So, following a lengthy discussion on one of the TEF discords, it's come to our attention that there are things worth bringing up, discussing, and voting on. Many have expressed disappointment in the overall tone of the event, finding the interactions unsatisfactory particularly in the area of actual competitive game-play and realism.
While the Rut is already intended to support serious and realistic play styles, it was distinctly lacking this year for a more party based atmosphere. This isn't intended to condemn such however, but we do need to try to strike a balance that leaves as many, if not all participants, happy with the event.

In the conversation we've managed to come up with some suggestions and critiques. I'll first begin with well meaning suggestions that were bought up by community members, for community members, in how we might be able to try to help accommodate the event overall. Please bear in mind that this is not an attempt to tell people exactly what to do, or how to play, but recommended ideas that might help the event as a whole succeed better in future, for everyone.
The biggest problem seemed to be that many members were AFK and unresponsive. This is something that we as a community have been used to and comfortable with for a long time. Unfortunately, during the Rut, especially while gathered in groups, this proves to be detrimental to everyone else's experience.

The most common suggestions to help in this area are:
* Asking people to, if they can, move to the no-rut zones to AFK so that no one needs to expect anything from you.
* Let your deer sleep when AFK, so again no one expects anything from you.
Alternatively:
* Try to rely less on Discord. Or at least check in more often if you're able.
* Try to be less hesitant to contact one another outside the game.
* If you don't see anything going on, then try to be the one to start something.

THE VOTES ARE IN, and it's close, but the rut will take place 28th Sept to 8th Oct! This means it starts on the Friday of the 28th, and ends on the night of Monday the 8th. The rut officially concludes on the 9th.

The official application blog will be posted sometime next week!





Hi everyone! A bit late this time.

Aivilo and I will be running the rut this year.
We're heavily leaning towards making it a 10 day event; starting on a Friday and ending on a Monday a lil more than a week later, thus covering two weekends. It's been debated for a couple of years now and going by how activity has always died down days before the usual 14 days are up, we figured it only makes sense.
If there are any thoughts or objections to this feel free to discuss it here. We want to know what everyone thinks. <3

Due to my unavailability for the next couple of weeks, and wanting to make sure the rut doesn't conflict with ooc day, we have only two times to choose from:
21 Sept - 1st Oct
28th Sept - 8th Oct

-V

The Rut will take place 26th Sep - 10th Oct.

Hey guys! I hope the first week has been a blast for you all!

As now that we're coming up to the halfway point of the two week Rut event, I figured now would be a good time to bring up points and faults that we should discuss as a community so that we can better the next half of the experience.

Here are things that I'd like to discuss:

Judges
A good few of you have been fantastic. There have been some Judges that know how to utilize the power in their position. However throughout the week, I've seen a lot of Judges who didn't, and I think that's something we should aspire to improve on!
For example, I've seen some who might stand aside and expect to be herded. Maybe that's part of your character, but what if your character is capable of more?
The power in the Judges mean they can decide the outcome of a battle. They can choose who's the winner, they can decide where to set the stage, or shun combatants who try to fight in the middle of their group.
I'd like to see more judges interact with the other classes; rather than allow fights go on for too long, the Judges can intervene, and drive who they deem the looser away from the arena. Perhaps we could aim for that?


Challengers
Another problem I've noticed is that some Challengers fight with the persistence of Competitors. The difference between Challengers and Competitors is that Challengers work with speed, and wit. They generally don't fight too much, but aim to harass and perhaps move in and try to impress the Judges behind the Competitor's backs.
Competitors are more about brute strength and power. They're the ones who fight with persistence.


Sexism
Now I know it's within the nature of many characters to say, "not hit a girl". Or "flirts with the ladies". But I'd really like to try and eliminate this. If anything I'd like us all to get more in the mind track of the Rut being.. say, "TEF's got Talent!", instead of a chance to go get the booty.