moderator Firstacts Moderator Application

[firstact]

Server Moderator Application

Basic Information

Byond Account: Firstact
Character Name(s): Azarii Marrkarr, I currently don't play anyone else notable
AI Name(s): N/A
Discord username + tag: Firstact (#0001 tags dont exist anymore)
Age: 28
Timezone: UTC-0600
When are you on Aurora?:

Times may vary as I seek employment right now, but generally I am on at peak hours between 1500 to 2300 UTC-0600

Experience

How long have you played SS13?: About 15 years

How long have you played on Aurora:

Since the server was first launched, I can't remember the exact date oh fuck I'm an old head 💀

How much do you know about SS13 (Baystation build) game mechanics?:

I have become a little rusty with certain mechanics such as the INDRA but I'm generally well informed on upfront mechanics and even lesser known interactions. I frequently answer questions posed by new players in OOC when there isn't an immediate response from staff or they aren't present, though I don't know everything.

Do you have any experience moderating for an SS13 server?:

I have experience with moderation and have hosted my own server as well as a tenure as Head of Staff for 4 years and admin for 2 years prior. I haven't actively moderated on any server since my initial trial as moderator on aurora years ago, but I do still remember a majority of the commands and permissions given between different staff and how they are applied. Examples of what I'm familiar with would be varedit, build mode, antag panel, and various preferences for toggling admin logs. If we've added anything unique to Aurora in the past few years I'm likely not familiar, and some variables I would need to learn about since new mechanics have been added. (brain med)

Have you read through the criteria thread; https://forums.aurorastation.org/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=4198 - and believe that you mark off all the criteria?:

I feel that I do fit these criteria more than ever. I've been playing here a long time but haven't always been the most mature person, and I've stepped away a few times when noticing my behavior was getting worse. I believe I'm at a point in my life where my maturity and ability for rational thought has fully developed and I can say with confidence that I'm capable of handling these duties within reason.

Have you ever been banned, and if so, how long and why?:

I've never been banned on aurora to my knowledge

Personality

Why do you play SS13?:

It's hard to describe why I've stuck with SS13 as my preferred roleplay medium for so long but I think the biggest factor would simply be meeting new people and being a part of a persistent community. There are other methods of roleplay that I greatly enjoy such as DnD but nothing really brings the same communal effort that is at play like SS13 and with Aurora specifically I've had repeated moments where I've been a part of absolutely fantastic roleplay that was more than just between friends. I try to roleplay and engage with people I don't often feel like I know personally and that creates a social web between characters that is really like nothing I've experienced elsewhere. From the loud moments to the quiet days, Aurora still provides fantastic roleplay because of its community and their unique ideas and it's rare that I'm not engaged.

Why do you play on Aurora?:

I answered this above because I solely stick to Aurora and have done so for years now, I may occasionally check other servers development but I see myself and my engagement with SS13 through Aurora.

What do moderators do?:

Moderators do have obvious duties such as enforcing the rules and committing to investigation when issues may arise, this is to help bring a level of standardization to the server and prevents disruptions from those who come here with poor intentions. I believe they also act as a standard of conduct themselves and part of their duties is to help guide those who need it, regardless of if they are new to this medium of roleplay, server, or are just questioning what approach to take. Moderators are generally expected to act as a reliable source of information when able and to be impartial when dealing with disputes between players, which in a community driven server is an inevitability.

What does it mean to be a moderator for our server?:

To moderate for Aurora is to volunteer your time and effort into providing a service for a community ran project. Volunteers are the only reason servers like Aurora can even function daily and they are what keep things running smoothly when the unexpected comes. Any community based project NEEDS volunteers to continue or they will eventually stagnate and disband, and Aurora is no exception. Apply for mod! 🔫

Why do you want to be a moderator?:

I've been asked privately repeated for years now to apply for staff and I have been incredibly stubborn about wanting to not be attached to Aurora despite quite literally being here since the beginning. I think this is a good way to start providing back to a community that I've been a part of for an actual fucking decade and it's about time I stopped being lazy about it. If accepted, I will likely remain on staff for at least a few more years unless circumstances drastically change. You win, Mel. (And Avery, and everyone else)

What qualities do you possess that would make you a good moderator?:

Throughout my personal career and experience moderating as a young adult I felt I've shown a great capacity for impartiality and rational thought. I haven't always been the most kind person but I have gotten considerably more empathetic as I grow older and when I have responsibilities like this I take them very seriously, though not to a degree where I would break form when agitated or under pressure. My profession has honed these capabilities even more over the past four years although I typically prefer to keep that information private.

How well do you handle stress, anger, or insults?:

In my experience I do handle provocation very well without much immediate reaction or even negative thought, as I often focus on the task at hand and how to logically convince the other party to achieve it. While perhaps not the best way to handle stress, when under pressure I have proven to work even harder to achieve what I aim for, though under prolonged stress in less urgent situations I will typically see if stepping away is a valid option to regain composure and I believe I have sufficient knowledge and methods to utilize for reducing stress.

Anything Else You Want to Add:

Last year (or more) I flaked out on two applications because I felt I wouldn't have the time for it and I honestly don't know why I would have thought that. I will always have some time for Aurora if I can, because this community is important to me. I've tried to be a consistent face in that people can rely on for years now, but I understand the importance of taking a break by now. Everyone needs one eventually.

P.S Can we please fix the formatting for the application thread guys? 💀

Edited March 3 by firstact

[Yonnimer]

On trial 22/03/25 - 22/04/25

Also apparently this didn't get posed x.x

https://pastebin.com/DrghX5WE