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Difference between revisions of "Demipharaoh Debates/2015 12"

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Back to [[Demipharaoh_Debates|Demi-Pharaoh Debates]]<br>
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==DP Debate Format Tale VII - 3nd DP Election, Sunday, December 13 2015 3PM EST/20:00 UTC==
 
==DP Debate Format Tale VII - 3nd DP Election, Sunday, December 13 2015 3PM EST/20:00 UTC==
  
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| Anonymous  ||  Do you have any thoughts on how relevant it is 'how' people get to the final ballot? Is it fair game to have alts in early rounds voting for themselves as another character or blocking opponents? Do you *want* to be DP? Why? ||  
 
| Anonymous  ||  Do you have any thoughts on how relevant it is 'how' people get to the final ballot? Is it fair game to have alts in early rounds voting for themselves as another character or blocking opponents? Do you *want* to be DP? Why? ||  
 
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| Anonymous  || What have you done, or what do you plan to do, to benefit Egypt as a whole || Ariella
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| Anonymous  || What have you done, or what do you plan to do, to benefit Egypt as a whole || Ariella & Balthazarr
 
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|  Anonymous || Under what circumstances do you believe DPs should use permanent bans? If you are versed in ATITD lore, feel free to give an example from a previous tale where you agreed or disagreed with a ban, if you cannot give examples from the past feel free to just discuss the merits of certain situations (hypothetical or otherwise) over others.  || Ariella
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|  Anonymous || Under what circumstances do you believe DPs should use permanent bans? If you are versed in ATITD lore, feel free to give an example from a previous tale where you agreed or disagreed with a ban, if you cannot give examples from the past feel free to just discuss the merits of certain situations (hypothetical or otherwise) over others.  || Ariella & Balthazarr
 
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|  Hirokache ||  If you had the power to change one aspect of this game, what would it be, and why?  ||
 
|  Hirokache ||  If you had the power to change one aspect of this game, what would it be, and why?  ||
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|  Hirokache ||  What one thing would you bring back from previous tales and why?  ||
 
|  Hirokache ||  What one thing would you bring back from previous tales and why?  ||
 
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|  Anonymous || In other tales DPs elected at the beginning of the tale leave before the game end. This leaves a vacumn at the end game when they are needed the most. What is your committment to the game and how will you manage to last the entire tale?  || Ariella
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|  Anonymous || In other tales DPs elected at the beginning of the tale leave before the game end. This leaves a vacumn at the end game when they are needed the most. What is your committment to the game and how will you manage to last the entire tale?  || Ariella & Balthazarr
 
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|  Kuu  || The Anti-Griefer Act allows DPs to get Egypt's opinion on a ban via poll within a short timeframe, and that seems obviously preferable to deferring to a single person's opinion (or even a few people's opinions) on whether someone should be banned. In what situation would you use the normal DP ban rather than using an AGA ballot?  ||
 
|  Kuu  || The Anti-Griefer Act allows DPs to get Egypt's opinion on a ban via poll within a short timeframe, and that seems obviously preferable to deferring to a single person's opinion (or even a few people's opinions) on whether someone should be banned. In what situation would you use the normal DP ban rather than using an AGA ballot?  ||
 
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| DaSpozz  || Question to Ariella - You are married to Pascalito, who I believe is also currently serving as the first DP of this tale. Do you feel that this could cause some unease amongst citizens looking for objectivity where their potential issue is concerned? Do you feel a husband and wife team would be more suitable as DP's, and if so, why?  ||
 
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Augir: Welcome to the Second Debate for Demi-Pharaoh of the 7th Tale of ATITD! For the duration of the debate normal Egypt Today posts will be halted (please use Egyptian Exchange for comments and normal posting during this period) and only debate-appropriate posts will be let through. Our candidates for this debate: Ariella and Balthazarr!
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Augir:''' For start please tell us more about yourself, how long you've been playing etc. :)'''
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Augir: While you are typing I'll quickly go over how we are running this, our Debate Format:
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Augir: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale7/Demipharaoh_Debates/2015_12
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Augir: I'll post a question ... each candidate will type response, I will post them all at the same time, and then a couple of minutes for follow-up or rebuttal or additional comment, before moving on to the next question. While the candidates are preparing an answer to the first question, the first of the pre-answered questions and answers will be posted. That will allow the candidates time to work on their answers to the question from the audience.
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Ariella: I am a veteran player, having started the first day of Tale 2 and continuing in every tale. I love the game and have met players that have become my friends and even my real life husband! For those that do not know me, calmness is my general personality. The social aspect is the most fun thing about the game.
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Ariella: DP is Demipharaoh, which has visibility as pharaoh's representative in game. As for leadership ability I have owned my own business for over 30 years. Since it is a service business (window cleaning with 5 great men as employees) I resolve conflicts between employees and with customers in way to gain the best outcome in most cases. Listening and taking time before acting keeps quick judgement from making mistaken actions. Having grown up in a large family and raised my own and being a Nana now I have learned much about interpersonal relationships during tense emotional situations.
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Ariella: I have two sons and 4 grankiddos that I am Nana to :) One of them likes to help me fish in this game. She wished that there were pets and that the chariot stops had horsies that we can ride.
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Ariella: I am married to Pascalito in game and real life. My hobbies are woodworking (making guitars), watercolor, gardening (loads of flower beds) and sewing. I'm originally a country girl from Texas. A bernedoodle and goldendoodle and a Norwegian Forest cat keep me company during the day where I work at home with my window cleaning business. I have 5 fantastic guys that work for me.
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Balthazarr: Hello, Ladies and Gentlemen, my fellow Egyptians, thank you for joining us for today's debate. I would like to thank Ariella, my worthy opponent, for joining me here today to answer your questions, I would also like to thank Augir and the Egypt Today microphone guild for hosting this debate. This is my 5th tale. . . I played almost all of T2, all of T3 and a little bit of T4 & T6. My focus has always been on teamwork and helping make Egypt a better place for all of us. I love the camaraderie and teamwork that exist, as well as interacting with players from all over the world; I find this especially fun and rewarding. Working together discovering the little nooks, intricacies and hidden things in the game is quite enjoyable. In every tale I've tended to live in the Southern part of Egypt. . . Upper Nubia, Kush, Meroe & South Egypt. Despite living in the south, I have been involved in activities all over the map. I've been involved with research, public works, public service (Goods Teller, Microphone Owner & Moderator and Pyramids), group worship tests (Vigil, Festival & Pilgrimage leader), group leadership tests (Plantation, Bureau and Cartouche organizer & Mentoring and teaching), group architecture tests (Aqueduct, Mega, Seven Phoenix & Throne of Pharaoh organizer) and many other things I am forgetting ATM.
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Balthazarr: Some personal info. . . In T2 & T3 I was married to Sparkle, and we are still friends to this day, and talk on Skype. T6 & T7 I am married to MissBarbara, and we also Skype. In every tale I have been on Skype, TeamSpeak, Mubble or whatever VOIP option players liked to use at the time. I love talking with people, and will always take the opportunity to talk rather than type if possible. I am a full tale pre-pay, so I will not be disappearing. I have made oracle in each tale that I played except T4, and plan to be an oracle this tale. Never been super concerned about leading a monument, BUT have aggressively worked to make sure that the monuments get done.
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Balthazarr: I have had laws passed in in T7 and T2, and will probably try to write another one this tale (I have a few possible laws brewing in my head ATM), as well as help others write laws. I think the role of Demi-Pharaoh should essentially be the role of any responsible player, DP or not DP, that being that any responsible player can help make the game a happier and better place for all of us. To that end helping to resolve disputes and mediate conflicts can be done by anyone DP or not. I have helped resolve conflicts regardless of if a DP was available or not. Everyone should consider taking a roll in resolving conflicts between other players and help to make the game better for all of us. Egypt is a huge place there is room for everyone here. To get into childish squabbles over things is pretty much a foolish thing to do. There is always some level of conflict between people who have different points of view but as I stated before Egypt is a large place and you do not need to do things with people that you cannot get along with. If negotiation and conflict resolution cannot resolve the differences between players they should consider possibly not doing the same things together at the same time or living as next-door neighbors. We are all here to have a good time, So let's all try to be friends and to work together.
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Augir: thanks you both for the intro. Lets start with first question...
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Augir: '''Q1: If you win this election you will pass the test of the Demi-Pharaoh and be our 3rd DP of this tale. There are a variety of points of view on what the role of DP should and shouldn't be, what is yours?'''
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Augir: While the candidates are preparing an answer to the first question, the first of the pre-answered questions and answers..
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Balthazarr: '''Q: What have you done, or what do you plan to do, to benefit Egypt as a whole.'''
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Balthazarr: A: I plan to continue doing most if not all of the activities that I listed in my opening statement. Passing tests is not a number one priority for me, BUT organizing things and helping people is my priority. Continuing to help with research and teaching/mentoring, public works and public activities, as well as organizing group activities and tests are my focus. Thank you. :-)
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Augir: and Q1 again..
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Augir: '''Q1: If you win this election you will pass the test of the Demi-Pharaoh and be our 3rd DP of this tale. There are a variety of points of view on what the role of DP should and shouldn't be, what is yours?'''
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Ariella: Demipharoah...a partial pharaoh. The ruler. In one of our tales we had the Pharaoh's two sons wanting to be the next ruler. They had differing opinions about how to rule.
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Ariella: Service is the key to leading in my book. Service for the other egyptians in encouragement, help with knowing how to complete their tests and and the whole of living in egypt where are knowledgeable. DPs are sometimes asked to talk to players having severe disagreements and see if they can make some peace out of the situation.
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Ariella: And leading is to listen. You represent the people to the pharaoh.
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Balthazarr: Although not limited to people who are demi-pharaohs, being a DP can be useful to help resolve disputes and disagreements. To be able to assist in the resolution of a disagreement, where both parties in the end are at least reasonably happy with the results is a rewarding thing for everyone concerned. On the off chance that the dispute cannot be resolved when brought to my attention, I would involve other DPs and leaders in the game to help resolve this problem. Only as a very, very, very last resort would I ever consider using the ban and I would never do so unilaterally.
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Augir: '''Q2: As a DP, what will you do to help "solve" the Raeli ovens problems that occur, when there are disputes about placing ovens on clay patches covered in bonefire, or any of the other related topics that tend to invoke drama?'''
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Augir: While the candidates are preparing an answer to the second question, the first of the pre-answered questions and answers from Ariella:
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Ariella: '''What have you done or what do you plan to do to benefit Egypt as a whole?'''
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Ariella: I love the game and want to see it continue to have enough players to make it viable. Pluribus has put a huge amount of his time and thoughts besides a large amount of assets into fixing the game and making it better. This is a totally unique game and worth continuing.
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Ariella: To honor his effort and the players' enjoyment one of my contributions has been to make wiki guides. I will list those.
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Ariella: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale7/Dear_Ariella_New_Player_Guide A comprehensive guide for newbies and oldies alike.
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Ariella: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale7/Guides/Vineyards_and_Wine_Guide
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Ariella: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale7/Ariella_and_Pascalito_Cooking_Tutorial
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Ariella: The above is the first link to look at to learn about ATITD genetics. The rest of those links on the Guides page under the topic Genetics were pages I made and update as the tales have progressed.
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Ariella: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale7/Advanced_Glassblowing_How-To see my contribution on an easy way to make thermometer.
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Ariella: I formed the guild Garden of Eden to be a teaching and learning guild and just a fun place to get pointers on any system in the game. We coordinate on different techs throughout Egypt. The guild has seasoned players that can give tips on about any system in the game and we have new players so they have a place to go to for help. Genetics techs are unique in that they need to be opened in every region to hand out differing flora items like lilies, roses, wheat, vines and mutagens.
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Ariella: But my major contribution is to help other players day to day in general. I'm a major shroomer and I give out more detailed information on where to find a player's current list of DN shrooms. Shroomdar is invaluable but it does not have the current details like what range of area are the sun star shrooms in and to get your field of view lower on the horizon because the pairs of dots look like fleas.
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Ariella: . Yes I pester to get all the chariot stops open but it's important for the players that live in far out places and comes in very handy during events. I'll coordinate gathering of mats for techs, especially mats that are rarer to find.
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Ariella: . For the future, I am oracling in Leadership partly to be able to carry more petitions. I come up with ideas that will hopefully help the game prosper. I will continue to help throughout the tale with areas of my expertise when players ask. I will continue to make my guides better and add more guides as time permits. I hope that we can get a mic to make a Learning Channel. My crossbreeding knowledge and ability will continue to improve the vines, flowers, wheat, flax that all players can use to pass tests and play the game more easily. I will help behind the scenes in different areas. I love to encourage others which in this game after the first phase continuing on can get a bit overwhelming. All of this is enjoyable!
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Ariella: Lastly I promise to proliferate flowers to decorate Egypt with :)
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Augir: and Q2 again with our answers...
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Augir: '''Q2: As a DP, what will you do to help "solve" the Raeli ovens problems that occur, when there are disputes about placing ovens on clay patches covered in bonefire, or any of the other related topics that tend to invoke drama?'''
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Ariella: Raeli ovens, one of the most controversial parts of the game. How to solve the raeli oven issue? The game allows building ovens anywhere (given there are no others built first within a certain radius). So players put bonfires or other 'holders' on clay patches to hold their clay patch.
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Ariella: We can always talk to Pluribus or the devs about suggestions for changing the system
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Ariella: I do have a cornerstone building protection plan I will be putting out as a petition soon. That should help minimize the problem close to one's camp.
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Ariella: Other than that, first we are adults playing. It is our responsiblity to decide if we want to be considerate in both building near another person's camp or not and living with the consequences. It is within the building rules to do so.
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Ariella: After the fact fierce arguments a DP can listen to the reasoning and give suggestions if asked. Otherwise DPs cannot do much more. My biggest suggestion is will you feel okay if the other person quits the game because of your action? But again, we are adults
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Balthazarr: Well the first part of the question has an easy answer, according to the game rules the first structure built has priority and any structure overbuilding it is an exploit. In the case of a Raeli Oven being built on top of the bonfire, a GM call is all the bonfire owner needs to do to get the oven removed. GMs have already removed several exploiting Raeli Oven construction sites. In the case of an unprotected clay bed, a little bit of courtesy would go a very long way. Building a Raeli Oven next to someone else's personal compound is not the nicest thing to do. There are plenty of clay patches in the game, there's probably one 100 or 200 coords away that is not next to someone else's compound, Please consider building there rather than building next to someone else's house. In a situation like this, you know other negotiations came to a happy resolution, I would offer to salvage and replace any of the lost materials so that the open owner could rebuild at the nearby clay bed. I have Salvage 7 and I am always happy to salvage for others.
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Augir: '''Q3, How many mentor shrines have you consecrated (not built by your alts)?'''
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Balthazarr: I have never asked anyone to build me a mentor shrine. I did pass mentorship in 3 prior tales. In T7 I do not have any yet. When I help people I do not do it for a guaranteed reward. I have never bought a mentor shrine. To me buying a mentor shrine is like saying I just want to pass this test, without actually doing with the spirit of the testing entails.
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Ariella: None yet. I think I forget that particular test. I mentor in general where I can but do not focus on getting a shrine.
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Augir: '''Q4, If you are elected DP and it is brought to your attention that a very close friend or Guildmate had used explosives to destroy a travel facility in Egypt, first how would you handle that? secondly Should anyone who uses explosives to grief or retaliate, be banned permanently?'''
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Augir: While the candidates are preparing an answer to the question, the second of the pre-answered questions and answers from Ariella:
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Ariella: '''Under what circumstances do you believe DPs should use permanent bans? If you are versed in ATITD lore, feel free to give an example from a previous tale where you agreed or disagreed with a ban. If you cannot give examples from the past feel free to just discuss the merits of certain situations (hypothetical or otherwise) over others.'''
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Ariella: My first tale, T2 (when divorce in Egypt did not exist) I was game married to a nice Australian player. He was congenial and had introduced me to this game when we were playing another game. Nearer the end of the tale, he went rogue suddenly and proclaimed that he was going to grief in any way he could and as many players as he could. It was a total shock. He asked that he be banned or he would continue on his threats.
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Ariella: I tried to talk to him, other players tried to talk to him. He repeated saying the threats. One of the DPs asked me on the behalf of the other DPs (I was not a DP in T2) if I thought he should be banned. I said yes because it was not fair to the other players and he was making good on his threats with no intention of stopping. The DPs were worried that I would have to be a single player for the rest of the tale. He was banned. It was also a definite consensus of Egyptians that wanted him out of the game.
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Ariella: Later I spoke with him and he apologized. He had gone through several very rough life circumstances all at the same time and snapped.
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Ariella: On the other hand in past tales I have seen a few DPs use a ban for more or less personal reasons and too quickly. Not my style. We have the Anti-Griefer Act so that the rest of the players help decide on the banning issue. For the most part a griefer is usually conspicuous. If the ban is contemplated on being used too quickly for a single act of perceived griefing then the DP should take a look at themselves to make sure it is not a personal anger wish carried out. Whether it is or not, the players will not be happy that they were not included in the decision. Demi-Pharaoh…a servant of Egypt, in my opinion
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Augir: and Q4 again with answers:
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Augir: '''Q4, If you are elected DP and it is brought to your attention that a very close friend or Guildmate had used explosives to destroy a travel facility in Egypt, first how would you handle that? secondly Should anyone who uses explosives to grief or retaliate, be banned permanently?'''
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Balthazarr: First, I would help to organize the repair of the facility, regardless of who blew it up. Then we would need to find out why the destruction happened. Everyone deserves to be heard and everyone deserves a second chance. To ban someone for a first offense would be taking things too an extreme. If they showed remorse and were apologetic as well as help repair the damage they should be given a second chance.
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Balthazarr: If they continued to use explosives like they were wood planes, considering a ban would be more appropriate.
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Ariella: Explosives, like raeli ovens are allowed in the game. See my above comments. If a close friend destroyed a chariot spot I would talk to them to find out why? I would look on wiki to see if it can be by accident if they say it was an accident. If on purpose then it would be griefing.
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Ariella: The only person with access to my account is my rl husband, Pascalito, who is also a DP. His record is stellar as far as being a trusted and responsible player.Egypt quickly and consensus would most probably be to put the person up for a ban. What if the person promises never to use explosives and apologizes?
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Ariella: Personally I doubt that someone blowing up a chariot stop would apologize but if they did? Discuss it with the playerbase (fellow DPs included) and see the general consensus. Is it worth allowing the second chance for a grief like that? It would depend on the circumstances but probably not.
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Ariella: The Anti-Griefer Act then allows a DP to put that person up for a ban. Griefing with explosives would carry a high likelihood in general for using a ban. But each case is individual. Jumping to a quick ban should not be for personal anger but in the best interest of the majority of players.
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Augir: '''Q5, Does anyone have access to login to your account? (ie, would any person other than yourself ever have access to your ban powers)? Note: spouselog does not allow access to ban powers. Short answer please.'''
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Ariella: The only person with access to my account is my rl husband, Pascalito, who is also a DP. His record is stellar as far as being a trusted and responsible player.
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Balthazarr: No one has my password other than myself.
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Eugenius: Question: Does you have access to other accounts (paid accounts not your own) (folllow up to Q5) I came in late
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Augir: While the candidates are preparing an answer to the question, the next of the pre-answered questions and answers:
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Balthazarr: '''Q: In other tales DPs elected at the beginning of the tale leave before the game end. This leaves a vacuum at the end game when they are needed the most. What is your commitment to the game and how will you manage to last the entire tale?'''
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Balthazarr: A: I am fully committed to be here for the balance of the tale, I am a full tale prepay. For those of you who remember me from T2, T3 for T6, you might remember that I was one of the people really trying hard to make sure all of the monuments were built, despite never being an oracle of a monument. All of us win when the monuments are completed new tests are given to future generations. I doubt that I will run out of enjoyable things to do and discover here in game. I am not leaving the tale any time soon.
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Augir: and response to Eugenius question:
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Balthazarr: I have paid for 4 full-time tellings, 2 alts, kuupid's and my own. Other than these 4 accounts I have not logged into any other accounts this tale. I have only logged into kuupid's when she has called me and asked me to do something for her, when her cancer treatments have prevented her from being able to login to the game. I have never spouse logged into kuupid's husband's account, nor would I unless given explicit direction to do so, by her husband.
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Ariella: I only have access to my rl husband's account, Pascalito. No others and never have in any tale.
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Augir: '''Q6, What are your thoughts on an individual/guild monopolizing a tech or resource, for example Silver Vein in T2, Raeli Ovens in T6, xxx tech/resource in T7? Do you feel there should be *any* limits on "ownership"?'''
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Augir: While the candidates are preparing an answer to the question, another of the pre-answered questions and answers:
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Balthazarr: '''Q: Under what circumstances do you believe DPs should use permanent bans? If you are versed in ATITD lore, feel free to give an example from a previous tale where you agreed or disagreed with a ban, if you cannot give examples from the past feel free to just discuss the merits of certain situations (hypothetical or otherwise) over others.'''
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Balthazarr: A: If it is at all possible discussion and negotiation should be used to avoid the need to use a ban. If a ban needs to be used, one of the temporary bans should be used first. I have been the DP two times, and I have never used any of my bans. Banning should never be unilateral or spur of the moment decision, others involved. In past tales, where there was the divorce there were several marriage bans when one of the couple went crazy. There also have been GeoGuy White players in prior tales that were banned. Most of these bans were justified. Most of these bans involved prior conversation and discussion. There have been a handful of vindictive unilateral bans, none of wish I approve of.
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Augir: and Q6 again with answers:
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Augir: '''Q6, What are your thoughts on an individual/guild monopolizing a tech or resource, for example Silver Vein in T2, Raeli Ovens in T6, xxx tech/resource in T7? Do you feel there should be *any* limits on "ownership"?'''
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Ariella: According to game rules right now there are no limits so until/unless a law is proposed limiting building mines or ovens by a guild or single person for that matter it would not matter how I feel about it.
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Ariella: I do feel that it would be very difficult to make a fair law to impinge on the freedoms in game. It is possible and there have been excellent laws that have been made and reused tale after tale. I personally and most players do not enjoy a huge monopoly on a rarer resource or the only resource like it. But when limits are put you have to be careful that it does not come back to haunt others or yourself in a negative way either. A balance of freedoms and restrictions is best.
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Ariella: You can always talk to the 'guild' people or persons whom in your viewpoint are monopolizing. I have found that works to come to a different resolution.
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Balthazarr: One of the things unique to this game is the legal system. If there is a monopoly and enough people are bothered by it, a law can be written to allow others to have access to that limited resource. To completely monopolize a resource is not the nicest thing to do, but is not restricted in the game. I would hope that we could all work together for the betterment of all of us. Thank you.
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Augir: Q7, What other powers would you like to see DPs hold, in the interests of improving game play?
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Augir: While the candidates are preparing an answer to the question, another of the pre-answered questions:
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Ariella: '''In other tales DPs elected at the beginning of the tale to leave before the game ended. This leaves a vacuum at the end game when they are needed the most. What is your commitment to the game and how will you manage to last the entire tale?'''
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Ariella: In every tale since T2 (except T6 for some severe family health issues I had to deal with) I have played through until the end. T7 I have paid for the full tale. In one tale my husband and I worked on and finished an ambitious project right up until the end of the game:
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Ariella: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale4/Sea_Lily_Colors
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Ariella: Genetics is one game system where work in that system can be carried over into the next. There are plenty of things to do til the very end not the least of which is to have the company of friends and be there as a DP since players trusted you.
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Ariella: In other words, my history has shown that I like to stay all tale and continue working for the game and the players.
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Augir: and Q7 again with answers:
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Augir: '''Q7, What other powers would you like to see DPs hold, in the interests of improving game play?'''
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Ariella: I hesitate to add more power to the DPs. If in seven tales the ban is the one real power. Since I have seen examples of a DP misusing the ban it would be reasonable to believe that a new power would be misused. Using temporary game jail would be even easier to misuse. We can always go the law route for putting up a person for temporary jail.
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Ariella: I cannot think of a new power for DP right now but I would hear out if anyone else has good suggestions.
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Balthazarr: In a past tales, there was a law that allowed a DP to start an emergency law ballot. Having this back would be a good option. It allowed a single law to be balloted and too have it quickly voted upon by the people of Egypt. This was very useful to deal with unforeseen conflicts or strive in the game. And on the off chance that we had a DP go crazy like Casino did in T4, an emergency law ballot would allow for the stripping of bans or the out right exile of a DP gone bad.
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Augir: thanks you both for answers, 10 Q/A in little over 90 min. Closing statements please
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Augir: We will have to wait for closing statements. I stand corrected.. spouselog allows use of ban powers in T7. With that we have a bonus question:
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Augir: '''Do you trust your spouse with the ban? Do others have access to *their* accounts to the best of your knowledge?'''
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Kuu: Augir: BTW Pluribus says on IRC that spouselog doesn't restrict the banpowers, spouses should be able to use them. Ariella could confirm maybe (whether the option is there, of course, not whether the ban works ;)
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Ariella: Yes, I did confirm that I could do spouse login and ban. Poor brucette was the guineau pig to see if that option was true.
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brucette: I was just chased by Pascalito to test, it is confirmed.
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Augir: Answers to bonus question next...
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Balthazarr: MissBarbara does not share her password with anyone. She has been a Demi-Pharaoh in 2 prior tales (T1 & T6) and can be trusted to not use my bans this tale, via spouse logging. At the end of T1 a "test" ban was done, since no one had ever been banned before, but this was only a "test" similar to the joke bans that happen at the end of many tales. As for Ariella, her real life and game husband, Pascalito was the first Demi-Pharaoh of the tale, so he would only need to use Ariella's bans if he wanted to ban more than 7 people. Just kidding, I really do not see Pascalito needing the ban anyone, let alone more than 7. :-)
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Ariella: I completely trust my spouse with the ban! He has been a DP since T3. Since he is also my real life husband I know that no one else has password either. And he knows the same for me.
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Augir: '''and Closing Statements from both Candidates'''
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Balthazarr: Ladies and Gentlemen, my fellow Egyptians, thank you for tuning into the debate. I would like to thank Ariella, my worthy opponent, for joining me here today to answer your questions, I would also like to thank Augir and the Egypt Today microphone guild for hosting this debate. Both Ariella and myself have been Demi-Pharaohs in prior tales, so there really is no bad choice. I would very much appreciate the opportunity to be a Demi-Pharaoh again. I pledge to be here for the balance of the tale and to continue to do the Good Works, Teaching & Mentoring, Research and Group Organizing that I have done in the past. This is only the third election of the tale; please consider voting for me to help bring some more diversity to the elected Demi-Pharaohs. Each individual brings a different set of skills and talents to the table, please consider what I have done in the past and what I will be doing in the future. The end goal here is to have a wonderful T7 where we can all work together, be happy and build seven (or more) monuments to give us new tests for T8. I am at your and Egypt's service. Thank you for your support. :-)
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Ariella: Thank you for listening to both of your DP potentials! I appreciate having this chance. Whether I am voted as a DP or not I will still do the same things I always do to help.
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Ariella: I have enjoyed meeting and getting to know more and more players each tale!
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Augir: Thanks to both candidates and everone reading, Boards are back to original purpose.

Latest revision as of 14:08, 12 February 2016

Back to Demi-Pharaoh Debates

DP Debate Format Tale VII - 3nd DP Election, Sunday, December 13 2015 3PM EST/20:00 UTC

The debate provides an opportunity for DP candidates to express their opinions on issues relevant to Egypt's population, so responding to questions from citizens is important. However, due to the nature of the Egypt-wide chat channels, it can be difficult to express coherent responses due to interrupting comments. Also, a one or two minute time limit for answers doesn't always allow enough time for a thorough, thoughtful response.

For this debate there will be two parts:

  • Normal question and answer, like we have now. But limited to perhaps 5-7 questions.
  • Pre-answered questions.

The way the pre-answered questions would work is this:

  • Two or three days prior to the debate, an announcement is made that questions may be submitted for the debate. The questions must be posted to a web page designated, e.g. Third DP Debate Questions.
  • Each candidate is instructed to identify 3 questions from those submitted as "Accepted"
  • Each candidate must then prepare an answer in advance to *all* the accepted questions.
  • Answers to the accepted questions will be submitted to the moderator at the start of the debate.


The actual debate might be structured thus:

  • Opening remarks from each candidate.
  • One question from the audience.
  • While the candidates are preparing an answer to the first question, the first of the pre-answered questions and answers can be posted. That will allow the candidates time to work on their answers to the question from the audience.
  • Repeat that, alternating between live audience questions and pre-answered questions.
  • Closing remarks.


Question List

The candidates will be selecting up to Three questions each. The candidates have agreed to answer all of the questions selected by either candidate, and will prepare those answers prior to the debate. If you question is not selected, you can always submit it during the debate for possible inclusion then. In addition, the moderator may also select a question from the list for the candidates to answer prior to the debate.


Please enter your name and question in the table below.


Your name Question Accepted by
John Q. Egyptian Under what circumstances would you use the ban as DP?
Anonymous If the general consensus of the rest of the DPs were that that person should not be banned, but you felt strongly that they should, what would you do?
Anonymous Do you have any thoughts on how relevant it is 'how' people get to the final ballot? Is it fair game to have alts in early rounds voting for themselves as another character or blocking opponents? Do you *want* to be DP? Why?
Anonymous What have you done, or what do you plan to do, to benefit Egypt as a whole Ariella & Balthazarr
Anonymous Under what circumstances do you believe DPs should use permanent bans? If you are versed in ATITD lore, feel free to give an example from a previous tale where you agreed or disagreed with a ban, if you cannot give examples from the past feel free to just discuss the merits of certain situations (hypothetical or otherwise) over others. Ariella & Balthazarr
Hirokache If you had the power to change one aspect of this game, what would it be, and why?
Hirokache What one thing would you bring back from previous tales and why?
Anonymous In other tales DPs elected at the beginning of the tale leave before the game end. This leaves a vacumn at the end game when they are needed the most. What is your committment to the game and how will you manage to last the entire tale? Ariella & Balthazarr
Kuu The Anti-Griefer Act allows DPs to get Egypt's opinion on a ban via poll within a short timeframe, and that seems obviously preferable to deferring to a single person's opinion (or even a few people's opinions) on whether someone should be banned. In what situation would you use the normal DP ban rather than using an AGA ballot?
DaSpozz Question to Ariella - You are married to Pascalito, who I believe is also currently serving as the first DP of this tale. Do you feel that this could cause some unease amongst citizens looking for objectivity where their potential issue is concerned? Do you feel a husband and wife team would be more suitable as DP's, and if so, why?

Augir: Welcome to the Second Debate for Demi-Pharaoh of the 7th Tale of ATITD! For the duration of the debate normal Egypt Today posts will be halted (please use Egyptian Exchange for comments and normal posting during this period) and only debate-appropriate posts will be let through. Our candidates for this debate: Ariella and Balthazarr!

Augir: For start please tell us more about yourself, how long you've been playing etc. :)

Augir: While you are typing I'll quickly go over how we are running this, our Debate Format:

Augir: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale7/Demipharaoh_Debates/2015_12

Augir: I'll post a question ... each candidate will type response, I will post them all at the same time, and then a couple of minutes for follow-up or rebuttal or additional comment, before moving on to the next question. While the candidates are preparing an answer to the first question, the first of the pre-answered questions and answers will be posted. That will allow the candidates time to work on their answers to the question from the audience.

Ariella: I am a veteran player, having started the first day of Tale 2 and continuing in every tale. I love the game and have met players that have become my friends and even my real life husband! For those that do not know me, calmness is my general personality. The social aspect is the most fun thing about the game. Ariella: DP is Demipharaoh, which has visibility as pharaoh's representative in game. As for leadership ability I have owned my own business for over 30 years. Since it is a service business (window cleaning with 5 great men as employees) I resolve conflicts between employees and with customers in way to gain the best outcome in most cases. Listening and taking time before acting keeps quick judgement from making mistaken actions. Having grown up in a large family and raised my own and being a Nana now I have learned much about interpersonal relationships during tense emotional situations.

Ariella: I have two sons and 4 grankiddos that I am Nana to :) One of them likes to help me fish in this game. She wished that there were pets and that the chariot stops had horsies that we can ride.

Ariella: I am married to Pascalito in game and real life. My hobbies are woodworking (making guitars), watercolor, gardening (loads of flower beds) and sewing. I'm originally a country girl from Texas. A bernedoodle and goldendoodle and a Norwegian Forest cat keep me company during the day where I work at home with my window cleaning business. I have 5 fantastic guys that work for me.

Balthazarr: Hello, Ladies and Gentlemen, my fellow Egyptians, thank you for joining us for today's debate. I would like to thank Ariella, my worthy opponent, for joining me here today to answer your questions, I would also like to thank Augir and the Egypt Today microphone guild for hosting this debate. This is my 5th tale. . . I played almost all of T2, all of T3 and a little bit of T4 & T6. My focus has always been on teamwork and helping make Egypt a better place for all of us. I love the camaraderie and teamwork that exist, as well as interacting with players from all over the world; I find this especially fun and rewarding. Working together discovering the little nooks, intricacies and hidden things in the game is quite enjoyable. In every tale I've tended to live in the Southern part of Egypt. . . Upper Nubia, Kush, Meroe & South Egypt. Despite living in the south, I have been involved in activities all over the map. I've been involved with research, public works, public service (Goods Teller, Microphone Owner & Moderator and Pyramids), group worship tests (Vigil, Festival & Pilgrimage leader), group leadership tests (Plantation, Bureau and Cartouche organizer & Mentoring and teaching), group architecture tests (Aqueduct, Mega, Seven Phoenix & Throne of Pharaoh organizer) and many other things I am forgetting ATM.

Balthazarr: Some personal info. . . In T2 & T3 I was married to Sparkle, and we are still friends to this day, and talk on Skype. T6 & T7 I am married to MissBarbara, and we also Skype. In every tale I have been on Skype, TeamSpeak, Mubble or whatever VOIP option players liked to use at the time. I love talking with people, and will always take the opportunity to talk rather than type if possible. I am a full tale pre-pay, so I will not be disappearing. I have made oracle in each tale that I played except T4, and plan to be an oracle this tale. Never been super concerned about leading a monument, BUT have aggressively worked to make sure that the monuments get done.

Balthazarr: I have had laws passed in in T7 and T2, and will probably try to write another one this tale (I have a few possible laws brewing in my head ATM), as well as help others write laws. I think the role of Demi-Pharaoh should essentially be the role of any responsible player, DP or not DP, that being that any responsible player can help make the game a happier and better place for all of us. To that end helping to resolve disputes and mediate conflicts can be done by anyone DP or not. I have helped resolve conflicts regardless of if a DP was available or not. Everyone should consider taking a roll in resolving conflicts between other players and help to make the game better for all of us. Egypt is a huge place there is room for everyone here. To get into childish squabbles over things is pretty much a foolish thing to do. There is always some level of conflict between people who have different points of view but as I stated before Egypt is a large place and you do not need to do things with people that you cannot get along with. If negotiation and conflict resolution cannot resolve the differences between players they should consider possibly not doing the same things together at the same time or living as next-door neighbors. We are all here to have a good time, So let's all try to be friends and to work together.

Augir: thanks you both for the intro. Lets start with first question...

Augir: Q1: If you win this election you will pass the test of the Demi-Pharaoh and be our 3rd DP of this tale. There are a variety of points of view on what the role of DP should and shouldn't be, what is yours?

Augir: While the candidates are preparing an answer to the first question, the first of the pre-answered questions and answers..

Balthazarr: Q: What have you done, or what do you plan to do, to benefit Egypt as a whole.

Balthazarr: A: I plan to continue doing most if not all of the activities that I listed in my opening statement. Passing tests is not a number one priority for me, BUT organizing things and helping people is my priority. Continuing to help with research and teaching/mentoring, public works and public activities, as well as organizing group activities and tests are my focus. Thank you. :-)

Augir: and Q1 again..

Augir: Q1: If you win this election you will pass the test of the Demi-Pharaoh and be our 3rd DP of this tale. There are a variety of points of view on what the role of DP should and shouldn't be, what is yours?

Ariella: Demipharoah...a partial pharaoh. The ruler. In one of our tales we had the Pharaoh's two sons wanting to be the next ruler. They had differing opinions about how to rule.

Ariella: Service is the key to leading in my book. Service for the other egyptians in encouragement, help with knowing how to complete their tests and and the whole of living in egypt where are knowledgeable. DPs are sometimes asked to talk to players having severe disagreements and see if they can make some peace out of the situation.

Ariella: And leading is to listen. You represent the people to the pharaoh.

Balthazarr: Although not limited to people who are demi-pharaohs, being a DP can be useful to help resolve disputes and disagreements. To be able to assist in the resolution of a disagreement, where both parties in the end are at least reasonably happy with the results is a rewarding thing for everyone concerned. On the off chance that the dispute cannot be resolved when brought to my attention, I would involve other DPs and leaders in the game to help resolve this problem. Only as a very, very, very last resort would I ever consider using the ban and I would never do so unilaterally.

Augir: Q2: As a DP, what will you do to help "solve" the Raeli ovens problems that occur, when there are disputes about placing ovens on clay patches covered in bonefire, or any of the other related topics that tend to invoke drama?

Augir: While the candidates are preparing an answer to the second question, the first of the pre-answered questions and answers from Ariella:

Ariella: What have you done or what do you plan to do to benefit Egypt as a whole?

Ariella: I love the game and want to see it continue to have enough players to make it viable. Pluribus has put a huge amount of his time and thoughts besides a large amount of assets into fixing the game and making it better. This is a totally unique game and worth continuing.

Ariella: To honor his effort and the players' enjoyment one of my contributions has been to make wiki guides. I will list those.

Ariella: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale7/Dear_Ariella_New_Player_Guide A comprehensive guide for newbies and oldies alike.

Ariella: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale7/Guides/Vineyards_and_Wine_Guide

Ariella: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale7/Ariella_and_Pascalito_Cooking_Tutorial

Ariella: The above is the first link to look at to learn about ATITD genetics. The rest of those links on the Guides page under the topic Genetics were pages I made and update as the tales have progressed. Ariella: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale7/Advanced_Glassblowing_How-To see my contribution on an easy way to make thermometer.

Ariella: I formed the guild Garden of Eden to be a teaching and learning guild and just a fun place to get pointers on any system in the game. We coordinate on different techs throughout Egypt. The guild has seasoned players that can give tips on about any system in the game and we have new players so they have a place to go to for help. Genetics techs are unique in that they need to be opened in every region to hand out differing flora items like lilies, roses, wheat, vines and mutagens.

Ariella: But my major contribution is to help other players day to day in general. I'm a major shroomer and I give out more detailed information on where to find a player's current list of DN shrooms. Shroomdar is invaluable but it does not have the current details like what range of area are the sun star shrooms in and to get your field of view lower on the horizon because the pairs of dots look like fleas.

Ariella: . Yes I pester to get all the chariot stops open but it's important for the players that live in far out places and comes in very handy during events. I'll coordinate gathering of mats for techs, especially mats that are rarer to find.

Ariella: . For the future, I am oracling in Leadership partly to be able to carry more petitions. I come up with ideas that will hopefully help the game prosper. I will continue to help throughout the tale with areas of my expertise when players ask. I will continue to make my guides better and add more guides as time permits. I hope that we can get a mic to make a Learning Channel. My crossbreeding knowledge and ability will continue to improve the vines, flowers, wheat, flax that all players can use to pass tests and play the game more easily. I will help behind the scenes in different areas. I love to encourage others which in this game after the first phase continuing on can get a bit overwhelming. All of this is enjoyable!

Ariella: Lastly I promise to proliferate flowers to decorate Egypt with :)

Augir: and Q2 again with our answers...

Augir: Q2: As a DP, what will you do to help "solve" the Raeli ovens problems that occur, when there are disputes about placing ovens on clay patches covered in bonefire, or any of the other related topics that tend to invoke drama?

Ariella: Raeli ovens, one of the most controversial parts of the game. How to solve the raeli oven issue? The game allows building ovens anywhere (given there are no others built first within a certain radius). So players put bonfires or other 'holders' on clay patches to hold their clay patch.

Ariella: We can always talk to Pluribus or the devs about suggestions for changing the system

Ariella: I do have a cornerstone building protection plan I will be putting out as a petition soon. That should help minimize the problem close to one's camp.

Ariella: Other than that, first we are adults playing. It is our responsiblity to decide if we want to be considerate in both building near another person's camp or not and living with the consequences. It is within the building rules to do so.

Ariella: After the fact fierce arguments a DP can listen to the reasoning and give suggestions if asked. Otherwise DPs cannot do much more. My biggest suggestion is will you feel okay if the other person quits the game because of your action? But again, we are adults

Balthazarr: Well the first part of the question has an easy answer, according to the game rules the first structure built has priority and any structure overbuilding it is an exploit. In the case of a Raeli Oven being built on top of the bonfire, a GM call is all the bonfire owner needs to do to get the oven removed. GMs have already removed several exploiting Raeli Oven construction sites. In the case of an unprotected clay bed, a little bit of courtesy would go a very long way. Building a Raeli Oven next to someone else's personal compound is not the nicest thing to do. There are plenty of clay patches in the game, there's probably one 100 or 200 coords away that is not next to someone else's compound, Please consider building there rather than building next to someone else's house. In a situation like this, you know other negotiations came to a happy resolution, I would offer to salvage and replace any of the lost materials so that the open owner could rebuild at the nearby clay bed. I have Salvage 7 and I am always happy to salvage for others.

Augir: Q3, How many mentor shrines have you consecrated (not built by your alts)?

Balthazarr: I have never asked anyone to build me a mentor shrine. I did pass mentorship in 3 prior tales. In T7 I do not have any yet. When I help people I do not do it for a guaranteed reward. I have never bought a mentor shrine. To me buying a mentor shrine is like saying I just want to pass this test, without actually doing with the spirit of the testing entails.

Ariella: None yet. I think I forget that particular test. I mentor in general where I can but do not focus on getting a shrine.

Augir: Q4, If you are elected DP and it is brought to your attention that a very close friend or Guildmate had used explosives to destroy a travel facility in Egypt, first how would you handle that? secondly Should anyone who uses explosives to grief or retaliate, be banned permanently?

Augir: While the candidates are preparing an answer to the question, the second of the pre-answered questions and answers from Ariella:

Ariella: Under what circumstances do you believe DPs should use permanent bans? If you are versed in ATITD lore, feel free to give an example from a previous tale where you agreed or disagreed with a ban. If you cannot give examples from the past feel free to just discuss the merits of certain situations (hypothetical or otherwise) over others.

Ariella: My first tale, T2 (when divorce in Egypt did not exist) I was game married to a nice Australian player. He was congenial and had introduced me to this game when we were playing another game. Nearer the end of the tale, he went rogue suddenly and proclaimed that he was going to grief in any way he could and as many players as he could. It was a total shock. He asked that he be banned or he would continue on his threats.

Ariella: I tried to talk to him, other players tried to talk to him. He repeated saying the threats. One of the DPs asked me on the behalf of the other DPs (I was not a DP in T2) if I thought he should be banned. I said yes because it was not fair to the other players and he was making good on his threats with no intention of stopping. The DPs were worried that I would have to be a single player for the rest of the tale. He was banned. It was also a definite consensus of Egyptians that wanted him out of the game.

Ariella: Later I spoke with him and he apologized. He had gone through several very rough life circumstances all at the same time and snapped.

Ariella: On the other hand in past tales I have seen a few DPs use a ban for more or less personal reasons and too quickly. Not my style. We have the Anti-Griefer Act so that the rest of the players help decide on the banning issue. For the most part a griefer is usually conspicuous. If the ban is contemplated on being used too quickly for a single act of perceived griefing then the DP should take a look at themselves to make sure it is not a personal anger wish carried out. Whether it is or not, the players will not be happy that they were not included in the decision. Demi-Pharaoh…a servant of Egypt, in my opinion

Augir: and Q4 again with answers:

Augir: Q4, If you are elected DP and it is brought to your attention that a very close friend or Guildmate had used explosives to destroy a travel facility in Egypt, first how would you handle that? secondly Should anyone who uses explosives to grief or retaliate, be banned permanently?

Balthazarr: First, I would help to organize the repair of the facility, regardless of who blew it up. Then we would need to find out why the destruction happened. Everyone deserves to be heard and everyone deserves a second chance. To ban someone for a first offense would be taking things too an extreme. If they showed remorse and were apologetic as well as help repair the damage they should be given a second chance.

Balthazarr: If they continued to use explosives like they were wood planes, considering a ban would be more appropriate.

Ariella: Explosives, like raeli ovens are allowed in the game. See my above comments. If a close friend destroyed a chariot spot I would talk to them to find out why? I would look on wiki to see if it can be by accident if they say it was an accident. If on purpose then it would be griefing.

Ariella: The only person with access to my account is my rl husband, Pascalito, who is also a DP. His record is stellar as far as being a trusted and responsible player.Egypt quickly and consensus would most probably be to put the person up for a ban. What if the person promises never to use explosives and apologizes?

Ariella: Personally I doubt that someone blowing up a chariot stop would apologize but if they did? Discuss it with the playerbase (fellow DPs included) and see the general consensus. Is it worth allowing the second chance for a grief like that? It would depend on the circumstances but probably not.

Ariella: The Anti-Griefer Act then allows a DP to put that person up for a ban. Griefing with explosives would carry a high likelihood in general for using a ban. But each case is individual. Jumping to a quick ban should not be for personal anger but in the best interest of the majority of players.

Augir: Q5, Does anyone have access to login to your account? (ie, would any person other than yourself ever have access to your ban powers)? Note: spouselog does not allow access to ban powers. Short answer please.

Ariella: The only person with access to my account is my rl husband, Pascalito, who is also a DP. His record is stellar as far as being a trusted and responsible player.

Balthazarr: No one has my password other than myself.

Eugenius: Question: Does you have access to other accounts (paid accounts not your own) (folllow up to Q5) I came in late

Augir: While the candidates are preparing an answer to the question, the next of the pre-answered questions and answers:

Balthazarr: Q: In other tales DPs elected at the beginning of the tale leave before the game end. This leaves a vacuum at the end game when they are needed the most. What is your commitment to the game and how will you manage to last the entire tale?

Balthazarr: A: I am fully committed to be here for the balance of the tale, I am a full tale prepay. For those of you who remember me from T2, T3 for T6, you might remember that I was one of the people really trying hard to make sure all of the monuments were built, despite never being an oracle of a monument. All of us win when the monuments are completed new tests are given to future generations. I doubt that I will run out of enjoyable things to do and discover here in game. I am not leaving the tale any time soon.

Augir: and response to Eugenius question:

Balthazarr: I have paid for 4 full-time tellings, 2 alts, kuupid's and my own. Other than these 4 accounts I have not logged into any other accounts this tale. I have only logged into kuupid's when she has called me and asked me to do something for her, when her cancer treatments have prevented her from being able to login to the game. I have never spouse logged into kuupid's husband's account, nor would I unless given explicit direction to do so, by her husband.

Ariella: I only have access to my rl husband's account, Pascalito. No others and never have in any tale.

Augir: Q6, What are your thoughts on an individual/guild monopolizing a tech or resource, for example Silver Vein in T2, Raeli Ovens in T6, xxx tech/resource in T7? Do you feel there should be *any* limits on "ownership"?

Augir: While the candidates are preparing an answer to the question, another of the pre-answered questions and answers:

Balthazarr: Q: Under what circumstances do you believe DPs should use permanent bans? If you are versed in ATITD lore, feel free to give an example from a previous tale where you agreed or disagreed with a ban, if you cannot give examples from the past feel free to just discuss the merits of certain situations (hypothetical or otherwise) over others.

Balthazarr: A: If it is at all possible discussion and negotiation should be used to avoid the need to use a ban. If a ban needs to be used, one of the temporary bans should be used first. I have been the DP two times, and I have never used any of my bans. Banning should never be unilateral or spur of the moment decision, others involved. In past tales, where there was the divorce there were several marriage bans when one of the couple went crazy. There also have been GeoGuy White players in prior tales that were banned. Most of these bans were justified. Most of these bans involved prior conversation and discussion. There have been a handful of vindictive unilateral bans, none of wish I approve of.

Augir: and Q6 again with answers:

Augir: Q6, What are your thoughts on an individual/guild monopolizing a tech or resource, for example Silver Vein in T2, Raeli Ovens in T6, xxx tech/resource in T7? Do you feel there should be *any* limits on "ownership"?

Ariella: According to game rules right now there are no limits so until/unless a law is proposed limiting building mines or ovens by a guild or single person for that matter it would not matter how I feel about it.

Ariella: I do feel that it would be very difficult to make a fair law to impinge on the freedoms in game. It is possible and there have been excellent laws that have been made and reused tale after tale. I personally and most players do not enjoy a huge monopoly on a rarer resource or the only resource like it. But when limits are put you have to be careful that it does not come back to haunt others or yourself in a negative way either. A balance of freedoms and restrictions is best.

Ariella: You can always talk to the 'guild' people or persons whom in your viewpoint are monopolizing. I have found that works to come to a different resolution.

Balthazarr: One of the things unique to this game is the legal system. If there is a monopoly and enough people are bothered by it, a law can be written to allow others to have access to that limited resource. To completely monopolize a resource is not the nicest thing to do, but is not restricted in the game. I would hope that we could all work together for the betterment of all of us. Thank you.

Augir: Q7, What other powers would you like to see DPs hold, in the interests of improving game play?

Augir: While the candidates are preparing an answer to the question, another of the pre-answered questions:

Ariella: In other tales DPs elected at the beginning of the tale to leave before the game ended. This leaves a vacuum at the end game when they are needed the most. What is your commitment to the game and how will you manage to last the entire tale?

Ariella: In every tale since T2 (except T6 for some severe family health issues I had to deal with) I have played through until the end. T7 I have paid for the full tale. In one tale my husband and I worked on and finished an ambitious project right up until the end of the game:

Ariella: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale4/Sea_Lily_Colors

Ariella: Genetics is one game system where work in that system can be carried over into the next. There are plenty of things to do til the very end not the least of which is to have the company of friends and be there as a DP since players trusted you.

Ariella: In other words, my history has shown that I like to stay all tale and continue working for the game and the players.

Augir: and Q7 again with answers:

Augir: Q7, What other powers would you like to see DPs hold, in the interests of improving game play?

Ariella: I hesitate to add more power to the DPs. If in seven tales the ban is the one real power. Since I have seen examples of a DP misusing the ban it would be reasonable to believe that a new power would be misused. Using temporary game jail would be even easier to misuse. We can always go the law route for putting up a person for temporary jail.

Ariella: I cannot think of a new power for DP right now but I would hear out if anyone else has good suggestions.

Balthazarr: In a past tales, there was a law that allowed a DP to start an emergency law ballot. Having this back would be a good option. It allowed a single law to be balloted and too have it quickly voted upon by the people of Egypt. This was very useful to deal with unforeseen conflicts or strive in the game. And on the off chance that we had a DP go crazy like Casino did in T4, an emergency law ballot would allow for the stripping of bans or the out right exile of a DP gone bad.

Augir: thanks you both for answers, 10 Q/A in little over 90 min. Closing statements please

Augir: We will have to wait for closing statements. I stand corrected.. spouselog allows use of ban powers in T7. With that we have a bonus question:

Augir: Do you trust your spouse with the ban? Do others have access to *their* accounts to the best of your knowledge?

Kuu: Augir: BTW Pluribus says on IRC that spouselog doesn't restrict the banpowers, spouses should be able to use them. Ariella could confirm maybe (whether the option is there, of course, not whether the ban works ;)

Ariella: Yes, I did confirm that I could do spouse login and ban. Poor brucette was the guineau pig to see if that option was true.

brucette: I was just chased by Pascalito to test, it is confirmed.

Augir: Answers to bonus question next...

Balthazarr: MissBarbara does not share her password with anyone. She has been a Demi-Pharaoh in 2 prior tales (T1 & T6) and can be trusted to not use my bans this tale, via spouse logging. At the end of T1 a "test" ban was done, since no one had ever been banned before, but this was only a "test" similar to the joke bans that happen at the end of many tales. As for Ariella, her real life and game husband, Pascalito was the first Demi-Pharaoh of the tale, so he would only need to use Ariella's bans if he wanted to ban more than 7 people. Just kidding, I really do not see Pascalito needing the ban anyone, let alone more than 7. :-)

Ariella: I completely trust my spouse with the ban! He has been a DP since T3. Since he is also my real life husband I know that no one else has password either. And he knows the same for me.

Augir: and Closing Statements from both Candidates

Balthazarr: Ladies and Gentlemen, my fellow Egyptians, thank you for tuning into the debate. I would like to thank Ariella, my worthy opponent, for joining me here today to answer your questions, I would also like to thank Augir and the Egypt Today microphone guild for hosting this debate. Both Ariella and myself have been Demi-Pharaohs in prior tales, so there really is no bad choice. I would very much appreciate the opportunity to be a Demi-Pharaoh again. I pledge to be here for the balance of the tale and to continue to do the Good Works, Teaching & Mentoring, Research and Group Organizing that I have done in the past. This is only the third election of the tale; please consider voting for me to help bring some more diversity to the elected Demi-Pharaohs. Each individual brings a different set of skills and talents to the table, please consider what I have done in the past and what I will be doing in the future. The end goal here is to have a wonderful T7 where we can all work together, be happy and build seven (or more) monuments to give us new tests for T8. I am at your and Egypt's service. Thank you for your support. :-)

Ariella: Thank you for listening to both of your DP potentials! I appreciate having this chance. Whether I am voted as a DP or not I will still do the same things I always do to help.

Ariella: I have enjoyed meeting and getting to know more and more players each tale!

Augir: Thanks to both candidates and everone reading, Boards are back to original purpose.