Becoming a Union DAO Custodian in Alien Worlds: A Step-by-Step Guide

5 min readSep 30, 2024

In a world where digital landscapes are more real than ever, Alien Worlds is leading the charge. Their Union DAOs offer something quite extraordinary — a chance for regular community members like you to shape the metaverse. But this isn’t just about clicking a few buttons. If you step into the shoes of a Union DAO custodian, you’re signing up to guide the direction of entire planets. Sounds like a big deal, right? That’s because it is!

What Exactly Is a Union DAO Custodian?

Think of a custodian in Alien Worlds like a town mayor but with way cooler responsibilities. You’re not just dealing with boring stuff like potholes and parking disputes — you’re evaluating proposals, providing feedback to eager “workers” (the contributors in the community), and helping ensure that the Union DAOs run like a well-oiled machine. Without custodians, the Union DAOs would be like a car without a steering wheel. Sure, it might move, but it’s not going to get anywhere useful.

Steps to Becoming a Union DAO Custodian

Step 1: Agree to the Member Terms

Before you can become a custodian, you have to agree to the member terms. This is like signing the contract before you can run for town council. No one likes paperwork, but it ensures you understand your responsibilities. To do this, just go to the ‘Governance’ section under the ‘Arena’ tab, pick your planet, and get reading!

Step 2: Verify Your Identity

Now, don’t worry — this isn’t the kind of identity check where you need to give up your firstborn child. You simply provide some identification to the Union DAO UI to keep things transparent.

Step 3: Stake 5,000 Trilium

Next up, you’ll need to stake 5,000 Trilium (TLM) to qualify. If staking sounds like some sci-fi term, relax — it’s just like putting down a deposit on a house. You’re showing you’re serious about this job and are willing to back it up with some skin in the game. This keeps things legit and ensures you’re not just here for a week-long joyride.

Step 4: Make Yourself Contactable by Workers

Once you’re a candidate, workers will be buzzing around with their proposals, and guess who they’ll be looking to? That’s right — you. Being reachable is key. You’ll need to make sure people can contact you via Discord, Telegram, or even email. Imagine trying to run a neighborhood watch without a phone — it’s pretty much the same thing here. Workers need your guidance, so make sure you’re reachable.

Step 5: Participate in Weekly Elections

Union DAO elections happen every week, so things move fast! Each of the six Union DAOs holds its own election, and the top five candidates get to serve as custodians for a week. It’s like an ongoing reality TV show, but instead of roses, you get votes — and instead of dramatic breakups, you’re overseeing governance. Here’s the twist: each planet has its own governance token, like EYEUNN for Eyeke or VELUNN for Veles. So, pick your planet wisely and get ready to compete.

Breaking Down the Responsibilities of a Custodian

As a custodian, your job is all about evaluating proposals and providing feedback. You help workers polish their proposals, give them feedback, and ultimately decide what gets the green light. This isn’t just a ceremonial role — your decisions have real impact, ensuring the Union DAOs serve the community’s best interests.

How to Participate in Union DAO Elections

Voting is the bread and butter of the Union DAO system. You get to choose the custodians who’ll represent your interests for the next week. But before you can vote, you’ll need to stake some Trilium on the planet where you want to cast your votes.

Step 1: Stake Trilium

To vote, you have to first stake Trilium on your chosen planet — think of it as buying chips at a casino to play your hand. Once your TLM is staked, you can allocate how much of your voting power you want to use.

Step 2: Allocate Vote Power

After staking, click ‘Add Vote Power’ in the UI. The more Trilium you’ve staked, the more influence you’ll have when casting your votes. Think of it like a shareholder’s meeting — the more stock you own, the louder your voice in the decisions.

Step 3: Vote for Your Candidates

Browse the list of candidates, and cast your vote for up to two candidates per planet. Your votes determine which five will serve as custodians, so choose wisely! It’s like hiring the board of directors for a company you care about — you want to make sure they’ll steer things in the right direction.

The Weekly Election Cycle: How It Works

Union DAO elections happen weekly, meaning there’s a new chance to elect custodians every seven days. Imagine if real-world elections worked this way — you could swap out your town council every Monday! This fast-paced cycle keeps the governance dynamic and responsive to the community’s needs.

Why Communication Is Key for Custodians

Being a custodian isn’t a one-and-done deal. You need to be available for workers who are submitting their proposals. Whether it’s through Discord or Telegram, workers need a clear line of communication to you, ensuring the whole system remains transparent.

Why You Should Consider Becoming a Union DAO Custodian

If you’re the kind of person who loves being involved in community-driven projects, becoming a Union DAO custodian is your calling. You’ll have a direct hand in shaping the future of Alien Worlds, guiding workers, and ensuring proposals reflect the community’s goals. Plus, let’s be honest — it’s kind of cool to say you’re running a planet (or six).