>Right now we mostly try to judge these characters on their
>merits as best we can, which pisses off people playing
>underdog characters. If we steadfastly refused to reward
>whoever's winning, we'd piss off the people playing those
>characters. I genuinely don't know how to make people happy
>on this one and if someone comes up with a solution I'll
>listen to it.

Reward both sides. Maybe unerdogs didn't deserve so many rewards as, for instance, Eachainn have, but at least something they DO deserve.

For example, I'm big fan of Eleagra. What did she gain, in comparsion with Eachainn? Or village leaders? Third legacy? No, never. Special edges, except for Orderly financier? No. Tittle - stripped for being strong and fair. And etc... You dislike russian players, it' obvious. But his char is brilliant, and everyone knows that. Yes, maybe he isn't best english speaker ever, but he puts crazy ####oad of effort into his character - and he is roleplaying way better than many english speaking players I've met while I've been playing.

Open their characters - Eachainn and Eleagra's and compare their rewards. Compare power of those rewards. Check those who you imm-anathemized for their forum persona. This is also what Cyradia have been talking about - if person did something wrong on the forums, he is anathema to the immortals and won't receive anything but punishments. I sincerely hope you will look at it with the new look and change how you treat their characters IN GAME.

About hate and such: I truly respect you as a person who keep CF going, and I value your investment into CF during all those years. Only if you would analyze this situation and see what is wrong, insteadof blaming everyone else except for your self - you would be PRICELESS imm.