GMs are volunteers, but with any volunteer work , there are some basic duties and requirements. GMing is an important position within a role playing game and means much more than a fancy nick and chat ops.
Listed below are what is required of Nessus GMs. If these guidelines cannot be followed, then a person should seriously consider whether they truly wish to be a GM or not.
Monitor GMs are expected to spend at least 5 hours per week in the main chat #Nessus monitoring the room. Monitoring means handling both OOC and IC problems. The latter only when asked to get involved and if you deem it worthy to be involved.
When in GM nick during your monitoring time, your first priority is to the the room and to the players. If you wish to surf the net or rp somewhere else, please remove your GM nick from the room as it is obvious your attentions are elsewhere. This goes also when attending a GM meeting.
Use your common sense when coming in to monitor. If there are all ready two other GMs there, then please do not monitor when they are, or ask if you can relieve one of them as they may have been monitoring for awhile or if this is the only time you can monitor.
GMs are expected to have a working knowledge and solid understanding of all aspects of the game of Nessus in order to run efficient quests and duels. You will be expected to set a schedule when you can run quests or duels, but may run either at your leisure also.
Sometimes, other projects come up (ie work on lands, spells, denizens, etc) and you may be asked if you wish to take on this job. If you do volunteer, please do it and in a fairly timely fashion. Do not take on added responsibilities thinking it makes you look cool, because one small job completed is better than 30 jobs volunteered for. When you are asked to help, it is for a reason, and you will be counted on to complete a project.
Power Playing and god moding is not tolerated in GM nick. GMs are NPC and are OOC chars. Players must feel they will be treated fairly by all GMs. If your char gets mad at another player and you use your GM nick to retaliate, count yourself fired. It is best to leave the room before your anger spills onto the main screen. Leave, chill, then come back to deal with the problem. If you find yourself unable to, please have the player contact [email protected]
The GMs of Nessus are chosen after thorough training and passing a written test.
Along with the requirements for GMing listed above, here is what I look for in a GM:
Integrity..There is no room for a GM who plays favorites with his/her friends. When in GM nick, you have no friends except your fellow GMs in GM nick, nor is there room for a GM who abuses the power he/she is given to bully players or kill off enemies of the GM's player nick when running quests or duels.
Time spent playing the game....which means not only questing and dueling, but actual role play in the main channel.
Knowledge of the System...while I do not expect people to have everything memorized, a good knowledge of the system is a must especially for running duels, quests, and answering questions.
Quality of role play...It does not take a rocket scientist to sit around a pub and drink, or make out with someone. I watch those who take it upon themselves to venture out and develop either storylines and/or adventures for themselves and/or others.
Attitude...I look for those who are friendly to others and open to helping new players by answering questions, directing them to those that can, or by showing them where to find the gamepage.
Reliability...GMs who are repeatedly absent when it comes time to either monitor the channel or keep their schedule are not wanted.
Team Player While individual creativity is heavily encouraged, there is no room for argumentative rebels who refuse to listen or compromise for the sake of being what they think is independant.
Clear mental seperation of fantasy and reality....There are those who cannot seem to see the difference between a character in the game and the person typing at the keyboard who is playing a character. If you have this affliction, don't bother applying to be a GM because you won't last long as a participant in the game either.
Understanding and acceptance of the terms "Chain of Command" and "Final Ruling"... All GM's are equal except the HeadGM. He is the last word on anything and everything. This includes but is not limited to: changes or additions to the game, resolution of conflicts, the overturning of rulings made in quests and duels (if someone complains) and lengths of bans including permanent ones. GM's are free to give their opinions to the HeadGM, offer suggestions, and disagree with things. But in the end the HeadGM's descision is final.
���� �2001 Joe Pombo