Community Transperency on DM Decision
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I don't think there's much to discuss, at this point, but I think a "one-strike" rule wouldn't be a bad thing. If someone exploits something - be it unintentionally or intentionally - contact them IC or OOCly (the irc) and inform them of why what they've done is an exploit, and give them a warning not to do it again. If a DM were to tell me that I could get banned if I continue using an exploit, personally, I'd be more than a little hesitant to disobey.
On a lesser related note, does everything need to be dealt with in the form of a character deletion, or a ban? Surely it's possible to have varying degrees of severity in punishments? I have little to no problems with DMs on Arabel, plots are fun, interactions - both IC and OOC - are great, and this is by far my favorite server; but I do find having a very rigid procedure in dealing with exploits, rude behavior, or what not to be somewhat archaic. Just as DMs are people, so are players - I don't think it's too far-fetched that what may be perceived as an overtly harsh punishment could trigger a flurry of insults which weren't meant in sincerity, but simply the product of a spur of the moment rise in blood pressure.
Using Yardsale's example as my own, for example: I think the situation could have easily been resolved by simply taking away the parasites (removal of the tools used to gain the levels, assuming they were the main means) and reducing the character's levels back to that of a relatively low one. As mentioned, at least they were honest, and as such, I think that warrants a certain degree of leniency.
These are only suggestions, and chances are, there are facets about the server and the way DMs handle things I am not fully aware of - if at all. Feel free to point out flaws or reasons why the above would be difficult to implement.
Just my two cents. I hope nothing I said comes across as inflammatory, sarcastic, or rude in anyways - such was not, and will likely never be, my intentions on this server, forums, and IRC channel.
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no2ace, I think this has been pointed out ad naseum by the DMs.
We assign punishments based on our best understanding of the situation at the time it occurs.
Any player is welcome to calmly and politely tell us if they disagree with that decision and we will listen. That's part of our own basic standards and common sense.
If we still don't agree though, we must do what we feel is ethically called for in the situation.
If you still don't agree, send a calm and polite e-mail to the DM address. The team will review the entire situation.
In this situation, just to be fully transparent, most of the DMs thought deletion of the character was too harsh and would have worked out something else instead.
However, because the player wigged-out and was insulting to the DM handling the case and acted in a very poor manner, we all decided that the ban for behaving this way was necessary.
You will find that rational talking typically clears up any problems, acting irrationally or deciding DMs are out to get you will make matters considerably worse.
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Moloch, as mentioned, there's very little more to discuss. I've never had a problem talking in a civil manner with the DMs of CoA, be it regarding current IC plots, help with a character, or any sort of disagreement - my main query, I suppose, was about a "one strike" thing. Quite a few people have experiences where a DM takes them aside and calmly explains that what they've done is an exploit, and that doing it again will result in a ban: why not just make that standard policy? Assuming it's not already, that is.
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If you still don't agree, send a calm and polite e-mail to the DM address. The team will review the entire situation.
In this situation, just to be fully transparent, most of the DMs thought deletion of the character was too harsh and would have worked out something else instead.
One of the reasons why I feel that a character wipe is actually harsher than a ban, is that a ban can always be lifted - but deleting a character is, or at least feels, permanent.
Of course, now that I think about it, I remember reading somewhere that you keep character back up files - Would I be correct to assume that even a deletion isn't unreversable if the situation is discussed in civil manner?
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If you notice in Yardsales post, he says he 'moved the character to the deleted characters folder' suggesting the character is not deleted as such, merely moved out of the vault, for a time at least.
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Yes, we don't delete characters completely. They just go in the big ol' Recycle Bin.
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Yes, we don't delete characters completely. They just go in the big ol' Recycle Bin.
Oooh…right. Right. That's what I did with all those...(slips over to the server and discreetly logs in.)
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Don't worry, we don't really let Pandemonium login to the server either.
This is what he means when he says "the server":
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Wait… thats not the server??!
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No wonder Gmork's never IG