In a cataclysm known as the Nightfall, the worlds were almost completely destroyed by a harrowing surge of darkness.
In the shadows of the ensuing chaos a new group has taken shape. Led by an Aegyl named Kalos, the 11th Hour touts an esoteric knowledge of how to combat the darkness and restore the worlds. They might be the worlds’ best chance at survival; but nobody really knows enough about them to confirm or deny their claims.
On the brink of collapse, the universe holds its breath in anticipation. Of restoration? Of destruction? It is up to individuals like yourself to decide.
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I do understand your position, Roxas, more than you know. I myself was the GM of a site -- meaning that I played the role of all NPCs and encounters on a site I created and was responsible for almost six years. I understand entirely where you are coming from in that respect, which is one reason that I said nothing on the inactivity in this regard.
As said before, I needed to have some time to step back and look at everything, and in one way, going to the Renaissance Festival, as I did with Gorrad and Leon, helped. A vacation was much needed, and I am glad I had one.
In terms of the position, there was one reason I took it above all else, which incidentally is why I took Sephiroth -- because in some way, I knew I could do it, and could do it well. I have not been the most active, which I intend to change and am actively working to do so, but moreover, take extreme pride in that.
Part of what bothers me, though, is the absolute tier of hierarchy when it does not apply. Instructor is not a lowly position; far from it. We're part of the backbone of the site, just as everyone is. Is any part of the backbone more important than the other?
I realized it was when I began to see my position as a step down that I became bitter -- and it's not. That is one of the main problems we have is this division. There are no steps up or down, only moves to where our skills best apply.
Welcomers are the initial impression the site gives -- ((On that note, can we remove the 'log in to read posts' aspect? The days of hackers are long over)) -- which is actually more important than others think. They may even bring people to the site, greet them, help them slide into position and explain what needs explaining. They are the all-important first impression that set the mood of future OOC interactions with new arrivals. I do not see them as lowly at all.
As any business person, or any webmaster/mistress knows, appearance and tone are everything in terms of keeping people. It is the plot that draws others in, the activity, a referral -- but it is the people that keep them here. Welcomers are by far a great touch to that. There is nothing mere by that.
They also tend to answer questions and assist where need be.
Instructors are also, far from anything mere. Responsible for applications and for teaching those who are not up to speed, for adding in explanations on how the mechanics of areas, weapons, armor, etc work to those who need them via applications, they have a lot of duty and I'm quite proud of what we have. We are the teachers and instructors, and without us, those who were powerplayers and had underqualified applications would neither be filtered or worked with for a workable angle. I'm willing to remain head of the Academy.
World Mods have been detailed in excess here.
Moderators are general patrollers of the board, and responsible for keeping party boards ((*cough*)), competitions and the like being made.
Admin hold it all together as the leaders, the head.
All of us are responsible for breaking up fights and for keeping the site running smoothly. We have different strengths and weaknesses, and by our positions run alongside so that no one is left alone or floundering. We all are a team more than anything. There is no concise above or below in this regard, for the moment there is, we are not a team. We have leaders, but we are not subservient. There should be no division that is so definite that one member feels themself a 'lowly' or 'mere' anything. You are not.
And that is, upon much thought, what primarily bothered me. All staff teams are not divided into pseudo-military positions, but collective teams. When we start thinking in terms of upper and lower, the staff begins to become divided, and the opinions of one matter more than another not by any other reason than the position we hold.
First and foremost, to the thought of Shore being an Instructor. I have doubts. As he was consistently asking Sephiroth and myself for help on how to do his job. It was rather disheartening. If anything, there should just be an application process or perhaps nominations at a later date, perhaps letting the people vote for that themselves. That said...
Seph has a point, as does everyone, but biting people's heads off (and yes, I'm accusing myself of this as well, as I'm not always the best at keeping myself in check) for expressing their views, that I don't sit well with. Also, I was not aware that I had two positions, I just was aware that I was instructor and had a title of Organization Leader. I'll be cracking down a lot harder on both and suggest that perhaps Locue or Serif be world mods for RG-- they already do this, Locue especially, if you brows through the threads there. It's ben a little difficult cracking down with the archive having been deleted-- that has been a major issue with me. I mean... seriously... WTF? The archive is there for a reason and we all worked hard on threads that were both removed from the boards as well as ones put in the archive.
I will admit that, although togetherness is what makes us a whole, I also have questioned your abilities as an administrator, Roxas. You may very well own the site, but there's a collective whole. I suggest that, perhaps instead of getting defensive, maybe thinking about it from a different angle? We are ALL very busy, and it happens, but, again, biting people's heads off, when they've been frustrated just as much as you, is not always the best solution. It goes for myself, as well as everyone else. Improving attitude, as well as the way things run, is what pulls decisions through. "Moving up" just creates competition. And resentment. From myself as well as others. Half the problem here with the staff is not knowing what the hell they're supposed to be doing. The other half is feeling like their position isn't as of equal value to others.
This is your site and you may very well own it, but we are members, and we have every right to, at the least, to speak up. To be diplomatic, I've made consistent posts and points that everyone has a voice, and that, at the moment, no one really does. We all have to be together, as Seph has been so kind to point out, that fighting will not solve it and that we are not together. Those addressed, let me provide some suggestions to some of the current staff problems. Perhaps solving the issues between ourselves before adding new people would be a good idea?
After all, they don't need to be jumping in the middle of our unrest and then leave due to our own problems. Defining who, within the current staff, will be where is a good idea for now, and then we can worry about adding new people.
The staff need to be in positions where they can stay stationary as well as functional, with a definite idea of what is going on, so that at least some people can tell players that not everyone is going to the dogs.
My ideas, at the moment (there are likely to be more, but seeing as I'm trying to take this all one step at a time):
Step 1: Change the staff board password. Why? So that none of our opinions offend/worry players. On a side note, Seph, reading over my shoulder and checking my spelling (yay stickies!), would like to point out that there are ex-staff members, and to not please accuse people of sharing the password. It causes distrust among the people, and that isn't conducive to working together.
Step 2: Sort out staff issues, as stated above.
Step 3: Unluck the staff board. Why? So that people can see what we're up to, once the air is cleared. A lot of people have a lot of issue for that; that we might be above them in some way, and not just looking out for the better of the forum. We've become a bit of a bad sort of staff group in the sense that we aren't willing to share with the voices of the other players who might have fresh ideas and newer, better ways of looking at things than we are. Intolerance of ideas as well as change of everything (including plot, rules, ect.) is not conducive to a healthy site. It causes more unrest.
Step 4: THEN see what we can do about adding new staff, once everything is settled. We won't know who to add until we realize our own strengths and weaknesses and adding the people that might not be right could cause more problems. We have enough problems on our plates already.
I realize that not much is fair. That's because people refuse to make it fair, to try and make room for it. "Because we're the staff and we say so" or "I'm the admin and I say so" is not fair. And unless we treat everyone with fairness and consideration and level-headedness, even ourselves instead of getting defensive, there's no room for said change. I myself am working harder to take my own views into consideration and implement them. Taking on too much at once isn't a good idea, and if change happens over a slower corse, then so be it. But fairness starts with gradual consideration and not just the immediate.
Long speech over, you can yell at me for blabbing too much. But, as I said, I was going to post something once I had more coherent thoughts.
We, the staff, were asked for ideas. If we are not allowed to question, to grow, to take in the new change, then it will fall apart.
The solutions start with the staff, with our issues, and ourselves so that we may be the pillar of strength that the site itself falls to. Without the proper support, where will it get us?
Code Gorilla: I would like to apologize as well...I was also out of line and did reply very offensively. I just sort of felt like I was being 'attacked', in a way, and I felt I had to defend myself. I do understand that there were other ways I could have handled it, however.
As Leon and Seph said, we need unity among the staff and I was not contributing.
I do understand that I have made a fairly large amount of mistakes. I completely understand this. But please understand that I am not the most experienced role playing game site owner and this is the largest site I have ever maintained. I use to own a regular forum that grew very large, but involved no role playing and it was easy for me to manage.
This is a learning experience for me and I am really trying my best to make this the best experience it can be for everyone, which is why I'm trying to reorganize things members are having problems with.
I know your staff jobs were not described properly or at all, really, but that is what we are currently working on. Really only the Overseer and Supervisor jobs were not explained at all and I sincerely apologize for all of the frustration and confusion it caused for you all.
I have completed the descriptions for all other staff positions and the threads are located in this board. If anyone from those positions feel that something should be added, please post there and I will add it.
Once the roles of the Global Moderators and Historians are sorted out, I will create description threads for those as well.
The dark Keyblade plot was not implemented because many members I have spoken with feel the entire plot should be rewritten or stated more clearly. That part of the plot may be added in with the rewrite, or may be completely discarded. That will be discussed once the Keyblades and the staff positions are completely solved.
I hope I responded fully to your post. If I have missed something, please remind me to answer it.
Part of what bothers me, though, is the absolute tier of hierarchy when it does not apply. Instructor is not a lowly position; far from it. We're part of the backbone of the site, just as everyone is. Is any part of the backbone more important than the other?
I realized it was when I began to see my position as a step down that I became bitter -- and it's not. That is one of the main problems we have is this division. There are no steps up or down, only moves to where our skills best apply.
I very much agree, Seph. When the original staff positions were chosen I looked at members and tried my best to place them according to skill. Being a moderator or an admin does not, and should not, mean you are more important to the staff than everyone else. And again I apologize for making it seem that way with my previous post... As Seph stated, each position is very important and means much to site. I added the Welcomers because I wanted new members to be welcomed and to have a group of people they can rely on to help them around the site as first timers. I have gotten compliments from new members about how helpful the Welcomers are and I am very proud of you guys for doing such a good job.
And where would we be without the Instructors? They help the inexperienced role players learn how to develop their writing and help them reach their potential with role playing. After implementing the academy I have noticed that the role players on the site have become much easier to understand and to follow. This is all in thanks to the Instructors.
Once the Historians are added, they will be no more important than any other staff position. They will be added because their job is required to help the site run smoothly and their contribution will be very helpful.
So, if you feel that the staff position you currently are in does not match your skills, then by all means say something. If your skills are best applied as a moderator or a historian or an instructor, please say something. I want to move around the current staff we have so that our team's skills are being executed in the best way possible. It is not a matter of "I've been in this position for so long so I feel I must move up" it is a matter of "I feel that my skills are better applied here".
If I missed something, please remind me and I will respond to it.
Leon: We will definitely have applications for new staff positions and I will be asking for everyone's input on who they believe are the best members for each open position.
And I again apologize for not making your positions clear and I feel that what I said before about it sounded a bit rude and I am sorry for that. You are more than welcome to keep both positions if you feel you can treat each equally. If you want to give one up, however, that is not a problem and you may recommend members to fill that position. There is not much to do currently as the Organization Leader, so you should not have to worry about that much.
Yes, I understand that snapping back was not the best way to handle the situation. I just took what was said the wrong way and became defensive. It's just that I understand all of the faults I have done to this site and I am constantly reminded... I would really appreciate it if people stopped pointing out all of my faults because I am very well aware of what they are and the trouble they have caused.
I am more than willing to listen to everyone's opinions and I highly appreciate each one. Many are very helpful and they will contribute to a better site.
1. Yes, this has been brought to my attention before so the password will be changed.
2. Hopefully it will all be sorted out soon..
3. I'm not really sure I want to unlock the staff board...I can hide it so members cannot see it and not feel offended and then send you all the link if that works too. I just feel that there are some things that need to only be spoken about with the staff members, is all, and I feel we need a board to do so in. Members are more than welcome to express their opinions and ideas in the Suggestions Board and in the threads we have started about Version 5. Anymore opinions on this? I would like to go with the general majority.
4. I agree with this. No new staff members until all of us have permanent positions and the jobs of each position are stated clearly in threads. We should have applications for new staff members so we can see what each member has to share.
Phew. I hope I answered everything everyone said... I know this post is long, but I felt that everything which was said, needed to be said. So please take the time to read it.
I'm sure you're all tired of hearing this but I would really like you all to know that I sincerely apologize for the state I put this site in. It is entirely my fault -- I realize this -- and that is why I feel I should be involved with its restoration. I am not going to snap at anyone anymore and if you want to discuss my faults with me, please send me a PM or an e-mail and I will talk to you there.
I believe, though, it's time to stop reminding me of what I have done, look to the future and put as much energy you can into making this site the best it can be. If you don't feel I deserve to be very involved (which I completely understand if you feel with way) then please work your best to agree among yourselves. You staff members are a big part of this site -- every single position -- and you all have every right to say what you want to say and do what you want to do.
I will apologize for my immature mistakes for the last time and now I will put all my focus toward working with each one of you to bring this site back.
Post by sagefirefox on Nov 10, 2008 23:33:32 GMT -4
I just want to start off by thanking you Roxas. At times I have been questioning the way this site is run but I do realize that everyone makes mistakes and we all learn from them. That goes to show that we cannot demand everything from you and get upset because maybe you did something wrong here. Usually this tends to happen in every situation, someone gets mad and everyone snaps at one another, but now that we're over that little bump we need to focus more on improving the site.
Maybe instead of talking about all these ideas at once we need to pick out which is most important and begin to solve that problem before moving onto the next. So far with all these ideas thrown in together and solutions being mixed along the line somewhere.
Right now we have ideas on changing the password which I think is great, something like that will help keep this board more protected.
We also have this staff problem that's going on right now, all I say is that we need to set aside any anger we have and put that into ways we could improve the site or what we think could change about the site.
Another thing I believe we need to keep track of is all these activity checks we have going on. I know a lot of these have their dates and limits in which you have until to post in by. We need to make sure that these activity checks/tournaments remain active and true to their context. I apologize if this upsets someone.
Alright, after some consideration and a bit of thinking this through, no matter the outcome, I feel that I would be better suited in a different position. I know I did say that I was fine with my position, and I am, but I do feel that maybe another job would be better. I admit I was a bit worried about speaking my mind at first but I believe that I better do it now or never. So if you could please hear my words, I would appreciate that.
Sage: I will be sending a PM to all staff tonight giving the new password. It's going to be more difficult to remember, but at least no other members will know it. This board is only available to staff members anyway, but changing the password gives us more security.
I'll be watching the Activity Checks very closely. These will help the Instructors with organizing profiles and knowing which characters are available.
Is there a certain position you would like to move to? Which do you think better fits your skills?
May I also suggest changing it any time a staff member leaves? Just as an addition here.
Well the staff board is only accessible to staff members. Only staff members can view this board, so once a staff rank is removed, the member can no longer access this board regardless if they know the password or not. So we may not have to change it every time a staff member leaves, but we probably should change it every so often.
Okay, the password problem has been solved and it has been changed.
Now to fix the staff positions.
Does everyone feel comfortable with their position?
Post by qwertyuiopaz on Nov 13, 2008 21:33:44 GMT -4
Considering all of the changes and all the new staff positions, I have to say that I am comfortable with my position now. I will, however, switch to a historian if you need me to, and if you do I would like Twilight Town.
I guess it depends on how many people would want to be a Global mod or a historian.
I... I will go where I am needed, and stay where I am if needed. I need not say I have done a lot of thought; that much is fairly clear. What I will say is I have decided upon staying as Instructor; I know the job, know it well, and love what I do. If anything else is needed, let me know. I am not against moving to another position, but I am not against where I am, either.
*blinks* Lots of stuff goes on when you don't pay attention >>;;
For my opinion on "stuff" as Roxas put in the PM for me to get my butt over here (which I thank her for! ) I'm pretty glad with how it all was settled on, I can't think of an issue that hasn't been brought up yet... *feels pretty useless right now* ^^;;
And for my position... Uh, wow, wasn't expecting that to be quite honest >< I'd be glad to take it up, if need be.
We also need one very neutral staff member who deals with Keyblades. There were a few names for the position suggested in the Keyblade thread, but can anyone think of any others or recommend one from that thread?
I mean I need suggestions for the general name of the position. Like we have Instructors and Historians. What would we call the person who handles Keyblades?
Once our current staff are set in stone I'll have people put their names out there saying they'd like to have that position, then we'll all choose one person.