oblivioussnaildruid

You're not 'exposing' or 'unmasking' anyone. You're not some intrepid investigator uncovering a big secret - those exist but they're out there in warzones and shedding light on serious problems in the world. You're just sad and mad that someone doesn't like the precious character you hardcore self-inserted into and now you're throwing an 'anonymous' tantrum on the internet but trying to call it something else so it's just thismuch less pathetic.

Please try getting a job, or a new hobby. This is just embarrassing.

Ask yourself: are you trying to mitigate further harm? Have you reached out to the artists affected? Have you discussed the issue with friends or people on the other side of the shipping war who might have known that person or been affected by their actions?

Perhaps a group so hell belt on preserving the morality of this fandom (in this example, screaming about how all Eluciens and Gwynriels are in cahoots with one another for their eeeeeevil and dastardly deeds when it was one specific person stiffing artists) should take a long hard look in the mirror.

Where's the moral purity in harassing companies, again? Or same question, but for people in the fandom whose shipping takes you don't agree with?

Oh, those aren't pertinent enough examples? Okay, what about the lengths certain parties go to to shield individuals who called a character's brutal rape and the murder of her sister 'a bad afternoon'? Or the dozens of shell accounts made for the sole purposes of harassing others in the fandom - again - for shipping takes? Or better yet, impersonating people online and making threats to others in their name? Or threatening SJM's kids if your ship doesn't come true? Or doxxing her friends?

But I guess none of that really counts, or it's all a joke or the blame REALLY lies with us.

The thing is, the rest of us - in this case, Eluciens and Gwynriels - recognize the bad eggs in our midst and warn people off of socializing with them. We ban ours from appreciation weeks and make sure people know the shit they've been up to; I don't see the same thing happening on the other side of the aisle. If it is - that is, if actual, actionable steps have been taken to deal with any of the exceptionally problematic people posting on behalf of the Blameless and Very Real Person Elain Archeron, then great. I'd love to see it. I'll even admit I was mistaken if any proof that that's happened arises.

Because last I checked, deleting one's account still leaves behind IP logs, which are traceable by various legal entities (e.g., cops) assuming they have the means and impetus to do so. Each platform handles how long they keep these logs differently, but the fact remains - anonymity is not guaranteed just because you don't put your real name on something and then try to cover your tracks later. (Or if you, say, use multiple accounts.)

Anyway, some people really need to take a big step back and ask themselves whether a fictional bat's romantic ship is worth dealing with the hassle of being sued, or having the police breathing down their neck. The internet is forever, people.

(note, depending on the name, the letter L has been replaced by /, A by @, T by |, or H by # so I don't clutter feeds or tag people just in case any of these accounts still exist)

/iquidthoughtcenturion - 3 posts

pu/singsceptermartyr - 1 post

originalexi/eenchanter - 1 post

nerdyepochs|ruc|ure - 5 posts

suspicious/ysub/imenar... (name cut off) - 4 posts

profoundparagonf@te - 1 post

nob/eons/aughtkraken - 9 posts (someone was mad that day!)

defi@ntlyvolc@nicw@ve - 1 post

ad@m@ntemperook - 1 post

stoic@bomin@tionlege... (name cut off) - 8 posts (another mad day)

m@liciousvirtuejugger... (name cut off) - 1 post

/ostjesterskull - 1 post

shiny/ey/inedrifter - 4 posts

dre@mily@tomicshape... (name cut off) - 5 posts

/azytro//heretic - 3 posts

viscouspresenceenc#... (name cut off) - 7 posts (mad day again)

m@ximumtriumphaltar - 1 post and today's...

my|hicalvindica|orexp... (name cut off) - 4 posts

That's 60+ posts, 18 fake accounts, and counting. I know for a fact it's more than 60 posts because the ones I didn't screenshot are boring or reposts.

Truly, can we have one - just one! - day without them manufacturing some sort of drama or fake outrage?

Yeah, me neither. 😎

Anyway, here is your PSA that there's a new troll in town, friends. You know the drill: block, report, and rejoice in the fact that we have friends and social lives and don't need to resort to such things.

Apparently, though, there are many folks out there who lack common sense as well as common decency.

You know what to do, Gwynriels and Eluciens: report the posts and account, do not engage with them, block the account, and don't reblog their crap. Make sure that afterwards, you also take comfort and pride in the fact that we're not sad, weird stalkers who need to bully others to feel good about ourselves.

You do not need to answer hateful anons.

You do not need to justify why you like Elucien/Gwynriel to anyone. EVEN if they ask nicely. So much of that side is bad actors acting in bad faith; don't expose yourself to that nonsense. Just block and move on.

See a hateful post in the wrong tags? Report it, block the OP, move on. Do not give them a platform or an audience.

Think of the antis like tantruming toddlers. They feel like they've been given an inch and now want to take a mile; don't give them any ground. :)

Anyone who tells you it isn't - or that you're stupid, or insane, or that you clearly don't understand a character or hate them because you don't agree with them on which characters should be kissing - isn't someone you should be listening to. Or engaging with, for that matter. Curate your dash and take control of what you see and block that stuff when you see it.