Hyksos Constitution - Exile

The public comment period will run until 12pm PDT on Sunday the 25th. At that time I will go over all feedback and make final alterations before starting the code of conduct petition. Please use the Talk:Hyksos Constitution - Exile page to leave your thoughts as to what parts could be tweaked, removed, or have things added to. Also feel free to +1 any comments you like, as more popular ones may make it into the final CoC.

Also, keep in mind that as a Code of Conduct it is non-binding (will not be enforced via code). Elder's exile power is absolute and this will not change that. It's instead a set of guidelines the reflects the expectations the people of Hyksos have for their elders when it comes to exiling.

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Preamble

This code of conduct serves to set the standards and expectations that we, the people of Hyksos have regarding the potential exile of our brethren. This includes behaviors by faction members that could result in exile as well as the process we would expect our elders to go through before exiling a member most of the time. Note that for any elder, whether they follow these guidelines or not is at their discretion as their power to exile is absolute. However, in the interests of fairness and justice, we would ask them to follow these guidelines unless there are extenuating circumstances. While exiles are technically less severe than the old DP systems, being exiled unfairly has the potential to effectively completely ruin a Hyksians (game) life, which effectively and ultimately renders it at the same punishment level as the DP bans of old to players who aren’t intentionally trying to be exiled. This is especially true if an exile is unexpected or the defendant behaved a certain way due to ignorance.

Section 1 – Behaviors worthy of Exile

Most offenses can and should be settled without the threat of exile. Many should simply be handled personally between aggrieved parties, with elders acting as impartial arbitrators only if the situation cannot be resolved without their involvement.

Only major offenses should be worthy of an exile, and these offenses and behaviors should be enumerated to give Hyksians every opportunity to know what actions may put them at risk of exile. Those are enumerated below and any Hyksian violating them may be subject to the start of the process defined in section 2 of this Code of Conduct.

1. Persistent harassment/griefing of one or more players
2. Intentional theft without restitution
3. Purposefully damaging buildings owned by another Hyksian or a faction-controlled chariot stop without permission (e.g. explosives)
4. Intentionally sabotaging ratified faction goals (large goals that are voted on and approved by a majority of voting Hyksians)
5. Failure to comply with an elder’s arbitration decision

Section 2 - Accusation and Exile Process:

The general process is a 3-strike process for potentially exile-worthy behaviors, with a brief trial before a faction member is finally exiled. For all these steps, elders should do full due diligence to ensure the accusations made against a Hyksian are true and accurate.

It is at the elders’ discretion whether to initiate these steps, however they should be followed in order should an elder decide to move forward with the exiling process.

These steps should be initiated on a per-behavior basis to completely rule out ignorance and maintain a high standard for fairness. However, if elders strongly believe a person to be abusing the system to intentionally grief they may move directly to the second-strike phase (Section 2-B) with a single, final warning.

Section 2-A - First Strike

The first strike is a simple warning. An elder should contact the accused and warn them that their behavior is potentially exile worthy. In general, this should be informational. It should be assumed the accused did not know better. Elders should record this warning in a format that other elders have access to so that information is shared between elders, and the first warning should remain private between elders and the accused.

Section 2-B - Second Strike

The second strike is a more severe warning. At this point, simple ignorance should not be assumed. Elders should warn that one more that the behavior in question will no longer be tolerated and should they do it again they may be exiled. Like the first strike, Elders should track this, however this warning should also be made publicly available and announced to the people of Hyksos so that an eye can be kept on the accused.

Section 2-C Trial and Exile

The third strike is trial and potential exile. Elders should at this point declare their intent to exile the accused, state what the accused has done that is exile worthy, and what evidence there is against the accused. Every attempt should be made to do this at a time when the accused is online and able to present their case of defense. This may not always be possible, and our elders can proceed at their convenience should the accused not make themselves available within a reasonable amount of time.

The people of Hyksos should hear the case against the accused, as well as the accused’s rebuttal and be given the opportunity to weigh in their thoughts as to whether the accused should be found guilty and exiled. The trial’s purpose is to allow the accused a chance to defend themselves as well as to give the people the opportunity to have their voices heard so the elders can make a fully informed decision before exiling a member.

The final decision belongs solely to our elders; however, they represent us and should take our perspectives into account when choosing to exile one of our brethren. Should the elder then feel like an exile is appropriate, the exile should be immediately executed.

Section 3 - Appeal

An exiled Hyksian may petition any elder for an appeal and readmission into the faction. The elder should generally confer with other elders and possibly ask the public their opinion before deciding. The contacted elder has sole discretion to readmit the exiled.

If an exiled Hyksian is granted reentry into the faction, no other elder should re-exile the readmitted without just cause and going through the trial process. All readmitted Hyksian are considered to already have 2 strikes for the behavior that got them exiled in the first place. No further warnings should be given, and it will be appropriate to move directly to the exile process (Section 2-C).