User blog:The Bespectacled Guy/An Open Letter To The RP Moderation Team

So, for a while now, I've been working on a character called Lloyd Donalbain. I've tried submitting him time and time again, but each time he is rejected.

The first time he was submitted, Tsubori rejected him on the grounds that he didn't have jack shit to do with RWBY. And it was a fair and measured criticism. I altered the character and re-submitted him.

On the second reviewing, Ragadorus read and rejected the character. This time, the reasoning given was kind of petty. He pointed out a couple of small details in the character's backstory that he didn't like, and rejected him on that basis. So, begrudgingly, I re-edited and re-submitted. Again.

And, just today, I received the news that SelenaZephyr had been the one doing the reading and reviewing. And guess what? Another rejection. This time, she said she didn't like the page's layout (I kid you not), mentioned a miniscule detail about the Faunus War that had no bearing on the character whatsoever, said he was too OP and that his semblance didn't work BECAUSE NOBODY IN THE SHOW HAD IT.

Now, I'm genuinely curious. If this are all actual reasons to reject a character, then why didn't any of the mods reading it beforehand mention them? If the semblance was such an issue, why hadn't Ragadorus pointed it out on a prior occasion, when he reviewed the character? If Ragadorus didn't like the details in the story that he thought didn't make sense, why didn't Tsubori mention it?

Of course, it's now becoming ridiculous. I feel like the people reviewing the character are writing it themselves, constantly telling me how I should or shouldn't portray him. This last criticism in particular is especially jarring, as Lloyd's semblance is a key component of his character. I am unwilling to change that.

Another thing Selena mentioned was that he was too OP, that he would take down Glynda or Ozpin in a duel.

Well, fair enough. I can understand that these two would be a good benchmark to judge the abilities of other characters on (even though we have no clue what Ozpin's powers and skills are). But there is no way on earth that Lloyd would take down Glynda. She's far more ranged, and he can't really do anything in regards to dust usage beyond a couple of nifty tricks with his sword.

But nonetheless, what baffles me the most about this is that certain characters that have been accepted on this wiki probably WOULD take down Glynda in a fight. This one, for example. Or this one.

The last issue I wanted to address was this. Semblances.

We know next to nothing about these. Certain characters in RWBY have exhibited such things, and they have an incredibly wide variety of functions and uses. Ruby's allows her to travel at gobsmackingly ridiculous speeds, Weiss' allows her to fuck with gravity, among other things, and Pyrrha's allows her to manipulate polarity.

By this show's standards, having a semblance that allows the user to become enraged is far from outlandish, even if it is uncontrollable. And certain accepted characters on this wiki also have semblances nothing like anything seen in the show. This guy, for instance, has a semblance that allows him to heal himself completely. This guy covers himself in a fucking explosive-proof hide. She summons lightning.

I see her point about it being uncontrollable, but given how little we know about semblances, I don't see how this is reason enough to reject the character entirely.

Now, one last thing I wanted to ask. Is there any point? Why should I continue to pander to the wishes of those who are only going to reject the character time and time again?

I could change the character. It would be hard, and annoying, and I'll probably end up doing it anyway, but I'm extremely frustrated at the moment. As an amateur writer, I understand some of the problems with my character that have been addressed, but I still fail to see the point of submitting it at all if it just means rejection for a very simple issue.

I leave you with this question. Should I change it, or simply make it a Candidate for Deletion? I don't mind, ultimately, either way. I just find it strange that the people who once defended Terra's OC against the people on Tumblr who were criticising it are now doing the same to mine.

That is all.

- Bespec