Oh wow. I totally missed that "the list" was published.
Sorry, but:
There are a few names on it that show just too clearly that "being a pain in the ass to the staff" was the reason to ban.
In my opinion, critizising staff is not a crime. It's their job to be critizised. What can be done (and should be done) is a reminder that critizism needs to be worded appropriately. However, a 6 month ban can never be the consequence. Never. It's the job of the staff to be professional about it.
The "red line" for a ban has to be:
If you are toxic for the players, if you harm the community - then you should be punished/removed. The goal should be protection of the community from bullies, from people who actually harm other players. Show me where Thyrzul was mean to other players. I bet his sanction folder is nearly non-existent, nor will there be noteworthy forum posts that paint him as a problem.
Summed up: Being a vocal critic against staff cannot be a reason to ban people.
Yes, we should work on re-establishing more respect in the way we communicate. But: Actions like these are not really useful in a vicious circle of escalation.
Finally unban those that you only banned because they critizised the staff. Give them a warning about improving their ways of voicing their grievances in a civil and socially acceptable way. And, on the other side, promise to also listen to civil criticism early enough and take action if necessary.
Keep those banned that harm the normal player with their trolly, bully, harrassing attitude. The size of their sanction folder and the quality of the crimes in there will make a distinction easy. Perhaps even look at the names dropped from the ban list because there are quite some on that extended list that make sense.
The line between the people named in that "vote to ban" list can easily be drawn as I explained.
Just do it.
I am pretty sure people will understand the difference because I am sure that all veteran players can immediately can pin down the difference between people who are just annoying to staff and players who are harmful to the community.
This needs to come to a conclusion.
So, better to end it now, than to drag things out even longer.
