Demipharaoh Debate 2016 03

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LuluDivine: LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, BOYS AND GIRLS!
LuluDivine: Let's get this DP Debate started in here!
LuluDivine: First, I'd like to introduce our lovely candidates
LuluDivine: We've got Handsome, MissBarbara, Augir, Anien, Alkhar, and Istwan!
LuluDivine: Here's how this will work - the candidates have been asked a series of questions already - I'm going to post those questions and those answers as we go.
LuluDivine: Additionally, there will be a few QUICKDRAW questions that they have to answer on the spot. We'll intersperse those.
LuluDivine: If you have a question you'd like to ask the candidates, please chat it to me directly!
LuluDivine: One last note, before we begin: Lukeera was originally planning to moderate this debate, but due to RL issues was not able to be here today. The candidates were all super flexible about scheduling a new debate on very short notice - props to all of them!

Q1. For those who have never had the opportunity to interact with you before can you share a little about yourself, what you enjoy about ATITD as well as how long you have been playing?

Handsome: Sure! And thank you for reading here. :) In my rl I live in Northern Germany (near Hannover). So german is my first language and my english isn't perfect.
Handsome: In case of this a long time I wasn't encouraged to candidate for DP, even though I have good reasons that let me believe to able to be make a good job as DP. This i'll explain later - see Q12, Closing Statement please! :) I've played T1 (the german version named Kemet) and T2. My rl obliged me to stop the game for a long time. But I could return since T6 and that makes me really happy!
Handsome: In T6 and T7 I live in DoN. Here I built my camp in a awesome Oasis in the desert but near the CP. I love to explore and make new experiences. To meet new people and get new friends is exciting! Try to speak with them in other languages makes fun. I love the atmosphere of the landscapes, day and night changing, the sounds... (ok, now, in 2016 the graphic could be better - e.g. I wished less perforated clothes for us all ;) ) More important is the great community here and the absolut logical structure of our game.
MissBarbara: I am MissBarbara, I have been playing since Tale1. I live in South Egypt and I am married to Balthazarr. I love running around herbing, shrooming and especially meeting and get to know people. I'm very fascinated by other peoples cultures, experiences and to me, this game is a very nice way of socializing with different kinds of people that you might never have had the opportunity to meet in real life. In South Egypt, I spend a good deal of my time online working on research projects along with the rest of SE and EG. We are not a lot of people, but we are hardworking and enjoy the challenge :) I'm also a moderator on the Egypt wide chat channels, Egyptian Exchange and Egypt Today, which I enjoy. I have been Demi-Pharaoh in several tales, and it was a pleasure to serve Egypt as Demi-Pharaoh before, therefore I am here and able to serve again :) I am prepaid for the rest of the tale, and I will be staying active the entire time :) When I am not in Egypt, I breed Norwegian forest cats, work as an editor for a cat magazine and I'm the employer for a hand-full of people, so leadership for me comes very natural as it is a daily thing for me to lead, delegate, solve problems of all sorts, encourage and make sure everybody around me is happy and performing their best in a positive way.
Augir: Hello fellow Egyptians :) My adventure with ATitD began in the last days of T4, I have enjoyed ever since. My camp and center of activities have always been at what is currently called, Seven Lakes. I have full Tale subscription and like before I will be here all the way to the end of T7. Egyptians trusted me with DP in Tale 5 and Tale 6. I am helping with moderating our Egypt wide chat/microphones since T5 - "no drama" rules, dominating boards in this Tale were written by me. There are three things I enjoy concentrating my play time on: Making life easier for the people just starting in the Tale, At least one event per week and Research.
Istwan: I played from T3 to T5, and now returned for the new developer. ATITD has many unique game mechanics, but ultimately it's all about the society. The main appeal is cooperating with all these nice people on numerous projects. I mostly work in my awesome home region, South Egypt. :)
Anien: I am a 42 year old bachelor computer programmer. I enjoy most things computer related, though I especially enjoy board games and playing them with friends. I have been playing ATITD since beta, though very casually most tales. This is the first tale I've really had time to commit to playing it full time. I really enjoy building things and seeing my camp slowly progress over time. Though the social aspect is the best part of the game. Even though I'm a solo player, everything I build is guilded and usable by all my neighbors in CCR and OE.
Alkhar: I have been playing since T4 with being on and off in between. I started very casual, in a remote oasis and enjoyed myself for the begining of the tale with another friend of mine. After he quit a couple of months later, I moved to play with others in Stillwater back then but kept my pace slow all the time. I wasn't around for long in T5. With T6, I started playing more intensely especially with getting a sense of community in the game. In the very beginning, I was enjoying authentic play style in a calming oasis, then it evolved into discovering more every day. Then I realized there is hardly any limit to what I can discover in this game and its form of community which is still an ongoing process and I am loving it.

LuluDivine: Let's have our first QUICKDRAW question!

QUICKDRAW #1 - Anonymous: Pirates or Ninjas?

Istwan: Irate pirates
Augir: Pirates for me :)
Alkhar: Ninjas! they have a noble cause and a code of honor. Pirates are just driven by winds.
MissBarbara: Hiya! :D I prefer rum over Ninjato's so Pirate, definately!
Anien: Robots
Handsome: Quickdraw#1: Pirate :þ

Q2. Some playstyles/choices are criticized. What are your opinions on the following (totally cool? uncool but not banworthy? worth a scolding? worth a ban?): jumping Obelisk queues, bonfiring clay patches far from your own camp, hoarding a resource, building non-griefer structures in someone else's camp/backyard?

Handsome: Anticipating let me say: before I think about ban or not in my opinion there are two very important steps to do! 1st is to speak with the players who have or make problems. 2nd is to speak with the other DP's. Goal: trying to find a peaceful solution!
Handsome: a) jumping Obelisk Queues = uncool but not banworthy
Handsome: b) bonfiring clay patches far from your own camp = seems to be necessary sometimes (Raeli Ovens)
Handsome: c) hoarding a resource = cool
Handsome: d) building non-griefer structures in someone else's camp/backyard = worth a scolding!
MissBarbara: First of all, it is up to a person him/herself how he wish to play this game. And I know for a fact, that Egypt as a whole also have a voice in these matters. Not much goes unnoticed. I think that the examples above have a lot to do with morale and integrity and I don't think they should result in a ban. And for the griefers, we have a very unique legal system in this game. If a person is harassing others with bonfires, wood-planes etc. then I strongly feel, that the Anti-Griefer Law should be used on the violating person. I think Egypt deserves the right to speak on those kinds of matters and not only one single person even if he is a DP. Banning another person is a very serious matter, and it should only be used as an absolutely last resort. If forced to use a ban, for a ban appropriate reason, I would strongly consider using one of the shorter term bans (one day, one week or one month) rather than a permanent exile.
Augir: None of the above are worth of a ban or scolding. Actions of others might feel frustrating/annoying. I have a sculpture build in my camp by other player, for some that would be frustrating but I actually like it. At the end of the day we are playing a sandbox game , there are provisions in place to introduce laws and sometimes you have to take good with the bad.
Istwan: None of those things are worth a ban. Bonfires and land ownership should be dealt with through laws instead of banning. I'm carrying the petition "Bonfire Reduction Tax" written by Tessiekins, but I've yet to see a viable land ownership petition. As for judging coolness, that has nothing to do with being a DP. The job is solely about banning, and making sure that no unfair bans go through.
Anien: Jumping Queue: I think is totally cool. I don't believe the current obelisk systems have any particular merits other than convenience. You can see a example queue I would be willing to support here:
http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale7/User:Anien/SandBox/Obelisk
Anien: Bonfires on clay patches/building in other camps: These 2 issues along with many others are exactly what a DP is designed to handle. I think each of these cases would require DP talking to both parties and hearing both sides out. Then trying to resolve the conflict between them, possibly involving help from other DPs if necessary.
Anien: Hoarding Resources - I personally feel this is a non question. I think empirical evidence this tale has shown that anything a reasonable person would called hoarding is either impossible or has no meaningful impact on the game. (e.g monopolizing the first gold mine found or monopolizing a handful of raeli colors).
Alkhar: Some say obelisk queue is a violation of the test itself, and I may even agree with that. But what allways amuses me in this game is the amount of cooperation and the mentality of collaboration that is not imposed by any other instrument but for the players themselves. This is simply perfect. The society forms its own rule, follows it, and it works!
Alkhar: I find bonfires quite a delicate issue. I hate them, I despise them, I carry the Bonfire Reduction Tax petition with the hope of getting rid of them. Their existence in the very remote parts of Egypt ruins the feeling of being out in the wilds and I am sure this upsets many other Body test lovers. Yet, it is in such a state now that if people doesn't bonfire the clay patch on their camp, people will think they are not worried about somebody building an oven there. I already have dealt with many issues as such where people of limited play styles doesn't prefer or afford to build an oven and they want to keep their camp neat. Everyone has the right to pick their play style and everyone doesn't have to play all aspects of the game equally. That said, there is no explanation of bonfiring a clay spot that is in somebody else's camp or in the wilds. This is an act against the spirit of the community. There is no room for greed in Egypt.
Alkhar: About hoarding, if someone is working hard to gather a resource as much as he/she wants, it is not anybody's business, unless they are taking from others in unacceptable ways. Regardless, I would rather everyone be as sharing as possible. There is a working balance in this game for most where everyone have their hands on some stuff and trade it with others with whatever the others have their hands on.

QUICKDRAW #2 - Anonymous: What one thing would you bring back from previous tales and why?

Anien: Color, especially compound painting! Egypt is far too drab compared to when I first started.
Istwan: I would bring back all the quit players, and conflict as a discipline, because it's hard to find people to play with.
MissBarbara: What I would bring back? Apart from several of the old players, who have helped form the Egypt we have today, I think a thing that would benefit all of us, were the old mining system, where mines were automated and didn't require a doctor degree to mine without getting crazy :D
Alkhar: I haven't thought about this before. I feel pleased with most of the changes in the game anyway.
Augir: hmm.. people that left us for other mmorpgs or because they were borred/disappointed. I would love to see more population in the game.
Handsome: #2 nothing - I stayed away much too long

Q3. 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?

Handsome: Think I would not ban. In this case it seems better to analyse myself: perhaps I'm personal involved or similar.
MissBarbara: After having investigated and presented my case to the other DP's and they advised against a ban, I would listen to the other DP's and respect their opinion. I would keep an eye on the person in question, and if he continued the behaviour that made me consider a ban the first time, then I would consult the other DP's again. No ban is undoable, so proper judgment and deliberation must by used prior to the use of even a One Day Ban.
Augir: My personal view of grievances which deserve a ban is very narrow. Usually discussion about ban starts with public support and if after consulting with other DP I was the only DP supporting the action I would not ban but put it to a general vote.
Istwan: If it's about griefing, I would set it to a public vote through Anti-Griefer Law. If not, the majority of DP's decides.
Anien: I feel that every person voted to DP this tale is an experienced and reasonable player. I also feel the DPs should act more like a judicial body than an independent set of adjudicators. So in that regard, I would try to convince a number of other DPs to my viewpoint. If I could not I would accede to the general consensus and not ban.
Alkhar: I don't see myself being easily against the general consensus that is well-discussed and reached through efficient reasoning. Yet somehow, although unlikely, if I find myself in a position where I am on the other side of the consensus, I would question myself sincerely and take a break. I am a man of reason and I don't see this happening that easily. Besides, I am terrified by the idea of ban a person can enact just like that. In the previous DP round, other candidates and I had great discussions to come up with a petition - MIRANDHOTEP RIGHTS AMMENDED- to regulate DP bans and prevent unjustified actions within reasonable manners to maintain the DP position as it is. I will add it to the very end of my wiki user page.
http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale7/User:Alkhar

QUICKDRAW #3 - Anonymous: What are your thoughts on the increased tech research costs of this tale?

Handsome: #3 we all have to live with. it makes working together stronger. so it's not bad
Istwan: Multiplying research costs by 10 without further refinement seems like a bad decision from the devs.
Anien: Not being part of a big guild pushing research, I have little experience to have a good opinion (I just donate materials to people as I can). Though I certainly sympathize with the people who are actively pushing techs as this seems to have caused them less enjoyment in the game.
MissBarbara: I think it's a sad way to slow down the game pace and highly demotivating for some people. Some regions are suffering a lot from this, and I worry a bit that other regions might even give up on research due to the increased tech research costs. It's also -if possible- encouraging people even more to use macro's than before.
Alkhar: Well, I can't say I am happy about it. I believe it was intended to prevent small groups doing all the research and encourage contribution of many other players which would be perfect to increase the sense of community to a stronger level but it is not working so with limited number of players we have sadly.
Augir: I belive idea behind increased research cost was to slow us down.. I wish there was better way

Q4. How's your progress in other Leadership tests?

Handsome: Got the principles in Kingmaker, Pirates, Bureaucrat and work on it to pass these tests.
Augir: I passed the Test of the Mentor, the Test of the Retired Pirates and the Test of the Bureaucrat.
Istwan: I passed kingmaker and pirates, will probably pass plantation and bureaucrat. I don't really pursue it as a discipline, though it is useful for petition slots.
Anien: If elected DP this will be my first Leadership pass. As a solo player who really enjoys the building aspect of this game, I have not spent a lot of time on test passes, as I am barely keeping up with the tech pace. I have mainly concentrated on Worship tests this tale (I have passed all that are released). My closing statements will have more information on why I decided to participate in the DP elections.
Alkhar: I have passed pirates and bureaucrat. There is only one mentor shrine that has been built for me by a player that sadly has quit previous week.
MissBarbara: I have already passed The Test of the Bureaucrat, and I am actively working on Mentorship, Kingmaker and Retired Pirates. I also have a Plantation guild with Balthazarr, which I am very excited about. I plan to participate in Hegemon, Cartouche, as well as the other Leadership tests that are released later in the tale. I enjoy the leadership tests a lot and those are my main focus within the 7 disciplines of tests.

QUICKDRAW #4 - Anonymous: What is your position on the various petitions to limit/reduce/eliminate the clutter of rampant bonfires?

Alkhar: I support them. Bonfires are annoying most and must be taken care of in the best way possible.
Istwan: Since so many people find bonfires annoying and problematic, I support and carry Bonfire Reduction Tax. You can read it here:
Istwan: http://www.atitd.org/wiki/tale7/User:Tessiekins#Bonfire_Tax_Law
Handsome: #4 I hate BF's!! But atm I think it has to stay like it is
Augir: I would have to read petition first.. but in my opinion they should be gone after certain amount of time
Anien: I personally have no problems with bonfires, as they don't bother me. However, I respect all the people that hate them, so i'd willing support reasonalbe laws. (Which I think most of the bonfire bills have been).
MissBarbara: I think the bonfire debate is very hard. I understand why some people use them as markers, but I also understand why they can be very annoying. I think a middleground could be reached, by lowering the costs of Basic signs to 1 wood and then for example using your knife to carve the sign. Like that most people would not have to carry extra materials to make signs instead of bonfires and that might encourag more people to use signs instead of bonfires. I would prefer to get it solved without forcing any rules on anyone :)

Q5. How are you providing leadership in the game and amongst the player base?

Handsome: Well, I decide when needed or encourage others to decide when I'm sure that they are better informed.
MissBarbara: Leadership comes in many forms and shapes. I am not, and have never been fan of dictatorship or absolute monarchy. I feel that Egypt deserves better than that and that everybody has a right to be heard. Personally, I feel, by being a good example to my fellow Egyptians and by always trying to see things in a larger picture and from different angles, I show people a good way of playing/living in Egypt. Encouraging people to do the right thing, and helping them do the right thing is an important part of providing leadership, I think.
Augir: With my knowledge about the game I am trying to always be available to answer promptly questions from the other players. My efforts with helping new players has rewarded me so far with 9 Mentor Shrines. I also organize guilds related to major regional efforts and with my 24 cp industrial complex, help with Research, Megalopolis and Aqueduct. In addition Amigos Public Works - a guild with public devices in 7L and organizing Digs and Acro events.
Istwan: Mentoring, pushing petitions and moderating these channels. I prefer to cooperate more than lead.
Anien: In any situation there are leaders that organize large events to push forward the community. However, there is also the person who is a mother hen to the group. Finds the solo players that are struggling or someone who needs individual help. I am in the latter category. I often spend time one on one with players explaining concepts in the game (like how thistles work), or providing help in the form of free materials or time to newer players. I think this leadership is much less noticeable to the community at large.. but no less impactful.
Alkhar: I would rather call it providing cooperation rather than leadership. In every project I have been in, I wasn't called leader or boss, but I was there doing my share of work and helping everyone else to do as they please to contribute. I have never been hesitant to roll up my sleeves and get to work when I see that things can be done better and I see that people feel more confident with the presence of one as such.

QUICKDRAW #5 - Anonymous: If you had the power to change one aspect of this game, what would it be, and why?

Istwan: I would remove levels completely. New players have others to guide them, so levels only hinder their progress.
Handsome: #5 is very similar to Q10. please red my answer there
Alkhar: I would change the bits that depend on RNG/luck. Everyone should have a chance to do what they please with required amount of work without frustration.
Augir: I would add more intermediate techs to our research instead of muliplying amounts for existing technologies.
MissBarbara: In general, I am very happy with the game as it is, and I don't feel that any major changes should be made. ATITD is a very unique game and most of it, for me, is the people here. I would never want that to change. Of minor changes, I can mention, that it would be very nice, if the moderators could "remote" take over the call boards instead of having to travel to the actual microphone to grab the boards. That would higher the level of service us mods could provide for all of you :D
Anien: I started to post an answer on various topics (Communication, travel times, etc) but while many of these can be annoying, I thing they are all integral to this game I really love. It would take more than 5 minutes for me to come up with something that I think should be changed.

Q6. What specifically have you done to further the growth of the community?

Handsome: I participate in common projects. Most of it in DoN because i live there, but some others too. The other way is in rl: I tell to all my friends about our game and try to motivate them to join.
MissBarbara: Right from the opening of the tale, Balthazarr and I have focused a lot on helping as many as we could. Right off we made many of our structures that were important, such as pottery wheels, rock saw's, masons benches, etc. public useable, so citizens around us didn't have to struggle with their basic needs. Since then, we have continued to donate and help develop our public facilities in SE, and I am very proud of what the local community can offer new citizens in SE. BTW. who do you think grew all of the ingredients to make the ash to fill all those benches in my husband's public glass compound? ;) I have been working very hard on helping unlocking techs, both in SE and in other regions where it was needed and will continue to do so.
MissBarbara: Also another thing I do and that I find very important, and that I am thankful that a lot of people are good at is; Announcing sightings of safari animals, announcing and posting mushroom's on Shroomdar, announcing pearl beds of importance, Arch sites and anything else that could be helpful for others. It makes me so happy when a person chats me and says: Thanks you for your post on Shroomdar, I am now on my next DN list because of it! Apart from that, I am working on wine, and an orchard that - when it is done - should be able to supply all honeys and fruits for the festivals. I can currently supply 87 of the fruits, and that have already proven to be a good thing, when Old Egypt needed their honeys and wine to open up Ambrosia Brewing :) You are welcome to come and visit at 703,-5441 and have a look :D
MissBarbara: Another thing that I am a bit proud of is probably the Airship Construction in SE. Previous to this tale, I have never made a single thistle or piece of silk. But I quickly realized how much Airships could help all of us, so I decided, that I *had* to learn how to make thistles, so we could open that tech as fast as possible. I found a very good thistle-teacher and started out, failing and failing. I kept trying and finally understood the principles and since then, I have made most of the 800 Silk Cloth for the Airship Construction technology in SE. I believe we were the first region to open Airship Construction, which I am very proud of. In addition to material contributions for University Techs Research, I have donated herbs and other foodstuffs to the players and guilds who are involved in doing cooking research.
Augir: In T5 I was one of the three founders of Amigos. Guild was created beside our cp with public devices, open for everybody. Today Amigos has 140 active members, one of the largest guilds in the game. I am sure most of you attended at least one of the digs I organized in the area in this Tale. Like I mentioned in my introduction making life easier for the people just starting in the Tale is one of the things I enjoy most. Amigos is the guild to help answer the questions and providing public devices that are still beyond the reach of the new player. Nothing gives me more pleasure than people asking if Amigos guild will be in the 7L area in the next Tale.
Istwan: I advertised the game to many friends. Two of them played the trial for a few hours, so Pluribus pretty much owes me big time.
Anien: I think the answer to this question for me at least is the same as the previous. I try to make life easier for people on a case by case basis. Living in an underpopulated area like CCR can be tough. As I have nearly every building that can be built, I guild all my personal stuff so anyone in the area can use it. If someone needs my help via time/resources or knowledge I try to go out of my way to make sure they get it, so their experience in Egypt is a little easier.
Alkhar: I have done anything I can for introducing the game to new players I see around but sadly I don't see a growing community in Egypt.

QUICKDRAW #6 - Anonymous: Are you married to a human or an alt? If human - how long have you known that person? Do you trust that person with your ban abilities? If an alt - what were your reasons for marrying an alt? Would you ever marry a human in this game?

Handsome: #6 married to my alt. because my human married another ^^. but now I love my alt because always he stabds there where i want him ;)
Alkhar: I am married to a human, who is an amazing fella and great supporter of any project I want to be in. I trust him utterly. It is a community game and playing as it is intended brings much more to the table than making your way around things.
Anien: I am not married in RL or in game. As I confirmed bachelor I don't see it changing in either aspect.
MissBarbara: I am married to Balthazarr and the birthday song he sang for me in Skype a few months ago absolutely confirms that he is indeed a man (with a loud voice and impressively clear tones!) and yes, I trust him 100%. :)
Istwan: I'm married to a human who I've known since the beginning of this tale and completely trust not to use my account to ban anyone.
Augir: alt. Why? I don't have much time to play and convenience of spouse wrap is helpful.

QUICKDRAW #6A - Anonymous: Those of you that are unmarried, or married to alts: Do you have trust issues? :p

Anien: I am unmarried, but I don't feel I have trust issues. As stated before I created a guild to guild all my personal buildings that I let anyone join. All the materials in my camp are available for anyone to take ane use. I have not had cause in 7 tales to regret playing this way.
Augir: not at all. My entire complex is guilded and few of my friends have full access to it
Handsome: #6 I trust my friends and my friends trust me.

Q7. How many Egypt-wide events or efforts have you organized/pushed in T7 (or prior tales)?

Handsome: No one. I'm not the great Organizer. But whenever my help is wanted I do what I can.
MissBarbara: I have been organizing more research than acro and digs in this tale, as others seem very eager to organize those. Therefore I decided to focus more on research this tale. However I do participate in all possible events, mainly to help others or the community as a whole and I am currently working with LadyKaytay and Balthazarr to get a player run event guild up and running, so keep your eyes open for fun and challenging events that will be announced in game :)
Augir: Like in Tale 5 and Tale 6 I am concentrating on three types of events: 90 or so min Digs for Cuttables, Medium Stones, Bauxite/Gypsum, 60 min Cement Stir parties and 3h or so Acro events. In Tale7 most participants at the Dig - 92 in second week of Sep 2015, Stir 16 in Oct 2015 and longest Acro at RP field 5h 40 min in Jan 2016. As for how many events, public, open for everybody.. in T7 so far 37 Digs, 4 Cement Stir and 7 Acro.
Istwan: Mostly just petitions. I carry "Ballot Reform", "Bonfire Reduction Tax" and "'None of the Above' option on DP ballots". I might also push to change DP voting to an instant runoff system, and I will grab the first viable land ownership petition that I see.
Anien: None that I've organized. However, despite being a solo player in CCR, I try to join as many community oriented guilds as possible so I can keep a pulse on problems people have or projects being organized. I try to actively help with research in various areas as much as my time allows.
Alkhar: None. I started the tale a month later and things were already well managed regarding acro or digs by other talented players in the area.

QUICKDRAW #7 - Balthazarr: Many of you have played for many tales - who was your first mentor and what did they do to help you fall in love with ATITD? Any particular attribute or skill they imparted to you that really sticks in your memory?

Anien: The closest thing to a mentor for me was Tpct. I played fairly casually in T1 and he helped with a lot of projects. The main thing he taught me was a willingness to help others out.
Alkhar: I didn't really have a mentor as I started the game with a goal of discovering things by myself. I had many great friends who helped me a lot to let me experience the community aspect though and I am thankful for that.
Handsome: #7 My 1st Mentor in T1 was Anistoya. But she didn't need to make anything to let me fall in love with our game. that makes our game it self :)
Augir: I never had a mentor. In the last days of T4, when I found the Tale, I spend more time reading WIKI than playing hehe. Amount of content was incredible for a sandbox game and that made me stay.
Istwan: First mentor? Hmm... In T3 I built my first compound on the backyard of a guy called Abbirahn, and he didn't even complain. He was cool. :)
MissBarbara: LittleCleo was the first to greet me in Tale1, along with Mithrandir58 and Susan in LOTR fellowship guild. LC was a very fun german woman, that helped me figure out the basics, and encouraged me to explore more and more for myself and I am thankful for everything she did to help introduce me to Egypt. Back then I remember that I was very impressed with her knowledge about Egypt and I even remember hoping one day to know as much as her and imagining me being the one helping new people find their way here. I believe I have achieved that and as you see, I am still here now, more than 10 years later :)

Q8. Spouselog allows access to ban powers. Do you know who have access to your spouse account?

Handsome: Only myself has access and no one else ever!
MissBarbara: Yes, my spouse via spouse log, and no one else. :) We do not share our passwords. Not with each other and not with others. After Balthazarr was elected DP, we did confirm that the exile menu was available via spouse log, helping to dispel the idea that spouses did not have access to the bans of their spouse.
Augir: Yes I do. My spouse Astia is one of my several minions (alts).
Istwan: Nobody else has access to it.
Anien: Never been married in Egypt yet so this is not a concern for me.
Alkhar: No one but me has acces to my spouse's account.

QUICKDRAW #8 - Zhukuram: Egypt is a multi cultural game and players from all over the world come here to play. Often though, players from one RL world region rarely see or interact with players from other parts of the RL world. Timezones and language or translations problems are some factors. What and how will the candidates address issues affecting other players that are from other RL world regions? How will the interact? What efforts or mitigations will they make in this area? Ex: a player from Turkey/India/China/Brazil (or other) is having an issue. What sorts of things can you do to assist that player?

Istwan: I don't have a tight schedule with anything so time zones are not an issue for me. I'm usually available anytime around the clock.
Handsome: '8 for single player I open a chat to him. for more players I would build a timezone-guild
Augir: two options here: find someone speaking the language on ET or google translate. I would be happy to invite that person to the Amigos and help there.
Alkhar: I am also one of those "others" myself. I can empathize with them better than anyone else and adress the issue in a more healthy way as I was in their shoes in my less-good times in English and I can understand what they are going through. I am not a romantic to say we can blend in completely but we can overcome the walls. I did great with speakers of many other languages and little English by helping them feel they belong to here.
MissBarbara: For me the different time zones/regions have never been a problem. I actually went to the very first unofficial ATITD player meeting in Chicago (I live in Denmark, Europe so it was quite a trip because of an online game, but worth it!) many years ago, where I had the pleasure to meet a lot of the people from ATITD, Pluribus, Bellah and Otter being some of them. :) I play both in Euro and US times and because I work from home, I am very flexible to be on when I am needed :) And as for the language barrier. A few DP rounds ago, I was in a group with a french player, and the communication was difficult because of this, so I started to translate with Google translator and the rest of the group followed. We managed to have a nice DP debate, despite the language barrier. I would offer the same to anyone who would need it, if I was unable to find someone who could help on the persons native language :)
Anien: There is no real easy answer to this, other than elect a wide range of DPs from various areas and time zones. We have a pretty good range so far I think. AS for me personally I play round the clock sometimes, so I'm available to a wide range of time zones. If communication issues came up, I would just try to find a translator and go from there.
Istwan: I guess I should also mention I speak Finnish and English.

Q9. As DP do you think you should share your password?

Handsome: Hmm... - As a DP this is a "No-Go" for me!
MissBarbara: I don't think anyone should share his or her password, DP or not. But especially for a DP I think, that you should honor the trust Egypt has placed in you and therefore not violate that, by sharing your password with anyone. Egypt has picked you as DP, not your friends, and access to banning others is a very serious matter especially for the one that might end up banned for the wrong reason. There has been at least one ban that was done using a borrowed password; this is something that should never happen, under any circumstance.
Augir: No, never, don't do it!
Istwan: Nobody is getting my password, regardless of my DP status.
Anien: No. The DP power is too big a responsibility. The DP was elected to handle this power, not his friends.
Alkhar: I have no problem with sharing my pasword with the people I trust but if I am a DP, there is higher things at stake and it is beyond me to make the judgement of sharing the power of ban and not upto me to decide.

QUICKDRAW #9 - IaruHetep: What in the game gives you the most trouble? The real thorn in your side?

Handsome: #9 I have no trouble. Only the one that peeps know: too much to do and don't know when being able to complete some of the to-do's ;)
Alkhar: Nothing is able to trouble me to great levels as I am supporting my friends wherever they may have a problem and getting great support from them when I feel troubled.
Istwan: The biggest thorn is the dwindling population here. This game is all about the society.
Anien: Being mostly solo, antyhing that always requires 2 or 3 people to do effectively (like quarrying). While its fairly easy to get these things organzied and done, I often find myself wanting to make marble NOW.. but have to wait and get help. :)
Augir: after 3 tales blacksmithing is still beyond my reach
MissBarbara: The biggest thorn is that one day only have 24 hours - I would like a few more in here, because I feel there is so much to do, see and participate in, no matter when I am here :D and I also have troubles forgetting about the game when I am not here. Who have not looked on a tree in real life and wondered how much wood it yields? or looked at a bushy area and looked for herbs in RL? ;p

Q10. What other powers would you like to see DPs hold, in the interests of improving game play?

Handsome: Well, I cannot decide that well-founded now because for me it needs experience as a DP.
MissBarbara: Apart from the granting of ponies to players, I really like Sabuli's proposed expansion of the DP powers with the ability for 3 DPs to overturn a ban. Another thing that I could also find useful and could improve gameplay for a lot of people would be "Free announcing of events in the calendar".
Augir: A power of smile :) to disperse all the grudges and misunderstandings between players.
Istwan: The power to dispute another DP's ban decision. Bans should be decided by voting, never just one person.
Anien: I think if you added more powers to the DP it should be in conjunction with other leadership passers. For example: A power to remove unwanted buildings in your camp. A player could get a papyrus paper and choose an option on the unwanted building to Create a writ of Condemning. He would then get 7 bureaucracy test passers to sign his Writ of Condemning. Then he could present this fully signed paper to a DP, who then could use it to salvage said building for no materials. I would like see any expansion of DP powers involve other leadership test passes. However, the final acts should stay in the hands of the DPs who are the only passers elected by Egypt at large.
Alkhar: I would say I would like to see DPs hold the power of understanding but I haven't seen any shortage of that so far.

QUICKDRAW #10 - Anonymous: How do you feel about the sometimes heavy use of macros in this game by many players?

Istwan: The prevalence of macros gives developers less control over how the game is generally played, but I really don't see a way around it. They are here to stay and I use some of them myself.
Handsome: #10 in rl the chances are different - and macros here mirrors the difference of rl. I don't macro, but i like to tell the truth: the reason is that it don't run on my MAc. If it would run, I'd like to macro for thistles because of the voids
Anien: I feel attended macro use is just fine. There is a lot of drudgery in this game. I use macros quite often not only to relieve the drudgery, but also for medical reasons. My writs coudln't take the massive clicking this game requires
MissBarbara: Macroing is allowed in this game, and as long as the person using it is not violating any rules, then it is fine with me :)
Alkhar: I don't care. Macros are quite user friendly for anyone to get into them including me anyway.
Augir: I would love if we could remove macros completely but I know that's impossible. Macros are allowed and so I have no issues with their use

Q11. What question would you like to be asked, and why?

Handsome: Nothing atm: I hope to be asked in the Debate later on!
MissBarbara: I think, that a question all DP candidates should have is: How do you feel about having access to bans? It's the most tangible power a DP have, and I don't think it should be taken lightly by anyone, as banning someone is very final for the person who might get banned. I feel very humble, but also absolutely responsible enough to have access to them once more.
Augir: What is your favorite wine? and why? because I really, really like good wine.
Istwan: Do I think I have a chance against some others in this election? No way, but that's alright because they're all very good people.
Anien: Have you had any experience real world or in game with conflict resolution? I think this is the heart of the DP. Any two players (or groups of players) with a dispute should always feel that calling in one or more DPs to act as arbiters is the right thing to do.
Alkhar: I would like to be asked why I see myself suitable for the role as it is a question I am asking myself, too. And I will try to answer it as my closing statement.

QUICKDRAW #11 - Anonymous: What do you bring to the table that is new, as compared to the current group of DPs?

Handsome: #11 please read my answers in Q10 and my Closing statement :)
Alkhar: A different culture and with it, a new perspective. I am tired of seeing allways the same people there and I am sure so are many others. We need some fresh blood and some diversity.
Istwan: The sixth banhammer. Nobody else has the sixth banhammer.
MissBarbara: Should a DP really bring something "new"? I think we should consider what this test is about, and the current DP's guard their bans with respect and integrity. I have done the same in the past, and I am happy to do it again. I will not change, no matter if I am elected as DP again or not. I am the same in RL as I am here, pretending to be someone or something else is way too complicated and I doubt it's enjoyable in the long run :)
Augir: What do I bring to the table that is new? Myself

QUICKDRAW #12 - Sandman: It seems that a lot of people have their minds made up once the final list of candidates is announced. Do you really believe these debates actually influence who folks vote for and why?

Handsome: #12 Well I believe that here are some guys who followed the discussion and decide now and didn't earlier. Don't know if that are the most peeps
Alkhar: It would do better at influencing people if it wasn't for Kingmaker, either. But I am happy to have a chance to be heard and I am sure some will take the debates into consideration if not everyone.
Anien: I think large majrotity of players have made up there minds, so for the most part no I think the debates will influence many people. However, it does give some people a chance to interact with the candidates they might not even know. So it is helpful in that regards
Istwan: I agree with Sandman on that one. This is not a "debate" by any means and it probably has very little effect on voters. It boils down to how trusted the candidates are in the first place.
Augir: I suspect the majority chooses their candidate long before the debate but there are some undecided, new players to the Tale. I hope debate helps them choose.
MissBarbara: I think that is up for Egypt to decide. I think that the debates are a possibility to get to know the candidates a bit better, and they can be very interesting and valuable for the ones who are in doubt about who to vote for. At least so I hope :)

Q12. Closing Statement

LuluDivine: That concludes the full question portion of today's debate! I will post some closing comments the candidates (or candies, if you like - mmmmm, tasty) put together earlier, and they will have a chance to post any final thoughts. If anyone wants to ask questions at this point, please feel free to post questions directly into ET!
Handsome: I have two good reasons that make me believe to be able to do a good job as DP!
Handsome: 1st: Many different Nations joined our game. That implies different - cultures, languages, points of view. DP's here will build a group and decide together. Therefore I think it's a good idea to have DP's from this different cultures because that will enrich the collective view of a problem and so find a better solution.
Handsome: 2nd: In my rl I am a Arbiter. That means: when peeps have conflicts they come to me and i find a solution for their probs with them together. Mostly it works.. ^^
Handsome: Finally let me say: I love this game more then any other I know so far. And our community here is really awesome! Thanks for listening - and now I wish the best new DP for our beautiful country
MissBarbara: Thank you Lulu for taking over and arranging this debate in last second. And also, thank you Egypt for reading all these Q&A's. I am very proud and happy to be considered as a DP once more. I have served Egypt in many ways during the past 13 years, and will continue to do so. Even more important, I have had a lot of fun and gotten to know a lot of very nice people and most of you, I consider my friends. I spend a lot of hours in game every day and I enjoy every moment spent there. Well maybe not playing Egyptian Croquet aka making gravel. I hope that you will consider me as your next DP and more importantly that you will take the time and go visit a voting booth, every election, so Egypt can get the best possible DPs for this tale :)
Augir: To sum it all up I have been DP before and I am happy to serve people of Egypt again. Thank you LuluDivine for taking over the responsibilities of the DP Debate. Thank you to other candidates for their interest and participation. Thank you to the audience for patiently reading through our answers. /Augir hands everyone a cookie..
Istwan: Is it over? Phew!
Anien: In my local group of friends, though I am often the one to joke around the most, I also tend to be the most level headed. I am very slow to anger and tend to resolve any disputes that come up. I am this way in the game as well ( though I find disputes to be much rarer in Egypt than in RL). I have always though I'd make a good candidate, but because of the solo nature of play I never tried since I thought it would be impossible. I have also met a few really great players who could be excellent DP candidates who also felt the same way. I feel Egypt has gotten into a cycle of DP winners from previous tales competing with each other to become DP again. While I firmly believe that DP big job and by no means is every citizen of Egypt a good fit; I do think many excellent players who are not legacy DPs could become excellent DPs myself included! So I'm hoping to win your vote this election not only because I believe I would make an excellent DP, but also to show that anyone qualified can and should try to become DP.
Alkhar: Fellow Egyptians! I want you all to ask yourselves why there is hardly a DP that hasn't been elected for the role in the previous tales. Don't you think Egypt could use some fresh blood, too? Are we a community that is too conventional to make things change? I hereby ask for your votes for the role of DP; to prove to ourselves before anyone else that any member of this community is equal, in opportunity and in action. Thank you.
Istwan: Oh yeah, thanks to Lulu for organizing this on very short notice :o
Alkhar: Thank you for hearing us out Egypt! Good night.