicated guild members leaving Dark Empire for the Guardians, which number over 200 after their first full day in existence.
Motivation for members leaving generally included a varying mixture of resentment against their former leader and cameraderie with those who had already left. This reporter, a six-month veteran, was among the seceding members. Some excerpts from last night's debates, as well as a message of encouragement from the Dark Emperor, are currently available for viewing at www.thedarkempire.org.
C.M.O.T. Dibbler of the Imperial Guardians
