The fallen Pillar ...

[Mikayla]

I didn't know where else to put this comment, so I will put it here - the prohibition on multiple PCs was never in the Charter (as pointed out, apparently, by Rumple C) so no charter amendment process was required. Instead, the prohibition on multiple PCs was found in the "Pillars of ALFA" (Pillar 5 "Hardcore Role-Play") - I recall this because I drafted (carved?) yon pillars in the days of the ancients.

I mention this not to argue against the change - I haven't been around for years, so not my place to comment, and besides, I think whatever keeps ALFA going is fine anyway - I mention it because the area-transition splash screens in ALFA often pop up with quotes from the "Pillars of ALFA" - including Pillar 5, which is the one-PC rule, which no longer applies. Kind of looks silly - can y'all change the splash screen? I know this is not exactly a high-priority item, but next time y'all are changing things up, this would be a good little change. Thanks.

EDIT: Nevermind - I had an old copy of the Pillars - the one PC thing is gone from the Pillars posted - y'all are way ahead of me. Cool beans. Thanks.

M.

P.S. On a completey different topic, I acutally managed to survive a night in ALFA's Baldur's Gate without getting killed by the local farm-animals. I am so awesome! Of course, I do cross the road when I see a chicken headed my way and I steer clear of horses, pigs, wolverines or basically anything that moves ...

[Zelknolf]

The loading screens are in the haks; we haven't had a hak update since the new policy went in.

Next rollout will correct this-- and of course, you're welcome to put in tickets about these sorts of things. Tech is reliably overwhelmed with requests, and stuff like that helps us organize and prioritize.

In this particular case, Rumple already reported it here back in February:
http://www.alandfaraway.org/node/2516

[Veilan]

Thanks for the observation on the finer legal points. However, when I proposed the first change to allow multiple PCs along the lines of then-PA Vendrin's proposal, the charter change process seemed a reasonably fortified measurement to alter something held to be a fundamental belief. I admit my naming was a tad confusing, but I was not under the assumption that the process was strictly required. I hope this allays your worries about possibly mistaken legal foundations somewhat.

In any case, the proposal failed to initially gather the necessary majorities. The actual pillar felling that went through was done later with a slightly different, but still roughly charter-change inspired process; you'd have to ask then-LA Rumple for his lawyerese on it.

Good thing you caught this on the loading screens, confusing information is never great advertisement. And I suppose we owe tech yet another thank-you for maintaining the bells and whistles, in this case custom loading screens with useful information.

Cheers,

[Ithildur]

Have you hugged your tech staff today? *squeezes Zelk*

[Veilan]

Have you hugged your tech staff today? *squeezes Zelk*

Groping counts right?

[Mikayla]

@Veilan: I actually have zero concerns about the process - I only pointed it to out make the later point that the loading screen was wrong. Y'all have kept ALFA alive when every other project out there has fallen - I am not about to second guess how you've done it. Kudos for keeping on; y'all have done a great job.

As for "putting in a ticket" - cool, I knew there would be a process, I just didn't know what it was. What do you expect from someone who gets killed by a horse 2 minutes after logging in? My technical proficiency and current ALFA knowledge are both hovering right around at ... zero. lol Thanks again guys.

M.

[Veilan]

@Veilan: I actually have zero concerns about the process - I only pointed it to out make the later point that the loading screen was wrong. Y'all have kept ALFA alive when every other project out there has fallen - I am not about to second guess how you've done it. Kudos for keeping on; y'all have done a great job.

Fair enough, and thanks. I do suppose your experience wouldn't have gone amiss as counsel for the process both times, nevertheless.

My technical proficiency and current ALFA knowledge are both hovering right around at ... zero. lol

Surely, it can't be OrcPaladin level.

Cheers,

[Swift]

Surely, it can't be OrcPaladin level.

Nobody before or since has achieved OrcPaladin level.

[fluffmonster]

@Veilan: I actually have zero concerns about the process - I only pointed it to out make the later point that the loading screen was wrong. Y'all have kept ALFA alive when every other project out there has fallen - I am not about to second guess how you've done it. Kudos for keeping on; y'all have done a great job.

M.

Let's not be too modest. The Charter has been successful well beyond expectation and that is at least partially your fault.

[Rumple C]

As a recap (and I am know some others see it different)

Two pcs was (re)discussed in a particuarly awful slump in ALFAs player and DM numbers. In late 2012 (Oct, Nov, Dec) there was only 1 regular DM across 4 servers, very few players were logging in. Alfa seemed in danger of obtaining lack of critical mass. Part of the issue (in my opinion) was the 1 pc policy. People had had become victims of their own pc's numerical superiority. Highbies weren't dying often enough to ensure new growth, and people were not retiring their "sucessful" (yet unplayable) pc's. With a lack of content for highbies, lack of dm's and a high level disparity between highbies and lowbies people just weren't logging on to play.

There was majority support for the move across players, dms, and admin. While there were objections (and some very vocal) I am glad that the change happened.

2 pcs was the kick in the pants that ALFA needed to get people back in game. There was a flood of new pc's and many (but not all) people now are enjoying a new pc. Player numbers are back up, dm numbers are back up. Things are still a little rickety with our DM numbers but we are getting on alright (for now).

ALFA 2.5 is a brave new world, one that I hope will continue to evolve to ensure that it survives.

One thing that I love is to see familiar faces get back in game, it gives me a warm glow to see our very capable veterans return.

LA Rumple

[Adanu]

I myself amd working my way hrough the Volo guide of the sword Coast for WHL stuff in preparation for applying to DM there.

[Rumple C]

Very good Adanu, I look forward to seeing you with a DM hat on.

[Mikayla]

fluff:

Let's not be too modest. The Charter has been successful well beyond expectation and that is at least partially your fault.

That is kind of you to say Fluff, but if its partially my fault, its definitely partially your fault. And Cassiel's, and Wynna's. Others too, but as I am a decade older now, I can't remember so well now. I am impressed with ALFA's longevity though, whether it is in spite of the Charter or because of it, or both.

[Witchdoctor]

I love the 2 pc thing. aside from concerns about muling and such I really do not understand what some others have against it. I suppose it could be viewed as a slippery slope and yes in that case it should be concerning. Perhaps their were other slippery slopes that already concerned some and they see this pillar as just another victim of those.

Either way I am having a great time with the second pc thing. With RL ambushing player and DM alike it keeps me logging in and playing in what would otherwise be an alfa drought season for me.

For those holdouts hoping to overturn this, know now that I will be against you and shake mightly for your doom draws nigh, nay your doom is upon thee, nay your (too much? yeah I thought so too)

[gonz.0]

I love the 2 pc thing.

Either way I am having a great time with the second pc thing. With RL ambushing player and DM alike it keeps me logging in and playing in what would otherwise be an alfa drought season for me.

+1 completely. Nothing like being able to enjoy gaming with two separate groups of people, so that you are not feeling no point in logging in at all when your regular group is away.

As for muling thing, there are rules against that. If someone is going to break them, they will do so no matter what barriers you try to put up. Integrity, that's all that is called for.