Welcome to Mass Effect: The RP. We cannot call ourselves the first Mass Effect role play but we can say that we hold a large advantage -- several large advantages -- over other role plays. We are a guild; this advantage is not nearly as obvious as any of the others. By being a guild we can form a centralized community. One good example of this is Halo: The RP or HTRP for short.
HTRP's guild system allows members to role play in a cohesive and fun environment. The system consists of several threads which contain a Codex of information. This said Codex contains the most accurate of information down to the very fire rate of a weapon, or miles per gallon of a vehicle. While HTRP uses one main thread for it's information we can and will expand upon the concept by using a sub-forum, and within it threads identifying the general information.
HTRP also follows a main plot with smaller sub-plots thrown in, like chocolate chips in a cookie (and who doesn't like chocolate chips).
While conforming around a single main storyline allows for cohesiveness and accuracy, it denies members a unique sense of creativity. Mass Effect: the RP was built around the ability to choose ones destiny, just as he or she was able to in the critically acclaimed game. We also believe that ones creativity should not be hampered by a set of beginning, middle, and end. This is why Mass Effect: the RP will be taking abstract ideas, such as the First Contact War, and filling it in with details as a community.
So one might ask how this all is possible. MERP (Mass Effect: the RP) will be running on a Community-based Guild Management System or C.G.M.S. The C.G.M.S. is a system in which the Guild is run by it's members and not a Captain. Does this mean there won't be a Captain? While I find this a silly question, I am sure I will receive it if I don't address it here. the answer is yes, because by GGN (Gaia Guild Network) rules in order for there to be a guild a Captain must be placed in power.
The Captain's job is to take any information given to him and process, edit, and format it before it's posted in the Codex. This process is a grilling one, and any efforts to format the information upon submitting it would be appreciated. However, to maintain this job process two Vice-Captains will b selected. This division of the processes will help sustain a flowing network, ensuring the up-keep of the Codex.
More about the submission process, and how the C.G.M.S. will work. As I mentioned before the C.G.M.S. is a system that ensures the management of a guild by it's members/community. The process one should go through with the C.G.M.S. is rather simple.
Submission Process
1). A user obtains information no named or talk about in the Codex.
2). The user then submits the information for query by a Vice-Captain using the Codex Form.
3). The Vice-Captain that receives the information will then check the information for relevance to the universe of Mass Effect. If the information is relevant it will be forwarded to the next Vice-Captain. If not, a message will be sent to the user with a refute, and depending on the information provided, a warning.
4). The second Vice-Captain will then edit the information for accuracy and canon*. Once this process is completed the information will be forwarded to the Captain.
5). Once the Captain receives the information he will format the information so that it may cohesively fall into place within the Codex. Once the formating is complete he will then paste the information in the correct sub-category of the Codex.
*Canon: (N) a set idea, object, or person created by another individual with set specifications.
The submitting process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to one week depending on the information. Several variables may cause the process to be a long one: length, complexity, irregular formating, etc. Sometimes information is hard to determine as true also. The following form must be used when submitting information. If it is not, the Council will deny it's existence.
Codex Sub-Category: (Which thread will it fall under)
Suggested Title: (What title you suggest the entry be)
Date of Submission: (Not needed, but it's helpful)
Replace this sentence with the information you are submitting.
Suggested Title: (What title you suggest the entry be)
Date of Submission: (Not needed, but it's helpful)
Replace this sentence with the information you are submitting.
All information is to be submitted to Councilor Norijitsu for the first step in the submission process.
Now I would like to speak more on the issue of moderators and such. As I'm sure many of you have noticed, I mentioned a Council. This council refers not to the multi-specie Council within the role play. What it does refer to is the Captain and the two Vice-Captains of the guild. Moderators will be hand selected by the Council as seen fit to keep the peace. These Moderators will be referred to as Spectres of the Guild: users that are given more power to help maintain a cohesive and friendly guild role play and community.
In order for these moderators to do their job a form may be submitted. When someone needs to be reported, the moderators should be the first people you go to. They are the law keepers of the guild; the right hand of the Council. However, depending on the situation a moderator may not be the preferable person to go to.
- User needs to be reported, but moderator is biased.
- Submit complaint to the Council or another moderator.
Moderator needs to be reported and other moderator is biased.
- submit complaint to a Council member.
Council member needs to be reported.
- Consult a fellow Council member.
- A Council member's priority is to the guild.
Moderator needs to be reported, but other moderators and Council is biased.
- Submit complaint to a moderator of GGN.
User needs to be reported, but moderators and Council is biased.
- Submit complaint to a moderator of the GGN.
In the case of moderators they are to watch for illegal activity (actions against the rules) and report them upon discovery. All in all the C.G.M.S. is an extremely complex concept entirely new to the community of GAIA Online.
Community-based Guild Management System property of Michael R. Hammer (a.k.a. Destitution). Any use or modifications to the Community-based Guild Management System outside of Mass Effect: the RP must be granted permission first, by Destitution.
Now that you know all about MERP and how it works it's about time to establish the rules. The rules of MERP (with the exception of the first four) are subject to change by reason of a majority vote. Rules may be established by a vote as well.
1). Follow the Rules & Guidelines and Terms of Service.
2). Follow all GGN rules.
3). Follow all processes of the C.G.M.S.
4). Follow all MERP rules.
5). Literacy must be exemplified.
6). Users must role play in the third person.
7). Users must use a sense of realism.
Now that the rules have been stated I do wish to speak of those that came before us, much like the Protheans.
Halo: The Rp was though to be the only role play of it's kind; the large scale role play was the most successful role play in the GGN. What users didn't know was that Halo: The RP had a sister guild: her name was Halo: Operation Shadow King. Every member of the guild thrived, full of potential and creativity. But it wasn't the idea of Halo that drew the community in, but the radical idea of a Spartan III program. The Captain of HOSK (Halo: Operation Shadow King) created a storyline based upon their demise, and the quick extinction of the human race.
He typed up his story and posted it in the guild, opening HOSK up to the community. Immediately members began to flood in, drinking up his ideas like they were the elixir of life. "It was a truly amazing idea" said Bill, a friend of the Captain's. Yes. Was. It was his idea until Bungie announced the release of a new book shortly after the opening of the guild, it's title being Halo: Ghosts of Onyx. It was the story of the Spartan III's and their downfall. The Captain's startling discovering was followed shortly thereafter by the slow and painful death of his guild. His guild and it's members, however, laid the very foundations in which MERP will be built upon. And for that we thank them, and we salute.
Halo: Operation Shadow King, the guild in it's entirety, an be found in it's sub-forum.
Once again, welcome to Mass Effect: the RP, where dreams become reality.
