*New wing for FUN: the FUN continues!*

Greetings everyone. I have been quite flattered to hear some votes of confidence for myself and V-la. I have tried to be reasonable and as open as possible with people.

Even well before it was suggested, I was already talking with V-la and all the other FUN leaders and where to go from here and we have reached a consensus.

We are going to be re-starting a 3rd FUN wing. This is not simply going back to the old FUN, but is a new wing. It will be called FUN Real (FUN*R). And V-la (BIG.BOSS) and myself will be co-leaders.

It will be based on the four fundamental principles of FUN:
1) Trust. Without trust, we are nothing. It is our most basic asset. It is something that has to be earned; it has to grow and be nurtured. We will do all that we can to help re-build trust after some very tumultuous times. I truly believe that the future for FUN is very bright. Fear not - we have great things up ahead.

2) Communication. Both V-la and I believe in communicating clearly, respectfully and honestly. We will be sending plenty of MMs and will expect members to read them and respond where necessary. We expect members to be respectful even when they feel they are being disrespected.

3) Activity. We will not be an alliance for farms or simmers. We will be growing and helping one another. You will need to have a sitter and be a sitter. You will need to be building troops and helping with operations. We will not be carrying dead weight.

4) Stronghold. This is a great strategy at the heart of FUN. We are committed to being a wing of FUN, fully loyal to all other FUN members. All members will have to focus on the stronghold goals and be willing to lose non-stronghold villages (not without a fight, of course).

There are still many details to be worked out. But if that sounds like your cup of tea, then please contact V-la or myself. Be patient while some dust settles.

As for other leaders stepping down, I think this is both unnecessary and very unwise. It is unnecessary because although the problems were caused by two sides, it was one side who broke FUN. It is extremely unwise because V-la and myself *cannot* do this on our own. We need to be part of a team. Changing an entire team mid-way is crazy. This is not a revolution, it is a reformation. V-la and myself are quite capable of standing up for our judgements and expressing ourselves to the other leaders. You know that we are not puppets. Yet we also respect the other leaders: Cursez, VAO, Dootzkie and EAM. We would like you to do so as well.

I am very happy to talk to anyone here on in private to answer questions, though I am just about to go out to dinner with my lovely wife. So it might have to wait a few hours.

Peace,
Byron (BGS)

This is an outline of the current policies of FUN*R to help people see how the four foundational principles (trust, communication, activity, stronghold) apply to daily activity. Where I say "we", I include all members of FUN*R, which of course includes the leaders as members too. Failure to follow these policies will result in one of the following (depending on the severity of the breach):
• receiving a warning
• a resource penalty/compensation
• being kicked
• being kicked, banned and farmed

Some failures are more significant than others. Breaches of trust are the generally the most severe problems, as trust is our most valuable asset. Not all failure is final. Most of the time, an apology and a change in behaviour may be all that is necessary.

1) Trust.
Policies:
• It is right and good to form friendships during the course of the game yet all members' primary loyalty is to the FUN alliance, not this wing or to particular individuals within this wing or other wings.
• We treat each other with respect, and this includes all members across all FUN wings. Even where you feel that you are not being treated with respect, we will show respect and civility.
• We will apologise when we have done something wrong or hurt someone, and work towards rebuilding trust where possible.
• In the case of an ongoing dispute (not sorted out between the players immediately), this is to be brought to the attention of leaders, whose considered decision is to be followed. We may question the decision and try to persuade the leader, but not endlessly.
• We will not reveal sensitive information to anyone outside the FUN alliance.

2) Communication
Policies:
• We respond to IGMs that require responses.
• We register for the forums (whether these ones, or the new backup ones that are being developed if Nikani leaders will not allow us back into these ones) and keep an eye on what is going on there.
• We read and follow MMs from leaders.
• We have registered for and update our troop counts regularly on Troop Tool.
• We revise policies where needed. Policies that are out of date, too harsh, too lenient, missing or superfluous are to be suggested to leaders. Policies are able to be altered if leaders are persuaded of the benefit of doing so.
• We will ask questions where any policy is unclear, or where we do not know how some aspect of the game works.

3) Activity
Policies:
• No yellow dots. Red dots are of course fine, because we have just gained a new farm.
• We have a sitter and are a sitter for at least one other player in the alliance, preferably two. No exceptions.
• We grow at a good speed.
• We build troops of one primary kind (offensive or defensive) in a single village (once you have more than 10 villages, you may think about a second). We build up to our crop limit of defensive troops in any village outside the stronghold. We aim to maintain a troop:population ration of at least 2:1.
• We settle new villages regularly (at least once/month), and as soon as culture points allow
• We do not build useless buildings to increase population
• We know how to dodge, cranny, spend and sent, issue a call for defence in the correct format and check for catapults in an incoming attack.
• We ask for help when needed, and respond to need when asked.
• We are intimately familiar with the Travian game rules and obey them.
• We are intimately familiar with the Travian FAQ and use the knowledge there to improve our gameplay.
• We are not farms. If you have become a farm (regularly losing *any* resources to enemy raids), then please be especially familiar with the relevant section of the FAQ. If you feel the need to explain an usual situation to the leaders, please do so sooner rather than later.
• Of course, real life is more important than Travian and allowances will be made where the situation is raised with a leader (beforehand where this is possible). Once again, getting a sitter is crucial.

4) Stronghold
Policies:
• We have read and understand the stronghold policy of the FUN alliance.
• We settle all our villages within the stronghold (50 field radius of -90|210). Any exceptions (which will be very rare) are to be cleared with leaders first.
• We are ready to (and even expect to) lose any starting villages outside the stronghold (but not without a fight!).
• We do not settle any new villages in the stronghold without posting a reservation in the forum (here) and checking whether anyone else has reserved it. This is especially important for 9c and 15c locations.
• We do not steal allies oases, or claim oases without notifying neighbours. This is especially important for crop oases near 9c and 15c villages.
• If you are kicked, then leaders will endeavour to explain why. Sometimes being kicked is a more extreme level of warning, and you may be allowed back in once the problematic issue is resolved. If this is more than a couple of days, you may be required to apply for membership through the forums again. Sometimes being kicked is permanent (especially for serious breaches of trust). Membership of FUN*R is a privilege, not a right.
• We belong to the whole FUN alliance and work together with the other wings towards a secure stronghold.

Feedback on these policies is of course welcome (since that is one of the policies).

Sounds like a dream come true.