Thorin's LA Q&A Thread

[Thorin]

Feel free to ask questions in this thread.

I will start with this. I ran Exodus during its peak years, 2005-2009, where we had a lot of players here, and from other communities. Many of them joined and are also ALFA members. I have plans
to keep our DM and playerbase up, recruiting from old members, previous exodus members, irc rooms, and social media.

I want to utilize our existing charter and documents, but lend guidance as someone who has
ran a heavy role playing based persistent world that is currently a beta server here.

If I can answer any questions people have, ask them here.

[Zelknolf]

Why do you believe that Exodus had to eventually close its doors? As a follow-up, would you do anything differently here than there?

You've made multiple comments in public forums about the viability of the pen-and-paper model, though also seem to have developed a reputation for rejecting abilities described in pen-and-paper. Can you explain where you stand on these topics? (they are, of course, distinct-- but an explanation of the meaning meant with those summary terms would go a long way to explaining positions)

You recently ran for DMA, including in the platform there the belief that the current two-PC policy should be removed. Is this a position you will continue to hold if elected LA?

Related to the above, do you believe that the DMA has the authority to control the availability of playable characters? If a dispute were brought up between PA and DMA on the topic, and they could not reconcile opposing viewpoints, how would you decide the case as LA?

Related to the above, if DMA and TA disagreed about whether to implement a core rules change, also unable to reconcile opposing viewpoints?

[Castano]

How will you use your veto and other powers? For example, your last platform stated you were opposed to 2 PCs. Will you try to overturn that?

[t-ice]

Your re-entry to the community is very recent. The premise that Exodus was built on was vastly different from ALFA, based on a "steering group" of equals making decisions by council and committee, compared to the formality of roles in ALFA (at least on paper). You were citing your leadership of Exodus as a main selling point, so going back to that: At that time you were clearly the first among the equals making the committee: the server was in your house and you personnaly logged maybe half of the DM hours in the game. Quite different from what is the expected situation of ALFA LA. How do you see all that affecting what you could and want to contribute as a LA? And perhaps more importantly, why do you feel you want to take up an elected leadership post in the community so quickly upon re-entering your boots to the ground? Why not look around and get the know the people and what the place has become in the past 5 to 10 years first?

[Thorin]

Why do you believe that Exodus had to eventually close its doors? As a follow-up, would you do anything differently here than there?

You've made multiple comments in public forums about the viability of the pen-and-paper model, though also seem to have developed a reputation for rejecting abilities described in pen-and-paper. Can you explain where you stand on these topics? (they are, of course, distinct-- but an explanation of the meaning meant with those summary terms would go a long way to explaining positions)
there the belief that the current two-PC policy should be removed. Is this a position you will continue to hold if elected LA?
You recently ran for DMA, including in the platform

Related to the above, do you believe that the DMA has the authority to control the availability of playable characters? If a dispute were brought up between PA and DMA on the topic, and they could not reconcile opposing viewpoints, how would you decide the case as LA?

Related to the above, if DMA and TA disagreed about whether to implement a core rules change, also unable to reconcile opposing viewpoints?

Exodus mainly withered in paryt because I left as a DM in late 2009. I covered a huge timezone and most of the active plots , aside from Bogs and T-Ice. When I left, there seemed to be a lack of cohesive active admins. Java was a much harder ruleslawyer and had very strict opinions on things. You would need to talk to T-Ice and Bogs as to what happened when I left with their Admin team to get the real answer. I do know Bogs left and came here, further reducing Exodus DM coverage.

Mind you the player and I talked today and we learned that both of us had a misunderstanding and I made a comment before hearing them out. Next time, (as I have done with Orangetree) a discussion OOC is a better way to handle it before making any judgement.


Please actually talk to staff before making a comment you know nothing but hearsay and rumors of.

I believe in the case of opposing incidents, or core rules change, I think a public forum or chat with each arugment laid out would be necessary.

I do not support the notion of 2 active PCs. I do support the idea of players putting PCs to a limbo status, and requesting to use an alternate pc, but I do feel the ability to metagame with 2 pcs is just too great.


As for making a decision, I think it would be best to see what the community agrees on, more than just my decision. I would feel a weighted discussion in favor of Admins being of more value than the playerbase at large. The big issue with why 2 PCs even exist is more due to a lack of cohesive DM schedules and availibiltiy. If more DMs or times were available, the concept is completely moot.

[Thorin]

How will you use your veto and other powers? For example, your last platform stated you were opposed to 2 PCs. Will you try to overturn that?

I would engage in a public discussion in chat or the forums and hear from current Admins, previous Admins and Reps, and then the playerbase, before deciding anything.

See above for more thoughts on this.

[Thorin]

Your re-entry to the community is very recent. The premise that Exodus was built on was vastly different from ALFA, based on a "steering group" of equals making decisions by council and committee, compared to the formality of roles in ALFA (at least on paper). You were citing your leadership of Exodus as a main selling point, so going back to that: At that time you were clearly the first among the equals making the committee: the server was in your house and you personnaly logged maybe half of the DM hours in the game. Quite different from what is the expected situation of ALFA LA. How do you see all that affecting what you could and want to contribute as a LA? And perhaps more importantly, why do you feel you want to take up an elected leadership post in the community so quickly upon re-entering your boots to the ground? Why not look around and get the know the people and what the place has become in the past 5 to 10 years first?

Exodus used the same rules set here with a big difference; no elections. DMs were Admins and worked together to make descisions. I feel elections often turn into popularity contests and soapbox platforms.

I've been an observer of ALFA for a very long time, having known many of its previous admins and members, asking them about the community as it has changed since 2004, and even played with a few different people since. I'm actually back and involved at the request of old ALFA members. They are worried this project is losing its original intents, which I am very aware of, being a member since 2000.

By being of the 'old guard' and having ran server with ALFA rules and members, and knowing how previous Admins here have been, who have won elections and stuck around, I hope to Run a drama free position, and not let it be a popularity war based on forum content.

I prefer IRC, and I find the real time discussion ability far superior. I've been in chat in ALFA rooms since 2000 as well, very happily.

[Zelknolf]

I don't believe this question was answered:

You've made multiple comments in public forums about the viability of the pen-and-paper model, though also seem to have developed a reputation for rejecting abilities described in pen-and-paper. Can you explain where you stand on these topics? (they are, of course, distinct-- but an explanation of the meaning meant with those summary terms would go a long way to explaining positions)

Your response seemed to take the interpretation that "faint" auras are not capable of being perceived-- while this is not an uncommon argument, it is a decided departure from the pen and paper rule on the topic-- your cited source in response is other people who work here, not the books. Complaining about the single incident (and the related taking as assumed that someone asking about it hadn't spoken to staff first; the irony is palpable) doesn't really answer the broader question of what you mean by a pen and paper game.

[Adanu]

but I do feel the ability to metagame with 2 pcs is just too great.

So you don't trust most players, and feel that if more DMs were around, people would be happy with one PC?

[Brokenbone]

Thorin, if you DM almost every day and get crapped on for interpretation of a single RP spell (which by the way, you do not need to allow at any time), why bother volunteering for any kind of Adminship? You do notice the ship is sinking, right?

[FoamBats4All]

As I said in the DM Turnout thread, it seems you cater/are influenced by a small group of 'elite' veterans. If elected, do you plan on representing this minority, compromising well with the other admins, or passing policy on personal beliefs?

For example, you say that you support public chats and arguments -- something I personally agree with. However, you also say that you do not support the "notion of 2 active PCs" -- something that is overwhelmingly supported by the player base. Hypothetically, if it was the responsibility of the office of the LA (rather than the PA) to rule on the 2 PC policy, to either revoke or maintain, how would you act, given personal believes, the opinions of your friends, and the community opinions at large?

Thorin, if you DM almost every day and get crapped on for interpretation of a single RP spell (which by the way, you do not need to allow at any time), why bother volunteering for any kind of Adminship? You do notice the ship is sinking, right?

Actual data suggests that we were sinking, but that we at least hit a large buoyant object or two. It will have to wait a couple of months to see if it was a temporary boost, or if we can have an increasing trend again.

[oldgrayrogue]

What do you believe to be the limits of the LA's "veto power," if any.

Do you believe that the LA can overturn rulings by the DMA, or other Admin, that do not result in any sanction against a member of ALFA?

[Thorin]

I don't believe this question was answered:

You've made multiple comments in public forums about the viability of the pen-and-paper model, though also seem to have developed a reputation for rejecting abilities described in pen-and-paper. Can you explain where you stand on these topics? (they are, of course, distinct-- but an explanation of the meaning meant with those summary terms would go a long way to explaining positions)

Your response seemed to take the interpretation that "faint" auras are not capable of being perceived-- while this is not an uncommon argument, it is a decided departure from the pen and paper rule on the topic-- your cited source in response is other people who work here, not the books. Complaining about the single incident (and the related taking as assumed that someone asking about it hadn't spoken to staff first; the irony is palpable) doesn't really answer the broader question of what you mean by a pen and paper game.

Rank or majority wins in situations like this. That is the point of having administrators, isnt it?

[Thorin]

As I said in the DM Turnout thread, it seems you cater/are influenced by a small group of 'elite' veterans. If elected, do you plan on representing this minority, compromising well with the other admins, or passing policy on personal beliefs?

Thorin, if you DM almost every day and get crapped on for interpretation of a single RP spell (which by the way, you do not need to allow at any time), why bother volunteering for any kind of Adminship? .

Linking veteran players to elitism is as a bad as calling newbies powergamers, and is a terrible way to describe older members. As Ive said before, if we put things to a vote for the community,and it decides one way, I have no plan on holding grudges. It is important to have critics and people ensuring there isnt abuse of these concepts though.

When isnt the internet about people crapping on each other? Why do anything then? Because I have ideas and opinions that aren't the same. Multiple ideas, opinions and thoughts on how to run a server community are important.

[FoamBats4All]

As I said in the DM Turnout thread, it seems you cater/are influenced by a small group of 'elite' veterans. If elected, do you plan on representing this minority, compromising well with the other admins, or passing policy on personal beliefs?

Thorin, if you DM almost every day and get crapped on for interpretation of a single RP spell (which by the way, you do not need to allow at any time), why bother volunteering for any kind of Adminship? .

Linking veteran players to elitism is as a bad as calling newbies powergamers, and is a terrible way to describe older members. As Ive said before, if we put things to a vote for the community,and it decides one way, I have no plan on holding grudges. It is important to have critics and people ensuring there isnt abuse of these concepts though.

When isnt the internet about people crapping on each other? Why do anything then? Because I have ideas and opinions that aren't the same. Multiple ideas, opinions and thoughts on how to run a server community are important.

You're right -- that wasn't very fair phrasing on my end.

Thank you for answering my question, best of luck in the election.