Imagine my surprise when I received a note from a fellow on the same server one lovely morning. One of my players was accused of stealing loot from a different guild’s bank and before promptly quitting. The accused’s alt just helped themselves to various items. I’m not actually sure what items were taken or what the full value was.
Most GMs are bound to deal with guild bank thefts at some point in their careers. Either their bank gets stuff stolen from or a different guild’s bank gets raided (via alts) and they’re left dealing with the offenders.
In a fair number of cases, the accused would’ve simply been kicked out. And I’ll be the first to admit, it’s the easiest solution. You kick the player and your hands are washed of having to deal with them ever again. Your guild’s reputation is left (relatively) intact.
I responded back to the accuser saying that I’d look into it. But this is a player I didn’t have much interaction with as they were on our PvP roster. In the end, I notified my PvP team leader about this because the player was under their division.
“One of our players was accused of this. Any ideas about them? Here’s the guild they were in and here’s the character of the accuser.”
What happened?
Apparently, it was a misunderstanding. Our guy mistakenly took things that they weren’t supposed to thinking that it was open and free to anyone. They returned the goods (and compensated accordingly). As it’s their first time offense, I have to assume that there was no malicious intent (and there’s no evidence to show that there was).
As the player
Before taking stuff, ask.
Or at least, check around and see if there’s a banking policy. There may be certain limitations based on ranks. Sometimes the GM makes a mistake and places you in the wrong rank and you’re not actually supposed to be entitled to certain tabs. If you have access to rare items like enchants, recipes, or other craftables, it’s a good idea to check with someone higher up before helping yourself to it.
As the GM
Lock down your stuff.
Check the permissions.
Check the rank access of the permissions.
Make sure the right people have access to the right tabs. You have a responsibility to ensure that. It’s noble to assume the best out of everyone but it’s also quite foolish to leave the door to the vault wide open and expect it to be respected. Have your bank rules outlined somewhere on your guild website or your forums. Go over the ground rules with all new recruits with regards to withdrawal policies.
Speaking of banking stuff, which one of you left these stacks of Wool Cloth and Volatile Earth’s in my guild bank?
I have played for many years both as GM, assistand GM and the Guild Bank is generally the most useless thing in the game. People who need the stuff never have permission and the poeple who dont need anything have full rights. No bank should ever be full for years without movement. Do what I did: open the bank freely (casual guilds only of course) take whatever and place whatever. Sell, DE, auction, i do not care just USE IT!!!! A full bank is a useless bank. As far as ninjas go… I say 100% responsibility goes to whomever assigns tabs and ranks. I am not justifying it morally but there are no true ninjas – just careless administrators. Also NO guild should not pay repairs for 1-70. It costs PENNIES and means a lot to true new players.