Bad news for a sliver of the the City of Heroes rogue server community tonight: The Reddit-backed Reborn server known as Pleiades has apparently shut down abruptly over what has been characterized as “irreconcilable differences” among its leadership. The gamer who was hosting the server made this announcement in Discord this evening, informing players on the shard that he was pulling down the server and handing the databases over to the remaining staff for migration elsewhere:

In-game, players were given the news by one of the server’s GMs, who seems to be suggesting there wasn’t much warning given ahead of the closure.

A source with relevant technical expertise tells Massively OP that it would be challenging but not at all impossible for other servers to potentially rescue lost characters should the server itself not come back online, but fortunately it sounds as if a server migration is indeed possible, as multiple sources have suggested to MassivelyOP that the Discord-backed Rebirth server group has offered aid and that all hope for Pleiades’ players isn’t lost. We’ll be updating this article with the details of any future transition as soon as we know for sure (we’re expecting statements later this evening/weekend when the chaos settles, so try not to panic in the meantime).

Additional server groups have issued public statements of their own. “We are aware of the apparent shutdown of the Reborn / Pleiades server,” a Homecoming representative posted to Discord. “Please be considerate to the players who have, at least for the moment, lost their characters and community. This is not a competition, we all want the same thing: to keep the City of Heroes alive. We will provide any support we are able to the remaining team and their players if requested.” The rep also noted that he had no reason to believe the server shutdown was the result of a “legal issue or C&D.”

Our sympathies go out to the holders of Pleiades’ 3731 accounts who just lost an MMO home tonight.

With thanks to Justin and Wakkander.