[Accepted] Zelmana's Moderator Application

[Zelmana]

Server Moderator Application

 

Basic Information

Byond Account: zelmana

Character Name(s): Sean Brianne, Seb Quill, Hatius Black, Arnar Glint, Levi Fletcher

AI Name(s): none or generic things like S73V3. I change them routinely.

Discord username + tag: Zelm#5304

Age: 19

Timezone: EST (UTC - 4:00)

When are you on Aurora?:

• Monday: randomly 10am - 11pm
  
  Tuesday: throughout the day after 1pm
  
  Wed-Fri: after 3:30pm
  
  Sat: Usually play a few rounds
  
  Sun: Late nights.
  
  All of this is a good guess as I also balance my time with schoolwork, studying, and social.
  

  ---

  ---

Experience

How long have you played SS13?: Since Aug 10, 2014

How long have you played on Aurora: 995 days

How much do you know about SS13 (Baystation build) game mechanics?: A lot. Enough to be ROBUST if needed. I know the ins and outs of a lot of the minor mechanics. (Though, sometimes I may wish to check with staff if I am doing something risky). I am able to understand mechanics code but not write it.

Do you have any experience moderating for an SS13 server?: No.

Have you ever been banned, and if so, how long and why?: No.

---

---

Personality

Why do you play SS13?: I enjoy ss13 because the mechanics is very vast. A game with so many mechanics and processes, which are highly detailed, allow for a great roleplay environment. Roleplay on ss13 is great due to this amount of detail, as well as the sense of community and type of people who are interested in ss13.

Why do you play on Aurora?: I play on Aurora because it is one of few good HRP servers. I found that Aurora's community allows for a lot of involvement in development. Whether it is lore, code, or general aspects of the server, the community is very involved. I feel that the ruleset is just in terms of roleplay and behavioral rules, and I've come to make a lot of friends here, as well as bring some of my own.

What do moderators do?: I think being a moderator for the server is to act as an extension of higher staff. (Read: slaves) On a more serious note, I think that the moderator team serves a purpose to be the eyes and ears, as well as primary helpers and assistants to the community. Moderators and staff should not be an iron fist, but rather a guiding hand when dealing with players.

What does it mean to be a moderator for our server?: A moderator for the Aurora server is a complex beast. They monitor the in game interactions, whether it be mechanics or roleplay. They compare what is going on within the round to the ruleset, and analyze how the round is playing to ensure that it is being played within those rules. Another responsibility is to deal with player reports given through adminhelp. When a player requests an issue to be looked into, it is up to the moderator and the extended team to address it. Moderators may also moderate the discord for metagaming and the compliance with Discord server rules. Above all, the most important aspect of a moderator on Aurora is communication. Communication with the staff team, as well as communication with the playerbase is paramount to success. Refer to my answer about the qualities of a good moderator for a more detailed description on why this is important.

Why do you want to be a moderator?: As mentioned above, I'd like to help out the server where they need assistance. I find myself routinely reporting issues to the staff ingame or on external (like Discord) and believe that I would be able to assist these issues more directly. I believe that if I am able to work with the moderator and staff team I would be able to help staff more effectively.

What qualities do you possess that would make you a good moderator?: I believe moderators should have tact. Although there are times where I can look back and see where I have not had it, generally, I feel that I am capable of handling situations tactfully. A good moderator should perform a self examination of their role- they are a moderator. They should moderate. To moderate successfully we must remain unbiased, and seek an outcome that is beneficial to all parties involved. Rules and protocols should be enforced, but those rules serve a purpose, and users should be properly instructed and disciplined with a solid judgement.

How well do you handle stress, anger, or insults?: I deal with anger, stress, and insults fairly well. However, I believe that there is a fine line of just anger. There are certain things and topics that people should be angry about, or compassionate enough to object or discuss with passion. It is important to think meta-cognitively about how to properly handle stress and anger. There have been a few times where I have been angry about topics where I believe I have been wronged, but after discussion I find that me and the other party end up in good terms and a joint understanding. There has been one instance where this has not been the case, and it was an incident involving the NT-ISD discord, which I would like to put out there for transparency sake. Myself and the other individuals were unable to agree upon the governance of the affiliated Discord.

---

---

Anything Else You Want to Add:

Thanks for reading my application, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me on Discord.

[MattAtlas]

I'll be the one to handle your interview, so I'll be contacting you on Discord for it soon.

[MattAtlas]

Player's interview: https://pastebin.com/vtB8Dk4E

[Catnip]

A few more questions, if you don't mind:

1) What are your current thoughts on how the staff team operates? Is there anything you would change given the chance?

2) How do you feel about handling forum complaints, reports, etc. and moderating the discord alongside on-server operations?

3) Elaborate on the [xenophillic tendencies of the ISD] please, how would you personally go about addressing it in a position of staff?

4) Anything you'd like to add?

[Zelmana]

A few more questions, if you don't mind:

1) What are your current thoughts on how the staff team operates? Is there anything you would change given the chance?

2) How do you feel about handling forum complaints, reports, etc. and moderating the discord alongside on-server operations?

3) Elaborate on the [xenophillic tendencies of the ISD] please, how would you personally go about addressing it in a position of staff?

4) Anything you'd like to add?

 

Hi Catnip! Sure thing.

1) My current thought on how the staff team operates? Well, I think that they operate fairly transparently and keep their project open to the community via discord or github. I think that I would choose to change the internal position changing or recruiting responsibilities in staff already. However, I think this is a complex issue that has more factors than staff, and I believe we try to combat this issue sufficiently.

2) For forum complaints, reports, and such I feel fine handling. I am not a very regular forum user but I feel that I can evaluate situations or complaints made on the forums with a fine tooth comb. Moderating Discord alongside server operations sounds like something I already do- being a regular voice / text channel user on the Aurora discord I find myself reminding players of the rules (mainly meta) or helping often.

3) The xenophillic tendencies of the ISD is an issue that I think can only be solved within character, as it is only an in character issue. As stated within the interview I did not wish for it to impact the interview and don't wish that statement to be taken seriously at all. As a position of staff I would not address this non-issue.

4) I would like to add that the response time on this is much quicker than I expected, and thanks to the multiple inspectors on this application.

[Zelmana]

After a few more conversations about this, I want to make it more clear that the xenophillia public record statement was a joke, intended to end / start the interview on a lighthearted note.

[Faris]

I had a few questions but they're addressed by Catnip, there is one question I'd like you to answer.

From a personal standpoint, your activity seems sporadic and distant. This could however just be us not being in at the same time. Could you describe your overall activity to me? What sort of obligations do you have that you are willing to divulge?

[Zelmana]

Hi Abo,

My activity may seem sporadic and distant due to timezones, yes. I'm on EST timezone. My full schedule is listed above, but I can go into some more detail. Mondays I am free basically all day, Tuesday I have networking classes from 8-12, but I usually leave around 11am. Tuesday evening I may spend time with the girlfriend. Wednesday through Friday I have an internship program where I work 9am-3pm. Saturday I'm free, and do a mix of ss13 and studying. Sunday, I attend religious services and most of my day with my girlfriend and then at night (9pm-??) I am available.

In brief, here's a general example of my activity.

Monday: 2-3 rounds depending on study-load

Tuesday: 1-3

Wed and Thurs you can expect 1-2 rounds each night.

Friday I typically play 3-4 rounds

Saturday 3-5 rounds (depending on schedule)

Sunday night: 2-3 rounds.

I'd also like to note that I am very very active in the Discord voice channels, as well as the text channels (though not movies, video games, or book channels). And am available via ping during most all my waking hours.

My obligations are fairly standard: college, time with my girlfriend, my internship.

Whenever I am on my PC (even during studying) I have a dedicated Discord monitor, and often times will have Aurora opened up to the lobby as well. I think the question of activity is infact due to timezones or mere coincidence.

[Faris]

Completely reasonable and sufficient. You have my support.

[Catnip]

Trial started on Feb 26, and will run for one month until March 26.

[Arrow768]

Went out of his way to help me answer a lore question regarding a company named Gilthari Exports.

There was no info about it on the forums or the wiki.

They finally found out that its a minor corporation that is mentioned in the char preferences

[Catnip]

Application accepted following a successful trial. Welcome to the team.