Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Executor Statement over SOUND reset

Equinox Daedalus



Equinox Daedalus, Executor of the Curatores Veritatis Alliance, released a statement to ProviBloc leadership earlier today over the resetting of "Of a Sound Mind."




I'll post a few things here as it was a busy day yesterday and last night when got home and was helping to shoot boring structures!!!
1. CVA has been the defacto "arbitrator" and "voice" in providence for many years (when we have had control). Every alliance in providence that has Sov is given it with a handshake deal and the general agreement and understanding that
You are accepting sov under conditions where you can't simply do whatever you wish. There are general rules and policies in place for all of providence that are to be followed to the best  of your abilities while you are here, and that any issues are worked out with cva becoming the final arbitrator  because someone has to be. CVA in return shows up (usually as the top force) for most every action we have knowledge of important ops or ctas, as well as working with building your alliance up and helping your alliance out in other ways (unified doctrines, coordination with others, force multipliers,unified voice, unified kos list, forums and many other programs that providence has) in the hopes of building a great providence community.
2. If you think of yourself as a pet, that is what you will become. While it is correct that people will always say "cva and pets" or "cva and providence" and "providence pets" etc etc you should understand that CVA tries not to promote this and does not believe in this. We work with people in regards to getting them equal shares and parts and good moons and we don't take for simply allowing you to be in providence. There are no rental fees there are no fees for being blue. There are no massive ctas and fleet requirements to join providence and become a part of the area and eventually become a holder. All we have ever done is given people a chance to become better. CVA doesn't put alts in your alliances to spy on you, CVA doesn't make you all join a "providence alliance" to be here. Your all given freedom and autonomy with basic general guidelines of providence policies that allow you to make your own decisions as to how/what/why you are in providence and what you want to do.
3. The issues between sound and volt are small. Much like in life however, a grain of sand that gets into a oyster can make a pearl, or things can end up with just a stone that is annoying and eventually causes issues. There have been many chances on both sides to become a pearl, unfortunately it seems that it only formed and became a kidney stone. I have always tried to be fair and make decisions that both sides could live with and save face upon, but at the end of the day SOUND did not want to compromise upon what they thought was unfair to them. But you can also see that there has been and there are always options open and always ways to solve things and save face, of which i can give 2 examples :
A few months ago a foolish Volt member accidently placed a jf on contract publically for 0 isk when it was meant to be contracted to a specific party. Xavier saw the freighter on contract, and accepted it which is his right to do as it was a public contract. Volt contacted him and after a bit asked to have it returned for a reward (much like finding a wallet full of cash on the street). and he refused, saying he would sell it back to them at a fair market price. after a bit of back and forth I was asked to mediate this, and asked Xavier for a favor, return the freighter for good faith and get the reward that they offered (which was 1 bil isk, not exactly chump change) and he steadfast refused. Eventually he said he would take 3 bil for it, so i personally paid for the jf and gave it back to volt. 
Flash forward, to some random volt member, some months later, going rogue and destroying a faction fit blue mach. Volt immediately kicked and fully reimbursed the blue, no questions asked, no drama, no complaining except by their wallets.
Now I know they are not the same instances and I know that they are not exactly the same type of thing, but I feel that these singular events show something that is and does mean something, Karma and friendship. While Volt could of been in in their right to argue that its not their fault that some idiot rats in a 5 bil isk ship and they would refuse to compensate (and many people who hate faction ratting ships probably would be on their side). While these instances are just singular, there is a consistent pattern from volt and sound in regards to the willingness to compromise and work as a team to better providence. To say it was "just an omen" or "just hotheadedness" is really to insult everyone else in the matter. 
4. Sound are going to be removed, there is no going back, CVA will not change their minds on this because i will not. Sound were good people and i hope that those who wish to stay in providence find a home, however those who are actively shooting cva and allies at current will not and shouldn't be welcomed back. Eve is a big universe and i'm sure they will find something else that they like to do as well.

5 Every Alliance in providence isn't perfect, every pilot in providence isn't either. People have all kinds of previous connotations about other alliances, alliances don't all get along with each other all the time either. However each alliance that is in providence is working towards making those relationships better, and or making their pilots better. While i know that even myself does not get along with everyone in providence we all make small sacrifices to make a unified standing block work. I don't' expect perfection I expect people to get better and learn from mistakes and be willing to compromise and eventually become a better region and place in eve.

Critical News Alert: Of Sound Mind Ejected from Provi Bloc, Alliance Set KOS!!!

At 03:00 on July 30th Of Sound Mind was stripped of blue standings from CVA and purged from OOG Provibloc services.  Several hours latter after last ditched diplomatic attempts failed Of Sound Mind was reset again, this time to KOS for all of Provi Bloc.

Events leading up to this reset have been building over several months with Xavier XV, the executor of OF Sound Mind, becoming more and more tyrannical in diplomatic relations with neighboring allies.  The final catalyst, while seemingly insignificant in itself tipped the flood of issues over the edge.

The event happened on the 25th of July in the Severance system of KBP while hunting a group of pirate macharials who are known to use neutral booster lokis.  A Sev3rance fleet and a SOUND fleet engaged at the same time and members of the Sev3rance fleet tackled a loki that was neutral to them.  It happened to be a neutral alt flying in the SOUND fleet.  Cease fire was requested in local and done so.  However a VOLT member who was in the area and who had engaged (and disengaged) with Severance made some comments in local.

[22:45:32] Jenny Rims > severance, i am not red  (Neutral Loki)
[22:45:57] b4dg3r  Jenny Rims is blue
[22:46:03] b4dg3r > stop shooting
[22:46:08] Crumeth > kill the cunt  (Uninvolved Individual)
[22:46:33] Leylla Gainsborought > lol#
[22:46:42] Heinrich Hoss > lol i stopped like 30 seconds ago
[22:46:44] Heinrich Hoss > y u so mad guise
[22:46:46] Heinrich Hoss > rage much
[22:46:47] Heinrich Hoss > :D

Fire on the loki by Heinrich had stopped according to logs provided at 22:46:07

[2013.07.25 22:46:07 ] (combat) 14 to Jenny Rims[O I](Loki) - Valkyrie II - Hits

As a response to the comments XavierVE ordered Heinrich killed in local:

[22:46:55] XavierVE > Time to die, asshole

The kill order was given fourty-eight seconds after Heinrich had stopped firing.  Heinrich was killed a minute latter at 22:48.

While the order to kill Heinrich was questionable it was not the end of the world.  Several FCs within the bloc have voiced they likely would have made similar decisions and in this matter where supportive of XavierVE's command decisions.  The problems begin in XavierVE's next comment in local.

22:50:34] XavierVE > Heinrich, send me one of your diplos, so I can tell him to put his dick up his own ass. Fly safe

Normal policy on blue on blue incidents is to reimburse the loss.  Initial diplomacy seemed to start out cordially (Ignoring the comments in local) with XavierVE notifying Volt Diplos why he had made the call and a firm refusale to reimburse.  VOLT diplos pushed, requesting the navy omen being reimbursed and requesting a apology over his local comments and tone.  After this point things start to get heated with VOLT threating to name SOUND a public enemy and XavierVE calling VOLT a pile of shit.

With mails flying around it is at this point that diplomats from Sev3rance and CVA get involved trying to calm the situation down.  Early Sunday (28th) morning Equinox officially requested that SOUND repay the omen.  In other discussions he was growing concerned with XaviersVE's attitude towards other diplomats and was concerned that he was going ot have to expell SOUND from the powerbloc because of XavierVE.

Xavier firmly refused

From: XavierVE
Sent: 2013.07.29 22:00
To: Equinox Daedalus,  June Ting,
Hello Equinox,
With all the shit-slinging and drama that VOLT has stirred up over our killing of Heinrich for attacking a neutral alt of CVA's who was in our fleet, we're going to decline repaying the Omen Navy Issue to them. He does not deserve a reimbursement and we will not be providing one.
And yes, we know what that means.
XavierVE
Alliance Leader
Of Sound Mind

In response Equi made the decision to request that SOUND return sov for which they would be fairly compensated.  At the same time a notice was sent out to CVA CEOs to make sure corporations were prepared for a Sov War campaign incase it came to this.  A internal mail was leaked to SOUND which was than forwarded to Equi.

Xaviers final response:

From: XavierVE
Sent: 2013.07.29 22:47
To: Equinox Daedalus,  June Ting,
Hola Equinox,
We've done nothing to provoke the situation. With hostiles on field, I defended my fleet from someone while he smacked at us in local. I would do the same in any situation, no matter who was aggressing. We do not believe in subsidizing bad behavior. 
Our sin is defending a neutral from a hostile, shit-talking, resident of a holder alliance in Providence. That's not the Providence I remember from being a rank newbie to EVE, it's not the Providence that Aralis would be proud of. We have opened our space to neutrals, only to see them shot at again and again when we roam around by "blues." You are going to reset and attack us for defending our fleet and not rewarding people shooting at neutrals. 
What you call abrasive to everyone in leadership roles, I call talking plainly. You don't have to guess with anything my leadership team has ever said. We tell your our position, bluntly. If you want a cadre of weak-kneed leadership types afraid to speak their minds, so be it. It's just not who we are. 
Our position is as it always has been. That we should be left alone to practice NRDS in Providence with the KOS checker as a loyal ally, as we have done for years... and that people who shoot at neutrals in fleets be given no coddling when they whine about the consequences of that act. I'd argue with you extensively about this, but I know your mind is made up. 
It is your right to reset us and attack us if that's what you want to do. We will be in our home until our home is no longer accessible. 
Best wishes,
XavierVE
Alliance Leader
Of Sound Mind
Four hours latter SOUND were set to neutral by CVA and purged from provibloc voice comms and forums.  While standings had been reset to neutral and SOUND had lost most access (they retained regional intel access and access to the internal leadership diplo channel) they had not been made KOS as there were hopes that there still might be a diplomatic solution.  However after the station name change was noted and the banner on their killboard was changed showing that they had an internal spy who was screenshoting comments made by CVA members KOS admins made the decision to finalize the reset and SOUND were set KOS.



As of this moment Operations are happening in the area to remove usability and assets from SOUND systems.  All Provibloc members are encouraged to attend CTAs announced in P-Fleet.

Altogether these recent turn of events have sadden a large number of provi-bloc members.  Many have fond memories of working with SOUND FCs and members.  In the end, a post from another provi-bloc executor probably sums everything up best.

For the record I must state that SOUND are generally great guys, they have done a lot of good around Providence and certainly deserved their place among holders. They have and will always have my respect for their tireless efforts. However, when it comes to the past (few) week(s) there seems to have been a steady decline in diplomatic relations and civility. I was not there to witness it all personally, but from the logs I have seen, the language used by Xavier was fairly colorful. Since then they have blatantly posted screen shots of secure forums on their website, they have renamed their stations to taunt us further... 
It isn't that we don't want to back down... I, and everyone else in leadership, want a peaceful diplomatic solution... However, the choice isn't ours. This escalated in such a way that the ball is now in Xaviers corner... CVA and VOLT diplos did all they could to prevent this... and I still wish they would have succeeded... However, it seems SOUND has their mind set on war... why? no clue... 
If SOUND wants this to end... then they need to return to the table, sit down, and negotiate in a civil manner. They claim that all they want is respect... but the thing is... the way Xavier spoke to his allies... is respect-less... so if they want the respect that they deserve for all their efforts in Providence (because yes, they do deserve respect for that) then they need to, like I said, return to the table, sit down and negotiate in a civil manner. CVA and VOLT are not evil, I know them to be fairly reasonable and respectful... however, when met with a respect-less attitude and verbal abuse for days without end... what else can they do apart from upping the bet? Apart from issuing the ultimatum that was issued... 
So, sadly, unless SOUND returns to the table with a clear intent to end the fighting... no one in this will back down...
Several Edits: Combat logs adjusted after new logs turned in, added more local log.

Codo Yagari Retires as Executor of Yulai Federation


Codo Yagari
Earlier this month Codo Yagari announced his retirement from active executor of Yulai Federation.  Siting fatigue and discomfort Codo reported that he was tired and simply needed a vacation.  Snoodard Thrasy has been appointed temporary executor until the intricately complicated process that is the democratic system of Yulai Federation elects a new executor.

For his retirement destination, Codo has chosen the Cohortes Vigilum corporation of CVA.

Alliance Tournament XI

Its that time of year again.  The alliance tournament XI has been going for two weeks now.  Providence had three alliances participating this year.  Curatores Veritatis Alliance,  Of Sound Mind, and The Fourth District, each have fielded teams during the first two weeks.



Curatores Veritatis Alliance
Day 1 Saturday July 20 Match 3: Curatores Veritatis Alliance vs R.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N. (100-24) Win
Day 2 Sunday July 21 Match 34: Curatores Veritatis Alliance vs The Ronin (41-53) LOSS
Day 3 Saturday July 27 Match 68: Perihelion Alliance vs Curatores Veritatis Alliance (0-100) WIN
Day 4 Sunday July 28 Match 90: Circle of Two vs Curatores Veritatis Alliance (21-100) WIN
Day 4 Sunday July 28 Match 98: Curatores Veritatis Alliance vs Transmission Lost (100-0) WIN

Of Sound Mind

Day 1 Saturday July 20 Match 1: Of Sound Mind vs Your Votes Don't Count (0-100) LOSS
Day 2 Sunday July 21 Match 48: SCUM vs Of Sound Mind (100-26) Loss

The Fourth District

Day 1 Saturday July 20 Match 8: Perihelion Alliance vs The Fourth District (20-100) WIN
Day 2 Sunday July 21 Match 36: Rote Kapelle vs The Fourth District (100-3) LOSS
Day 3 Saturday July 27 Match 66: R.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N. vs The Fourth District (54-26) LOSS

While CVA has advanced through five matches losing only one to The Ronin, at least one fight (Match 68) was thrown by their opponents who MWJD out of the arena.  Latter fights however have shown the CVA team to be a strong contender.  Of Sound Mind fought hard opponents early on and lost their first two matches.  The Fourth District won their first match but lost the second and third matches.  Follow links for specific fight details and youtube video links with commentary.

CVA's next opponent will be SCUM in Match 109 on August 3rd at 15:00.  The winner of that goes on to face Darkside. in Match 113 at 16:00, also on August 3rd.

Provi News wishes to congratulate all the Provi Bloc participants of the Alliance Tournament XI so far and we hope you'll join us in cheering on the CVA team this weekend on Day 4!

Hashu Blog: Summer

Some will probably notice that Provi News got very quiet over the last month or two.  For the first time in several years I can say with confidence that the summer bug bit quite successfully and I have not been around.  That is not to say that nothing has happened as we have seen quite a lot including success in the first two weeks of Alliance Tournament XI as well as a four week campaign by CVA in the Amarr Faction Warfare milita.  Sadly all good times come to an end and unfortunately this one will end more violently as anticipated.  Stay tuned for new news updates from Providence.