Caelphons Deputy Loremaster Application

[Caelphon]

CKEY/BYOND USERNAME: 

Caelphon

Position Being Applied For: 

Deputy Lore Master

Have you read the Lore Team Rules and Regulations wiki page? 

Yes

Past Experiences/Knowledge:

I’ve been working alongside the team for about a year now, first as Deputy underneath Yonnimer for Dionae and now Skrell Maintainer. 

Examples of Past Work: 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iq9wUCtqd8rllKztd1M7rOZLLPyVidUVXhop0PKHKxo/edit?usp=sharing

The above link is the “TOADMAP” which currently shows how many additions have been added, which I either personally added or edited before being uploaded. There are roughly nineteen major additions since I was awarded Skrell Maintainer in December of 2020. 

More specifically, you'll find my other pieces of work below; 

https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Skrell_Politics

https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Skrell_Factions

https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Skrell_Faith

https://wiki.aurorastation.org/index.php?title=Federation_Spacefaring

 

Game Plan: 

The conclusion of the “King of the World” arc brought around a very different Orion Spur, plagued by Phoron Shortages and economic instability -- even political instability. Despite all these changes, very little has changed aboard the NSS Aurora. There is no evidence that we’re in a Phoron Shortage, besides a few footnotes such as the Phoron Bounty, less Phoron being delivered to Science or Medical, or that we’ve switched to a Hydrogen-based Supermatter. These are all minor things that generally go unnoticed by the general population of the server, which I’d like to change. 

I’d like to hone in on both the effects of the Shortages and the general instability of the greater Orion Spur through both in-game and out-of-game methods; such as increasing the prices in both the Cargo Ordering Panel and the Vendors (showing that the Phoron Shortages are cutting into transport costs, subsequently affecting the prices on station) or even implementing slight pay cuts to show that the Megacorporations aren’t so “untouchable” as everyone believes they are. I’d also like to put more effort into news articles and events (one-offs/arcs) that develop into an overarching story about how the Orion Spur is managing to hang on by a thread.

 

The Phoron Shortages Approach:

The Phoron Shortages are arguably the most important approach, considering it affects players directly. I’d focus on both a combination of news articles and events (both a mixture of mini-arcs and one-offs) to bring this to the forefront of everyone’s minds. Reiterating what I said earlier, I’d start off with the introduction of increased prices, and start releasing articles explaining why prices have started to hike, and how the general population of The Republic of Biesel is dealing with it (and other sovereign states throughout the Orion Spur). Possible news articles could involve switching off the Bluespace Gates for a few hours a day, leading to constrained travel and mounting interstellar traffic incapable of reaching its designated economies. Possible events could revolve around the anomalies of Phoron (perhaps introducing a mystery that players can solve) and how the NSS Aurora would be “prime real estate” for more sinister parties considering its phoronic abundance. The crux of this approach is to basically pull it off the back burner and put it on top of a raging bonfire at the forefront of the players’ minds.  

 

Corporate Reconstruction Zone Approach: 

“The Republic of Biesel's recent expansion into former Solarian territories has been met with both applause and total rejection from its populace. Now, there remains a huge region of space referred to as the Corporate Reconstruction Zone where new colonies reach delayed and substandard treatment from the core Tau Ceti system. While this receives criticism, it is often unavoidable seeing as the chaos from the Solarian collapse has left supply lines strained or even inoperable.”

The Corporate Reconstruction Zone would be very likely to get the second-most attention in terms of news articles, considering how many elements can be expanded on and then create a story with. I’d focus the news articles on the tense relationship between the Republic of Biesel and these CRZ Planets, revolving around the ups and downs -- I do believe that there was discussion about introducing an anti-corporate presence from the CRZ some while ago, which I believe is a good element to introduce. Events would stem from these news arcs, both one-offs, and arcs. I’d focus more on one-offs - for this specific approach mostly because I’d use the NBT for event arcs to allow players to actually influence the Corporate Reconstruction Zone - and introducing ghost spawns revolving around this (such as a Supply Ship that can dock with the NSS Aurora, basically Merchant+).

 

Additional Comments: 

To preface; We shouldn’t be looking to replace Kyres, but instead, fulfill the slot and help create an overarching story that players can follow. Kyres left big shoes to be filled, which I don’t think anyone can fulfill, considering Kyres was literally an all-rounder (Lore, Spiring, Mapping, and Activity), and frankly that’s alright. Kyres was our one in a million, and I was saddened to hear about his departure -- especially since he was helping me greatly with Skrell Lore. 

I’d considered by activity (both within the community, and my writing) is fairly consistent. I always make an effort to go out my way to involve myself with the community (even so much as establishing a rather transparent approach to how I direct lore and asking for feedback from players). I’d like to think I’m approachable, at least that’s what I try to put across when I’m speaking in the community. I try my best to also introduce lore that revolves around player agency, and character creation, which I’d like to continue if I’m awarded the position. 

I’ve been told that I’m quite impatient when it comes to releasing lore, which is true if I look at it in hindsight. I do, however, think that with the position comes more responsibility in terms of how it affects everyone (considering changes could have lasting and immediate results) so I’d definitely take a chill pill and put myself into a box of sorts? I’d have at least three people go through anything before it’s released, and make sure that it’s at least edited by another person.

I would likely resign from my position as Skrell Lore Maintainer if I am awarded the position.

[Lmwevil]

Cael's a pretty based writer, only issue is he has a crippling ritalin addiction that makes him a complete idiot whenever he talks to me, talking about fake things like 'bogans'. What a weirdo. 

In seriousness the time he served in Dionae the majority he got done there was good, and I have no complaints of how he has run Skrell. Tries to work with other teams and wants cross species stuff, all in all a real positive fella. 

Please let my family go Cael. I did what you asked. 

+1 

[niennab]

Personally, and I don't hope to cause any offense, but I do not believe you'd be good fit for the role of the loremaster deputy. You have a lot of passion, you're active and a fantastic writer, which is great. However, I have had numerous communication issues with you while on the team, some where you have overstepped your bounds as a maintainer, that do not lead me to believe you'd be the right fit for what is a role that requires good communication and management skills.

[Caelphon]

I appreciate your feedback - Its your prerogative, and trust me it means no offense! 

I understand where you're coming from, in terms of miscommunication, and I'll do better. I feel that's really all I can say on the matter that actually means anything. 

[MattAtlas]

While passion isn't a bad thing, too much of it is. It can lead to you overstepping bounds because of eagerness to accomplish a task. Similarly, it can lead to things like you abusing powers or rushing a job. These are the main reasons why I'd be concerned about giving you the job: you have too much passion and you're too eager. This can be seen in the various discussions you've had in the loreteam and what Lauren said. Keep in mind that deputy loremasters will work closely with codebase maintainers and head staff and I haven't found your attitude one that I'd like working with. I unfortunately think that you do need a little more time to dull your edges before you can consider a management position that high up.

[Caelphon]

I understand you may have concerns, but I don't think they're founded? I don't believe I've displayed a past of abusing my position, or particularly rushing a job? I'm impatient, but before I merge anything, I speak to my team (Monomyth). It might not always be in coordination, but Monomyth always goes through something before I post it, or give his approval. 

Am I quick to release lore? Yes. Do I consult my team before doing so? Yes. Skrell Coordination (and our personal dms) details this. It might seem fast, and without forethought, on the Lore Discord, but thats due to because I involve the players in creating and directing lore -- if I can see that majority of the votes want it to be added, so therefore I add it.  I think being transparent should be the objective for lore maintainers, shouldn't it? I mean, we're here for them, not for anyone else. 

Sure, I've had slip ups with miscommunication with my co-workers in lore, but hasn't everybody? I can promise that whether or not I get the position, that these slip-ups will be kept to a minimum. Theres nothing now that I can do to change this fact besides changing my behaviour. 

Edited May 13, 2021 by Caelphon
Clarification

[NewOriginalSchwann]

Much like Nienna and Matt, I don't believe I can support this application. While you are clearly passionate, you're difficult to work with and -- in my experience -- tend to become confrontational in arguments over lore. You additionally have a past riddled with communication issues, particularly with the synthetic team. These negative traits became much more noticeable when you became a full maintainer, and I am concerned that they will be carried over to the position of deputy loremaster. While I respect your capabilities as a writer and maintainer, I cannot see you as a deputy loremaster.

Edited May 13, 2021 by NewOriginalSchwann
Typo.

[Caelphon]

I appreciate your feedback, and will re-iterate that I will be looking more at myself and correcting the issues outlined in the above posts. Thank you for being honest with me. 

[SleepyWolf]

I believe there is no such thing as being too passionate, and being too active. With how much Cael can easily fit into multiple roles, I think there's room for a lot of potential. Telling someone to dull out feels like the wrong approach to this.

Also the ability to plan is what I feel Cael has really in their field - that combined with the ability to communicate pretty well is what makes Cael good for the role.

 

[Butterrobber202]

I will immediately declare I am neutral on the application. I am not a member of the lore team, and therefore, I do not believe I have any right to decide who they are lead by. I'm commenting on this to agree with Sleepy and share my own experiences with Cael. I acknowledge that the experiences of a normal player and a Staff Lorewriter are different, but I felt the need to comment nonetheless.

Passion is what fuels creativity, asking someone to become "dull" seems insulting to their imagination. I disagree that anyone person can be too active in a community. And even if that were a possibility, it should be considered a positive thing. I would take a Loremaster who maybe posts too much over one that posts too little. 

In my interactions with Cael, of which I have had quite a few, there have been eager and willing to listen to my questions and ideas. In fact, they have been extremely receptive to what I have said to them and have sometimes come to talk to me with new ideas and suggestions for what I presented them, asking me on what I thought the best way to integrate them was. This kind consideration has meant the world to me and I've not had any problems cooperating with Cael.

Edited May 14, 2021 by Butterrobber202

[Carver]

I'll keep my feedback succinct: Whenever I've had a question for them or a thought to share, they were always quick and polite to respond. A very open individual all-around, and hardly negative to interact with whether in public or private.

[N8-Toe]

I've had little OOC interaction with Cael, so I can not comment on that. However I like their ideas and plan they presented for moving forwards and I think they present a good ground work for new and exciting lore that would be impactful on gameplay. so a +1 from me

[Mofo1995]

After much consideration, I have decided to accept this application. Congratulations!