I like to think of myself as a "Guest" here...

[Gilrod]

DISCLAIMER - (This message is not intended to "flame" any individual.  It is merely a response I feel I need to put out (I know that in itself is pushy) because I feel many people take so many things so personally and sometimes lose track of what is important.  This serves as much as a reminder to myself as any other person that plays here.  Again, this is my perspective.)

The way I look at it, we are Leanthar's guests here.

HE pays for the servers, HE built and leads our FABULOUS and selfless GM team, and HE unselfishly opens this fantastic world to all of us AND lets US determine its destiny to a great degree.

I feel that too many players take Leanthar and the team for granted.  Just my opinion mind you.  I, like many players have been disciplined in some way.  I find the GM's are usually quite even-handed and cordial about it.

My instance, to show my sincercity, was when Reventage talked to me about how rude it was to log in and out of dungeons near CNR even if you can only be on for a short bit.  The conversation was very cordial and Reventage was very fair and non-accusitory. I think the conversation was such because I remembered that I am nothing but a GUEST here.  Perhaps a guest treated to hospitality that many guests envy (becuase Leanther and the team work so hard for US for FREE).  I sucked it up and said sorry, because I really was sorry.  I was sorry becuase I am not proud when I go over to someone else's house and disregard the rules OR even the ediquette that is expected.  If you can not handle the expectations, stay at home or visit someone who shares your sentiments.

Leanthar is very soft on the members of the community who push the boundaries and so are the GM team for the most part.  Which is great for us and demonstrates their empathy and yearning to build a community that is fair and trusts one another (especially on where ideas can be shared without harassment or needless anger). They are only human, so are subject to anger as well, BUT they do a fabulous job of controling their temper when someone comes over to the "house" they built with all the time they dedicate to their "guests" and acts in a rude manner or violates the house rules.

Anyone who is a guest long enough will invariably become comfortable with the situation and increase their likelihood of straying from the expected rules and ediquette.  When one does, all on has to do is apologize and make a sincere effort to conform (especially true here with our gracious hosts).

If you do not like the rules of the server and the decisions of its administrators, I would say spend the $250-$400 bucks a month to build your own, plus the hundreds of hours per month to maintain it and keep it a hospitible and entertaining place for your guests.  

Leanthar does a great job at configuring the world to balance the desires and personalities of all his (thousands!) of players.  There are many times (as I am sure many of you will agree with) that Leanthar has shown compassion and given warnings and advice to players that many of us would have been more totalitarian with then me.  I give credit to Leanthar having the patience and maturity beyond my current ability and I am even MORE confident that this is where I want to play for a time to come.

Please, remember that we are guests,  in my opinion.  If you adopt that frame of mind, I am confident that any disciplinary interaction you may have with a GM have a ameniable end and your time spent here will be more fullfilling.

Speaking of Guest, I have not donated for a month or two (see, even I take this wonderful place for granted... sorry Leanthar), got to go give my $10 (especially after giving all of you my unsolicited 2 cents!).

Thank you for reading,

Gilrod

[Zhofe]

I think this is very well said, and even if you don't agree with the above poster (I do mind you) I think it is important that we all treat the GM team with great respect.

L and the team could very easily be far less flexible than they are, and impose their will 100% with no chance of arguement from the players, but instead they take the time to seriously consider their community, and try to act on what they feel is best for all involved. I know I have complained to, or about the GM team on occasion, and I have had disagreements with them in atleast a few cases, but I have done my best to remain civil, and they have gone beyond the point of civility themselves.

I would like to thank all of the GMs for the wonderfull job they do here.

[Germaine Lorn]

*nods in agreement*  I can't argue with that.  I have been on servers where the DM and team are either untouchable and uncontactable or will respond to ANY questions at all with "if you don't like it leave".  I would love to add more but Gilrond kinda put it so well.

I will say my thanks to Leanthar and everyone else who helps make Layonara the place it is.

Germaine Lorn

[MorphlingROR]

Leanthar is very soft on the members of the community who push the boundaries and so are the GM team for the most part.  Which is great for us and demonstrates their empathy and yearning to build a community that is fair and trusts one another (especially on where ideas can be shared without harassment or needless anger). They are only human, so are subject to anger as well, BUT they do a fabulous job of controling their temper when someone comes over to the "house" they built with all the time they dedicate to their "guests" and acts in a rude manner or violates the house rules.

I may not have been here for long, but this is one of the first things I have noticed about this place. It is incredibly rare to see a team, which would go to the lengths that Layonara team does, to help the playerbase and treat their players with respect and fairness. Be thankful.

[Talan Va'lash]

MorphlingROR - 7/22/2005  10:54 AM

...treat their players with respect and fairness.

I've been on other servers, and the amount of openess, willingness to let players weigh in on discussions, and the way their opinions are treated with respect (if said opinions are stated with respect) is... well, not common, and not something to take for granted.  Because, as i've said before in various contexts, on other servers, it would not be so.

-TV

[KageKeeper]

I very much agree with Gilrod.

This was a very nicely worded and thought out post.

Definately something for all of us to remember and keep in mind as we play in Layonara.

Good job!

[Xerina]

Totaly agree. A very nice well put post, couldn't agree more.

[Jeff_K]

I have been on only a few servers other than this. But while each of them was in Neverwinter Vault's top ten list, none of them compare to Layonara.

[Vyris]

Layonara is the best server out there, and even when a player is banned more often than not it is mutually respectfull, if not entirely amiable. We have a great group here, but it is definately Leathars sandbox. If you don't want to play nice with his toys he'll tell your mommy and you'll have to go home.

*grins* bad analogy I know, but really, what is Layonara if not a big sand-lot where we all get together and play. Leanthar just happens to own the sand lot, and we get to play here. We're all just a bunch of big, dorky kids playing our pretend game and having a ball, so lets try to maintain a level of immaturity appropriate to our pass-time, and a level of maturity appropriate to those we play with and who bust thier butts for us to play here.

Nice post Gilrod

Vyris