Forgotten Tales

Ok, so a player wants my help. That's fine, I'll do what I can.
Player wants to know where they can get a certain item, or how to complete a certain quest.... etc...
Of course, I don't know, and tell them so; I advise them to use the forum, facebook group, or ask around in game.
I'm thanked with comments like "GMs are useless", "GMs are lazy", "GMs are stupid"... etc...

Ok. I'm not a robot, and I'm not part of the game's code.
I'm human, just like you, and I have feelings, just like you.
This kind of stuff hurts, and when you hear it repeatedly, it's not good for your mood.
It's bad enough that I have to deal with the scum of the game, and try and keep the game fair and clean.
Now you need to berate my lack of knowledge on the trivial game issues?

I'm not ashamed that I'm no longer an encyclopaedia of the game. When I first became a moderator, sure, I was; I played everyday before that, did every quest, and got just about every item.... but the game was much smaller back then (over 3 years ago). But... how did I get such knowledge in the first place? Well... mostly, from the FORUM. Also, from some good, knowledgeable friends as well. And if the info I wanted wasn't on the forum, well, once I found it, I made sure it was added to the forum.
But once I became a moderator (aka GM), my game play time was lessened considerably, as I'd rather help players than advance my alt.

I became a moderator the very same day as the first content update in a long time - namely, the blitzbee islands update... several maps and some huge quests - including the house of houses. Took me quite some time to get those done (on one account only), and by the time I did, 2 more updates came out.
So yeah, I fell quite behind in the terms of new maps, quests, and items. Then I took a long time off. Missed some big updates. Problem worsens.

So yeah, with my lack of knowledge, I questioned myself whether or not I was worthy to be a GM.... however, after discussing it in length with the team, I was encouraged to stay, as knowledge of the game's content isn't as important as say, being trustworthy or enforcing game rules etc.

A GM is an exemplary player, who is deemed trustworthy, and is expected to supervise the game, enforce the game rules, and make sure the game keeps running. They are given some in-game "super-powers" as tools to help them in this.
The simplest definition, quoted from Gandalf himself (the head admin and GM), is

A GM is to supervise the game and enforce the game rules.

That's it.

An encyclopaedia of the game. For example: information about mobs, drops, items, quests, maps, etc.
None of this is an actual requirement of being a GM. Sure, if a GM knows, they'll tell you, and help you out.
But if they don't know, it's not a big deal in the big picture of things.
As for mobs, drops, items, quests, maps, etc.... THAT IS WHAT THE FORUM IS FOR!
The forum is a way for the community to communicate, and share game information... also, it's really great because, if the knowledgeable player(s) leave, the forum will still be here as long as the game is.

So to those who get mad at me not being an encyclopaedia:
That's your problem. Don't be so lazy, and get on the forum yourself. Or the facebook group.
I understand very well - many players don't have much "play time", so they don't want to spend it searching forums for answers.... yes, it would be nice to get a quick answer so you don't have to... but I'm sorry, I don't know... so don't berate me for it... just ask someone else, or use the tools available to you. Throwing a temper tantrum solves nothing, and it just hurts us both... so please, just make a little effort.

I'm not in the game to help you do quests, or find items. Sure, if I know, I'll tell you. But that's not why I'm here.
I'm here to catch cheaters, to catch those who would abuse others, help players who are victimized by bugs, and stuff like that.
I hope, you find me trustworthy enough to do that role - and that you appreciate what all GMs do in this regard.