Sargash - Moderator Application

[Sargash]

Byond ID: Sargash

Colonial Marines Character: Lillian Hook

Age: 21

Gender: Male

Timezone: EST

On average, how many hours are you available per week to moderate? At least as much as I play, I've no issues at all observing or having it open in the background either. (TLDR: 12~ )

Do you have any previous experience in being staff (not just SS13)? I'm a head of staff for a convention that hosts 9,000. Shift lead for about six months. Also been staff on private servers.

Did you play any of the previous Colonial Marine servers? I did, briefly though.

What are the 3 biggest servers you play on besides CM? Paradise. II've put some time into that new Halo one. And I've taken some peaks at Oracle. I don't enjoy the others much. I do put quite a bit of time into some private servers though.

Provide links to any previous Colonial Marines applications that you've made: Uh. Reference PMs for mentor app?

Are you currently a staff member elsewhere (not just SS13)? If so, where? This says SS13, but I think it means CM? But no, I'm not a staff on any servers.

Have you ever been banned for more than 24 hours on Colonial Marines? No I have not.

Have you ever been banned for more than 24 hours on ANY server? If so, which server, when, and what for? Paradise. I have two bans. Quite some time ago, 9/10 months? One was for putting a clown into critical who kept slipping the ERT on gamma alert levels, and then tried to steal the gear (Traitors were confirmed.) After he had ERT gear I decided he was a threat, and put him into crit (He had a shield, so stunning wasn't much an option.) At that time there was also a massive Xenomorph infestation. Turned out the clown was a friend of a particular admin.

Second, was because my friend went and did some silly shit on my computer while I was away on a vacation. Permanent ban for telebatoning someone because they wouldn't make the food they wanted. (It wasn't even hostile intent either???) Both bans were appealed in less than 24 hours.

Are you familiar with the chat program Slack (its use is required)? I'm not, but I'm pretty proficient with technology, I'm sure I could acclimate quickly.

Common Staff Situations:
Write a description of what you would do in each of the following situations. Do not write on the same line as the situation - use the space below it or make space as needed. Failure to do this proves your inability to follow instructions and your application will be automatically denied.

1. A player randomly shoots someone at round start and MPs have detained him.

MP law dictates a warning should be given for first time offenders. Depending on dialogue a prompt to the MP citing the specific law (As it does state Always) will be given.


2. The ship has a breach to space and a bunch of players have died or are dying as a result.

As a moderator, I'm not sure I have the power to do anything about it. But I'd attempt to contact an admin in game, failing that, I'd contact one on slack. As well as get as much information to give to the devs as possible. (Since these are REALLY not supposed to happen.) Depending on if it was during an invasion, or hostile humans I Ahealing could be acceptable. (If only one party knows about the breach. )

3. You see a player walking around the ship naked and clearly lost.

Ask as friendly as possible if the player is new, while simultaneously pointing a mentor in their direction.

4. A player is being very rude to you in Adminhelps and requesting to speak to an Admin+ staff member.

Situation dependent. Some extreme salt can get to anyone. I'd keep that in mind, if it's excessive, a note will be placed as well as a warning, as well as check for other notes for repeat behavior. I'd see how busy some admins may appear to be, since they 'requested' rather then demanded. Proceed to figure out why they are being so rude in this situation. If continued (And the issue isn't solved) A second warning. A third warning will be in the place of a short ban.

5. You notice a player with a name that doesn't fit our naming rules. The player is arguing that: They've used the name for several years, no one has told them to change it before, and that they didn't know it was a rule.

It's quite a big issue (In my opinion.) that people don't read rules. Provide a link to the rules page, cite it, and give them location to find it. Depending on how bad it is (Shitler42069 'noscope' Urmom) I'll insist they change it (Or try and rationalize. Inquire to some further heads, if it's a potentially common name, or a random gen.) Blatant or rude/insulting names will obviously lack any leniency, as well as a note on the account.

6. You see a Maintenance Tech running around in armor and carrying a rifle. The security level is green with no threat present.

Maybe the danger alert hasn't been update? Perhaps someone attacked them recently? I'd follow them, to make sure they don't try to grief, as well as check logs. A few minutes, if they still appear to be in combat armor for no apparent reason, I'd ask them, as it's very poor RP. Set a note explaining the occurrence. It's mostly an IC issue though. Repeated behavior may be punished though.

7. You see a Squad Medic performing surgery on the planet. He claims it was because there were no doctors in the FOB.

Ask an admin/dev how the hell a squad medic is doing surgery, as that's not normal at all. Assume it's an event/admin thing of some sort. Inquire to the PC though, just to be sure. As well as state that medics are NOT supposed to typically do surgery. (Again this shouldn't be possible anymore.) But special occurrence aside, insist they stop after the surgery they are currently doing. (Note them)If they don't put them to sleep, and make sure they understand it's against the rules, and they need to stop. Watch them for awhile. Institute a ban if behavior continues.

8. The round is stagnating. There are 30 marines and 4 aliens. The marines won't leave the ship, and the aliens won't attack. What would you do, to "encourage" the sides to engage each other?

30 marines to be sounds like combat capable marines. 30-4 is incredibly good odds for marines. I can't force much to happen, but a minor event. Maybe UPP? PMC? Perhaps the CL or CO, or command of some sort has been doing really nice reports via faxing. Or maybe one of the xenos are praying for help from outside the hive. Attempt to prod an admin capable of perhaps bolstering one side or the other, or both. (No one likes a death sentence, marines or xenos.) But all of that aside, continued laziness, see which side truly would have the advantage, force them to attack with a command update, word of the queen mother, or an ARES snark if possible.


9. The round ends, a MARINE starts shooting a hostile CLF member and the CLF member Adminhelps complaining he was killed after the round ended.

Inform him that EORG is acceptable between factions, even if they were friendly.

10. A marine is running around disarming, punching and stealing gear at round start.

Ask them to stop punching marines, and stealing gear he isn't privy to. Punching isn't shooting at least. This is poor RP. Punishment isn't exactly required, but a note should be applied. If they continue aggressive behavior and failed to provide any reason, watch them for unwarranted escalation. This is more of an IC issue. Ahelps will be the ultimate decider between an IC issue, or a sleep to figure out more/short ban.

11. A marine has killed another marine. When you ask him why, he said it was because the other marine had punched him.

Punching is poor reason to shoot someone dead instantly. Depending on the combat situation. (In req line, or manning a barricade) I'd ask the dead marine why he punched the other one. If it was a semi-decent reason, get them an Aheal, inform them to be more careful. Poor reason? They can stay dead/get revived normally. Tell the shooter that a fight needs to be escalated, multiple punches thrown, threats, other such things. Immediate weapon use (As most marines on the Almayer are 'friends' or at least known to each other.) on someone you know for socking you in the jaw is NOT acceptable by any standards, pretty much anywhere in the world. A note for the shooter, and make sure he understands to not do it again.
(Can mods Aheal? Adminheal. I assume not.)
12. An issue arises that requires Admin+ abilities.

Attempt to contact an admin in game with AOOC. Failing that, slack. Failing that, Discord. Attempt to console, based on the situation. And that attempts are being made to fix it.


13. There are minor racist comments going on IC. 9 of the 10 people are laughing and RPing but one player gets offended and Adminhelps about it.

Determine the degree of the incident. 'Damned gook' at an announcement the CO, is different from a bunch of players calling another a bunch of racist names. If the person is genuinely offended, and it is a very minor thing, ask the other players to stop, but tell the offended person that very minor racist comments IC is just GOING to happen.

14. A marine opens fire at round start in briefing killing multiple marines and instantly logs off.

Instill a permanent ban on the player, get the dead Ahealed. (Allow them a little bit of abuse on the shooter.) Blatant griefing. If they can come up with a reason why. (I can think of a few reasons.) They can appeal on the forums.

15. You see a player playing a xeno larva/chestburster run towards the frontlines and die.

Give them a 24 hour xeno ban. Place a note. Ask them WHY they thought it was a good idea to go to the front lines. Tell them it was not a good idea. Attempt to add a larva to the xenomorph's pool.

16. You see a xeno memeing, saying AYYLMAO, REEEEEE etc in hivemind chat.

Ask them to stop. It's PoorRP, as well as against the rules. Place a note. If continued give them a final warning. Third warning is a short ban.

17. A xeno player calls the shuttle a "dropship". A different xeno player complains to you that it's metagaming/failRP to call it a "dropship".

All xeno's inherently know exactly what eachother are talking about. Us human beings that pretend to be these glorified monsters, do not have a massive, collective conscience of infinite understanding. Players are allowed to describe to other players as xenos, to the best of their ability, using their word choice. Dropship is just easier for some, or they are a new player. Show them the rule, and cite it.

18. A Command staff player at briefing near round-start mentions there are aliens on the planet.

Likely a no go. Most players will know to ignore this. Tell the command staff person that marines have no knowledge of Xenomorphs (As well as a note), and attempt via LOOC or OOC to inform people that 'Marines have no knowledge of the Xenomorphs at all.' Repeated insistence/metagaming by the command member will constitute a short ban.

19. A Marine kills another Marine on the EVAC Pod to take the last spot and claims it was RP as he was saving himself.

Personally, it's scummy! As a lot of marine losses can be prevented if no evac happens! Outside of that, ya... It kind of is RP. Your life or his. The player chose his life. Granted, attempts could at least be made to not kill the other player. Shoving them if they're both running for the pod, or if they have a flashbang/taser. Or even just shooting the other marine to slow them down. The doors close pretty fast, so killing them isn't needed always. At the pod though ya. I could understand it being RP.

20. You see a fellow staff member give wrong information in an Adminhelp or incorrectly enforcing a rule.

Attempt to contact the staff member in a proper discussion area. If it's a pretty blatant issue ask for higher up intervention. (Such as them saying it's okay to tell other marines about ayylmaos before deployment. Or C4 the attachments vendor or something. ) Ask for immediate intervention. Do not attempt to argue with the staff by telling the player the opposite. Let someone higherup inform them.
Ask for assistance from an admin.
Again, bring it up in a staff discussion area.

20a. You see a fellow staff member abusing his powers in-game.

Ask them to stop.( As staff we are here to enhance the server and fun, while enforcing the rules. All players on the server should follow the rules set to them, even admins. ) Ask for assistance from an admin. If it's an admin, make sure to log the time, date, and Ckey of the offender. Make sure it's known about to other admins.

21. You see a player talking in OOC chat about what he did with your mom last night.
PERMABANNOAPPEAL

But no, probably ignore it if it seems jokingly. Another mod can handle it if they get offended. If they insult someone else, or do it repeatedly... (Poor taste)

Give them a warning. As well as mute them OOC. warn them if they take it to LOOC or continue. Drop a ban for the third warning.

Any additional information you'd like to add?
I personally have found myself putting a lot of time into the server, and while somethings I question, for the most part I can understand why it's done. The server is ever evolving at a fast rate, the community and staff have got to be the best I know of, and I'd be glad to help maintain and continue that. As well as enhance, and improve the server for other players.

Also I play a lot during lowpop/ when no one is on as admins.

[Kerek]

► Show Spoiler

1)Generally left IC unless they shoot up a bunch of people.
2) We block off most things except pred-splosions, and moderators do have the ability.
3) Good
4) If someone gives you sass, then you can give them a ban for it, but its your decision on how much you'd take.
5)Good
6)This would be an IC issue unless they attacked someone or tried to deploy.
7)Good
8)You could SM the commander, or something of the sort, faxes etc. You can also send queen mother reports if xenos are stalling a bit too much and could stomp the marines.
9)Good
10)We've been cracking down on this sort of thing, but good response.
11)Mods can Aheal, and if the shooter just gunned him down for getting punched, then that'd be a breach of escalation, and thats punishable depending on your grace.
12)Good
13)Minor racism is okay, personally I'd ask the others to tone it down a bit, good answer.
14)Try escalating bans instead of immediately filing for perma, aheal the grief'd
15)You can't give temp job bans, so it'd be permanent until they appeal.
16)Good
17)Good I think, I think you said its okay.
18)Good
19)Good, if there are no more pods left over, if there is still room somewhere then its not allowed, but if its a life or death situation over the last slot of a pod, its all good.
20)You could give your two cents or the correct information through a PM, or PM their manager.
20a)You should just get screenshots and contact their manager, direct intervention isn't recommended.
21)A little joking in OOC is okay, if they carry themselves away with it then I'd give them a warning or ban.

Overall +1

Edit : 9)Marines shouldn’t be killing other factions if they are friendly themselves. If they’re helpful UPP or whatever somehow from admins, they shouldn’t be eorg’d. If they are hostile, then they can be killed after the round ends.

[NethIafins]

There are numerous issues in your application about mixing IC and OOC rulebreaks. So let's have an additional question that will help me decide on this:
You suddenly see a spike in friendly fire logs, when you jump to check it you see one marine lying on the ground, another marine (shooter) with gun in hands. You check damage log on both marines and they both have a lot of brute hits from punching each other. Now two questions.
1) Shooter ahelps you and says he's sorry about what happened and explains that it just escalated too much
2) Noone ahelps you, seems like everyone (even spectators) were fine with it

What are your actions?

[Sargash]

1) Shooter ahelps you and says he's sorry about what happened and explains that it just escalated too much

► Show Spoiler

Check notes. Maybe it's a consistent thing. Respond to the Ahelp, telling them to be more careful in the future. Did the dead marine have any weapons on them? If not let the guy know that, it was a little bit of a poor escalation, but things do happen. Leave a note about the somewhat poor escalation, but state further the marine initiated the Ahelp, and appeared sorry.

2) Noone ahelps you, seems like everyone (even spectators) were fine with it

► Show Spoiler

Bending the rules a little is alright, and maybe it was some robust RP. Ask the dead how he's feeling about all that, maybe they're new, and don't know about Ahelps, or have a poor record and are afraid of bringing attention. If he admits that ya, it was enjoyable, good arpees. Get a snippet from the offending marine. Likely leave a note on the shooter about poor escalation.

I've always been in the impression that IC issues can sometimes be a lead-up to OOC rule breaks, like being a dick, or low key griefing. It never hurts to follow up on an issue, and notes should be applied liberally in my belief. Most of the time a little boop is more then sufficient to guide players onto a less toxic path. I know for some players it can be particularly frustrating when something in their eyes is griefing, but a mod/admin marks it as 'IC Issue' with nothing to go on from their. A little bit of investigation never hurts.

[NethIafins]

Alright then, one last question, based on your answers:
What is your idea of "proper escalation" and what will you do when all your investigation shows that case was escalated properly?

[Sargash]

My idea of proper escalation is, first threats, people getting angry. Then the punching, perhaps a bootknife after that. A gun then being drawn and shot. It's hard to class escalation as proper, but a few punches, then straight to pulse rifle to the face on burst is far from it. A step back, a shove, hostage/warning shot. If the other person wants to draw a gun, then both parties accept that, ya, it'll be a shootout.

Proper escalation if done right is, well. Roleplayed into, as I understand everyone knows each other. ICly, we aren't all fresh and new, the Almayer is old, and the crew somewhat seasoned. Rambling.. Uh, nothing much. If it escalates properly, all's good. Everyone's happy, ish. If they aren't, don't start fights. Or be a bystander.

[frozentsbgg]

Alright, Your Answers to others questions have alleviated my concerns!
Everything else, can be learnt through your trial!
+1

[Aceluke123]

Edit: previously was a +1

Okay with a thorough re-read I feel I didn’t give this app enough time as it deserved and notice quite a few mistakes, personally I need to change this to a +0 for now until I see a few changes in how you see things done.

+0 for now due to a few answers. May change if I see more improvement.

[NethIafins]

You weren't able to sway me with your answers but I'm happy to see others being happy. Everything can be fixed with trial but I will remain neutral.

Still, hope to see you on board

+0

[Solarmare]

On 14, a week ban can be applied if it's just pure grief and they log off when they can't continue it with no other notes, you should also be aware of the protocols mentioned in the moderator application.
What is the method on dealing with a permaban?

[Sargash]

A seven day ban, followed by a request for a permanent ban. Or file for a permanent ban if they exceed more then 3 day ban periods on average.
For I'd meant getting a permanent ban applied, not just slap the permanent ban on them, but the seven day+Permanent ban request.

[Grimcad]

Alright so I'm going to go ahead and go line by line and address your answers.

► Show Spoiler

1. I'm not 100% sure what this answer means at all. This should be looked at from a staff perspective. There are not many of us who play as MPs.
You should PM the player and find out what happened. Check notes / Write a note saying what happened. If they have a history of doing things like this or a poor excuse they may need to be warned/banned.

2. Mods do have the ability to fix breaches and air. If it was not due to a Predator explosion or and odd dropship crash you should aheal any players damaged. If it was due to an event, the event coordinator would tell you whether you should aheal or not.

3. Fine, but you should have the mentor PM them as we don't like to pass players around in ahelps. If no mentor is available you can link them the quick start guide, and if you have the time you can help them yourself.

4. Fine. This is up to how much you are willing to take. I myself ban if they are still rude after the first warning.

5. More or less fine. Whether it is bad or not, if it doesn't fit our naming rules they should be asked to change it. That being said. They themselves can only change it after they are dead or at round start. But if it is offensive an Admin can change it at any time.

6. This is not really Low RP. Its just an IC issue and doesn't warrant a bwoink. Although it is a good idea to check notes and check on him every so often since it could become an issue that you need to address.

7. Fine

8. More or less fine but as a mod you cannot run any type of event. You shouldn't really be prodding admins to make an event happen either. You also do not have access to ARES either. Just use your Subtle Message ability to prod the Marines into attacking and the Queen Mother report for the Aliens. You shouldn't show favor to either side, get them both to attack each other.

9. Not true by itself. For example if a Marine fired on a friendly PMC it would still be griefing. It is only not griefing if they were OPPOSING factions.

10. This is a thing we are cracking down on to try to get rid of. You should warn them to stop their behavior and if they have a history of it in their notes a ban might be necessary. Make sure to check/leave notes too.

Also what do you mean when you say ahelps will be the ultimate decider? Just because they ahelped does not mean they are in the right.

11. Punching is usually acceptable. If they got murdered for trying to start a legitimate fight, they should get ahealed. Also improper escalation is grief. They will need their notes checked/written and a warning issued on first offence and a ban applied on all others.

12. Fine

13. How is the CO making an announcement where he says "damned gook" any better, after all gook is a racist slur. Whether they were offended or not your response should be the same. We do accept minor IC racism. You should recommend the player make a player report on the offending policies if it feels excessive to them. If it does feel excessive to you after checking the logs as well then notes should be checked/applied and warning/bans issued. However I feel it should be noted that OOC racism is not allowed at all.

14. A full 7 day plus perma-ban is a little excessive on the first offence. Always remember to check notes. As a first offence I would be a ok with a 24 hour ban in this situation however.

15. We do not to timed Job-bans. It is either forever (without them appealing) or nothing. Also they should get a warning at the first offence.

16. Fine. But I would only let someone get away with two warnings.

17. Fine

18. In my experience Players WILL NOT ignore this, they will assume its an event or something. Also this is pretty blatant meta-gaming. Make sure to check/make notes and warn/ban appropriately.

19. Fine, but you should check whether or not it really is the last spot on the pod.

20. We are pretty open on this one and there are a lot of nuances to the game, if someone is giving miss-information you can usually just tell them in msay (our private in client chat) that they are mistaken.

20a. On this one you should not directly step in or interfere however. Grab all the evidence you can, logs, screenshots, anything else you can think of and take it to their department head.

I believe you need a little more time as a player, and a little more time put into your app. I would encourage you to reapply again in a few months however. You've got a basic Idea of what to do, and when things are an issue but you are not quite there on how to follow through.

-1

[Imperator_Titan]

Neutral on this one. Your responses to the others' questions hasn't really swayed my concerns either.

Here's a scenario for you.

You're a moderator on alone, moderating CM when suddenly, you receive multiple ahelps regarding a metarush on Big Red. You check the station timer and it's currently 12:40 and marines are assaulting the hive at the Lambda Labs in full force, with no squad manning the FOB.
You PM the aCO at the time whom is Baldie McCO, he tells you that Baldie McSL reported that they were being overrun in the lambda labs, then he sent over reinforcements that being the 3 other squads.
You PM Baldie McSL and he tells you that they were following multiple xenomorphs that were continuously attacking them straight into lambda while they were scouting out the bar and his story is backed up by countless other marines whom you also PM.

You check both of their notes and they have a note each for metarushing.

The nearest admin/moderator backup is roughly 30 minutes away. How do you proceed?

A reminder that you have access to:
Logs
Variables

[Sargash]

Neutral on this one. Your responses to the others' questions hasn't really swayed my concerns either.

Here's a scenario for you.

You're a moderator on alone, moderating CM when suddenly, you receive multiple ahelps regarding a metarush on Big Red. You check the station timer and it's currently 12:40 and marines are assaulting the hive at the Lambda Labs in full force, with no squad manning the FOB.
You PM the aCO at the time whom is Baldie McCO, he tells you that Baldie McSL reported that they were being overrun in the lambda labs, then he sent over reinforcements that being the 3 other squads.
You PM Baldie McSL and he tells you that they were following multiple xenomorphs that were continuously attacking them straight into lambda while they were scouting out the bar and his story is backed up by countless other marines whom you also PM.

You check both of their notes and they have a note each for metarushing.

The nearest admin/moderator backup is roughly 30 minutes away. How do you proceed?

A reminder that you have access to:
Logs
Variables

I'd let the round play out as it is. First thing I'd check to see if Baldie McSL's squad was indeed being over run, and not just, having run across the hive chasing down some xenos. The aCO would get a note, as shoving all four squads into one spot is a little meta, especially to abandon the FoB. Following up, if they were indeed being over run, there shouldn't really be a need to put a note on the SL, as he was following orders, and reasonably following Xenos to the hive. Both would get a note for potential meta comms. 'Baldie McSL potential metacoms with Baldy McCO.'

The entire situation looks to be alright, besides the actions of the aCO being a little questionable. After round, I'd make sure to follow up, see if the two have interacted before, as a potential metacomms situation is here. It's all a little grey, but no real punishment besides additional scrutiny should be given to the two.


Grimcad-

► Show Spoiler

1: In regards to not knowing what I mean, essentially I'll make sure the MP understands the law. The first accidental weapons discharge is to be let off with a warning. Just making sure the MP understands, but nothing more.

[Grimcad]

I see. However the issue here is not the MPs actions. A minor weapons violation is only if they don't actually hit someone. In this case the player clearly shot someone else, earning a more severe sentence. The issue you should have been looking at is that the player that shot someone, and that is how the question was intended to be addressed. I addressed proper procedure for it in my previous post.

[Imperator_Titan]

I'd let the round play out as it is. First thing I'd check to see if Baldie McSL's squad was indeed being over run, and not just, having run across the hive chasing down some xenos. The aCO would get a note, as shoving all four squads into one spot is a little meta, especially to abandon the FoB. Following up, if they were indeed being over run, there shouldn't really be a need to put a note on the SL, as he was following orders, and reasonably following Xenos to the hive. Both would get a note for potential meta comms. 'Baldie McSL potential metacoms with Baldy McCO.'

The entire situation looks to be alright, besides the actions of the aCO being a little questionable. After round, I'd make sure to follow up, see if the two have interacted before, as a potential metacomms situation is here. It's all a little grey, but no real punishment besides additional scrutiny should be given to the two.


Grimcad-

► Show Spoiler

1: In regards to not knowing what I mean, essentially I'll make sure the MP understands the law. The first accidental weapons discharge is to be let off with a warning. Just making sure the MP understands, but nothing more.

I'm content with this answer.
+1

[slc97]

I'm going to go ahead and accept this, as I believe I can work through most of the issues in here with you in trial. Check you inbox.