Fellow Crack Den Roleplayers,

It has come to my attention that there is a growing severity in OOC punishment amongst recruits in factions, specifically gangs, that must be addressed.

I chose the "Gang Discussion" handle on the forums to post this in considering this is specifically a gang related situation, however it can happen in any other faction: employees in businesses, the HPD, etc...

In just the last month, I have heard of more than one case, involving more than one gang, going to cruel lengths to bar an individual from their gang. I'll share two different examples. The information here is of my perspective of the situations. Perhaps there truly is more to it, and the removal is justified. Perhaps there isn't, and it's a severe punishment. Either way, here are the two examples:

Incident A: This recruit is literally set up to fail. This recruit is given vague instructions in character from high ranking members of their gang. Obviously willing to prove their worth, this recruit completes the task(s) in roleplay to the best of their ability, only to return to roleplay with infuriated superiors of their gang for their actions. This would be understandable, had the superiors of their gang not been contradicting themselves, as they specifically roleplayed instructing this recruit to commit said actions. This continues, until finally, the recruit got tired of being slandered for their efforts to prove their worth in RP and left the gang.

Incident B: This recruit is not only punished severely, but removed from their gang. While this recruit might have done questionable actions, their loyalty to their gang was always apparent in their roleplay. Based off a rumor being spread in roleplay, this recruit is not only publically humiliated and attacked in roleplay, but they are removed from the gang. What is concerning about this situation is:

1. the lack of opportunities at redeeming themselves via roleplay,

and 2. the lack of roleplay etiquette.

This recruit should have had a warning of impending removal and a chance to redeem themselves should the matter be drastic enough to warrant this type of action. The lack of roleplay etiquette is concerning because a removal from a gang should always be reserved as a last resort, unless the behavior of the roleplay character is consistent and to the point of betrayal motives.

According to this gang, it was a decision made involving the entire gang.  From what I understand, it was verbalized that there is no OOC incentive involved in this decision. Again, this decision was based off of something fictitious in (roleplay) nature. This is concerning because, as roleplayers, we're not here to win. We're here to roleplay.  Being a former gang leader myself, I know for a fact that a majority of members in a gang faction will typically vouch for what their lead says and does.  While this is fine, it ultimately leads to rash decisions such as these.

I am open to all of your praise and criticisms. Like grown adults in a flourishing community of talented individuals, let's discuss this matter to ensure the best future possible scenarios occur in the name of roleplay.  My goal in posting this, is to point out what I see as a significant problem and address it accordingly.  Banning a recruit from a gang is a severe move, and should always be justified by severe actions from the offending recruit.

What do you think?  When should a gang consider removing a recruit?  Should there be specific OOC guidelines laid out on the official website for a recruit to follow?