What are the rules an angel should follow?

There are a few simple rules that angels should follow. Please read HELP RULES for more information.

Why don't we have more rules?

We don't have more rules because the senior staff believes that when you expect people to act with maturity, to exercise good judgement, and to want the best things for those around them, you'll most likely get that. There will never be one set of rules to address every possible set of circumstances. To do the right thing in a situation, means you need to use your common sense. Please read HELP MISSION1 for more information.

I'm a new angel. Do I have common sense and good judgement?

Probably not as much as you will in a few months. Common sense and good judgement develop over time, through experience and by asking for advice from older angels, from the archangels, from the demigods and from the immortals.

What does "cheating" for a mortal mean?

"Cheating" for a mortal happens when we do things for mortals without teaching them to do it for themselves. This makes the mortal dependant on us to play the game for them. "Cheating" also happens when you provide an unfair advantage to a particular mortal or group of mortals.

What does an angel do?

Angels are representatives of Castle Arcanum. Your behaviour influences the perception players have about all the staff here. Angels do many things according to their abilities and interests. We do have some expectations, though. We expect you be friendly and respectful toward our players. We expect you to demonstrate sound judgement given time and experience. We expect you to be honest and fair in your dealings on the mud.

I don't like to help newbies. Do I have to?

No, you don't HAVE to do any particular thing to be a member of the staff here. Some people are not suited for the teaching involved in helping newbies and are much more suited to providing other types of help to the players and the senior staff. However, we do expect you to offer your assistance to newbies if no one else is available and we do expect you to respond to players' requests for help.

Can an angel loan money to a mortal?

Before loaning money to a mortal, you need to consider a number of factors first. Consider the urgency of the request. If the money is needed to recover a corpse, you may want to provide a loan. Consider whether you think you will be paid back. All loans should be repaid in a reasonable period of time and players should not consider angels a source of funds. Consider the how often the player asks for loans. Excessive help makes a player overly dependant on us. Perhaps the player needs some advice on the financial aspects of the game instead. Consider the tone of the request. Loans from staff are a privilege our players enjoy, it's not a right.

Are heroes mortals?

Yes, heroes are high level mortals who have decided to continue to play the game despite already conquering most of what is available to them here.

Can we help our mortal characters?

Angels (and their other characters) should not help their mortal characters. It is not your character that is an angel. It is you. To assist your mortal would be cheating because it provides an unfair advantage for a particular player. You would be using your knowledge and skills to provide assistance that is not available to other mortals. Our players become discouraged when they see other characters levelling more quickly than they are able to do.

Why aren't "rem aligned items" available anymore?

At one time, the spell "remove alignment" was available to angels to use for their own equipment. However, we found this equipment had filtered down to the players. Equipment that is not aligned is considered an unbalanced item and provides an unfair advantage to the player. Please do not ask other staff to remove the alignment from your items.

A mortal is asking me for his corpse. What do I do?

Before getting the player's corpse, you need to consider a number of factors. Consider the reason for the request. If the player doesn't have the money, perhaps you may want to consider a loan. If the player has to leave immediately, you may want to assist them directly. Consider the condition of the player's corpse. As a general rule, we should not let a player corpse decay on the mud while the player attempts to recover it. To prevent decay, pick up the player corpse and allow the player to continue attempts at recovery. Consider the number of corpses the player has on the mud. If the player has a number of corpses (perhaps from attempting to recover the corpse himself), you could bring the empty corpses to the morgue for saccing. Consider the area where the corpse is located. If the corpse is surrounded by aggro mobs, you may want to remind the player about the spells for "invisible" and "hidden". Consider the level and skill of the player. If a low level player is becoming frustrated or is not able to locate the corpse, you may want to "goto" the corpse and let the player scan until they locate you. In some cases, you may want to provide them with a light. Consider the number of requests for corpse retrieval by the player. Excessive help makes a player overly dependant on us. Consider the tone of the request. When we assist players to recover their corpses, it is a privilege our players enjoy. It is not a right. Please read HELP CR for more information.

A mortal is asking me for equipment. What do I do?

Before giving equipment to a mortal, you need to consider a number of factors. Consider the level of the player. Providing standard newbie equipment to a player under level 15 (who might have sacced his equipment) is not considered cheating. Consider the reason for the request. If the player is trying to improve his stats, you may want to provide information about the types and locations of equipment that would help. If the player lost his corpse in a crash and no demigods or immortals are available, you may want to provide some basic equipment so the player can begin to recover some of the lost items on their own. In any unusual circumstances, please send a note to immortal outlining the situation. Consider the number of requests for equipment the player makes. Excessive help makes players overly dependant on us. Consider the tone of the request. When we provide equipment to mortals, it is a privilege our players enjoy. It is not a right.

A mortal is asking me for the name of a mob so he can teleport there. What do I do?

As a general rule, we should limit our help when a player is using teleport to obtain items. Instead, provide the player with the area and/or room name where the item is found. This will encourage the player to explore the mud.

A mortal is asking a question on chat. What should I do?

Of course, you should respond to the mortal. Please try to use the answer channel as a subtle reminder to the player to use the question channel.

A mortal wants me to enchant his weapon or enhance his armor. What should I do?

Enchanting or enhancing items for players is considered cheating because it provides an unfair advantage. Instead, you may want to suggest ways the player can do this for himself.

A mortal is asking for help with a quest. What do I do?

Provide the player with encouragement and, in case of severe frustration, a clue to the next step in the quests. Quests are individual efforts and should be done alone or with a group of same-level players. To provide details about the quests would provide an unfair advantage.

What are the punishments for breaking the rules?

It depends. We would need to know what rule was broken and why. An error in judgement is an opportunity for us to teach, to explain and to help you develop better judgement. The most severe punishments are given to those who repeatedly provide an unfair advantage to their own characters and to those who deliberately saboutage the mud.

What if I do the wrong thing? What will happen?

An error in judgement is an opportunity for us to teach, to explain and to help you develop better judgement. You will not be demoted or denied for making an honest mistake.

What is the difference between an angel and a hero?

Angels are high level players who have chosen to become staff members. In order to perform their duties as staff members, they are given special skills, spells and commands. In return, we expect them to follow a few simple rules. A hero is a high level mortal who has chosen to continue playing the game. Heroes are given no special powers and are unrestricted in their activities.

As an angel, do I get special spells/skills?

Yes. Angels are given special skills, spells and commands to help them perform their duties as staff members. Please read HELP 101 for more information.

As an angel, can I level?

Angels do not level by gaining experience. Instead they are promoted based on their performance as staff members.

As an angel, can I fight a mortal in the arena?

In general, angels should not attack players who enter the arena because it could be considered bullying. However, angels may accept challenges by mortals.

Can I cast spells on mortals?

Before casting a spell on a mortal, you should consider a number of factors. Consider the reason you want to cast the spell. Spells can be a way to encourage or reward a player. Consider the level of the player. For the most part, players over level 15 should not require assistance in obtaining spells. If a player wants a certain spell, you may want to provide the name of a potion or other item. Consider the number of requests for spells the player makes. Excessive help makes players overly dependant on us. Consider the tone of the request. When we cast spells on mortals, it is a privilege our players enjoy. It is not a right. Consider the consequences if every angel did the same thing, especially in light of the number of angels. For example, if every angel is healing at recall, the cumulative effect could unbalance the mud and provide an unfair advantage.

When should I use snoop?

Snoop should be used sparingly and only in situations where you are unable to use other means to determine the nature of the problem or to provide the help needed. Players should be snooped for a short period of time only. Remember, all snoops are logged to protect the privacy of our players. You may want to consider advising the player BEFORE snooping.

Why wasn't I promoted?

You may not have been promoted for any number of reasons. Promotions are limited and are based on many factors which may not be apparent. If you want to know if there were reasons you were not promoted, you should ask an immortal.

Are angels given any special privileges?

Angels have their own area to explore, Seraphim City. To reach the city, type: goto angel. To learn how to use the teleport pads, type: say helpme.

Why do we limit the amount of help we give to players?

We limit the amount of help we provide to our players to prevent them from becoming overly dependant on us. When we provide excessive help, we are playing the game FOR the players instead of allowing them to experience the challenge of the game. We strive to provide just enough help to prevent frustration, but not so much help that they cannot play the game alone or the mud becomes unbalanced.

What else should I know?

For more information, please go through the Newbie Angel Training Area in Seraphim City. To enter the training area, type: goto angel. Then type: say &newbie.