Posted by Jarindyl on July 7, 2000 at 13:09:47:
In Reply to: Lying to get someone flagged posted by Bemus-ed on July 7, 2000 at 09:43:53:
...that being an Arbiter is like being an FBI agent always having to investigate crimes over the phone. It's really pretty hard to instantly know the correct verdict, and that's if the attack takes part on the proverbial desk (where the Arbiter sees it). Unlike the other cabals, Arbiters are more or less unanimously hated by everyone that isn't an Arbiter themselves. At best, they're tolerated. Why is this hatred so wide-spread? Why are so many people convinced of the "corruption" that seems to be taken as an inherent part of your induction into the Hall? Probably because the Hall is the only cabal that steps in between other players. The Hall has to decide who's lying, and who's not, and I'm sure that many people, even when lying to the Arbiter, are incensed when they're not believed. Sure, you may be lying, but how dare (s)he not believe you, right? The Arbiters are the only cabal with any true ambiguity in the enactment of their cabal responsibilities. DISCLAIMER!!! I am talking, in very general terms, about day-to-day decision-making responsibilities of various cabals. Not trying to slander or belittle anyone, since I happen to view all of the cabals as vital parts of Thera that all work together to make it the enjoyable experience it is. Battle: Me see mage, me kill mage. Where most people make a mistake in crying "Corruption!" is that they fail to keep in mind that we are only human beings, and that 95% of us legitimately are doing the best we can to be fair, just, and impartial (within the limits of our roles). I would expect a paladin Arbiter would have a slightly faster "trigger finger" when investigating an evil. Corruption? Not really. An evil Arbiter saying he'll take a bribe to avoid a flag? Yes, really. There is a vast world of difference, as I see it, and while I'm not going to say there isn't any corruption in Arbiters (none that I'm aware of, but hey... I just got done saying I'm only human), but I would say that for the most part it's just that the Hall is pretty much a lose-lose situation for the individual Arbiter when it comes to doing their job. That's why you'll rarely see an Arbiter uninducted for placing a flag, so long as he can validly explain how he arrived at his 98% certainty of guilt. Those Who Are In Charge realize what we're up against, and take it into account. Please keep in mind, this was written under a time constraint of trying to get out from work :P It may be a bit disjointed or unclear in parts. Jarindyl (who doesn't fall into the category of hating Arbiters, nor loving the cabal like a bad addiction previously mentioned in another post)
Master: Um, study magic.
Entropy: Easiest job in Thera... make life difficult for the Arbiters (who already have an incredibly hard time being quality Arbiters)
Troupe: This is really more dependent on the character's individual roleplay, but you'll never have to be 98% sure the audience will like a song before singing it.
Empire: Rule the world, seems easy enough.
Sylvan: Protect the wilderness (summed up). In any situation where you're faced with a choice that either supports Nature or doesn't, it's pretty easy to pick which one.
Scarab: If what I guess is the roleplay (generally speaking) of a Scarab, I would think it pretty easy to make decisions.
Dawn: Again, pretty easy (in my never-had-a-Dawnie opinion). You'll never be faced with having to be 98% sure that helping a dying good-aligned PC will "keep hope alive".
Arbiter: You're always 100% wrong, no matter what you judge. Place a flag, the victim hates you. Don't place a flag, the other side hates you.