There's a lot that comes to mind as I start to write this post. There's a lot of different ways that I could word the next couple paragraphs, and there's a lot of ways that I'm not going to word this post. This is not going to be a "going out in a blaze of glory" post. I'm not going to be pointing the finger at what's wrong, or what I think needs to change. I'm not going to be launching complaints like guided rockets, or taking that last, spiteful jab before I take off.
That's not what this is going to be about.
This is going to be a thank-you. To my friends, to the GM's, to the Devs, to everyone who's made this game such a great place to be. That being said, I've never been accused of being the best writer out there, so I'll try to keep things brief and relatively organized for whoever cares to read.
I'll start by answering the implied question: Yes. I'm going to be taking a long-term break from this game and forums, until August, at the earliest.
I don't want to go. I love this game, and I love the people in this game. This is a wonderful community, based around a fun game, with bright things in it's future. I think that, at this point, I'd be doing myself, and the game, a bigger favor by leaving, then I would by staying. Life is rapidly becoming more and more busy as the summer approaches, and I only expect that to increase as the upcoming months set in. It's just that time. I don't like it, and I don't want it, but I did choose it. I'm able to leave on my own terms, and I'm very thankful for that. In no way do I regret the day that I first hit "download now" on the Planeshift home page. I've had great moments in this game, and I've had not-so-great moments here. I've had exciting experiences, and some that I wish I could forget. But, I would not trade my time in this game for anything. I've had more fun on here then I've had in other other game, and met more interesting and friendly people then I'm ever likely to meet anywhere else. But again, it's just that time.
Enough about that. Before I get back to the reasoning behind the post, I'd like to make a quick, small confession: If you have met, or played with the medic Scipion, then you've played with my oldest, and most-liked alt. Scipion gave me an opportunity to role-play with a different crowd then I was used to playing with, and some of the RP's I had with him are some of my favorite moments in-game. A few of you knew this already, but for those of you who didn't, there you go.
I'm going to go back to the reason I wanted to write this post, and that's to be thankful. Perhaps it's not right to be typing out a post about why I'm leaving, if only for a break. If that's the case, treat this like a thank-you post. I'd rather have it be thought of that way, in any case.
There have been a few guilds that I've been involved in, whether on Caraick, or my alts, and not a single one has been a bad experience in any way. Two of them, I've had the exciting experience of helping to run and found, and I've enjoyed my time in all of them. I've tried to type out a few short thoughts below for each guild, but every member in every one of these guilds has my thanks for making Planeshift great.
The Organisation: I joined this guild the very first day that I came onto the game, and ever since then, I've had the perspective that everyone should be as kind and friendly as this guild was. I was a horrible newbie, but members like Lifaeen, Celisugh, Grunior, and Gidelor took me under their wing, and helped me to learn. Thank you for being my first guild, I will never forget learning to role-play as one of the Organisation.
The Warriors: You all will always hold a special place in my memories of my time here on Planeshift. You all helped to shape Caraick into the character that he is today, and the things he learned in your ranks shaped his character greatly. OOCly, you guys are awesome, and you know it. I loved being a part of an active, RPing guild with the history and reputation that the Warriors has. All of you are friendly and kind, and I've made several close friends along the way. Thank you for being a guild full of friends, and I will always miss you all.
The Klyros Junction: While I was never technically an actual "member" of KJ, the weeks that I spent here as an exchange were some of the most fun weeks in this game. Leraider, Beckford, Boeven, Renober, Esorono, Mekora, Mandrith, and all of the other scalies, you all were more welcome and friendly then I'd ever thought you'd be. I loved be a part of the Junction, if only for a brief time, and I will never forget the friendship and kindness that you showed me.
Lye Naa Tualle: Thank you guys, for putting up with my leadership here as Scipion. I loved watching you all grow into a guild that made me and Eelin proud to say we had a hand in it's creation. Many of the members from you all are now with me in the Order, and I've had the blessing to continue playing with you. I was sad to see LNT die, but I won't forget the times I had in my very own guild. Thank you all for your patience and your kindness towards a new leader.
The Adani Order: This is the hardest section to write. What began as an offhand comment in a skype conversation turned into one of the most actively role-playing guilds in the game today. Thank you to every single member, current and future, who's made TAO into a guild that smashed any of my expectations for it. Thank you all for putting up with me at times, and always being there when it counted. I know that you all will continue to be a great force in-game, and I can't wait to see where the months ahead take us. I'll always be a part of you guys, and I cannot thank you all enough for being patient and kind with me as I tried to organize and lead. You all are the best, and you are in very capable hands.
There's also a few pairs of players that have been a great reason to be thankful during my time in Planeshift. Each has taught me something different, and I've been lucky enough to have been able to play with them over the course of a few years here. Thank you, to all of you guys.
Lhaa/Aiwendil: You two are some of the best players I was ever lucky enough to meet here. Having the chance to play with you both was a great experience, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you, for being a model of how to role-play in-game, what I learned from watching the two of you won't fit in this post. Thank you for being patient with me as I learned, and kind as I slowly succeeded.
Dannae/Detiey: Like the two above, I was fortunate enough to meet both of you since my early days here. You both are incredibly fun to play with, and I'm very grateful to have you both as friends. Also like the two above, you've taught me much about role-play, most by your own example. Thank you, for being good friends to me, and for your kindness shown towards me.
Glaciusor/Teshia: What should be said to you two does not have a place here. You two are both close to my heart, and I do not intend on changing that any time soon. Look for me on Skype and FB, and keep The Order going strong, like you have been. Stay in touch.
To all above, this will not be a goodbye. I hope you'll keep in touch, as I plan to as well.
There are many more characters who've been wonderful to play with and write alongside of. What I've done below in not a comprehensive list, in any way, but I've tried to give a list of the players whose names I can recall while typing this post. To those who I've forgotten, I apologize, and know that any names left off this list are not done intentionally in any way. The names are not listed in any order or importance or impact, simply the random order in which I can remember them. It's possible that duplicates will show up, and alts of people who are listed, and again, I apologize, that's in no way intentional.
Thank you:
Teshia, Ceridwen, Glaciusor, Lhaa, Aiwendil, Detiey, Dannae, Droffilc, Voron, Pentrian, Tamelion, Farirro, Koios, Elvors, Khado, Sanxx, Vakachehk, Daevaron, Akaiddo, Zafroc, Lilura, Elady, Zalya, Myysst, Trogdar, Emmarra, Atagal, Vilthis, Eelin, Akerora, Beckford, Mekora, Sluuph, Gidelor, Celisugh, Kull, Kisoji, Ikon, Masaro, Mandrith, Leraider, Kaipaber, Saili, Grunior, Sodedar, Skardellinus, Oberel, Octavius, Hangatyr, Keella, Estava, Freyn, Hardt, Havuik, Sashia, Karoff, Shadowcast, Jorl, Jennins, Bideene, Zakrei, Haraun, Hipie, Geceni, Travosh, Esalir, Mwe, Catarina, Mariana, Narthen, Dannae, Tinosey, Mishka, Resildren, Roberet, Sangwa, Jilata, Thidin, Shew, Cenweard, Dragonis, Rigwyn, Poezza, Karlyle, Esorono, Proteous, Borobas, Mordaan, Kaerli, Sasigher, Irec, Avilay, Miomo, Heleckie, Menille, Senisteey, Vaneal, Perlan, Dorbaine, Realito, Enarel, Caecila, Merra, Rileha, Almada, Barike, Varileth, Sabriel, Leodonm, Xitop, Bonifarzia, Vassilli, Halbor, Hawin, Potare, Sacho, Zanuvar, Amaneldth, Urirro, Maisent, Gartheiz, Anoser, Yahh, Ardoin, Alayan, Akerorar, Alethur, Aramara, Caira, Carua, Eahmon, Erresire, Morila, Lornum, Neyise, Raricin, Savanti, Semutara, Soleli, Sulaika, and anyone who's name is not listed.
Thank you all.
Next, for the GM team, and the entire PS team as a whole: Marathal, Durgrem, Sarva, Daxa, Janner, Rhumdor, Venalan, Zeetra, Dohmo, Taulus, Zordian, Veluriane, RlyDontKnow, Weltall, Hanix, Talad, Neko and all other members of the team: Thank you all for creating, and maintaining this game. Specifically the GMs, I will always be thankful for your presence, and actions when needed. Several of you I have the privilege of calling friends, and I'm thankful for that as well. Please keep this game great.
There's a few things I want to do before I leave. I want to do it ICly. I hate that an IC event is motivated by an OOC decision, but I don't have a choice, and I'm going to have to find a way for my character(s) to leave, in-game. I also want to finish Marsuveus' final story in the Decadence of Darkness stories. I'm going to try and do these things in the next couple days, and then I'll be done in-game. I'll write up part III in that series, and that will be my last post on the forums.
If you skipped down to the end here, or you've made it all the way through, I just want to convey a message of thankfulness here. I'm not being angry in this post, or trying to complain, I just want to thank, and say a temporary goodbye. You all have been good friends to me, and I will miss this community, but need the break. Thank you for reading, and thank you for being a part of why I love this game.
Later,
-Car
