The Wizards are the Out of Character, or OOC, administrators of the game. The Head Wizard is responsible for the MUSH, it's code and the Wizards. His or her word is always final, though can, in special circumstances, be referred to the Board of Directors. All complaints about Wizards should go to the Head Wizard.
Wizards are responsible for a number of areas, outlined below:
Code: |
The Wizards are responsible for maintaining the MUSH code as well as the Soucon MUSH globals. They are also responsible for adding new Code to the game. |
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Theme: |
The Wizards are responsible for the final decision in matters of canon. |
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Building: |
The Wizards inspect rooms and exits to be sure that there is a consistent standard across the MUSH. |
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Players: |
The Wizards attempt to provide an environment where all players can interact without fear of harassment. |
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Leaders: |
The Wizards are responsible for maintaining a minimum standard in IC leadership as determined by 'news leaders' as well as supporting IC leaders as necessary. |
Wizards are chosen by the Wizard Council for their skills in dealing with individual aspects of the game and it's players. Each Wizard has an area of responsibility, outlined below. Wizards do not get paid for their time, they volunteer to help the MUSH, their only reward is a thank you, and their penalty for failing to complete their job is their removal as a Wizard.
The game administrator has final oversight over the game, its staff and policies. The administrator's primary responsibility is to communicate the Board of Directors desires and policies to the wizards. The administrator also responds to complaints against the game wizards and can veto or over-rule decisions if it is determined that they are in conflict of game policies. The administrator typically has another wizard duty and performs administrative functions when necessary.
The site administrator has maintains the server side of the game. The site administrator deals with game email lists and also adds and deletes players from the various global mail aliases.
The code wizard maintains the current code of the game. They fix any reported bugs, and ensure current code continues to meet the need of the players. Furthermore, they Identify any improvements that can be made to existing code, implement new code that is beneficial to the game, suggested by players or administrators, and introduce new code that would benefit players or administrators. They also encourage the use of game parents, approve parents used by players, and regulate use of parents on the game. This wizard also cleans up bboards and specializes in database maintenance.
The craft wizard is responsible for setting game policy as regards the crafts, with the assistance of the Craft Advisory Council and the other wizards. Together with the CAC he or she is called upon to process the applications of would-be crafters and traders, as well as requests for promotion. This same group is also responsible for organizing and maintaining craft and trader related roleplay and plots, not just at the Unified Crafthall, but throughout the game. The Craft Wizard also advertises openings at the Unified Hall and sends out and processes applications for the CAC.
The Firelizard Czar encourages players to run firelizard hatchings and ensures that Firelizard hatchings are held in a canonical fashion, particularly with regard to hatchling colors. They coordinate hatchings to more fairly distribute their occurrences around the game and coordinate hatchings so as to provide players with regular access to hatchings, while not permitting more firelizards than the game can realistically support. They provide material, answer questions, and in general, assist players with the mechanics of running a clutch. The Firelizard Czar also provides education on the subject of Firelizards on the game in general and ensures that new firelizards are entered into the Firelizard database promptly, and that the +fl database is maintained.
The forum maintainer ensures that appropriate content is maintained with regards to language and appropriateness. They will also check names monthly to ensure that only current players of SouCon MUSH have access to the forum. As such a player's account will be disabled and their Email address wiped should they be idledested. They may also assist area leaders in adding players to their usergroups.
The hold wizard is responsible for game policy oversight within the holders conclave. This is to include the tenets of news behavior, news canon and news holds. The hold wizard provides the means for the hold conclave to present their views to the wizard council, acting as an intermediary between the two councils. The hold wizard is an impartial observer of the hold conclave and is not normally a voting member. The only times a hold wizard can vote is to break a tie. In that case the hold wizard must ascertain who provided the best argument and determine what vote would be best for the game. At such time the hold wizard will cast their vote as required. The hold wizard is also responsible for encouraging the holders to interact and create TP's for their residents and visitors to their areas as well as to have adequate activity times.
Watch out for the players new to the game. Be available to assist new players and guests, and to answer their questions. Monitor canonicity of new characters. Help to orient new players. Speak on behalf of the game's newcomers in policy decision-making, that is, ensure that game policy is communicate clearly for the benefit of players who have yet to join us. Respond to any ideas proposed by game players for improving game orientation.
The news wizard is responsible for the timely updating of news files when they are submitted. Timely is defined as being done within two weeks of the request being received. The news wizard is also responsible for consistent formatting of news files. Area leaders have the responsibility to inform the news wizard of any changes, for the news wizard does not monitor changes in areas.
The guide wizard adds recommended players to the Guide and new player knot, and sets their coding level. They also encourage Guides to be active, as well as maintaining and promoting the Guides knot.
Monitor official mush communication to avoid offense and encourage positive staff-player relations. Mediate between players and staff, when necessary, to try to ensure everyone gets along well. (Let's all be friends! :)) In theory, this job could also encompass making sure the mush is regularly advertised in newgroups and that that our URL is well known around the web's search engines. It could include encouraging better and/or closer relations with PernMush or other Pern-themed mushes, monitoring all web sites associated with SouCon etc. etc.
The quota wizard is responsible for idledesting players, adjusting player quotas as necessary and making sure the database stays clean. The quota wizard also monitors running processes and makes sure there aren't too many processes running at a given time.
The RP wizard is in charge of keeping an eye on the game's roleplaying levels. He or she is responsible for monitoring levels of roleplaying activity at the different locations around the game. If an area appears to be inactive or in need of help to become active again, it's the RP wizard's job to discuss the issue with the local leader(s) and suggest ideas to help them. The RP wizard should also be available to help those looking for new and different ways to roleplay to find options and concepts they can use to help themselves.) They also organize roleplay workshops to help encourage the players to think about new and different ways of roleplaying they can use to help themselves.
The TP wizard is responsible for the overall flow and maintenance of game wide plots, and for encouraging and assisting players in the creation and running of multi-area plots and events. When needful, they may be asked to coordinate volunteers and to provide ideas and assistance where appropriate. It's also the TP wizard's job to act as a liason between players and the wizard council when a plot or event would require that body's permission to proceed. The TP wizard is asked to encourage widespread use of +events and the general and area bboards for advertising events and helping groups coordinate so as to have minimal event conflict.
The Website maintainer is responsible for updating and upkeeping these pages. If new designs are recommended, or needed, then the Website maintainer will be the one to determine what is and is not appropriate. Links, alterations and updates should be sent to this wizard. Any new pages, or logs, sent to this wizard will be HTML'ed, and placed up as soon as is reasonable. New articles may also be commission by this wizard from other players, or administrators.
The weyr wizard is responsible for game policy oversight within the weyr council. This is to include the tenets of news behavior, news canon and news weyr council. I provide the means for the weyr council to present their views to the wizard council, acting as an intermediary between the two councils. The weyr wizard is an impartial observer of the weyr council and is not normally a voting member. The only times the weyr wizard can vote is to break a tie, in that case the weyr wizard must ascertain who provided the best argument and determine what vote would be the best for the game. At such time, he or she will cast his or her vote as required. The weyr wizard also maintains the online dragon records.
