Where is Xiosia?
She has been missing in game ever since her 2009 appearances coinciding with the Christmas holiday. Her several day appearances during 2008 and 2009, unofficially coming to be known as Xiosiamas, sparked some of the most memorable, controversial, most talked about events, and longest lasting traditions I’m aware of since joining the game!
I couldn’t play at the time of her first appearance due to the lack of Mac client available after a required update. Still, when I was able to return, I immediately became aware of what had taken place and the huge controversies that ensued. Apparently, the goddess gifted wishes to all that came to her during several days of appearances to the likes of maxed stat of their choosing, magical weapons, staffs, or armors, and even a guild house requested by a forward thinking guild leader bestowed to the Daughters of Xiosia which my character was not a member of at that time.
Her next appearances near Christmas 2009 were not nearly so controversial but the stir in the community and gameplay was still a time I won’t forget. She at first showed up here or there almost as a phantom. Appearing and racing through the land in the form of a rivnak, which had never been seen before at the time, she was chased by many only to disappear before being caught. She left my character and others a request to spread the news of her coming. She finally came to the Ruqua tree bearing her image to morph from rivnak to dermorian in front of a crowd of onlookers who came to see. There she asked each in turn how they would aid her in the year to come and handing each a Charmflower in her name. Those who held on to the flower were rewarded several days later as all the flowers changed into a magical ring of Xiosia (plus 3 endurance).
That was the last time any saw her that I am aware of. There was one further instance where a crowd gathered to watch the induction of four new members to the DOX guild within the Secret Garden heard her voice. After causing patches of rare Starphire flowers to bloom, she chastised a boisterous and interruptive nonbeliever dwarf, and eventually, with a clap of thunder, turned him into a kikiri for all to laugh at. Again, it was quite a memorable event and inspired the story to be retold countless times.
Sadly, the last four Christmas holidays have not seen the return of our fiery goddess Xiosia.
The occurrences undoubtedly make up my favorite of all time GM enabled RP and some of the best fun I’ve had playing Planeshift.
Even years afterward, there is still talk of the Xiosia inspired holiday and role play giving gifts, often specially inscribed, and building Xiosamas trees in the Hydlaa Plaza.
Xiosia… I miss you!