Staff reference - Punishments

Public channels:

1: Spamming

First time: A warning
Second time: More emphatic warning
Third time: +oocban

Recommended ban time:
First ban: 6 hrs+ Second ban: 1 day+ Third ban: 1 day-7 days

2: Sexual innuendo

First time: A warning, plus details of 'agreement' necessary, plus pointing to the rules
Second time: More emphatic warning
Third time: +oocban

Recommended ban time:
First ban: 6 hrs+ Second ban: 1 day+ Third ban: 1 day-7 days

3: Swearing

First time: A warning, plus details of 'agreement' necessary, plus pointing to the rules
Second time: +oocban

Recommended ban time:
First ban: 1 day+ Second ban: 3 days+ Third ban: 7 days+

4: Arguing [in a particularly heated, unfriendly, insulting or negative fashion]

First time: ignore it for a while - might go away
Second time: Ask them to take it to a private channel
Third time: Ask them to take it to a private channel, and if they ignore this time, +oocban

Recommended ban time:
First ban: 6 hrs+ Second ban: 1 day+ Third ban: 1 day-7 days

5: Sexism, Bigotry, Racism, Homophobia, Discrimination etc.

First time: +oocban followed by asking them to read the rules
Second time [if you have since unbanned them]: @gag

Recommended ban time:
First ban: 2 days+ Second ban/@gag: 7 days+ Third time: If serious, p #mail Jekteir and ask for a full game @ban, giving specific details of transgressions and rough times.

Private channels:

This is relatively simple: if you get one complaint, ask the one bothering them what they did. If the stories coincide, tell them not to do it. If you get another complaint, see if the stories coincide. If they do, +oocban the one doing it. If you get another, and the stories coincide, @gag the transgressor. If at any point the stories do not coincide [e.g. the wrong-doer says they did not say anything, etc.] p #mail me [Jekteir] and I will verify it within the command logs and then take action. Please give me details in the p #mail.

General/Serious

6: Ignoring staff

First time: A warning and reiteration of what you told them to do/not do
Second time: Depending on the nature of the transgression, +oocban or +exile [muck side] or @gag.
Third time: Talk to Jekteir and he may @ban them, giving details etc.

Recommended ban time:
Your decision, depending on the nature of the trangression.

7: Multicharring [connection to more than one char on the MUD side specifically at the same time - can be the MUCK side too, depending on what is being done]

Punishment: tell them to disconnect at once, p #mail Jekteir telling him. If they were specifically cheating (e.g. sharing equipment) it may result in a full @ban. If they do not disconnect, @boot them. If they reconnect with both chars, @ban and @boot them (after making SURE they know that what they are doing is against the rules) and ALWAYS p #mail Jekteir or Trickster about this.

8: Character sharing

Punishment: ask for explanations, if unsatisfactory tell them to disconnect at once, make sure they know the rules, p #mail Jekteir telling him. If they do not disconnect, @boot them. If they reconnect and are still sharing chars, @ban and @boot them (after making SURE they know that what they are doing is against the rules) and ALWAYS p #mail Jekteir or Trickster about this. Make sure that the @alts list is not confusing you and that are still sharing characters, rather than being back on their own characters - ask them first.

9: OOC Harassment, Using macros to level

For macros: tell them not to, and if they are still doing it, or you think they may be, p #mail Jekteir to check the logs (it is usually apparent). Simple checks are to look at their idleness, and if they are not idle, to go there and talk to them, or page them. If they do not respond but remain active, they are almost certainly using macros.

For OOC Harassment: Same basic idea as swearing or spamming, but if someone is getting seriously offended or annoyed, treat as harassment in a private channel (i.e. more seriously).

General/Less Serious

10: Exploiting game bugs

Make sure Jekteir knows about the bug first off, and who was exploiting it and how. Then ask them to fix whatever they did when they were exploiting it (e.g. getting rid of the money). If they ignore you or continue doing it, tell Jekteir also and it will be dealt with. If the bug is serious (e.g. a bug letting them kill other players) and they still exploit it, you may want to @boot and @ban them (telling Jekteir).

Alts and Non-IC Killings

11: Equipment dumping between alts, information sharing etc.

Tell Jekteir and tell them not to do it. Also tell Jekteir any damage they've done as a result. They will be dealt with.

12: Non-IC Killings

If they have killed a lot and have no IC reason for it, or if it is clear it is harassment (e.g. repeated killings of one player WITH NO IC REASON FOR IT [e.g. an IC vendetta based on a good cause is a fine IC reason]), tell them to stop, and return what they may have taken. If they do not, tell Jekteir, and if necessary @boot and @ban them (telling Jekteir the details).

Punishment Tips

These are some tips about using punishments.

• If you are going to @ban, @gag them first and REMEMBER TO TELL JEKTEIR.
• If you are going to @ban, @ban them and all their alts.
• If you are going to @ban, make sure those players who are on their @alts list but are NOT their alts are @nobanned so they are safe from the ban. Make SURE they are not alts, though.
• +exile is an effective MUCK punishment: don't forget it.
• @gag is by far the most effective punishment. If you @gag a player, @noban them and THEN @ban them, you will stop them from connecting new characters as well as keeping them @gagged but able to connect, thus punishing them completely.
• @gagged players will go over the edge after a while. Make sure you don't @gag them for too long. But if they really deserve it, then make sure they stay @gagged for long enough.
• DO NOT FORGET: @GAGGED PLAYERS CANNOT SAY SORRY! DON'T WAIT FOR THEM TO SAY IT! Just leave them enough time, then @gag them (that toggles it off, remember) and ask them if they will not do it again.
• Punishment is about correction primarily, and it's a deterrent. It's meant to increase respect of the rules and of authority. If you aren't a respectable authority figure, you probably won't have any success no matter how much you punish them. You have to try and practice what you preach (I know we all have weak spots, but do your best...remember, players have weak spots too).
• Enjoy punishment! It's a cathartic experience and it will also make players take you more seriously if you are a bit of a sadist.
• +oocban also bans from the *MUS* channel. When you give details of why you are +oocbanning them, if you don't want them unbanned by someone else, SAY SO IN CAPS.
• Details of who has been +oocbanned are available with the '+oocbanned' command. Details of those gagged are there with the @gagged command.
• Finally, use @alts to check up on players' alts all the time. It's good to check people aren't sharing characters etc. Remember though: @alts lags the whole game, so don't spam it.

Have fun with your punishment!