/r/SovereigntyAscending, we stand at a crossroad.

One in which we all knew, but preferred to ignore, was coming for a long time. The meta has changed. It has been cruelly discovered that our castles, our grand fortresses, our alliances, dreams, and our loose friendships are something fragile and weak. They are easy to rip away, quick to fall.

We have grown complacent in our own demise. We have nobody to blame but ourselves. This is a story, a promise to those who are new, and who have never faced challenge before. And this is a reminder to those who carry an old soul, and have forgotten in the passage of time.

Do not delude yourselves.

In three months of peaceful half-alliances and status quo, there was a gasping birth of new nations. Fresh eyed, they set off upon this world to make it their own. The older players, certainly wiser, took place in server events that quickly turned sour.

The lore events, we assumed to ourselves and said to others, was just a temporary reflection of human greed, anger, deception, and guile. It was emotion, a rush. We laughed at our mistakes, our silly assumptions made off something primal and deep within us.

And so we returned to civilization, shoved down humanity, and swore for it to never happen again. For merely this was a single lapse of civilization in ourselves? Certainly the hope and glistening splendor of civilization built out of love and care would persevere regardless?

But now, Sovereignty, we stand at a crossroad we assumed would never come, at least, while peace existed. Running, as many of us did, scattering around the world, we found how weak and easily ripped our veil on humanity was. You face brutality for no reason other than joy, you face death for no reason other than power.

The urge to start again and cower away in some far-off base is calling to us even now. We say our goodbyes, head off to some far-off corner, and keep our heads down, forever waiting for the hammer to fall again and take our months of work again.

We will come to the castle doors of those who are stronger, and beg for entry, beg for them to come save us. Please, fix our problems so we can go back without learning our lessons. Please, help us get back on our feet after we’ve lost everything due to naivety and foolishness.

In doing so, we will sacrifice every part of us that is held dear and close. We will sacrifice the future of a server that has done everything in its power to shelter us, but like any Mother would do, She will need us to learn how not to just run and flee, but establish footholds and legacies that will last immortally.

But again, this is a crossroad. We have the chance to fight back. Even now, the ache of civilization again settles inside us, calling us the same as cowering away does.

Do not delude yourselves. Logging off, quitting the game for a week will not magically solve the issues we face. You will never be able to come back and enjoy the safety and freedom again. You will live in fear, you will live in small compounds and hidden cities, never facing the sun.

Logging off will not save Chronos, creamed and vaulted for speaking to the wrong person. Logging off will not save Sirboss from his death and imprisonment for taking lead of Coaxtlán. Logging off will not prevent your friends, your allies, even yourself, from meeting the same fate.

Logging off will not prevent the raids of Wulfhil, of Uzoq, of Folveren, of Florence, of Blackrock, of Coaxtlán, of Menegroth from happening again. It will not bring back the loss of horses, of wealth, of safety, of security.

Logging off will not bring Berlynne and the Federation running to solve your problems. It will not magically summon Posey back from his self-imposed exile. It will not fall on Cy to brandish his sword around to protect Fort Milan and all that hide, cower, refuge inside. It will not summon the ghosts of the past to come forward to the present and redeem us all. There is no such thing as a miracle here.

You stand at a crossroad, where members of our own community lurk fearful in the shadows, or members of our own community walk boldly in the day and commit unseemly deeds. This is not a curse on those who do wrong. I do no good mentioning their names, for there should be no fear in a name, but it only serves to raise and glorify misdeed. This is not inciting violence where we fight alone and die one by one.

Do we not, Sovereignty, fight for civilization? Do you not fight for law, and order, and a hopeful peace? Do you not find shame in running away? Is it easy for you to see your losses, count the death and despair, shrug your shoulders, and say “I am powerless.”?

Doing nothing, you will die. You may be proud, wise, and fine, but death and imprisonment will wipe you off the face of the world as though you were no more than mice burrowing under the floor; and your posterity, your history, your immortal cities will burn or freeze together with the earthly globe.*

Do not make the mistake of inaction, of being unable to put aside your delusions of grandeur and power, and losing your chance to live freely among the world again. This is an opinion, but it also is a warning to you, Sovereignty.

Will you fight for civilization again?