Hey all,

First, I have finished reading and replying to all of the email that I received over the course of my vacation. I think two weeks of GM-mail in 72 hours is a good record :). Anyway, as always if you sent me something, did not receive a response and expected one, I have somehow missed you mail. Please resend.

Next, a few updates on GJW items. First, Kaiann has sent to the Consuls a list of upcoming events and an overall plot summary that gives them more details for their perusal. The next thing that comes is the rules for the events, but Kaiann and I have decided to filter out some bad rules first before sending them on -- no sense in sending things that we already intend to change. The DC will have full access to the event rules in no more than two days.

Plot-wise, Kaiann has made some changes that clear up who are the perpetrators and make it easier for the Clan Summits to direct stories that don't implicate the summits themselves in wrongdoing. The Consuls have details on that.

Kaiann, Goat and I decided to make a drastic change to the structure of the later events that will keep things more simplified. That was the major concern that Halcyon brought up -- keeping it simple -- and we are much obliged to do so. I'm just happy cause it makes the coding life a lot easier.

Outside of the rules, the major remaining concern is the plot as seen through the story so far and the clues that have been sent out. I am still waiting on a few Consuls to send me their problems with the plot, but from the ones I have received there are legitimate gripes that I will address. A lot of them are small things alone, but adding them together made for a big annoyance. And I mean annoyance -- nothing was so crazy that it changed the storylines of the clans to the core -- they were some things that were either uncharacteristic (whether Kaiann was going for that or not) or simply went against established clan fiction. To give you an estimate of what we are talking about: there are almost 300 clues and I have received specific complaints about maybe 20 of them so far. I am going to review all of the clues and decide whether that part of the plot is salvageable or whether we should just find another way to get the story out. As a side note -- the clue structure was an experiment to begin with that hadn't really been done before -- if it doesn't work, then that's ok -- we'll kill it and find another way.

I will be sending Rax instructions, once I finish them, on building a script so that leaders may track the submissions of their members. Originally, it had been put aside for other priorities because of the lack of events where there were a ton of constant submissions in the beginning -- but the addition of the MP events means we need it sooner. Hopefully that will be ready soon.

As a final note, I am going to summarize what I know of how we got to this point.

• Kaiann and his helpers did not scrutinize the clues to the extent that should have been done to cross check them with Clan fiction. This lead to many clans having conflicting clues and fiction.

• The event rules were not scrutinized properly by experienced people with those events. They ended up being too complicated and did not follow some established DB guidelines. This was a major problem.

• I am going to add here that much has been made of the Consuls not seeing the GJW specifics before the war started. We are not going to start a firm precedent of Consuls always having inside knowledge of GJWs – members of the DC are qualified to make a GJW without oversight from the Consuls just like the Consuls can make feuds and run their clans without constant oversight from the DC on every detail – but the DC members must make the appropriate checks on their plot. Consultation about the plot specifics, the current fictional setup of the Clans and otherwise should have been made in some fashion. Further, some experts on the different event types should have been consulted a bout the rules. The Consuls are not necessarily the experts in those parts – but someone should have reviewed them that knew well the current setup of the standard rules.

• Some of the events (such as the run-on) have too little substance to make for conducive writing. The early plot does not offer enough for people to write about.

• The initial MP events were quickly added after demand from the members and were not developed carefully. These events should have never been added in such a rush. Other GJWs have started with MP events coming late -- the last GJW didn't see MP until well into it. Competitions won't always be so simple as "Go play." The MP should have waited at least until I got back to revamp the coding for it.

• The Consuls amongst themselves talked about the problems with the plot. I have one email from Duga to the Dark Council about the plot, but there were no other emails after Kaiann and Muz responded. To the Dark Summit list, problems were brought up about the new MP events. Evidentially, there were some conversations with Kaiann and/or Goat on IRC. These conversations were not converted to email so everyone could see what was discussed or what decisions were made.

• The Consuls posted on the news page without first following the chain of command. I had mentioned to them over and over how to contact me while I was on vacation and that I was available to solve any problems, but I received no specific email complaints about the GJW from anyone (and I mean from anyone -- no members either). I have since been told that there were IRC discussions with people that led to the news post -- either way, the Consuls should have consulted with me first if they had a problem with my DC member.

• Communication broke down completely between all DC members (which now includes the Consuls). IRC conversations between people were not given to the rest, assumptions were made and emails were not sent out that should have been. As good as IRC is for quick discussion, it is not a place to resolve group conflicts unless the group is there or included by email later.

I hope that I have made my point across to the leaders involved. I know Kaiann has taken to simplifying the GJW and the events -- I am assisting him in that and the Consuls will be included in that process. He is aware that he should have done more to cross check the plot and rules. I hope the Consuls have received my point that I am the final arbiter of problems within the DC and that circumventing contact with me leads to problems.

This GJW will continue. We have a lot of good events coming up and I will make sure that we move on properly.

As always, email me with any questions or comments -- or use the GJW feedback option.

Jac