Appeals and GMs

From FiranMUX

The conflict resolution process can be a complicated one for players. There are @requests, 911s, @checks, resolution days and appeals to contend with and each have very real and important uses within the game policy. This page seeks to help players find the best method for handling conflict resolution and give a sample of what to expect from the conflict resolution and appeals process.

911/Help Channel Versus @request: A Question for the ages

For those who have not used one or both, the @911 command is a command that halts roleplay and calls for a GM (Game Master) to attend to the scene immediately. In comparison, an @request is submitted to the wizards and put into queue for their review at a a later time. How does one determine which is necessary?

When to Use @911/Help Channel to Dispute

• The situation can't be resolved consensually and requires immediate action. Firan is a non-consent game but it's perfectly appropriate for two players to determine someone shoved a cake in their face without the help of code or even @checks. There are just times, however, when things cannot be handled this manner. A big example might be player A wants to push player B off a roof.
• There is no code that can handle the situation. Combat code makes rolls that resolve combat and even capturing. There are many social imperatives that operate between players as well as debate code and even orate. One of the things that might not be handled by code is setting a house on fire.
• The outcome is likely to affect the game in a breaking way. For example, you sneak past all the guards in the Palace and slay the entire family.
• The detail in dispute is a very large detail that will swing the situation one way or another. For example, a person surrounded by one hundred guards who tries to persuade probably isn't going to have any luck persuading one guard to let him go and the other 99. One on one, however, a bosom-laden woman might be able to persuade one lusty guard to let her go.
• There's an obvious discrepancy between the code and the IC actions. For example, a player has been RPing that they're running off into the woods naked when in fact the guard has them engaged and all their clothes are on.
• There's an obvious discrepancy between a character's sheet and the code. For example, a character who hates cheese so bad that they turn green and purple before dying would likely not be easily convinced to try some cheese even if the social imperative is successful.

When to Use @request to Dispute

• The situation can't be resolved consensually and does not require immediate action. For example, someone might have made a social nomination that Ojitar is a silly goose and there is disagreement. Ojitar can @request because social points are easily reversed in a timely fashion.
• Code was used to handle a situation but there are special circumstances. Lucretia sends a message from Arinzi because the code lets her but she should have had a partition. Staff could revoke the message at a later time for the disputing player without consequence.
• The outcome is not likely to affect the game in a breaking way. Leia might be playing her timid character very aggressive and pushing over Shelly. Shelly might disagree she is to sheet and that it's valid but it is just as easy to @request to dispute and have staff deal with it as they are both level III.
• The detail in the dispute is a small detail which could be important but most likely isn't going to affect the swing of the scene.

So I Have a Dispute, What Do I Do Now?

Whether you are making a 911 or an @request, the important part to keep in mind is to be polite. The staff member who is helping is not part of the scene and therefore is going in with very little information. On top of that, it may take some time to fully understand the situation and much patience is required.

Procedure for a @911

1. Decide if you have a dispute that qualifies as a 911.

2. Hit the @911 command and wait for a staff member.

3. If a staff member does not arrive in ten minutes, it is acceptable to check for one on help. If there is still no answer, the scene should timestop unless someone can handle it.

4. When the staff member arrives, they will generally ask for a summary of the situation. Try to keep the summary short and to the point of what occurred and what is needed. For example, let's say Snowbuilder uses persuade on Steph to allow Elves on Firan. Steph knows that this is against her sheet and that allowing Elves would break the game. So she hits 911. When the staff member comes, Steph says: OOC Steph says, "To summarize, Snowbuilder used a successful persuade against my character to allow Elves on Firan. This is against my sheet and I'm worried there are game-wide consequences."

5. At this point, the GM will look through appropriate rulings/policies and make a decision. He or she may need to ask more information. It's always best for all players involved to hold off giving more information unless it is needed.

6. The GM will make a decision on the dispute. OOC Leia says, "Snowbuilder, policy says there are no elves on Firan. Unfortunately, the persuade did not happen."

Procedure for an @request

1. Decide if you have a dispute that qualifies for an @request.

2. Use @request <topic>=<explanation>. The goal is to be as succinct but complete. Full information usually makes for better dispute requests. For example, in the elves policy example, making sure to point out Snowbuilder used persuade about Elves and that Steph and himself was involved is extremely helpful. Players are even welcome to send in logs if it will make the situation the most clear.

3. Once the request is reviewed, staff will finish the request and either let it stand or let the players involved know what will change.

Appeals

There comes a time in most Firans journey where they must make an appeal. Sometimes these appeals happen during GMing and sometimes they may happen during @requests. The important thing here is to note that all players have the right to appeal. That said, there are some guidelines that make the appeals process easier.

@911 Appeals

Sometimes during a GM scene there might be a reason to appeal the situation. It might be that the players have seen precedent before that is different than the current ruling or that they feel that not all of the situation has been addressed. It is considered acceptable to ask for an appeal during a 911 but there are some guidelines that should be followed:

1. Be sure that an appeal of the detail will really change the IC actions in the scene. If appealing the fact that your character can do a cartwheel when they are in fact tied up and it's very unlikely, it's good to sit back and be sure there's something that can really be altered in the roleplay.

2. Let the GM finish all rulings and express that they are finished before making an appeal. Normally, they will ask if there's anything else and get ready to leave. It is appropriate at that point to inquire.

3. Be ready to provide a summary of details that is clear and concise. Anything that requires several paragraphs is probably an @request to be made when the scene is finished.

4. Be respectful of people's time. Scenes that last several hours due to multiple time stops tend to wear player's down. Carefully consider the use of the process in relation to the scene and the story.

5. Be sure to be polite. The wizards strive to make the best rulings they can. Even if a ruling might be totally wrong, it's important to be kind to the ruling wizard and any that may assist in the appeal.

@request Appeals

Sometimes it's more appropriate to make an @request on an appeal. In this case, use the following guidelines:

1. Completely explain the problem, the solution that was given and the proposed solution. Be sure to cite files, i.e. news theme, or refer to actual judgments or previous rulings even wiki pages if they are important to the appeal. If it is somewhere that can be linked easily such as a file or a web site, the name or web address is appropriate. Sometimes judgments, social adjustments and court rulings require that people put them in their request. If there is a log, be sure to edit it and send to firan-admin@yahoogroups.com for additional information.

2. Be polite. The wizard staff strives to make rulings for the good of the game. Even if it seems like it was unfair, chances are the wizard ruled with these interests in mind. Be sure to word an appeal in a nice manner.

3. Try to appeal the important thing. If there are five hundred things involved with a scene but one of them is the one that might have decided whether you stole the statue or got arrested, try to stick with the point that is the most important.

4. Before the appeal goes through, consider some alternatives if the appeal is denied. While we all hope we will get an approval, there are a chance rulings will be upheld. It's better to be prepared before time!