Mod Charter

From Tazlure Gaming System Wiki

Ever game needs a set of rules for their staff, so that players are reassured what kind of principles guide them. This is part of Administrative Ethics. The Mod Charter below was created for a large scale game that ran over the course of many years. A game with less staff will likely need fewer rules, especially in the disciplinary section, but the principles remain the same.

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Definition of a Moderator 3 Duties and Responsibilities 4 Conduct Policy and Etiquette 4.1 Preventing Powermodding 4.2 The Moderator as Player 4.3 Playing Nice 4.4 Open Communications 4.5 Behaviour 4.6 Posting Rate 5 Guidelines for hiatus 6 Disciplinary measures

[edit] Introduction

See Also Spirit of Tazlure

All the rules of in the Tazlure Game System should be viewed in the light of the Spirit of Tazlure. A TGS PBP is a game community that is open and friendly to newcomers. We seek to help and explain rather than enforce an unbending set of rules. We are courteous and honest in our communications and hope to prevent any powermodding or powergaming by a clear set of guidelines, that do not stand in the way of creativity.

Anything in the game is subject to constant change. Nothing is written in stone. Moderators are free to change elements of existing lore to suit their plotline needs and create their own variation of things, and are in fact encouraged to use their own creativity. No one owns a subject or area exclusively, but as a team we have the creative ownership of the setting and can do with it as we please. Ability to improvise and flexibility are important characteristics of moderators, as is the confidence to create your own story.

Our first priority is our players, and making sure they can immerse themselves in the setting with the help of a dedicated staff. Fun will always override realism, depending on plotline needs.

A TGS PBP is not a (representative) democracy. The Administration is the representative of the owners and its decisions are final. However, we like to encourage debate. You are free to disagree with decisions, suggests changes etc. etc. as long as you keep it in the Moderators forums and use a civil tone of voice.

[edit] Definition of a Moderator

Once a player becomes a Moderator, they take on additional roles within the site. A Moderator will usually have anywhere between one to twenty or so threads to write for, and in each they take on the roles of the NPCs and write the backgrounds and locations of each scene, including deciding consequences of player actions. In other words the moderator creates the Game Environment and then determines the Game Reality after each round of actions of the characters. They are the game master or director of the story.

A Moderator also deals directly with players, helping to iron out any disputes and offering new and old players alike support and information. A Moderator is intimately involved in the background work of the game, and will work closely with other staff members behind the scenes to organise content, discuss new ideas, and generally help out with any development work that the game requires. Since Moderators do a great deal of work in the game, and are not paid or recompensed in any way except by the fun they get out of writing, we ask players to show at least common courtesy towards moderators when they interact with them OOC.

Often, a player who becomes a Moderator will make themselves a new 'staff login', which they use to separate their player posts and mod posts in-game to avoid confusion. This is fairly common practice but not always the case.

Sometimes a Moderator can no longer fulfil moderator duties but is able to pick up single threads, provide tie-overs or do some development. They are then listed as Special Branch.

[edit] Duties and Responsibilities

See Also Event Orientated Plotting

As part of our moderating staff we take it for granted that you have read the Mod Charter and live by it as a professional and a mature adult.

• Familiarize yourself with all the rules and uphold them, keeping good role playing and fun as the basis for your decisions. If you are unsure of a situation feel free to ask advise and support from your coordinator or the Administration.

• Describe your Game Environment as complete as possible, keeping in mind the different aspects (general locations, food & drink, entertainment, equipment, places to train, places to stay, religion) and translating them into posts that are appropriate for your specific game environment.

• Try to make your Game Environment unique and keep in mind what distinguishes it from other Game Environments in the setting. Stay away from generic locations. Do not make them over powerful or otherwise unrealistic, in accordance with our setting. Involve your Game Environment with the global and local plotlines so that all of the game remains a closely knitted whole.

• We encourage weaving together as many players into one plotline. This teaches players to interact with each other. If you are unsure how, ask your fellow moderators to brainstorm with you how to weave the web.

• In the case of new players in your environment, check their charactersheet, and advise players if they need to adapt it. Please make new players as comfortable as you can.

• Keep track of players in your environment, stating their progress and gamespecific info such as curses. Check with your coordinator what the prefered method of keeping track is.

• Please post your plotlines and NPC's on the appropriate forums and update them regularly.

• Mods are in charge of one ore more specific threads like locations within an area or can be involved with broader plotlines, per agreement with the coordinator. A mod also acts as the back up in case something happens to the coordinator. He/she becomes the second-in-command expert so to speak.

• Please leave your contact information, your availability and which threads you are currently modding on the appropriate lists in the Moderator Forums.

[edit] Conduct Policy and Etiquette

Roleplaying can be so exciting that people get carried away. The following policy is designed to make sure that we keep a clear perspective on reality and maintain a friendly atmosphere.

[edit] Preventing Powermodding

See Also Event Orientated Modding

Moderators do not play favourites. All players are treated fair and in the same manner. No matter what happens OOC the IC consequences are only based on IC actions. When there is a discipline issue the Administration assists. The players and their characters are central to the game. A Moderator and his/her NPC's do not take center stage other than to further the plotline. Players are not controlled by dictating their actions or holding them hostage in situations. Restrictive threads such as used in Storyboard Modding or Impassable Threads are only used sparingly.

[edit] The Moderator as Player

Rules for players count for moderators as players as well. Moderators don't moderate themselves, and avoid creating a situation where there is an unfair advantage. However, since Moderators have proven capable of separating IC and OOC by the very nature of their job, they are allowed to play in the same area or within the same themes that they mod with the assistance of another moderator. While moderators can choose to avoid reading certain secret notes, they do so on a volunteer basis and as long as it doesn't interfere with their overview of the setting.

[edit] Playing Nice

Fun is central to our game, both for players and moderators, and they are the core of plotlines and how we deal with each other OOC. Moderators are courteous and foster an open and safe atmosphere where players are not afraid to give feedback. A Moderator never simply quotes the rules. He/she explains them, preferably in PM or email.

[edit] Open Communications

See also Open Communication

Moderators do not question each other or the Administration in front of players. If you disagree with something or have misgivings about general issues please state so in the Cantine so we can discuss and/or change it. Personal issues are relegated to PM's or email. If you disagree so much about an issue that it is affecting the way you feel about the game as a whole, please resign.

The Moderator forums should be a safe environment for the staff of all levels to discuss and share ideas. Keep discussions open and straightforward, giving no place to cyberpolitics. Please do not talk with third parties about the content of these discussions.

[edit] Behaviour

The Administration considers all staffmembers responsible mature adults who can work professionally on a volunteer game.

The Administration does not monitor your behaviour outside the game resources unless it has a direct and major impact on community. However players will still see you as a representative of the game wherever you are and so your behaviour reflects on us.

[edit] Posting Rate

When you became a moderator you accepted a responsibility to determine the game reality. With it comes the responsibility to post regularly or the game will grind to a halt. The Administration expects every moderator to update their threads two to three times a week. In addition the Administration expects moderators to advise the community in a timely fashion of any absences due to real life. Please arrange for coverage of your threads if you are going away for longer than a week.

[edit] Guidelines for hiatus

If for some reason a staffer needs to take care of (emergency) situations in real life Tazlure offers the possibility of a time out. You can send a request in PM to the GD's. Each situation will be individually reviewed and together with the GD's you can determine if a hiatus is the best solution for your problem and how long you need.

If you are not sure when or if you'll return, we prefer that you resign so that the game can move on. You can always reapply when real life has settled itself. Retired staffers are still in good standing and thus when they reapply will not have to go through the Modding Seminar and other application requirements.

There are no guidelines for a minimum amount of weeks for hiatus, but there are limits to how long Tazlure can afford to wait for your return. The gamedesigners take into account how you are communicating with them about your hiatus.

• MIA (not posting without notification of any kind) - are removed from staff after 1 month and must reapply.

• HIATUS (taking a time out from posting and other duties, as agreed upon by the gamedesigners, to solve an emergency situation)
  • if not keeping in touch (fading out) -- retired after two months
  • if keeping in touch, drop in regularly at chat etc. with a clear indicaton of when they are coming back -- retired in good standing after 6 months

After two months all claim to positions etc. will be nullified as they will be redistributed among active staff. A coordinator position will be reassigned immediately when going on hiatus to prevent areas losing their focus. During your hiatus you still retain your access to the moderator forums and #cantine, and may continue playing your PC's.

[edit] Disciplinary measures

The Administration makes no secret of the fact that there are high standards and expectations when it comes to the quality and conduct of our staff. 99% of the time, we are not disappointed in the results of those expectations. It is unfortunate fact that no one is perfect, however. That also includes our staff.

To help ensure that our Terms of Service, as well as the standards in our Mod Chapter are upheld, if may occasionally prove necessary to take disciplinary measures with a staff member. The following document outlines those measures, and the procedures that will be followed in such cases, should they arise.

Violations are divided into two categories: MINOR violations and MAJOR violations. The Administration is the sole determinant of what actions constitute a major or minor violation. The following details the standard procedure and will serve as a guide when dealing with violations, but the Administration reserves the right to use other measures if we deem them necessary. These violations are cumulative, meaning if you commit two minor violations, but each of a completely different nature, you will still have a record of TWO (2) MINOR violations.

The Administration will make every effort to work with staff to determine the cause of a violation, and may make inquiries to all invloved parties in order to reach a resolution that will be as fair and impartial as possible, before reaching a final decision.

• A. First MINOR Violation: The staff member will receive a dated letter detailing the violation, and reminding them of our expectations for conduct. A record of the violation will be kept on file.

• B. Second MINOR Violation: The staff member will receive a dated warning letter detailing the violation, and reminding them of our expectations for conduct, and that the next violation will incur a temporary suspension. A record of the violation will be kept on file.

• C. Third MINOR Violation/First MAJOR Violation: The staff member will receive a dated latter, reminding them of their previous warnings/detailing the major violation(if applicable). The staff member will be temporarily suspended from all staff duty and privleges for the period of seven (7) days from the date the letter is sent. A record of the violation/suspension will be kept on file.

• D. Fourth MINOR Violation/Second MAJOR Violation: The staff member will receive a dated letter, reminding them of past warnings, and suspension(if applicable). The staff member will be suspended from staff from the date the latter is sent for a period of no less then one (1) year. At that time, their behaviour may be reviewed, and they may reapply if they wish. A record of the violation/suspension will be kept on file.

• E. Third MAJOR Violation: The staff member will receive a dated letter, reminding them of past warnings, and year long suspension (if applicable). The staff member will be banned from all further activity on game resources from the date the letter is sent. A record of the violation/banning will be kept on file.