Regardless, this is not only another issue of the RCN that is under my belt. This is also a very special one, an issue outside of the schedule, one could say an emergency issue. It's not like the region's on fire, no. Well, not yet. Who's to say I won't burn that bridge when I get to it, right? However, that's not the 'talk of the town' today. The reason why it is I who addresses you today, and not the usual editor of the news, Zaila Two-the squeakquel, is not so simple to explain. This editorial doesn't offer enough space, anyway. So why don't you fasten your seatbelts? This is going to be one hell of a ride...
Larnion

Before we can tackle the matter at hand fully, we have to grasp the hard facts of this situation, like it or not. We're going to go way back, and some of you lovely folks probably won't know about everything that I'm going to mention, but don't worry - if you particularly feel like digging deep into this mess that I'm about to describe, then feel free to tag me on the RMB or message me on Discord. I'll be happy to oblige with linking you to materials fully mapping what transpired, or provide my own opinion if you ask for it.

Now, let's start with the recap, shall we?
In mid-July 2018, the Incident occurred. What was that, you ask? Basically, the Council of back then, including Yymea, Poulton-with-Fearnhead, Folzofia and myself had convened to discuss the actions of the late President, South Asians. Simply put, the four of us found his actions and behaviour unbecoming of the LCRUA's President, some of them even being ruled illegal (more on that in a while). Thus, with the triple of Yymea, PwF and I agreeing to take action, we approached SA with the announcement of a vote of no confidence.

His response was quick - he had left the region and Discord server, effectively resigning. While my colleagues rejoiced, I panicked; the Founder account has been shared between me and SA and I feared that once he comes around to realise what we were trying to impose, he'd attempt to silence us. Thus, I made the critical mistake of claiming the account for myself, securing it against fatal misuse... or so I thought. Turns out I forgot to change the reclaiming email, and the account got back in his hands. Yeah, I know, I'm stupid.

That would be the bulk of the Incident - after that, SA filed a court case against us, and the trio of us retaliated with the same charges as were prepared for the vote of no confidence. The trials lasted for more than a week (and their proceedings has been archived), the result leaving only the last Council member, Folzofia, unscathed. Everyone else involved was forced to step down, and a brand new Council cast was elected. There, we thought, was the end of the Incident. SA first fell into inactivity and then returned to NS to found his own region.

In the meantime, a new member called Marvinton started making a name for himself following the Incident, quickly climbing the ranks of the region. Achieving the rank of President after a single Council term, his reforms and actions were considered controversial by many, but in turn brought a surge of activity to the server that hasn't been seen for a while. His main bastion of support was the rightist minority of the region, most of whom are still loyal to him today. Why is that important to mention, you ask?

That is because Marvinton, in the middle of his second presidential term, also left his office to found a region of his own. Along with him left several other regular members including Arstrottka and Kush country, who recently got elected into the Council only to step down days afterwards. That was at the beginning of January - since then, the topic of Republic of Free Nations, or RoFN for short, ran quite rampant on the server. So, just like SA has his own regions in Hive and The Free Nations Region, so does Marvinton now. Sounds pretty reasonable, right?

A solid recap, I reckon. However, not everything is at it seemed at first.
You who regularly visit the regional Discord server may have noticed that the atmosphere isn't quite as friendly as we try to make it be. I have personally felt there to be a certain aura of animosity; whether it is only against me, or against someone else, I do not know. Of course, you may guess whom do I suspect of harbouring negative emotions against me - the one I ran out of the region seven months ago, and the one I clashed with the most on Council matters.

Thing is, I have never personally held any ill intent or hostile emotions against either. Certainly enough, there is recorded history of the feuds, incidents and arguments we held or took part in, but it was never enough to warrant begrudging of one or the other. None of the matters we dealt with were personal, therefore there was no reason to feel anger or even hatred towards either. As was stated multiple times by yours truly - there is a difference between Larnion the person and Larnion the statesman. This never changed.

However, something did change.
What I considered to be matters of purely regional importance. Issues involving and affecting only the people of the LCRUA as a community. The meaning of all this changed. Not for me personally, no. But those that I have opposed and disagreed with, and those I have taken action against, they perceived it differently. And the moment I found out that the animosity I feel is not one out of differing opinions, but of pure hatred and despising... was the moment I found out the truth.

Some four or five days ago, a voice chat session was in order. Me, along with Kavarai, Stretch and Zaila met up in the Discord server and talked about everything and anything that came to mind. Naturally, the topic of the LCRUA and the resignation of the former President and Councillors surfaced as well. And as we were talking away about this, Kavarai was prompted to look into his personal conversations. Suddenly, the topic, and the mood as well, was out of the window. What was presented on that evening was something none of us expected to see.

Stretch has sent Kavarai a number of screenshots taken from two sources; one - a Discord server he was invited in, and two - his PM conversation with the owner of said server. When he started explaining what are those pictures about, none of us could believe our ears. And then, when the materials got to everyone present in that voice chat, myself included, we couldn't believe our eyes, either. The rest of the evening we spent analysing these pieces of information and thinking through... just what in the blazes are we supposed to do?

A grand total of around 60 screenshots. Every single one of them containing various remarks made, ideas proposed and actions planned. And most, if not all of them, with a single motive tying them all together, a single goal to achieve, a single target to take down. Wonder who that might be?
You're going to see it plastered all over the pictures for yourself.

A Google Docs archive, accessible by anyone
Note: Warrior is the nickname of South Asians and WhiteBlueSilverWolf of Dierexa.

Here is the link to the folder that contains all of said materials that were shared that night. As said, they are aimed at a singular point of interest, a person that is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, hated by them.
However, I'm not in the position to convince you of anything. If you have read this far into this "article", then I'm also certain that you have already made your own opinion on this matter. You've reviewed the evidence, and you have seen everything that was said. Every single remark, mockery or insult there has been to see. Every single declaration of hatred. It's all there.

Now, I think it has been made clear that the reason why this issue has been written is rather important, at least in the eyes of both the Council and the Tribunal. However, and I don't say this lightly, in the eyes of Kavarai, Stretch, Zaila and Larnion the people, as well as in the eyes of PwF, Lezetatzuni and Smolcasm, this issue is necessary. No matter how we feel, we need to let you, the members of the LCRUA, know what's happening. It's a right, remember - a right to governmental transparency. Now check the date of these pictures. See it? Now consider the rule of transparency again.

The President and a member of the Tribunal that were in office, along with another former President.

People that we not only considered our colleagues and trusted them in carrying out their tasks efficiently and reliably, but also people that we have grown to trust as comrades in our humble community. Despite numerous disagreements, we have, every single one of us involved.
Then, I ask... why did they not trust us?

Alas, the Council and the Tribunal was discussing this matter for days on end now. It is also the reason why the region has seen so little activity lately - our minds were preoccupied with this very concerning occurence. As I mentioned before, you members have the right to know everything. Thus, we're not only providing all the materials that Stretch has sent that day, we are also obliged to provide the archived group conversation where we talk on this matter in private. Given that you request it, of course.

I will not say this again - the conversation is not solely focused on this, and more often than not, it turns into some very... questionable banter. However, I digress. If the members wish to see it, so it shall be revealed. It is our duty, and in light of these recent events, it is also a question of our trustworthiness and dignity. However, in the meantime, all of the Council and the Tribunal, which is but a modest group of seven people at the moment, needs your help in deciding what will happen now.

I believe that this exhaustive article has surely overwhelmed many of you with lots of information that you needed, but most likely didn't ever want to see become true. Now then, the last question remains, as stated in the last paragraph:

What will happen now?

Us seven have talked about it enough, but it is turn for you to share your thoughts and proposals on how to handle this situation. As the saying goes, in every story, there is always at least a sliver of truth. We believe that, too. After all - some of the points raised in the conversations of Marvinton, Dierexa and South Asians do make sense. If we were to enact any decisions regarding this problem right now, it would undoubtedly be perceived as biased - since the problem directly affects basically every one of us, myself first and foremost.

However, we also believe that where they decide to take matters into their own hands, we should instead call back onto you, the respected members of the LCRUA. It would be unbecoming of both the Council and the Tribunal to act without the consent and approval of you all, and thus, as we are ourselves at our wits' end, we consult you. What do you think is the best course of action? What should we do, and how do we prevent any of this from happening again? Any of your suggestions and opinions are most welcome. If you would desire to contribute with your insight, leave an RMB post with the tag #RCNSpecial or tag the @Councillor role on Discord.

This marks the end of one hell of a long, extensive and mentally tiring article. If any of you have truly come this far, then behold. It's three in the morning on a Monday, and I'm writing an issue of the RCN, the news I held together for a whole long year. Perhaps, if the stars align, this could be a new beginning. A return to the roots, you could say.

"We never know what the future may bring. Nevertheless, whatever it is, we'll find a way to move forward."

Oh, one more thing. I hope you enjoyed the old format of the news. As I said, can't teach new tricks...

Forever indebted to you,
Larnion