Post by Sanada Tomo on Apr 14, 2010 17:50:24 GMT -4
After having two very pivotal conversations last night with both Kouzetsu Gin and Yamazaki Rei (yes, I do indeed still speak with her), I've decided to make a rather arbitrary decision for Kiseki. I apologize to all of you who may be offended by this decision, but this has been weighing on my for sometime, and after speaking to both of these people, as well as a few minor conversations with others over the years.
Kiseki has come a long way since it's beginning in what? 2006? 2005? We've made a lot of progress plot wise, regardless of claims for others on the contrary. I've interacted with a lot of people, seen a lot of good character, mediocre characters, poorly written ones. I've seen good plots and terrible plots and those that fall all in between. I've seen some writers flourish over the years and I've seen some that haven't changed one bit. I've had wonderful, friendship forming moments, and drama that has affected the overall functionality of the site. We've started from being just another generic proboards account to conforums, other servers, and finally resting at what I can say, is one of the most extensive incarnations of Kiseki in the form that we have now. It's been a wonderful experience, a harrowing experience, one that has made me laugh and cry and be angry and fuss and mature. One that has helped me to become a better person, and I am very grateful for that. I have seen the originals come and go. I have seen people leave and come back. I have seen people I never thought would be interested flock to Kiseki and contribute some of the best backgrounds and details that I never would have thought of. I've had people put a spin on my writing that I never would have thought of myself. I've had disagreements with the other admin and moments where it seemed as though we were of the same mind.
And after all of this, I can say that I am thoroughly happy with the progression that Kiseki has made, to some degree. At least four URLs later, here were are with Kiseki-Issenden.
However, there are setbacks, things that I wish I had that I can't get back, things that I could get back but haven't, things that I've done that I wish I hadn't, things that I did do for the site that I've regretted. This announcement is to address one of the above things.
When Kiseki was created, it was more so a social construct than what it is now: friends would come here, and interact with each other as characters on a forum, using the internet to share adventures with each other when we were not together in school to do so. It began simply, with posts mostly about the characters spending time together, showing the contrasts and comparisons between them, showing who was who, and demonstrating the skill--sometimes even honing them--that we possessed or wanted to possessed in collaboration with each other. Everything wasn't precise. Everything wasn't addressed in the rules. People were forgiven. People were kind to each other. People had fun.
I feel that, currently, Kiseki has lost much of that bedazzle. There is certainly a lot more information, there has been a lot more plot, and people have certainly tried to produce lofty goals. These have, in turn, added more features, more plot, more rules to the site, as with new territory surely comes also new people wishing to always take that new step, to be more original, to make something improved and better.
Despite my feelings about this, I have attempted to be a good and just admin. I have done my best to make myself a servant of the members themselves, and not do thing solely for the benefit of my desires or my character, and I have tried to impart the same sort of goals and morals in Mei, as I have counseled her on being as great an admin as she could be. I honestly do believe that, for the most part, once you put something in the members' hands, it is no longer yours. They are shaping it and molding it with you. They are helping to make something wonderful, with their own ideas, and visions, and stories. I have helped people add things on even when they themselves weren't sure of the idea that they were trying to create. I've added things on in good faith of others. I've made modifications to make things easier for people having a hard time. I have done all of these things, to the best of my ability, without violating what I believe that Kiseki is about and should be about: the will of the members.
Unfortunately, I believe that it is time that for once I take the reigns of Kiseki into my own hands, and--even though I have previously been against it--impose my own will onto the site. I have been disappointed not by the quality of what's written on the site (for the most part) or the ingenuity that (some) people have concerning races, plots, etc.. What I have been disappointed by overall is the terrible tone of seriousness. Again, not in relation of plot, but in the overall attitude toward the site. Kiseki did not used to be this way at all, and I honestly find myself becoming disinterested in the site more and more as time goes by. I find myself forcing myself to post, to pay attention to the suggestions of others. I find myself relieved when I can divert conversation away from the site.
I do not want to close Kiseki. It's been a big part of my life and I think that to do something like that would be a mistake. There have been many who have left over the years. Perhaps I am just the dense one and I didn't put everything together until just now.
Meaning (also, tl;dr):
To translate this into "rule language," as I'm sure most of you were waiting for this portion--
I am NOT accepting additions to the Kiseki lore at the moment. This also extends to creating plots that would require something "new" or "improved" in the extreme capacity that it might as well be considered new for the site. From this moment forward I am not adding anything to the archives unless it involves something already in play that hasn't been explained enough.
I would like for members to please enjoy the plots that are already ongoing, or for you to enjoy creating plots that can function inside the already existing lore. If you have questions about what this means, please feel free to PM me. I would be more than happy to attempt to explain.
I, however, will not be cruel. If you have already had a discussion with me about adding something, I am still willing to hear it. I am simply not accepting effective IMMEDIATELY.
Here are the things that I am still willing to discuss:
Arashi (I didn't want to give out your other character names, just in case) - some addition or other to the Mortal Realm.
Dan (whose character has not yet been made) - suggestions for expanding the history of the Elemental Realm
Ilreg - finishing up the Draconic Lore
Mei - making changes to the Fae properties to separate them more so from sprites (I'm already in lieu of doing that, but I wanted you to know that I hadn't forgotten about it.)
I would like to note here that just because you are in consideration doesn't mean that I'm going to approve of your suggestion.
Again, I deeply apologize for whatever inconvenience you feel that this may cause you or your character in the future, but I must say that if you are truly intuitive or creative, you should be able to cope fairly easily. This is a large site, and if you can't do anything with what's already here, I don't know what to tell you.
I am aware that doing this will not bring the fun back to Kiseki. I can't make the members more lighthearted about what they write, and I can't make any of you enjoy the site more than you do now. However, I believe that this is a step in the right direction. This rule is not permanent, by any means but it will be up for a while, I can assure you.
P.S.: This does not affect the listing of locations in the Mortal Realm, or the creation of organizations in the Mortal Realm. This only affects plot related/additions to race, etc. on site. If you have a suggestion and you're not sure if it falls into this current rule, please feel free to PM me and I will clear the matter up for you.
