League January'10 discussion

[xade]

So, are we gunna see the flame red of the Isle this month? Cause I can tell you, any rule we devise is gunna be rushed!

um...

Deception will bind you.

Spells ending in F will net you -1 points. (And your opponent will score +1)
Spells ending in D will net you +1 points. (And your opponent will score -1)

Therefore, charming yourself will gain you points. while fireballing yourself will lose you points.

[Dubber]

Also, if I read the post dates and order correctly, this happened after I posted the clarification and after Ourjake concurred with it...

Yes, it was poorly worded rule but it's really stretching it to think that a "-" would get para'd to a "P" if "P" was submitted and it was then modified to the resultant "-"

and

Everyone else was surrendering out when they violated the rule in other ways...

So, how is a rule violation not surrender-worthy?
Consistent application of the basic league rules (surrender upon rules violation) is key to keeping the league viable and fun for everyone.

(and believe me, I prefer the forums in their current gold/tan to the red that will result from the correct interpretation of this situation)

Jan 28, 2010 10:46:32 GMT -5 BioLogIn said:

Dubber
No one doubts that Ellipsis broke the rule. But when I issued my ruling, I thought that punishment for breaking a poorly-worded rule should be less then punishment for breaking a crystal-clear rule. That was my original position.

[Slartucker]

My understanding was that I was no longer serving as active Unraveller, given my general unavailability. I'm willing to issue a judgement here, but it will take a long time for me to go through the rule's language, the battle in question, clarifying posts, etc... and I don't have that time free anytime soon. I am working through the evening today plus all weekend long. So, here's my suggestion.

There are two opinions that make sense. Dubber's opinion that a rule violation is a rule violation makes sense, and the opinion that the rule was too mangled also makes a certain amount of sense. I would again, ENCOURAGE THE TWO WARLOCKS IN THE GAME TO COME TO THEIR OWN AGREEMENT ABOUT HOW TO RESOLVE THIS FAIRLY.

If that can't happen, I will issue my own judgement, but that will take some time, at least until saturday or sunday if I get some time free during the day, and I can't guarantee that either. (Sorry! This is why I haven't been Unravelling anything here!)

[mikeEB]

I guess I'll back down for the sake of having the league run smoothly. I don't think it's fair, but I do think it's the right thing to do.

[BioLogIn]

Oh well. I must admit I've a number of errors in this whole story. To name a few:
- I saw that rule need some wording improvements, but being short on time I neglected that and I thought that the rule will do 'as is'. Unfortunately, it didn't.
- Also, being short on time again, I haven't ever painted forums blue (not that I ever liked this part of being Weaver =)). My sincere apologies to Order of Paramancers.
- I felt that not penalizing Ellipsis with game loss for ruler maker's (and mine) faults is "a lesser evil". It is hard to say if I was 'right' or 'wrong' on this; still, as all we can see, this solution was far from perfect.
- I though that despite general unavailability Slartucker will be able to come to judge complicated issues once in a while (once in a few months that is). This is no way an offense towards Slarty, who've done for Warlocks more then total majority of warlocks; it is just a statement of the fact that I misunderstood the situation and that I was hoping to 'deus ex machina' to save the day =)

But enough of that, I guess. Moving on. Today is the 1st of February, and February is a short month. Unless something changes the situation (Ellipsis and Mike come to an agreement or Slarty comes up with the ruling), tomorrow morning I'll be posting my final judgment on the January situation, February pairings and etc. etc..

Guild of the Black Art and The Isle and both asked to submit a rule to me via PM today.

[Slartucker]

I don't mind being asked to make a judgement, but relying on me is a bad idea. Just to give you an idea of my schedule, at the moment I am on day 8 of 19 straight days of working; I worked from 7 am till 10 pm the last three days. So if there is just a quick issue that needs someone impartial I can help, but I don't have the time to do involved rulings on thorny issues, particularly not without advance notice. Sorry.

[xade]

Woohoo! Deception will bind you! Bind you all!

Oh, and if you mix Red with Orange, ya get Red. I'm *sure* of it, none of this "dark orange" bidness!

[BioLogIn]

@slarty
Totally not my business, but I can't help but wonder if I am the only one thinking that there is 'something wrong' with your job? -)

Getting back to the issue we've been discussing. Having to post a final say on the matter, I see no other way then to revoke my previous judgment on the case and give Ellipsis a tech. loss due to a rule violation. I think league and rule integrity takes precedence here.

I'll be updating January results shortly, and I'll be posting February pairings and monthly rule as soon as we talk out everything with xade.

My deepest apologies to everyone involved. I understand that taking part in the League this month was hardly fun for you; I'll try to prevent such incidents from happening in future. To ensure this, I'm taking a break from league participation and GBA activities. I don't like this even a little bit, but I hope that this is temporary and that this is for greater good.

Also, I can't help but notice that the League is not having it's best times now. Without Slarty's inspiration and roleplay elements he was introducing, I hardly see it is evolving; instead, I see that our numbers are dwindling. We're having 12-13 persons participating this and next months. So I ask - is it still fun? Does it still make sense? It takes a winter to make a Spring\Renaissance, so maybe it is a good time to pause the League and 'hibernate' for a while, and then start again fresh and renewed?

Please give me you opinions on this matter.

==

Update:
The Isle officially wins this month with 27 points and is declared a High Clan for February.
BioLogIn and MikeEB are tied at 42 points and share Champion's title for February.

[toyotami]

I for one think that too much of bio's time is going into league and not enough goodness is coming out of it. Personally the schedule is always tight with my games. I get the league done, report the results, most of the time, and then its time to go again. Maybe a 6 times a year league would get people to 1) finish their games and 2) have the time to tune in on their clanmates games and see how things are going.

Some in house commentary would bolster ratings as well. I for one am sure i can do a bit of league commentary once in a while, stir the pot so to speak but with the league running every month and me having 5 lame-o cant use money on the net account, its using all my allocated weekly warlocks time to get the games played.

Do yeah, im up for spacing out the leagues or a short break to bring back the love after winter...err..and summer for you aussies down there. (ps. i got snowed on today and it was delightfully cool.)

[freesoul]

I know that I'm a bit too busy with work right now too. But i agree, that the month log leagues tend to make it a race to finish and then a race to come up with a rule. Perhaps a month long break, then a longer league window will help take the pressure off the league, and allow for participants and RP. And allow one of the GBA brightest scholars to continue his work

[xade]

Yanno, I wouldn't mind this- particularly since I'm struggling to come up with a rule as I just found out that we won!

So in light of that, or any future endevours, 6-8 week Rounds would be a fine thing.

[Dubber]

The Black Rose has several rules in the wings, just waiting to go...

[xade]

And that's where they will stay...

also- where's the Isle Red?

[Dubber]

Psh... te current colors are easier on the eye... since the paramancers didn't get their colors last month, why should you get yours this month?

[BioLogIn]

Burn thy eyes =)