Well, that's rather trifling, isn't it?Misty wrote:"I'm not getting enough loot or xp."
Would anyone look at this claim seriously?
Thankfully, my suggestion wasn't about alarmist and frivolous griping, but included things like record keeping and patience to help representatives see what's really going on.
Agreed that taking it up with the DM or DM team first is appropriate. I just kind of assumed that would have already happened before someone went crying foul and that by the time you're in bitch and moan mode, you've already exhausted your lower echelon 'remedies'.Brokenbone wrote:I would suggest that "giving too little stuff" is something you would take up first with the DMs you're gaming with, and/or to the HDM on behalf of their team.JaydeMoon wrote:<snip>
But keep track and if, by some point, you feel you are being shortchanged, I would suggest taking it to the PA and having the ARs look into it.
If unsatisfied with discussion's results, appeal to the DMA, who is supposed to regulate the DMs, have them organize the game consistently within ALFA's framework.
Maybe the PA gets alerted in parallel, but the PA has little to do with telling DMs "make sure to do X, Y, or Z" on your server, in comparison to the DMA. Those two may talk in the background anyhow about what level of involvement each Admin might have in any discussion - - or if escalated further, a dispute.
My understanding of it at least, not that I've ever heard of anyone trying to "call a DM on under-rewarding"... biting the hand that feeds you is seldom productive, hence why we probably don't see it.
However, the main differences between taking it up with the PA and ARs vs going to the DMA are twofold:
1: Ability to look into the facts. That's what the ARs are for. If Player Jim thinks DM Joe isn't doing the right thing, the people who are going to be able to investigate and determine the facts are the ARs, with access to logs and stuff. ARs aren't just about taking DM complaints on farmers and PGers. The ARs will filter frivolous complaints and make sure that the PA only acts on those issues which have relevance.
2: The PA is your representative. It is the PA's duty, among other things, to see that the player base is being fairly treated and that includes a fair application of our rules to each and every player. While the PA is not going to be the one to tell DM Joe to do X Y and Z, he or she can definitely bring the issue up to the DMA. Also, if the DMA is busy being the DMA, a complaint might sit on the backburner. As the Player's representative, the PA will ensure that the issue is being looked into, being the Player rep is not a 'backburner' issue for the PA.
As for the last statement, I'm actually surprised. You've never struck me as the timid sort. While it is a reality that constantly getting on the people who are providing you with a service is generally not going to foster goodwill between you and that individual, it's cowardly to just sit back and let yourself get walked all over for fear that 'poor treatment' is better than 'no treatment'.
I'd follow that up by saying that if our DMs are truly the mature individuals they are supposed to be, in our mature, RP oriented community, then a fear of 'retribution' should not exist. Yeah yeah, realistically our DMs are people who are going to harbor resentment against someone that 'turns them in', but of course that's petty:
"Oh no, I was not following the rules and standards that I agreed to abide by and the Player Jim told the PA, who told the DMA and now I have to follow the rules. I hate Player Jim and won't DM him anymoar!"
Me? I prefer not to be DMed by a child anyway.
