Author Topic: Do you wish to approve characters? (Read 992 times)

Leanthar · « **on:** July 28, 2006, 06:10:41 PM »

[SIZE=16]The GM Team needs your help with the character approval process. The character approval process is draining the team and taking far too much of our time and we need your help. But we value this important aspect of the world and therefore are asking for your help. [/SIZE] [SIZE=16][/SIZE]
[SIZE=16]If you enjoy reading character submissions, know the rules for character submissions inside and out, have been a part of the community for at least six months and have at least one character of tenth level or higher then this may be for you. You also need to know the rules of the server and support those rules because you are one of the front line people that everybody will interface with. [/SIZE] [SIZE=16][/SIZE]
[SIZE=16]We need to have consistency so please make sure you are clear, precise, polite, and thorough in all replies to players. Remember, many are new to the community and will need your help getting started. Since you are likely to be the first person that they are speaking to you are the frpntline voice of Layonara, not something to be taken lightly and something the team and I watch closely.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16][/SIZE]
[SIZE=16]Please understand that at any time a GM can step in and ask for more details or information or even reverse an approval but this will only happen when a mistake is made in the approval process. [/SIZE] [SIZE=16][/SIZE]
[SIZE=16]If you are interested please reply in this thread with the following information. [/SIZE] [SIZE=16][/SIZE]
[SIZE=16]1)[/SIZE] [SIZE=16]How long have you been a part of the community? [/SIZE][SIZE=16]2)[/SIZE] [SIZE=16]What is your highest level character? [/SIZE][SIZE=16]3)[/SIZE] [SIZE=16]Explain why you wish to be a part of the character approval team in at least two full paragraphs. The more detail the better. [/SIZE][SIZE=16]4)[/SIZE] [SIZE=16]Note the amount of time you have available per day or week. [/SIZE][SIZE=16]5)[/SIZE] [SIZE=16]Note your time zone. [/SIZE][SIZE=16]6)[/SIZE] [SIZE=16]Note that you understand this is not a GM or WL status but you will be a moderator in the forum with the authority to help with character submissions. [/SIZE][SIZE=16]7)[/SIZE] [SIZE=16]Note that you understand that that at any time you may be removed as a moderator and character approver if things are not working out. [/SIZE] [SIZE=16][/SIZE]
[SIZE=16]We are looking for a fair amount of players to help out but we must stress that things need to remain consistent for the players in the community and if that does not happen then this system will be revamped or dismissed. [/SIZE] [SIZE=16][/SIZE]

Acacea · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2006, 08:23:01 PM »

1) How long have you been a part of the community? One year. 2) What is your highest level character? 21. 3) Explain why you wish to be a part of the character approval team in at least two full paragraphs. The more detail the better. I read every submission that goes by and have sent PMs on issues to speed up the process for GMs multiple times, usually regarding restricted alignments, or names from famous fantasy works or games. I have watched the process slow down and stagnate with people busy with their other work, when people in the community who know the rules and how to handle it could help pick up the slack. I'm really into quality, and the submissions help keep that in the world--not in simply denying things that don't quite work, but being able to integrate them. New players get quickly frustrated when their concepts sit for ages, but at the same time, I don't like seeing things slide through simply because there aren't enough hands to deal with them. I am familiar with the rules regarding character approvals, and the common issues with subraces, languages, and "that's not going to fly here," and know where they all are to link straight to them if there is need. Because I read all the submissions, I'm also aware of precedents and how grey issues are generally dealt with or under what circumstances. More than knowing what not to approve, I'm also familiar with the world and the quests going on in it, and can help with discrepancies or give suggestions that are consistent to what we have in place. 4) Note the amount of time you have available per day or week. I read every post on all the forums I have access to. While I have been more limited in actual game time than I have been before, I still have hours of every day to do this kind of thing. 5) Note your time zone. I'm in PST, but have very shifty hours. ...More commonly running on aussie time. 6) Note that you understand this is not a GM or WL status but you will be a moderator in the forum with the authority to help with character submissions. Of course. 7) Note that you understand that that at any time you may be removed as a moderator and character approver if things are not working out. Also of course.

Leanthar · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2006, 08:41:31 PM »

Acacea, I am happy to see your request. You are approved and have the needed rights to do the job. Let me know if I missed something.

osxmallard · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2006, 09:46:43 PM »

1) How long have you been a part of the community?

9 months

2) What is your highest level character?

18 (er, was my highest level char)

3) Explain why you wish to be a part of the character approval team in at least two full paragraphs. The more detail the better.

I enjoy reading the forums and helping out new players. Ideally I would also like to assist the LORE team, but based on the amount of time I currently play I would like to start by helping out with the character approval process and think of this opportunity as a good start.

I understand the rules of the server including the approval process and character submission guidelines. I also know which characters are easier to approve than others and read most if not all of the new character requests. Much like Acacea stated, I have seen what has gone and not gone in at least the last 9 months and can assist with quickly identifying the gray areas.

I would always ask for help or advice from one of the more senior approvers on gray area submissions such as Ice or Minerva and I am also in IRC most of the time I am logged on.

4) Note the amount of time you have available per day or week.

Dedicated time at least an hour per day, random other times, but I play on the server about 3-4 hours a day and can use that time if backlogs occur in the request forums.

5) Note your time zone.

I am in the Hawaii Standard Time Zone (Honolulu PST -3)

6) Note that you understand this is not a GM or WL status but you will be a moderator in the forum with the authority to help with character submissions.

Yep.

7) Note that you understand that that at any time you may be removed as a moderator and character approver if things are not working out.

No issues here.

Leanthar · « **Reply #4 on:** July 29, 2006, 04:58:34 AM »

Osxmallard,

You are now able to approve characters and have the rights to move the threads between the proper forums. Please let me know if I missed anything.

lonnarin · « **Reply #5 on:** July 29, 2006, 05:28:14 AM »

1) How long have you been a part of the community?

Since 10/8/2004

2) What is your highest level character?

Bjornigar Ironguts, lvl 18 (the ANTI power-leveler!)

3) Explain why you wish to be a part of the character approval team in at least two full paragraphs. The more detail the better.

Character Creation is probably one of my favorite aspects of RPG gaming, making a background history is essential to one's path in life. How does one know where they're going if they forget where they've been? I think in my nearly 3 years here, I've made about 9 or 10 characters, constantly trimming them down with deletes and trying to make in my mind what would be the ultimate A-Team. That being said, seeing as how I'm one of the most taxing players on the poor sleepless approval team, I think I owe it to them and the server to handle some of the workload I've created.

(besides, being too broke to make donations, I may as well donate time and workload to help contribute)

Also, I feel that some newer players could have used more familiarization with the server rules before their start here. This is tantamount to freeing up time for our grievance teams by hopefully clearing up some questions. I also feel that a statement should be required that the player has read and understood all the rules of the server upon their 1st character creation, as too many people are claiming ignorance of the rules as a defense. I enjoy reading fantasy fiction, and most of the time I'm on the forum I'm already looking through the new submissions just to gauge who's who on the server.

4) Note the amount of time you have available per day or week.

Lonnarin does not sleep. He merely rests his eyes a little... Honestly, I visit the forum something like 10 times a day and spent around 2-3 hours checking up on things. Way too much free time/layo-addiction on my hands.

5) Note your time zone.

EST

6) Note that you understand this is not a GM or WL status but you will be a moderator in the forum with the authority to help with character submissions.

Noted.

7) Note that you understand that that at any time you may be removed as a moderator and character approver if things are not working out.

Noted.

Leanthar · « **Reply #6 on:** July 29, 2006, 05:34:34 AM »

Lonnarin, you are now able to approve characters and should have the proper rights to do so. Please make sure you do not introduce additional rules for character submissions.

Stephen_Zuckerman · « **Reply #7 on:** July 29, 2006, 06:44:06 AM »

1) How long have you been a part of the community?

Ten months, since October first of 2005.

2) What is your highest level character?

Pyyran, a tenth level Rogue.

3) Explain why you wish to be a part of the character approval team in at least two full paragraphs. The more detail the better.

Simply put, I wish to be a part of the character approval team so that I can give something back to the community. I enjoy reading the character submissions, and have made a habit, on the occasions I've sat and read all of the pending submissions, to PM applicants with tips, or occasionally just massive kudos on thier good work. I'm very familiar with the submission process regarding languages, subraces, and prestige classes, as well as with the setting of Layonara; I feel I could be an asset in speeding up the usual downtime on submissions.

My main focus when looking at a submission (though I've not ever had the power to approve a character, I still eyed them with that in mind) has been "How well will this character fit into Layonara?" I've always felt that, after preserving the rules and standards for starting characters, the approver's job is to examine the answer to that question, and request changes to improve that answer. We're all here to have fun, and characters who don't break a person's immersion by coming from misplaced cities, or whose concept simply doesn't fit (for example to pull from my head: the former head of a vast merchant's guild, whose job was stolen and he had to turn to a life of crime, just before the Dragon summoned him - it's hard to think up things that don't work!) add to the fun the playerbase can have in the incredible world that's been created for us.

4) Note the amount of time you have available per day or week.

I typically spend something like fifteen hours in-game in your average week, checking the forums as often as my email - at a guess, my available time just to check submissions would be upwards of seven hours a week, integrated into my normal (expansive) forum use. I've spent hours and hours, before, just cruising the boards. Sleep is something that just doesn't often appeal to me.

5) Note your time zone.

EDT... That's GMT -4, though on EST it's -5.

6) Note that you understand this is not a GM or WL status but you will be a moderator in the forum with the authority to help with character submissions.

Aye; understood. I just want to help with submissions, and keep things moving along. I imagine it can get rough on the character approvers we have.

7) Note that you understand that that at any time you may be removed as a moderator and character approver if things are not working out.

Understood; sometimes people just don't work out in certain jobs.

Leanthar · « **Reply #8 on:** July 29, 2006, 06:51:17 AM »

Stephan, sorry. We will not be putting you on the character approver team at this time but I do thank you for the interest. There have been a number of times/things that have come up over the past ten months that concerns me about your consistency in approving characters for the game world. Nothing personal, just how I feel at this time.

Stephen_Zuckerman · « **Reply #9 on:** July 29, 2006, 07:01:19 AM »

Understood; I applied knowing that that was possible and in fact likely. I'll give it a go next time it opens up.

Faldred · « **Reply #10 on:** July 29, 2006, 08:53:26 AM »

I had written a (hopefully) really nice application, then I noticed the requirements of 6 months and level 10. If you're willing to consider someone at 5 months with a level 9 (almost) character, I can repost what I deleted...

Leanthar · « **Reply #11 on:** July 29, 2006, 09:16:53 AM »

Sorry Fadred, no the requirements are what I listed above.

Faldred · « **Reply #12 on:** July 29, 2006, 09:18:24 AM »

Understood (and expected). I'll keep watching to see if positions come open again in the future.

Variable · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2006, 09:31:14 AM »

1) How long have you been a part of the community?
Since February 12th, 2005 (Almost 18 months)

2) What is your highest level character?
Aralin Harenya, level 16

3) Explain why you wish to be a part of the character approval team in at least two full paragraphs. The more detail the better.
I know that for many new players character approval can be a tedious process. I would like to help them enjoy it, and help them through it as easily and quickly as possible so that they will have a good experience with their first interaction in the community. I would like them to look back on the process and think that it was worth the time to have a character with a deep background and defined personality.

I enjoy reading submissions and I have an understanding of what needs to be in a submission as well as what is not allowed in them. I know where relevant information to character submissions is on LORE and the Forums as well as in the handbook. I would be able help new players find the information they need to flesh out their character it.

I would like to help GMs and new players through being a part of this process. I would like to free up the time of the GMs so that they can run quests and work on other projects to improve the world. I would like to help new players by giving them a good first impression of the server and allowing them to get into the world quickly and with a greater knowledge of the world and their character.

I understand the rules and standards for characters to be approved along with what is not allowed in submissions and what requires in depth explanations.

4) Note the amount of time you have available per day or week.
This will vary, but it will be at least 1 hour a day.

5) Note your time zone.
US Mountain Daylight Time

6) Note that you understand this is not a GM or WL status but you will be a moderator in the forum with the authority to help with character submissions.
I understand

7) Note that you understand that that at any time you may be removed as a moderator and character approver if things are not working out.
I understand

Leanthar · « **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2006, 09:40:13 AM »

Variable, you may now approve characters and I think I have the rights that you need in place. Please let me know if you have any problems.

Asmodean · « **Reply #15 on:** July 29, 2006, 10:23:37 AM »

1) How long have you been a part of the community?
Since April 1st, 2005

2) What is your highest level character?
Iradril Arkenrahel, level 15

3) Explain why you wish to be a part of the character approval team in at least two full paragraphs. The more detail the better.
I have already been doing this in some degree, since I know a couple GM's in RL. If I notice something wrong, I will notify them and they then take the appropriate actions. I have even caught several things that some GM's have let slip and went ahead and approved a character. (Namely a half-giant monk... SCARY THOUGHT)
I enjoy reading submissions and look forward to being able to assist the world in anyway I feel I am able. As long as everyone doesn't post submissions similar to Pan's and Storm's... I think I would do a good job...

(You know the two characters I speak of)

As I mentioned before, I really want to help out where I can. I a stickler for rules and I am familiar with where to reference people when a conflict arrises. I am certain I will make some errors, but at least I can help catch someone else's errors before a character gets built and introduced into the world. Welcoming newcomers into the world is an important responsibility that I don't take lightly. I know with the possible upcoming transition to NWN2, the GM's are going to be busier than ever before. If approved I welcome the challenge and look forward to making more contributions where I can in the future.

4) Note the amount of time you have available per day or week.
A few hours a week.

5) Note your time zone.
US Eastern time, though I may have times when I'm traveling across the US or in western Europe.

6) Note that you understand this is not a GM or WL status but you will be a moderator in the forum with the authority to help with character submissions.
I understand

7) Note that you understand that that at any time you may be removed as a moderator and character approver if things are not working out.
I understand

Leanthar · « **Reply #16 on:** July 29, 2006, 10:32:54 AM »

Asmodean, you may now approve characters and have the rights to do so. Please let me know if I missed anything.

Filatus · « **Reply #17 on:** July 29, 2006, 02:05:58 PM »

1) How long have you been a part of the community?

I've been a member of the community for exactly a year and a month now.

2) What is your highest level character?

My highest level char is Daeron Stormcloud at level 20.

3) Explain why you wish to be a part of the character approval team in at least two full paragraphs. The more detail the better.

Well, what would be my reason for offering some of my time to character approvals. I have wished to aid the community in some way before. Unfortunately the project writer's team didn't really work out for me. But I definately think this is more my thing for several reasons. I always like to read new character submission, spending usually some time reading them in the evening. It´s a pretty clear job, although that doesn´t mean I underestimate the work involved.

I've learned from personal experience how important it is to have the background of a char properly fleshed out. It definately improves the quality of roleplaying for yourself as player. And the creation of a new char self is a very rewarding experience in my eyes. I might rarely play Janus, my second char, but I had a great time fleshing him out. Next to this, I´d like to see more involvement of the more obscure little towns and villages of Layonara. Or more like the area´s that are not in the module.

I see his as an opportunity to give a bit back to the community. I thoroughly enjoyed playing here over the last year.

4) Note the amount of time you have available per day or week.

It would generally be GMT late evenings. I often browse the forums through the day, but most often after I just logged of from the servers. I could probably give about 1-2 hours on a daily basis. Although weekdays probably are easier, never really know whether I have time during the weekend.

5) Note your time zone.

I'm BST +1, or DST.

6) Note that you understand this is not a GM or WL status but you will be a moderator in the forum with the authority to help with character submissions.

Duely noted.

7) Note that you understand that that at any time you may be removed as a moderator and character approver if things are not working out.

Understood.

Leanthar · « **Reply #18 on:** July 29, 2006, 02:43:14 PM »

Filatus, you are now able to approve characters and I think you have the proper rights on the forums to do that. Let me know if I missed anything.

Xandor Loriland · « **Reply #19 on:** July 29, 2006, 03:10:53 PM »

1) How long have you been a part of the community?
Since May of 2005

2) What is your highest level character?
Rawkwin Valerius, 20

3) Explain why you wish to be a part of the character approval team in at least two full paragraphs. The more detail the better.
I have been looking for a way that I could help out for a while. This seems like something I could do to lessen the burden on the GM team. I like reading the submissions and have a pretty good idea about the rules and the kinds of things that require more detail than normal. Between myself, my family, and my friends I have helped people write numerous character submission and get them through the approval process. Those characters have included a number of special subraces, clerics, paladins, etc. So I have a pretty good idea of what it takes to get one of these approved.

The most important part of this is the fact the I can do something that will allow the GMs to work on the tasks that require their skills rather than the more tedious menial task of approving characters. I understand how important the approval process is and would take it seriously. So I am not trying to say its not important when I say its tedious and menial. Its just that the GMs that are working on development and running quests have specialized talents that could be better utilized in the overall scheme of Layo. I look forward to being able to contribute.

4) Note the amount of time you have available per day or week.
A few hours a week.

5) Note your time zone.
Hawaii Standard Time

6) Note that you understand this is not a GM or WL status but you will be a moderator in the forum with the authority to help with character submissions.
I understand

7) Note that you understand that that at any time you may be removed as a moderator and character approver if things are not working out.
I understand