The Suggestion Box

[RavenSong]

Apr 3, 2012 7:34:26 GMT -5 Admin said:

And now the Bre brings you something completely different!

You see my signature? Do you want that made available?

YES.

[Admin]

As we generally have at least one active thread in each board and some of ours tend to be overflowing, we could use a few additional RP boards. What would you like to have? Possibilities I can already see:

Weyr Harbor (sub-board of Weyr Bowl)
Infirmary (sub-board of Lower Caverns)
Weyr Island
Western Continent (added as part of Western Ring Islands)
Southern & Northern Continents

[Alec]

I think that a Northern/Southern Continent Board would be a good idea. That way IC Searches could happen (though probably not many) from there and just running inter-Weyr duties as plot options. (Also possibly play with transfers for those who are still active and have had a few transfers.) And I also think an Infirmary sub-board would be good to de-clutter the Lower Caverns. The other three would also help by giving a few more options to thread at.

[Lan]

I love all of these ideas, but I'm not sure where you're going with putting the Western Continent under the Ring Islands... isn't it fine just where it is? Or is this because we'll be adding Northern and Southern Continent boards and you don't want the main list to get too long?

I'm particularly in love with the Weyr Island. <3 It'll help with the confusion of who's hanging out in the Weyrbowl and who's hanging out outside of it.

[Admin]

The Western Ring Islands don't get a whole lot of love and, in the grand scheme of things, they occupy much the same area of Pern, so I though we would simply clump them into one board. This way all of Pern would get covered (except the Eastern Ring Islands because obviously we hate those) without wasting a board.

[princesal]

Suggestion:

Choose Your Own Adventure Firelizard Hatching

You remember those CYOA books? You read the page, and then you get an option to go either here or there, or choose the first or second door? It would bring you somewhere, and you'd read about your decision, and then choose again. I suggest the same thing, only with firelizards.

Example:
Firelizard egg clutches are found. One near the lake, one in a field. Which do you choose?

Field:
There is a hole in the ground? Do you see it and avoid it, or do you not notice and fall into it?
-you fall into it: You've arrived late, most of the eggs have been chosen, you get this one.

and so on and so on. I just thought it'd be an interesting and different idea to do.

[Azhdarchid]

I would suggest adding an additional moderator to the staff for extra assurance that there will be an active mod available at any particular time to process applications, perform season changes, activity checks, calculate the Star Stone, etc. I recommend Cathaline for this duty, unless she doesn't want to do it or feels it would be too much of a burden. : P Cath is very devoted to the site, as is demonstrated by her beautiful gdocs network about it.

[Ruin]

I will second that, with the addition that the person in question also have enough knowledge to ensure the Flight/Clutch list moves forward, as such I also nominate Cathaline and her amazing Gdocs lists.

[Admin]

Cathaline has been named a staffing assistant. This is a temporary position as the time and discussion we usually put into selections has not occurred. Knight and myself will be helping her (as I am still responsible with major administrative duties while Kila is preoccupied with school), but most of the staff are currently down for the count due to issues with: work; school; health; or friends/family.

[Azhdarchid]

Adoption List Tweaks by Azh and Cath

Why does the list need tweaking?
Currently the list has 50+ characters on it, many with unupdated profiles. People can be deterred by having too many choices and by having incomplete information about characters (ex. neither Animatora/White Zuccheroth's current blurb nor their complete profile indicate that Zuccheroth is blind and highly empathic).

How should the list be tweaked?
First, we would like to cut down on the sheer number of adoptable characters. Most fighter characters, for example, are unneeded as people can freely create their own fighters with whatever personalities they like. Wherhandlers are not being addressed at this time, but our list covers everything else.

Second, we propose a new method of organizing adoptables' blurbs and a new presentation of their profiles that gives potential players more information and fewer restrictions.

Character-by-Character Remove/Keep Tweaks (47)
NOTE: For the purposes of this suggestion, "backstory" refers to IC interactions rather than the material in the History section of a profile.

SPOILER: Click to show

• [REMOVE] L'ven / Bronze Valleth

[/b][/color]
- Backstory with absent characters, already skipped town once to go take care of relatives.
[/li][li] [KEEP] C'tan / Iron Majeth (Wingsecond)[/b][/color]
- Put up for adoption on the request of the player, generally unconnected to anyone, older kingrider that would be decent for just about anyone to jump in with.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Durian / Brown Mesreath (Wingsecond, female Brownrider)[/b][/color]
- Hoarding a special Impression. No dragon personality or development post-Hatching in profile (making it harder for an interested player to app for her, and not in a good way). Not attached to many current players' characters. Some interest (reservations) were previously shown for her, but no one has followed through and it would be better to have a specially Impressed character that's connected to Dali's current players.
[/li][li] [KEEP] Calmera / Orange Minanth[/b][/color]
- Cath said I'm not allowed to touch. : (
[/li][li] [KEEP] B'lor / Viridian Neth[/b][/color]
- Reserved.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] C'fael / Brown Ansyth[/b][/color]
- Extensive backstory with an absent character.
[/li][li] [KEEP] M'tren / Brown Esprith[/b][/color]
- Knight plays his brother A'tra. NOTE: has no dragon information or post-Hatching development in profile. If Knight doesn't care about maintaining a relationship then he would probably be [REMOVE] instead.
[/li][li] [KEEP] N'tiel / Brown Pionith[/b][/color]
- Well-developed profile and not bogged down in backstory.
[/li][li] [KEEP] Animatora / White Zucherroth (Bronze firelizard)[/b][/color]
- Interesting dragon, though his info as well as post-Hatching developments are missing from the profile. Sister to A'mor.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] A'dan / Blue Territh[/b][/color]
- Has backstory with currently absent character, to the point where his flit is named after said character. No dragon information or post-Hatching information in profile.
[/li][li] [KEEP] B'nyur / Blue Oveth (Journeyman Dragonhealer, Copper firelizard)[/b][/color]
- Journeyman Dragonhealer with goodies. Old. People are no longer req'd to talk with Show to adopt her characters so they may be more encouraged to pick him up if properly presented.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] C'dog / Blue Erosepoth[/b][/color]
- No dragon info or post-Hatching development in profile.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Tahoi / Blue Tornath[/b][/color]
- People can make their own blueriders.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Lesa / Cyan Maeiouth[/b][/color]
- Backstory with Tieler.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Rushera / Cyan Vayuth[/b][/color]
- No dragon or post-Hatching development in profile.
[/li][li] [KEEP] Tana / Cyan Oreath[/b][/color]
- Developed, fairly unattached but some rapport with other Tideturners should help a new player get going.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Cassondra / Green Tegarth[/b][/color]
- People can make their own greenriders.
[/li][li] [MAYBE] G'wen / Green Niketh[/b]
- No dragon info or post-Hatching development in profile. Lan has some interest in him being picked up to be played with S'in/Nemeth?
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Kela / Green Loxith (Bronze firelizard)[/b][/color]
- People can make their own greenriders.
[/li][li] [MAYBE] Larka / Green Oiloath
- No dragon info or post-Hatching development in profile. - Azh (Previously put up for adoption by the player. - Cath) The player could be asked if she wants the character maintained on the adoption list.
[/li][li] [KEEP] M'grr / Green Taburith (ex-Renegade)[/b][/color]
- Ex-Renegade, developed profile.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] R'ev / Green Sugeth[/b][/color]
- People can make their own greenriders.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Katheryne / Pink Frasketh[/b][/color]
- No dragon info or post-Hatching development in profile.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Kjara / Pink Bailarth[/b][/color]
- People can make their own pinkriders.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Malissa / Pink Phrixoth[/b][/color]
- Dramuuuuuuuuu. HUGE backstory element with dead character.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Medusa / Pink Veryerdoth[/b][/color]
- Backstory involves rape and abuse, which if someone wants to play a character of that nature they would probably prefer one designed from the ground up. Mythology-based, extensive family tree.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Pratyba / Pink Oorth[/b][/color]
- Famous, lots of IC backstory, would be hard to app and play correctly (i.e. true to the original character).
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Tyta / Pink Arratoth[/b][/color]
- People can make their own pinkriders. Already been adopted once and re-discarded once.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Z'ra / Pink Iminoth[/b][/color]
- No dragon info or post-Hatching development in profile.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] A'ram / Black Helth[/b][/color]
- People can make their own blackriders.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Dekistee / Black Daibunareth[/b][/color]
- People can make their own blackriders.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Firane / Black Aeth[/b][/color]
- No dragon info or post-Hatching development.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] H'cup / Black Tuthleth (Orange firelizard)[/b][/color]
- Fandom-based character with an attachment to a character that just died in Threadfall.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Naima / Black Thanath (Orange firelizard)[/b][/color]
- People can make their own blackriders.
[/li][li] [KEEP] Sarrasri / Black Tarvith[/b][/color]
- Placed recently for adoption at request of the player.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Wiiy / Black Vantith[/b][/color]
- People can make their own blackriders.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Xela / Black Almuth[/b][/color]
- People can make their own blackriders.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] Xara / Black Areith[/b][/color]
- No dragon info or post-Hatching development in profile.
[/li][li] [KEEP] A'mor / Gray Noyth (Master Dragonhealer, Orange firelizard)[/b][/color]
- Interesting character and dragon with a rare dragonrider/Mastery dual trait. Brother to Animatora.
[/li][li] [KEEP] N'az / Blue Repmath[/b][/color]
- Developed profile, recent Weyrling.
[/li][li] [REMOVE] R'lin / Blue Cobeath[/b][/color]
- No dragon info or post-Hatching info in profile.
[/li][li] [KEEP] Allele / Green Torvith[/b][/color]
- Developed profile, recent Weyrling.
[/li][li] [KEEP] Xiora / Pink Landorith[/b][/color]
- Recent Weyrling (first Tan clutch).
[/li][li] [REMOVE] All Dragonless Crafters (Talyen, Pherae, Aoife, Carfen)[/b][/color]
- Preexisting backstories, people can make their own Masters and Journeymen.[/li][/ul][/spoiler]
Edited Adoption List (14):

• C'tan / Iron Majeth (Wingsecond)
  
• Calmera / Orange Minanth
  
• B'lor / Viridian Neth
  
• M'tren / Brown Esprith
  
• N'tiel / Brown Pionith
  
• Animatora / White Zuccheroth
  
• A'mor / Gray Noyth (Master Dragonhealer)
  
• B'nyur / Blue Oveth (Copper firelizard, Journeyman Dragonhealer)
  
• Tana / Cyan Oreath
  
• M'grr / Green Taburith (ex-Renegade)
  
• Sarrasri / Black Tarvith
  
• N'az / Blue Repmath (Weyrling)
  
• Allele / Green Torvith (Weyrling)
  
• Xiora / Pink Landorith (Weyrling)

Methods of Removal
Traditionally, if a character is not adopted, they are transferred or killed. Additionally, since most of these characters are now in special adoptable/NPC wings, they can simply be converted into NPCs. Weyrlings that have been slated for removal can be killed, or simply transferred after graduation.

Further Criteria for Adding or Removing Adoptables
Abandoned Weyrlings can be offered, but should be removed if no interest is shown in them by the time their class graduates. If a player would like a particular Weyrling to be kept on, they should contact the staff prior to that Weyrling's graduation and offer a reason why the Weyrling should be kept.

Riders of fighter-class dragons should generally not be offered as people can make their own fighters. Craftsmen should generally not be offered as people can make their own Craftsmen. Possible exceptions include riders/Craftsmen with queen, bronze, or m/f firelizards, or riders with Journeyman/Master statuses in a Craft. Cyanriders should also be considered as exceptions, but should not automatically be adoptable simply because they have a cyan. Original player requests to put a character up for adoption upon their departure should be honored regardless of the character's status. Other player requests for a character to be put up should be sent to the staff.

M/F, subqueen and kingriders should generally be offered for adoption. Subkings should be considered on a case-by-case basis (i.e. consider whether the rider or dragon has any distinguishing features to offer compared to the rest of the adoptables list).

Any character whose dragon did not Hatch at Dalibor should generally not be offered, regardless of their status. Exceptions can be made for transfer contest characters and so on.

Any character with rape or strong abuse elements in their history or IC backstory should generally not be offered, regardless of their status. Players whose characters have relationships with these would-be adoptables can make arguments for their adoptable retention to the staff, but if retained the profile should be appropriately marked.

After 1 OOC year of no interest after a character's initial listing (all characters would be considered re-listed after these tweaks), the staff should consider whether or not the character should be removed. If not, they can retain the character for an additional 1 OOC year. No character should be kept on the adoptables list for more than 2 OOC years.

Rewritten Adoptable Blurbs
A notice should be added indicating that characters will be transferred to PC wings upon adoption. Ranking characters (Wingseconds etc) will lose that rank upon transfer and will have to reapply for it in their new wing. The player can make up any explanation they like for the wing transfer and loss of rank.

Wing title is now only included if the character is already in a PC wing (ex. queens' wing).

Examples:

SPOILER: Click to show

OLD:
[C'TAN, WINGSECOND OF IRON MAJETH]
Male. Midnight Wing. No pets.

NEW:
[C'TAN, WINGSECOND OF IRON MAJETH]
C'tan: 30, gentle, thoughtful, reserved.
Majeth: 14, optimistic, direct, traditional.

OLD:
[CALMERA, WINGRIDER OF ORANGE MINANTH]
Female. Horizon Wing. No pets.

NEW:
[CALMERA, RIDER OF ORANGE MINANTH]
Horizon Wing.
Calmera: 22, purposeful, proud, impatient.
Minanth: 2, excitable, melodramatic, self-centered.

[/blockquote]

OLD:
[A'MOR, WINGRIDER OF GRAY NOYTH]
Male. Horizon Wing. Owns orange Lady, blue Fellis, and green Bubbly.

NEW:
[A'MOR, RIDER OF GRAY NOYTH]
Master Dragonhealer. Horizon Wing. Owns (3) firelizards: orange, blue, green.
A'mor: 37, witty, impatient, distrustful.
Noyth: 25, quiet, empathic, moody.

[/spoiler]
New Adoptable Profile Presentation
Currently, potential players of adoptables must wade through the adoptable's entire profile, as well as running searches for IC backstory elements. In some cases the profile may not be updated. Additionally, previous corrections of adoptables have forced potential players to try to come up with a new interpretation of the character while still adhering to the definitions of the original profile, resulting in profile regurgitations rather than expansions.

A new profile presentation (created by editing the existing profile and archiving the original under a spoiler notice) would give players the information they need to adopt the character, while giving them the freedom to make that character their own. Additionally, any IC backstory elements or character relationships that need mentioning are presented from the outset rather than in corrections after an application has been submitted.

Example: Basically, anyway. The history could be reduced even further, like just a timeline or list or something.

SPOILER: Click to show

=============================================

[ADOPTABLE PROFILE]
[A'MOR, RIDER OF GRAY NOYTH]
Name: A'mor (Arenamor)
Age: 37 (Summer 164)
Sex: Male
Origin: Benden Hold
Rank: Wingrider, Master Dragonhealer
Wing: Lower Flight / Horizon Wing
Family: A'nim (father), Alinatamora (mother), Animatora (sister), Lialty (foster mother), Pilat (foster father)
Pets:
-Firelizards: Orange Lady, Blue Fellis, Green Bubbly

Personality:
Witty, impatient, distrustful. Likes to talk circles around people for his own amusement. Likes to play at being friends with everyone. Can only tolerate children for short periods of time. Doesn't like most people, but he doesn't treat them differently for his dislike's sake. Not terribly sympathetic in most cases, but he is attuned to his dragon's mood and she wants to help, he will too. Prone to three-second tantrums over small annoyances. Fidgety, can't stand to lie dormant or literally lie still. Loyal to and protective of his sister.

Appearance:
Slim, wiry muscles, average height, sharp features. Blond hair, blue eyes, all about presentation- he wants everyone's eyes on him from the moment he enters the room.

History:
Own parents quite laissez-faire about raising him. Meets a fisherman's boy named Lip later in his childhood, and generally falls in with Lip's large family at that point. Learns how to boat, fish and hunt with Lip. His biological parents demand that he Apprentice at the Healer Hall till he is old enough to Impress; A'mor rebels, tries to run away, but is caught by his father (an ironrider) and sent to the Hall. Poor learner, but eventually finds some ground to stand on in the field of dragonhealing.

Kidnapped again by his father when a Hatching is about to start and dropped on the Sands. Impresses Noyth. Transfers away from Benden (and his father) to Southern Weyr two Turns after graduation. Continues to study dragonhealing. Noyth consistently flown by Purple Altith, ridden by F'del, with whom A'mor becomes fast friends. Noyth lays Pink Alyenth at Southern. F'del gives A'mor all his flits, one-by-one, as eggs after each of Noyth's Flights.

Discovers he has a sister (Animatora) when he is 23. He takes her from his parents and raises her with F'del's help. They all transfer to Dalibor after A'mor attains the rank of Master Dragonhealer.

Dragon Name: Noyth
Dragon Color: Gray
Dragon Age: 25 (Winter 177)
Dragon Sex: Female
Dragon Origin: Benden Weyr

Dragon Personality: Quiet, empathic, moody. Only tends to speak up on matters concerning A'mor. Dislikes being apart from A'mor, especially not being able to see him, but doesn't complain openly about it. Similarly dislikes A'mor's many false friends. Chats only with witty dragons that can keep up with her, hates talking with humans, and especially dislikes children (A'mor is enough of a child for her). However, she is still highly sensitive to any emotions human or dragon, and is an excellent Searchdragon. Highly moody, emotionally driven by internal dialogues that have little to do with what is happening in the real world. Doesn't like being ordered around. Highly protective clutcher.

Dragon Length: 12'6"
Dragon Appearance: Powerful, firm physique. Skin like uncut marble, cold and dull. Exceptionally large wings.
Dragon Hex: a0a0a0

IC Backstory:
-Major IC events: dragon war, maneating fish/arrival of pillies, assassin attack, kitchen fire
-Autumn 194: Animatora Impresses White Zuccheroth.
-Spring 197: Noyth lays Black Ayarth (Blue Ripariath - father).
-Spring 199: Noyth lays White Jarith (Blue Ripariath - father).
-Autumn 200: F'del (Purple Altith) dies in the kitchen fire.

IC Relationships:
-Animatora, rider of White Zuccheroth (sister) [[PLAYED BY: n/a (ADO)]]

(If a player has a character they want to have a friendship/love/enemy etc status with him, they would report it to the staff and it would be listed here along with any relevant posts.)

=============================================

Original Profile:
NOTICE: You do not need to read this profile to adopt the character, and you do not have to mention or exactly follow specific historical events, personality or appearance traits that are not mentioned in the adoptable profile.
(spoiler)
Original profile goes here.
(/spoiler)

Further Notes
Cath volunteers to keep ages on the blurbs updated. Azh will do most of the mini-profiles and Cath will check them. Cath wanted me to PM this like secret service but I'M NOT GONNA DO THAT DEAL WITH IT CATH no editing me because I am free like the wind.

[Admin]

It would need to be done over time to avoid a sudden unrealistic drop, but if Cath would also like to start doing the Casualty Lists once or twice a month/season (it would depend on how violent/transfer-y the season was), it would be fine since then it could be organized easily. I was considering a NPC/adoptable caretakers group as well, though it was more on the backburner for the appeal of having it accompany the database since it has nice privilege granting/page editing options.

[Lan]

Lan's thoughts:

I would like to have G'wen and Niketh kept on for plotting potential with S'in and Nemeth. If there is no interest in them after the appropriate period, though, I understand if they would be removed.

Also, I would like to point out that A'ram and Helth are contest transfers, although I suppose since 3/4 of the group they belong to is inactive/nonexistent this may or may not have any merit. A GIRL CAN DREAM, THOUGH. >>

[Cathaline]

I would be happy to do the casualty lists to make all of this feasible! We can start coming up with a slow plan to reduce the numbers of the list. One other thing I would suggest is potentially allowing active players to weigh in on whether such characters should be transferred or killed, should it matter to them; for example, Maly had many friends at Dalibor, and one or more of their players might not care for the angst of an untimely death for her. Likewise, maybe people would love the angst they can't get if she quietly transfers! Basically, if people have some kind of stake in a character's fate, I think it should be generally known that they don't need to stay silent - the staff will accommodate them where necessary.

I would also like it to be stated for the record that I mentioned G'wen AND A'ram to Azzy, but she is ruthless, Lan. Just ruthless :P

[Azhdarchid]

Regarding Rayna:

Why not just have Kalith lay a queen at her next hatching? You could even announce it now, have interested parties fill out a special form (rather than trying to guess which female Candidates are in it to win it), whatever you want.

If you are concerned about the age of the Candidate, just restrict it to 18+ or whatever you feel is appropriate.

I think Rayna/Couineth('s tantrums) have had their shot at influencing the Weyr, and there's no harm, and in fact vastly more benefit in terms of enthusiasm, if you just make a new queen rather than offering leftovers. I think very few of the people currently playing that would be eligible for this adoption know or care very much about Rayna as a character.

[RavenSong]

I agree with Azh. I can't think of anyone who could play Rayna/Couineth the way Knight did.

[larkwing]

I have to agree with Raven and Azh. As much as I'd love to see them around the site again, it feels strange to think of anyone else playing them besides Knight. :/

[Admin]

The staff are still discussing this, but to be clear: Couineth living or dying will have no bearing on whether a new Queen is hatched in the foreseeable future. We do have plans at some point to add a fourth (or third if one does die) Queen, but adding an immature Queen will not be caused by the death of a mature Queen.

[Minute]

Candidate week. When we need candidates for an upcoming hatching you could offer for members to make one candidate character and not have it count towards their character quota.

[larkwing]

That's understandable Bre. Also, that's an interesting idea Minute, anyone else have thoughts?

[Cathaline]

Though I cannot speak for the entire staff, personally I do not see that happening, ever. Those of us with a lot of marks are more than happy to buy character slots for those who need them, particularly in the case of candidates when we're short on them for a hatching. We're horrible enablers. Apart from our decision on adoptables, I can't think of a single time a free character slot has been given out; we like to keep it to earning/buying. But as I said - people will buy them for those who need them. It's not really needed with how generous the lovely players of Dalibor are.

[Admin]

Rayna will remain open for audition. If no one auditions for her, she will be killed in an appropriate manner, but the staff would prefer she find a happy home.

[Lan]

This is really long... but I have a lot to say on this matter.

---

I have to agree with Azh, Raven, and Lark. I do not think that making Couineth adoptable is the way to go and strongly disapprove of this course of action. The reasons for my disapproval are numerous, although mostly it boils down to the fact that by doing this the staff would be alienating the entire member base. Of course, no one would be able to play them like Knight could, and of course people are going to prefer a new Queen is hatched. That aside, it's frankly insulting to be given a chance to app such a high-ranking character that was previously played by a well-known and well-loved staff member. By doing so it's almost as if the staff is accusing the member base either of being shiny-grabbers or of being incapable of creating a character suited for the position.

Now that my reasoning is out of the way, I'll cut to the chase and offer some alternatives. While killing her off seems completely crazy (although I do love killing people), I don't see why other options have been ruled out. Junior Queens have been known to transfer in canon. I don't think it would be completely OOC to have them transfer, especially since Rayna's family doesn't actually live on the Western Continent.

Another option could be to make Rayna and Couineth an NPC. Couineth could fly when clutches were needed and lots could be drawn so members could each have an opportunity to make dragonets, sort of like what Boo did with her hatching (although, Impressions would probably have to be done by the staff).

As it is, I don't really see why a third Queen is needed to be active. We have plenty of active Sub-Queens to fill the lulls between Queen hatchings and it's not like IC Queen threads are in high demand. Understandably, Sub-Queens should not be clutching every time, but I think there should be enough opportunity with two Queens and all the Sub-Queens and M/Fs to keep up with the amount of candidates that have been apped for as long as is necessary.

I personally believe that it is not unlikely for Rayna and Couineth to transfer and do not see there being any horrible repercussions to this action. If the staff is worried about the amount of mature Queens, perhaps a contest could be held to have an "exchange" Queenrider transfer in return for Rayna and Couineth transferring to their Weyr? Otherwise, I firmly believe that Dalibor can handle having only two Queens for the duration it takes another Queen to be born... and then some.

[Admin]

Knight was a well-known and well-loved player, but adoptables have always been a part of the site and Knight often made use of them. If the plot ideas or samples provided in the audition are inappropriate to Rayna as a character, the audition will not be accepted. We have declined adoptables for including inappropriate history additions in the past. However, as the staff believes in the quality of our members, we don't believe this should be a major issue.

While we do not think it is absolutely necessary for us to have third adult Queen, we do think it is preferable. We also do not think Rayna's, or more Couineth's, transfer possibilities are great. NPCing the pair for an extended period of time was considered, but the staff believe it would be simpler to do Kalith's clutching as a group effort than have them be a NPC (though staff will likely still have a high degree of control); we do not believe that would be any more fair to such a vibrant pair. Many of characters have died honorably or tragically at Dalibor in the past, so we thought that would be a good option.

The staff are still discussing this issue, but the audition option will most likely be final.

[Rappu]

For what it's worth, I'm nit especially for or against having auditions for the pair. I do think it's an interesting decision for several reasons.
First, it's daunting to take up such a well-known character that's been played for a long, long time. Secondly, you need a player who's going to stick around and be active. This is probably going to discount most newbies, which is understandable but giving the pair to a well-known, well-established member will cause whining about how the mystical inner clique always gets all the shinies wah.
But then, can you give the responsibility of running a Jr Weyrleader to someone with one candidate? Or someone who rarely posts? Will you kill off the pair if you don't get good enough apps?

On the other hand, it is nice to give interested members a chance at playing a goldpair.

Sent from my phone so apologies for shortness.

[RavenSong]

Nov 6, 2012 23:47:43 GMT -5 Lan said:

This is really long... but I have a lot to say on this matter.

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I have to agree with Azh, Raven, and Lark. I do not think that making Couineth adoptable is the way to go and strongly disapprove of this course of action. The reasons for my disapproval are numerous, although mostly it boils down to the fact that by doing this the staff would be alienating the entire member base. Of course, no one would be able to play them like Knight could, and of course people are going to prefer a new Queen is hatched. That aside, it's frankly insulting to be given a chance to app such a high-ranking character that was previously played by a well-known and well-loved staff member. By doing so it's almost as if the staff is accusing the member base either of being shiny-grabbers or of being incapable of creating a character suited for the position.

Now that my reasoning is out of the way, I'll cut to the chase and offer some alternatives. While killing her off seems completely crazy (although I do love killing people), I don't see why other options have been ruled out. Junior Queens have been known to transfer in canon. I don't think it would be completely OOC to have them transfer, especially since Rayna's family doesn't actually live on the Western Continent.

Another option could be to make Rayna and Couineth an NPC. Couineth could fly when clutches were needed and lots could be drawn so members could each have an opportunity to make dragonets, sort of like what Boo did with her hatching (although, Impressions would probably have to be done by the staff).

As it is, I don't really see why a third Queen is needed to be active. We have plenty of active Sub-Queens to fill the lulls between Queen hatchings and it's not like IC Queen threads are in high demand. Understandably, Sub-Queens should not be clutching every time, but I think there should be enough opportunity with two Queens and all the Sub-Queens and M/Fs to keep up with the amount of candidates that have been apped for as long as is necessary.

I personally believe that it is not unlikely for Rayna and Couineth to transfer and do not see there being any horrible repercussions to this action. If the staff is worried about the amount of mature Queens, perhaps a contest could be held to have an "exchange" Queenrider transfer in return for Rayna and Couineth transferring to their Weyr? Otherwise, I firmly believe that Dalibor can handle having only two Queens for the duration it takes another Queen to be born... and then some.

This. This sums up my feelings and does so with more eloquence than I'm capable of. Now to go with the "brick through a window" manner of phrasing.

It's a giant middle finger to Knight, especially since we have no idea what could've happened to her in the last few months. With a strict mother, an intense school schedule, and a hurricane nailing her state in the face? It's... cold-hearted. You have your own life issues that cause you to drop activity for prolonged periods. We're expected to be understanding of them. Why can you not extend this same understanding to someone you seem to like? Are you afraid of being accused of playing favorites or something? I doubt anyone on this site would accuse you of such a thing, especially if Knight comes back and explains what happened. It's rude. I don't agree with it in the least.

Nov 6, 2012 22:20:22 GMT -5 Admin said:

Rayna will remain open for audition. If no one auditions for her, she will be killed in an appropriate manner, but the staff would prefer she find a happy home.

We weren't -forced- to adopt any of Show's characters when Show dropped off the face of the earth. Why is that happening with Rayna and Couineth? Why are you delivering an ultimatum in the face of something people aren't exactly agreeing with? I understand that this is your sandbox and all, but... this? Doesn't leave me with a good feeling at all, to be honest. Show's characters were played as being transferred when she picked them up when they went unadopted. Precedent is there for Lan's suggestion, even if it isn't with a Queen. I think transferring the characters would be better, especially with all the clutching dragons on the board.

This post brought to you by a blunt individual with the subtlety of a brick through a window. I apologize for my bluntness, but this is really the only way I can think of to phrase my feelings about this issue.