Chain of Command for Moderation

Moderators
Lead Mod
Admin (Final Review.)

Rules

A working understanding of the server rules are required. The rules category on the wiki has all of the rules, both the brief and the expanded version.

Server Rules

Exception: Building and Base rules are handled by Daisy.

Requirements for becoming a Moderator

Participation in the Server for at least two months.
No incidents of server rule infringement by the perspective moderator.
Knowledge of server laws and rules, including combat laws.
No bans or lifted bans against the perspective moderator.

Training Requirements

One active moderation with another moderator reviewing.
One active combat moderation with another moderator reviewing.
Test for rule knowledge.
Two moderation tickets reviewed by the admins.
Training with mod tools with another moderator or administrator. Freeze, eject, ban.

Training

Fair and unbiased moderation

The most important thing about being a moderator is the ability to moderate without bias. Your best friend is not your best friend when you are a moderator.

The most common complaint is “biased moderation”.

Our friends are going to be our friends whether we rule in their favor or not. If they were even better friends they wouldn't put you in a position to have to moderate at all.

Sometimes it’s not a friend and it is just popular opinion. Moderators aren't moderators to enforce popular opinion; we are here to enforce the rules.

We will often have to be the bad guy. That is all part of the job. If you can’t see yourself telling a close friend “You have been warned several times now and you will be banned for 24 hours. We will see you in a day.” Then this job is probably not one you should take on.

If server administration gets proof of biased moderation there will be a review and possible expulsion from the moderation group. There should be very little quarter given for “oops”. This issue is big and can lose players. Don’t do it.

Communication

Communication is a key factor in a functioning moderation team. If you are ever unsure then it is best to reach out and ask rather than make a call that is likely to be overturned. Ask for help. There is a group available so make sure to put it to use.

Tools we use

We do not EVER use admin or moderation tools in situations other than moderation. That includes ejecting, banning or freezing people. Infringement of this will be immediate expulsion if it was found to be a purposeful. It will also mean a ban from the sim.

Titles & Influence

We do not EVER use our moderator title as a threat to influence or handle situations that arise in role-play. When you are a role-player, you’re a role-player. When you’re a moderator, you’re a moderator. The two are mutually exclusive though you should always be mindful of your environment.

Involvement in situations

Do not EVER mod a situation you are involved in. If you are involved in a raid then don’t moderate it. If you are getting OOC’d to death in an IM from another role-player don’t handle it. Call another moderator. Do not ever let your integrity be questioned.

Support the team

Do not EVER question a ruling in the open.
Never express an opinion on another mod's ruling to anyone outside of the team, especially not to other players.

How can any player trust your team if you question them publicly? Question the mod in IM then give your reasoning for disagreement, politely. If they still don’t agree then move it up the ladder for review.

The moderation team is a TEAM. If we can’t count on each other for support then we aren't much of a team.

Non-Disclosure

What gets talked about between Admins and Mods or even just in IM with another mod should never be discussed outside of the group. Our judgement on a situation is only from us to the player in question, it should never come from outside of a formal document response.

Mod Shopping

This means that a player is IMing a mod they think will be friendly to their case. If you are a personal friend to the player that is calling then be a team player and ask for another set of eyes to make sure yours aren't clouded in judgment.

We do not mod RP

General misconception “We do not mod RP.” This is not true. More often than not we are moderating role-play which breaks our server rules.

We do not EVER mod “Gorean” role-play unless the ticket is specifically calling for an issue with "Conduct unbecoming of a Gorean".

We do not EVER tell players how to play unless it is grossly and obviously not Gorean. If a slave wants to be a mouthy abusive upstart then that is their right. They get to reap the rewards of their role-play and we do not ever step in the way of just deserts . . . unless . . . it is vastly and obviously not Gorean. You get the point.

If there is no server rule broken there is nothing to moderate but be polite enough to let the complainant know why you won’t be handling the situation.

Emotions

Emotion has no place in our work. If you are having a bad day and shouldn't be modding then it is up to you to make the team aware that you are not available for the night/day.

The players are not your whipping post just like you are not theirs.

Have a care

“I don’t care and I don’t want to hear it.” are no longer a part of your vocabulary as a moderator. When a player comes to you with a concern or question they need to know a titled person is listening to them and hearing their problem.

If you don’t want to hear it and you really don’t cares then be considerate enough to hand them to another moderator. Take a moment of your time to let them know their concerns are valid then move them along. Our player base is what keeps the server going and thriving. If somebody with a valid issue gets their balls busted for even expressing the concern ... they will leave.

Emotional hostage taking

“I will leave if . . .”

Rage quitting.

Are all emotional hostage taking at its finest. In fact our Code of Conduct (Rules) addresses this.

Do not let this type of player take you hostage. We do not beg players to stay. If your toddler lies in the middle of the cereal aisle and throws a tantrum you don’t reward them with their favorite box of cereal. You calmly let this player know you will be sad to see them go and let them know they were valued as a player, then you let them make their choices.

If the person is indeed a long time player and is really having an issue then pass the communication to an administrator.

Reporting

All moderation incidents MUST be handled via a Discord ticket. No exceptions. Do not have private discussions with the player in IM.

Discord & Global Chat

Discord moderation is really not our rules. We have to moderate Discord or risk loosing our server. They have seriously cracked down in it. So once again, for discord you need to know the discord rules, in addition, the code of conduct and the Immersive OOC may apply.

Global Game Chat: You don’t have to constantly be aware of global chat. There are usually many mods on at the same time to observe chat but do be aware and poke your head in from time to time.

What is most likely to need moderation

Remove chat in channels where chatter is prohibited. Give them a hot moment, and then go back and clean it up, don't thunk people for miss posting in channels, just clean it up 30 mins later.
Not safe for work must be behind NSFW channels - and must be remove immediately.
No calling anyone out.
Excessive use of memes in General chat should be directed to the media-channel.

If you need to adjust someone

Say in global: <player> I am sending you a message.
Messaged the player explaining the seriousness of the issue and asking them to refrain from it in the future.
<player apologizes to the community in Global>
End of issue.

Reporting a Rule Break

All moderation requests must come through the Discord Ticket System -- and may NEVER be handled in voice or in IM/DM.
Only ONE moderator should handle/claim a ticket. The ticket system is seen by all moderators and admins, but the moderator who claims it, OWNs the ticket. Do not butt in. If you have advice, offer it in the moderator channel not seen by the players!
Find out exactly what rule they believe is being broken, because this is the only thing you are going to discuss. If they can't tell you, we can't moderate it.
Where necessary ask for screen shots and logs. We only accept complete screens and complete logs, not partial or edit logs.
Bring the other party into a new ticket, not the one with the reporter in it. Explain the situation ask for their response.
If you can confirm it was a rule break you can issue a warning or a strike. Warnings are best if the player was willing to modify, strike if they argued.
If the player pushes back, contact an admin.

Do not argue further with the player. For now it is under review.

Handling A Situation between Players (Non-Raid)

All moderation requests must come through the Discord Ticket System -- and may NEVER be handled in voice or in IM/DM.
Only ONE moderator should handle/claim a ticket. The ticket system is seen by all moderators and admins, but the moderator who claims it, OWNs the ticket. Do not butt in. If you have advice, offer it in the moderator channel not seen by the players!
Find out exactly what rule they believe is being broken, because this is the only thing you are going to discuss. If they can't tell you, we can't moderate it.
Ask that the parties involved not to continue discussing this until you have a moment to review then you will open discussions in the ticket channel. If for any reason they will not respect this, you can mute them in discord and kick them from game, so that the drama does not play out in public.
Where necessary ask for screen shots and logs. We only accept complete screens and complete logs, not partial or edit logs.
Ask the reporter if you can bring the other parties into the ticket channel to discuss. Sometimes, the topic is sensitive and this doesn't make sense. In that case, open up a second ticket with the other side of the discussion. (If you can't open a ticket, as someone in the other party to open it.)
At this point it's a question of negotiation. It is a very good idea to get the input from other moderators, as well as asking the players what would satisfy them. This works great if you can get them talking.
When ready make your final call and ask if both parties accept the ruling.
If the call is not accepted then reach out to the lead moderator or an admin. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes can help.

Do not argue points with the players. For now it is under review.
Always get people back to role-play as quickly as possible. If the other party is fine then return them to role-play. Let the objecting party wait out the mod call. More often than not they will just want to return to role-play.

Handling a Raid

Reporting and Control of the Situation

All moderation requests must come through the Discord Ticket System -- and may NEVER be handled in voice or in IM/DM.
Only ONE moderator should handle/claim a ticket. The ticket system is seen by all moderators and admins, but the moderator who claims it, OWNs the ticket. Do not butt in. If you have advice, offer it in the moderator channel not seen by the players!
Find out exactly what rule they believe is being broken, because this is the only thing you are going to discuss. If they can't tell you, we can't moderate it.
Ask that the parties involved not to continue discussing this until you have a moment to review then you will open discussions in the ticket channel. If for any reason they will not respect this, you can mute them in discord and kick them from game, so that the drama does not play out in public.
Where necessary ask for screen shots and logs. We only accept complete screens and complete logs, not partial or edit logs.
Bring the other party's lead (guild master if available) into the ticket channel to discuss - not everyone in the raid.

What are your options as a moderator

Your main solution to a break of the rules is requiring the rule breaker must submit to capture by the opposing party (called an auto-cap). This will not apply in all situations but applies for most them. Use your judgement
If for any reason the rule break was agreggions, especially if it includes more then raid rule breaks you can issue a strike.
PvP Cool-down can be issued for the period of 1, 2 or 3 days either in conjunction with an auto-cap or a strike.

Making the Call

When ready make your final call and ask if both parties accept the ruling.
If the call is not accepted then reach out to the lead moderator or an admin. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes can help.

Do not argue points with the players. For now it is under review.
Always get people back to role-play as quickly as possible. If the other party is fine then return them to role-play. Let the objecting party wait out the mod call. More often than not they will just want to return to role-play.

Violation Policy

Three strike policy. First is a warning, second is a 3 day ban, the third is final ban.

Violations of our code of conduct, especially if the player is unwilling to modify, can result in an immediate ban without strikes.
Players will have infractions automatically expunged from their record for every 3 number of months they have gone without further incident.

All strikes must be reported in the #ticket-logs channel with the FUNCOM ids & discord id's of the players in question.

Tools and their use

Discord
Pippi

Season Four: Season Four has began. We are in the process of upgrading our educational offerings, streamlining the application process, and onboarding new players. As always the wiki is a work in progress. As of Jul 9th, a significant re-organization was made.

Moderation (Rules)

From Barbarians of Gor

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