Unban Appeal - Hek_unban - GTA RP

[Hek_unban]

Server: GTA RP
Character Name: Hektor Armstrong
Steam ID: 76561198115726246
Ban ID (just the numbers): 15073
Ban Reason: C1.6
Why do you think you were banned: Decline in behaviour in Discord and OOC.
Why should we unban you: Happy to new year to all reading.

I was banned in late 2023 under C1.6 for disruptive and disrespectful behaviour across numerous discord servers, including RPUK and private servers, as well as this, I also created and published a video which inappropriately mocked an incredibly serious situation that had recently occurred on the server, which affected numerous members of the community. Since being banned, I've written three appeals in an attempt to be unbanned, however all three were denied.

Having been banned for over a year, I've had a large amount of time to reflect on the situation and my behaviour leading up to it. I fully understand how my behaviour was disruptive and the impact it caused on the members affected by the original situation. As well as this, I completely understand the severity of the situation, and the ban I have received, a C1.6 ban is not something that the staff team hand out lightly, and I am committed to putting things right.

I can understand that the staff members reviewing this appeal will want to understand how I plan to put this situation right. My plan is to go back to my old ways, prior to my decline in behaviour on the server. Prior to my ban, I had been apart of the community for three years, with countless hours poured into the server across numerous factions, groups and making some incredible friends. Throughout this time, I had a clean record (excluding a few warns across the years), I put lots of effort into the server, the roleplay, the story-making and development and that is something I wish to return to doing, but at an even higher level.

I've had the experiences playing across numerous groups and factions and experiencing many parts of the server that a lot of people wont, it's something I'm incredibly grateful for, and something I do wish to continue, especially with the Lost MC. Prior to my ban, I had been a member of the Lost MC for nearly a year, being apart of numerous incredibly roleplay storylines and scenarios. My character, Hektor Armstrong, was a character I put an immense amount of time into and is something I feel I can strongly build and develop, creating numerous enjoyable, roleplay filled scenarios for members of the Lost MC and also the wider community, I've had numerous ideas on some fun storylines that I could work on if I were allowed to return, especially as my character is currently a Nomad within the Lost MC, I feel its an incredibly unique situation that can create some incredible roleplay.

As well as my character Hektor, I've had numerous other characters like Titus Orion, Mortimer Washington and so many more that I've created which I feel have highlighted my roleplaying abilities on the server and show evidence to the staff team and community of my ability to roleplay in a variety of roles, situations and storylines which I feel is something I can bring to the server upon my hopeful return and use a benefit toward the server, in making situations more enjoyable and immersive.

I've mentioned in a previous appeal that I understand for the staff members reviewing my application, it would be a risk to unban me and I do completely understand that this is the case, because of my actions previously, but I do wish to work with the staff team to mitigate this risk. As many say, actions speak louder than words and I understand that anyone can write a good looking appeal, but not have the intentions they say they do, but I would like to show staff with my actions on the server and within RPUK-Related discords in the previous months that I intend to do as I say on the server, to return to what I do best and roleplay, at the highest possible standard that I can.

Reflecting on the situation that led to me being banned, I was relatively frustrated with the server at the time, due to situations on-going within the server that I felt at the time were not being dealt with correctly, which in hindsight was completely wrong. Due to this frustration, I decided to take a step away from the server, and during my time away, I created a video which I had originally intended to be a reflection on the great times I've had on the server, however during this process, my frustration got the better of me and I created clips that was completely inappropriate, some directed at the wider staff team and some at specific members of the community who had been affected by an incredibly scummy situation from banned members of the community roughly one month prior.

I completely understand in hindsight how inappropriate and unthoughtful it was for me to create and upload these clips, especially due to the fact some of the clips created were directed at members and staff of the community, especially as everyone is simply here to have a good time and staff members are volunteers, taking up their own time to help facilitate everyone to have such a great time. The video was deleted many months ago and it something I'd never go back to creating. I've mentioned about the time I've had to reflect, which has also allowed me to reflect on how I'd approach a situation like this if it were to occur again if I were to return. Ultimately, if I'd gotten to a point of frustration like I had previously, I'd take a step-back from the server and community as a whole. I feel although I had stepped back from the server last time, I still involved myself heavily with the community in private, which allowed my frustration to grow, stepping away completely would allow me to simply forget this situation and move past it.

If I were to return, I do wish to note that I would not play to the extent I had previously, due to many commitments outside of the server, however, this doesn't mean I'm going to be an inactive member of the community or anything of the sort, if I am to be unbanned, I intend to play as much as possible, commitments aside.

I do hope the staff members reviewing this can see that I do intend on putting things right. Have a great evening/day etc.
Please confirm that you have read the unban appeal process and rules: Yes

 

[Aiden]

Having been banned for over a year, I've had a large amount of time to reflect on the situation and my behaviour leading up to it. I fully understand how my behaviour was disruptive and the impact it caused on the members affected by the original situation. As well as this, I completely understand the severity of the situation, and the ban I have received, a C1.6 ban is not something that the staff team hand out lightly, and I am committed to putting things right

Have you reached out to the players you affected, how did they respond to you? What learning have you done in response to that reflection upon the situation, how has it changed the basis in which you behave?

I can understand that the staff members reviewing this appeal will want to understand how I plan to put this situation right. My plan is to go back to my old ways, prior to my decline in behaviour on the server. Prior to my ban, I had been apart of the community for three years, with countless hours poured into the server across numerous factions, groups and making some incredible friends. Throughout this time, I had a clean record (excluding a few warns across the years), I put lots of effort into the server, the roleplay, the story-making and development and that is something I wish to return to doing, but at an even higher level.

I've had the experiences playing across numerous groups and factions and experiencing many parts of the server that a lot of people wont, it's something I'm incredibly grateful for, and something I do wish to continue, especially with the Lost MC. Prior to my ban, I had been a member of the Lost MC for nearly a year, being apart of numerous incredibly roleplay storylines and scenarios. My character, Hektor Armstrong, was a character I put an immense amount of time into and is something I feel I can strongly build and develop, creating numerous enjoyable, roleplay filled scenarios for members of the Lost MC and also the wider community, I've had numerous ideas on some fun storylines that I could work on if I were allowed to return, especially as my character is currently a Nomad within the Lost MC, I feel its an incredibly unique situation that can create some incredible roleplay.

7 of your 8 warnings were in 2023, starting in January, up til then in your time on the server you only had 1 note for your conduct as a police officer with a prisoner back in 2022. The thing that changed was that you joined The Lost in January of 2023, noted by a few people including Lost members you became incredibly cocky, your notes include silly behaviour in OOC, warning for RDM, accusing a staff member playing as a police officer of being in god mode out loud, in RP (they weren't), then subsequently the situation that got you banned. It is my opinion that a return to The Lost MC wouldn't be a good thing environment for you, given those statistics.

I've mentioned in a previous appeal that I understand for the staff members reviewing my application, it would be a risk to unban me and I do completely understand that this is the case, because of my actions previously, but I do wish to work with the staff team to mitigate this risk. As many say, actions speak louder than words and I understand that anyone can write a good looking appeal, but not have the intentions they say they do, but I would like to show staff with my actions on the server and within RPUK-Related discords in the previous months that I intend to do as I say on the server, to return to what I do best and roleplay, at the highest possible standard that I can.

Those are all very nice words, and nice platitudes, my question is how? How do you plan to work with staff to mitigate risk? How do I know you mean what you say? How do you intend to roleplay?

Reflecting on the situation that led to me being banned, I was relatively frustrated with the server at the time, due to situations on-going within the server that I felt at the time were not being dealt with correctly, which in hindsight was completely wrong. Due to this frustration, I decided to take a step away from the server, and during my time away, I created a video which I had originally intended to be a reflection on the great times I've had on the server, however during this process, my frustration got the better of me and I created clips that was completely inappropriate, some directed at the wider staff team and some at specific members of the community who had been affected by an incredibly scummy situation from banned members of the community roughly one month prior.

I completely understand in hindsight how inappropriate and unthoughtful it was for me to create and upload these clips, especially due to the fact some of the clips created were directed at members and staff of the community, especially as everyone is simply here to have a good time and staff members are volunteers, taking up their own time to help facilitate everyone to have such a great time. The video was deleted many months ago and it something I'd never go back to creating. I've mentioned about the time I've had to reflect, which has also allowed me to reflect on how I'd approach a situation like this if it were to occur again if I were to return. Ultimately, if I'd gotten to a point of frustration like I had previously, I'd take a step-back from the server and community as a whole. I feel although I had stepped back from the server last time, I still involved myself heavily with the community in private, which allowed my frustration to grow, stepping away completely would allow me to simply forget this situation and move past it.

What is there to stop you getting to the same level of frustration? What assurances can you give that you wouldn't do it again? It's nice to say you'd step away fully but by your own admission you stepped away the last time and still did it, you're still surrounded by the same groups of people who are all still talking about the server because its your common interest. Hopefully your commitments outside the server would lend a hand to that but it still leaves me wondering, what if?

Also I'm told you seem pretty confident that you're getting unbanned and have said as much in Discord, how do you figure that?

 

[Hek_unban]

Good Evening Aiden, hope you're doing well.

Have you reached out to the players you affected, how did they respond to you? What learning have you done in response to that reflection upon the situation, how has it changed the basis in which you behave?

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to reach out to all players affected by what I did, this is mostly due to the fact that I am unable to recall the people that were mentioned in the original video that I’d mocked, if I were to somehow find a list or something of the sort of those who were in the original video, I’d be most happy to reach out. However, I have messaged Stavik and Charles regarding the situation. Unfortunately, I didn't get a reply from either, however I did speak to Charles over VC partially, I believe between my first and second ban appeal, explaining my intentions if I were to be allowed to return.

I am aware Charles was not involved in the original video that I’d mocked, however, having a member of your faction banned does mean most likely mean he’d have some questions asked of him etc.

In reflection of the situation that led to me being banned from the community, I realised that at the time of creating the video, I never considered how my actions would affect others, whether that be those from the previous video or those that I am affiliated with within the community, for instance, the Lost MC. I created those clips with the intention of being funny, a good laugh for mates etc, and at the time, never considered the consequences or effects on people. This has changed the basis in my behaviour to ensure that I not only consider the consequences/effects of my behaviour on other people, but also to take things slow and allow myself sufficient time to think about what I’m doing, E.g - “Is what I am doing right?” etc.

7 of your 8 warnings were in 2023, starting in January, up til then in your time on the server you only had 1 note for your conduct as a police officer with a prisoner back in 2022. The thing that changed was that you joined The Lost in January of 2023, noted by a few people including Lost members you became incredibly cocky, your notes include silly behaviour in OOC, warning for RDM, accusing a staff member playing as a police officer of being in god mode out loud, in RP (they weren't), then subsequently the situation that got you banned. It is my opinion that a return to The Lost MC wouldn't be a good thing environment for you, given those statistics.

I can completely understand you’re opinion, especially with the context of my warns in mind. I’ve taken deep thought into why this is the case, what caused a decline in my behaviour across the server while being a member in the Lost MC. I personally think it boils down to a few things, throughout the near entirety of 2023, as numerous members of staff and the Lost MC will tell you, the Lost MC was an incredibly toxic environment, both in character and out of character. Throughout this time, there was a lot of toxicity from members, including myself, OOC and IC towards gangs, staff members and other members of the Lost MC. Personally, I believe this had a major part on my mindset toward the server at the time, surrounding myself with members within the lost and outside of the lost who were fairly toxic and in my opinion in reflection, not playing the server for the correct reasons. I would like to clarify, this isn't an attempt to deflect blame, ultimately, I chose to spend time with them and I chose myself to make the actions I made, however I do feel this may have influenced my mentality toward the server at this time.

As far as I know, to the limited knowledge I have of the current state of the Lost MC, this isn't the case anymore, I know that the Lost MC is now under new leadership from two members of the Lost MC who I personally I think are the best at what they do.

In my personal opinion, I do think that the Lost MC would be a good environment for me to return to, which I understand is not the answer you wish to read. My character, Hektor, is currently a Nomad within the Lost MC, which is something I requested prior to this situation occurring. I don’t intend to return back to the Los Santos Chapter, I do wish to stay as a nomad for some time, creating some roleplay stories as a Nomad, experiencing that unique role and developing my character. This would ultimately mean that I would not have the responsibility of a full-patched member of the Lost MC and I would not be involved in any form of votes and would be under the scrutiny of all members of the club. I do hope to eventually return to the Los Santos Chapter, which would mean I would have to undergo a vote to return, with all members present at said vote needing to vote yes. This means that I would be under scrutiny upon return of not only the staff team, but also the Lost MC as a whole, who themselves contain staff members, dev team and well respected members of the community.

This is why I personally think the Lost MC would be a good environment for me to return to, I feel the members would be perfectly honest with myself and the staff team if they did not see an improvement of any form in my behaviour etc, whereas I feel this would not be as heavily noticed if I were to be un-affiliated or apart of a large-scale faction like the Police or NHS.

Those are all very nice words, and nice platitudes, my question is how? How do you plan to work with staff to mitigate risk? How do I know you mean what you say? How do you intend to roleplay?

Throughout my time on the server, I’ve seen numerous conditions placed on members returning into the community, for example, temporary character-locking, restrictions on being able to hold positions of significance (E.g - Lost MC Committee in my case, or even returning to the chapter for that case), and more, in order to prove to the staff team that they are returning for the correct reasons and have the intentions they say they do. When I mention working with staff to mitigate the risk, this would be it. I’d be happy to accept conditions deemed fit, like having to play another character for a certain time or having to stay nomad for a set period (this is my intention regardless).

As for how you know I mean what I say, I do hope that the effort shown across my 4 appeals reflect my intention to return, the time spent into making them and the time taken to respond to you this evening for example, as well as that, as mentioned in my appeal, my behaviour in discords prior to my appeals. All I can do, and have done is be honest across my appeals and I am 100% committed into putting things right and want to prove that with my actions.

Something else I’m not the most proud of was my lack of character development/story toward the end of my time on the server, some of my best times on the server have came as a result of character development, as you’re well aware with Titus originally starting as a solicitor and eventually joining the Firm etc. Ultimately, I think re-creating characters over and over resulted in a burn out in relation to really gunning to develop a character and come up with those unique scenarios I had once came up with. This is something that has re-ignited, and something I wish to explore once again if I can return. Ultimately, I can’t tell you exactly how I intend to roleplay as I can imagine the server is completely different to when I originally played it, however, my intention (If allowed to return as Hektor), as mentioned is to stay as a Nomad for quite some time, with such a wide-variety of unique roleplay being available, I feel its an ideal scenario for me to come up with these ideas I used to. Within roleplay, Hektor raised a vote to go nomad within the Lost MC back in December 2023 (I believe) and hasn’t been heard from since, which is something that would be incredible rare, usually a member would at least contact his brothers from his home chapter, but that hasn't been the case.(Of course due to the ban), But I feel this allows me to create a unique storyline as to where Hektor has been, whether this be something that was positive/negative to Hektor, I haven't thought of, but it would also provide an in-roleplay explanation for the change in previously hot-headed character Hektor was, I ultimately intend to have a more laid-back type style with my character, less involved as previously before, where Hektor wanted to know the ins and outs of everything on going. This would also help with the previous issues of being frustrated with on-goings with the server as I would not be involving myself in these situations as heavily as before. If I had to describe this best, I’d describe it similar to the characters Reginald Smith and Nikolai Belski (Hektor’s sponsor) within the server, especially as Nikolai was Hektor’s sponsor.

A scenario I have thought of is that Hektor during his time as a nomad has become intrigued by the Lost MC’s history and set out on a journey across the country discovering more about the club and it’s history, taking the values he’s learnt from original members and adapting them into the way he approaches situations etc.

What is there to stop you getting to the same level of frustration? What assurances can you give that you wouldn't do it again? It's nice to say you'd step away fully but by your own admission you stepped away the last time and still did it, you're still surrounded by the same groups of people who are all still talking about the server because its your common interest. Hopefully your commitments outside the server would lend a hand to that but it still leaves me wondering, what if?

The assurances I can give are that I will have this entire situation in mind, what happened previously, the amount of time I’ve had to take to return and also the time of others that had to be spent allowing the opportunity of my return. This is something I’d ultimately not be able to forget when on the server, and if I were becoming frustrated etc again, it’s something that would immediately slap me in the face and remind me of what that path has lead to before.

You mention my commitments and as an insight, I am currently working, running my own business and I am studying at the same time, compared to when I was originally playing at the time of my ban, I did not have as many commitments to step away to, I’d still be there at my pc and looking for things to do, whereas now I have numerous things I can step away and do, all of which would take my mind off any situation which may have frustrated me etc.

Also I'm told you seem pretty confident that you're getting unbanned and have said as much in Discord, how do you figure that?

This is correct, I’ve told members that I am fairly confident with my chances of being allowed to return to the community. Ultimately, I wouldn’t be here replying or writing the numerous appeals if I didn't have some form of belief I may be allowed to return. I certainly have not returned with blind confidence, I am well aware of the fact that this appeal, and the ones previous to it may be denied and I may never be given a chance to appeal again, however personally knowing my intentions to return and roleplay and the determination I have toward this, I do feel a sense of confidence.

I feel another factor may also be that I’ve been apart of the community for quite some time prior to my removal, throughout this time I members who I’d personally argue were repeat offenders or a second chance for example. This is another reason I feel I may be allowed that second chance.


Have a good upcoming week.

 

[Aiden]

I am unable to recall the people that were mentioned in the original video that I’d mocked

Good try, think harder, otherwise this will simply be denied.

This has changed the basis in my behaviour to ensure that I not only consider the consequences/effects of my behaviour on other people, but also to take things slow and allow myself sufficient time to think about what I’m doing, E.g - “Is what I am doing right?” etc.

Could you give me an example of a situation where this has occurred since you've been banned?

I personally think it boils down to a few things, throughout the near entirety of 2023, as numerous members of staff and the Lost MC will tell you, the Lost MC was an incredibly toxic environment, both in character and out of character. Throughout this time, there was a lot of toxicity from members, including myself, OOC and IC towards gangs, staff members and other members of the Lost MC

I definitely could tell you this, could you give me examples of the persons and behaviour that would lead to this conclusion? So far as I can tell since you've been banned the Lost is only down one member, and I doubt that one person could be solely responsible for this toxicity.

Why did you not report this toxicity at the time?

In my personal opinion, I do think that the Lost MC would be a good environment for me to return to, which I understand is not the answer you wish to read.

It's not really an answer, nor did I ask a question on whether or not you believed it. It was my opinion, backed up and evidenced by your behaviour and interactions with staff during that time period. I will state outright now there is 0 chance you will return to the Lost MC if you were to get unbanned, as you already allege the Lost has progressed to be less toxic, since you've been banned. Once again it is therefore my opinion that adding you into that mix would not be a good idea to maintain the atmosphere and environment you state it has become.

Something else I’m not the most proud of was my lack of character development/story toward the end of my time on the server, some of my best times on the server have came as a result of character development

Which characters would you say fall short of this bar, and how you would you say they've failed to develop?


In reading through your LOOC, OOC, and /me logs that are relevant to your behaviour, you have a tendency to use the terms "retarded" and "nonce" flippantly both internally and externally to the Lost.

12/11/2023, 20:52:27

Hektor Armstrong

498

im getting the word... nonce

02/11/2023, 01:48:38

Hektor Armstrong

955

Must hurt being that retarded

02/11/2023, 01:47:05

Hektor Armstrong

955

throws up a sign saying the guy in the boot is a fat retard

01/11/2023, 22:39:54

Hektor Armstrong

543

had to spend time with jack today so probably more retarded

22/10/2023, 04:54:40

Hektor Armstrong

1225

REVIVE ME YOU NONCE

01/10/2023, 20:36:06

Hektor Armstrong

433

donny you look like a right nonce

Your thoughts on that?

Furthermore, what did you mean by this?

01/11/2023, 22:35:34

Hektor Armstrong

543

hektor doesnt die, gee gonna put me in a tron suit before i respawn

 

[Hek_unban]

Good Evening Aiden,

I'd love to be able to give you the answers you desire, and get this resolved so that we can get this resolved and I can return to the server and go through with my intentions of roleplaying and putting in a lots of effort towards said roleplay. Unfortunately, I am unable to recall the names of those affected from the video that was posted back in 2023, nor am I am able to recall the context to my LOOC messages from over a year ago aswell.

I appreciate the time you and the other staff team have taken to respond to this and my previous appeals.

 

[Aiden]

Denied