Aurealan Realms Sage's Handbook

	The Aurealan Realms Sage's Handbook

(The Handbook below can be downloaded in MS-Word or Adobe PDF format as well.)

The Aurealan Realms' Sage's Handbook

Sages provide an invaluable service to this mud, and their participation is deeply, gratefully appreciated. However, being such an essential part of any organization requires at least a few guidelines. This handbook is meant to guide new and old Sages alike and clarify certain things to keep in mind when dealing with new players, new Mentors, and each other.

New Sages, remember that you are not alone! There are many other Sages, as well as the MUD Staff, who are willing to answer any questions you might have. Even though being a Sage means answering other's questions, there is no shame in trying to learn all you can in order to pass on that knowledge accurately when asked.

There are a few basic things that are required of a Sage, and a few that are viewed as needing to be implemented into some current Sage techniques, listed below. By unifying our efforts, and working as a team, we can make the first steps into our mud exciting and fulfilling for those who are new or those returning to us after a time away.

1. Presence.
The first and most obvious part of being a Sage is presence. Sages must be here in order to help out, and should be here on some kind of regular basis at least. The staff aren't looking to remove anyone's Sage flag, but if a Sage is gone for an extended period of time, they will no longer be up-to-date on the recent changes, some of which may be major and have a MUD-wide impact. If an extended absence is explained beforehand, chances are a player's Sage flag will be left as-is. NOTE: This means that, if you're shrouded or invis, and you're the only Sage on, it's expected that you'll unshroud/go vis in order to be visually available.

2. Helping.
Another point that may seem obvious, but needs further clarification, is what "help" means in terms of giving it to a new player. Sages are here to help those that need it. The most damaging thing a Sage can do is ignore a new player, or fail to answer his/her questions. Being AFK, or busy, or even in the middle of something mud related, is fine and can be worked around by using the AFK message, or simply responding to a question with 'one moment please', but continually ignoring new players in need isn't what being a Sage is about. The Sage flag may be a status symbol on AR, but it isn't _just_ a status symbol: there is a responsibility that comes with it that requires attention and a bit of sacrifice at times.

3. Triggers.
A lot of people use triggers for welcomes and congratulation messages. Having a welcome pop up for a new player indicates that someone cares and is fine, IF you're there to help. If you are AFK and the welcome is triggered, and the new player asks questions that never get answered, they're left feeling ignored and frustrated because they were under the false impression someone was there and willing to help. With congratulation messages, it takes little effort to actually congratulate someone manually, especially if you make an alias, but triggers are easily recognizable as such, and tend to leave a cold and uncaring feeling that doesn't actually encourage anyone. Please be sure someone welcomes each new player, even if you suspect they are a multi only. If you don't see anyone else welcome them, do so yourself. This provides an atmosphere of security for that new player, as do congratulations messages, which are a great way to encourage the new player without being pushy.

4. Keep current.
Reading the news files regularly, along with the various boards, will keep you from giving the wrong information during these changing times. Make it a habit. Use the help/info files often, many have been and are updated frequently. Keeping current is more important for a Sage than anyone else playing the game.

5. Explore.
With new builders come new zones. Explore these new zones so that you will be able to not only give accurate recommendations to the right level person, but to also give info that cannot be found in a help file about the zone, such as where to level. Not all newbies need to level in the Staak caves past level 3 to 5, more zones are available. Encourage the new player to explore the zones that are customized to their level, but warn them about death traps and encourage them to look before they leap if they're at all uncertain, or ask on newbie or ooc.

6. Expand.
There are several hometowns now, and although most new players start in Mesraht, not all will or do. Making a multi of different races to start and level at different hometowns will not only familiarize you with that hometown and area, but doing so without the aid of a high level multi, and with no one knowing who you are, can really help keep ones memory of being the newbie sharp, allowing for a measure of empathy, giving the Sage a unique perspective as to just what each newbie is dealing with, trying to find, or asking about.

7. Teach.
The best way to help a new player is not to hand them tons of equipment, spell them up, and lead them by the hand to a leveling zone. Sages should help new players find their own way around the realms and teach them how to find things on their own, whether it be from a help file or from one on one direction. While it is true some need more help than others, you can simply not be held responsible for a new player's learning process, they must learn from the beginning how to do things on their own, or they will remain unfulfilled in their game play and in turn find themselves often frustrated. When asked for help by a newbie, the Sage should directly answer the question, keeping off personal opinion unless it is asked for or accepted. For instance;

In this way, Sages do not force their opinion on new players, while at the same time showing them why such a conclusion was reached in the first place, and demonstrating to the new player that they can do the same. Sages are not given special, privileged information that isn't available to anyone else, it is simply a matter of knowing where to look. The more a Sage educates a new player on how to find the answers to their questions themselves, the more the new player may feel empowered in their own right. You can actually help someone too much. For instance: If a new player asks how to get to the Staak caves, and you either drag them there or summon them, then yes, they are now there, but they learned little from it. If all else has failed (i.e. suggesting they look at info map of/world/north/south followed by general directions over newbie if the maps don't seem to work) and you feel you must take them to the spot they wish to go, try following them and letting them lead the way with your direction, this way they are more likely to find the area at a later time without having to ask for directions yet again. The same goes for equipping or spelling-up a new player: Basics are fine, such as showing a new player where the donation area is, or various shoppes, or curing their blindness or poison, but they will never become self-sufficient players if they cannot learn to do these things themselves. Suggest quests that they could do to gain good Eq, or tell them where they can find newbie Eq that will get them through their first few levels well enough.

8. Respect.
Respect must play an important part of your Sage-hood. Showing respect for new players and for each other, and recognizing that ignorance doesn't equal stupidity, will help create a sense of unity that will be felt by everyone here, new and old. Every newbie that joins knows they will have a good bit of work ahead of them in order to see if they like this particular MUD, but a large part of that decision will hinge on how we interact with one another as well as with the newbie. Fighting on -any- public channel over something that happened with a newbie will not be tolerated. Someone who has just joined AR does not need to see this kind of thing. If you do not like the way someone said or did something in relation to their Sageing, tell them so privately, and/or come to the Chief Sage or a staff member if you feel it serious enough. If a newbie has specifically addressed a Sage on newbie channel, let that Sage answer. If they don't respond in a reasonable amount of time, then offer assistance yourself. Do not ask a newbie if they are a multi or a true newbie, respect their privacy in this regard. If they want people to know who they are, they will say so in their own time on their own terms. Always assume each new adventurer is a true newbie: Let them know you are there if they need anything, and let it go at that.

9. Conduct.
Sages are the more visible example-setters on the mud. They are those who the administration and staff feel comfortable letting represent the MUD to new players. Sages must follow policy, monitor their attitude toward others, and this mud in general, in front of new players. Those ignoring policy will be dealt with accordingly and their Sage status may also be revoked.

This handbook is subject to changes and/or additions, keep an eye out on the Sage board for announcements in this regard. It is strongly encouraged that all Sages monitor the Sage board often, and post whenever they feel like it. The Sage board is specifically for the members of the Sage corps, provided to help Sages keep in touch with each other and ask questions, further encouraging a team effort in Sageing.

Thanks again for the time and effort given to AR and its new players. Please know it is deeply appreciated.

Written by Emeraude, editted by Mouseglove.

Last updated: March 7, 2004