Stendhal Helper Role: Difference between revisions

The "catalyst" role is critical to Stendhal and an essential building block of the community. No one is required to be a catalyst, but the players who perform this role ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the community.

The game world can be confusing for new players. Catalysts are likely to be knowledgeable about the game and can answer basic questions on how to start playing and how to continue to enjoy game features. Catalysts respect the role playing nature of the game and do not provide spoilers or help other players gain an unfair advantage. This includes not giving away items freely (though donation to the community chest is always appreciated.)

Internet based communication does not automatically produce a stable culture of cooperative effort. Even in cases where cooperation is intended, misunderstandings and personality incompatibilities can result in an extremely chaotic and hostile environment. Catalysts help prevent and resolve misunderstanding, calm the waters when users have difficulties dealing with each other and provide examples of constructive behavior in environments where such behavior might not otherwise be the norm.

Catalysts try to resolve problems, not through the use of authority and special privilege, but by fostering consensus, gently nudging participants in the direction of more appropriate behavior and by generally reducing the level of confrontation rather than confronting users with problems.

An important characteristic of successful catalysts is the infrequency with which they wear authority or invoke special privilege.

An effective catalyst is:

* Someone with an internal locus of control. Catalysts concentrate on solving problems, not bestowing blame. Treat the situation as the problem, accept the players for who they are and try to figure out how best to help resolve the difficulty.

* A player. Remember that you're not in charge. Everybody runs their own little corner of the world. Let them do the job they're capable of. Just help the process along as unobtrusively as possible. Other catalysts are players as well, and nobody is perfect. We're all just here to do our best to keep things running well.