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This is the first of a series of "editorials," along with my regular blog banter. Hopefully in time they will all get their own section, so if anyone has any ideas for future editorials, please e-mail suggestions to thenameisleu@gmail.com. Please if you must try to keep them Gaming oriented.

"WTF?! ! JU$T GAT G@NK3D!" 

"u guyz sux." 

"I @|\/| l33t |-|@xx0r!!" 

We all have heard it, and have come to expect it from on-line multiplayer games. Whether it's the folks with no sense of humor who simply cannot seem to take an ounce of blame for themselves, or those who do not even seem to understand their own native tongues, the world of internet gaming is famous for its less civilized inhabitants. However, as with any large group of people, one can find decent human beings even in this cut-throat world of pixels and QWERTY slang. It can be difficult for people of this sort to survive in on-line gaming; they are harassed, attacked, and generally badgered (sadly, not with a real badger; that would be soft and fuzzy!) if they ever try to present a piece of logic in a sound and calm manner. It seems that if you aren't screaming profanity at the rest of the community, or spouting some stream-of-consciousness l33t babble, not only will you not be heard, but you may be intentionally silenced. Thankfully, there are havens for these civilized people. In some games, they find message boards. In others, they find chat rooms. In life, they find the Exodus Syndicate.

I am sure there are other communities across the idyllic and boundless landscape of the Internet that hold people of honor and respect, but to find a high concentration of good individuals, one need not look further than the ever-growing ranks of the Syndicate. Not only that, if you're looking for a laugh, boy wonder, the Syndicate can provide. Need some entertainment? Go talk to Sraalok, or perhaps Genx. I'm sure those two will be sure to put a hurting on your cheeks. No pun intended. See what I did there?

As well, it is not an elitist environment; an aura you can feel just having a brisk chat with members. We do not scan for levels and such moreso personalities and the competitive drive. 

We are Competitive believe that. It is the fuel that drives the engine to this juggernaut we call home -- and our members can attest that this is one of the main reasons they continue to game with us. We are a community, not a Power Hungry hierarchy. We keep only as many rules as we need, and none that we don't. Every member of The Exodus Syndicate is welcome to step up and offer changes for improvement, to make our community the best example for players the internet has.

To find your way to the Syndicate, all you need to have is the will to succeed, the potential to be great, and the attitude to match. With such interesting personalities like Lexion, and SneakyJes leading the ranks,there is not a lack of skill. I would even argue that the Syndicate home-trains its members to surpass any skill level that they come in contact with. Tricks are taught and passed on, strategies tested and tempered. To put it simply, the Syndicate makes itself known not through flashy macros, but through the potency of its members. I doubt you could find a person in our gaming history whom does not recognize and respect the name of The Exodus Syndicate. 

With Star Wars: The Old Republic being months possibly a year away we are already an integral part of our faction, contributing both through solid action and swift force. In a world of constant war, there is no breaking the spirit of the Exodus Syndicate. We are the Syndicate, and I'll be damned if we don't live up to the name. It's a long ride to the front lines; I'm glad for the regiment I get to make the trek with.

My brothers in arms.