Posted by Counselor Anna on March 17, 1999 at 19:17:46:

I STILL get funny questions, apparently we just got a whole bunch of newbie players. Welcome to you all, I hope that you become as obsessed with this game as I am. :)

Although Counselor Blues is not strictly about funny stories - I HAD to post this one ....
Last Weeks Best Question: "How do I lay down?" My answer was of course "Die. It's the only way."

One of the more frequent questions I get is this "How do I become a Counselor?". That's going to be easy enough pretty soon to answer - but let ME question YOU a question. Are you sure you want to be a Counselor? I ask because I have Counseled for a year now - and have actually seen VERY few Counselors actually stick around, and of those that have - they've had very similar personality types.

If you're thinking about becoming a Counselor, examine your personality VERY closely. Are you a shoot-em Duke Nuke-Em kind of person, where you want to slay and be slain? Do you get bored easily? Do you hate stupid questions and become impatient with them? Will you get angry if a player walks up to you and says "Lame", and walks away? (Happened to me last week, I actually thought it was funny.) If this sounds like you (and NOTHING wrong with ANY of this!), then I would think twice about it ... it sounds as if Counseling will not be your cup of tea.

On the other hand - are you absolutely bananas about this game? Are you a born teacher and nurturer? Are you into Public Relations, and "Handling" the irate customer? Do you really and sincerely love helping people? (And, again, it sounds like the first paragraph is all negative and this is all positive - it's not at all - just differing likes and dislikes.) If this sounds like you, you should definitely apply.

I think people think we get great rewards for Counseling. The truth is, the staff at Origin has been pretty careful about treating us like any other players. Also,it seems like players think we have the "inside track" - that we know all sorts of "top secrets". (Uhm - it's a game - not a whole lot of secrets involved ;D) Hehe - anything we know we know because we're meticulous about researching the game.

When I counsel, I have my Browser open, maps (which I've gotten off the Websites, and printed up and laminated) and a looseleaf notebook next to me with all the pertinent data I think I'll need open and ready to read. All of the information I have I got off of the web - or asked another Counselor - who got his info .... off the Web. Sometimes the GameMasters are available to us - but ... surprise ... they frequently know as much or less than we do. Also - we ARE Players - we play the game - and most of us experiment with EVERY kind of character.

You want to speak to the Designers? have a "voice" in the game? Then speak up, they are available and around on the various message boards, and in Open Forums, which are announced.

In short - become a Counselor because ... you want to help, and you love to help. There is no other reason why we're here. You want a "voice" in the game? You have one already - no need to become a Counselor unless you want to help. You want kewl junk? Lots of in-game (or out of game!) gold? LOL - Definitely NOT the place for you! But ... feel sorry for that newbie who is wandering around looking lost and alone? Do you want to help that Blacksmith make GM? Do you want to sympathise with a disgruntled player? Join us then! We need you, and want you!

Respectfully submitted,

Elder Counselor Anna - Sonoma Shard

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