Meshwesh Elder

Election QA Transcript Summary - 18.05.2018

Host: Gabrielnight

Candidates

Silver

Hello, I'm silver, I live near Tanis and, together with some new friends I met this tale, run a little public camp : /info silver for details on the facilities.
I'm not sure what else to say, since you probably already know me from MW chat :)

Sabuli

Greetings all.
I've been playing the tales from t2/ In real life I'm marrid, with a daughter that is now 30 years old and have worked all my life as a software engineer.
I was born in Cuba, that I left in 1992. After 12 years in Spain, I came to the States in 2004
I'm not too talkative in public chats. I prefer private chats and guild chats.
So probably most of the people knows me more for my helper tools than for my talking

First Question

As experience from the rounds of Elder elections shows, becoming an Elder requires an idea and a belief that people can support and get behind.
What made you want to become an Elder in the first place, what brought you onto this path?

Silver

I was a little worried about how idle BalourHotho and Feyth have become and thought we needed a more present Elder, who is here in the MW chat and in Discord quite often and keeping up with news/events/etc.
As for my beliefs: peace, cooperation and optimism.

Sabuli

The reason I decided to run for Elder was that I didn't like to see atitd converted in a war game because of the factions.
The amount of resources wasted each week in tributes is insane.
Some factions were taking regions that obstaculized the gameplay of other players, making them to run long distances to reach certain University.
I got tired of complaining about what I was seeing. This is not the game I love.
I don't know if it is possible to reach and agreement with the other factions to put an end to the insanity and be more rational.
But I knew that I wanted, a least, to give it a try.

Second Question

The position of Elder brings power to both ban 8 people from our faction, and invite 8 people to our faction.
Under what circumstances would you use an Elder Ban to ban someone from the faction?

Silver

I probably wouldn't.
Someone would have be a serious griefer and totally immune to all reasoning - even then it would hardly be worth it because a nomad could do just as much damage to someone's hard work.
Needless to say, I don't consider "tech stealing" a reason - and not just because we're "behind".
I think the whole game is better the more people have access to skills and technology.

Sabuli

An Elder ban is less drastic than the old DP ban.
But it has bad consequences for the banned players anyways.
Looking at the story of the DP bans there were good ones, bad ones and very bad ones.
The bad ones were always unilateral ones, so an Elder, before banning somebody, should consult with the other elders.

Third Question

With this in mind.
Under what circumstances would you use an Elder Invite to invite someone to the faction?

Silver

The trick with that is the limited number - if given unlimited invites, I'd let almost anybody in (unless their faction elders can explain to me why they were banned and it's a reason i agree with) -
the more people working and chatting here, the greater the player retention in my opinion.
Given the limited number, I'd prefer to limit it to real human players who intend to live in Meshwesh territory and contribute to our faction.
The I'd follow Tortellini's fine example and check with faction chat to see if there are an yobjections and any positive references.

Sabuli

If I don't know personally the player, I would talk first with him to know his motivations.
And then ask to the people of Mesh if they agree.
That was what Feyth did when I came from Hyksos and I think it's a very good procedure.

Fourth Question

Granting someone the position of Elder, would entail a requirement of some kind.
As an Elder, what would you be able to offer MeshWesh as a faction, community and as a people?

Silver

I hear a lot of what people will do if they become Elder.
Personally, I don't see the position as enabling any actions I can't already do.
It just lends a small amount of gravitas to some debates.
So I'd continue what I do: public workds, teaching, helping, etc.

Sabuli

What I offer is my knowledge of people of other factions.
I live in Hyksos and have several friends there, including the Elders, that are in my Alpha guild.
My Egyptian wife Orchid is in Kush.
And I have several good friends in Kush.
That could help in conversations to reach agreements between factions about the distribution of region, that is my platform and the main reason I decided to run for Elder.

Fifth Question

The elder elections so far in MW has mostly focused on inter-faction diplomacy as a major plank for most candidates.
Do you see your role as an Elder as primarily or exclusively diplomatic, or do you have reason for seeking other aspects that has to do with serving the MW community specifically?

Silver

No, it's either the primary nor the exclusive job of the Elder to be the diplomats.
Given the inability to enforce treaties, I'm not even sure it's *a* job of Elders to be our diplomats.
People deeply involved in the tribute wars are probably our diplomats since they're usually talking to other people involved in the tribute wars in the other factions :)
I think an Elder's service is more local: a word of advice, a helping hand, a nudge in the right direction for the members of the faciton.
Things they can and should be doing regardless of their title.

Sabuli

I consider that, being an elected representative, an Elder is more a mediator than a leader.
Personally I have some rejecteion to the word "leader" because of a particular leader I had to suffer a lot f years, so my opinion can be a bit biased,
Due to my relations with players of other factions, in my case I would give more weight to the diplomat part.
There are seeral Elder and, even when all of them must assume all the roles in case of need, a distribution of functions according the skills of each one could be a good idea.

Sixth Question

Taking this a step further, an Elder can hold many roles in relation to a faction and its people.
Be it as a servant, a mediator, a conflict solver, a diplomat, a leader, and many more.
What do you picture yourself as in the role of an Elder?

Silver

I believe I just answered that in the last two questions. Thank you everyone. Thank you Gabrielnight.

Sabuli

I think I answered that in the previous question.
In my case, I would put more emphasis in that part, because of what I already explained.
In the diplomatic part without ignoring the other roles.

Election QA Transcript Summary - 20.03.2018

Host: Gabrielnight

Candidates

Murtha

Hi folks. Most of you know me, but for those who don't, I've been around since tale 2 and still don't have an issue asking questions.
I'm not super thrilled about factions but still learning
I hate this part- so ask what you want to know.

Feyth

Hi, I have been playing since tale 2beta, I thought oh this is a cute game and I like the game mechanics but I definitely woulden't pay to play this game.
Beta came and went then I realized I coulden't log in to my addiction.
This now being T8 I have been playing eve rsince with my husband Jaxum. I have lived in different regions in Egypt met so many wonderful people but the northern areas where always my favorite.
I love the art here I see every day, It always makes me smile the amount of creativity here. I love getting people to work together to achieve a goal.
I am a big fan of the Conflict games and hope we can one day get it as a regular part of egypt not just special events.
My daughter is now 11 and has grown up with the people here watching interactions and I honestly think the people here have helped mold her into a kind person when it comes to games and helping people.
Okey thats my introduction

First Question

As experience from the rounds of Elder elections shows, becoming an Elder requires an idea and a belief that people can support and get behind.
What made you want to become an Elder in the first place, what brought you onto this path?

Feyth

Well I think the idea of factions was ok but the implementaion wasn't quite right.
That is why I want to be an elder.
I want to be able to help make it better.
To help Meshwesh succeed even in the conflict that factions present both with inner and outer turmoil.

Murtha

Thank you gabe and your check is in the mail for the nice things you said at the beginning.
Now as for why- I saw DP elections become popularity contests that weren't good for egypt.
With this new game I think we need a different type of leader who can guide and I believe that could be me.

Second Question

The position of Elder brings power to both ban 8 people from our faction, and invite 8 people to our faction.
Under what circumstances would you use an Elder Ban to ban someone from the faction?

Murtha

That is a tough one because the "ban" in tale 8 is a much different ban than previous tales.
If a player perserved in egregious unrepentant griefing or disturbing others with profanity or the like I would consider it.
But I would want guidance and support from others.

Feyth

For me to Ban someone it would have to be something truly malicious on their part.
Im not talking just being a jerk, it would have to be something we coulden't resolve with discussions between individuals.
I would have to discuss it with the faction before taking that final step.
If I reached the point I had to exile someone I would also let the other faction know why they were banned because I would want them to inform me of the same thing.
I know some may question why I would tell the other factions.
If I am going to exile someone I feel they should stay an exile and not be able to learn from any school or university.

Third Question

With this in mind.
Under what circumstances would you use an Elder Invite to invite someone to the faction?

Feyth

Before I invited someone I would need to know wy they are leaving their faction.
If they are already an exile I would need to hear from the elder of that faction why they were exiled.
I would also need input from our elders and faction memebers.
If all the Duckies line dup and it was in the best interest of MeshWesh I would invite them.

Murtha

I tend to agree with feyth on this one.
I would want intell from people in the other factions about the applicate.
But otherwise what she said.

Fourth Question

There are different views and ideas on what an Elder is in relation to a faction and its people.
Be it as a servant, a mediator, a conflict solver, a diplomat, a leader.
What do you picture yourself as in the role of an Elder?

Murtha

first off this is a GAME.
with all types of nationalities, personalities and professions.
all contribute in their own way.
I think an elder should be able to organize and guide all these different folks into a cohesive bunch.
that would include trying to resolve differences and keeping Meshwesh as peaceful as possible.

Feyth

An Elder should be all of that Gabrielnight.
Each situation may need a different "hat".
It is a lot like being a mom and knowing what the situation needs whether it's a hug a nudge in the right direction or the patented "mom look".
An elder will need to be all of those things with the ability to feel what is right and be what Meshwesh needs for each situation.

Fifth Question

Granting someone the position of Elder, would entail a requirement of some kind.
As an Elder, what would you be able to offer MeshWesh as a faction, community and as a people?

Feyth

Well besides my awesome rubber duckie collection.
I think I answered that in my earlier statement that I think I can help MeshWesh succeed as a faction even with the conflict the faction system presents both inner and outer turmoil.
I have long lasting relationships with the already elected Elders in the other factions.
I feel I would be able to able negotiate with the other factions easier if the situation arises that is is needed.

Murtha

okey folks this one time I will brag.
In my life I've lived in many many countries and cultures and raised children fform different cultures and needs.
I can offer those experiences in dealing with others within our faction or not.
Our goal should be to make everyone feel valuable, period.
This is short. I'm not always the most diplomatic person in the world, but I can get things done in RL and in game.
And I hope to do so without offending anyone that doesn't need it.

Sixth Question

When researching blacksmithing, we produced and donated 37 more of both clay steeped canvas and wool cloth than we needed when it was finally unlocked.
These are resources that could have gone towards casting.
Do you have any ideas how MeshWesh can maximize our efficiency and minimize waste to get the most from our research efforts?

Murtha

I've notied this problem in other techs.
I am not sure there is a simple solution.
One would be to set up a donation warehouse near the U.
If it looks like we are going to lose some regions try to get that tech open.
If it looks like we might gain some, waiting until the supports are announced then donate the mats to open that tech.

Feyth

This is a tricky one since if we lose a region before the research is done we would have had to add more resources.
I would like something in place that excess resources would go into a "storage" in the universities that could be used for other technologies being researched.
for example it could be used at a 50% of the item is being used to replace so one clay canvas would equal half of a linen for costs.
I don't see us ever getting refunded once a donation is made.
Have you ever tried to get a nonprofit to return something donated in error?

Seventh Question

With the new faction system in place this tale.
How do you think being an elder will be different from being DP in previous tales?

Feyth

I think that was one of the better changes factions presented.
It isnt about how much you like me or Murtha, its no longer a popularity contest like DP was.
Now people need to consider who do you think will work harder and better for the faction.
So Elder makes people think more big picture because elder matters more than DP did, we have a real position to fill and help our faction.

Murtha

I'm sorry, I just had a thought about the previous subject.
With standings in the faction tied to how much you donate, overdonations are going to be an issue.
Feyth has a good idea, it would have to be a law chaning the game mechanichs.
that is something we can discuss at a later time.

As to how DP and Elder are different, Elder in Tale 8 is about getting getting faction stuff open and running and trying to unite all the regions controlled and owned into one unit.
Feyth is right, this is NOT a popularity contest and it shoulden't be. Vote your conscience :)

Gabrielnight

Feyth, do you wish to add anything in relation to what Murtha said about the previous question?

Feyth

I think Murtha and I are pretty much in agreement on resources and donations.

Eight Question

Keeping in mind the powers that an Elder is given.
Do you let other people log in as you?

Murtha

Both of us are married and our spouses can log on as us.
but no one else had that privilege.

Feyth

My husband Jaxum doesn't even have my ATITD password so no I do not let other people log in as me.
The only way is with a gm invited to log in as me for issue or by marriage which locks those powers (or it should the same as it did with DP)