I don't want character thieves to be punished-- there's too many simple coincidences. It's just really,
inconsiderate and rude. But-...
I was roleplaying my main character, Drek'Avanji, in South Pole with some friends a few weeks ago. Within an hour, someone ran over, took one look at my character, and logged out. They flickered back in several times before eventually returning as (I had to chase them down for a screenshot!):

This was when I was roleplaying with gryphon friends in Bonfire! Someone took one whiff of my character and-... (They luckily didn't steal the name, though they did try to become my character's mate!)

Similarly, I was idly roleplaying in Ficho. Someone had been trailing my character for a while-- I thought nothing of it until they logged, and
this ran up to me seconds later. (They logged in a few more times to adjust the character and correct the name, but ran off before I could screencap.)

And this was last night. I was roleplaying my Nidorino for many, many hours. Popped afk for a little while before heading off to pester my group on a different character. A friend screamed: "COME LOOK AT THIS!" ten minutes later.


My arcanine, Haru, gets it pretty bad, too (The last one's a joke; my friend made it after I'd vented on their shoulder!):

I honestly wish I had screenshots of every time it's happened, but they're quick to run off;
they know it's wrong. I wholeheartedly understand that coincidences happen-- there's only so many ways to colour a character and very few names are unique. Even so, it really hurts me every time it happens (I wish it didn't- imitation's meant to be flattery!), and I certainly let the other person know my discontent before blocking them. Inspiration's
fantastic and I've had lovely conversations with those who've edited their characters a little (I've done the same!) or have coincidently appeared identical to mine (it happens!). But logging out, stealing the other's character and running away is-...
Hngggh.
I really wish I could feel honoured about it.
(Sorry for the spam, I've had these screenies for a while!)