Administration Newsletter 08/06/17

[Starscream]

Attention, tiny human creatures! Lord Starscream here, with this issue of a rather long overdue Administration Newsletter... Honestly, as if I don't have enough on my processor right now with running a faction and picking up the pieces of Megatron's failures, I've now been tasked with writing this as well. Ah well, not to worry – it is but a small step in taking over the forum for myself proving how helpful I am to your Administration team...

Without further ado, let's get on with it, shall we... As always, if there are any issues or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact one of the Administration via PM. I'm good, but not that good (at least in their eyes) – and I am certain they would not appreciate me handling that side of things, heh...

-

ADMINISTRATION
Call to Arms
With Toggs stepping down from her role as Admin, the Administration team are looking for another to join their ranks, with room for a new moderator as well. There is a post detailing this more here but I will gladly give some of my own input, given I know a thing or two about running things... Normally, the Admins discuss amongst themselves who among you are worthy suitable for the position, and approach with an offer. But a new way of going about this is being done - and at my suggestion, they are opening it up so that those who want power ... to rule ... to help, can step forward and put in an application to do so.

Now is your moment to shine.

As an Administrator, you will be working alongside Feldspar, Zercon and Ren, and will be commenting on applications for those who are looking to join the board, as well as helping run and organize plots to keep things fresh and exciting for those already here... You will also be answering questions from those potentially looking to join in the cbox and email, as well as helping to handle any issues that arise. Of course, you will need to have a presence in the community, both with your posts and in the cbox – and I have been made aware that the admins discuss matters on AIM behind the scenes to keep things moving. Of course, while not a requirement, it would probably make things easier to acquire this software, given you humans don't have access to the standard Comm channels like we Cybertronian do...

They are also looking for a new moderator to help keep the peace and to check for any rule breaking things in posts that may have otherwise gone unnoticed... Not that we get many situations where it's needed, but still - it does help to be prepared. The moderator will also be tasked with advertising on other boards - a process that will be explained by the Admins on how to do properly.

See to it that you do this well. The more cannon fodder we get in, the faster we can end this war and I, Lord Starscream, can rule as I so rightly deserve. (Admin Note: Ignore him.)

I would offer to step up myself, but the Administration feel I have enough on my plate as is, although I am hoping they let me have some say in the deciding process – after all, I need more people on my side want to see the best for this forum.

CURRENT EVENTS
Nemesis Crash & Blackridge Hold
Unfortunately, our beloved Flagship - the Nemesis - is still woefully at the bottom of the Ocean. Thank you for that, Soundwave...

While I may have... plans... to possibly rectify this at some point? For now, the Decepticons for Episode 2.5 and onward, are free to use Blackridge Hold for the foreseeable future. An area on the main page has been set up and is ready to go so you can start making threads in the various rooms and areas of this new location, to help further my the Decepticon cause. It is no Nemesis, but we do not need a fancy ship to win this war! I mean, look at Megatron! He'd had the ship all this time and accomplished nothing!

Anyway... Decepticons - should you need help in finding your way to the new location, Ravage is, at the moment, the only access to a ground bridge to and from Blackridge Hold. Although I am sure your arrival can be handwaved to speed things along if needed, once you get to that point in your 'reacting to our ship crashing into the Ocean because Megatron and Soundwave are useless' threads, anyway. Those of you who arrive injured should speak to Knock Out - although again, most things, such as patching up your minor booboos or draining sea-water from your frames, can be handwaved. We do have more important things to be doing, after all!

Also please don't forget that I, Lord Starscream, am now leading the Decepticons – where I shall lead us to glory by any means necessary. The Truce with the Autobots is still in effect and in good standing at time of writing, the only thing that has changed is that you will now be answering to me. See to it that you remember this, and we'll have a wonderful, seamless transition between leadership, and a rewarding future for all ahead.

(Admin Note: Due to wonky timing with Knock Out being kidnapped by Soundwave, if your character arrives badly hurt and needs medical assistance, PM Ren to work things out there. If you decide to handwave your character arriving, be sure to check in with Feldspar, just so that she is aware for Ravage as to who he's groundbridged in!)

Autobots Starvation
Ah, poor little Autobots, still going hungry. My spark aches for you, it truly does. Anyway, just a reminder to you all that you should play this out accordingly – you are starving, after all. My personal tip is to steal extra rations or fight each other for Energon, but what do I know... This plot is still in effect, starting from Week 1 day 1 of Episode 2.5 – and unless you all get lucky with a lucrative Energon mine, or if I decide to play nice and come to your aid..? It seems you're all out of luck for the near future. The further into 2.5 you get, the worse it will be - so by now into Week 2, you will possibly start to feel the niggling pangs of hunger and despair. Will desperate times call for desperate measures? It remains to be seen, and I can't wait to find out.

Car Truthers
As well as not being able to feed yourselves, it seems some of you Autobots have failed to remember the 'Robots in Disguise' motto, and have drawn the attention of some less than stellar individuals. Humans, who call themselves the 'Car Truthers' - how original. While they are certainly no MECH, be careful when out and about around wherever it is you live... To those who are new to the boards, remember the buddy system is still in play for Autobots - not that it has stopped these humans from noticing and keeping their eyes on you. Are they watching? Who knows. Maybe they're reading this right now! Just something to think about...

(Admin Note: House is currently running the 'Car Truthers' plotline, and will be adding a more in depth addition as to what's currently going on with that at a later date, so keep an eye out!)

Megatron
The Administration team are still looking for someone to play Megatron, and have been for quite some time. This is an advanced application, meaning that anyone who wishes to try must have been an active member of the board for at least a month. I am perfectly capable of running things in his absence - and plan to - and don't see a point in this addition - but alas, the Admins are making me write this. If you are interested in playing Megatron, do note that he will be unable to go into active play until at least the next episode... I do need my moment to shine, and the Admins have granted me that much in exchange for their lives as a small token for writing this newsletter. If you need to reference him in any threads, just know that at current? We are not sure where he is - and the Administration will work something out with anyone who chooses to app him and is successful.

Ugh.

Other Canons
If playing the Decepticon Warlord doesn't tickle your fancy (and why would it...), there are still several show canons who have yet to be claimed. Zercon has often bemoaned that Optimus needs more adults around - and I'm sure by now you're all stuck together with mesh-patches, glue, and tape - so having a Ratchet would no doubt be beneficial, not to mention some of the other Autobots, like Bulkhead and Arcee (oh how I can't wait to rub the death of Cliffjumper in her face...) who we seem to be lacking - not that I'm complaining.

Bulletin Board
We have a few new faces here on the forum since the last newsletter, so I will do you all a favor and remind you that the Bulletin Board is a thing. Here, you can find jobs posted by the Administration for if you want to get your character out and about and mingle with others - but have no ideas for threads (it happens to the best of us). Simply look through, and if there's something that takes your fancy..? Ask the Admin or Mod involved with that plot to get things going, of course - you may need others to join if a mission is particularly risky or dangerous... But that's what the cbox is there for.

In Closing
I personally don't feel there is much else to write about, and so I say my job here is done. I am sadly not privy to any major plans the Administration team have, but as always - stay alert and be ready for anything.

And I do mean anything.
~Lord Starscream, Commander of the Decepticons, Slayer of Cliffjumper, and better than you.