Demi-Pharaoh/Bastet/DP Debates/March 2010 2

• 2010-03-23 22:30:16 Usi: ----------------------------------------------------------------
• 2010-03-23 22:30:20 Usi: ANNOUNCEMENT: In a few minutes, the Demi-Pharaoh debate will start. Our political analyst and moderator Draim will be hosting this event. Please note that the B! channel will be reserved for this debate for the duration, so commercial and other off-topic messages will not be posted.
• 2010-03-23 22:30:23 Usi: So ... without further delay, I would like to introduce the host for the debate ...
• 2010-03-23 22:30:27 Usi: Please give it up for the one and only Draim !!!
• 2010-03-23 22:31:44 Draim: goood evening folks, we will be starting in a couple minutes. If you would like to start sending quesitons please feel free. Please beging questions with For all: or For "candidate name": so that I know who it is for
• 2010-03-23 22:32:23 Draim: We will begin with a couple left over questions from last debate, some of them have been combined because they were very similar. If you sent in one and it doesn't look like I'm answering it please feel free to ask again
• 2010-03-23 22:32:48 Draim: if you have any quesitons please /chat me during the debate. Tells are hard for me to see during the activity
• 2010-03-23 22:33:12 Draim: the same goes for time sensititve game activity (ibis, gazelle for example)
• 2010-03-23 22:34:57 Draim: ***********
• 2010-03-23 22:35:11 Draim: Welcome again everyone to another DP debate on B!
• 2010-03-23 22:35:46 Draim: we are going to start off again with short introductions from candidates and then will jump straight into questions
• 2010-03-23 22:36:06 Draim: we will give preference to questions for all 3 candidates over questions for individual ones
• 2010-03-23 22:36:22 Draim: I will be rotating through who answers first to give everyone a fair shake
• 2010-03-23 22:37:16 Draim: I would like to direct anyone who missed the last debate to the wiki or forums. Both of which have the log posted. Let me know if you need the link (I will also post the link after this along with the new log)
• 2010-03-23 22:37:28 Orishas: Hello everyone; I'm a fairly new player (new to tale 3/4) and located in the 13 rock compound, a small stillwater guild near the CS; I very much enjoy this game and I think I would bring a lot of enthuisiasm to the Demi-Pharoah position. I think things through and can see from many different perspectives.
• 2010-03-23 22:38:31 Amethyst: G'day Egypt. I think that last time we managed to establish that the three of us have a pretty identical attitude to use of the actual ban power. I really hope that in this second debate we can get more into what distinguishes the candidates. It'd be great to talk about law or philosophical outlook for a while.
• 2010-03-23 22:39:24 Amethyst: I think that the main thing that distinguishes me from the other candidates is in how I've been tackling the problems that have cropped up so far, with simple, elegant (hopefully) laws that target the problem, not the people.
• 2010-03-23 22:40:36 Amethyst: Ive been to many regions this week just to talk to people, get to know the people that don't necesarily tune into B! Thanks to all those I've spoken to for their feedback. I really hope we can work together to keep improving Egypt.
• 2010-03-23 22:40:48 Izzy: good evening/afternoon/morning fellow egyptians and ty for tuning in. ty Draim for hosting the debates and giving us the chance to let egypt get to know us :). for those that don't know me I'm Izzy and I spend a lot of time dedicated to the advancement of egypt as a whole by doing research. those that know me think i'm crazy nuts about it because it seems it's all i do. I have 3 main passions in the game, 1. research 2. wine 3. helping others however i can.
• 2010-03-23 22:42:01 Draim: thank you all
• 2010-03-23 22:42:02 Draim: our first question wil be from Humbuk.
• 2010-03-23 22:42:03 Draim: Humbuk: do you feel that DPs are adequetly equiped for their role in Egypt.
• 2010-03-23 22:43:44 Orishas: I think that the DP role is partially defined by how they are "equipped"; That is with the community support that enables them, and the Ban power they are given by the game mechanics; As we discussed in last debate - I believe that the Demi-pharoah position would benefit from expansion of the powers given, but I don't think its necessary for us to server the community well.
• 2010-03-23 22:44:21 Orishas: *serve
• 2010-03-23 22:45:00 Amethyst: Humbuk, giving DPs more powers is probably the subject of a whole other debate. Adequate or not, I'll be working with what I have. What do I have? 1) Brains 2) Enthusiasm 3) Diplomatic abilities 4) if all those fail, the ability to ban. I don't mind doing things the hard way (I live in NP, don't I?)
• 2010-03-23 22:46:09 Izzy: personally i think that a good DP will be able to work with what tools we are given. that is not to say more than 2 option wouldn't be nice to have but since it's what we have it's something we will have to work with and knowing that i'm confident that i'll be able to do what i need to do with what i'm given if elected...i hope that made sense lol
• 2010-03-23 22:47:15 Draim: thank you all, our next question was asked by multiple people in a different form last time and never got through
• 2010-03-23 22:47:49 Draim: How will you respond when what you feel should be done conflicts with what the community of egypt wants?
• 2010-03-23 22:50:04 Amethyst: Part of being in a position like DP is you're always going to have some people disagree with you, no matter what you do. Everyone will have an opinion and there will be plenty of people who believe they could do it better.
• 2010-03-23 22:50:24 Amethyst: So, I'm not going to expect to please everyone with any decisions I make one way or the other.
• 2010-03-23 22:51:16 Amethyst: That said, if I felt there was widespread opposition to what I intended to do, I would abide by the community's wishes. I'm where the buck stops, but I'm not an autocrat.
• 2010-03-23 22:51:26 Izzy: it is difficult to predict a response to a hypothetical situation with no real reprocussions to speak of. if we say go with the community we are weak and spineless followers, if we say stand up for what is good for egypt even if they don't see it as good at the time we're bad people that is a catch 22 with no real "good" answer
• 2010-03-23 22:53:30 Orishas: While I'd like to feel that my personal beliefs would agree with the "will of egypt" - that won't always be the case; I'll always use my own judgement, but in that judgement I will always consider what the "community" wants. This isn't a simple matter and I don't think egypt will ever be united with one opinion. The majority of egypt will always be a MAJOR factor in my decision making as DP, but not the only one.
• 2010-03-23 22:54:29 Draim: thank you. Our next question will be from myself
• 2010-03-23 22:55:25 Draim: While your spouse is unable to get access to the ban power by using a spouse log we all know many people share their character with their loved one/friend. Is there anyone else (other then yourself) who has direct access (password) to your character.
• 2010-03-23 22:59:05 Izzy: there is only one person other than myself that has direct access to my account and he is my game spouse and generally only uses spouse log to access my character unless i'm online and we're swapping bodies. since he's also my r/l bf for 5 years i trust him with my life and the fact that he has given me his solemn promise to never use my power to ban. to quote him "if i want access to that kind of power i'll run for dp myself"
• 2010-03-23 22:59:47 Orishas: There is nobody with my current password but myself; If elected DP - I would be certain this remains that way :)
• 2010-03-23 22:59:55 Amethyst: Yes, my RL partner who is also my 'husband'.
• 2010-03-23 23:00:38 Draim: thank you all, our next question will be from Geodude
• 2010-03-23 23:00:43 Geodude: For all: If you could immediately create any single law and have it pass instantly, what would it be?
• 2010-03-23 23:05:32 Orishas: That is something I would have to think about; I currently have a petition addressing digs (you can read about in my /info) but I've not seen dig protection as a big issue in the last few weeks; I've also been trying to work on a law for the expansion of DP powers to include lesser punishments such as Jail time or temporary bans; I think that the latter would be more useful in the long term.
• 2010-03-23 23:06:40 Amethyst: That university scientists couldn't keep giving us the same lily bulbs time after time - 3 regions now with morning! I want to send them back to the drawing board!
• 2010-03-23 23:07:01 Izzy: that's an interesting question but one i can't answer in the time limit because i believe the legal system is something that should be taken seriously and laws should be well thought out planned and written as well as egypts opinion considered before passing any laws
• 2010-03-23 23:07:25 Draim: thank you all.
• 2010-03-23 23:07:44 Draim: our next question will be from Neone
• 2010-03-23 23:07:45 Neone: To all : If you become DP will you consider making law's that isent hardcoded by teppy? So ppl can actualy break the law and we can get laws that dont have to be coded in to the game, as its the only option atm.
• 2010-03-23 23:09:57 Amethyst: Neone, no. There are already non-hardcoded laws in the game. Also, in a few weeks there will be more than one DP - who is going to set the laws? where could they be written or voted upon? I think that for problems the community feel they can't handle themselves, we're just going to have to use our wits to fix things.
• 2010-03-23 23:11:55 Izzy: I would very much like to see the CoC portion of the legal system fixed so that we can use it as intended (it is my understanding that atm it's not working properly but i could be wrong) i will more than happily enforce any CoC's that are in place and may even consider writing some CoC's myself when and where i see a need
• 2010-03-23 23:13:55 Izzy: and for those unfamiliar with the CoC it's teh Code of Conduct portion of the legal system (the part of the legal system teppy doesn't have to hard code into the game)
• 2010-03-23 23:14:10 Orishas: That is an interesting idea, and we would need a way to address what happens to "law breakers"; As of now the only option would be to "ban" them - and Demipharoahs have a limited number of bans - so its not something that could last indefinietly; I think if the DP's power were expanded (Such as with the jail time I mentioned in the last question) it is definietly something would could consider and be fun!
• 2010-03-23 23:15:04 Draim: thank you all
• 2010-03-23 23:15:28 Draim: we are going to have a very quick 4-5 minute break for the candidates and then will continue :)
• 2010-03-23 23:15:55 Draim: If anyone has any more questions please send them in we are starting to run low! ;)
• 2010-03-23 23:21:29 Draim: oky dokey! We'll start winding back up
• 2010-03-23 23:22:03 Draim: As a bit of a followup from the last question. Aimed at Orishas but if the other 2 want to comment they can feel free
• 2010-03-23 23:22:07 Neone: To Orishas : how should that jail time work? and how would you use it?
• 2010-03-23 23:24:42 Orishas: It basically sends the player to another place; they can chat with Others but not interact with them physically, or disrupt their activities. They also wouldnt be able to get anything done (such as building or finding cicadas); This would give them a chance to talk with the DPs and "victims" to resolve any differences but not allow them to disrupt things further or accoplish personal goals.
• 2010-03-23 23:25:07 Orishas: I think this is a lot better then a temporary ban, in my opinion. As it doesnt cut them off from communication.
• 2010-03-23 23:26:10 Amethyst: If the game WERE recoded to allow DPs the option of jail (a good idea, IMO), I'd use it to create some space and time to investigate an incident further. Sometimes when people are angry, they don't talk about their problem with a level head.
• 2010-03-23 23:26:46 Amethyst: This would allow everyone some cool-off time, and stop people from doing further damaging things in the heat of the moment.
• 2010-03-23 23:27:22 Draim: thank you, our next question is from Telanoc ( to all)
• 2010-03-23 23:27:26 Telanoc: How wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
• 2010-03-23 23:28:26 Orishas: A wood chuck could chuck as much wood as a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood.
• 2010-03-23 23:28:31 Amethyst: I don't care, so long as he chucks it in my charcoal oven (and it'd be good if he was also trained to work it!)
• 2010-03-23 23:28:34 Izzy: 42
• 2010-03-23 23:28:50 Draim: best answer reward goes to Izzy for the meaning of life
• 2010-03-23 23:29:02 Izzy: woohoo
• 2010-03-23 23:29:18 Draim: our next question comes from Usi
• 2010-03-23 23:29:21 Usi: To all: Is there anything a player could do that in your opinion would be so bad, that you would use the ban-stick right away? If so, what would that be?
• 2010-03-23 23:31:38 Izzy: that's a tough one to answer as each case is different and circumstances surrounding each case are unique. I would never use the ban-stick without a thorough investigation of all parties involved
• 2010-03-23 23:32:51 Orishas: Yes, I think there are actions that transcend the in-game characters and just seek to harrass the players behind the character. I think I read about people in an earlier tale going around and emote "raping" people - there is no reason to do that and makes the game unfriendly to players and can even cause some to quit.
• 2010-03-23 23:33:50 Amethyst: Harrassing other players with sexual/racial insults. I'm not entirely sure whether we have the power to /ignore other players or not - but that sort of thing doesn't need to be put up with by anybody. It would also give an incredibly bad impression to new players logging in and getting an earful.
• 2010-03-23 23:34:12 Amethyst: Certainly if it was going on in regional, and wasn't stopped immediately, I would ban.
• 2010-03-23 23:34:33 Amethyst: If it was happening in private, I'd need to see proof. But would also consider that.
• 2010-03-23 23:35:18 Draim: our next question is from Geodude:
• 2010-03-23 23:35:21 Geodude: For all: What do you see as the biggest problem facing egypt today, and how would you attempt to solve the problem?
• 2010-03-23 23:36:13 Draim: ***Also as a Mod note: I will accept questions for the next 4-5 minutes and then we will finish off by working through what we already have submitted
• 2010-03-23 23:38:09 Orishas: From my perspective, I don't see any major "problems"; I do see some obstacles. One obstacle is the challenge of having a lower population when some tests are scaled for more players; The best hope for this is to be always welcoming to new players and do everything we can to be sure they are integreated into the game
• 2010-03-23 23:39:08 Amethyst: The biggest problem I see today has nothing to do with laws or bannings. It has to do with attitude. So many people seem to feel that they are powerless to effect change because Teppy just doesn't do enough or care enough any more. A couple of days ago, Orishas guildmate, Usi, was asking me in SW regional chat if I wasn't worried that people were secretly laughing at me and my enthusiasm for this job.
• 2010-03-23 23:39:47 Amethyst: I replied, why would laughter worry me? There are some who have been here, done that for so long, yes, it'll be funny when someone new comes along and runs around all excited at the possibilities. But I think there are plenty of people also who may get some inspriration from someone taking it - and THEM - seriously.
• 2010-03-23 23:40:21 Amethyst: I'd love to be able to get the message out there that head down, tail up, doing chores isn't the only way to get fun out of this game.
• 2010-03-23 23:40:33 Izzy: the biggest problem i currently see facing egypt right now is an apparent stall in metallurgy research in general which is stalling many other techs being opened that require alloys. I am already working on solving the problem by working slowly on getting the metals together to donate but i can only do so much so i would urge other folks not only within stillwater but in egypt as a whole to give just a little to metallurgy research without it we can't even get something as simple as greenhouses
• 2010-03-23 23:41:35 Draim: thank you
• 2010-03-23 23:41:51 Draim: our next question Comes from Mutnodjmet
• 2010-03-23 23:41:53 Mutnodjmet: To all: on average how often are you on and what times?
• 2010-03-23 23:44:52 Amethyst: I'm on every day. I tend to stay logged in while I do other chores around the house and as I go past the computer I give that mine a few more tugs, or whatever else I'm doing at the time. So although I get a few hours a day of actually gaming, I'm generally reachable for a lot more than that. My times are a bit at odds with many other players - I live in eastern Australia. It's 10:45am here at the moment.
• 2010-03-23 23:45:55 Amethyst: But generally I'm logged in, sometimes on and off from about 1.5 hours ago, through for the next 12 hours or so.
• 2010-03-23 23:46:37 Izzy: i'm on daily usually in 12-15 hr blocks with occasional breaks for family appts and such my schedule varies somewhat but i often play evenings and latenights eastern times
• 2010-03-23 23:47:29 Orishas: I am on quite often; My current work/school schedule allow a lot of flexibility - I live in california, and typically sleep from Midnight -> 8:00 AM PST but even that is flexible if there are game events between those hours;
• 2010-03-23 23:47:42 Orishas: I take online classes so I usually take my college course and play ATITD at the same time ;)
• 2010-03-23 23:48:39 Draim: our next question is from Telanoc
• 2010-03-23 23:48:42 Telanoc: I have another question. Can you give us a honest reason why someone shouldn't vote for you?
• 2010-03-23 23:51:45 Amethyst: I'm not a saint. If you're looking for someone perfect in every way - don't vote for me. If you're looking for someone who is happy with the staus quo - don't vote for me. If you're looking for someone who's constantly in touch with the large, populated regions - don't vote for me. Sheesh - lots of reasons, I guess XD
• 2010-03-23 23:53:12 Izzy: I can think of a few honest reasons why someone shouldn't vote for me...but why would i shoot myself in the foot and admit them lol
• 2010-03-23 23:53:29 Izzy: but in all seriousness if someone feels i'm not the best candidate on the ballot i say vote your concious and vote for who you think is the best candidate
• 2010-03-23 23:54:43 Orishas: I don't have experience with Tale 3/4 mechanics, nor have I been through the "end-game" of a tale so I don't know how everything works yet. I am enthusiatic about going tthrough and learning those things, but somebody with more experience wouldn't have to do understand everything that was going on.
• 2010-03-23 23:56:00 Draim: thank you, are next question will be from Neone
• 2010-03-23 23:56:01 Neone: To All: As you all seem to like the jail time idea. What would cause ppl to get jail time if you had the option?
• 2010-03-23 23:58:03 Izzy: again like the ban option it's a situational consideration. all aspects of every situation need to be considered carefully before any action can/should be taken. knee-jerk reactions tend to be regretted in general
• 2010-03-23 23:59:55 Orishas: I don't have any solid examples; Earlier on in this tale most of our stillwater digs were interupted - not allowing us to schedule digs or get stones that we needed - if this kept up I would consider jail time; This isn't an issue now though, so I can't so that is something I would definitely do.
• 2010-03-24 00:00:57 Orishas: I think as Izzy says its very situational - having something we can do besides the very final and drastic ban - can only help things, though
• 2010-03-24 00:01:04 Amethyst: Neone, I think I already answered that above. I'd use it primarily to create breathing space while working on solving an issue. My aim is always to solve problems - not put someone away just deferring a problem until later.
• 2010-03-24 00:01:29 Draim: Thank you, our next question will be from MaryJane
• 2010-03-24 00:01:33 MaryJane: how would you handle a "rogue" DP... someone who used their powers for personal reasons, or even as a means of griefing others?
• 2010-03-24 00:04:37 Orishas: Well I think I would handle them much like I would any other disruptive citizen. I would try to reason with them first. See why they are doing what some would be "abuse" of their powers. If my attempts of reasoning with him/her failed, and I felt along with the community that were were using their powers to 'grief' I would use the legal system to stop them from doing further harm.
• 2010-03-24 00:06:14 Amethyst: That would be an interesting situation. We have no way to "handle" a rogue DP, since they would be immune to the only power we have. I'd try talking to them, but chances are if they've gone to the trouble to convince enough people to vote them in as DP - I'm guessing they're going to be pretty set in what they intend to do.
• 2010-03-24 00:06:32 Amethyst: I've wondered myself if you had a DP who targetted, say, people with 12 month accounts - ban 7 of those, then I think it's time for Teppy to step in and wonder if his game is working as intended. Although, who knows, he might think all that money for nothing was a great thing?
• 2010-03-24 00:07:10 Amethyst: The legal system would be an option, but only in the case where the rogue was acting over a very long time - I think that a case like this would be over pretty quickly. But perhaps there should be a way to pass a law to un-demi-pharoah DPs.
• 2010-03-24 00:08:45 Orishas: I don't think Teppy would do anything to "
• 2010-03-24 00:08:47 Orishas: "stop" these bans even on 12 month accounts as that is the very purpose of the DP election. To choose who we think should be able to have that power. The legal system is the citizens recourse at that point.
• 2010-03-24 00:09:26 Izzy: there is no way to handle a "rogue" DP other than petitioning teppy through the legal system which is why it is so important you be careful who you elect
• 2010-03-24 00:10:30 Amethyst: I'm not sure about that Ori, if 12 month accounts became a target for rogue DPs then Teppy's business model will suffer. But by all means - some legal emergency provisions to take DP powers away, might be worth tinkering with.
• 2010-03-24 00:11:47 Draim: this is a great line of talk actually and would be a great place to start a discussion
• 2010-03-24 00:12:15 Draim: we are going to have one more question before the end, after that I think it would be great if want to discuss things a bit more informally and people are still interested
• 2010-03-24 00:12:26 Draim: our last question for this will be from Usi
• 2010-03-24 00:12:28 Usi: Follow up to Telanoc's question, to all: so why SHOULD we vote for you, and not the others? Could you please give us a solid example?
• 2010-03-24 00:15:56 Amethyst: Usi, one of the things that distinguishes me from the other candidates is that I am removed from the hurly-burly of the SW/SA area. I am in no major giulds, have no ties to any competing interests, and so could look at any problems impartially. When an issue comes up, I gnaw at the problems, in consultation with others, turn things inside out to find the best way. For those who haven't seen it, have a look on the forum at the debate about a proposed new law on digs.
• 2010-03-24 00:17:00 Amethyst: I've tried to come up with a simple solution that doesn't involve tagging or targetting people. I've been incorporating suggestions and tweaking to avoid pitfalls as we go on. Sometimes I just outright disagree.
• 2010-03-24 00:18:04 Amethyst: I'd bring all these qualities to any disputes I have to settle as DP.
• 2010-03-24 00:18:15 Izzy: I could step up on my soap box and say you should vote for me because i've been around the longest and i could point out flaws in my opponents but i promised that's the exact kind of campaign i swore i wouldn't run. if you vote for me i can guarantee i'll be around til the end of the tale, i can promise to listen and be a fair mediator in any dispute, i'll stand up for whats right and fair and good for egypt as a hole. i firmly believe in teamwork and compromise. and if your looking for me to say a single bad thing about my opponents look elswehere it's not my style
• 2010-03-24 00:20:42 Orishas: I'll be repeating myself a bit here but its how I feel. I will be enthusiasm to the position, and I plan to be here long term through the endgame. I'm an active player, and I'd like to think I've made a place in the community. I'm good at handling pressure; I like to see things through and have dealth with many conflicts in my RL job.
• 2010-03-24 00:21:10 Orishas: *I will bring enthusiasm
• 2010-03-24 00:21:17 Orishas: I have a passion for this game and for the community in it.
• 2010-03-24 00:21:34 Orishas: I can sacrafice personal goals to help the community as a whole.
• 2010-03-24 00:23:09 Draim: Thank you everyone! I want to take this time to thank everyone: The candidates who have taken significant time out of their game time to answer questions and the community who listened and asked those questions and I hope that everyone was able to learn more about the candidates
• 2010-03-24 00:24:23 Draim: I'll leave everyone with the fact that RedOmen wants to know if you will pass health care reform and Marcus would sell you his soul for ash :)
• 2010-03-24 00:25:28 Draim: I'll post the links to this and the other debate in a couple minutes when I post the new one
• 2010-03-24 00:25:40 Draim: but thank you all! *******************