Administration Newsletter 05/23/21

[Starscream]

What?! Time for another newsletter already? As if I don’t have enough to do with my time than to write one- okay, fine. I suppose I can spare a moment, as these are important...

Ahem. Greetings, tiny humans. Lord Starscream here with another thrilling update of things that have been happening on the board and behind the scenes. As per usual, if you have any comments, questions, or concerns after reading? The Admin team are always available via PM here on the board, the email - which you should all know - or a gentle nudge on Discord. I myself am far too busy to listen to any whining, and so implore you to reach out to someone who cares.

Anyway, on to the Newsletter…

Current Events
Megatron
As some of you may be aware, toward the end of last year Megatron was placed on a hiatus. While this news is more than a little overdue, I can confirm that this break has become more of an indefinite one - and Megatron is once again up as a wanted character.

All. Hail. Lord Star- what, too soon?

So what does this mean for the Decepticons? Nothing - as of the time of writing this, anyway. It is assumed that Megatron is still out there in the depths of Space, locating pieces of his weapon, meaning episode 3.0 will continue as normal. However, before the next episode begins, the Decepticons will receive word of his apparent and unfortunate demise. With him presumed dead and off planet, I, Lord Starscream, shall once again take up my rightful position as leader of the Decepticons, hopefully for good.

The weapon plotline will be coming to some sort of closure for the time being, but you will have to wait and see what happens.

Now for the important side to this departure.

Megatron will be available for play, with the above reason for his newfound absence taken into account. It is, however, an advanced application - meaning that anyone who wishes to take on the role must be an active member of the board. Megatron is the primary antagonist, the leader of an entire faction, and needs the presence to match. Should anyone wish to play him, you will need to demonstrate an ability to run plots, communicate your ideas with admins - yet hold your own and take charge when it comes to doing things in character.

As much as I personally enjoy not having Megatron around, feel free to reach out to an Admin should you have any questions - or want to try your hand at applying for him.

Other Canons
The Wanted Character page has been updated, including the addition of Jack Darby who is now available. While I personally do not encourage more humans, I cannot stop anyone applying for a pesky ally to the Autobots...

On that note, feel free to apply for Vehicons... Primus knows we could do with more competent troops around here.

Where to go next?
While we still have some time before Episode 3.0 comes to a close, the Admins have been busy behind the scenes discussing where to go from here. While I am not privy to these conversations and know only that I will be (rightfully) in charge in the coming episode, they are doing things a little differently this time around.

They want your input.

Following the posting of this Newsletter, a google form will be located in the Discord (to prevent outsiders/spam/trolls) so you can vote on how to move forward. The option is also there should you have any ideas for plots of your own.

Other major plotlines did not really spur on the RP the Admins hoped, and so this way they can get an idea of what is wanted.

Plots
I would like to give some credit to some of you who are taking the initiative to make your own plots. The human murder mystery for example is a fun adventure and something I will be watching with interest.

As a general note, and something else that seems to be brought up a lot - do not forget that you are all absolutely allowed and encouraged to run your own plots, and access is available should you need usage of the NPC account. You also do not need to ask permission to run plots - only if they affect the board as a whole. So no discovering and obliterating Omega or Blackridge without asking, for example.

On this topic, I would like to stress that planning something from complete start to finish takes out a lot of the fun and is something akin to following a script like your pathetic human movies. Plan a loose idea, by all means, but you'd be surprised how things can change. Even my own plans - which I plan meticulously - can shift without warning. Go with the flow and adapt. You'll be better off.

Similarly, a reminder is probably needed in that we are a slower-paced board. Long term RP with build up has more reward, more impact on characters, and makes things more meaningful as a whole. As the master of the long game, I can reveal that I have plans up my sleeves that've been underway since I arrived - yet will not be rushed into revealing things until it is fitting to do so. A good example of long term RP is Windshield and his big reveal (so proud). There are a few things that have been years in the making, and the reward is usually more than worth it. 

Activity
This is something that I seem to find myself, unfortunately, writing about every Newsletter, and would like to once again remind everyone of the posting requirements in the rules.

Show canon characters are required to post at least once a week.
Other canon characters (including TFP humans), and original characters, are required to post at least once a fortnight - or every two weeks, if you are not familiar with that word.

Many of you have fallen behind, with some characters not posting - or logging on - for months on end. While I will not name names, nor call any of you out as I’m sure you know who you are, it has unfortunately gotten to a point that emails will be going out in the coming weeks to those that remain inactive.

Being active in the Discord is not the same as being active here on the board. We are a roleplay forum first and foremost, and you'd do well to remember that.

Etiquette
While I personally love a good speech, something that has been brought up and is something to keep in mind is that some of you... seem to talk in excess in some of your tags. Masses of talking in a post, with little to no gaps. While I'm sure what you have to say is so very important, spare a thought for the person who has to reply.

They may want to interject, react, or reply to your words but given the fact you're rambling away and continuing on, it makes things hard. Less is more. Should your character really need to word vomit, be sure to ask if the other character would stand there and listen.

I know I personally wouldn't.

Unrelated to posts but something else to generally keep in mind is to please try and stay on topic within the Discord. Plotty, for example, is for plotting and not for random RP-type reactions to things. Things get lost quickly within a chatroom, and so staying on topic is needed.

Also, due to an influx of Admins being poked one on one for major character or plot related questions, going forward any further questions related to anything major will need to be sent through the email - which you should all know - so the Admins can discuss things as a group, rather than an awkward back and forth. There is nothing more frustrating than being the middle man in a situation, and it only slows things down...

Obviously, as stated above smaller plots do not need permission, but when in doubt? Or if you want to be better safe than sorry? Ask.

Applications
Multiple Characters
A popular trend as of late seems to be applying for characters in pairs or groups.

While this is fine, do note that these applications take longer to review than normal, especially if their histories are linked in depth. The Admins have asked me to extend their apologies for any delays in reviewing groups of characters.

Neutrals
One more popular movement seems to be that of neutral characters.

While I do not envy those that do not pick a faction, and would personally rather eradicate them and use them for parts, I have been asked to pass along a clarification as to what neutrals are, and what to expect when playing one.

For one, 'neutral' is not its own faction. Each member of this group is a completely separate individual. The hard mode of roleplay, as it were. While I will not judge, it seems many of our neutrals seem to sway one way or another after a singular thread. You've survived alone for millennia and all it takes is one interaction to change your mind?!

One perk for applying a neutral - a true neutral who will not join a faction - is they get certain boons, given they do not have a team nor group to rely upon should things turn dire. If too many of these stronger neutrals pick a side, it can throw things out of balance and... well, we don't want that.

As such, the Admins will be reading neutral applications with a little more scrutiny than before.

MECH Invasions
As we have some new faces to the board, please direct your attention to the announcements channel in Discord. In there is a small question about MECH invasions. Please react accordingly, and as always - be on the lookout.

In Closing
I do believe that I have covered all the topics requested of me by the Admins, and so I shall leave things here. As always, if you have comments or questions about anything, reach out to one of the Admin team either via Discord or email.

-Lord Starscream, Commander of the Decepticons, Slayer of Cliffjumper, and better than you.