So, this blog is to address the concerns in the blog: User blog:Echostar/Our Voices. A lot of the concerns and issues seemed to be on the topic of my characters and how OP they are. So...I wanted to read though them and one at a time address all the concerns I feel I can address from that blog. I also want it clear everything I write here is MY OPINION AND THOUGHTS. The Crats and Admins team may disagree with me. I might try to guess their thoughts or put things they've said to me in here, but everything is from my speculation and memory and I may get things wrong. This is a blog written by a regular uses NOT on the admin team, and NOT by a Crat.
I think this was resolved VIA PM. If anyone wants to know more ask Echo.
I don't feel that I have any unfair privileges in regard to my characters. I don't think that any position I have held on this wiki has given me any advantages. I deliberately try to not make my characters especially overpowered, and when ones do have special abilities or are exotic, I try to counterbalance any potential abilities with detriments or negatives they have.
For Ash Prince, when you list out everything like you did I can see why you might think he's overpowered, so let me address each thing individually. First, he has money. The fact that characters are rich or poor has never been regulated on this wiki (well, it was at the very beginning until it became very clear it wasn't doable). Character can choose to be as rich as they like with not issues...so I'm not sure why this is a problem. As for him owning stores, I felt that IC it would help make things more realistic for his money. Also, OOC, Jisk asked me to round up the unused shops and decide to maintain them, delete them, or find an owner. I've been working on that, and done quite a bit, but it's probably time for another check. So...I think accepting some OOC responsibility to help with something to explain IC wealth seems fair. IC I've always said he has a board managing his businesses which are NPCs, but I do try to visit them IC and RP there with the owners and such when I can. All that being said, if all it takes to solve this is removing his category and just saying he has unspecified money, that seems an easy fix. Would that fix the problem?
Next up, you mention the Tesco station...which I don't understand the problem. I'm not really familiar with Tesco...but isn't it some sort of supermarket? Even chain stores have owners and such...so I don't understand. That being said, if removing his category will fix it, I'm willing to do so. Head of Hufflepuff was asked of him considering there weren't any other teachers to take the post that year, and in Canon all Heads of House teach a core subject (in fact in Canon the Head of Hufflepuff teaches Herbology) so I'm not sure why balancing those is a problem. Being an Occlumens I don't think has ever been restricted (though if he needs to be considered exotic I can do that...maybe he is...I'd have to check). That being said, he's not skilled and has multiple times told Faith he can only teach her the basics which he learned as a child, and she'll have to find another teacher or learn on her own from there. By Canon him teaching that to a student isn't wrong. Same goes for age...I don't think that' ever been limited, and we dont' have any systems in place for characters being more or less powerful based on age. So...for Ash the only thing I can think to do is remove his Prince Businesses Categories, which I'm more than willing to do. Are there other things I can do to make him less OP in your mind?
Jaina was sorted as an exotic and has considerable ice powers. That being said, the vice to counteract that has always been that she couldn't control them, and could barely contain them. She did freeze the school because she couldn't control them, and her backstory always contained her lineage. As she's learned to control her powers more since then....they've lessened and become less powerful IC. As to the issue of her name and characteristics, I'm sorry that I'm an American and have no idea what a Norwegian name or characteristics would be. When the character was created along with Aly's Jenna, she suggested the names and such, and I didn't realize they wouldn't be appropriate. Given that this is a RPing wiki where we routinely use magic for extraordinary things, I suppose I never considered what I named my character would be an issue. I know that last sentence sounds sarcastic and like I'm blowing you off, but I'm actually trying to give this appropriate and serious consideration. If you can provide me with possible alternative names of ways in which she could be more Norwegian so I can work those into her character to make her more realistic, I would really appreciate it.
As to the issue of characters dying at Hogwarts, the school needs to be kept as realistic as possible and so character's aren't allowed to die on the grounds without the Headmaster's OOC approval. That's to keep the school as a safe zone where users don't have to worry about their characters dying, and cause the whole school OOC issues and problems. If you'd like more details or reasons why this might cause issues, let me know and I'll expand on this point.
I'm not sure I can answer why there's a disconnect between the Crats and the rest, except to answer that it seems like the majority of users don't want to RP with the crats. I RP with them, but even I've had issues trying to RP with other users who really don't seem interested in RPing with me, or we'll RP occasionally, but it's always me trying to RP with them, and when my interest isn't returned, I don't follow up not wanting to press the issue. I feel like if people would try to RP with other people they don't normally RP with, like the crats, it would help with that disconnect. I know that when I was a Crat, anytime a normal user would apply for a position (Ministry excepting Minster himself, Prefect, Head Boy/Girl, Quidditch Captain, etc) it was our policy to try to pick those people whenever possible over anyone on the admin team. I don't know if that's still in effect, but maybe it's something to consider. I know I do so when possible picking Prefects and Quidditch Captain with Ash.
I don't think any crat has ever made any expansion on a whim without notifying users, or for one character's development. Expansions take a long time to work on, coming up with the storyline, getting locations created and GMs set up for things. I assume that you're referring to the "Hogwarts Frozen" event, which I will address. First, that was never an expansion of any sort. It was a solitary event I was planning on running with Jaina for her character development. When I asked the crats if I could do so, the idea to include the whole school was mentioned. They thought it might be a fun week-long event (single week) to make something interesting happen to break the normal routine for students and such. Given few users were posting on the school (especially in classes) it was thought it would make things interesting and get users to post on the school. It was never an expansion, and the OOC reasons extended it to the whole school, thinking everyone could be a part. Maybe it was ill done, and next time instead it should be a private RP, but it was never intended as an expansion.
I don't personally feel any of my characters are lazy given the amount of work, time, and effort I put into them, but I'm always open to suggestions on how to improve them. If you have specific suggestions for how I can improve my characters information with things more correct, sensical, or more realistic storylines for my characters, I would be glad to hear them and take them under consideration. Again, I know that may come across as insincere and flippant...I don't mean it as such...I'm really looking for ways you feel I can improve things. Finally, as I'm not a crat...any crat, admin, or RB is above me and thus can tell me no, at which point I'll try to work it out with them if I feel they're being unfair, or drop it. Final word is theirs though...if they we can't wrk things out they have the authority and I don't.
I'm not sure why you're not proud of this place, or have positive things to say about it. I would suggest if you have issues with how things are functioning as an admin you make the necessary changes, or work with a crat who can. With these new users we have, what's not being done? Are they not being welcomed...helped create characters...and getting started RPing? As an admin that's part of your job...so by criticizing the admin team you're a part of I feel you're also reflecting on yourself. As an admin you can't say "The whole admin team isn't doing X, Y and Z" without noting you aren't either.
As for users with characters in power, the only character which must be controlled by an admin or crat is the Minister of Magic, and the only one that must be controlled by a crat is the Headmaster of Hogwarts. Every other position is given to the character most appropriately fit...and they can be filled by anyone on the admin team or not.
Up until recently CK's been the only really active member of the Activity Implementation Team. As such she's been doing the Expansions on her own. I'm sure she would love extra support both in coming up with ideas for Expansions and help in implementing them. I would suggest you work with her on the next Expansion idea since as far as I know there's nothing in the works. Sometimes the full details of Expansions do hidden by the Activity Implementation Team, so as any surprises coming in the Expansion aren't ruined. All Expansions are voluntary...no character is ever forced to take a part.
As for meetings, now that CK has a bigger Department I'm sure as the need for a new Expansion begins to come up here in a month or so, she'll start having meetings with her Department. I would be interested in more specific details on the loopholes you see that the crats can exploit so we can get that remedied. Everyone should be playing by the same rules, and following what's in our policies.
I feel like I've addressed Jaina up above, but she WAS chased by Aurors as all threats and Dark magic users can be by our policies. When she left the country, she was forgotten about...but I suppose the Aurors could still come after her if they'd like. What happens in Britian doesn't affect what happens in other countries...in the real world or our wiki. If you feel so strongly about it though, I suggest IC you approach the Ministry about the treat to their country posed by Norway and their queen.
Teresa Black was put in Azkaban for using an unforgiveable curse. Given that the Canon sentence for that is life in Akaban...I would say harming a few students due to an uncontrolled ability really isn't comparable.
I don't know about Kib's Grand Duchess...but as far as I know we've never had limits on royalty. Maybe they have to be exotic...but I didn't think we had any other limitations. The Nymphs are a completely different race which almost didn't happen because adding more races and trying to balance them can be very difficult...and I think you should remember they only exist because I fought for them, created them (with a lot of help and input for those other users), and got them approved by the other crats.
I think Ash was thorughly addressed up above, but again I feel his character is well written and done, and IC I manage to teach deal with all the Head of Hufflepuff stuff. As for the businesses, if it would be better to just remove the category and let his money stuff be in the background, that's fine...but I did that as to help OOC with businesses. I'm more than happy to remove it if that will address your concerns, as there's really no IC benefit.
I know CK didn't want both of those positions, and was looking for someone else to take it...but as there were no Aurors who'd been in the Office for long enough AND that were OOC active, she had to take it. So...now that she has the positions IC with her characters, how should we resolve it? Should we let OOC affect IC and removed one character? How do we fix that? There's plunty of position in the Ministry (including Department HEads) open and needing people...and anyone is welcome to any position in the Ministry save the Minister's spot as long as IC their character is a fit for it. I feel that IS equal. What restrictions do you and other users face that the Bcrats don't? I would be interested in more specifics so they can be addressed. Are there policies not being followed, or that need to be changed?
I like your comments on the Admin team...I think they're valid and I like that you suggest ways to fix it. I'll note that at the top of my things to fix list.
What do you mean by lack of respect? Can you give an example? I feel like this blog shows a lack of respect to the crats, so it's probably something that can be improved by both sides. I never felt anyone not on the admin team was someone just to keep an eye on, and in fact the only difference should be that those on the admin team are putting in some extra work to help keep the place running smoothly. Personally I don't think length of time on here, or previous positions held on here should mean anything. I know coming from me (especially given the accusations of me using exactly that type of position to my advantage) might seem weak...but I truly believe that. I DO try to offer advice to the Crats when they ask, but other than that I don't feel I try to misuse those things I HAVE done, or expect anything because of it. I've said multiple times, I don't have time right now to remain a crat (which is still true) and if I ever did, I would work my way back up from being a RB. So...no, in my opinion (which again may differ from the opinions of the admins team and crats) that shouldn't count for anything...for you OR for me.
Again, Jaina's event wasn't an Expansion, and was instead done to make things at Hogwarts a bit more interesting as hardly anyone was posting on the school or in classes. I asked the crats before I did it, bit that's all the knowledge they had...they didn't even know what I intended. If anything that can be attributed to me, since it was supposed to be a small event and I suggested we include the whole school to try to liven things up. She did hurt characters, and probably would have been put in prosion if she hadn't left the country. As for your character, as I've suggested multiple times, animagi are exotics, so if you create an extoic character, you can create an animagi (according to the rules each user can only have one). If you want it legally add it to the Animagi Registry, and if not, if you're caught it's illegal and you can get into trouble. If she's underage, once she IS of age, take the test at the Ministry, get registered, and you're good. For Jaina I set her up as an exotic characters and gave her a lack of control of her powers as they were powerful, and have her hurt family, etc to balance her abilities. As animagi don't have any other negative effects except registering, I'm not sure how that's a problem, especially as it's not something students can typically do. Can you give some examples of the special right Crats have...because from my perspective they only have more responsibility and work and still have to follow the same rules. Also I want it noted I'M NOT a Crat.
I feel the Crats and admins do respect the users. The last time I saw admins treating someone like a child, I instantly demoted them. Bullying isn't ok...from users or admins.
They were voted into those spots (as you know since you were here) because they were active admins who wanted to help users and make this a better place. The current team is having their own OOC issues, and while that can be accepted for a while, they should address their time here and if they can remain active enough to handle issues here, or if they need to step aside for someone who can. In fact, that goes for everyone on the admin team...not just the crats.
It wasn't a psudo-demotion...it was me stepping down as I can't devote the time to being a crat see: User blog:Bond em7/Stepping Down and User blog:Bond em7/B-Crat Plans. I was given TEMP Crat rights to help while Alyssa was gone, since I'm trusted and have done it. I'll be the first to admit I should have done more with those than I did instead of waiting for Alyssa to return. As for my characters, I don't feel they're OP, blatantly or otherwise. I've addressed these things up above, but if you still disagree let me know and I'll take your suggestions on how else I can make them non-OP characters.
I disagree with if I was still a crat it would be ok. Everyone's supposed to follow the same rule guidelines...Crat or non-admin. You mention Sabrina...and I would suggest her group of followers makes her much more OP than Ash. How much damage could he cause on the wiki compared to Sabrina. One more time, it was never an Expansion of ANY sort, just a RP for my own character which I tought might be fun for other users to involve in and to get RPing happening again in classes and such. That can only be blamed on me.
Echo was reprimanded because what happened was impulsive. There were no consequences (save for the one who killed her character IC) to Echo, and I felt that situation resolved fine. I'll agree that the activity of our admin team should be dealt with. When you asked to help, I'm sorry I came across as condescending and passive aggressive. That certainly wasn't my intention. I believe I said: "I'll let you know if you can help, but I think I can handle it...I've done this a few times before". I believe those words are true. I DID intend to ask for you help (though given your obvious disdain for myself and the current admin team, I don't believe I'll be doing so anymore) but the matter which we were talking about I felt I could handle and there wasn't a way for you to aid me. I' aware you're an adult, and I meant my comments...I'm sorry for the miscommunication. I agree...what's OP and not needs to be defined. I never considered my characters OP, though clearly a number of users do. So, how can we define what's OP? What set of standards should we use. Should all characters have to be humans to help keep OP from getting out of hand...and where do we draw that line so it's not overstepped? So as to make sure I'm not misunderstood, those were serious questions I hope you have some answers for and will help answer so we can move forward with a clear picture.
I think having a page with how to use the admin board and such is a great idea. I think you'd be excellent at writing up and designing that page, then running it by the admin team for final approval. I'm sure it would be a huge help in showing admins how to best utilize their tools.
You mention "privileges given to those in power which are not given to regular users". Can you spell this out more specifically? What privileges? Who's abusing them?
I haven't heard anything on these Aurors, and don't know why it wasn't allowed. You'd have to talk to CK, who as the Activity Implementation Crat is the one who can make those decisions. As for your last line, if you're saying Jaina's thing was "an entire expansion" it was nowhere close since it only lasted a week, people didn't make expansion characters, and I drove it. As I'll say again, that fault lies on me, though it was never intended as an Expansion, which takes a lot more time, ad user coordination.
Again, I feel Jaina isn't OP considering her inability to control her power, and ans control comes, the bulk of the power goes. I don't really think being a Queen is especially OP, and as far as I know the most that would be is an exotic character. Ice Nymphs haven't been created and balanced, so they're not allowed. I will remind you that I'm he one who took the work you guys did on the Nymphs, re-balanced them, convinced the other crats to approve them, and allowed them to be playable on here by everyone. As to their limitations, they had to be balanced with every other race. I'll echo my words again, Jaina did not have an Expansion, merely a week where her actions had minor affects Hogwarts to help promoted IC RPing when it wasn't happening.
Teresa used an unforgiveable curse, which accoring to CANON istantly earns her a LIFE sentence in Azkaban, reguardless of any circumstance. Due to the circumstances, the sentence was reduced. Also, while killing your own characters is certainly a users choice (As long as it's not at Hogwarts which is a NO KILL ZONE), it's how it was done that was the issue. However, other than the immediate concerns, which were quickly resolved, no lasting punishment happened from that.
The crats need to have certain control over things to keep the wiki from either becoming complete Chaos, or not being CANON which is one of the important things here. We WANT the world to be set in Harry Potter's world, and as realistic as possible. To do that, and try to keep a balance for all users, is the point of the crats. That being said they shouldn't be treating users like children, and if they are show me. If they're respectfully trying to keep things balanced, that's one thing. As for votes, most votes at least for those positions ARE open to all users...or at least they were when I was on the team, with the few exceptions where one user had shown particular merit over the others in their tier and were promoted, which is extremely rare. I feel complaining in general chat just makes the whole place negative and a much better way to do it, and one where you're sure to be listened to, is to talk to the crats privately and address your concerns. If you were addressed in chat by someone being rude, impatient or immature (in your words) as opposed to someone talking to you in private about a concern and respectfully addressing the issue, which would you listen to?
I think revisiting policies is always a good thought. Which ones do you think should be looked at? What would you add, delete, or change? I agree the Admin team needs to be thoroughly looked at and people demoted. However, when there's constantly fires being lit and massive chaos the Admin team has to address those concerns as opposed to doing things like addressing the admin team. It's unfortunate, but right now as they have limited resources, they can only do so much, and they DO a lot on here. You said you have other suggestions. What are they? How else can we make improvements?
Ah...Character and RP policy? Again, what would you add, delete or change? I expect the next election to be a community vote...I know the last RB vote was. How are the Admins OP, if I didn't already address it in my comments. Agreed, admins should know how to do their job and whats expected from them. I think I did list out Departmental Duties somewhere before I stepped down...here it is. Should those be updated? I think you have some good ideas...but what do you mean by "put an end to character bans"?
I se your point, though I was under the impression that admin elections were from a community like RB ones. Am I wrong?
So...what rules would you suggest for applying to everyone? Do policies need to be rewritten, or are they good as is and not being followed? Also, how do we regulate Bcrats? You yourself still have crat permissions since they're impossible to remove unless a user themselves removes them? Are you talking just about remving them due to activity...or something more?
1. I agree. I was under the assumption this was still being done...I know the last RB vote was done this way. I know when you were a crat that's how it was done.
2. It was never intended an an Expansion...and I poorly communicated that. It was merely a short Hogwarts event made to help promote posting at Hogwarts by students. The front page changes and such were intended to make users go "Oh...what's going on", and go see how classes and such had changed for that week, and that week only.
3. Addressed above I think. Admin team activity is important, an they should be demoted without activity. It hasn't happened recently, specifically this last week because this blog has moved to the front of attention instead.
4. I'm sorry you feel I still reap that benefit. If so, I'm not seeing it, so can you be more specific how you feel I'm doing so? I feel I SHOULD be treated the same as any normal user, and to be honest the black name was something that was suggested and insisted upon when I stepped down, though I protested. If it bothers you, I'm fine asking for it to be changed. I never asked for it in the first place.
5. Ok....I feel that while this blog has a lot of good useful ideas, I feel the way it was posted and how chat has turned int such a negative place, the community is getting out of control. I don't think I've ever not trusted the community, so what makes you feel it isn't trusted?
6. I think the reason the forums stopped being used was due to the amount of work the admins already had to do. Maybe once we get more on the team, they can be restarted. Until then I don't think there's enough on the team to read and address any issues brought up that way.
I agree that we're one big family, and hopefully through getting more information here, I can work with the Crats to help make improvements to the wiki brought up though this blog. I thin more information is needed, which is why I responded to those comments addressed at me and asked real questions to try to clarify needs and help get change implemented.I want to post once more I'm not a Crat and all these thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone, though I do intend for more information to be put on here to hopefully help get some of the changes going that were mentioned on here.
Finally, a lot of complaining about my characters was done, but I didn't see any suggestions how to remedy the situation. Should I just remove the "Prince Business" Category tags? Should Jaina just be killed off because she's too OP reguardless? After hearing my explanation, do you still feel my characters are OP and need changes? What other changes can I personally make to my characters to help fix these situations? ...or is it just beyond hope of changing at this point and the real solution is me leaving the wiki? If the community feels I should be banned for a time period as a result of my actions, I understand that too. Leave your thoughts, questions, or answers to my questions in the comments below, and hopefully we can start figuring out how to fix the issues we have and continue moving on.
Bond_em7 (Owl Me) 01:13, September 8, 2015 (UTC)