So …
Well, I still don’t know the whole story, but clearly a second Katrina hurled into the Alliance, sending what rather remarkable rebuilding had been done flying into the air like Dorothy’s twister.
Casualties this time, beyond the immediate body count, appear to be the AoC forum, freedomphalanx.com, and the core Alliance, most/many of whom seem to be hieing off to the CoC forum and so on and so forth. The AoC forum evaporates along about 10/24, along with anything written there. And any further discussion there is currently moot, given that Stateswoman has locked the forums.
Joy. Another project (backing up that material).
So far as the Alliance goes, according to Captain Atomyc, “As of today the Freedom Phalanx, Crusaders, Noctem, and Virtue are leaving the organization. Any remaining members of those teams are welcome to continue on as such if they wish.” Which is rather remarkable — I guess, while I was sleeping somewhere, the FP became one of … well, saying “them” makes it sound awfully factional, but …
For the record, that “leaves” the Consortium of Justice, the Prelude to Justice (though I think they’re leaving, too — at least Cap mentions that Halorin’s trying to organize some sort of all-Champions RP alliance), and the Storm Knights. And the Boomtown Saints, so far as that goes.
(It does make me wonder if it would be easier for the CoJ and the Storm Knights to simply get somehow kicked out, instead of everyone else leaving, but …)
Where/what next? Questions.
Assuming we’re basically talking about the CoJ and SK …
- I will probably pull Velvet out of the Phalanx. I’m not sure who’s left there that I’ve a big interest in playing with, anyway, and she’s not a very active toon, and so forth.
-
Do we need or want forum space somewhere? I can set up space where I
havehadhave the CoI. I don’t know nuthin’ about transferring over old material. And it’s an SMF forum, not a phpBB. And it may be moot, anyway. My own interest in maintaining ties can be (and has been, of late) handled in non-forum fashion, via e-mail, IM, this blog, or others’. And so long as I keep CoXing,
this blog will stay up, and so (from a Dave-centric view), that’s most of the forum that I need. Folks feel free to chime in on the subject. -
Assuming the CoJ gets dropped from coalition with the others, I plan to maintain CC with the Storm Knights (some fine folks over there, including a couple of my own). Anyone of my “little circle of friends” (as SB so delicately put it) is welcome to a slot in the CoJ, as a place to hang their SG hat. Don’t worry about IC reasons — we can work something out, and, frankly, that’s right now the least of my worries. Indeed, I’ve spent about, oh,
all the time I’ve spent on it this morning more time than I really had to spend on it. But it seemed worthwhile doing so. - Again, I don’t know all the skinny of what happened, save what I’ve been told by friends. That said, I’ve not seen anything in the forums that makes me doubt anything they’ve said, which makes the whole episode appallingly sad (and angering) and a lesson to be learned by us all on something or another about human nature, maturity, the Internet, social systems, politics, or whatever.
- I plan to continue to play CoX as opportunity presents and inclination inclines. I will continue to play mostly with Margie, just because that’s the most convenient and the most fun. I’ll welcome the opportunity to play with any of those who I’m interested in playing with (and who are interested in playing with me).
See you all in the funny papers, heroes.
And having said all of that in as temperate a fashion as I can, I am also sorely pissed off at … well, I don’t know who, but at anybody who contributed to this fiasco. I’ve been in this community (the Alliance) for, hell, a couple of years now. Velvet was one of my first characters, and joined the FP because that was the Cool Place to be. A lot of fun times and water under the bridge, and I’d have damned well better liked either seeing it dwindle away (or my involvement in it dwindle away, the old order changing), than have it torn apart by a bunch of gossip and reaction and over-reaction and over-over-reaction.
And since I was too much of a gentleman to say it on the forums, but not too much of a gentleman to say it here on my own blog, Star Breaker can kiss my hairy ass. I don’t claim to be the saint that States made me out to be (“First, Dave is probably one of the exceptionally few examples we have ever had here of a truly level headed, responsible, and just plain all-around class act adult. He’s intelligent, witty, and, thank goodness for him, has numerous other more important aspects of his life than a stinking video game.”), but his little whiny snarkfest in response to some sincere and politely phrased questions I had was not only utterly uncalled for, it made it clear just what sort of nasty bile has led to the demise of the Alliance, and just what sort of people are responsible for same.
‘Nuff said.
I, for one, welcome our new Insect Masters.
Check your inbox, Dave.
In brief, I see no reason to break Coalition with the CoJ.
Is that a RL mailbox, or an IC mailbox. 🙂 I remember you mentioning e-mailing me something a while back, and it wasn’t until I signed on PC on Saturday for the Shadow Shard that I realized it was his in-game mailbox. I didn’t know anyone actually used that … and, fair warning, that if you send me something there, I may not look at it right away.
(Too bad there are global handle mailboxes …)
Have I mentioned, ironically, that I was looking at having Psi-clone retire/take a sabbatical, and shift the CoJ leadership rolls a bit? Ha. Not sure that’s worthwhile at this point.
Another area of great irk is the various storylines of my characters that — with the demise of the forum — will likely never get finished (or won’t with the visibility they might have). Psi-clone’s secret, Torchielle’s evolution, the Azures’ and their wackiness … Of course, it’s not like I’ve been at all diligent about progressing their RP stories while everything was still here, so shame on me. Still …
Anyway … yes, I will check my in-box (both Dave’s and PC’s).
Apologies, I should have been more specific.
I sent the most recent missive to Dave’s in-box. The last one was IG email to PC. Whoops.
For the record, I have weighed and found wanting a last post from Mal on the forums. Mal dressing up like a washerwoman and mopping the floor. “I’m so glad we had this time together….”
Well, I figured since I was being excoriated for being anti-social and silent (to some degree with a kernel of validity), I should actually say something in my Gracious Adult Voice.
I finally found the mystery thread that describes all the trouble. I had no idea there was a separate Forum Management department down at the bottom of the list. No idea if I could see it before, but it’s now (like everything else), all visible.
The money quote (from a chat log that Stateswoman posted there):
I sure wish people would tell me when I’ve been invited into a clique. Having been so much on the outs from all the cliques back in Junior High and High School, when I really cared, it would be nice to know.
Regardless, here, let me offer my mea culpa so I can be done with it.
I regret I’ve been a lot more involved in playing CoX than in being a leader of the CoJ and of the Alliance — and, of late, a lot more involved in doing other stuff than CoX. Never mind the time and effort I put once upon a time — I’ll be the first to admit I’ve been less than fully engaged (indeed, quite neglectful) of both the leadership and the coalition for some months. They’ve deserved better.
If the CoJ’s status, and the slot it’s holding in the Coalition, has been a problem or a matter of discussion, it’s news to me, and I would have appreciated hearing about it more directly. Like, say, a note on the Leadership boards, or an e-mail (e-mail address showed up at the bottom of every single post on the forums), or a comment here (blog address ditto), or even an @tell (since I’m on global with quite a number of folks). Had I heard something, I would have been more than happy to discuss it, and tried to come up with a way to accommodate people’s concerns. Didn’t hear diddly-boo, though.
I’ll leave the question of “who’s in a clique” to those who chat at length about who’s in a clique in their own private chat channel.
And I note that while everything has been locked open, supposedly, on the forums, the entire Leadership forum has vanished (while leaving the Private Business and various group leadership fora around). Weird.
I was wondering about that. After all the talk about things being open and visible, and yet my still being unable to see the leadership boards… well, whatever.
To answer other questions you raised: I believe Doyce is moving some stories and such over to his City Of wiki. Noelle’s stuff is going there, for instance. I still have a link on my blog to the Consortium of Injustice, but I’ll admit I check it very very infrequently.
I’m not sure I want to get involved in another board or forum, and would love to continue as we’ve been for most of the last few months — organizing TFs or such here, on Random Encounters, or by email. And on the Munchies mailing list, too.
My (maybe) final thoughts on IC stuff: I think I’ve kind of felt that Noelle’s story was done. Or as done as I wanted it to be. I’m much more involved in my own life now than in hers, and perfectly happy about that. Still working on “How to Date a Superhero” (and posted about it on the soon-to-be-dissolved-boards), but even that’s changed from a dating memoir to a behind the scenes look at the people who play. And my! Hasn’t that gotten juicy lately!
Dave, I believe you were granted honorary membership in the Clique of People Who Supported the Freedom Phalanx after the previous Alliance rift occurred.
Kate, if you still want to talk to me about the book, you can reach me on YIM (amavocet39).
I guess for me, the timing of all this is pretty good. :-/ It’s really not going to affect me at all.
They were visible earlier this morning. So either they’ve been hidden or deleted. Which will, no doubt, cause more grief and finger-pointing than leaving them there in all their mud and glory would have.
Well, it’s been updated very infrequently, so that’s appropriate. 😛
That seems workable, but I’ll go ahead and create the forum space anyway, as a couple of people have suggested it would be a good thing.
I think part of the — tension? cause for griping? — among some of the was-Alliance folks was part of the natural arc of involvement in games such as this. A lot (not all, but a lot) of the Old Order had gone beyond (speaking non-judgmentally) active character/RP/SG/CC involvement to more recreational play, leading to accusations of anti-socialism and neglect. Psi-clone’s story was pretty close to done, and, “I’m much more involved in my own life now than his, and perfeclty happy about that,” too.
I want to get on, have fun, do light roleplay (i.e., speak IC), hang with friends, beat up on bad guys, and not write the next Great American Novel (via the game, at least). To that degree, a forum may not be necessary, but we’ll see what evolves.
Indeed. I’m ready for my close-up, Ms. DeMille …
And see where it got me? 🙂
We all blame you for this happening, Avo.
(Just kidding.)
Leadership boards are back up, I notice (albeit, I assume still locked). Get ’em while they’re hot.
What’s sort of interesting (in a sickening way) is that the whole thing doesn’t seem to be an “us” against “them,” or even a “us” and “them” and “folks caught in the middle.” We have multiple factions (actively or by default), people fighting this war, people fighting the last (January) war, and all of it with varying fog of war (as forum material is hidden or deleted) and incendiaries (as previously private forum material is unhidden).
If I were an agent of chaos, I don’t work things out much better than this (no sleight intended, Mal 🙂 ).
Another fascinating (in a car crash sort of way) aspect is the whole “throwing all forums into the open” thing.
On the one hand, you get people who use it as a way to flog others. “You said something awful about me back over here! You are a very bad person!” They’re (seemingly) thrilled.
On the other hand, you get people who are all, “This is horrible. I shouldn’t be reading this, but I did and I am and it’s just awful!” I’ve seen that reaction in a number of places.
What’s the right answer? I’m torn myself, and glad I’m not in charge. 🙂 On the one hand, yes, maybe better that it’s all out on the table and let the truth prevail. On the other hand, it’s proper and fitting that things said in private should be kept in private unless there’s a compelling reason to do otherwise. And burning bridges is rarely a sound tactic except as a last resort.
Oh, well. Cow’s gone — no use closing the barn door. No doubt there’s some stuff from January I’d just as soon wasn’t out in the open, but if I’m called on it, I’m called on it. If I’m not willing to stand by my words, I shouldn’t utter them, and as January demonstrated (once again), never, ever assume that anything you type online will stay private.
Oh, for the record (I thought I’d posted this, but it didn’t come across): Margie discovered that P-siren and Velvet had both been kicked from the Freedom Phalanx.
Now, in theory, I suppose it could be for inactivity. Haven’t been on with either of them for a bit. We’d sort of had, it seemed, an informal exemption given that we were (a) friendly co-leaders, and (b) always willing to pitch in for a Phalanx Prestige Day (when one was scheduled, publicized, and actually occured). But, of course, (a) seems right out now, and no idea who’s actually running the show over there (wherever over there is), so … purge them from the records and move on.
No sweat. Just as glad that the forums are locked, so that their stuff didn’t disappear before I could copy it down.
And, no it doesn’t bother me all that much (heck, I’d planned on pulling them anyway), save that it was done rather rudely (i.e., without any sort of warning, notification, whatever). Which isn’t surprising, but remains disappointing.
Velvet and P-siren have been brought into the CoJ. Hildy and Torchy are now top-ranked, just for convenience.
By the time I signed on (as Lynn, so this is Boomtown Saints-centric), the only teams in coalition were CoJ, SK, BS, and Prelude. As soon as someone from the SK posted something to CC, Halorin dropped the Prelude link (which, to be fair, makes sense, and was done pleasantly, but still managed to rankle).
Interestingly enough, there was still quite a mixed back on [Alliance OOC]. No idea what’s going to happen there — no particular inclination to boot off folks, nor to leave, nor to chat.
The issue has been raised over on the CoV side about some of the parallel groups and their coalition with the Consortium of Injustice. My inclination is to let sleeping dogs lie, but I also understand that some folks are not at all happy about being in coalition with some other folks, so we’ll see.
I promise that, tomorrow, I will spend far less time and energy on this particular mess.