Hi there.Basically I ran LunarGoons during most of it's relevant period of activity.
My brain is somewhat melted from the passage of time and work, but most of what Mert has composed is completely accurate. I do feel a lot of my role in this has been somewhat minimized. But I don't want to sound self-centric: Lamuella, Mert, Sardonic, salithus (yes, salithus) and others in the executive team were all part of a well-oiled political machine that catapulted us from just another Goonrush into something spectacular in a game that should have been just a footnote.
Beginning and StuffThis is going to be a bunch of rambling because I'm really fucking tired and Mert did a great job summarizing shit. Some stuff got left out, but most of it does doesn't matter unless you were there.
I took the reigns of power along with Lamuella in what was a essentially a power-play to save LunarGoons. The old leader, Mercury, was becoming distant and apathetic towards the game. At some critical times he simply wasn't around.

I started in the Diplomatic Corps. I started to exert more and more influence over events simply because so much of the game revolved around diplomatic policy than actual combat. I also worked on quite a bit of artwork for LunarGoons as well. I even made Sardonic a totally awesome forum signature:

Ok moving on.
Taking shit over, a new philosophy, and advertisingSo we were in business. We had a functioning revolutionary government built on rational thought, diplomacy, and actually
playing the game. I know, sort of goes against the rules of a typical Goon presence. The trick was, we were two-faced. We basically played by the rules, but found loopholes in treaties and the way combat was structured to make life hell for everyone. It was sort of a 'legal trolling,' I suppose, and it was fun as fuck. We were also terribly good at it.
The only problem was, we needed more Goons. So we started advertising on the forum. I made several banners.



We went at the angle that we were Goons who expanded to the Moon from Cybernations. This was a half-truth in that we had several CN vets, but the leadership was composed of people who tried to operate from a completely non-exclusive attitude. We invited new goons to participate. We encouraged people to take on responsibility and leadership roles. We wanted to do the exact opposite that the old Cybernations goons did: create an elaborate bureaucracy of rank and familiarity that worked admirably but sometimes kept new guys in the dark.
And it worked.
Shit happened.So we were in like Flynn and despite almost
everyone's disbelief and reservations, were tentatively accepted as members of the greater Lunar community. Fark was there. 4chan was there. I mean shit, fans of Paradox games even had a team in this game. Everyone had a slice of the action.
Basically a lot of fighting, power consolidation, and politics erupted. People started picking sides. See Mert's post about Legion. That's a story unto itself. Anyway look at this rats nest for an idea of the complex political landscape. Keep in mind, this is just a map of the major players during one week of one MONTH of different changes:

Yeah.
Ok so skimming a lot more story and shit we decided it would be a fantastic idea to band together with factions from 4chan and others. I cannot remember why. So this happened:


I bet you'd never think you'd see a flag like that right? Well, there's evidently a reason for that. Well it totally blew up in our face. Basically everyone reasonable freaked out over an unholy alliance like this, and banded together against us. Then, as you might suspect, 4chan people did some retarded shit and we got caught up in massive war.
We took it on the chin but manned up and held on strong. We then went our separate ways and I spent the next several months helping reorganize our power base politically, militarily, and economically. And you know what? We fucking pulled it off. We once again became a major power broker in the game.
We came back from the brink because of political saavy, organization, and strength of will over our usual policy of sheer strength of numbers. I think a lot of us were proud of that.
The downfall of the game and BrowncoatsOk so the game started to get shitty because it became clear that Goons won't die easy, and we made some powerful friends. We even became BFFs with Fark, and despite the efforts of both sides to undermine that relationship, it pretty much stayed until the game imploded and the gay creator of LunarWars shut it all down.

I digress. So this Lord Malcolm guy comes out of some other faction. He's basically becoming bored. We didn't blame him. We were the "good guys" and basically we sandbagged ourselves so well the "bad guys" were too afraid to do anything. See Mert's post for details. Well, the thing about Malcolm and the Browncoats? They were cool people. They got tired of all these treaties and shit. So what did I do? I offered them a treaty :). Anyway that totally fucked the goat politically on the moon. Shit went down. Wars happened. Some old allies went batshit on us, and some other allies lost their power through internal strife and came back fucking nuts.
Thus began a period of some nasty shit. We fought through it, but it was becoming clear the game was dying down. Also, the creator of LunarWars was launching a new game so everyone pretty much threw their hands in the air.
The endI handed power over to salithus, my offensive war director, and said goodbye to everyone after almost one entire year of semi-dictatorship. I was proud of what we accomplished, and I think this game was the best example of goons banding together and sticking with it that I ever saw. I don't know if I'll ever see anything like it again, though what Sardonic has done here is damn close.
A note on salithusSalithus was always an ambitious guy, and he was always scheming something at some point. He never crossed me though, and in fact was the co-brainchild of several plans I had during my tenure as leader. He never got along with Sardonic. I think their personalities clash. Salithus is impulsive and direct. Sardonic is calculating and thoughtful. I always tried to stay neutral and be the third party to compromise their differences, but I always suspected it would come to something like this. I'm glad Sardonic is in charge, and I'm sad to see salithus ending up the way he did, but what is done is done and the proper actions were taken.
Offering my servicesIf anyone still wants me around, I offer my services again as an adviser. Let me know and I will gladly be the silent voice in the back of the decision-making chamber again. I promise to remain in a non-power wielding capacity if need be.
GET READY FOR LOTS OF TEXT
Files, records, and shitI unintentionally saved a ton of shit. Here are some treaties and stuff I wrote you may be interested in. Or not.
I wrote all of this, for better or worse. Also, I was the power behind the throne by this point on all these documents if I'm not listed as leader.
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ITEM ONE
The LAWL Treaty and PreambleForward:There are points in time during the evolution of human events where those who understand the fundamental truths of honor, loyalty, and righteousness turn from away from the empty echoes of their past and towards the approaching horizon of hope.
While it is a foregone conclusion that there will always be an overtly humanistic approach, filled with a consistent degree of humor and candor, to political dialogue on the moon for the signatory alliances assembled here for the ratification and implementation of this treaty, we concur that due to the turbulent climate of the lunar landscape we must boldly move forward in establishing a front of rationality against violence and irrationality exhibited by common foes who desire only power and gain at the expense and subsequent ruin of those they cannot control to their own ends.
We, the assembled lunar alliances presented herein, in order to form a union based on fundamental aspects of trust based on loyalty and content of character, agree that the time has come for there to be a an answering call to the chaos thrust against the community of the moon.
We stand for reason. We stand for rationality. We stand for common sense. While in reflections of our past we may be ironic iconic bastions or defenders of these qualities, it is imperative that someone stand up and represent the voices that still champion the numerous ties we have made with each other and through counsel or conflict once again bring peace and prosperity to the surface of the final frontier.
In that context we do solemnly and with all the political, financial, and military might we can bring to bear in accordance with the articles presented, do hereby affirm and ratify the following documentation for submission to the general lunar society for their immediate information.
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The Treaty of LAWL“Fortis Cadere Cedere Non Potestâ€PreambleWe, the undersigned alliances, hereby establish the Lunar Axis of War and Lulz (LAWL) in the interests of unity, mudkips, and maximum lulz.
I. UnityThe signatories of this pact agree to stand together, unified, immediately and unto perpetuity. An attack on one signatory is considered an attack on all signatories and will be met with all available strength in defense. If a signatory needs aid in any endeavor, the other signatories are obligated to come to their assistance by any means necessary. Any signatory engaged in war may request that some, or all, signatories not become involved.
Wars shall be organized as each signatory sees fit, including individual organization or cooperation between some or all signatories. Signatories who partake in aggressive wars against non-signatory alliances must notify the other signatories of their planned actions beforehand. Day-to-day decisions affecting LAWL will be made informally, by consensus, but if a vote is necessary a simple majority is needed.
II. MembershipAfter the initial ratification of this treaty, further signatories may be added by consent of all the signatory alliances. Alliances seeking to sign this treaty must be sponsored by a current signatory. If an alliance is sponsored, the sponsoring signatory can begin a vote at any time on the admittance of the alliance. Signatory alliances may be removed from this treaty by an affirmative vote of 66% of existing signatory alliances. All membership votes must last a minimum of 72 hours and be preceeded by 48 hours of discussion before votes may be cast. Any alliance that does not vote within the 72-hour voting period will be considered to have abstained.
III. CommunicationAll signatories shall provide a system to each other which is capable of making binding decisions for the signatory and is capable of providing aformentioned binding decisions within six hours of a crisis requiring such decisions, unless mitigating circumstances exist.
IV. AmendmentsTo amend this document, a proposal must be made, followed by 48 hours of discussion and a 72-hour voting period, in which the amendment must be passed unanimously. Each signatory has a single vote in this process.
V. TerminationA signatory can withdraw from this treaty at any time by providing notice to the other signatories one week before withdrawl.
VI. ConclusionLAWL.
Signed for LUE:
Iforget2, Co-Leader
HD30, Co-Leader
Archon, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Bakunin, Minister of Defense
SamuelLJackson, Minister of Internal Affairs
GunneR, Minister of Internal Affairs
Signed for ELS:
Eph, Overmind of the ELS
neneko, Queen of the ELS
East_Philadelphia, Defense Overlord
Signed for ZERG:
Xenos, Emperor of Zion Exploration and Research Group
Signed for GOONS:
Mercury, Pilot
Cadmiel, Co-Pilot
Lamuella, Foreign Diplomacy Director
CapnBiggles, Acting Assistant Foreign Diplomacy Director
Mendoza, Offensive War Director
Sardonic, Defensive War Director
MWNF, War Aids Director
Signed for Echelon:
President Justin, Chancellor
bigtketz165, Chancellor
Grahamule, Minister of Internal Affairs
Maccers, Minister of Defense
Terrenia is the last counciller
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ITEM TWO
Treaty with North Star CoalitionLET IT BE KNOWN That the Goon Order of Oppression, Negligence and Sadism (GOONS) and the North Star Coalition (NSC), in the shared interests of acknowledging past and present positive relations coupled with a sincere desire to perpetuate these relations onto the lunar surface, hereby swear and agree to abide by the following arrangement:
The “Birds and the Bees†Mutual Defense Pact
Section 1: I like your smile, stay here awhile
GOONS and NSC share a historically strong relationship, and under the merits of that relationship both sides acknowledge that the following articles, while executed under the auspices of genuine friendship, understanding and mutual military and assorted aid and assistance, shall not violate the independent sovereignty (domestic or foreign) of either party in any way. GOONS and NSC also vow to observe each other’s “personal space.â€
Section 2: It’s time to ‘Get Real’
The GOONS and NSC agree that loves starts in the home. So doing such things as attacking each other's colonies or assisting each other’s enemies does not lead to trusting or lasting relationship, and subsequently will violate this treaty. Both parties also agree to resolve any disputes through private discussions before utilizing the services of a certified marriage counselor or asking Dr. Phil to intercede.
Section 3: When one alliance loves another alliance very very much….
Both parties agree to share intelligence when requested, and if one party finds out some other guys are planning on beating up the other party, they’ll tell them.
Subclause: Neither party is allowed to inform the other that they are fat, or that wearing certain garments of clothing makes their butts look big.
Section 4: For richer or poorer, in sickness or in health
GOONS agrees to protect NSC colonial interests in the result of lunar conflict with military assistance, and NSC agrees to also employ military assets to assist GOONS colonies under similar circumstances. If GOONS or ZERG are the instigators of a conflict against a foreign power, military assistance is optional unless directly requested at any time, prior or after conflict is initiated.
Section 5: And I will always love you
This MDP is authored under the assumption that this will create permanent positive relations between both alliances, extending beyond the petty shifts and alterations usually exhibited in the volatile political climate of the moon. It serves as a basis of future trust and understanding between both alliances, which both parties will openly acknowledge and advertise when necessary in general conversation and elevated political discourse should the need arise.
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ITEM THREE
My retirement postMy fellow GOONS,
In just a few short months, it will be my year anniversary of service in our fine alliance. Just a month after that, it will be my year anniversary of government service, from the humble beginnings in our diplomatic corps eventually leading to the leadership I have possessed for a little over half a year now.
I remember when I wrote my first treaty, and I was totally uncertain whether I should have gotten involved in all in administration. I did so as a way of striking back at the almost vast and unmanageable bureaucracy of GOONS in Cybernations. While I am loyal to the memories of that organization, I felt removed and disconnected from it. I strove from that point forward to be engaged in LunarWars, and in turn try to make this alliance one in which every GOON felt important, or at the very least could feel open to say his mind, and know that what he was saying was heard.
In the course of time, I have been involved in all major conflicts, and personally guided us through two of the latest, and largest, of those two events. I have attempted to guide us in a direction of determination, strength, and honor. When I refer to honor, I do not mean it in the Internet Serious Business language nor the role-playing aspects of the game itself, but I simply wanted to transmit the pragmatic and practical nature innate to most GOONS into the way we conducted our affairs. We have our crazy and fun-loving side, but I feel we have a collective intelligence that remains untapped except in rare circumstances where lightning strikes in certain games, and I wanted to capture it this time in my own bottle.
I’d like to think I was successful, because I am proud of what we have accomplished. Much more importantly, I am also proud of all of you for living up a higher standard. We have done as we liked, we have fought for friends and issues we believed in, and we never gave ground or quarter to those who thought badly of us. Many sought to destroy us because I believe they felt threatened by our stable and organized demeanor. Take pride in this accomplishment. We went into an online game with many having preconceived notions about our ability to play it squarely, and we met them head on, and in my opinion became a pinnacle of achievement-an example to others that GOONS can be a force to be feared, but also respected.
Finally, while many had reservations about the issue, you empowered me with the ability to help found a safe harbor for our alliance after two brutal periods of war, so that we could rebuild, grow, and yet again become a force to be reckoned with. By vote I was given the ability to be an undisputed, yet accountable, leader. With your efforts and a capable stable of officers at my back, I believe we are making good headway in that endeavor. The sky is the limit, and there is much promise in where we are heading.
On that note, however, I believe a promise made is a promise kept. You have trusted me with power, and thus like Cincinnatus I relinquish that authority back to the government, and by extension the people who bestowed it upon me.
Effective immediately, I hereby resign from the position of Pilot from GOONS with a confident and satisfied feeling that I leave it in good hands. I hereby appoint my Offensive War Director, Salithus, as temporary Pilot until the next election cycle for Pilot comes up. I also endorse him for this position when that election arrives. It is my intention to remain active in Council politics as a non-voting member, as an advisor as well as a resource with my extensive history and contact with other LunarWars alliances.
As for Galava, the plans remain unchanged. I will be joining you there as Master & Commander as the charter dictates. I look forward to the opportunities and challenges this new game shall bring, and look forward to seeing you all there. But I shall not abandon GOONS on the moon. This is where I started, and as long as this alliances exists I will endeavor to serve it with distinction, no matter where fate takes me.
Thank you for your confidence, your dedication, and most importantly your trust.
BUTTS LOL,
- CapnBiggles