... in general it seems like mentors aren't getting much in terms of mechanics. The last time I tried teaching, my students said nothing. They pretty much just left.
A change would be good. Being a good mentor takes time and effort, which is largely ignored. More importantly, mentors have a unique power over young players and can shape the future of a realm -- and the growth of the game.
Ruler-appointed mentors would be a step forward in securing strong people as mentors. The appointed mentors would then present a clear and congruous idea of how to play within that realm. They would be more likely to be a good surrogate between new players and leadership. For their efforts, mentors would have a real position in the realm, rather than being a thankless scribe.
Along with appointing mentors, the game mechanics allow little in the way of lesson organization. Students seem to get lost in the forums. A color for mentor messages would help. On the mentor side, a workable chart allowing the mentor to track student lessons (like a checklist) would be good.
