# Founders

Founders are early world-builders: the first cohort to enter, test, document, break, repair, and shape HermesWorld before the gates fully open.

See also: [Timeline](../lore/TIMELINE.md), [Sigils Lore](../lore/SIGILS-LORE.md), [FAQ](../FAQ.md).

## What Founders get

Founder rewards may include:

- Founder title.
- Founder Sigil.
- Early cosmetic items.
- Rank in Founder leaderboard or vault.
- Early access to quests or events.
- Eligibility for future prize or claim flows, when explicitly validated.

Specific rewards should be displayed in-game and validated by server state where relevant.

## Founder rank

Founder rank can reflect:

- Arrival order.
- Quest completion.
- Sigil collection.
- Guild contribution.
- Bug reports or verified world-building actions.
- Event participation.

Rank should reward useful contribution, not just loud arrival.

## Founders Vault

The Founders Vault is the symbolic inventory lane for early rewards. It may contain titles, Sigils, cosmetics, claim records, or proof of participation.

Vault items should be treated carefully:

- Cosmetic display can be client-friendly.
- Valuable rewards require server authority.
- Prize claims require Oracle validation.

## Prize claim flow

When a claim is prize-adjacent:

1. Player completes eligible action or hidden quest.
2. Server records event trail.
3. Player opens claim panel.
4. Claim requires wallet signature where applicable.
5. Oracle validates eligibility.
6. Claim enters manual or queued settlement.
7. Result appears in Founders Vault / claim history.

Do not trust public client constants for valuable rewards. The Oracle may be dramatic, but it is not stupid.

## Founder etiquette

- Report bugs with steps.
- Do not publish exploit paths.
- Share lore discoveries after embargo if event rules require it.
- Help new players through Athena's intro.
- Keep guild recruitment ambitious, not cultish. Fine line. Gorgeous line.