Sunday, May 29, 2011

The Report Button

You don't need to follow WAC to use it. Although I think we need a quick refresher on what is, and what is not considered a reportable offense and what happens when you're caught in the act and reported.

Directly from the Wizard101 Website:

What happens when I get reported?
When you report someone, or you are reported, a message is sent directly to Mr Lincoln that includes the chat logs of everything that was said before and after that report. 

Mr Lincoln then reads the log and assess the situation. He determines how bad the offense was, looks up prior offenses for the reported individual, and based on that assessment he issues sanctions such as muting or banning and sends an email to the offending account explaining the violation and the sanctions. 

If the report was falsely made, that is determined as well, and the player who made the false report is investigated as to whether or not they have made previous false reports. False reports are just a egregious as valid ones, and similar sanctions can be levied against repeat offenders of false reporting. 

Everything that a player enters into the chat window is logged. These larger chat logs are also routinely checked for those infractions that are not reported.



What is considered a reportable offense?
We appreciate that our players want to make Wizard City the best it can be, and we've placed the tools in your hand to report players for inappropriate behavior. We ask that you use the reporting feature to identify truly egregious behavior, such as creative profanity (swearing around the filters), solicitation of usernames/passwords, predatory threats, racist comments and other such actions as outlined in the Terms of Use. The old story of “the kid that cried wolf” has a lot of bearing in this situation and we trust that all reports received by players are valid and require support intervention.


What is NOT considered a reportable offense?
Because false reporting can be construed and/or used as harassment of other players, we’d like to take a moment to ensure you are aware of what does NOT fall under the category of a reportable offense:

“S/he falsely reported me” or reporting someone for false reporting (2 wrongs don’t make a right)

“Won’t leave my house” (pick your friends wisely and avail yourself of the non-porting option)

“Being rude” (We’re sorry, we can’t enforce good manners. Use the ignore button liberally &/or change realms. It’s wholly up to you to choose to stay around someone that’s not nice to you.)

“Chain Stunning” (admittedly, it’s not much fun for the receiving team, but it’s not a violation of the game rules).

“Scamming” (KingsIsle will NEVER ask for treasure card(s) in exchange for a code. Trading “cards for codes” is done at the players’ own risk. Codes are either fully public or one time use)

“Spamming” (Although the Terms of Use mention spamming, it’s related to email/web posts. Yeah, it’s annoying in game and never of profound statement. Refer to “Being Rude”).



And here's a nice tip: "If you wouldn't say it to your grandma, you shouldn't say it in-game"



Thursday, May 26, 2011

"Official"

Now, I know I'm touching on a very delicate subject today I just needed to say something. There has been some ranting going on on Twitter about Kingsisle rejecting some bloggers from becoming official. Now, I want to say that not EVERY blogger will become official. That would kind of be too much, don't you think? Now don't start yelling at me that you bought a domain to become official. The main purpose for a blog is state your opinion and help others in that same community group, not to get free gifts. I'm not saying that getting free gift's was your main purpose for becoming official, but if it is then I don't think you should.


 In my opinion, becoming an official community blog means that you're part of the higher group of bloggers that contribute highly to the Wizard101 community and write some interesting posts and your readers remember. Also, buying a domain name will not guarantee that they will slap on the official stamp on you. Buying a domain will only put you on the "Blog review list" in other words to be considered. It also says something along the lines of "We can reject you for any reason" on their site. I might be shooting myself in the foot, but getting rejected shouldn't stop you from writing blog posts or having fun in-game. Maybe, you're just not what they're looking for or they're having a massive amount of entries from bloggers and they can't add anymore to the "review" list. You can still contribute to the community and have fun. It shouldn't be the end of the world and buying a domain means you contributed to the community and isn't that why we all made a blog? To contribute to the community? Don't get me wrong, becoming official and all the perks are wonderful, but we need to live up to their standards and show them what you've got because they're not just going to give you the official stamp on a silver platter.


Now for those sites that are trying to become official being helpful, informative, and contribute to the community is all you need. Plus a site of course! Kingsisle has the right to reject or accept your site. It's their game, their decision. All we can do is help and hope to be recognize as a helpful wizard in a great community that Wizard101 has a reputation for. My ranting is done hope you all have a great weekend. :)

Monday, May 23, 2011

Endowment

Hey there! Sorry I haven't been posting too much. I've kind of been busy with doing WW runs and finishing up some projects and reports and getting ready for the summer. I'm going to try and keep this post short. Ravenwood Radio #41 is this Wednesday make sure to tune in at RavenwoodRadio.com and try to Email them some questions! Just a reminder, make sure to follow the rules or else you will be smacked with the ban hammer.                                                                                                                                                      


Also pay attention on Twitter or Diary of a Wizard as details for the Ravenwood Ball will be given on the 29th! Squee! I'll have to wear something really nice so I don't embarrass my partner :).

I completed the Crab Alley storyline 3 times and I love the rockstar outfit, although the Crab king kind looks like Justin Bieber with his new hair.
Gotta love Amadeo!

I've been working on a few cards that I think should have been the new lvl 55 spells. Here's one of them, it's called Endowment.
 Tell me what you think?

Sunday, May 15, 2011

My Spiral Mission: Protector of the Lore [Chapter 5]

Chapter 5
The Legend of Essence

“Thank you for summoning me. I will not keep you here for long as I see my presence has irritated you, and you have somewhere else to be.” I looked at Gurmadli innocently but I knew he was right.            


                “Here-“ Gurmadli, with his wooden claw like hand, reach for his leaf head and pulls one leaf out and puts it in my hand “-I’m sure this is what Ol’Ceren is looking for if he sent you to find me.” I examine the leaf Gurmaldi gave me and it just looks like a regular leaf; nothing special about it. I look back to Gurmaldi and answer with confusion “Thank you but what’s-“


                “Good luck young wizard” then Gurmadli’s leaves started coming off and swirled around him and he shrinked back into the book with a mess of leaves scattered across the floor with some fallen books. I heard foosteps coming from the stairs. It was Boris, he looked at the mess on the floor and then at me then back at the mess. 


                “Are you ok, Jeremy?”


“Yea, I’m fine. This tree guy just gave me this leaf to give to Ceren”


                “Hmm, I think you should head back to Ceren then, Morning Life Studies is almost over.” I nodded and jogged back to the Life school. As I was crossing the commons, I noticed that the guy with the weird white and blue straw hat wasn’t there anymore. I didn’t think twice about it and went through the tunnel back into Ravenwood. When I came out of the tunnel, I saw some volunteers putting up decorations and setting up tables. I opened the door to the Life school and it was completely empty except for professor Nightchant writing at his desk. He looked up and he did a half-smile sort of thing. “Um, where did everyone go?” I asked.


                “I dismissed the class early today so they can get ready for the celebration.” He took off his glasses, looked at me, and put his glasses back on. “Do you have the book I sent you to get?”


                “No… but Gurmadli said to give you this” I pull out the leaf that Gurmadli gave me and showed it to Nightchant. He stood up from his desk and walked somewhat fast at me like he was ready to tackle and took the leaf from my hand. He took off his glasses and inspected the leaf very carefully and then looked back at me. “This is very interesting” He said while walking back and shuffling through many books. “Uh, professor is something wrong?”
               
 “You say Gurmaldi gave you this?”


“Yea, he said you would need it”
               
 “Oh this is very interesting” He got more books and shuffled through those. I walked to his desk to see what he was doing.
              
  “Professor who is Gurmaldi?” He looked at me with a puzzled face, almost like he was spaced out for a moment. Then, almost like he came back to reality “Legend says that Gurmaldi was the son of Floresca. Some say Floresca was the essence of life magic, similar to what the giants are for the school of Ice. One day, as Gurmaldi was searching Grizzlehiem for a lead on the Wolf tribe rebellion a Grendel Witch doctor tricked him and sealed Gurmadli’s spirit in a book in the form of a Treant and the book was lost. Floresca, thinking that her son had passed away died of a broken heart leaving a poem to her husband. “

One fifth of the world unspoken
Tend to the minds that have stayed broken
From a leaf hope will shine
While battles are in the distant times
Help those who’s eyes remain at half
but give to the one that needs a staff
The shadows are rising that much is sure
Protect the seals, we must endure.

“That is what we Life wizards call ‘The Legend of Essence’ Jeremy.” I looked at him in confusion and was about to ask something when he interrupted and said 


“Are you going to the celebration in the commons today?”
              
  “I was thinking about it. I don’ think it’s going to be worth it though”


“What else would you do, Jeremy? Sleep in my class?” He chuckled and gathered his books and escorted me back out of the Life school where all the volunteers were still getting the decorations ready for today’s celebration.

Monday, May 9, 2011

My Spiral Mission: Protector of the Lore [Chapter 4]

Chapter 4
Hello Gurmadli

                I walk towards to glowing clouds of magic forming the Spiral, and stare in awe as I see every world imaginable float by me. “Beautiful isn’t it?” said Gamma and I nodded as my response. Then, I realized I needed to get the book Nightchant wanted. “I’m sorry I need to get something for Professor Nightchant, it was nice meeting you Gamma”
             
  “Be careful Jeremy, they’ll be looking for you!” I ran out of the door Gamma was pointing to and just darted for it. Next thing I knew I was standing in the commons again and everyone as cheerful as can be. I actually wanted to be back in the Headmaster Falmea’s office. I went around again to the front of her office but I heard Gamma’s voice in my head and he whispered softly “ The book is in the Library, the second floor.” I looked blankly at the crowding commons and started jogging over to the Library. As I walk over the bridge I look to my left and I see a strange person. He was wearing a sturdy suit of armor with a polished look and the cape on his back looked as it was a flowing piece of metal.  He looked directly at me with his hat covering half of his eyes. His hat was made of some sort of strange straw because it was white except for this tips which were blue. We were there in that same position as if we were in slow motion, but as he turned his head everything went to normal and I kept walking towards the Library. I entered the great building and nodded to Boris, and headed upstairs.  Several books were flying back and forth and I could barely read them as they flew by.  I headed to the last book case and looked through the names of books; Fire Traps, Fire Armor Enchanting, Ice defensive strategies, Ice blade usage, but no Life book. I sighed and turned around and leaned on the book case. As I reached to rub my eyes my hands started glowing, and the glow was a light green hue and it sparkled like someone put glitter in the air and it stayed there. I looked at them and turned them around and as I was the bookshelf to the left of me was shaking and I stopped and looked at the book case. Then, I waved my hand to the right and a couple books fell out of their place. “Oh, shoot” I dropped my knees to the floor and started picking books up and while shuffling through the old leather bindings I found what I was looking for, ‘Life Incantations and Charm Volume 8’. I reached for the book when it popped open the pages flipped and the book started shaking while it was glowing brighter and brighter. I crawled backwards and stood up and watched the book. Leaves started to fly out of the book and roots started sprouting out from it and then it soon turned into wood and bark and then a little Imp creature sprang out from the book as well.  Then, the tree like thing sprouted leaves from it’s head and back and then it came into shape like a walking tree.
              
 “Hello young wizard, my name is Gurmaldi, and I’ve been expecting you Jeremy.” All that was going through my head was.. “Ugh,  not again. I need to get to class!”

Monday, May 2, 2011

Random Thoughts.

When you stop and think for a bit, sometimes some questions and ideas rush into your head and most are random but some are those questions that make you think for quite sometime on what's happening and what can you do to make the situation better. You feel some sort of sympathy for a friend or another person, or just the guy walking down the street. Rage might accumulate inside you on just the thought about what others have said. It's true, the world might never be a peaceful wonderland of sugar plums and candy canes, and everyone won't have a bright smile and their face and say "Hey there, how was your day today?" But does that give us the right to humiliate, downgrade, tease, laugh at, make fun of, or any other demeaning action? No it does not. I'm sure some troll might come along and say "yea, that's real life get used to it." Um, no thanks. I'd rather live in my fantasy world tyvm, it has bunnies. Why do people need to be just plain out rude and harass others on a FAMILY-FRIENDLY game. Don't even get my started with their foul language. Some might say "Why don't you just use the Ignore button? It's there for a reason." First of all, I shouldn't need to use the Ignore button in the first place! Second of all, you shouldn't harass others in a Family-friendly game. That's it for now since I can't think anymore lol because I procrastinated. Also, one last note: I LOVE the Grizzlehiem music!