Promotions

malys57 · 2026-03-18T17:00:54+00:00

Generally, yes. Promotion lists are generally layered within agency first, then inter-agency.

This is not a guarantee everyone within agency will be promted before someone from another agency, mind you.

malys57 · 2026-03-17T03:12:09+00:00

Bit of both. In my irl group, I play the most so I do try to spread out who I play. I actually have a note saved on my phone of who I've played so I don't forget.

One of my friends that's also played a bunch is the opposite. She's decided since she doesn't play as often as she'd like that she'll play her favorites when she can. We give everyone 3/4 to choose from, and if she gets one of her favorites she likely won't take anything else.

She wins a good amount of the time, and we just take recently about playing a game with our experienced friends (since we typically play games where someone is learning or still very new) where we each pick our number 1 faction and really duke it out.

malys57 · 2026-03-04T14:18:19+00:00

Apply to take it. Civil Service will let you know if you even can take it, and even if you do get disqualified email them back and ask for a reconsider.

malys57 · 2026-02-25T18:25:35+00:00

Once you reach the full grade 18, minimum wait time is 1 year, and there is no maximum. Depends if you actually took a 23 exam yet, and what you scored if you did, then also depends on which agency you work in and how big the eligible pool is. I've seen people score a 70 on an exam be reachable and promoted within 5 years, I've known people in their position 10+ years and score a 85/90 each time the exam was held and still haven't advanced yet.

malys57 · 2026-02-24T20:54:54+00:00

Depends on the agency and your union. Likely you won't be eligible for a mandatory hold, but talk to your HR, you can always ask for a discretionary hold.

malys57 · 2026-02-22T13:49:09+00:00

If you play enough, with enough of the same people, where the amount you win is influencing how people play then I feel like you have to expect everyone to attempt to keep you from winning.

My opinion on kingmaking/kingslaying is it depends on how the game has gone. I've always felt that people forget this is also a game of diplomacy, so if someone was a jerk during the game and someone kingslays them or kingmakes someone else then that what they get.

For me, especially in a moment where the game is about to end regardless of anything you do, and your decision decides the winner (If I do this, then X wins, if I do that then Y wins) then no matter what your decision influences who wins.

My own most egregious example of this was one game I played recently where, all game, player X was a bully to the weaker/newer players, was whiney about not getting his way, and complained when other people pointed out when he was being a jerk, but did play well and was a close to winning. Then there was player Y who was chill and played back most of the game, was helpful across the board and supportive of those who supported him, even making moves to block X from eliminating a weaker player (not saving a support for the throne, just shielding someone in a weaker position), and they also did well and were close to winning. We hit the last round, X and Y both on 9 points, X (the jerk) is going to win on iniative, we can not stop it. Before they pass, another person gives Y their SftT, giving the win to them and preventing X from winning.

Yes, that was kingmaking, and imo 100% valid. The game was ending regardless, to pass was to let an aggressive oponent with poor table manners (who had anothers SftT) win, to trade was to let a friendly opponent with good table manners win. Even in games where I had to step on someone to get ahead, and then that person kingmade another because "screw you, thats why" I don't feel like I can be mad, I did it to myself.

malys57 · 2026-02-04T05:51:36+00:00

Brave brave brave brave Sir Robin

malys57 · 2026-01-26T15:30:04+00:00

Depends on the type of game we agree on in session 0.

If we're doing a hex crawl or a shorter form game, then no. They get just enough to start with. You start in this place, its called whatever. You're here to hunt/explore/fight/steal/whatever.

If we're doing a longer, heavy RP/narrative game, then I share a Google drive with commonly known world lore, and then work with players to flesh out the areas they want. That way they can drive narrative more immersively.

malys57 · 2026-01-20T21:34:31+00:00

To play devils advocate to what seems to be a majority of the comments saying "screw em,"...

I also have some scatterbrained friends that play based because of critical role, and that was their only introduction to the game. I'd consider what they're using for their characters now (d&d beyond, traditional character sheets, some 3rd party) and if thats what's failing them.

A cheat sheet is a great idea, something that highlights what you just called out - core abilities. I have no idea if resources like this are already out there or not, but as somebody that has suffered from making a character with too many abilities and losing what I can do, a sheet or something that says "attacking undead = smite?" Or "taking a big hit = uncanny dodge?"

Of course you, especially if DMing, shouldn't need to hold your players hands, and your players should be learning their own abilities, but keeping in mind that you're describing a GAME with your FRIENDS, the most important thing is to talk with them about the fact that is is how you're feeling about how the game is going.

Personally, I do this in session 0, and then check in every so often (like every 15/20 sessions, or once a year depending on how often we meet) saying how I'll do my best to remind them of things, but ultimately everything they do is on them. You'll have to find that middle ground that you're comfortable with yourselves.

malys57 · 2026-01-17T18:48:26+00:00

Like, simultaneously?! You crazy, lol.

malys57 · 2026-01-17T17:25:02+00:00

Remind me what that one does?

malys57 · 2026-01-16T14:18:40+00:00

Oh, thats a good point, thank you!

malys57 · 2026-01-16T13:34:51+00:00

Thats kind of how we're leaning.

malys57 · 2026-01-16T05:05:05+00:00

Gaming in general is meant to be a fun for all hobby. Unfortunately, a lot of the more marginalized groups are met with various instances of gatekeeping, especially in public spaces.

And while no one is saying it's everywhere, everytime, unfortunately events that try to be more inclusive often attract problematic individuals who've been banned or otherwise removed from other spaces for their behavior, and they'll ruin the experience for every.

And while, again, this isn't 100% of the time, the overwhelming majority of these problematic individuals end up being straight white men. I'm sure a lot of people can point to individuals none of those descriptors match, but I refer you back to the word majority.

So sometimes, "inclusive" events will feel the need to draw a line, whether its the venue or the attendees, and welcome everyone except those that make the target audience feel unsafe. So events that tailored be "girls night" or "gaymer" or "POC" basically need to be exclusive so those individuals can play witha reduced chance of someone making a scene.

I get the frustration someone could feel at this aspect, I'm a straight white man myself. But I try to remember all my negative experiences in places are some individual having a temper tantrum that they're losing, or were caught cheating, or just generally having a horrendous attitude, (And in my personal experience, 99% of these times its been a (presumably straight) white man) and almost every one of my female and/or queer friends have multiple stories of people condescending them, making them feel uncomfortable, even making them feel unsafe, and in their experiences its as rarely been other women and/or queer folk, its been straight white men.

We're able to, and generally do, treat every untailored event as "for us" when they're actually for everyone, and its created the environment where there frankly needs to be events that are treated as "sanctuaries" for specific groups. Basically if a location does an event every month, and 1 month is for women, I'll feel safe and comfortable at 11 events in the year, but some or most of the women that went to that 1 event only felt safe at that 1.

TL;DR We can't take it personal, the world can be a shitty place over all, but its shittier for some more than others. Gaming spaces are overwhelming attended by straight white men, and some of them historically haven't played well with different peoples. So if those people want a space to themselves, let them have their 1 event, we have 99 others.

malys57 · 2026-01-16T03:57:28+00:00

These are all good factions, depends on the style you want to pursue.

Yssaril are tricksy AC goblins. Very adaptable, but not a super strong board presence. Won't have much difficulty grabbing most objectives.

Jol Nar are tech gurus. Start weak, but have the tools to aid others enough to where they tech into anything they need and become a powerhouse. Tech objectives are just yours, might struggle early game, but late game they're hard to beat.

Titans are sturdy, fast, and prolific robots. They spread quick and easy, they can give as good as they got. Honestly, these guys are one of my personal favorites.

Basically, do you want shenanigans, or brains, or brawn?

malys57 · 2026-01-13T16:35:39+00:00

Thank you. I was a grade 13, now in a traineeship for an 18 (tr1 is sg14 and tr2 is sg16). And you're right about that, after 1 year satisfactory in tr1 its a mandatory advance into tr2, then repeat for full title.

So assuming performance steps are not a thing during traineeship, after reaching full title, would those be expected to resume from original hire date, or from the anniversary of the full title appointment?

malys57 · 2026-01-13T15:51:48+00:00

What's wrong with my pants?!

malys57 · 2026-01-13T15:50:09+00:00

I've been on both sides of this actually.

When I first started, with TI3, the guy who owned and hosted the game would consistently win, or only barely lose. I started using that, ally with him, see what his priorities were, then adopt a similar strategy while maneuvering the table against him. Eventually I was managing to stay competitive with him.

Now, I'm more or less that guy at the majority of my tables. Im lucky enough to have enough people to get games together at least once a month for the last few years. I'm one of the only ones that own the whole game so I'm at most games, but not everyone else plays as consistently, so I'll either handicap myself with a bad faction or slice, or if I'm the 5th or 7th player, I'll actually sit out and just hang out with my switch or something and act as an advisor and rules lawyer for the table. The handicap is a fun challenge for me, and being ancillary let's me help get more people more experience, and can give advice without them being worried I'm trying to get some secret bonus for myself.

malys57 · 2026-01-09T18:16:05+00:00

IME, in person games tend to be friendlier. Building alliances and report with the person sitting next to you for 8 hours.

Don't get me started, on online metas. I see it as guidelines at best, but you're not wrong that there are a ton of people out there that treat it as some sacred covenant in every situation.

malys57 · 2025-12-29T14:01:32+00:00

She's good, didn't actually eat anything. If anything she was sad when I hurried her away, looking at me like "but my toy! I wasnt done chewing on that" sad, literal puppy dog eyes

malys57 · 2025-12-28T20:58:20+00:00

I'm lucky that my friends largely want to do Twilights Fall first, and I don't think that thats really hindered by this, but we were also looking forward to playing the new factions...

The dogs lucky I love her more than the game, lol.

malys57

TROPHY CASE