[center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/ann/1861078][img]http://flightrising.com/dropbox/communityupdate.png[/img][/url][/center] Hello and welcome to the May 2016 Community Update! We have a lot to cover, so let's get started! [br] [b]Table of Contents:[/b] [LIST] [*][b]Volunteer Moderator Updates[/b] [list][*]Farewell, Loddie! [*]Welcome, new moderators! [*]Encyclopedia Update[/list] [*][b]Community Recap[/b] [list][*]Dragons and Exalting [*]Flight Rising Discussion: Hot Topics for April 2016[/list] [*][b]Festival Recap:[/b] 2015 Brightshine Jubilee through Rockbreaker’s Ceremony [/LIST] [b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/ann/1861078]Click here to read more[/url][/b] [more] [br][br] ------ [br][br] [center][b][size=5]Volunteer Moderator Updates[/size][/b][/center] [b][size=4]Farewell, Loddie![/size][/b] [center][br][user=387][/center] [br] Long-term volunteer @Loddie has stepped down from moderating to focus on family and her college studies. She will continue to be a part of our community, but as a regular player. We are deeply grateful for her generous donation of her time to our community and we will miss her dearly. [br][br] [b][size=4]Welcome, new moderators![/size][/b] The response to our most recent volunteer moderator call was astounding; we received almost [i]one thousand[/i] applications! With so many applications, we’ve documented all submissions for future review as we will bring volunteers on in rounds. You may have noticed several new pairs of purple wings in our forums. Say hello to our new volunteers! [br] [center][b]Give a big welcome to: @ACWN, @ademus, @ArkhamAnja, @Ezraylia, and @Madarakita![/b][/center] [br] [center][user=61989][user=83402][user=51509][user=86536][user=141841][/center] [br][br] [b][size=4]Encyclopedia Update[/size][/b] [b][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=wiki&article=73]We've added a new page to our Encyclopedia about volunteer moderation for [i]Flight Rising[/url][/i][/b]! It covers what you can expect, what we expect from our volunteer moderators, and how to apply if you're interested! [br][br] ------ [br][br] [center][b][size=5]Community Recap[/size][/b][/center] [br][br] [b][size=4]Dragons and Exalting[/size][/b] We wanted to take a moment to address a sometimes sensitive topic within our community: Dragon ownership, and by extension, what happens to dragons after they’ve been sold, traded, or given away. In order for us to address and resolve some of the problems associated with this, we need to break the situation down: [b]Exalting:[/b] This is a core mechanic of [i]Flight Rising[/i] gameplay. The dragon population of Sornieth increases exponentially, lair space is limited, and if players/Flights exalt enough dragons they will win Dominance, earning several bonuses during their Dominance week. [b]The Issues:[/b] Within our community, there are players who feel strongly about where their dragons end up, and some do not want them to be exalted or resold to others. They are very passionate about this subject and in some cases include very strict requirements, terms, and conditions on every dragon they sell, trade, or give away. If the receiving player goes against any of the above, sometimes the breeding player may call them out or blacklist them for perceived scamming, lying, etc. In response to that behavior, there exists another handful of players who will sometimes actively seek out these sellers with terms and exalt their former dragons with the goal of upsetting them. [b]So, why is this happening?[/b] Some players who do not want dragons they’ve given away, traded, or sold exalted or resold have made it clear to us they feel they are being harassed, and other players are using those feelings as leverage to do just that. Technically, yes, these sellers are being targeted by those who wish to upset them. [b]HOWEVER, trying to control how another person plays [i]Flight Rising[/i] and calling them out for not doing so is also harassment.[/b] For clarity, we feel that it’s best we state our stance to the community: [b]Once you have given away, traded, or sold a dragon from your lair, it is no longer under your ownership; it belongs to the new owner and they are free to do as they wish with the dragon. No exceptions.[/b] That is not to say either side of this issue is absolved or protected by this stance, especially if the [b]express intent is to harass[/b]. Dictating to others how they should play [i]Flight Rising[/i] is harassment. Seeking out players who have conditions for the dragons and expressly going against those to upset them (i.e. taking advantage of our stance) is harassment. As with all harassment reports, we heavily [b]research[/b], [b]investigate[/b], and [b]issue penalties[/b] based on intent. [b]The Solution:[/b] In order for us to investigate the possibility of targeted harassment we need to address the other part of the issue. [b]As of Friday, May 27, 2016, any thread, post, private message, dragon profile, or clan profile demanding or requiring receiving players to play how the seller wants may be closed, removed, or redacted in accordance to our rules pertaining to harassment. [/b]We are giving players with any existing threads, posts or profiles of this nature a chance to make the necessary changes. The team feels that this is something we should have been enforcing from the start. Because we didn’t, our inaction has contributed to this situation. For that, we apologize to our community as a whole. [b]What you CAN do if you feel strongly about whether your former dragons are exalted/resold:[/b][br] [LIST] [*][b]Ask[/b], but [b]not demand or require[/b], that the receiving player not exalt or resell their new dragon [*][b]Report someone you feel may be targeting you[/b] because you’ve asked this of someone [*][b]Not sell or give away dragons bred in your lair[/b] [/LIST] We also want to note: [b]moderation actions do not necessarily equal account penalties[/b]. If your thread, profile, or post is removed or redacted, you aren’t going to immediately have your account closed or suspended; however, if you choose to openly blacklist, call out, or otherwise harass someone who doesn’t play [i]Flight Rising[/i] the way you want them to, at that point it will be necessary for us to impartially enforce our rules for harassment. [br][br] [b][size=4]Flight Rising Discussion: Hot Topics for April 2016[/size][/b] [br] Hands down, the most popular thread in the [b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/p/1]Flight Rising Discussion[/url][/b] forum is the [b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1528779]Color Wheel Expansion[/url][/b] thread. In April alone, the Color Wheel Expansion thread was viewed [b]four times more[/b] than the second most popular thread for last month! [b]For more information about the expanded color wheel, [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1861069]we've prepared a FAQ for the community[/url]! [/b] Coming in at a very distant second is [b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1808986][Photoshop] Marva, stop![/url][/b] If we were to describe this thread, @Riokki put it best: [br][center][img]http://flightrising.com/dropbox/howodd/surprise.png[/img][/center] [center][i]*surprised box noises*[/i][/center] And the third most popular topic in [b]Flight Rising Discussion[/b] for the month of April is [b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1808799]Marva's Reflection Flight List - Updated![/url][/b] Some other hot topics in [b]Flight Rising Discussion[/b] in April: [br] [list][*][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1327998]Weekly Q&A [/url] [*][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1322930][Photoshop] what if coatl had no leg[/url] [*][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1037465]Auction House Mispost Lost-and-Found![/url][/list] We'd also like to spotlight the following Coliseum Challenges currently running in the [b]Flight Rising Discussion[/b] forum. These aren't the only Coliseum oriented challenges but they are the challenges we see pop up frequently when we review the forum! [br] [list] [*]@LadyTroubadour's [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1553819/1]Xtreme Patience Coli Challenge[/url]! [*]@Sesshin's [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1728792][Coli] Determination Challenge![/url] [*]@Sigiele's [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1832206]10 Drop Coliseum Challenge[/url]![/list] [br][br] [b]Going over the hottest topics in Flight Rising Discussion, our takeaway is:[/b] You loved the April Fool's joke, love your photoshop threads, there are still misposts going up in the Auction House, and the community Coliseum challenges highlight your creativity and determination! And above all else: [b]New colors![/b] [i](The expanded color wheel releases on [b]June 8th[/b]!)[/i] [b]NOTE[/b]: Normally, the Weekly QA is higher on the list but as it was closed for all of April, it fell down the rankings a bit. [br][br] ----- [br][br] [center][b][size=5]2015 - 2016 Festival Recap Brightshine Jubilee through Rockbreaker's Ceremony[/size][/b][/center] [center][i][size=2]All events listed below have completed.[/size][/i][/center] [br][br] For those new to [i]Flight Rising[/i], over the last two and a half years the community started the tradition of celebrating a Flight’s holiday by putting on a site-wide organized event. These events are characterized by a “hub” posted in the [b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd]Flight Rising Discussion forum[/url][/b]. Here players share and celebrate their Flight with their fellow players and provide a digest of links and mini-events happening around the site. Our [b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/ann/1482729]June Community Update[/url][/b] covered the [b]Mistral Jamboree[/b], the [b]Wavecrest Saturnalia[/b], and the [b]Greenskeeper Gathering[/b]! Today we’ll cover [b]Brightshine Jubilee[/b] through the [b]Rockbreaker's Ceremony[/b]!. Given the depth and breadth of the events, it’s not always possible to recap every mini-event held. Please take the time to check out each hub to see all each Flight had to offer for their 2015-2016 holiday! [br] [center][img]http://flightrising.com/dropbox/light_contest2.png[/img][/center] [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/ann/1477205]Official Announcement Thread[/url][/center] [br] Highlights from [b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1469655]Light Flight's Brightshine Jubilee event[/url][/b]! [br] [list] [*][b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/raf/1477654]Bright 2048[/url][/b] - [i]Up against incredible odds, test your strategic skills in the classic, yet addicting Light-themed version of 2048! Can you accomplish all of the challenges set forth?[/i][br] [*][b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/rp/1473452]Hewn City Tours[/url][/b] - [i]"Hewn City Guided Tours!” reads the friendly sign. “Marvel at the wonders and mysteries of this ancient city! Our professional guides will ensure you are in absolutely no danger!"[/i][br] [*][b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/forga/1469084]Brightshine Banquet[/url][/b] - [i]Feast your eyes upon the wonders and delights of the Brightshine Banquet. Submit a meal to shine in the show and you could bag yourself a tasty treat![/i][/list] [br][br] [center][img]http://flightrising.com/dropbox/lightning_contest2.png[/img][/center] [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/ann/1518789]Official Announcement Thread[/url][/center] [br]Highlights from [b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1508608]Lightning Flight's Thundercrack Carnivale event[/url][/b]: [br] [list][*][b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/raf/1506121]Sparktacular Punocalypse[/url][/b] - [i]A virus has infeggted the Shifting Expanse, and only a magnetficient series of in-spire-ing puns can stop it! The theme changes every 45 hours, so be sure to check back often if inspiration has yet to strike! [/i][br] [*][b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/forga/1512328]Culinary Exhibit[/url][/b] - [i]Please stop by the Culinary Exhibition to experience the hands-on, interactive Kitchen of Tomorrow™ installation. We invite all Faire attendees to try out and display their kitchen skills. You may even win a prize if you can impress your peers and the judges.[/i][br] [*][b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/drs/1518838]Electric Apparel Extravaganza[/url][/b] - [i]A dress-up contest! Dress up your dragons according to three different themes, and post them in the contest thread for a chance to win fabulous prize packs![/i][/list] [br][br] [center][img]http://flightrising.com/dropbox/fire_contest2.png[/img][/center] [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/ann/1554381]Official Announcement Thread[/url][/center] [br] Highlights from [b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1538218]Fire Flight's Festival Event[/url][/b]: [i][size=2]Try saying that three times fast![/size][/i] [br] [list] [*][b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1537346/1]Torch Pass[/url][/b] - [i]A bright young Coatl, Torch, is ready to brave the 11 realms of Sornieth. Torch Pass is a wandering dragon game where over the course of 10 days the young coatl, Torch, will be passed to one Flight per day. That Flight's goal is to pass Torch to as many members within their Flight as possible. The Flight who has the most number of passes at the end of the event wins![/i][br] [*][b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/forga/1543187]The Great Flameforge Joust[/url][/b] -[i] In this tournament of champions, you'll contend with representatives from all Flights in a melee battle to the death. Sampling the finest weapons forged straight from the Great Furnace, work your way up round after round by defeating the opponents stacked against you. Prevail, and you walk away with the glory and armour and weapons worthy of a knight; lose, and you'll be reduced to ashes.[/i][br] [*][b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/1554880]Emberglow Incarnations[/url][/b] - [i]A dark, fire-lit hall. Creatures shrouded in mystery and intrigue. This is the bard's inspiration! Several pairs of dragons are in need of storytellers! Come in and write a bio or several, with some amazing prizes for up to twelve skilled winners![/i][/list] [br][br] [center][img]http://flightrising.com/dropbox/arcane_contest2.png[/img][/center] [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/ann/1585005]Official Announcement Thread[/url][/center] [br] Highlights from [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1577549][b]Arcane Flight's Starfall Sornieth Space Program![/b][/url] [br] [list] [*][b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/forga/1583846]Let's Start the Apocalypse[/url][/b]: [i]The Arcanist is infamous for his world-ending blunders, but was he only to blame?[/i] [*][b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/forga/1585409]Cooking Contest:[/url][/b] [i]Sugar, spice, and everything nice - these were the ingredients chosen to create the perfect meal. If you love to cook or throw ingredients together, our cooking contest is perfect for you. [*][b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/rp/1585082]Choose Your Own Adventure:[/url] [/b] [i]Everyone wants to go to space - and now you can! Follow the Arcanist and his crew on this fascinating journey and discover what other planets are like.[/i][/list] [br][br] [center][img]http://flightrising.com/dropbox/plague_contest2.png[/img][/center] [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/ann/1620377]Official Announcement Thread[/url][/center] [br]Highlights from [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1596027][b]Plague Flight's Rot Event[/b][/url] [br] [list][*][b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1613325]Sornieth Infection Program:[/url][/b] [i]Help Plaguemother beat back the Shade Plague by spreading diseases around Sornieth to help boost immune systems! Each Plague dragon that visits infects your lair and you have to pass it on to someone new before it is too late! Badges available for each plague you survive.[/i] [*][b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/rp/1605824]A Comprehensive Tour of the Wasteland[/url][/b]: [i]In order to prove that the Plague flight is more than just death and destruction to the rest of the Flights, a group of dragons that call the Plague Flight their home have banded together in order to show all that come to their homeland the glory of the Plaguebringer and the wonders of the Wasteland.[/i] [*][b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/forga/1612425]Sickening Shade Spookers[/url][/b]: [i]A fun pumpkin/gourd carving competition, where you can either submit pictures of carved pumpkin OR create something themed around pumpkins instead![/i][/list] [br][br] [center][img]http://flightrising.com/dropbox/earth_contest2.png[/img][/center] [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/ann/1650119]Official Announcement Thread[/url][/center] [br]Highlights from the [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/frd/1634342][b]Earth Flight's Ceremony Event[/b][/url] [br] [list][*][b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/forga/1634329]Rockbreakers Recipe Contest:[/url][/b] [i]This is a real culinary competition, themed around comfort and holiday food. We want to see your best recipes, and we have prizes for those that can make us wish we were at your table this holiday! We’re talking real food here, not Flight Rising creations - though there’s a place for that, too![/i] [*][b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/forga/1649572]Challenge Lore: Eating Contest:[/url][/b] [i]Meet Lore, a spunky chef who wont stop cooking until all his guests have passed out from over-eating. He longs to find a dragon that can defeat him, and stomach every meal he throws at them. As a special challenge during the Rockbreakers festivities, he has decided to throw open his gates to all of the flights in a grand all-you-can-eat competition. This competition is open to ALL flights, including the Earth flight![/i] [*][b][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/rp/1648306]Earthshaker's Search:[/url][/b] [i]Help the dragons of the festival grounds find Earthshaker's missing snapper friend (and possibly earn a reward for your effort) in this role play game![/i][/list] [br][br] ----- [br][br] That's it for this edition! We'll see you again soon!