Nauta nice place to stand in

I don't really care for these journal things because I lack time, even for posting the stuff I want so for the first and last post I will make for it, it'd better be something important, like that first important decision I made even before I pressed that "register" button in ST. But a little background before we get there:

I used to be one of those ridiculously patient and optimistic people on the internet. Keyword: [b]"used to"[/b] here. I could blame this new development on me playing a lot of those competitive and cancerous games like *cough* DotA, 2d spessmans, Overwatch, UD, etc. but really, those of you which know me from before I joined ST know the real deal which I have no issue repeating for your benefit. The same event which has made the important decision, well, so important.

The important decision is this, [u]that I'll never again allow myself to be a victim of mod abuse[/u].

However before I get into the mod abuse I've been a victim of, it's important for me to define "mod abuse" so anyone of you reading may be able to identify it for yourselves. At least for me, I define mod abuse as [b][i][u]"any act, decision or choice of a mod made to the detriment of player through the difference in positions without any proper reason."[/u][/i][/b] As a player, the most important element of this definition is of course any result which is [b]detrimental[/b] to me.

How is this the most important element? That's for story time! So grab your popcorn and a drink because I'm jumping right in. Skip the spoilers below, if you only want stuff relevant to my experience in ST.

Part one:
[spoil]This may not be my first experience with mod abuse, but it was [i]the[/i] experience which taught me the importance of being able to identify the signs and nip it in the bud. It happened to me in the site I was in before ST. In said site, it wasn't even one month of me joining when it happened. Abusive mod S came in at the conclusion of a thread (the review stage in ST) dumped his load of bad (a.k.a. the detriments) in one post after the thread had ended, so there was no way for the PCs to react and are forced to live with it.

The best part of this one incident? The dump couldn't have happened within normal expectations as both my PC and my partner (despite being newbies) played to our skill level, took precautions, and the reasonable consequences of those training threads. However they were all ignored because S couldn't dump his load the normal ways with those present. How abnormal was S's method? Two PCs in a memory thread which practiced at a secluded location outside the city, supposedly got the attention of an overpowered NPC from all their past practice (which wasn't an element built up, just mentioned in passing in that one post) which got pissed for whatever reason and decided to screw them over. Said NPC despite his overpoweredness also had no name, no reputation, and was never used again.

Tl: dr: a one off creation by a power tripping mod which [u]served no purpose or benefit to the site and its players[/u]. A great sign you guys should be looking out for, other than [u]a mod blatantly ignoring the things a player has done and used[/u] in a thread.

Unfortunately as naive bright eyed newbies, we didn't realize how bad this was and bought into S's lies (yes kids, [u]abusive mods also lie, a lot[/u]) which went along the lines of "now you guys have a reason to go to this awesome place for mods to shower you with attention and give you cool plots!" It was probably a month later when S already left that we learned said place was also well known for being devoid of mod activity or active players so if we had followed his bait, we would have been stuck in a location where we couldn't even play our PCs for who knows how long (which was something he was well aware of)

While we didn't get ourselves stuck, we also couldn't do anything to fix S's bad stuff. We also learnt it wasn't intended as some fun plotline that we lost out on due to the unfortunate fact the location had no activity but, [u]to fulfill S's selfish desire[/u] to make a name for himself as a mod. S thought he could make a name if he showed everyone he was doing something against a perceived problem in the site but, because he only wanted to be seen as doing something and didn't actually care to do something to fix the problem, he was indiscriminate with his targets which only had to fill the criteria of being one of the magic using PCs. Our PCs unfortunately were the first he could affect with that criteria.

A lot of you by now could be thinking I just told my side of things and read into S's intents when he actually did a good thing and it was us players which were in the wrong. After all the mods are always right! (As sarcasm doesn't translate well in the internet, I'm pointing out this is sarcasm and, also [u][i][b]a very dangerous train of thought which only supports abusive mods everywhere[/b][/i][/u]) I know S's intents and actions were not good for any reason because 1. he bragged it to get the attention of my friend (one of the more popular PCs he wanted acknowledgment from) and 2. because a lot of other mods were the ones to tell me what S did wasn't right.[/spoil]

Part 2:
[spoil]So the only thing which actually came as a result of S's selfish reasons (hence [u]the element of without proper reason[/u]) was two PCs being locked out of a significant part of the game and, the PCs inability to use a significant amount of the skills they worked building up. It was bad enough my partner had to go inactive for a year until a mod finally decided to help him. As I said I was patient and optimistic at the time so being locked out while annoying, did not stop me from in my attempts to make the best of it as I pressed on for over a year.

Some of you like the me of [i]then[/i] might think that isn't too big a deal. I'd agree since I eventually had my problems fixed by a mod which genuinely took the post to help players, but that wasn't all there was to it. I'm going to continue on with something else which happened because of this event, which also highlights the dangerousness of certain thoughts when it comes to mod abuse. At some point a friend told me if I didn't exhaust every method to get it fixed, it's going to be a long term problem and told me to make use of the site's support forum.

Dangerous thought 2 and reason why you shouldn't allow yourself to be a victim of mod abuse: When the head admin finally got back to me, the only thing she said was [b]"because a mod did it, its legit. So deal with it"[/b] with no other assistance. A great example of [u]the difference in position element[/u] which I have mentioned above. Frankly it was a simple task to even try working towards getting the problem fixed, as that very same friend told me to pm another independently minded mod. Despite being one of the most busy mods on the site, he at least tried to help with a offer to pass any information a lower ranked mod might need to fix everything, if I could find one willing.

I'd like to say things only got better from there but no such luck. Being a victim of mod abuse is like being trapped in a pit. [b][i][u]It's only going to get worse[/u][/i][/b] hence the important lesson I've learned, [u]to never myself to be a victim of it ever again[/u], or even allow the risk of it to exist. Eventually the mod in charge of the location I play in got to my problem and "fixed" it, but with so many onerous conditions it effectively means nothing. From what I've learned from another mod later on (the one which fixed my partner with no issues), when S added the bad stuff to my notes he also added a load of bull about why I deserved it and, that any other mod which helped to make sure I regret it. To make sure his work remained according to the mod which, fortunately for my partner immediately knew to ignore. So again, if S wasn't already a prime example of it, you can easily identify an abusive mod as they are very likely to lie to get what they want.

But again, patient and optimistic me decided it was better than nothing and decided to work within the limitations even if it was terrible. Enter abusive mod A. I considered A a bro. We IM'd each other and stuff a lot because we also play together and needed to coordinate a lot of things. As a bro, he brought my problem to the attention of his superior as a new mod didn't have enough power. Eventually I found out he was the one which suggested the onerous conditions but I trusted his judgment. The thing which killed my trust in him however, was when I found out he made sure only his PC was able to fix the onerous conditions, but only if my PC sticks to his like a lackey doing whatever he wanted. That included the threads he wanted to, he specifically made that clear to me.

Like I wasn't already one of those people most open to any idea of threading and had no limitations, other than elements which I am uncomfortable or bored with. Again, [u]a decision to my detriment which came about because of the difference in position for no good reason[/u] (it was pretty much the forced lackey part which killed things)[/spoil]

Part 3:
[spoil]But A was not the only one to take advantage of S's actions. Enter F. F was a mod in charge of a location far away, a location in which activity was dying out save F's best friend which ruled there. Eventually when it would be too late, me and a friend (along with the rest of the group) which were suckered into relocating would find out that all of F's promises were just to get more players to play with (read: feed the ego of) his friend. Unfortunately at that time I only wanted to fix my PC and as I felt the location I've parked him in for nearly a year provided nothing to me as a player, I thought why not?

So even after three to four months of being F's house, F still dragged his feet with what he had promised. As for me, I just continued playing with whatever his location had and each time I found a new element which might help, I suggested it to him. Each time, F will say he had his plans and will get to it so I just let it be and soldiered on, because I didn't believe he would have tricked me into going all the way to his location for nothing when he too was one of those people which told me S was bad.

I'm going to stop right here to contrast F with another mod, P which taught me another important lesson (not mod abuse) on the mods a player should look out for. I'll admit now me and P didn't get off with a good start as we disagreed with some things, but eventually we became more amicable. In any case, F only provided excuse after excuse for a significant length of time while P, the moment he got promoted to a mod of rank immediately got to my problem. I didn't even have to ask as I was still patiently waiting on F but P got things started within a week and had fixed the problem in two.

So bonus important lesson: any mod may go through the motions of being there for their players, but [b][i][u]any mod which actually took the position to help enhance their players experience will do it without any excuse or worry[/u][/i][/b].

If the contrast was all there was to this story, it'd be a happy ending. Unfortunately it wasn't. F created an event to fulfill his friend's need to be a recognized hero. I had my reservations, but me and my friend decided we could join and avoid his friend as much as possible because we already recognized his friend was a problem. Things went on pretty well, until F brought all the PCs together and his friend started to command leadership because he was the most powerful (gifts of items, skills and power by F) I didn't like the sudden hijack and chastised him, unfortunately IC because I was dumb. Saw his friend go inactive for a post or two, and suddenly smacking a surprise attack on my PC with no chance to react.

I was flabbergasted, and pretty much asked chat what to do next because I was at a loss. [u]F and his friend's relationship was well known in the site and the consensus was unfavorable[/u]. My PC had a limited use "get out of jail free" card which I considered, but as its effects are decided by mods (read: F) everyone told me not to waste it. Another mod (not P) told me to just take it and he'll fix it when I leave F's control (his location was the closest to F's) And then there the other players, those involved in the thread which retaliated against F's friend because that wasn't bueno while others uninvolved questioned why the NPCs would turn a blind eye to the hostilities against a member of the group when everyone was supposed to work together to defeat the bigger threat.

F caught wind of it and "worked his magic", his friend spirited away so no one else would be able to attack him (even if it was four to five against one if I'm not mistaken) because the friend he had given everything to should be able to kill every other PC (his words) with every attack already declared by the others rendered ineffective while my PC took the full brunt, effectively being crippled. Much like the detriment I've suffered for over a year only on the completely opposite spectrum which was worse.

Tl: dr: Promised by F to have my problems fixed but not only had he flaked, he decided to give me more problems just to feed his friend's ego.

I pretty much left after that happened. Even if there were other mods willing to fix it because they knew it was bull, others except the same mod which went [b]"because a mod did it, its legit. So deal with it"[/b] which parroted it again in this incident, I didn't want to leave myself opened to more abuse because it's obvious a player will never be protected against the obvious abuses of power.[/spoil]

So the conclusion of this story? [b][i][u]One instance of mod abuse is all it takes to be marked and abused further by every other mod for whatever reason they want[/u][/i][/b]. Which is why any player shouldn't even allow the slight chance or risk of mod abuse, because they'll never know when it'll end.

And why did I decide to tell this story now? I guess some of you may come to an assumption but I'm not even going to try and hide it. It's not even five months since I started posting after my examinations and I've already been affected by mod abuse here. As I want nothing like my previous experience, an infuriating pit which is almost impossible to get out of, I'll not allow myself to be affected by it but unfortunately even now, the consensus of the administration here is just as it had been in that last site. [b]"Because a mod did it, its legit. So deal with it"[/b] despite the unfairness of it.

Since you've decided to ignore it in the PMs Jade, I'm going to say it right here if it finally gets your attention. It's more than the illegitimate fame I didn't want. [u]I repeatedly asked for a reason for that one questionable decision of Pegasus and even until now, at this stage of the issue, she has still been unable to provide any reason in support of that decision, nor has she been able to provide any reason in contrast of the reasons I've given her for why it's invalid[/u].

[b][i][u]Other than that one ideology she has been relying on which is no explanation at all despite your beliefs[/u][/i][/b]. Because it's a mod decision, its valid, and she doesn't have to have any reason even if it's to a player's detriment.

A.k.a. [b][i][u]"a decision Pegasus made to my detriment through the difference in our positions without any reason."[/u][/i][/b] or mod abuse in layman's terms. You can keep protecting her by asserting differently Jade, but not even your positions can ever change the facts. [u]I've requested time and time again for a reason,[/u] (which is of Jade's opinion bashing because it inconveniences Pegasus) [u]and made it clear that a reason provided would have helped towards any resolution[/u] but no, (because that is completely unreasonable and disrespectful to the mods to question anything dubious on their part) of course the great mods of ST don't have to explain themselves to lowly players despite the players having to put up with any consequence of illegitimate decisions.

What next? Pegasus jumping in at the conclusion of a thread making mod notes that my PC's purchases are cheated? Or maybe she can even do it everytime she wants to without being called out on it because I certainly can't question it or I'll be banned. Perhaps even when my PC masters one of his crafting skills which she doesn't agree the use of, she can just come in and do something like...my PC's food gives food poisoning to an important NPC and his head ends up on the chopping block. Or the poison specifically and specially crafted didn't work as intended because of some unexplained element she can't provide for and the target ends up grievously wounding my PC instead.

Or you know, [u]ignoring the fact a certain NPC's sickness is used under the pretenses of getting a cure when buying poisons and giving negative fame for "using her as a foil"[/u] when the PC's motives can't be ascertained by the bystander, as even the PC he was talking to needed the expressive hints despite being unable to confirm if there a mind controlling NPC around as a reason (I suggested that and you couldn't even take the hint to try and make up a reason?) Or maybe [u]a PC with the relevant experience evaluating a situation turns out all wrong about it[/u] but wasn't allowed to change it to the outcome for the situation as the mod asserts.

All this[u] just because a PC was buying poisons and Pegasus decides to misuse every element wrongly as she can't find a proper reason to force in the negative fame [b]she feels is deserved[/b][/u]. Seriously, what is even the point for PCs playing it smart, or players to have lengthy planning, if incorrect mod feelings can trump it all?! I might as well be watching a movie which requires no input because that is what it is and even that will give me more satisfaction because I wouldn't feel like I was cheated. Sureeeeeee, I can ask for a reason of the occurrence but she can just say "I've read it and feel this is how it should be" instead of any proper explanation right? After all [u]she is the mod and anything she says goes despite the unfairness right?[/u] (sarcasm pointed out here again)

Not to mention when I choose to no longer be subjected to any more possible abuse from her and tell her to let me become someone else's concern, I get a warning (yeah because I can't get pissed at that point when all the reasonable requests with explanations have been unreasonably ignored with short one liners of "mod feelings") because I have no right to keep someone I which adds no value to my experience, from potentially ruining it any further. My experience, which comes from my work and effort, for no reason other than because I'm a commoner to the rulers of the site. Commoners shouldn't be asking the all knowing rulers on how to improve their lot in life right?

If you want to make the mods the master class in the site, as with all the obvious benefits you are already heaping on them, fine its your prerogative but treating the regular players lower than dirt as a result of it? Punishing me for having the gall to call Pegasus out on her abuse, to let her off scot free while still allowing her to not perform that one simple request from the start just because of her position? Yeah sure, whatever. But don't expect me to kow tow and ask "how high?" just because a mod decides to @#$%^ me in the arse. And certainly don't expect me to buy the nonsense you aren't swayed by favoritism and abuse, because you'd otherwise have found a way to fix this mess without screwing me over.

You can try and spin it however you want, that it isn't the way of ST because its so inclusive and rewarding, [b][i][u]but you telling me you could have had a mod demoted for helping a player pretty much proves otherwise[/u][/i][/b]. Unless that was a joke on your part to lighten the somber mood in the PMs, it only serves to prove that the administration is the true joke here.

I'm off and good luck. I don't mean good luck to you because you'll just continue to waste the time and effort which anyone invests, which I'll not continue to hence my decision. I mean good luck to whoever decides to soldier on here, where nothing is actually to your benefit unless you are a mod.