"If you want the game to be easier then sure, get a manastone. I like a challenge and can manage my mana."
This is like saying If you want the game to be easier then sure, hit level 50. I like a challenge so I keep myself at level 45. Manastone makes you better. Being level 50 rather than 45 makes you better. You want to keep your character at level 45 or you want to not get a manastone that's fine, just know your character is less useful because of it.
Anyway ending derail, I will again link you to something the GMs posted waaaay before hate was opened and all that.
http://www.project1999.org/forums/sh...1&postcount=12
This was posted in November, like 2.5 months before hate was released. It clearly shows their intention to release hate before Sol Ro. If this is such a problem that you did all sorts of research to prove that Sol Ro opened first WHY DID NO ONE CARE IN THAT THREAD.
edit: Wow I just noticed you were the next poster in that thread (ignoring Goobles of course, since it would be a stretch to call anything he's made on this site a worthwhile post). You knew 2.5 months ago that they planned to release hate before sol ro, why are you making a big deal about it now? You even started the thread back then asking how progression will be handled, Aeolwind lays it out for you, you say thanks for the help!