I got a warning and the lack of communication is unacceptable.

[AvantGrade]

So I log in after renewing my sub and retainers to see this strange flashing notice at the top of my screen to find out its a note I have to open from the main menu. What I see is a very generic copy-paste notice that I have been emailed and I apparently harassed someone on 6-28-22 (today) even though the last time I played was the evening before. Further down it further described that I said a bad word.

Now, I have been playing this game since ARR came out, and I have never been notified that anything I have ever said or done was harassment (I don't pick on people, I try to help, but yes, sometimes I make sarcastic comments and if some random person somehow finds offense I apologize and move on, as attempting to explain yourself to someone who finds something offensive is pointless).

I then went to my email to see if there was more information, only to find the same generic statement. It was very clear that there was no way for me to talk to anyone about it, review the log that was used to make the decision, nor was there a way to know who it was that did this "review" and made this decision to give my account a warning.

I have always been careful to keep my language and style of commentary when joking about in parties or alliances to the same level that NPCs in the game express themselves.

Instead, what I am given is a copy-paste email with NO explanation, NO chance for a conversation with the person who took this action, or any idea of why I'm suddenly being targeted for a complaint. I don't want to know who filed the complaint as I don't care, but I do think its important to give people a chance to talk about it. This is a punitive system with no due process and it is unfair. Not to mention the only fact given (the date that the supposed harassment occurred) was during a time I was asleep, and I hadn't logged in until the next evening.

What has me most frustrated, however, is the complete lack of ability to reach out to anyone to even get clarification. So now I am left with a feeling that it's best just not to say anything outside of "howdy" and "gg" anytime I'm interacting with anyone on this game...even when other people are having non-13-year-old conversations as randomly defined by whichever person gets a complaint.

The lack of consistency in the application of rules is an issue. The concept that "Well, it just matters on the person taking offense, but we'll review the comment in context" is clearly not what happened here, as far as I can tell.

[Necrotica]

Probably just got an activist GM. They are infecting everything lately.

Don't let it get to you. Just remember to actively employ sarcasm with all insults so people can't prove you did it.

Honestly I just love the GM's so much for their totally fair, unbiased, well reasoned, and rational decisions.

[FudoMyoo]

u can voice out by un-subbing.

[Risvertasashi]

What has me most frustrated, however, is the complete lack of ability to reach out to anyone to even get clarification. So now I am left with a feeling that it's best just not to say anything outside of "howdy" and "gg" anytime I'm interacting with anyone on this game...even when other people are having non-13-year-old conversations as randomly defined by whichever person gets a complaint.

Unfortunately, some have been playing the game like that for a long time - especially since, until recently, SE would consider a warning on your account from close to a decade ago the same as if it happened yesterday, and so the next minor complaint would have an escalated punishment.

Pragmatically, it's best to just socialize on discord or, at least, among well-known friends. Best to keep the PF/DF groups at arm's length.

[SturmChurro]

I got a warning for "grief tactics" that I didn't even notice I had for several days, earlier this year. They never sent me anything giving me an idea what I supposedly did that prompted the "grief tactics" warning - even after I attempted an appeal (that took quite awhile for them to even get back to me). Unfortunately, this will be on your account for the next few years, as far as I am aware, I'd be even more careful if I was you with what you do or say in-game. It will lead to a strike (which lasts for 7 years now?) and probably a 10-day suspension.

[DixieBellOCE]

Best option: Don't talk to anyone outside of your FC and trusted friends.

This games lack of communication on issues is terrible, and stems from the JP mentality that you MAY work out who reported you and go harass them.

Game is filled with Snowflakes and they CAN and WILL report you for doing ANYTHING.

[IkaraGreydancer]

Just saying...how exactly do we know any of this is true?

[Avoidy]

This right here is why I just say hi and bye in instances unless I'm hyper and popping off or I'm in a group that's all friends.
People will be offended by something fairly minor or maybe even something innocuous heard out of context. Then they'll say nothing to you about it to clear things up; they'll just report it. Later, you'll get a permanent strike on your account and then your only recourse is to just deal with it. The GM won't even tell you what you did wrong so you can avoid doing it again in the future. Welcome to the great community.

[Soge01]

I'm glad to be an introvert.

[MintnHoney]

Just saying...how exactly do we know any of this is true?

We don't, but neither can we know that it isn't true.
I'd rather operate that under the assumption that things are done with the best intentions in mind, however, so I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt until I find something suspect.

To which, I say: OP, in a game where even healing can be considered griefing under the right circumstances (after all, if someone wants to die from standing in AOEs, and you deny them, you are denying them their subscription-paid right to die and play the way they want to), if you must say anything, say it once, say it with both levity and sarcasm, or say it in code, or else resist the temptation up close and mock from afar.