Now, lets look to the Nightmist Terms of Service.
What's a Snert?
From time to time you might see people mention the word 'snert.' While the deepest origins of the term appear lost in time, it was contributed to the Nightmist mythology by Edix. Definitions vary, but basically it describes someone who diminishes the pleasure of the game for others. You don't want to be a snert, in language or in deed. Most administrators will banish you from the server if you engage in snertish behaviour. (I call that: 'Getting Snertified.')
Based on the definition of a "Snert," I would say theft could be considered a snert. Ed, Bill, and Tevlok, to name a few, were banned for theft. Permanently banned, at that. Darkling, rather, was permanently banned for "snerting" in general.
Now what do these people all have in common? Staff has given them a second chance. Their permanent ban was removed, to give them a second chance. Now lets focus on Ed, Bill, and Tevlok. They are proven thieves. So, in the goodness of their heart, staff decides to give them a second chance. People change after all, right?
Wrong. Since Ed and Bill have been back, what has happened? One of Nightmist's most respected, funny, and overall nicest players was stolen from. I don't care what any of you say; Kev's account was worth a whole lot. Although I didn't always see eye-to-eye with him on things, he was one of Nightmist's best. Ed/Bill/Di have admitted to this theft.
Tevlok... he's been back for awhile too, and things have been kind of quiet on his side. Wrong again. This morning, I had to remove an extremely cool guy, Sean/Stadic from the clan. Tevlok stole his account. Granted, this theft was from actually sharing, so stupid you Sean. Still, Tevlok stole his account. This is theft, I spoke to people about it, and Tevlok has been planning to steal someones account since theft has become so accepted.
My question to staff is.. What is clouding your vision? Why are you allowing proven thieves to come back to the game you have worked so hard for? Why has theft gone from something that is discouraged to something done almost every day? These people have admitted to the thefts...its not like much action would need to be taken to fix what was done. If you are going to let someone back from a permanent ban, shouldn't it be similar to parole? You screw up, you're back out? Allowing players to come back from a permanent ban has done nothing but get rid of some very good players. Quark, Lady_Maha, Hump, and Sour have all made quitting threads recently..they've been playing Nightmist since before most people. Hell, I don't even like Hump very much, but I feel for her and why she is quitting. You're sacrificing many good players, to allow thieves to play.
My alert to players is... Don't trust anybody that isn't close enough to beat. This game has changed, people befriend others just to be able to steal from them. If staff will not do anything about theft, then it is up to the players to do something about it. If proven thieves are allowed to play and ruin the game for others, why should we accept them? Why should we allow them to be in our clans? What is more important... your clan's rank, or how other players feel about you? If thieves will be allowed to play... it is our job to make them the outcasts that they should be.