Art of War’s Statement to PrincessVR’s Open Letter -

I speak on behalf of all Art of War members in response to Vanessa’s Open Letter posted on May 3, 2007 and reprinted below.

princessvr said: "Nothing is ever really free in this world. Picture if you can Restricted Funds in an online game where no legal obligation exists.

I'd like to request the remainder of the monies I gave to Art of War to use which I had requested to be used for full Guild expansion (whatever that amount may be).

I did give a very specific amount for a very specific reason but perhaps the way I did it was wrong. I was a "new member" probably trying to force an expansion that most of the guild didn't want. I was happy to hear later that the guild expanded some but my motives were definitely not in line with the guild's.

Please discuss it among your guild members and doubtless it will not be an easy decision to make either way but please let me know what you decide. Because I made the gift to AoW and not any particular member of AoW I'm asking for is a rescinding; returning funds to the state of Art of War (or rather a member within AoW) not having those said funds as opposed to having the funds.

I'll say again what I'd been saying during those "expansion" discussions. The money was never meant for you. It was meant for the guild. If not for expansion, there's no other thing I can think of that would benefit the guild's future and the "problem" of what to do with the money would be AoW's. I'd rather take that burden (or responsibility) upon myself.

I've heard some arguments on why AoW should keep the funds. Here are some suggestions:
1) If AoW does decide to expand slightly just ask and I'd give it in a heartbeat,
2) If certain AoW members need financial assistance send me a private message. I'll do what I can to help out and they don't need to ever know it came from me. I'll be hated anyway so it's not my concern.

Thanks always, especially to Jeff and Allen and others who made me feel welcome in the guild.

Jenny, if you have the funds, please find a way to contact me and let me know your decision and let's put this to rest.

There's nothing I can really do to force AoW to give the money back but if you do decide to keep it then just assume you won 65 million through a drop game. Will I feel scammed if the mesos are not returned? Probably, but we all have to live with our decisions no matter how foolish.

-V"

First, we would like to express our deep disappointment in the method Vanessa chose to approach us about this issue. Throughout our discussions, we have continued to maintain open lines of communication with her. In fact, I exchanged friendly emails with her only three days prior to the posting. Vanessa’s decision to write a public letter is unprofessional and unwarranted considering the respect we have given her in all past communications. We see the posting as a deliberate attempt to slander our guild name. We work hard to maintain our guild and only follow the highest standards of professionalism in guild operations and business. Please see our Guild History and Rules for more information.

Second, we would like to establish the facts of past interactions with Vanessa. Jeff (StealJenny), Allen (L0ST0UTCAST), other Junior Masters, guild members, and I had numerous exchanges with Vanessa in-game for many months prior to this posting. In late March when Nexon released the patch allowing guilds to be expanded to 100 slots, Jeff and I were contacted by Vanessa, who wanted to join the guild and donate 65 million mesos. We were surprised and refused the donation. Art of War does not sell slots to the highest bidder. Trial invitations have always been free, so we offered one to Vanessa. She accepted the invitation; however, on the issue of the donation, she specifically stated, “I will not take no for an answer.” Jeff asked explicitly, “What if we do not use the money for expansion?” Vanessa responded in the following manner and to similar effect: “If you don’t use it to expand, it is okay. It is your money, and you can decide what you want to do with it.” We did not agree to accept Vanessa’s donation until we were sure about this statement.

Art of War consults all members regarding decisions that will affect the guild as a whole. We had lengthy discussions about how much we wanted to expand to. As a result, we made a few expansions, but the funds used were not taken from Vanessa’s donation. These were funds that had previously been set aside. Discussions within the guild continue to this day as to whether we want to expand further.

Vanessa quit Art of War after a single week, and we subsequently removed her from our Profil3 page. On April 25, 2007, I received the following message from Vanessa through Profil3. No arguments can be made against me for making this short message public. Vanessa has taken the first step in bringing this issue into the public eye. Art of War only wants to make its case clear.

princessvr said: "Jenny,

Please talk it over with the guild. I've heard that the AoW decided to expand a bit which is great.

If there's any mesos left over from the 65 mil that you feel you would like to give back I think I can
take it back now. If you decide to keep the rest of the mesos that's fine too and I won't feel bad
with either decision.

There's nothing left for me in the game other than earning mesos and taking care of my cousins.

Vanessa"

The statement, “If you decide to keep the rest of the mesos that’s fine too and I won’t feel bad with either decision,” solidifies her earlier statement to Jeff that Art of War could use or not use the donation for purposes of expansion.

The statement, “If there’s any mesos left over from the 65 mil that you feel you would like to give back I think I can take it back now,” is antithetical to the principle of gift giving. Art of War received an unconditional gift from Vanessa. Recipients of an unconditional gift do not reasonably expect to return them to the giver. Simply, any rational Mapler would not return a legitimately received gift of 65 million mesos.

Therefore, it has been established from the facts that Vanessa offered Art of War an unconditional gift, which Art of War accepted. Based on the facts and based on principle, Art of War has no obligation whatsoever to return any funds to Vanessa. Any future donations (unconditional gifts) will not be returned. Regardless, Art of War does not want any problems like this hampering guild operations in the future. Thus, we are giving Vanessa the option of having her money returned.

We give Vanessa two options and corresponding courses of action to follow:
1. If she does not want her money returned, then she cannot contact any members of Art of War regarding this issue at any time in the future.
2. If she wants her money returned, then she must contact me or StealJenny in game and specifically state: “I want my 65 million mesos returned.” We will meet at an appropriate location, and 65 million mesos will be exchanged through the trade window. Money lost through taxes will not be reimbursed. Any contact outside of the game will not be recognized.

Sincerely,

Jenny (wyldekiwi)