Announcement

Hey Folks, it's me Seijin. As I was on my hiatus due to college and other real life issues, I've come back to a community divided. I'll own up to the responsibility that part of it is my fault, and I'll shoulder that burden. I know I haven't been around, but I've been occupied with real life duties and having my laptop stolen and my new one broken is an incredible pain especially when I want to help the site and community grow. That hasn't been the only thing that has been occupying me. My sister had to pay for her cancer treatment with a total of 46,000 USD. I'm on a budget now and I'll be honest, college has been stressful. Now that I've explained why I've been busy, let's address some of the issues I've encountered.

Point 1: Let's cut the crap and go straight to the drama. Stop all of it. I'm sick of the bickering on skype, the shit talk, the name calling. Stop all of it. If you have nothing nice to say, don't say it. I know both the staff and players are at fault here, and don't try to justify it. I'm not going to take either sides, because there shouldn't be sides. We're a community, and this isn't a civil war. This point is to point out the fact that we should stop pointing fingers and that we're all on the same side, stop treating your neighbor as an enemy.

Point 2: Let's all get off our high horse and stop pointing fingers. I don't care who has done what and I don't care who has said what. I'm sick of having situations that shouldn't be escalated blowing up in all our faces. Players may ask "why aren't you staff?" or "omg, you would do so much better as staff." Let me tell you how hard it is to finding reliable staff. Let's look at the long list of staff I've had since the start of the site. None of them, not one of them has stuck around since the beginning. Is it cause I have bad body odor? I hope not. But it's because as staff we have to not only be players, we have to be staff. On top of that we have real life issues to deal with. The reason why I don't hire some staff back if they return or are up for the job again is either cause I've seen their activity and it's inconsistent with what the site needs, or really there's just too many issues with that player being staff. This doesn't mean they can't be staff again. I'm always up for second chances, I just want to be sure I'm investing in the right people so I know that the site doesn't come across any issues. HOWEVER, even with having to pick out staff, it's not always simple. There's a level of trust you need to build in order to be a moderator. I'm incredibly disappointed in the amount of disrespect the staff have been showing to players, and disappointed in the players in the amount of disrespect they're giving to staff. We're all humans. Let's start acting like humans. 

Point 3: Let's stop giving whatever group shit. I'm sick of hearing complaint after complaint about staff doing something players don't like. There's a reason we do it. We don't go around shitting in your sockings for a reason. We do it cause someone has to make the hard decisions and someone has to do the dirty job. This includes balancing applications, telling players they forfeit all their possessions when they decided to quit, etc. It's not an easy job. Players specifically take it for granted how hard this job is. I get it, some of you are friends with those that have their application balanced or pulled or denied or friends with someone who got a warning or banned. But don't drag yourself into it. It's great that you have an opinion, I'm not telling you to not have one - but be wise about it. If you're not directly involved, don't involve yourself. I'm sick of seeing players getting dragged into drama cause they have friends who are somehow involved in it. If I or any staff want to discuss a situation with you, we will. If you want to discuss it with any staff, administrator, or even me - do it. Lastly, I'm sick of having to see players voice complaints in the chatbox. That's not what it's meant for, so stop using the chatbox as a platform or tool to further your cause or whatever goal you hope to accomplish. Do that in the suggestions. Also on a positive note, thank you to those who use the suggestions section. I do look at them, and I assure you that the rest of the staff do to. 

Point 4: Stop targeting players. Just stop. If you want to target someone, target me. I have a diminishing tolerance for drama after running this site for years. I've given multiple second chances, and I'm just sick of having to deal with petty drama that usually only involves a few key players. Those of you are who involved, you know who - just drop this entirely. No more bias views, no more hatred, no more shit talk. 

Point 5: As a community we shouldn't be shitting on people or the staff and saying "hey you're doing a horrible job!" we should be encouraging people and the staff to do a better job. Don't say they're not fit for the job, especially if you don't understand what the job consists of. It's not an easy job to get the hang of, and very few know what to do once they step into the role of an administrator. So let's just stop putting players and staff down. This point also has an added bonus. If I see you shit talk or giving someone trouble, I personally will have 0 tolerance for it and will disable all forms of communication you may have within the site (PM, Chatbox, certain threads). This isn't a joke. It's not hard to be nice. 

Point 6: Now how are we suppose to continue in a positive way? That's easy! Right? Um... actually, it is. Well firstly we need to put all of this behind us. I don't care who's right, and I don't care who's wrong. We're going to do it my way and if you don't like it, that's great cause we're still going to do it my way. Now I'm going to strengthen the staff by assuring that they do their tasks and that their activity meets the community's needs. I know some staff may be having ideas to do some iffy tasks such as pulling applications or balancing some - but let's just put a hold on that until some time in 2016. Let's just get some slack and some space between the drama. Let's strengthen the code of conduct, as I've seen from suggestions there are some valid points. 

Point 7: I hate addressing this because I dislike quitters. However, I feel the need to due to recent events. I have nothing against you if you go on break, but if you feel the need to tell me that you're quitting in a farewell thread - I expect you to never ever come back. That's what quitting means in my eyes. It's a permanent farewell to me if you quit. Sure voice your opinions  in suggestions in a professional and well handled manner, but don't voice your opinions and quit because you don't have the patience. Let's just grow up and do the mature thing. I'm sure we're all associating actions with those executing those actions, and that's a horrible way of seeing it.

Point 8: Maturity. Let's just all take a step back. Every single one of us. All you have to do is be willing to put the drama back and choose a more positive path. A path that will lead all of us as a community to a better tomorrow. Stop bickering about it to players on Skype or to staff and just have a more positive look towards things. If you don't like changes, voice them in a positive way in the suggestions. It's honestly not hard to be reasonable, and frankly not only will you be more likable - you'll also usually get what you want from just acting more professional and mature. 

Point 9: Staff. I've already talked to most of the staff, and trying to get a grasp on the staff in terms of what we need to handle. One of the biggest factors is getting more moderators, especially reliable ones. Which is why you'll notice players recently getting promoted or becoming trial moderators. As of right now, in my eyes the staff needs to gain trust with each other and solidify communication with one another. If you're a staff member and you feel like you're not doing your part or are confused, ask another one for help. 

Part 10: Now let's come to a conclusion here and end things with the site owner. I'll admit some of you guys make it incredibly hard to tolerate as you either have a very strong opinion or too hot tempered. That's okay. But coming from someone who has had to deal with the death of a friend, PTSD, and depression - life is rough. We don't communicate with one another on a regular basis, so please I beg all of you to think before you act. You don't know how hard someone else's life is and you  have no idea how your words can rub someone else in the wrong way. I can't even fathom how many times I've thought about giving this site up, and I'll be honest - most of the times it was cause of drama like this. But now I'm sick of it, and so should the rest of you. Stop talking about the drama and just let it pass through, instead of becoming part of the problem, help solve it. Don't push others into the way you think and don't try to get others to think the way you think. Manipulating each other is a silly game. Let's just focus on the goal of making a better community, if you can honestly tell me that you don't want to make a better community - then are you actually even part of the community? If you aren't, then do you really have the right to voice your opinion on what you think the community needs? I personally don't think you'd be in a position to. The point is, we need to focus on our one common goal: Being a better community. 

Side Note: I absolutely -ABSOLUTELY- have no tolerance for anymore drama. If you see it, squelch it before I do. I'm not afraid to chew you out and enforce immediate punishment. As the owner, I'm capable of enforcing any kind of punishment I see fit and this may include skipping to bans. This isn't a threat, this is simply a heads up. I've done it before, and it has worked. Please don't push my buttons is all I ask. In a sense, this thread and this thread alone should be the last of the drama that happened. If you see a friend still talking to you about it, please be mature and tell them to cut that shit out. Don't dwell on chaos.

Please post a response to this announcement voicing your opinions, but do so in a positive way - and please don't discuss any drama related issues or point fingers at anyone. Everything needs to be constructive criticism. If you can't handle criticism yourself, please don't dish it out onto others.

Well said Seijin.

I agree with most everything but one thing I will say is if we put on hold fixing things that need pulled because they violate literally every magic rule on the site its like asking new players or new apps follow the rules but we dont have to. This is what caused the rift that is so massive because it always happens staff grade super hard so players expect everyone magics to be equally scrutinized but they are not they are ALWAYS given the free pass so the balance remains one sided.

Rekka Lawless wrote:I agree with most everything but one thing I will say is if we put on hold fixing things that need pulled because they violate literally every magic rule on the site its like asking new players or new apps follow the rules but we dont have to. This is what caused the rift that is so massive because it always happens staff grade super hard so players expect everyone magics to be equally scrutinized but they are not they are ALWAYS given the free pass so the balance remains one sided.

I agree that we shouldn't put on hold fixing things. But I believe strengthening the community and assuring that our principles, ethics, and understanding with not only ourselves but with how we treat each other on the site should be a more essential and valuable priority that will pay off when that time comes. 

We can fix applications, like I said and addressed in 2016. As of right now, we're just going to have to make sure we're content with each other, ourselves, and the site as a whole before proceeding onto details such as that. As of right now, I'd rather focus on the code of conduct, and assuring we have a solid staff team and making sure we're all on the same page. Also to just remind ourselves the positive things in life, the site, and within each other. It's almost Christmas, and it's the holidays. We all deserve a break, and having to do a process like that during break will be negative for us in real life and on the site. My point in regards to holding magic app isn't necessarily saying we're ignoring it, but assuring we will be able to do it without having to run into drama or causing a even bigger rift. From how I see it, I'm simply just assuring that the rift between staff and players diminishes and gets as minimal as can be - or simply just not make it any bigger.

I can agree with that the thing is the staff created a lot of distrust due to so many broken promises through four different staff sets non one has faith anything will change, and honestly it is really hard to trust staff at this point due to so many broken promises to fix things. I agree it is near xmas so being happy is better but at the same time I fear putting stuff on hold will just lead to even more broken promises and lack of trust staff will do what they said they would.

Rekka Lawless wrote:I can agree with that the thing is the staff created a lot of distrust due to so many broken promises through four different staff sets non one has faith anything will change, and honestly it is really hard to trust staff at this point due to so many broken promises to fix things. I agree it is near xmas so being happy is better but at the same time I fear putting stuff on hold will just lead to even more broken promises and lack of trust staff will do what they said they would.

Pulling apps as of right now with an unstable staff would only result in more distrust within the community. What I hope to accomplish within the holiday is just a simple understanding of establishing trust and understanding what the community needs as a whole before jumping into it blindly.

Looks fine to me. Honestly don't have a lot more to say.

I have nothing to add, we've been sugar-coating this for a while, and you, Seijin, have cut the crap and just said it, this was exactly what we needed.

Although I haven't really witnessed most of the things you've addressed first-hand, since I've only been a member for six days, there are a few things that I've come to know through other members.

What you've addressed here, from what I've established on a personal basis, is absolutely spot on. We all need to pull our trousers back up and get back on track frankly. Even though I might not be in a position to be saying this since, again, I haven't been a member for very long; I can understand what you're getting at.

This roleplay is absolutely FULL to the brim of nice people. They've all got it in them. In fact, aside from maybe one slight mishap, I don't think I've ever encountered someone who's poorly welcomed me, hasn't said hello in a friendly manner, full of enthusiasm rather than a half-assed "yo". This community absolutely brims with warmth and I'm a big fan of it. Let's not let that go to waste because frankly, I think that's one of the best, most stand-out features of this roleplay from personal experience.

Sorry I didn't really address all your points, I just established a general view based on personal experience and replied with said knowledge.

Glad to hear it Seijin.

I did my best whilst an admin, but it seems I just wasn't up to the task. Here's hoping the future staff manages to get back up to scratch and the site starts really thriving again.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
It's been hard for me since I now have more time to actually be here.
Adjusting to all the new things.
And then all the negativity.

And I even got involved at times because I didn't want things to break. Sometimes even blaming myself, "If only I had just stayed longer and maybe worked harder to stay as a moderator rather than giving it up." But I can't hold any staff positions now or later due to acting.

Coming here made me very anxious and worried when I did get the free time.
And sometimes instead of coming on here, I would go to Twitch or just sleep after coming home from a long day of....life.

I feel like words can't even express how happy I am that this site is taking a step from all of that. It's finally nice to see a step in a more positive direction and a step towards a deep healing for this community. ^.^

Sorry if I'm not making sense here. I trieds.