O'Brien's Rules of Moderation

[O'Brien]

Serale, all. In this thread I will give you all some insight into how my mind works when I'm moderating. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them via PM or in the "Ramble and Roll" thread. I will post the answer here as well if it is something that will help everyone.

In general, how do you moderate threads when multiple threads are in need of it?
Well, like most xGMs, I'm going to go help out the person who has been waiting longer. I think everyone can agree that's fair, and this is my standard default procedure.

O'Brien, what gives? I've been waiting longer than that other guy and you did him first!
There are several reasons why I may break the standard procedure.
•Did someone post after you? I may have taken a look in my subscribed threads (or wherever) and seen them posted at, say, 10:00 PM, so even if you posted at 9:00, I may first help out someone waiting since 9:30 accidentally.
•Sometimes the rapid progression of a thread may be important to me because it deals with the advancement of a plot I'm carrying out.
•I may be having difficulty thinking of how to handle the thread.

What should I do if I have waited MORE THAN three days for moderation?
Three days is the standard time for a response. When that has passed, feel free to bug me about it, and I mean that. However, I don't want to be bugged if (a) it has been less than three days; or (b) I have contacted you explaining the nature of the delay.

That's a pretty short post you gave me there. Couldn't you think of a bit more than that?
I'll say it right now, no offense to anyone, but more often than not my post length will be reflective of your own. When you give me lots to work with, I'll give you something nice and pretty in return. When you don't however...well, you know. Just don't expect very intricate posts when you're out shopping and the like, because there's only so much you can do there. I'll try to be innovative but can't make any guarantees.
Also, check the time of my post, minding that I'm on EST. Did I make the post in the wee hours of the morning, as I sometimes do? Well, that would be your answer then.

What should I do if I have a problem with you, O'Brien?
Well, first you should contact me privately and I'll do my best to sort things out. If there is still a problem, to the point where you feel you must contact my superiors, you should make a new thread here in the GSTS. I am optimistic, though, that we can settle our differences before it would come to this step.

[O'Brien]

How do you handle training?
Basically, I know you're eager to get skills for your character and I'm happy to help out. I expect nice posts, however, in training threads, because you have to earn those skills. A six-line minimum would be appreciated, and isn't a very unreasonable request.

That said, I'm going to have to add that I won't post as frequently in a training thread as with others, because frankly if I did that Arios would be overrun with folks from around the Empire loading up their characters. As a maximum you should not expect a pace quicker than one post per day from a training thread. Consider yourself lucky if you get two in a day, and the incarnation of luck itself if you get three. Training takes time IRL, and this is a good way of representing that.

You're a GM, so you can kill PCs, right? Cool...
Yes, but there is a difference between having power and using it. For the most part you may consider me harmless as any ol' AGM, but so you know I will kill under the following circumstances.
•Your character repeatedly makes stupid actions or does something extraordinarily stupid.
•You want your PC retired and want to do it in style. (Note that you won't be able to come back and play the character again if you choose this way.)
•In the event that there is a fight, if all PCs agree to a fight to the death (PM me if interested) then I can arrange for a death...just don't complain if it's you.
Even with these, I probably am not going to kill very often, so relax, I'm a nice guy.