The Commonwealth had historically held “neutral” stances in conflicts. For the most part, this was a successful policy, however, often times the seedier elements of our citizenry used the city’s neutrality as a shield against criminal behaviour.

I remember quite distinctly when we had figured out that Commonwealth Citizens Noaz12 and SakaNoYou were found to be raiding for ReCharge over a year ago. The context for this requires the fact that at one point in time, Aixyz was pearled by The Commonwealth for raiding our city in the past, and hilariously too:

AiXyZ and _MilesDavis_ face off against The Commonwealth’s Famous Security Infrastructure

Eventually during the Global ReCharge Crisis, Saka, in mumble, tried to explain that he had freed AiXyZ (who was pearled once again for blackmail) from our vault because The Commonwealth was “neutral” in the conflict between ReCharge and the rest of the server.

According to Saka, “neutrality” meant that when we were placed uncomfortably between two conflicting sides, we had to take a milquetoast, gutless middle ground where we can’t be seen “appeasing” either side.

So I tore him a new asshole.

To me, neutrality was simple: The Commonwealth continued to do what The Commonwealth did. If anyone raided us, regardless of what “side” they where on in some great conflict, they would be pearled subject to our own rules. We would continue to conduct business as we see fit and refrain from intruding in cool PVP in foreign battlegrounds.

If it didn’t concern us, then it didn’t matter to us. We had fucking amazing walls that kept us safe and other cities didn’t. Anyone raiding us would be playing their last day on the server. In the post-HCF age of raiders, what use was there in helping out cities that didn’t first fix their own gaping holes in security? There wasn’t, and that was the general stance we held. We would offer them help in improving their security infrastructure, but if they didn’t want it then it would be their own loss and it would give us the social license in saying “I told you so!”.

>mfw your city got raided like almost every day and you didn’t build walls like we told you

Did all of this make us look like uncaring assholes? Absolutely!

However, it kept us out of a good bit of conflict, and at least you understand where I’m coming from with regards to the issue of neutrality.