And wow, I was so not ready for it. It's been so long since I've actually role-played, as managerial duties of the site always seemed more enticing. Fix this, fix that. Do what this member wants, make some stuff, tweak the rules a bit to try and appease the majority of the member base. Tweak some more to make things more chaotic, more interesting.
Deal with members who got way in over their heads on stuff and began to lose a grip on what made role-playing fun in the first place.
And then I started role-playing again. It first came out of a want to do so again. Plenty of role-players defended me in my wish to do so, saying stuff like "he owns the place, he should role-play" or "I can't wait to role-play with you Tef you should come on in, water's warm." Obviously, I take this with a grain of salt, as the motives behind some members are not as transparent in their interactions as I try to be myself. So my first thought was, go back to yo roots, dude. I used to role-play a Yuuzhan Vong character named Artemis Obauldi back at The Gungan Council, and wanted to spin off of him into something new. He had such lush storylines, and plenty of people have that one iconic character they just can't let go of - well, he's mine. On top of that, this decision was made at a time that the buddies from my gaming group - some of the first role-players here - started a Sith Faction. Perfect! Couldn't work out better.
So I got involved, and got instapromoted to a leadership position in the Faction. Whatever, I like making art and helping the members, and like everyone else - I have my own ideas for my characters, which just so happen to align with their own. Who doesn't wanna role-play with friends? It seemed natural. Well, it became unnatural the day I asked the very weary leadership of the One Sith to let me take over the negotiations for Invasions in an attempt to dissuade reports from being created and RPJ's from being invited to the conversation. I felt that I could help bring an element of calm negotiation to what has been, so far, a very competitive environment.
Boy, was I dead wrong.
RPJ's are being lead to the slaughter out here in the wilderness, being forced to make judgements if a certain faction doesn't back down. I mean, that's why I created them, and knew they were doing their job - and informed each one to ignore I was their Administrator - but damn. It's been the Wild West out here so far. So many shots have been fired I'm not clear on who shot first (Greedo, maybe?) and more importantly, I know it doesn't matter. I'm probably at fault, others are probably at fault, but in the grand scheme of things - it's just a scuffle. It doesn't matter, or in my opinion, it shouldn't. I just hope some people can get their heads clear and realize that this isn't life. This is entirely fictional. What we do doesn't matter - how we treat each other does. It's incredible to believe a colored cloud on a map can escalate emotions so rapidly.
I think I've done some good so far with the Republic negotiations, as we're finally agreeing on stuff and having pleasant discussions, but this is a never ending battle against people who take the Major Faction game way too seriously - and those who just wanna have Michael Bay direct our threads. Yeah, I forced the report on the three factions asking to simultaneously attack the One Sith, because I was defending my member's interest - if it had succeeded, we'd have to split our members four ways, and this was just going to be an instakill. Who wants that? Maybe you do. But I don't want to see the rules win Invasions - or a RPJ forced to make a judgement - because members are interpreting the rules in a way that says "If you guys don't agree on something, you should invite an RPJ to see who he sides with." That's not how it's supposed to work. That's not how it was intended to work. That snippet of the rules is as follows:
[background=Before an Invasion begins, Faction Leaders must convene to discuss how the Invasion will be handled by both sides to account for fairness and balance. If a compromise cannot be reached please consult a Role-play Judge.[/size]
Fairness.
Balance.
Those two words are located in the first sentence, plain as day. It is not fair, nor balanced, to force a Faction to accept terms because you don't agree to their's. You're supposed to find a middle ground. That's what the RPJ's are there to help you do. They were created as mediators, moderators. But they're being treated like weapons. That's my take on it. I'll leave my official report in a spoiler at the bottom, with some concerns for privacy removed.
I like it down here in the pits. I wish to remain down here in the pits and help those who want to have fun have as much as we can, while also pursuing my own goals as a role-player, my own wants and needs. But while I'm down here, I can't partake in Staff judgements... so I plead to the community, please stop trying to take advantage of them.
We're not too far gone that we can't.*
*Walking Dead Reference
Deal with members who got way in over their heads on stuff and began to lose a grip on what made role-playing fun in the first place.
And then I started role-playing again. It first came out of a want to do so again. Plenty of role-players defended me in my wish to do so, saying stuff like "he owns the place, he should role-play" or "I can't wait to role-play with you Tef you should come on in, water's warm." Obviously, I take this with a grain of salt, as the motives behind some members are not as transparent in their interactions as I try to be myself. So my first thought was, go back to yo roots, dude. I used to role-play a Yuuzhan Vong character named Artemis Obauldi back at The Gungan Council, and wanted to spin off of him into something new. He had such lush storylines, and plenty of people have that one iconic character they just can't let go of - well, he's mine. On top of that, this decision was made at a time that the buddies from my gaming group - some of the first role-players here - started a Sith Faction. Perfect! Couldn't work out better.
So I got involved, and got instapromoted to a leadership position in the Faction. Whatever, I like making art and helping the members, and like everyone else - I have my own ideas for my characters, which just so happen to align with their own. Who doesn't wanna role-play with friends? It seemed natural. Well, it became unnatural the day I asked the very weary leadership of the One Sith to let me take over the negotiations for Invasions in an attempt to dissuade reports from being created and RPJ's from being invited to the conversation. I felt that I could help bring an element of calm negotiation to what has been, so far, a very competitive environment.
Boy, was I dead wrong.
RPJ's are being lead to the slaughter out here in the wilderness, being forced to make judgements if a certain faction doesn't back down. I mean, that's why I created them, and knew they were doing their job - and informed each one to ignore I was their Administrator - but damn. It's been the Wild West out here so far. So many shots have been fired I'm not clear on who shot first (Greedo, maybe?) and more importantly, I know it doesn't matter. I'm probably at fault, others are probably at fault, but in the grand scheme of things - it's just a scuffle. It doesn't matter, or in my opinion, it shouldn't. I just hope some people can get their heads clear and realize that this isn't life. This is entirely fictional. What we do doesn't matter - how we treat each other does. It's incredible to believe a colored cloud on a map can escalate emotions so rapidly.
I think I've done some good so far with the Republic negotiations, as we're finally agreeing on stuff and having pleasant discussions, but this is a never ending battle against people who take the Major Faction game way too seriously - and those who just wanna have Michael Bay direct our threads. Yeah, I forced the report on the three factions asking to simultaneously attack the One Sith, because I was defending my member's interest - if it had succeeded, we'd have to split our members four ways, and this was just going to be an instakill. Who wants that? Maybe you do. But I don't want to see the rules win Invasions - or a RPJ forced to make a judgement - because members are interpreting the rules in a way that says "If you guys don't agree on something, you should invite an RPJ to see who he sides with." That's not how it's supposed to work. That's not how it was intended to work. That snippet of the rules is as follows:
[background=Before an Invasion begins, Faction Leaders must convene to discuss how the Invasion will be handled by both sides to account for fairness and balance. If a compromise cannot be reached please consult a Role-play Judge.[/size]
Fairness.
Balance.
Those two words are located in the first sentence, plain as day. It is not fair, nor balanced, to force a Faction to accept terms because you don't agree to their's. You're supposed to find a middle ground. That's what the RPJ's are there to help you do. They were created as mediators, moderators. But they're being treated like weapons. That's my take on it. I'll leave my official report in a spoiler at the bottom, with some concerns for privacy removed.
I like it down here in the pits. I wish to remain down here in the pits and help those who want to have fun have as much as we can, while also pursuing my own goals as a role-player, my own wants and needs. But while I'm down here, I can't partake in Staff judgements... so I plead to the community, please stop trying to take advantage of them.
We're not too far gone that we can't.*
*Walking Dead Reference
[background=I implore the SWRP Chaos Staff Team to read this wall of text in it's entirety. I personally apologize ahead of time, for what it's worth.[/size]
[background=Today, the One Sith has received 3 requests for Simultaneous Invasions. [/size]
[background=This report is linked to only one of them, but I have provided snapshots of the first posts of all 3 for your viewing, including a Skype discussion held with the leader of the Removed just last night. The context of this discussion is not relevant, I believe, as I am using it to make a point which will be provided in my conclusion. [/size]
[background=Removed.
2:37 PM EST Today, First PM Received (Removed): Removed.[/size]
[background=3:21 PM EST Today, Second PM Received (Removed): Removed.[/size]
[background=7:57 PM EST Today, Third PM Received (Removed): Removed.[/size]
[background=1. We are willing to negotiate all other aspects of the invasions and provide concessions as is the standard in this "give and get" discussion, but we are now and forever unwilling to be the voluntary target of or allow ourselves to be involved in an Invasion that pushes for the same time frame as another Invasion, as this is getting a bit ridiculous.[/size]
[background=2. As stipulated by all parties, RPJ Alli Wren's ruling of alternating parties to decide the Invasions is still in effect, allowing us to dictate the OOC terms of the Republic Invasion.[/size]
[background=3. The main reason behind the idea of simultaneous invasions is mostly to give a huge advantage to one side. It's not inherently fair unless both Factions agree that it is. (OP Invasion Of Coruscant)[/size]
[background=4. It is our stance that all *extra* rules to the Invasion rule-set must be mutually agreed upon, and if not, we wish to stand only by the rules proposed in the Invasion rules posted here:[/size]http://starwarsrp.ne...s/invasions-r16
[background=5. If simultaneous invasions were a requirement, they would be mentioned in the rules.[/size]
[background=6. The One Sith do not oppose the 1 invasion at a time for each Major Faction rule... but we do if simultaneous invasions are continued to be allowed by RPJ's, unless mutually agreed upon as we did with Coruscant.[/size]
[background=7. Furthermore, it is our stance that it is the design of this community's IC environment to allow time to be fluid, as there is no ruling regarding the restriction of time IC. To disregard this by enforcing simultaneous invasions without mutual agreement is to undermine the entire structure of the community's IC environment.[/size]
[background=8. The only time other than OP's invasion of Coruscant that we are aware there was a simultaneous invasion was also agreed upon by Faction Owners, meaning a simultaenous Invasion has never - to the OS's Faction Admins knowledge - been forced upon any party by a Role-play Judge.[/size]
[background=9. Simultaneous warfare can make for some fun and entertaining role-play, as the One Sith has presented to the community with the idea of Coruscant and the trickle effect. We voluntarily allowed Coruscant to happen at the same time as our recent Alderaan invasion of the Republic and it has made for a great setting. However, to consistently use this as a warfare tactic is not only incomprehensible IC in the setting Chaos provides with the rules Chaos provides, it is a tactic being employed simply for victory without resistance. The One Sith believes this is an abuse of the system by all writers involved, regardless if there is OOC collusion between all parties involved or not.[/size]
[background=10. The Faction Aid rules, not the Invasion rules, have forever and a day been the method of controlling population counts within Invasions. Anyone who is a committed member of the Major Faction has, up until today, been allowed to join all Invasions targeting their Major Faction unless a prior mutual agreement was made between opposing Faction Administrators.[/size]
[background=We should be allowed to defend our faction, all of us, as we have allowed others to do. This is an indisputable fact. This OOC sleight is not an abuse of the rules, it's not even present in the rules. The One Sith implores Staff to intervene before the community loses a Major Faction due to a precedent (OP/Coruscant|OS/Alderaan) the RPJs may begin enforcing that has never been enforced by Staff in any instance, but was mutually agreed upon by two consenting parties in all previous instances.[/size]
[background=Today, the One Sith has received 3 requests for Simultaneous Invasions. [/size]
[background=This report is linked to only one of them, but I have provided snapshots of the first posts of all 3 for your viewing, including a Skype discussion held with the leader of the Removed just last night. The context of this discussion is not relevant, I believe, as I am using it to make a point which will be provided in my conclusion. [/size]
[background=Removed.
2:37 PM EST Today, First PM Received (Removed): Removed.[/size]
[background=3:21 PM EST Today, Second PM Received (Removed): Removed.[/size]
[background=7:57 PM EST Today, Third PM Received (Removed): Removed.[/size]
[background=1. We are willing to negotiate all other aspects of the invasions and provide concessions as is the standard in this "give and get" discussion, but we are now and forever unwilling to be the voluntary target of or allow ourselves to be involved in an Invasion that pushes for the same time frame as another Invasion, as this is getting a bit ridiculous.[/size]
[background=2. As stipulated by all parties, RPJ Alli Wren's ruling of alternating parties to decide the Invasions is still in effect, allowing us to dictate the OOC terms of the Republic Invasion.[/size]
[background=3. The main reason behind the idea of simultaneous invasions is mostly to give a huge advantage to one side. It's not inherently fair unless both Factions agree that it is. (OP Invasion Of Coruscant)[/size]
[background=4. It is our stance that all *extra* rules to the Invasion rule-set must be mutually agreed upon, and if not, we wish to stand only by the rules proposed in the Invasion rules posted here:[/size]http://starwarsrp.ne...s/invasions-r16
[background=5. If simultaneous invasions were a requirement, they would be mentioned in the rules.[/size]
[background=6. The One Sith do not oppose the 1 invasion at a time for each Major Faction rule... but we do if simultaneous invasions are continued to be allowed by RPJ's, unless mutually agreed upon as we did with Coruscant.[/size]
[background=7. Furthermore, it is our stance that it is the design of this community's IC environment to allow time to be fluid, as there is no ruling regarding the restriction of time IC. To disregard this by enforcing simultaneous invasions without mutual agreement is to undermine the entire structure of the community's IC environment.[/size]
[background=8. The only time other than OP's invasion of Coruscant that we are aware there was a simultaneous invasion was also agreed upon by Faction Owners, meaning a simultaenous Invasion has never - to the OS's Faction Admins knowledge - been forced upon any party by a Role-play Judge.[/size]
[background=9. Simultaneous warfare can make for some fun and entertaining role-play, as the One Sith has presented to the community with the idea of Coruscant and the trickle effect. We voluntarily allowed Coruscant to happen at the same time as our recent Alderaan invasion of the Republic and it has made for a great setting. However, to consistently use this as a warfare tactic is not only incomprehensible IC in the setting Chaos provides with the rules Chaos provides, it is a tactic being employed simply for victory without resistance. The One Sith believes this is an abuse of the system by all writers involved, regardless if there is OOC collusion between all parties involved or not.[/size]
[background=10. The Faction Aid rules, not the Invasion rules, have forever and a day been the method of controlling population counts within Invasions. Anyone who is a committed member of the Major Faction has, up until today, been allowed to join all Invasions targeting their Major Faction unless a prior mutual agreement was made between opposing Faction Administrators.[/size]
[background=We should be allowed to defend our faction, all of us, as we have allowed others to do. This is an indisputable fact. This OOC sleight is not an abuse of the rules, it's not even present in the rules. The One Sith implores Staff to intervene before the community loses a Major Faction due to a precedent (OP/Coruscant|OS/Alderaan) the RPJs may begin enforcing that has never been enforced by Staff in any instance, but was mutually agreed upon by two consenting parties in all previous instances.[/size]
