[WaifuApple]

Since it seems like a false narrative is being written in my absence, I suppose I should step in and intervene and express my clarification that not a single soul asked me to make this post, and it was also NOT made with the intention of running a single GM through the mud. After talking to people from different walks of the community (people I do not even talk to normally) on the very topic, the fact that there was a general consensus at all on this made it very clear - if I wasn't going to make this post, either someone else inevitably would anyway, or nothing would change, leaving a lot of people unhappy.

The idea that this comes because I'm a puppet voice for people who dislike a certain GM is ridiculous. I could point to multiple and express my concerns there, but truth be told the entire thing comes down to a fix being not in removing existing GMs, but adding more. Any distaste for how an individual GM operates is not factored into this post whatsoever, and it should not be treated like there's some malicious narrative to this. I assure you 100% that there is not one.

It just stands to reason, that outside of particular groups that not every member of the community is a part of, many of the GMs do not offer themselves a presence. They don't try to foster any sort of public relationship with the people they are serving - and that leads to people being distrustful and misguided. And as much as people can just say "oh just go talk to them", that's telling someone to reach out to someone they've been led to have a negative opinion of. And that could be alleviated by a more active presence - GMs showing the community what they're like. Making themselves seem more approachable.

And, of course, yes - GMs have their own lives. I am very much aware of this fact and have said I am. I'm not going to go around demanding people neglect their lives, but we should at least have the numbers on the team to help mitigate this risk.

This post isn't just to get some specific person in the role, either - I'm not looking to give my friends a boost and say "hey, this person should be GM". I'd be plenty satisfied with more good GMs in general.

I should not have to defend posts like this from insinuations of the narrative behind their existence, when all I want is for something positive to come of this. And the corporate tone is simply how I am when serious, and trying to be professional about things, because with topics such as this, a "ha-ha funny joke" mood really doesn't fit the bill.

It's true that there was a conversation in a public server that anyone could go to if they want to peer in about GMs, but from what I remember of it it wasn't bashing one GM. It had criticism that went towards several, but it wasn't toxic, it wasn't attacking anyone, and it was on fair merit and concern from the community.

And posts like that are why people are so reluctant to voice their desires and concerns in the community. Nobody wants the target this puts on their back from people who choose to spin their own web on the story, and the reputation it gives them.

But I don't particularly mind. Because if something good comes of it, it'll be worth all the negative reception I get.