Staffing Guide

Hello reader,

This thread will contain several components to what may become Axiom's staffing system. Staff, as an overview, will be the volunteer assistants to the Administrators in running the game mechanics of Axiom. Because they are permitted a degree of trust in brainstorming, discussing, and even executing environment controlled plots for players, there are some strings attached. Thus, Administrators are welcome to pick and choose as they see fit, though I'm going to sketch up some guidelines of what they're looking for. The transition from player to moderator (of any title) is difficult and may take time to understand - it's not just running your cut of the universe, it's joining a team.

Here's a preview of the items below. I'll have to figure out how to link them!

Please realize these are the ideals of the staff, and there is an expectation that by joining you agree to them fully. There is no way to guide an individual through the details, as every experience will be unique. True efforts will be noticed, and who knows what may come of that...

A final note: while this guide, among others, proves exceptionally lengthy, it is strongly recommended that it be read in length in as few sittings as possible. Feel free to revisit it at any time.

Table of Contents:

I. Role of Staff Members
II. Team Structures
III. Universal Staff Responsibilities and Goals
IV. Teamwork and Culture
V. Status, Achievement, and Reward
VI. How to Apply/Resign

I. Roles of Staff Members

This section covers the roles of staff members, who they are, and what they do.

The first thing I feel need to highlight is that the staff of ay site like a role playing forum is composed of writers, creators, players, like any other member. They have reached their positions by self-positioning (as our admins have created lovely Axiom), invited (usually based on prior known experience and confidence in a person's ability to moderate well), or outstanding acknowledgement (community members who have been invited or applied to the staff). Beyond being players, they also lead their own lives, no matter how ordinary or extraordinary. Added wants and needs to go to school, work, social events, cool down hobbies, and then take on a staff responsibility role adds up in terms of time, so being aware and considerate of such things is one of the most valuable aspects any player should have in perceiving a moderator.

This translates into the role of staff all the more. This is the set up for the perspective players ought to take when evaluating their staff. As you are here to write and/or play, so are the staff, and that is paramount to all other functions of the game,

Due to the nature of the game's setting, and a demand for balancing, forum role plays at large possess a moderation staff. Staff members are expected, if not selected for their abilities, to be sources of knowledge, foster the ideal community, and maintain a balanced gaming environment by acknowledgments of thread values (measured by point systems and other rewards).

One of the first things I think about with moderators is expertise. They are usually overly familiar with the lore throughout the game, especially in any local areas they are moderating (say a moderator in the Caesid system knows all there is plus any global concepts such as the gist of channeling). it should be noted though that expert doesn't mean all knowing - only the original author can give true clarity to their creations. Moderators should be problem seekers, finding ambiguities in articles and looking to understand more from them in theory and practice within the game environment, all for future reference. hey serve as fonts of knowledge in this way. Contributing to the game's over all knowledge base with personal experience is valuable as well, of course it is necessary and respectful to keep the true themes of Axiom in mind when musing over new additions to the game. See Morse or Dominatron for details.

A huge concept, probably the most important once you get into the topic, is that the staff shape the community and culture. As seen in section IV, this is a big function to the game and position of moderator. Staff members of all ranks are always in a spot light, rightly so, and that attention needs to be acknowledged. Staff members should be role models to the site's code, they should establish the mortal right and wrong, they are the living ideals of what core players and contributors are to act like. There's a lot to it, visibly and implicitly. I'll delve into this further in the proper section, but feel need now to highlight the vitality of staff roles as culture curators.

Lastly, the most obvious of all, is that staff members are the game masters, dungeon masters, etc. From table-top to internet, role play has evolved, and in a setting where anyone can make or bend rules of creation the sense of balance is lost. So there was the moderator, a third party, neutral role that prevented a level 7 paladin from taking out a level 70 dragon, or something like that, regardless of any deus ex machina or funky back-story. Moderators of all ranks are judges, fair and square, who have exhibited in some form an ability to be impartial and keen-eyed when reading and understanding a story. From there, they gauge the performance of a character to set guidelines by administrators and reward characters points to increase their ability to influence the environment. Have you ever thought of it that way, the skill grind? Not only is it personal achievement and development, but it's a measure of how much a character impacts the world and those around him.

As with any guides, I like to throw up a list of don't to clarify the definition in discussion, although any science specialist will seek to scorn me for such (write what something is, not what it isn't!).

1. Moderators are here to support game mechanics and culture.

Axiom moderators ideally seek to do as little social moderation to permit more time to focus on the actual game. Players of all statuses are expected to be self-motivated, self-moderated, and self-aware. In other words, you are here to play a game and write fantastic stories, and will be able to resolve your own personal issues. This leaves moderators with the availability to run mod-heavy threads, "quests", etc.

Players with disagreements with game functions, environment, and so on are encouraged to voice their opinions in an orderly fashion. Open request forums will be made available with appropriate forms detailing necessary information such as conflict, examples, suggested resolutions/alternatives.

II. Team Structures

i. Development Teams
ii. System Teams
iii. Grading Teams
iv. Discipline Hierarchy
v. Informal Structures

i. Development Teams

Development teams, even individuals, are organizations for idea generation. This includes preliminary brain storming, proposals, in-depth development, and final reviews. While everyone on a development team should be treated as equals, especially considering the common ground interests in a given project, a project leader should be nominated to be able to speak on behalf of a given project to an admin, or to conduct general development affairs (task assignment, scheduling, etc.). While there are many effective formal procedures, there is no demand for anything beyond the informal get together of community members working on a given project. Development teams direct their focus towards projects that are kept in the wiki (such as factions, channeling schools, skills, etc.).

NOTE: Development teams may have no more than six members on a team. Final decisions for products should be made unanimously, NOT by majority vote; to clarify, negotiate and compromise on the ideas rather than defending a single one to the death. Be sure to consider as many possibilities of the development's effects in theoretical and applied game play, in addition to long term effects. Mixed teams of moderators and players: ranks are dropped, and a moderator does not need to be the project leader - though their experience may be considerably more efficient and useful to a project, do consider it. Others need experience too, of course.

On project leaders: they are managers, yes, but it's not required or a bossy role, just the devil's advocate who keeps things moving along and all brainstorming on high alert.

Look for the development sub-forum in Idea Building for further instruction. Innovation and development is much encouraged, so please participate. It's not just a whole new world, but several, so get creative.


ii. System Teams

System teams are the actual moderation teams composed of pure staff. They have a knack for making things up, spinning awesome story arcs across the galaxy, and gather them together for that very purpose. System teams are among the most distinct in their stratification, though this is purely organizational. The note of "team" is what holds most important, and although System Moderators may look like they're in charge, they're not much more than team captains or MVPs. System team development focus on the in-game practices such as weaving quests and plots, making use of the wiki data to create a more engaging environment.

The two distinct System Teams are the "Inter-systems" Team and "Intra-system" Teams.

The Galactic Team is composed of the lead moderators of respective systems (Analuna, Caesid, and Pataevum), and optionally their closest staff (that is long term or reliable team members from their system teams). The Galactic Team meets to discuss and develop the game wide arcs that will shift between the systems. In this team, each System Moderator holds equal rank over others and their other team members welcomed to the meetings (welcomed by the nature of the site, not invitation of a given moderator).

Like the development teams, to be able to maintain an effective team, the System Moderators should try to organize themselves, and possible additions, to a maximum of 6 to keep things orderly and brief. Votes of unanimous decision are also encouraged to keep game play interesting across the game for all participants. Players are not welcome to System Teams due to the nature of content discussed - no spoilers, sorry! It's to the players' benefits this way, trust me.

The System Teams are composed of individual System Moderators and the specialized individuals who oversee unique planets or other celestial bodies/formations. Similar to the system team, ranks mean very little, although a System Moderator is encouraged to keep his or her team organized and enthusiastic about the project. System teams, very simply, are in charge of the arcs tailored to individual systems and the relations between peoples and planets contained therein.

System teams, due to the varying nature of the role play forum setting, may become expansive in order to accommodate the size of a player base. We value our volunteers and players a great deal, and it's tough sometimes to help everyone at once, so please be patient to the highest degree if things become clustered. Should any system become too crowded for a current staff to maintain, don't be too shocked if a wayfaring incident lands a few characters in a different system for a new set of challenges to overcome. The player's interests are always in mind, speak up, be heard, and remember to have fun with it no matter where the story may go!

As System teams grow in size, further stratification may be required, such as appointment of new sub-moderators to oversee a cluster of cities on a planet, or in the long run a specific area or single city on a thriving planet. Communication "up" and "down" the apparent chain of specialization will always be kept loose and free though. Moderators want to be happy too, so if you're not look into trading places (this does not mean slacking off from responsibilities or leaving messes for others to clean up).


iii. Grading Teams

A very unique and optional group we're looking into is called a grading team. This team is for the open minded readers who have a keen set of eyes for detail and fair judgement when it comes to reviewing and rewarding the participation of players. Grading teams are not grounded to a given system or planet, but at the same time are encouraged to have a vast knowledge of the various cultural spaces in which they grade. This becomes very valuable in awarding feats.

Grading teams are meant to be informal, just a get together of the heavy readers and judgmental to discuss methods on what constitutes a maximum point value thread, what is and isn't skill credit worthy, and so forth. Guides will be in place for grading teams to follow along with, but because critique can be so subjective, this becomes difficult at times, and so some free reign is leased. There will be no "I scratch your back, you scratch mine", point trading, favoritism, point shaving, etc., from the grading teams or they will be removed from this team without reentry. It's that important that the game remains fair. Grading teams may be composed of any player; see applications for more information. Graders will hopefully have a reward system that has yet to be developed; we need to be careful in providing incentives, of course.


iv. Discipline Hierarchy

The discipline hierarchy is an implied system headed by long-term moderators and administrators in the rare event that someone does cause trouble that cannot be sensibly resolved between involved parties. This temporary committee will assemble to meet briefly with involved parties before making a decision. While this committee is to be unbiased and reasonable in their decision making, they are similarly encouraged to be swift as to maximize use of game time on the actual game.

Additional words on discipline, punishment, and conduct:

The site is rated 18+ years of age for several good reasons, character being among them. No one wants to be the bad guy, no one wants to remove players who show interest from the site, but by causing trouble you paint a target on your head - you'll see it coming and it will be your own fault. Be very aware, of yourself, of others, and keep the best interests of the game in mind; you'll be fine then. This committee will need to meet for reasons listed, but not limited to: long term harassment, consistent hate speak, sexual harassment, violations to terms of service, violation to policies or procedures, undesirable behavior, obscene exposure, etc. That's not what Axiom is for, any any person who feels he or she transcends the purpose of this community is welcome to leave on his or her own accord or by the decision of any disciplinary committee called to order over an incident of said nature.

v. In-game Structures

A number of in-game structures are expected to pop up along the way, and will probably need to be custom structured. Please seek out aid in the request forums for any assistance with system designs. This includes formations of guilds, businesses, cartels, organizations, etc., be they moderator or player driven. Systems proposed purely by a member/members of any given in-game group needs to be reviewed by an outside person to check the legitimacy and balance of design (of course, if a player group is a dictatorship, then it will need the necessary incentives to operate that way, plus the understood terms for cooperating players to ensure this is what they want to be doing in character). Informal structures used to unknowingly exploit other players may be subject to revision or termination. In-game structures headed by any player whose membership to the site (forum and/or wikia) is terminated will be helped in being revised for the group to continue forward both in and out of character. We don't want a bad apple to spoil the bunch.

Please seek additional information or clarification on any team structures via PM to myself or administrators OR (suggested) post a question to the P&P development thread! The guides are works in progress, so please contribute to the discussion in further clarifying their contents. Thank you.

III. Universal Staff Responsibilities and Goals

Responsiblities

Another title for this section may be Code of Ethics; this is an in-depth (though brief) insight on what Axiom holds its staff to. These are items that all staff members are accountable for, moreover should want to be held accountable for. Responsibility is another word we toss around like respect, but we never really get into the nitty-gritty of it. I think part of it comes from being able to pick up where others left off or building on a foundation. Axiom, though it has a base, really isn't looking for that. but that's strange, people are looking for foundations to build their stories on. True, alas Axiom should also be a place for people to root their own ideas and to groom a noble sense of pride from their writing. Part of that nobility and pride is spawned of responsibility - more on the definition in the respective thread most likely.

I don't seek to undermine myself by specifying that the staff are solely responsible for these goals and demands. In truth, all players will be held accountable on similar terms. See, people can absolutely be noble on their own accords, but joining staff is like signing that Honor Code - it's the public acknowledgement that these are your virtues and you will uphold them. Thankfully, as per the code's design for Axiom, they don't need to be blinded defended to the death, but rather are welcome to change to fit the environment to come. Please, read on whether or not you're interested in staffing positions. influence in a community is driven by network more than position, I'd think.

Okay, so an outline of staff responsibility may look something like this:

All staff members seek to embody and uphold the following principles to retain the integrity of the Axiom community...

i. Follow and share the terms and codes of Axiom which stand for basic human rights in hopes of creating a fertile ground for good writing

ii. Submit and approve only of legitimate, original works to spread the expanse of writing in the science-fiction genre (no plagiarism, fan fictions, idea theft, etc.)

iii. Foster a community and network of positive individuals whose interests within the confines of the site reside in the themes of Axiom (promote good character, friendship, writing; eliminate dysfunctional conflict and trouble making)

iv. Uphold individual character at all times on the Axiom sites (make good impressions and decisions, enter and/or leave on good notes)

v. Enjoy your craft and explore the world (find value in choice and variety, take pride in work and make time spent here as meaningful as you feel necessary)

There's a lot that deals with the self in these five points, and it almost seems counter-intuitive to the idea of helping a group of people by helping yourself. Let's be honest though, there is a degree of group think that is permissible when it comes to community forming. We want to believe in the potential for everyone to discover passion or inspiration and let it come out in the best suitable form - writing in our case.

The first point deals a lot with the terms of service and this ethical code, among other components, that address human understanding. Remember that text is a limited communication device. Text is powerful. "With power comes great responsibility." This point is self exclamatory. It's truly the golden rule: "Do unto others as you would like done unto you" or something...

Secondly, more technical stuff, and very clear: DO NOT PLAGIARIZE!!! For anyone who doesn't know what this word means: 1) LOOK IT UP! 2) It means falsely stating any intellectual work as your own when it isn't. It's lying, it's theft, it's lazy, it's disgraceful, it's a no-no. Accidents cannot even happen in this site, so don't tell us that either. Axiom, although a non-profit organization for recreational writing will not, under any circumstances, serve to nurture such anti-progressive behaviors. Yea, you're going to read from time to time how someone writes absolute eye-candy or how so-and-so just loves this character, and it won't be you. Get over the ego hump, don't write to be in a spotlight, write to your satisfaction (which may or may not include an audience). Take informal notes of vocabulary and syntax to incorporate into your own writing. Read more than what you're own interests are involved in (on and off site, I'd note "1984", "Brave New World", "Fahrenheit 451", and any other more contemporary science fiction/dystopian novels or series). Off theme books are excellent too when addressing style and organization.

Third on the list recalls the function of moderators. The site is rated 18 years of age and older for content and the maturity administrators feels is needed to play here. You can't giggle or shy away every time someone says "penis"...okay, maybe not that often at least. I don't even want to list the things that can happen because it understates the meanings these events are meant to have, the effects they should have.

"He [the Director] waved his hand again, and the Head Nurse pressed a second lever. The screaming of the babies suddenly changes its tone. There was something desperate, almost insane, about the sharp spasmodic yelps to which they now gave utterance. Their little bodies twitched and stiffened; their limbs moved jerkingly as if the tug of unseen wires" (Huxley, "Brave New World" 21) -- on the conditioning of Deltas.

Saying the same old sick and twisted, or torture, killing, suffering, does not equate to the effect of that excerpt. It's haunting, what Huxley wrote, and absolutely awful, and powerful. Is there not a lesson to learn with it? The quest towards such perfection in art will come with a measurable set of challenges and sacrifice, whether its here or not I really don't care, but damn, imagine if it could be here. Keep the network effect in mind, you'll attract like minds.

Regarding four, I expanded on a little catch phrase I shared with Dominatron earlier, "We are here to write, not fight". Quite simply, make good decisions, behave, from the moment you enter the terms of agreement, until you decide to leave them. They're not there to be broken, a challenge to a rebel, or to constrain you. They are almost impossible to enforce. They're what we hope you'll also find value in and seek to follow when on this site. We'd like it to become something great and formidable in the role play world, without becoming an elitist club. There's a demand to be humble, to understand humility, and test character. It starts from the moment of agreement until any final resignation.

Finally, and perhaps the strangest responsibility of all, is to not neglect the world. We'd like players to come here, but there's a variety of other things. Don't simply ask what Axiom can do for you; what can you do for Axiom? This is a writing site, and a game, yes, but there are other things to read, write, and play, and explore, and so on and so forth. Time is precious. Your character sheets and skill points will mean nothing come years from now, but the stories your write and the characters you develop, reflections of your own thought, well they just might. Gandalf tells Bilbo he'll "have a tale or two to tell" right? Experience, it's all about experience. This is so deep, reader, you may have no idea.


Goals

All good things must come to an end. Or should they? The aimless wandering across something as expansive as the internet is a gamble. Somehow, you found your way here, and I cannot lie, Axiom will not last forever. Though it may exist later in our minds as time passes, from the Beta to the "good old days" they will come and go. It's a visionary perspective, but a true one no less.

So with this comes a mission and vision, and then the inevitable adjourning of Project Axiom, if I can call it such. Who knows, maybe there will be a new chapter for younger writers to pick up? Anyway, for the meat...

Mission Statement:
All staff volunteer to serve the community as objective story tellers to provide environmental and third person interaction with an environment while promoting good writing habits and character. Personal necessity comes first, though all staff will seek to keep those upon whom they are dependent (i.e. players of a moderated thread, development partners) well informed of availability. As the many faces of the site and administration, on and off site, while referencing the game Axiom and partners or while logged on to moderation accounts, staff are expected to act with humbleness, nobility, honestly, and with open mind. Staff will also strive to be problem seekers, removing any and all problems disruptive to the gaming environment from the roots in a fair, reasonable, and organized manner as specified by the respective guide lines to be provided - be they mechanical or social, in the event the involved parties cannot solve them alone.

Demands for innovation and originality (within the reasons of known and applied science within Axiom's universe) are also demanded of staff to preserve the dynamic and engaging environment of Axiom to provide an entertaining and rewarding experience for both moderators and players. All actions should be done by pride and choice - there is always a choice - while remaining true to the character expected of staff universally. Moreover, moderation should be fun for all.

Vision Statement:
Axiom seeks to create a new legacy in the science fiction genre while recording the fiction history of the known solar systems of this universe and the entities contained therein. As a collaborative storytelling forum, variations on themes and species will be explored and interwoven in formation of a mega-plot of the systems that would otherwise have served the function of a given novel in its inclusiveness. The formation of a writing network, informal and professional, will ultimately be solidified via the trek through time and the fictional universe of Axiom in which all involved parties can look back on as time well spent, and look forward - possibly - as having opened new opportunities.

The Goal:
This may sound crazy, but Axiom will end. We don't know when, and of course it needs to start first. This may be the first few of many chapters to come. Is it so silly to approach a project like this with such grandeur? Possibly, and we cannot permit ours egos to get ahead of ourselves and drive us blindly. All the same, should opportunity arise, administrators Morse and Dominatron are at liberty to explore it. Let us make these stories thoughtful, artful, and memorable. Let us show that grand and beautiful things can operate on the pure existence of human value and creativity.

IV. Teamwork and Culture

These are notes for the time being:

Staffing is a team play position, though moderators should be able to work independently. The key is to not override or interfere with the work of others without prior approval of the in-charge person of anything considered at risk by installment or modification of data (moving players from a current position being prepped for a quest, say, or editing the NPC of another mod). The ultimate point of this is to kill all sense of hierarchy in a formal sense. Yes, Dominatron and Morse birthed the idea of Axiom, but they decided to put it up in a role play based forum instead of writing a book series because they'd like to share it, as a writing project and experience.

The safest way to go about things is just being up-front in asking about a change you'd like to make. This will hopefully be stream lined in the Requests forum of the website. Changes made to long-existing data, such as the effects of a channeling school, will most likely be subject to an override by an admin, even against popular vote, because of long term use of present data, plus the balancing and vision in mind in introducing such global concepts. There is always room for new developments of course, hence such things as lost disciplines, vague hints in the wiki, and lots of open "undeveloped territory."

There's going to be a difficulty with being so free spirited and drawing lines about ownership, I imagine. This is why team work, communication, and the culture is going to be so vital. The vision for any specific area (say an entire system) will need to be shared and understood before moving forward. Making decisions as a whole team becomes important. Refusal out of spite or stubbornness is going to need some kind of check and balance. We won't hold up a game because one person doesn't love an idea, but we'll try to compromise and make sense of it all. "Fairness of creation" really cannot apply if we want to keep the universe realistic in its dynamics (in all fields). Things will be destroyed, die, replaced, remade, and so forth. The old may need to be modified or replaced with the new, but who will be in charge to say what stays and what goes? - power to the players, we will probably use the request forum for most of this. Things like IC polls to determine how hostile people feel in the setting, their willingness to support war, or OOC events like what new challenge people would like to put characters through. We really want to make it a challenge though, and it's sometimes tough considering the steep consequences of failure.

Culture is going to be kind of tricky too. Basically here's how it goes: you can be independent, but that doesn't mean you'll be a snob, at the same time we won't be wiping your nose and holding hands in learning the game or other things (we'll have guides explicitly for those purposes) and it's up to players to make use of resources. If you really don't get it, then try your best, we can help after you make the effort, and really if you don't want to take the effort to learn it just shows how you're going to be as a player, your personal value decreases. Things can always be made clearer, so requests for clarity help, with specific quotation and suggested alternatives of course! Axiom, maybe we can say, isn't your introduction to forum role play kind of site - some mechanics you're expected to know, and if you don't you need to have the motivation to learn them. It's reading comprehension, it's not much to ask for, and it's not challenging. That's another thing; if you don't like to read, but you're expecting others to sit, read, and loooove your writing, probably isn't going to be the most fun/rewarding/otherword way to spend your time.


End game: a big topic in the long run. We really need to find out what Project Axiom is and what it's about. Problem is this is going to be 60-80% player based, outside of any staff even. The estimate is rough, but Dom has mentioned several times she'd love to see the players take a hold of this thing and drive it, while she and Morse paint the dotted lines to get there - taking you on wild, woven, intertwined paths of <noun> (adventure, trauma, etc.). It's a question of what note we want to leave on, the cliff hanger ending for characters to divert on their own paths or a final point that all of time and space hangs on?

Also: breakdown of a team's responsibilities, what it means to be a leader/manager, follower-ship vs. leadership/managership and the importance therein, obligation to team/site/individuals, volunteer vs. appointment/nomination/application (to a given position) --> responsibility/hobby, TIME MANAGEMENT

visible culture vs. implied culture, demand to make references to past as lesson - betterment of future experience in theory, general note that this is also experimental and we won't have all the answers, won't make ever "right" decision, etc.

V. Status, Achievement, and Reward


Status

Status is an occurrence, both beneficial and malignant, resulting from giving someone a shiny, colored name tag. There are implications that with the ability to handle global characters, the environment, and other OOC controls (thread locking, etc.), that an individual with these abilities posses power which puts him or her above others. As soon as the normalcy of staff status settles upon the individual, all hints of privilege and prestige seem to disappear. While a volunteer position, and the near factual statement of the previous effects of being a moderator, let it be clear that being on staff is a mark of prestige and privilege - simpler yet, only those who show the necessary character and dedication will be allowed to hold these positions in the long term.

If that sounds severe to you, rethink it. With some basic self management skills, you can totally avoid any sensation of power abuse. "Absolute power absolutely corrupts" is the saying, I believe? Remember the core function of a role play staff at all times: running a balanced game. There's not much else to it, so don't get crazy.

On prestige: because moderators will fill a variety of functions, the personal presentation of a given moderator will certainly lead to some cause of notoriety. Be it "Mod A is a generous grader, while Mod Z shaves points" or "Mod C is friendlier than Mod X" people will inevitably compare and categorize you. Hints: don't take it personally, don't take it factually. You're still the one trusted with the responsibility to fulfill these functions, not the whinny player. I don't mean to generalize either, there certainly are individuals who are both tough to impress and others who cry their freakin' hearts out, but we're not here to judge people on individual preference or presentation (beyond what will be defined as the "cultural norms" that is; read respective section "Culture"). Take pride in being a moderator, regardless of what others say, even your "higher ups". There are two very mindful and fair administrators who have your back if you're doing what's asked of you (which is creating a fun role play environment about a central set of themes, not too much to ask).

On privilege: privilege needs to be mentioned because there truly is a greater deal of knowledge that's passed around the staff solely. You're not only being trusted to fulfill duties, but to keep your yap shut in some cases. That secret quest we want to surprise people with? Ask someone before you tease or leak spoilers, please, namely the quest designer(s). Axiom tries to keep transparent, but in the spirit of telling a good story (one outside of omniscience third person that is) some things must remain hidden until discovered - and trust me, admins WANT you to discover these secrets and legends and goodies and so on, but in the spirit of the game as well.

A final word on status, drawing a line on the volunteer thing: your services are only requested if you want them to be. That is to say, if you don't want to be grading, moderating, auditing, or otherwise when it's asked of you, it's much easier for you to resign from staff than to carry on. And you thought this section would be the happy motivating one, didn't'cha! Highs and lows, dear readers, it's all in the experience.


Achievement

So, status was the bad thing, now it's time to talk about the good stuff: achievements. As it has been said, we're working against ideas like hierarchies of power or bringing any unfair advantages to the game, just because you've been on longer or whatever contributions made you into an eligible moderator for Axiom. Moderating should still be more of a rewarding and potent experience though than it is a responsibility, burden, drag, duty. How to fix this?

Hopefully achievements will be a solution. This is something that will even be worked into the general player realm as well, if it works that is. So what I'm looking at right now is sort of a simple set of goal setting for all moderators to look into, scaled to the concentration of each area (getting 5 players to join a System Mod's star system is easier than getting 5 players to Crixas proper, so we scale the system to say...50 players or something more convincing; it's a work in progress). Achievements will have a point value attached to them which will then transfer into a set of BENEFITS, because honestly, sometimes you need other inspirations or motivators to get writing. Moderators are players too, and we're always looking on ways to give back to the players.

So a basic set of achievements might look like:

- Join the Moderation Team! + 10 points (point specific name to be determined)
- Help a New Player (5 New players, 10, 15, etc.) +5 points (at each interval, first, fifth, tenth, etc.); there would be a list of ways to help a new player out provided
- First Moderated Thread! + X points.
- First Moderated Quest (or thread containing X+ players) + X points
- Staff Veteran! (6 months+ moderation service) +10 points
- Staff Elite! (1 year+ moderation service) +20 points
- Axiom's Finest (1 year+ continuous moderation service) +25-30 points, plus badges if we can provide and such
- Create a New Species (NPC species of any status used X threads as a focus) + 10 points
- Create a New Location (used as focus location in X threads)
- Peacekeeper (resolve a conflict in which both parties are satisfied without threat) +50 points, badge, etc.
- Lore Keeper (moderate a thread revealing a lost discipline or other "secret" lore aspect) + 20 points, badge, or higher value depending on how much the mod coaches a player towards the thread, making it a thread series for example
- Recruit a Friend (because you're nurturing more than just the active site) +X points
- Who Called in the Cavalry? (lend assistance to another system)
- And so on, I just wanted to keep the ideas flowing

These are more static achievements that will be kept track on staff character records of sorts. We'll have to work it into the forum we finally pick and upload the respective badges and things.

Another sort of Achievement system I'd like revolves around the dynamics of the three star systems. I cannot conclude how we'd do it just yet, but it would be a bit like tug-of-war, both IC and OOC, to motivate moderators into doing more. I'm very hesitant on things like player or word count per moderator, because everyone has variable styles. I'd like to see something like that though. This might be done more strategically in game with characters, such as control of inter-system platforms or control points between the systems requiring players to be involved in taking control and holding these environments. Every so often, say every month a point is controlled, everyone would get a reward of achievements points (to be renamed) of their respective types (players might receive AP for example). More rules to come to keep this balanced, such as how often people can strike, and how long players can guard these positions, not to mention what kind of rewards they'll be getting.


Reward

So we're going to gather all of these achievement points, right, and it will then work towards a rewards system. There will be at least two counts of the points: 1 for life-time accumulation (based on the total points collected in earning achievements) and then a ticket count to be spent on rewards (this "takes away" from your total count you can spend, though the total you've actually gained over the course of the game will be kept to remind us how high an achiever you are). I think you'll just gain achievement points and tickets with the achievements to keep point counting simpler. Ya we'll call them tickets or something...

Anyway, you'd be able to spend your tickets for some rewards. They might look something like...

- Quest Pilot (design and manage the next area wide quest) - X points, this is one of the informal instances of hierarchy on the team where a captain is selected by more systematic means. moderation privilege is still in effect, and power abuse will be dealt with, you can be replaced without point refund
- PC Reward (you work hard OOC and don't get so much player time, so we try to compensate with your success OOC as a mod), (line skipping for quests, a chance at getting an elite item, personal quests, etc. scaled by point value)
- Custom Tag (any custom badges if we have someone with the right photo-shop experience or other software who would be willing, up to a cap).

It all comes down to balancing too. We want to make these opportunities available to players as well, but I'm going to press that people who contribute efforts as moderators be rewarded a bit more (maybe +50% of the points even), it just makes sense to me at least. The trick will also be making sure these things don't interfere with the game in its default sense or creates barriers for newer players. I'd like the point give away to be easy for new players especially, with the baby step achievements to give some points and tickets to get a taste of the good stuff. Of course, people who are on the track with their story will get to the goods as well.


There are also a set of passive rewards for staff too, and they are truly more of implied things. Long term trusted moderators will probably be leaked super secret plot spoilers or be invited on with making any huge game changing plots. These rewards are more of a WIP, but there will definitely be some passives involved.

VI. How to Apply/Resign

First, a few words on application and resignation: just as an individual's character is marked from the moment of accepting the terms of agreement, as is any given moderator's (or rather potential moderator's). The approval and disapproval of moderators to the staff may be benefited or hindered by game time prior to the application. On that note, changes in character during the period of moderation are also being monitored - reference the staff responsibility to remain neutral in all matters. At any time that a moderator is to be removed/forcefully resigned from said position, explicit proof will be submitted (a quote, a screenshot, chat logs, etc.). Opposing, administrators have permission to personally invite (via PM or other media) a player to the moderation teams; said invitee may not forgo the application process although any barrier criteria may be pardoned by the dual agreement of the administrators. Moderating should ultimately be viewed as a new perspective at playing the game, Axiom. If it's not fun moderating, don't push yourself, feel free to resign. All the same, feel free to re-apply at a later date. Leaves of absence (hiatus) are also welcome under certain circumstances or under certain periods of time. Specifications detailed below.

Recall everything within the terms of service and this staff guide in consideration of joining the moderation team. We welcome you, the diversity and skills you bring, and all the troubles you may give us. Diversity and conflict, when well organized, provide a superb environment for dynamics and progress, engagement and liveliness to the game.

Application Process...

Applications are best designed to fit individual preferences, much to the extent of a resume, though we try to leave out all of the formalities. That is also to say that players may apply to any rank of moderator at any time. Though "higher up" ranks such as System Moderators seem to have more control, they truly only have a wider range of responsibility, and are meant to be equip with the necessary learning curve, knowledge, multitasking skills, and so forth to keep themselves active in and between systems.

Applications are to be filled out/designed and submitted to the Special Request forum (sub forum to be specified). Administration will review the application in addition to any public letters of recommendation, objections (from players or moderators), or other references. Please note that empirical data is best provided for efficient and effective additions to applications (for non-applicants). As with any resume style document, those seeking to apply and join the team should provide as much material as possible. Even if you think something will hurt your application, put it done with honesty. Ideal applications can often be misleading or reason to raise question.

At any time prior to an accounts promotion to a moderator group, the applicant may be subject to question by administrators, moderators, or players assuming enough information is not provided for a well rounded judgement of the application.

The following is an application framework. Required fields are marked by an asterisk (*).

Title Format: [(Position) Application] (System, Planet, etc.) (other title info)

*Name: by which you mean to be addressed as a moderator amongst teams
*Birth date: Day Month Year
*Character Account(s): prior and present
*Moderator Position(s): prior and present, on Axiom
*Position applying for: only one position per application
Previous Experience: on or off site experience as a moderator of any rank
Motive(s): what draws you to applying for a moderator position
Personal Goal(s): what you hope to gain from the experience
Things you like about Axiom: anything you felt note worth
Things you dislike about Axiom: anything you felt note worth
Personality Test Results: http://typelogic.com/typelinks.shtml#tests namely the Jung typology test, or previous results, more for fun
Relevant Skills: specific writing forms (journalism, scientific, creative, etc.), experience with BBC, forum/wiki management, coding forms, etc.
Living status: Purely optional and more of a personal question, make sure this isn't something that will divert you from greater interests (family, job, etc.)
Highest Level of Education: for undergrad. and post-grad. please specify major(s), minor(s) and (optionally) cumulative grade point average
Primary Language: if NOT English
Personal greatest achievement/aspiration: what has makes you proud
Personal greatest defeat/fear: what can be challenging or an obstacle
Role model(s): who you look up to or hold in high esteem, and why

NOTE: DO NOT, under any circumstances, EDIT YOUR APPLICATION. Applications should be reviewed and submitted during a coherent hour after thorough review. Any additional notes of typos may be corrected in a NEW POST, but DO NOT edited your original application. Applications that are edited may be rejected without review.

Identical information may be used across multiple applications - though we hope the resumes expand - but only one position may be applied for per application thread.

Be as brief or lengthy as you feel need in filing the application. More than a position application, we'd like to get a feel for who you are if you're going to be joining the team. Browse prior applications too. Be a problem seeker and confront your own drawbacks and weaknesses first so we can compound on your strengths; no one likes asking the hard questions (save every Devil's advocate...okay, more than I expected).

See administrators or Valorae for any additional questions.


Resignation Process...

It is just as important to leave on good terms as it is to enter. We've formalized the process in aims of preserving the integrity of all moderators. The group, the colors, the prestige are all symbolic to a whole that you valued upon entering. Anything that would persuade a player against moderating should be addressing in special permissions before quitting out of rage, butt hurt, etc. You may wish to continue playing or re-applying at a later date, so it's vital to keep up the good rapport.

Resignations are formally between the resigning party and administration (who may wish to keep someone on the team and readdress any circumstances which prompted resignation). Outside parties, moderators or players, are asked to remain purely observant to these threads. Pestering of resigning parties, moderators, or administrators is highly advised against.

*Name: of resigning moderator account
*Characters: prior and present
*Reason for Resignation: Why do you feel you are not longer fit to moderate OR why the moderation team environment was undesirable (or other term if you find the term team lacking)
*Active or Unfinished Projects: Please provide a list with links; wikia developments or other projects may be extended to completion via non-moderation accounts upon request
Conflict Resolution Results: If result of a conflict resolution you found undesirable, please specify (who, what, why, etc., with data (quote, screenshot, logs, etc.) if possible), external affairs should not hinder moderation on the site; please alert administration if you are being harassed by any means off site by other Axiom related accounts/users that are in violation with the terms of service
Proposed Alternative(s): if result of an on-site dispute, how would you have preferred the conflict been resolved. Is it still possible for this alternative to be enacted without further harm, conflict, etc.?
Reapplication: Do you intend to possibly re-apply at a later date? Are you making the necessary arrangements to keep your on-site network open? Have you, or do you intend to, apologize for any misgivings that may have lead to this resignation even if an apology's value is lacking to either yourself or the other party?

Please recall from the terms of agreement to which you agreed:

"By submitting (posting) information to this forum (https://axiomrp.rpg-board.net/) or wikia (http://axiomrp.wikia.com/wiki/Axiom_Rp_Wiki) you relinquish all rights of ownership to Axiom. Axiom reserves the right to use, alter, or remove all contributions to the site. In the event of plagiarism, the plagiarist will be held responsible regardless of present member status; Axiom as a host to plagiarized information will not be held accountable in any way for information posted, knowingly or unknowingly, that is property of third-party authors. Suspension or removal from the site is not exception to the policy, and thus Axiom retains the right to preserve all submitted information. Player beware, be aware of your actions and the Terms."


Other Special Moderator Request(s):

Hiatus Notice:

A leave of absence for less than thirty (30) days should be noted if greater than five (5) days. We'd like to make sure our staff haven't been shot or hit by a car if we can help it. While optional, this is the most courteous method we can think up.

*Name: of moderation account primarily
*Duration: start date - end date
*Reason: provide as much detail as you feel necessary, we don't seek to intrude on personal matters such as medical reasons. Please mark as "personal" for any sensitive information. On behalf of the Axiom community, good luck with any of your affairs, higher-powers willing, and so forth. We eagerly await your return.
Other Notices: if you will be out of contact the day after the hiatus end date or require more time, leave notice here at that possibility. Realize too that extensions that extend past certain time periods may result in the temporary suspension of an account as per policy and procedure. Accounts may be reactivated.

For accounts left inactivate for a period of great than thirty (30) days: moderator accounts left inactive for a period of greater than thirty day may be suspended or terminated. Without valid excuse to have not posted a hiatus notice OR other reasoning, an applicant may need to apply for a new account/position if the suspended one cannot be recovered for any reason. New applications, as any, may be rejected. Players expecting to be out of reach for more than thirty days are expected to resign ahead of time with notice, noting intention to reapply to the moderation team if desired. Not declaring to reapply does not barrier any applicants, but merely serves as a notice.