When using VPNs, if no region is selected, the VPNs can sometimes run the same IP or similar IPs. It is entirely possible that Pheonix and Dust use the same VPN and their regions have lined up by weird coincidence. This has happened on other sites such as Gaiaonline, where my ex was banned for sharing her IP address with someone who regularly cheated because she had the same VPN.
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To add to my previous post, you all have clearly been lead astray by the fact that you have access to these IP addresses that you think clearly line up with each individual person. The issue with such us that when a company creates a VPN service they in turn pay for access to specific IPs within specific regions, meaning that when someone uses the same VPN as someone else it is going to look as though these two individuals are the same person. Mind you, Iām going based off of information provided by a VPN my ex used, but it shouldnāt matter because almost all VPNs work with the same concepts in mind. A VPN makes your original IP anonymous, but the recurring IPs that they use in turn can cause a moderator team to trip and stumble over themselves when banning someone based off IP addresses. There is a way to trace the IP addresses back to their respective VPNs but tying them to a specific user is a good way to entrap yourself in a form of defamation based off of improper information.
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Sorry all for having been disconnected for such a long while.
I am currently looking into this appeal, with the info available, and other data only accessible by me.
I am also looking into how to improve the toolings to minimize the chance of ban-evasion false positives.
I have no doubt that all of us is acting for the sake of wanting to help the community and those in it. Be it mods. Or be it those disagreeing with the mods.
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Iāve taken quite some time to read down this whole thread. Itās my first time truly engaging with one too. I try to avoid drama and just focus on fun with friends in the community. I feel I should show some solidarity, however.
Iām sympathetic that this situation considers factors beyond my understanding. I do not know the issue previously which occurred regarding Pheonix, and do not know Pheonix or any of their characters knowingly beyond seeing Pheonixās character name in the awake bar once or twice I think. I do know Dust the character. And therefore by some extension the player behind them. Iām fully aware Iām to entertain the idea that Pheonixās and Dustās player might be one and the same with no definitive proof to present to the contrary given the situation. And Iām equally aware that a commentary on character, especially an isolated case from one perspective, does not solve the situation, absolve any possible wrongdoings, etc. But regardless, this is a thread to voice perspectives and concerns, and so I shall voice mine if nothing more than to stand with friends.
I have not observed Dust outside of the Guild mentioned by @LunaUmbry, but I have interacted with them frequently there both ic and ooc. With the sole exception of the minor incident mentioned by LunaUmbry earlier (which was solved swiftly and with little issue), Dust has been a boon to the community there. Friendly, helpful, interactive, follows the rules. I have a note of when I first saw their character around the guild (a short while before they began to interact there more frequently), should that in any way help, which I doubt. And Iām sure I have log upon log I could find of their interactions public or private with me, and not once has any of it suggested a hint of wrongdoing, rule breaking, or ill or inappropriate behaviour. Whether this ends up being a case of āYouāve got the wrong guyā, āTheyāve changed noticeably for the better alreadyā or āTheyāre incredibly good at hiding thingsā is of course entirely unknown to me. But there are accounts enough from me, and it seems from others, suggesting that their behaviour and general manner is consistent with staying within rules and guidelines and that they have had evident positive interactions. Iāve yet to see anyone come forward with a damning case against Dust specifically. And in all my knowledge of spending time with them as a friend, I would be surprised to hear of such a person coming forward.
I echo LunaUmbryās comment on a community being formed of many individuals, so sooner or later the need of the individual is going to be relevant. It is regrettable that the situation has come to this. But Iām understanding that the situation is complex and one that wonāt be solved easily. Iām saying none of this in ill-will. I respect the process, and that there are matters of community safety and guidelines to consider and thereās too much of a bigger picture missing for absolute certainty. But I stand by my earlier statement regarding Dust. Whether they are or are not Pheonix is entirely unknown to me. But Dust has been a good friend and a positive presence in and out of character from all my observations of and participations in interactions with them. For the time they are gone, however long that may be, they will be missed by our portion of the community. And I encourage open and frequent collaboration should our observations, histories or knowledge be of any useful insight in resolving the matter. Iām confident that everyone here has been acting in good faith and in a genuine effort to help regardless of current stance.
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Okay. This has taken me most of the day for me 
It has been a good exercise, and Iāve ended up finding many ways to improve the system and the tools.
Just to clarify; I have spent most time going through data and evidence (even coding some application to help me find patterns!) I have spent some time talking to mods. More time talking to @Shinyzorua07. And I have spent hardly no time reading discussions.
My findings
- I have been able to verify that Pheonix and Character A are indeed the same player
- I have verified, beyond reasonable doubt, that Pheonix and Dust are DIFFERENT players.
Due to this, I have talked with the mods and asked them to lift the ban.
Now to something equality importantā¦
The mods
The little Iāve read from the discussions makes my hackles raise!
What kind of view do you have of them? You think they just randomly ban people that annoy them, or act without having reasonable proof to back it up? Like they are high horsed tyrants?
I have access to their decision making process. I can read their internal discussion. I can see how they always seek hard evidence and review their findings, to make as good a call as possible. All for the shared purpose of making this place a nice and safe place. And I see them do this voluntarily.
Yes. I surely understand that being unjustly banned has the complete opposite effect of making Wolfery seem nice and safe.
But they had good reason to come to their conclusion, as I think also Dust understands by now. All the tools Iāve given them pointed to the fact that Dust and Pheonix were the same player. They acted in accordance to that info, like theyāve done around 30+ times before with other Pheonix accounts (which I have also verified to be valid ban-evades today.)
I seriously appreciate them a lot. And even if some calls may be wrong, unjust, or too hastily made, I think they deserve more trust than what Iāve seen here.
ā¦
That said. There are also wrongs being done.
The harsh words are one. In both directions, I am afraid. It never helps when we dig down in defensive positions. We need to strive to always be respectful, especially when in a moderator position.
I am also personally sorry, @Shinyzorua07 and @Raeth, for not being quicker to pick this up when you reached out for my help with this. I really understand the stress this has caused you, Shiny. I am sorry for that.
I also see how my insufficient tools indirectly caused part of it, not providing mods with a more detailed analysis, leading to the wrong call. And my failure to keep the VPN detection tables up to date.
A few last notes
- Report moderators if you feel they are behaving unfair, preferably with logs attached! I encourage this. They encourage this too! (Right, mods?) They are not a tight knit group of pals covering each othersā backs. Believe me. They will keep each other responsible. And I will react if they donāt!
- Donāt leave your bag unattended at airports. And if someone asks for your login account, or asks you to create accounts on their behalf, say No!
(EDIT: Iāve locked this thread, since I think further discussion will not be helpful at the moment. If there is a need to discuss details, procedures, etc., we can do it later on after this has cooled a bit)
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