It's been brought to my attention by a third party that my personal RP of my characters has made some/at least a few players on this server uncomfortable. I stand before you all and apologize for that because, quite frankly I'm not in the business of ruining people's fun. I do not know the extent of the issue, only that it was done. My inbox is open to the aggrieved parties and I am available on IRC at random moments over the day.
I want to say also, in this moment that, whenever someone is made uncomfortable by another player, it is always best to speak out about it, directly to the person or persons who caused the feeling(s). In most cases, the person who caused the discomfort, like myself, will feel terrible about it and will want to find a way to reconcile the issue.
By the same point we all need to understand that RP is IC and not OOC. Anyone who is actively seeking out ways to make -players- uncomfortable is griefing them. This is an instantly bannable offense. So folks, if someone's RP is making you uncomfortable, call them on it. Talk it out. Perhaps it's a misunderstanding, perhaps not, but in knowing you have the tools to take a hold of your own enjoyment of your hobby. If it turns out that it's something other then a misunderstanding, you clearly have the GM team to go to bat for you.
On that same note, it is sometimes an issue for people that the person making one uncomfortable is a GM. This does not mean roll over and forgo the experience of Rping with that person or to just endure. The same measures apply. If for some reason you feel uncomfortable going to that player/GM the Team continues to be happy to mediate the dialog, protect the player and sort of even the field.
I would include one last thing. In an exclusively text environment communication is essential to mutual understanding. When one side withholds concerns the other side has very little way of assuaging or addressing those concerns. It's perhaps a bit unfair to both sides. There is no way for a person to look at the face of the upsetted party and realize they have committed some wrong, and there is no way for them to have much clue that they should offer some kind of OOC information or alter their IC representation (if that's possible). I believe a great many miscommunications in this community could be resolved with a little more effort to communicate perceived issues. I think it would also end a fair amount of the rumoring and assumptions build off of things that could very readily never have to reach a point of irritation in the first place.
Anyhow, that's my soapbox accompanied apology. I do mean with full heartfelt regret my apology to those who I have inflicted discomfort on. I also do mean with full meaning on the rest. Again, my inbox is open for those whom I have directly affected in some way. This thread will not be nor am I going to discuss anything pertaining to the issue publicly. I suggest another thread if the heart of the matter needs some fleshing out.
Here's to avoiding mutual upset and irritation in the future.
~row
