I am going to toss in my 2 cents worth here too.
So I watched this entire thing unfold...and I could easily see why it didn't go so well. First of all you guys made a big fuss over events that the community could participate in. But then you have an event that only a small percentage of the community could do. People showed up and died because they weren't able to do it from being too low level and a lack of information ahead of time. People are already upset over senseless MLP loss...events shouldn't contribute to that frustration. Events should be an alleviation of frustration and the sheer boredom of grinding. I feel I am qualified to make the following observations because I did event planning for a site long ago. So here goes;
If you want to have community events, then make them equally doable by the entire community if they so choose to participate. Making people feel left out in this way is a sure way to drive them away from the site. Events are a chance for people to feel included.
Now I also noticed a lot of resentment and bitterness being thrown back at you over this. I fully understand how difficult that must be to take. However, I do think perhaps coming in with a different attitude might go farther to alleviate that from happening.
There was no excitement build. No enthusiasm on the part of the staff. The feeling I got was that it was kind of an imposition for you to be there Maridah. RO2 is a game...a game. Games are meant to be played for fun. FUN. <----I want to really stress that point. Build up that fun factor if you are going to have an event. Even if you dislike us or are apathetic to us as a community...pretend. Pretend you are happy to see us, you like us and you want to do this for us. That is why other people who have been in your shoes merited excitement when they showed up. Although I do think their affection for us was genuine as was ours for them because they inspired us to feel that way.
Start off with Hey there RO2 are you guys ready to have some fun! Something along those lines. Show enthusiasm. All I saw was "Freyja did it better." You said that a couple times. Trust me that didn't inspire anyone to want to try harder.
Please keep in mind that no one has to play a game. We come because we like the game, we like the people, we want to have fun and a little escape from the dreary outside world for a hour or two. As CM, you need to promote and perpetuate that. It's amazing how that can inspire people to keep playing...and if you really do it right and put forth an effort, it will inspire them to love you like they did previous CMs. But if you do it wrong, they simply log off and go elsewhere.
Now I do want to end this on a positive note. So...thank you for taking time to do an event. I am sure I will participate in future ones because I do believe that you have it in you to make something wonderful, find your niche and work with that. 
