After having slept on this, I'd also like to call myself out for having named names in this post. 

I could have come out to the ooc board to discuss how this all went down without naming Olivia.  I could have said "someone sent a letter" without directing vitriol to her as a member of this community & still allowed the subject to be discussed.  

Truth is that I was outplayed and there is something to be respected there game-play wise.  It means either she thinks ahead and is shrewd in her game play style, or she was genuinely keeping the letter for her own amusement and the people who took the letter from her were cunning enough to use the letter as a valid reason to kill my character. 

Regardless of her motives, naming names in such a situation really is bad form - it was tacky and inappropriate and I was out of line.  Hell, I shouldn't have said her name on the whatsapp group until I knew for sure it was a rogue that had killed me... I could have caused an innocent character to have been targeted unfairly.  It appears, upon further consideration, that I'm as human as anyone else and reacted before thinking.  Something I will endeavor to improve upon.

Additionally, while I do not recall saying (but really you have no reason to lie about it) that Olivia was an evil bitch, that was wholly inappropriate too.  Name calling is NEVER acceptable and I'm extremely sorry you were called that Olivia.  I assure you, that going forward I will mind my tongue/fingers closely.  You didn't deserve that and I am very sorry.

As for learning about the culture of MR and the past.  I would LOVE to learn more about it.  And that's yet another thing I'd love to see more people talking about openly in ooc or outside.  Sharing stories of the past is a GREAT way to teach others about the how's and why's of things.  I'd happy add such stories to The Ivory Tower helpful articles section whenever there is a story shared that explains why things are done a certain way around here.

By all means - let's talk about the culture of MR, how it's grown, been shapped, etc.  Let's get some of the folks who lived through those times out here talking about them.  I think that's a GREAT idea!  And if they really want to share it in the streets... let's get them out talking about "in my grandfather's day" ... that would be a GREAT discussion thread.

Anything that brings folks out to the streets and shares more about the game is a wonderful idea.  I agree totally!  Let's use both the old and new to make the best MR possible.  I'll keep bringing good new ideas - come on out and let's talk how things were before I came and why they work the way they do!

Dear Justvisiting

I have read what you said and many people have come forward with their own ideas about what happened, what should have happened, and how things should have been played.  Being late to the party as I usually am I am afraid that I don't have much new to bring to the table but I will give it my best attempt.

To start, I want to give you the respect you deserve for what you did accomplish as Frankie-Messina and for what you are doing on this current character.  You did bring life to the streets and I hope your kin continues to do so.  Not many have that creative flare or the drive to use it the way you do.  I hope that you dying recently hasn't extinguished that flame.  This game needs people like you to keep that drive going and I mean that.  

Second, I admire that given the short period of time between Frankie's death and now you can realize that you made some mistakes.  I know players that have been playing far longer that take each death as a personal slight and can never admit that they may have fucked up somewhere along the way.  It takes real guts to come out and admit that you made a mistake and that you paid for it.  Sure, calling people out by name probably wasn't a wise idea but we all can understand anger gets the better of us sometimes.  It might not have even been anger, just an oversight.  Either way admitting that you aren't perfect is the first step to becoming a truly great player.

Third, I want to explain to you a little bit about our perspective so we don't look seem like such monsters.  When we see mails or messages such as the one that led to all of this we have to take it at face value.  You had an old account in a powerful position about to get Godfather.  Your mail basically laid out an why you took the safe list and your entire plan for revenge.  Whether revenge was your true intention or you were just trying to educate a new player only you know.  From our positions we have to take threats like that at face value.  One slight fuck up at the top end here could spell disaster for a large portion of the current leadership.  We are not monsters but we do have to be practical not just for our own lives but for the lives of the people we lead.  None of this was done out of some great dislike for you.  It was not done in haste or off the cuff.  

To conclude my little piece here.  You are a player of immense talent.  Do not ever get it into your head that because you made one mistake that you are "bad".  Any veteran player here can tell you about their massive mistakes that have cost them dearly also.  I think anyone who has played this game any amount of time has fucked up.  Do not think this will be held against you forever.  As I said you are an extremely talented player and would be an asset to any family/city now and in the future.  If you would like to discuss this any further or would ever need help in the future please look me up.  It would be my pleasure to help you any way I can.

-JTG

JTG,

Thanks for your words.  They really mean a lot to me.  :)  I will happily reach out to you soon.  I think now that I've finished up reassuring folks I will be coming back and tried to make right any wrongs I've done I'll be only popping on to do my daily hustle and otherwise will not be on much for 1-3 weeks (ideally after I move and get settled in my new apartment.)

Again, thank you though.  You and so many others offering your advice and encouragement is exactly why folks do keep coming back.  MR is a good community.  I believe that.  I'm proud to be a part of it.

-Dee

I’d just like to echo Eraser’s comments as I think they were spot on . I also think Tyrion had some very wise words as well. Those of us who have been around a while have all “fucked up” at some point. And God knows those of us who have been around since V1 of .ORG have gone through serious ups and downs from a community perspective. But I like to think that a big part of learning is making mistakes - the very best of us have probably made about every mistake you can in a leadership role. From trusting too much or too little; for better or worse. In The Godfather book/movie (Part 1), Don Corleone scolds his son for openly telling the drug lord Sollozzo what he was thinking and said to Sonny that “you should never tell anyone outside the family what you are thinking.” I think that was probably the best representation of Omertà because you really can’t trust anyone in this business. There are leaders who wack their own hit men for building a gun so strong they actually become too threatening even to family. I know people don’t like discussing that kind of stuff, but it’s happened. But in even alluding to a possible desire for revenge, you erred. I’m guessing that won’t happen again knowing you as a very quick learner and someone who rapidly gained notoriety in the community faster than anyone I’ve ever seen. Sorry TeQ, Premier, Rumblefish, and definitely BA 🤣🙃 This is of course a game and we all play differently. I don’t think it’s fair to pass judgement on the way in which someone wishes to role play the game as others may have done in earlier posts. To each their own, but telling players how to play the game is off-putting for this 18+ year veteran. In all those years, I guided others as best as I could - I didn’t scold or belittle them and it’s frustrsting when I see this kind of activity out of character. It’s totally in poor taste in itself. Dee, all I can tell you is keep on keeping on. If anyone tells you offline the way you play the game is trash and trashes you for making mistakes - send them to me. I love schooling people who don’t know their ass from their elbow and I guarantee you most haven’t accomplished shit with rank in game or through respectful endeavors outside it. And as for the cliques - it’s been a toxic problem since the beginning. This game shouldn’t be an extension of real life personal politics but it always has been and that isn’t going to change.. just ask anyone that fought against rogue splinter groups for years including Scott and Mario in their own way. Just don’t let this experience detract you from enjoying the game. There are shitty people outside this game and certainly some within it. But the good ones will make it worthwhile.