Every now and then Avalon is on the look out for enthusiastic, game-competent individuals capable of doing the job of the "staff guide". The Avalon "staff guide" is a player helper, primarily for the benefit of novices and juniors though ideally well-versed in the ways of the land to such an extent he/she is able to offer help, advice and problem solving to all players - young and old. Typically Avalon employs numerous "staff guides" and these helpers are paid in real money based on the revenue their presence has generated.

HOW DOES A STAFF GUIDE EARN?

Avalon earns a revenue from most of its players: from their subscriptions, from their procurement, from products purchased and from special offers taken up. Each individual Staff Guide, when 'on duty' in the land, has his/her "shared" time with all novices, juniors and appropriate younger players logged. This "shared" time log is then compared against all other Staff Guides to determine what percentage of overall staff'd time your own "shared" time totals. Essentially, this percentage of the overall staff'd time is your percentage of the staff-allocated revenue generated by the player throughout their Avalon lifetime. It applies likewise to seconds and indeed whatever future iteration the player chooses.

Example: Player X does a 100 dollar procure. You have clocked up 12 shared hours (or 720 shared minutes) and, in total, the other staff guides have clocked up 36 shared hours. You earn 25% of the staff-allocated revenue from this procure.

There is no basic salary for staff guides and every penny earned is through this revenue share. It is not a quick route to making some pocket money since by its very nature, it is more of an accumulating income. In the first month of a staff guide's time he/she may have just a small proportion of shared time and thus a small share of player revenue. As the months go by, however, this share will grow - the number of players with whom the staff guide has totted up "shared" time increases - his/her proportion of this growing number of players' revenue becomes larger. And so on and so forth.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE STAFF GUIDE RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES?

The Avalon staff guides were created to be helpful, to offer guidance, to show off the 'best' of the land and to ensure players (youngsters especially) do not flounder simply because their city or guild circumstances don't happen to bring them into contact with quality tutors. Not everyone is built for helping the young; not everyone is interested in interacting with junior players. This is their free choice and the staff guides exist, in part, to fill the gap.

They should keep a careful eye on all new character creations: to ensure they enter the appropriate academy, know how to SAY and TELL, know how to find their fellow citymates, graduate and join the school, progress smoothly through the schools, and then find a suitable guild.

They should watch apprentices to make sure the fledgling guildsmen don't wind up not knowing what to do; providing insight into quests, character advancement, how to make money, how to self-equip, etc.

They should be available to help with problems including game bugs, to test and organise proper report.

They should be friendly to all, and offer advice/guidance to players young and old (within the confines of their knowledge of the land). They should have a concept of how far advanced the younger player is, and what would best motivate them to progress - to grow independent - to become a self-sufficient, contributing member of the Avalon world.

They should maintain amicable relations with other staff guides and not squabble over youngsters; they should - if possible - organise their own times 'on duty' and not overwhelm certain periods while leaving others devoid of staff.

They should try to keep a consistent, in-game role and not come across as hirelings. They have extra powers to help carry out their responsibilities and these should not be abused. Players who are also staff guides must draw a line between their time 'on duty' and the rest of their game time. They only have the extra powers when they are 'on duty' and appear on GUIDES list. They should never use those powers for personal gain.

Complaints about staff guide behaviour should be addressed to the Gods directly and in confidence.

HOW DO I APPLY TO BECOME A STAFF GUIDE?

Contact one of the Gods if you want to put your name forward as a "staff guide". Most deities will be happy to give you a brief interview and then, should you still wish to apply for the job and the deity feel you might be suitable, you will be passed on to make a formal application. These can be sent to Avalon Support, or to Genesis by e-mail or by in-game letter.

E-mails to Avalon Support: support@avalonpublications.com

E-mails to Accounts/Administration: accounts@avalonpublications.com