There is a difference between giving a guide hell and arguing with them about a name. If I picked a name and they said NO, but this name was legit by all rules and generally a good name I'd argue too. You make it sound as if Richter went in the intention of making an argument to bust their balls. There is fighting for something with a point and arguing just for the sake of arguing, Richter was completely legit in this issue and there isn't many people who can say they wouldn't do the same thing. A guide does have the power, but there is a line.

Trance is a great name I dont see what annoyed Spindle about it.

As you said, there is a line. Namely, one between a legitimate arguement and one that is exceptionally easy to recieve as insulting and/or demeaning.

EDIT: For clarification, incase the point was missed. The entire bit with Richter, RPed or not, was exceptionally patronising, IMO.

I think he was probably asked to change it because there is a band named Trance or it might be a type of music. I'm not sure, but I did a google search for it and it has something to do with music, because the first page was filled with fan sites and places selling the music.

Apparently this guide is a techno fan. (At least I'm hoping this is what he was thinking of..)

What?

Now I've heard that it wasn't allowed because it was a game mechanic in FF9, or it is a kind of music, or it is too much like stupor, or whatever else Ialie said.

Trance is a word. It wasn't likely disallowed for any of those reasons, you're all grasping at something that isn't there.

Doesn't the fact that the name is used in so many other places send up any red flags at all?

Guides are here to improve the environment, and weed out not only the bad names, but also try and improve upon the "Ok" names.

Noun: Trance
1. A psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
2. A state of mind in which consciousness is fragile and voluntary action is poor or missing; a state resembling deep sleep

Verb: trance
1. Attract; cause to be enamoured

Trance is a word, as such, it isn't neccesarily wrong, but as noted in the help file:



I know there are some strange folk out there, but I honestly feel sorry for any poor chap who has the misfortune to bear a real life name such as "Trance". It is the guides' job to ensure the realm is as realistic as possible, and as such "ok" names when spotted are judged on a case by case basis, and often people will be asked to change it.

Remember, not all people out there are alts, no, I warrant to say 4 out of 5 "ok" names are people who are either new to muds or new to Lusternia. This is nothing against new players, but many people will only later find out that they are one of the few "word" names out there in a big world of custom names and come to regret the fact they did not have it changed when they were still able to do so.

Why wasn't my name disallowed then?

Richter is a real name (German), and whoamygod, ever hear of the Richter scale? Nerf me!

Because you've been here before there were even guides?

I was kind of trying to point out how deliciously absurd some of the posts were. Trance being bad because it is a kind of music or a state of mind (or a Farscape character, if I'm correct), is just as stupid as saying that hey, there's a Richter scale, Richter's name is bad. Or saying the name Rose is bad, because it is a flower (granted, there isn't a Rose in Lusternia, but hey, it's an example).

Well, as you just stated, a name is just that, a name. We can't very well start disallowing names even if we wanted to, we'd have to disallow pretty much everything. Also, since richter isn't a word in english that I am personally aquainted with, I see no reason your name should be disallowed.

Out of curiosity, is it possible to request for a namechange after the initial 30 hours is up?

It has been done before. I recall Vivi, over 100+ years old and a mentor, requested Sarapis to change his name since it was too feminine, and Sarapis did it for him.

sometimes when I just want to try things out, I want to name my char.. Noobwarrior or something like that.. but I just know that will just bring more attention to myself.. when all I'm trying to do is stop the undersecs from spending time on me and being all helpfull.

I find it helps that to just smile and nod, say "Ok" a few times, and then don't ask any questions. Works for all my alts in Imperian, at least.

After playing a while I've realized how stupid my name is.

Think I could get a change?

Your name sounds too much like Vicks, which is a rl medicine.

I'm afraid you're going to have to get a namechange.

I think this topic is an excellent display of a lapse in maturity. I would expect to see such a thing arise from a brand new player, or perhaps a total arse ingame (akin to the likes of phred and his/her multiple alts that do things like defile shrines to get attention.) Not for a respective older player who should know better.

Such behaviour is rude in of itself, especially to the Guides who are volunteers - trying to help NEWBIES. They are not supposed to have to babysit older players hit with a spat of boredom.

You may have tried after to go about it in a calm, respectful fashion, but the act was still disrespectful. Not only to the guide who then had to take time away from actual newbies needing help to get you to change it, the newbies who may have lost a chance to get something answered right away, but also the very roleplay of the realm people try to upkeep.

I can just imagine if this guide had NOT done his or her duty and didn't force you to change... Person A says, "Look! Rowena has gone into a trance - what is wrong with her?!' Newbie B says, "A trance? Like this other newbie I saw?' Group C says, "...."

Bricriu, your rude, cold, and scathing responses are only second to Visaeris'.

And yet, I'll respond to your post that I believe adds nothing at all to the topic.

Why, thank you, although, I hold my 'cold, rude, and scathing' response abilities to be far higher than Visaeris's, especially considering that was not the tone of this current post. Your compliment is welcomed, however.

Now, in regards to your follow up:

I think this topic is an excellent display of a lapse in maturity.

Ah, the basic insult that people use over the internet when they're frustrated, and think they're better than everyone else. So and so is immature, wah. Get over yourself.

Funny, I could suggest the same thing to you - you are an adult or close to it, act like it. Ingame, and here, when someone tells you they think you stuffed up.

I would expect to see such a thing arise from a brand new player, or perhaps a total arse ingame (akin to the likes of phred and his/her multiple alts that do things like defile shrines to get attention.)

Good comparison. You might have something there, because, this is just so much like what he did!

It was an example - perhaps you need to take a closer look at the above comment about growing up. You both made characters, and afterwards you posted on the forums. He posted in thanks to the people who put up with him, as annoying as his antics may or may not have been. You however, posted your antics, then went further as to berate the volunteers of this game for doing their job.

Not for a respective older player who should know better.

Respective?

Would you prefer an insult in place of a general term? Or, should I have worded it perhaps along the lines of, 'an older player, respectively.' You ARE an older player, are you not? The point still stands. You should have known better.

Such behaviour is rude in of itself, especially to the Guides who are volunteers - trying to help NEWBIES. They are not supposed to have to babysit older players hit with a spat of boredom.

You must not have read any of the posts on here at all. Firstly, the guide was spoken to with no disrespect. Find a place where I was -actually- rude, other than being non-compliant. Secondly, you do have to check back on my posts, dear Bricriu, because you probably missed the part where the guide started talking to me. I was leaving everyone alone, and a guide talking to -me- is boredom? I was reading ebonguard helpfiles darling, I was hardly bored. Think before you post.

See my below comment - or, did you just not read it? Oh wait, no - you left a lovely little comment, which means you just ignored it for this part of your less than witty retorts. As for the guide, they could have been more polite, yes. That is something for the Moirae to discuss with whoever was guiding at that time. The matter at hand is you, sadly enough.

You may have tried after to go about it in a calm, respectful fashion, but the act was still disrespectful.

Yes, and hardly.

That is only your opinion it was not disrespectful. The fact is, you should have known better.

Not only to the guide who then had to take time away from actual newbies needing help to get you to change it, the newbies who may have lost a chance to get something answered right away, but also the very roleplay of the realm people try to upkeep.

My name just destroyed the RP of the realm. Holy crap.

See below - the name might not cause the server crash you dramatically add to your lower comment, but it does spoil the mood. One simple name gets through the cracks, next thing you know, you have Ladydeath, Backlash, Rocktamer, PICKLE running about. We are not Achaea, thank the Gods. Allowing one stupid name just opens the cracks wider for even more idiotic names like this.

I can just imagine if this guide had NOT done his or her duty and didn't force you to change... Person A says, "Look! Rowena has gone into a trance - what is wrong with her?!' Newbie B says, "A trance? Like this other newbie I saw?' Group C says, "...."

Where do you come up with these?? I'll humor you for a second though. We will use my friend Vigil, from Aetolia, as an example.

Person A: It said that guard was vigilant...
Person B: I just saw a mob that was a vigilante!
Person C: Whoa, like that character???

*server crashes*

Right.

Aetolia - nough said. For someone who claims that if they let off their roleplay even a bit, sans talking to Estarra over things like credits or a pet, their character has a potential for crappyness later... Well, once again. Enough said.


***

I have no problem with people seeing me as scathing, cold, blunt, or even rude. I also have no problem with people viewing me as friendly, creative, and supportive, even nice. I've been told I am each of these things more than once, so alas, your opinion of me is not something I will lose sleep over. I merely am who I am.

However, back onto the subject at hand. If you want to act like a git, then try to portray yourself as some harmless victim when you get scolded for it by the admin (Which the guides in this situation do pertain to, seeing as the problem was your alts name), expect to be looked down upon.

You are not going to get my, or some others sympathies for your actions in this case. Those who do wish to show theirs are free to do so. Just don't expect it from everyone.