Faris

Asalam Aleykoum, I’m sure all of you know me so I’ll skip any introductions. For some this is unfortunate, for others, I’m sure they’ll find this fortunate. After my long tenure on staff, I’ve decided it’s time that I resign from being a Head Administrator for this community. What follows isn’t necessary reading for people that are only interested in the tl;dr of this, but as I write this, I feel certain emotions and experienced some memories, flashbacks of sorts. I tend to be a very sappy person, at least in private with friends, so I’m going to take this moment and indulge myself. First, I want to start by apologizing to anyone I’ve wronged or have been unfair or unjust. I doubt throughout my tenure I’ve been immune to errors, no matter the effort I put in, we are all humans after all. I’ve had my moments of being snappy, happens to the best of us, yet it’s still not an excuse I accept, even from myself, so I apologize for that as well. Second, I want to thank everyone, staff and community members, present and former. I’d also like to thank those applying and those that apply in the future. The maintenance of this hobby of ours require effort from some of us, as do all hobbies that are worth it. I won’t lie and say I’ve liked everyone, but I’ve never truly hated anyone here. We’re all a community, and we all spend some of our time together since we want to, we enjoy it. So in regards to this, I think it would always benefit everyone to be nice to each other, I’ve seen far too many petty incidents and aggression when none are necessary. Thirdly, the reasons for my resignation are largely personal. I’ve never been the kind to really throw out personal circumstances or issues out in the public, and as a result for some, people have viewed me as largely distant. I tried to deal with this issue by trying to approach people more often and engaging with them. What I’m willing to say is that I’ve got certain circumstances and problems I’ve been dealing for years, and it’s gotten to a point where it has affected my willingness to continue as I am. For something I care about, Aurora can stress me out at times, trying to continuously make it better and more inclusive to people. It’s also extremely hurtful when people throw out comments that we don’t care or that I personally don’t care about the server as a whole. Finally, I got promoted relatively fast. I was a moderator for two months before being promoted to a secondary administrator and then three months later when Shadow/Itzal resigned, promoted to Head Administrator, skipping the primary rank. I appreciate the faith put in me and I hope that throughout my tenure on staff, that I’ve been capable and have done good for the community on all fronts that I’ve been involved in, and that I haven’t neglected anything that was within my power. In a sense, I’ve put my heart and soul into this server, I didn’t care much about server politics or drama, and at the end of the day, I just wanted everyone to enjoy Aurora. I’m going to stick around for a bit, assist the transition, and I’ve also offered to stick around staff in a minor position, assistance and advisory in some management or lore related matters, but I’m not really capable of maintaining what I used to do. This isn't a full out good bye as I still enjoy the community and do intend to keep playing. Feel free to ask any questions if you have them. To reiterate some of the above points. Again, I apologize if I've wronged anyone and hope that I handled my role appropriately. Edit: I am NOT quitting the community. This is only the staff team.

I'll leave this open for a bit. I'd like @Bath Salts Addict to clarify on @Kaed latest comment. Perhaps insight on their antagonist actions can bring a better perspective to their actions.

Locking and archiving.

I'm accepting your appeal. If you need to leave in a hurry, feel free to send adminhelp. If you sometimes need to leave suddenly and don't have the time to write an ahelp, you can make a macro to send a ticket with a single hotkey.

Reporting Personnel: Khaled Al-Bastaki Job Title of Reporting Personnel: Head of Security Game ID: A round of Extended has ended! [Game ID: bXg-dhwq] A canon event. Personnel Involved: (Name, Job Title: Offender/Witness/Other) - Syd Picard - Phoron Researcher: Offender - Edward Crawford - Detective: Witness/Investigator/Present on Arrest - Simon Price - Miner: Witness/Informant - Shawn Carson - Warden: Minor Witness - Angela Ulery - Research Director: Minor Witness - Cameron Fisher - Roboticist: Bystander - Django Siulusi - Security Officer: Arresting Officer - Shawn Carson - Warden: Assisted in Processing Time of Incident: Around two hours into the shift. Around 12 pm mark. Real time: 3:30 am GMT+4 11/11/2018 Location of Incident: Science hallway Nature of Incident: []Workplace Hazard []Accident/Injury []Destruction of Property [X]Neglect of Duty []Harassment []Assault []Misconduct [X]Other Terrorist Acts Overview of the Incident: (General description of the incident, to include as much detail as is deemed necessary) The brief summary is that the offender, Phoron Researcher Syd Picard is at the extreme plotted and tried to recruit others in a plot to bomb the PRA visitors, and in the least is guilty of severe negligence, though I'm led to believe it is the former. The incident started when a miner Simon Price reported to me via PDA the supposed malicious intent of Syd Picard, this was during a period of general unrest amongst the crew, accidents by the tank crew that resulted in one death which seems to be attributed to medical malpractice, but I lack information on the medical side of it and a mine that was planted for the tank. So the mood was tense and only recently from memory did we drop from code red to blue, so the atmosphere tense all around and people were rather fearful. Simon Price said they supposed tried to recruit him and bring him into his plans, due to the miners ATLAS ties and previously during the day, rather inflammatory behavior towards Tajara and especially the visitors. I called some of my security members and stayed in the robotics room with Cameron Fisher and Angela Ulery to watch for Picard. It had been reported to us by Simon Price that he was by the surface garden and then gave us general directions of his destination and present whereabouts, which we verified as true. He also reported that they had a bomb on them. Once Picard entered, we intercepted him, even though we downgraded to code blue, there was a possible threat and a very dangerous one. Once he was restrained, he was searched, whereupon we found an explosive device which the detective said and I quote "professionally made" along with signaler that was linked with it. I don't have full case information on hand so you'll need to contact the detective. After further investigation in the brig, they were believed to be guilty and sentenced to terrorist acts, whereupon they were transferred to the NTCC Odin under restraints and escort. I'd like to note there were suspected accomplices but due to the transfer and present investigation into this individual, we weren't able to expand the investigation. There was supposed to be a meet up of those with distasteful opinions of the Tajara, specifically from other Tajara that seemed to despise the PRA. Did you report it to a Head of Department or IAA? If so, who?: I reported my findings to the Captain. He didn't disapprove nor interfere. Actions taken: A forceful search operation which yielded results, followed by processing, interrogation and sentencing. Additional Notes: I'd like to add that we had another incident previously where a mine was placed to disrupt the tank. It was triggered before we could fully investigate. We have been unable to pinpoint the source and we had numerous suspects. We were exceptionally spread thin handling numerous situations. Simon Price transcript. https://pastebin.com/3xRVxmkk In the personnel involved list. Anyone after Simon Price is a secondary witness, I added them as they may be needed but I don't think they are wholly necessary.

Is the complaint withdrawn?

I need to echo the concerns raised by Coalf and others, not about the quality of the content but your interactions with the community, not in its entirety as I do get the added benefit of seeing you on staff discord. A portion of the community, a number of whom contacted me when you made this application about their dislike to your general attitude, bordering into the topic of how approachable you are, and I feel this heavily weighs against your application. I've asked those that contacted me to post their feedback here, even if it's repeating a singular issue. Additionally I'm slightly puzzled by the fact that you created the PR to "delete Skrell" due to a lack of a dedicated Skrell lore developer and then proceed to apply for the position. Why not just apply from the get go? I understand the purpose of the PR alone, but this follow confuses me. Lastly, your activity on the server is fairly low, in that I feel it's practically none existent. The last round I've been able to find on the WI is this. And even then I saw no proper pattern of activity when playing. I'd post the exact figure of numbers joined for the past few months, but I don't have them yet. It's important to me, specifically as a Head Administrator to have a lore team that does join the server and play, which for the most part everyone does play as often as they can with consideration to their life obligations. The issue with previous lore developers which aren't around anymore for obvious reasons was that their inactivity made them detached from the community, world building for themselves and just handling whitelists.

I'll post something a little more in depth later, but for now, can you cite any examples for us to work with?

The administration is aware that not the whole character is irredeemable. Yes, there are certain tendencies which do brush against the rules and in some instances outright violate them, that doesn't disqualify Willow Harper as a character that can exist. An example of one I've recently resolved and their part of it was being investigated by another moderator. I'm not personally handling this complaint but I feel it's beneficial to add certain insight to what we know and what we're looking at here. This example https://forums.aurorastation.org/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=11979#p107069 Has Willow Harper threaten physical violence to a person that was asking questions unrelated to Willow herself, with no prior interaction. The other character retorts and Willow Harper resorts to breaking into their workplace with a maglight. That's two reinforced glass panels and a grill, showing strong intent for major physical harm to a person over a very minor verbal confrontation that Willow initiated. With this example, I'm trying to emphasize that we aren't going to interfere with a player in this context based on people throwing around personal gripes, but rather actual proof. Is the administration considering some action? Yes, this action could range from feedback to other more extreme things, player history in mind. Are we assuming everything posted or said as complete truths? No. Every post is reviewed and evidence extracted, personal gripes irrelevant unless they directly correlate with our rules and server culture. Do we plan to be fair here? Yes, the ones handling this complaint have no intention to rush this. Are we planning to use this complaint as a platform for the player in question to improve primarily? Yes, all punishments even certain bans are used in an attempt to improve or curb certain behavior. Now to the people that have posted here or those that plan to post. Keep your posts constructive. Saying action needs to be taken without further adding any proof of anything that the staff needs to correct only saturates the thread, a thread which staff have to filter through every post and extract anything of merit to the investigation. Arguments for the sake of arguments only serves to derail this, while certain positions here are commendable in that we have people coming forward for or against the character here, keep it factual and backed with evidence. Your testimonies do count as evidence but it's also important to add things we can verify. "X happened." may have very well happened, but we can't take it as a fact because at the same time it might not have happened without something to prove it. Additionally, for a lack of better words, white knighting doesn't serve much here.

Appeal accepted, ban lifted. Locking and archiving.

I have no issue removing your ban, I'd have done it sooner. The one obstacle present is the lack of acknowledgement that hostility of the nature you presented is not really acceptable. I'm going to include two links and I'd like assurance from you they won't be an issue in the future. https://forums.aurorastation.org/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=10934#p97510 https://forums.aurorastation.org/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=10934#p97637

Locking and archiving.

I've notified him. Hopefully it'll be resolved in a day or two.

This complained was re-reviewed by myself. 1) Verbally Willow initiated the conflict. 2) Physically Willow initiated the fight. While yes Orleans has thrown that knife initially at Willow, it was a response to Willow breaking into his room. 3) They were both fighting tooth and nail really, which for Orleans is acceptable as the escalation was forced upon him. The character had gone through a number of issues that round with the most recent one losing a limb to a shocked door. For context, the round is malfunction. Up to now it's alright for Orleans. 4) The issue occurs when in his battered state, the Director was present and trying to break up the fight. Orleans continued to beat, eventually kill and basically mutilate Willow all the while the Director is present trying to stop the fighting. This moves away from self defense to excessive force now. This would be a different story if it was just you, but a person did intervene, your superior no less. So the verdict, without getting into too much detail. The warning is going to be reworded to better illustrate the issues here. The initial conflict was not an issue to Orleans, it's how it ended. The situation may have initially called for defending ones self to their best ability, that was no longer necessary when active attempts to halt the fighting was made by a third party. Additionally, the origins of the fight in regards to Willow Harper is going to be looked into.

Echoing this. Second dismissal vote.

Appeal denied. I miss the server, I had to try at least... The instructions were simple. Don't make an appeal again until the next year. Locking and archiving.

Appeal denied.

I'll archive it.

Slander. Virk is a worker and not a warrior, so in terms of mechanics he loses out on the dice ability which is pretty strong. In terms of character concept, their job is not to fight, so it's not something they will willingly put themselves in. Survival will be a priority in most circumstances and I think I'm able to lower the combat ability of my characters regardless on how well I can do as a player. Dianna Blackwood before I ended up removing her has never fired her sidearm from what I recall and she's been through a lot of hectic rounds. I think I can play out the abilities of my character and I believe I have in the past. Just keeping Virk in the background and docile as to avoid the attention of hostiles. Running away. Finding a place to hide. Roam around and stay away from points of conflict. It really depends on the situation.

I'm not sure what a German watchmaker implies but the way I envisioned him when it comes to a project, in the VR is that he does have a compulsion with these projects to be done in his way, his image. Work needs to be perfect. I don't think Vaurca living in the district get that many luxuries, and Virk isn't exactly at the top of the totem pole. Most likely he would be sharing what ever living area he has with like minded unbound. Same interests. Same thought processes. I doubt he'd be the only one that believes in the perfect of their art. I also believe that he is capable of working for perfection with others. It's a mixed bag. Yes he would love nothing but to go back to the VR and effectively live out his perfect fantasies. Yet with all that in mind, the hive is a collective force, there is a certain level of satisfaction he gets for serving. He is disappointed with the nature of work he is presently given but Virk is still satisfied in the sense he is doing a service, he is doing his best. There's the understanding that ever Vaurca has a purpose, while there is a level of individualism, they are still mainly a collective. A big family. Every cog in the machine has a purpose. Beyond some casual harassment in the workplace or city, nothing major about the Tajara. The riots that occur by the district and the recent attacks aren't limited to the Tajara but also extend to Humans and I presume Unathi as well. Virk is very cautious around those three races, disgruntled with the difference in their social standing with his. Even the lowliest of them is still afforded better respect and attention. He would want to show superiority but due to a lack of really everything, Virk is unable to. K'lax get a stereotypical feel. They're servants, they're a level below the Zo'ra. Anything they can do the Zo'ra can do better. Any K'lax that is similar to him will always be inferior as Virk knows better. Has done better in the VR. Can certainly do better in reality if given the resources. Yet there is also a certain level of envy. The K'lax in hegemony space seem better off than the Zo'ra in Tau Ceti. They are afforded more prestigious positions. They got a whole planet to themselves while the Zo'ra are effectively in squalor, especially in Mendel. C'thur on the other hand get a certain level of dislike and envy. They managed dodge the bureaucratic red tape Virk will need to pass. Their standard of living within the Federation as far more superior than Zo'ras current one. Perhaps Virk could pursue a project of his own had the Zo'ra entered Federation space instead? There's a lot in the air that he thought about.

They're contractually obligated. Virk works where he is needed, otherwise why would they even leave the VR. There's really not much to it, it's not by choice. He wouldn't go face to face with them. That is not his job, he's an unbound worker. If he were to face them, naturally he would be scared. Any Vaurca that specializes in fighting outclasses him by default, so it's not something he would keep his hopes up for. The way I envisioned it if we're being specific with Tau Ceti is the day by day activities. He's been off the VR for a while now aside from limited trips back. He's experienced the events of that have occurred over the years. It's the realization of how things are as time passes. Imagine going from designing skyscrapers to mending wires. He knew it was different, I feel an unbound knows the difference between the VR and reality, but what really strikes out is the disappointment they feel out of it. I'm sure Vaurca to an extent crave using the VR. Engineering apprentice and then station engineer. It's the closest thing to Virks expertise.

BYOND Key: Aboshehab Character Names: Khaled Al-Bastaki - Head of Security / Raymond Hawkins - Captain / Weirup Vi’lees - Security Officer / Rasheeq Al-Sammach - Security Officer / Mike Knight - Paramedic Note: I have a lot more characters which I play but I prefer to keep them a secret. I’m sure some of you are familiar with some of these so I’ll kindly ask you don’t mention them by name. I’ve also got a couple of other characters that people have interacted with in the past but I've removed. Examples for the latter being Charles Hall and Dianna Blackwood. Species you are applying to play: Vaurca What color do you plan on making your first alien character (Dionaea & IPCs exempt): RGB 61, 0, 0 Have you read our lore section's page on this species?: Yes Please provide well articulated answers to the following questions in a paragraph format. One paragraph minimum per question Why do you wish to play this specific race: Every now and then I get a concept with an alien race that I’d like to explore. Right now I have one involving a Vaurca. I’m not positive that I will enjoy the experience but it’s something I plan on trying. Identify what makes role-playing this species different than role-playing a Human: Biologically. They’re defined an insectoid like creature. Exoskeleton like build with differing types spread between their workers, their warriors which also differ in types, breeders where the male are traditionally bound while the females unbound and then you have Cephalon which is described as a supercomputer. They cannot breathe oxygen without some phoron. They are generally heavily augmented dynamically with the bound being the most modified. Their sustenance relies on “The substance” which we know as K’ois. Their mandibles if not augmented present an issue when speaking as certain pronunciations aren’t possible. Culturally. There is a very strong emphasis on their Virtual Reality when it comes to entertainment, as it provides what they want. I’ve compared their VR to the one they had in the Matrix in the sense that they can enter existing networks or construct their own. However to a Vaurca that spends time working, in the case of the characters that we have working on the Aurora, a Vaurca ends up finding other things to spend their time with. When it comes to clothes, Vaurca are very minimalistic by nature but their interaction with Human fashion has apparently led their unbound to be interested and curious. Furthermore, their art seems to be expressed through the senses such as speech, visuals and touch. Politically. The Vaurca depending on their hive are in a very precarious state. Specifically in Tau Ceti considering the recent events, the Vaurca overall are treated with extreme distrust by the general population. They live in what is effectively the slums and in regards to income are pay only a fraction of what the average person does. Character Name: Ka’Akaix’Virk Zo’ra Please provide a short backstory for this character, approximately 2 paragraphs Ka’Akaix’Virk Zo’ra, a unbound Vaurca worker of The Liminal Queen that spent decades connected to the VR, his specialty and niches being that of construction and architecture. A relatively countless amount of time spent building, designing and molding ultimate creations. Buildings of gargantuan scale and efficiency. Buildings built to their function, perfect in their every sense, lacking any flaws to them. True joy and blissful experience was what they went through the network only to be disconnected. Titan Prime has arrived in Tau Ceti and then the evacuation happened. Virk was transported away from the ship moved down to the city of Mendel, effectively relegated to live in the squalor and slums of their district, amongst his kind. Riots and attacks were common. Existence was not easy nor was it as comfortable. The Solerian blockades started a famine that starved a great number. Then came the occupation, the threat of exile looming over them. Now the Scourge is here and and existence remains uncertain, though the Hive remains optimistic and so does he. The Zo’ra hive is unstoppable afterall. Their current condition is nothing but a road bump, a hiccup, or so he believes. With the prospect of connecting to the VR network not as often as Virk would like or hope, other activities are pursued to supplement this. Though not as good as the network, Virk when idle defaults to drawing and designing what he can, though the scale and visuals of his real products always seemed underwhelming compared to what he can produce using the perfect canvas, the VR. What do you like about this character? The appeal to me here is the distinction between the virtual reality and actual reality, the differences between the two are major to Virk where he tries to get accustomed to things. He feels underwhelmed and disappointed in the nature of their role which will be an engineering apprentice. Compared to what he could build in the VR, he finds himself mending wires, fixing vendors, getting rid of fungus and so on. How would you rate your role-playing ability? I generally dislike this question. I’d prefer to let people rate me. Notes: Out of all the species I’ve applied for, I feel the Vaurca had the most written down about them. I feel there might be some discrepancies here with what I wrote but I’m hoping otherwise.

1. It does say antagonist events for the most part aren't canon. 2. It's not really hard to figure out who is who if you tried to ban evade. You don't exactly blend in with that style of writing.

Locking due to improper format.