GM Malpractice, The Hand of Ragnaros, and Meatgrinder

[Heibai]

Hello to all players and GMs, I am the owner of the account Meatgrinder (绞肉机).
Today I am here to sincerely apologize for my mistakes. My action of asking a GM for crafting materials was completely wrong, and trying to hide the details and make up excuses afterwards made it even worse. I am sorry to the GM team for all the trouble I have caused, I am sorry to my guildmates who helped me pool all the materials, and I am sorry for bringing negative impact to the server community. I truly feel deep remorse for my actions.
I have already paid the corresponding price for my mistakes: my account has been temporarily suspended for 7 days, all Orange Hammer crafting materials have been fully removed, and I still owe thousands of gold to my guild. I fully accept all of these punishments without any complaint.
But I also want to make it clear: besides this single mistake of asking a GM for a small amount of materials, I have not committed any other rule violations. I have never dual-boxed to farm gold, never engaged in any RMT (real money trading), and never exploited any game bugs to farm materials or gold. Our Orange Eye was a legitimate drop from our guild's second full clear of Molten Core, and all remaining materials were collected little by little by guild members through pooling gold and running dungeons, with no improper acquisition of any kind.
I understand everyone's anger at calling for a permanent ban, but a permanent ban is truly too severe for a first offense like mine. I have been a Warcraft player for over 20 years. Since the server launched, I have stayed up day and night to level up, and to fill roles for our team I have leveled both a Warrior and a Priest myself. Our guild only has 3 tanks in total, and I am one of them. If I am permanently banned, not only will all my own efforts go completely to waste, but our entire guild's Molten Core raid progress will also be severely affected — which would also be unfair to the dozens of other hardworking guild members.
I have deeply realized my mistake. I guarantee that I will never make any similar mistakes again in the future, and will strictly abide by all server rules. I sincerely ask the GM team and all players to give me a chance to correct my mistakes. Please do not permanently ban my account. Thank you everyone.

The PANDA guild supports any disposition made by the GM team regarding this incident, and we sincerely hope the game can keep getting better and better.

[Swift]

Why is Bushdoctor also allowed to continue to play on the server?

He is on a new character called Millhouse, also still in the PANDA guild.

Why can’t he keep playing out of genuine love for the game now that his GM privileges have been stripped away? Does one single mistake mean they deserve to be shut out of the server forever?
Also, how can you be certain that Millhouse is his alt character? Are you leaking internal server information as an insider?

I know this because he contacted us and literally told us it was him lol.

I'm worried how your guild doesn't understand that a series of actions like this can destroy the entire server's reputation. This is a new server that is still building it's identity and integrity. A lot of private servers have been known to have lots of corruption. These guys here have been awesome in their transparency; and their passion for the game and it's players really show.

Having a guild come in and do this on one of the most important items in phase 1 is actually insane. This isn't simply grifing another guild or getting a few honor kills of a friend. This is using a GM who is in your guild to make you one of 2 legendary items. Name me something worse that a guild could do right now?

[Pig]

Why is Bushdoctor also allowed to continue to play on the server?

He is on a new character called Millhouse, also still in the PANDA guild.

Why can’t he keep playing out of genuine love for the game now that his GM privileges have been stripped away? Does one single mistake mean they deserve to be shut out of the server forever?
Also, how can you be certain that Millhouse is his alt character? Are you leaking internal server information as an insider?

This staff member was a liability. One of the first things they did internally was disclose identifying information. Also creating a character with a near identical name to his GM and seeking attention in world chat. Highly doubtful any insider would disclose information about this player, but I assume he would share himself as he has multiple times already.

[Heibai]

Why is Bushdoctor also allowed to continue to play on the server?

He is on a new character called Millhouse, also still in the PANDA guild.

Why can’t he keep playing out of genuine love for the game now that his GM privileges have been stripped away? Does one single mistake mean they deserve to be shut out of the server forever?
Also, how can you be certain that Millhouse is his alt character? Are you leaking internal server information as an insider?

I know this because he contacted us and literally told us it was him lol.

I'm worried how your guild doesn't understand that a series of actions like this can destroy the entire server's reputation. This is a new server that is still building it's identity and integrity. A lot of private servers have been known to have lots of corruption. These guys here have been awesome in their transparency; and their passion for the game and it's players really show.

Having a guild come in and do this on one of the most important items in phase 1 is actually insane. This isn't simply grifing another guild or getting a few honor kills of a friend. This is using a GM who is in your guild to make you one of 2 legendary items. Name me something worse that a guild could do right now?

If he reached out to you personally, then I have no grounds to argue. The fact that he’s still playing only proves his genuine passion for WoW. Anyone who joins PANDA is part of our family, and we will treat him with complete fairness and impartiality. So it’s not strange to see him in-game; his only change is no longer holding GM authority.

[Swift]

Why can’t he keep playing out of genuine love for the game now that his GM privileges have been stripped away? Does one single mistake mean they deserve to be shut out of the server forever?
Also, how can you be certain that Millhouse is his alt character? Are you leaking internal server information as an insider?

I know this because he contacted us and literally told us it was him lol.

I'm worried how your guild doesn't understand that a series of actions like this can destroy the entire server's reputation. This is a new server that is still building it's identity and integrity. A lot of private servers have been known to have lots of corruption. These guys here have been awesome in their transparency; and their passion for the game and it's players really show.

Having a guild come in and do this on one of the most important items in phase 1 is actually insane. This isn't simply grifing another guild or getting a few honor kills of a friend. This is using a GM who is in your guild to make you one of 2 legendary items. Name me something worse that a guild could do right now?

If he reached out to you personally, then I have no grounds to argue. The fact that he’s still playing only proves his genuine passion for WoW. Anyone who joins PANDA is part of our family, and we will treat him with complete fairness and impartiality. So it’s not strange to see him in-game; his only change is no longer holding GM authority.

The fact that you are still willing to have him in your guild despite what he did to ruin the server's integrity and your guild's integrity is wild...

Someone who had true passion for WoW would not do what he did. They would work for the item like the rest of us.

[Heibai]

Why is Bushdoctor also allowed to continue to play on the server?

He is on a new character called Millhouse, also still in the PANDA guild.

Why can’t he keep playing out of genuine love for the game now that his GM privileges have been stripped away? Does one single mistake mean they deserve to be shut out of the server forever?
Also, how can you be certain that Millhouse is his alt character? Are you leaking internal server information as an insider?

I know this because he contacted us and literally told us it was him lol.

I'm worried how your guild doesn't understand that a series of actions like this can destroy the entire server's reputation. This is a new server that is still building it's identity and integrity. A lot of private servers have been known to have lots of corruption. These guys here have been awesome in their transparency; and their passion for the game and it's players really show.

Having a guild come in and do this on one of the most important items in phase 1 is actually insane. This isn't simply grifing another guild or getting a few honor kills of a friend. This is using a GM who is in your guild to make you one of 2 legendary items. Name me something worse that a guild could do right now?

First of all, the server’s reputation is built jointly by all players and the GM team, not only by players alone. Secondly, if our guild had taken part in this scheme wholeheartedly, we would never have let this incident get reported in the first place—why would we make no attempt to cover it up? The PANDA guild chose to come forward openly and acknowledge the incident because we play the game with a clear conscience. There are countless cases of abuse and corruption across many private servers; we cannot write off an entire guild and all its members solely because of this single incident, can we?
Moreover, I have to question your wording as a staff member when you claim our guild “used a GM for personal gain”. What concrete proof do you have of a direct collusive link between that former GM and our guild? I believe this judgment comes across as overly hasty and arbitrary.

[Heibai]

I know this because he contacted us and literally told us it was him lol.

I'm worried how your guild doesn't understand that a series of actions like this can destroy the entire server's reputation. This is a new server that is still building it's identity and integrity. A lot of private servers have been known to have lots of corruption. These guys here have been awesome in their transparency; and their passion for the game and it's players really show.

Having a guild come in and do this on one of the most important items in phase 1 is actually insane. This isn't simply grifing another guild or getting a few honor kills of a friend. This is using a GM who is in your guild to make you one of 2 legendary items. Name me something worse that a guild could do right now?

If he reached out to you personally, then I have no grounds to argue. The fact that he’s still playing only proves his genuine passion for WoW. Anyone who joins PANDA is part of our family, and we will treat him with complete fairness and impartiality. So it’s not strange to see him in-game; his only change is no longer holding GM authority.

The fact that you are still willing to have him in your guild despite what he did to ruin the server's integrity and your guild's integrity is wild...

Someone who had true passion for WoW would not do what he did. They would work for the item like the rest of us.

Our guild embraces tolerance for every member. It’s true his actions harmed the server environment, but should that mean we strip away his passion for the game entirely? That would be unfair to him. The GM team has already issued penalties against him, and we fully respect whatever disciplinary measures they have put in place. Please do not cast aside someone who truly loves this game so readily.

[Swift]

Why can’t he keep playing out of genuine love for the game now that his GM privileges have been stripped away? Does one single mistake mean they deserve to be shut out of the server forever?
Also, how can you be certain that Millhouse is his alt character? Are you leaking internal server information as an insider?

I know this because he contacted us and literally told us it was him lol.

I'm worried how your guild doesn't understand that a series of actions like this can destroy the entire server's reputation. This is a new server that is still building it's identity and integrity. A lot of private servers have been known to have lots of corruption. These guys here have been awesome in their transparency; and their passion for the game and it's players really show.

Having a guild come in and do this on one of the most important items in phase 1 is actually insane. This isn't simply grifing another guild or getting a few honor kills of a friend. This is using a GM who is in your guild to make you one of 2 legendary items. Name me something worse that a guild could do right now?

First of all, the server’s reputation is built jointly by all players and the GM team, not only by players alone. Secondly, if our guild had taken part in this scheme wholeheartedly, we would never have let this incident get reported in the first place—why would we make no attempt to cover it up? The PANDA guild chose to come forward openly and acknowledge the incident because we play the game with a clear conscience. There are countless cases of abuse and corruption across many private servers; we cannot write off an entire guild and all its members solely because of this single incident, can we?
Moreover, I have to question your wording as a staff member when you claim our guild “used a GM for personal gain”. What concrete proof do you have of a direct collusive link between that former GM and our guild? I believe this judgment comes across as overly hasty and arbitrary.

Have you not read the initial post with the chat logs!?

Meatgrinder knew that Bushdoctor had a character in your guild. Instead of putting a ticket in he went right to /w to your guild mate!

Okay, I'm done here.

I hope the Octowow staff make the right call. I think you guys have seen enough to do so.

This guild clearly doesn't care about what they did and hasn't learned a single thing from this mistake.

[Heibai]

I know this because he contacted us and literally told us it was him lol.

I'm worried how your guild doesn't understand that a series of actions like this can destroy the entire server's reputation. This is a new server that is still building it's identity and integrity. A lot of private servers have been known to have lots of corruption. These guys here have been awesome in their transparency; and their passion for the game and it's players really show.

Having a guild come in and do this on one of the most important items in phase 1 is actually insane. This isn't simply grifing another guild or getting a few honor kills of a friend. This is using a GM who is in your guild to make you one of 2 legendary items. Name me something worse that a guild could do right now?

First of all, the server’s reputation is built jointly by all players and the GM team, not only by players alone. Secondly, if our guild had taken part in this scheme wholeheartedly, we would never have let this incident get reported in the first place—why would we make no attempt to cover it up? The PANDA guild chose to come forward openly and acknowledge the incident because we play the game with a clear conscience. There are countless cases of abuse and corruption across many private servers; we cannot write off an entire guild and all its members solely because of this single incident, can we?
Moreover, I have to question your wording as a staff member when you claim our guild “used a GM for personal gain”. What concrete proof do you have of a direct collusive link between that former GM and our guild? I believe this judgment comes across as overly hasty and arbitrary.

Have you not read the initial post with the chat logs!?

Meatgrinder knew that Bushdoctor had a character in your guild. Instead of putting a ticket in he went right to /w to your guild mate!

Okay, I'm done here.

I hope the Octowow staff make the right call. I think you guys have seen enough to do so.

This guild clearly doesn't care about what they did and hasn't learned a single thing from this mistake.

Your judgment comes across as overly arbitrary. I believe leaving this matter entirely to the GM team to resolve is the most reasonable approach; bickering back and forth will solve nothing. I can state clearly that every raid loot drop within PANDA guild uses a full free roll system. The guild cannot dictate what each player does or what rewards they obtain. Our guild’s responsibility is only to manage our roster properly, and that does not mean we have failed to learn lessons from this incident. May I ask—does a guild have the power to fully control item trades between individual players?

[Witchysofia]

Why is Bushdoctor also allowed to continue to play on the server?

He is on a new character called Millhouse, also still in the PANDA guild.

Why can’t he keep playing out of genuine love for the game now that his GM privileges have been stripped away? Does one single mistake mean they deserve to be shut out of the server forever?
Also, how can you be certain that Millhouse is his alt character? Are you leaking internal server information as an insider?

This staff member was a liability. One of the first things they did internally was disclose identifying information. Also creating a character with a near identical name to his GM and seeking attention in world chat. Highly doubtful any insider would disclose information about this player, but I assume he would share himself as he has multiple times already.

Not really wanting to question the abilities of the OctoWoW team, but I do hope you have properly investigated all Bushdoctor's actions as a GM and made sure he haven't somehow created an o̵f̵f̵s̵h̵o̵r̵e̵ underground bank account in The Undermine to hide stolen gold or something, if you want to allow him to continue playing as a normal player on his pre-existing characters.

I personally would have wiped his personal player account as well just to be sure...