The long ride is finally over. Many of you waited for this moment (though the reason of this escapes me). I agree that it is a bit unusual when a character is around for 2 years, but it went this way, and I didn't want to delete Rio only because some guy would want it. Nevertheless, there is a bit of history.

My previous hero character was master who fought ragers actively. On public forums and IRC channels I've constantly heard unstoppable whining how ragers are underpowered. Well, maybe berserkers were okay, but scouts and defenders were out of question. So I rolled a thief. It was during the times the Village was disbanded. Soon the Village was re-assembled and Aniedra took over the leadership. She inducted me, and I started playing scout. Around 30th rank is was rather challenging: most of enemies were transformed masters with
damage reduction wands. But resist and spellbane helped me to avoid death. Most of my deaths were due to the bad link.

<bitching>
I can stand the usual ping I play - 400-500 ms. But not when cable modem losts carrier. If you hadn't experienced it, trust me: it REALLY sucks.
</bitching>

That's about the time I started to hunt solo, which became a habit soon. I was grouped mostly during raids. I tried to hunt only mages, and stay away from attacking warrior-types due to my role. Of course, it wasn't possible not to attack Scion warrior raiding your cabal, but I tried to avoid attacking them not in a raid situation.

Anyway, I managed to rank to hero, which was a bit annoying (ranking a thief was never easy). Then I went to US for a business trip.
At first I was shocked. I've never played with ping about 100ms. After I got used to it, I started PKilling actively. After a couple of weeks my PK score was like 33-1. I played almost each day, PKilled, interacted, explored the Silent Tower, got title, then veteran position. At this moment Trewyn decided to retire, and I decided to take part in Rites. To my surprise, I was granted
leadership. After that, I started playing even more, interviewed applicants, participated in quests and all that jazz. Good link is a god-granted gift.

After 3 long months I returned to Russia only to find my computer stolen. I couldn't play for a large period of time and the cabal went downhill. By the time I understood I can't dedicate enough time to the cabal (the only time I could play was very inconvenient for US time zone players - when CF has like 20 players online). So after discussing it with Thror I stepped down and continued to play as some sort of living relic. It still was a blast for me, but probably very dull from outside. I expected to age-die, but it seems I had prolonged lifespan. Started dying much again. It's a pain when you fight something, type "where" and see some Hejduk, type flee;flee;hide and wait... After 5 seconds you see 'Help! Hejduk is bashing me!', and "flee" comes when your health is exactly equal to your mana. At such moments I seriously considered quitting playing with such link. But good moments overweighted frustration caused by link deaths. So after a year I finally age-died

In case somebody is interested - my role:

Added Wed Jan 10 21:55:43 2001 at level 51:
Excerpts from a diary left by a nameless thief.

"Finally! I've learned how to write. 38 years old. Not bad, eh?
Never held a pen before. My nimble fingers visited a thousand of
purses, touched a million of shiny coins, borrowed many artifacts
from backpacks of famous heroes. I will master the art of writing,
as I have mastered almost all of my abilities..."

Added Wed Jan 10 22:16:19 2001 at level 51:

"...waging the war against Fortress of Light worries me more and more.
They keep coming back, and take the lifes of the villagers. Granted,
usually not the best of my brethern fall to the hand of ignorant
honorless horde, but one day they killed Trewyn! And all that time
the mages manage to hide behind warriors, paladins, healers, bards...
Hell, I joined the village to slay mages, not warriors! I don't care
if my less intelligent brethern want bloodshed. I will avoid the fights with simple servants, unless they will attack the village directly."

Added Mon Jan 22 00:43:38 2001 at level 51:
"... too long I tolerated their unprovoked attacks upon me. No more!"

Added Tue Jan 30 19:40:50 2001 at level 51:
"...no matter how hard I try, I cannot forget what happened that day
in the mansion on the beach of a sea. Burning house, my father, lying
in the pool of blood, my mother... My little sister, choking with
blood... Four muscular villains, quickly and skillfully devastating
everything that was my life... And three hooded figures, watching
this nightmare silently. The eyes of one of the villains, who finally
noticed me, stiffened in horror under the tree... My prayers to the
heavens, prayers for retribution... Heavenly voice in my head, telling me I would have to pay a price for that... Seven columns of roaring flame on the places where the murderes just stood. The new feeling overcoming me... Slowly taking me over, much like the urge... Picture slowly forming in my mind, my path in life, my destination... I cannot find the rest until the last age is eliminated. I can't find the rest even during the moonlight. I must fulfill my destination..."

Added Sat Mar 17 20:49:07 2001 at level 51:
"...cannot believe that my brethern agreed to follow the Drow blindly.
Nevertheless, the facts say they did. Our valiant defenders let him
pass. I feel something terribly wrong is going on. Though I really
dislike to descend to Underdark, I feel I must investigate this.
Even if I strongly dislike the whole situation. For the future of the
Village, I will do it, regardless of the price I will personally pay for this."

Added Tue Jan 8 18:12:11 2002 at level 51:
"...even at the time when the moon is high, I cannot find the soulful
harmony. Visions of my family arise before my eyes... When is it going to finish?.. Only the Divine Ones may answer this question. But they won't. Like pawns on a chess board we move, following the will of the almighty Players. Probably I am getting insane, but... I like this game!"

Added Fri Apr 5 16:16:18 2002 at level 51:
"...today I fell to the hordes of Scions. Banshee's howling getting louder, but another event which occured along couldn't pass unnoticed. Attempts to reveal my location allowed me to reach mastery in the last skill I sought perfection in. Now I can bear this title without being ashamed for my incompetence in combat abilities! Little joys of the dying thief... All that left from a former Leader, and then Commander of the Village..."

Added Sat Jun 1 06:15:25 2002 at level 51:
"...Death itself spoke to me this day. My long and interesting life
comes to its end. Looking back, I feel no regret. Of course, many
things could have been done differently, but pitiful are those who
mourn their past. Continual study and dedication to one's cause brings the pleasure into the life. And who knows what is over this mysterious edge which is called "Death"...

Practice list:

detect hidden 100%(100%) dagger 100%(100%)
mace 100%(100%) spear 100%(100%)
sword 100%(100%) backstab 100%(100%)
dirt kicking 100%(100%) disarm 100%(100%)
dodge 100%(100%) enhanced damage 100%(100%)
hand to hand 100%(100%) kick 100%(100%)
parry 100%(100%) trip 100%(100%)
second attack 100%(100%) third attack 100%(100%)
fast healing 100%(100%) haggle 100%(100%)
hide 100%(100%) meditation 100%(100%)
peek 100%(100%) pick lock 100%(100%)
relock 100%(100%) sneak 100%(100%)
steal 100%(100%) scrolls 1%( 1%)
recall 100%(100%) dual backstab 100%(100%)
circle 100%(100%) spellbane 100%(100%)
resistance 100%(100%) truesight 100%(100%)
lore 100%(100%) shield block 100%(100%)
blackjack 100%(100%) dual wield 100%(100%)
knife 100%(100%) cheap shot 100%(100%)
rogues awareness 100%(100%) pen 100%(100%)
critical hit 100%(100%) discern spell 100%(100%)
spell evasion 100%(100%)

Now farewells.

Battle:

I loved this cabal.

Thror: thank you for all the exciting stuff which happened - countless quests,
Immteractions (tm) and simply your signs of attention to my character. I am
sorry I didn't keep my promise I gave you. Again, my big THANK YOU for the things you do to make the game enjoyable for us. Some things were more successful than other ones, but the effort you put in all this is always noted and appreciated. My special thanks for the Village revamp. I don't know how significant was my opinion during the changes, but many things changed exactly as I wanted them to change. Needless to say, it was a blast. I enjoy the new
Village way more than the old one.

Intronan: excellent player, brilliant immortal. Fron the moment I gave you a brief overview of scout abilities to the moment I interacted with you as a Commander of Crimson Fields. If the rumors I heard about player behind you are correct, I am not surprised - you always were one of the best. I am sure your future will be even more fruitful than your past.

Kastellyn: didn't know you much as Rio, but enjoyed the interaction we had. Good luck.

Vaelyn and Tastagro: my good friends. I enjoyed the time we spent together.
Praerid: I enjoyed both the fight we had in my youth and our times in the Village.
Aniedra: thank you for inducting me. You told be to make the Village proud of myself. I tried
Vizarsh: solid, interesting character and very good leader.
Tarakh: very interesting character and excellent leader.
Trewyn: excellently roleplayed character and possibly the best leader I can possibly imagine. You taught me a lot of things about leadership. Thank you.
Hyshrawr: strong assassin without any doubt. Very well done.
Torakkel: perfect tactician. I often used you as an example of warrior.
Tahren: bravo! My good friend, you held the whole Village on your shoulders while I was absent. You did not give up, regardless of the odds you faced.
Sharisalk: stellar roleplay and good leadership. Well done.
Loborguz: very well done. Did not like you at first, but had to change my attitude quickly.
Manarei: perfect assassin and truly evil character. Excellent.
Goapa: my favorite thief in the Village. I really liked you.
Chalin, Ysaertvo, Gungnir, Tarosh, Kraern, Sharvin, Tobeldest, Aylkar, Jezzan,
Sehvoor, Nerylana, Shamus, Kolun and many others:
interesting persons and strong warriors.

Enemies: too much of them to list here. I'll try to recollect the most notable though...

Scarab:

strange coincidence. Those of you who hunted me soon found themselves
thrown out or denied. Examples: Visimir, Moridin(sp?), and even Drucyrus. Those who did not attack me - Phinitz, Qxorlarran - stayed as long as they wished to. Isn't it funny.
Qxorlarran: fought you in early 20th when you were ranking with mages, but was at peace with you at hero ranks. Surely inresting character, though you didn't talk much
Drucyrus: I didn't understand why you've turned on me after a long period of peaceful relations.
Phinitz: I enjoyed our short interactions. It was also interesting to see you in action.

Sylvan:

Haven't fought you much. Hunted Masters you in my young years. It's hard to hunt camoflaged mages. I surely died alot during that war caused by burning down the Dwarf Forest.

Plyate: you were a good friend and a very interesting character.

Nexus:

Petriec: two thumbs up. An example of how a thief could be played. Hands down, the best thief I ever met. I really enjoyed our shady deal. A shame it didn't work out completely, it could be a really interesting turn.
Vahlen: I've never considered you as a special opponent. Your tactics seemed straightforward, and you were quite agressive against even neutral ragers, which I couldn't understand. Perhaps things were quite different from inside, so good job with immorting.
Nydeikon: I didn't like you for a number of reasons I'm not going to list here.
Tiberianus: couldn't do anything against even a half-competent air/offense transmuter. So I tried to avoid you.

Nepenthe: THANK YOU for the Silent Tower - by far, the most interesting area in CF. I understand players who roll character specifically to explore it.

Enbuergo: also a blast, a shame I haven't interacted much with you.
Grollaski: you were a person to lighten me up. Using your wide assortment of curse words. Very well done.
Khadii: one of the few I can call a friend, the one I found so much in common with. Take care, friend.
Ethrysan: excellent roleplay! Another living spark.
Uglurmish: "Be the condor!" interaction inspired me much. Thanks!
Balrahd: formidable opponent. You've always managed to rally forces of good, get them killed and escape No offense, but that's how it looked from my perspective.
Anterrabae: I enjoyed our interactions. I bet I loved Silent Tower as much as you did
Reddyn: enjoyed our fights, and especially their outcome Killing a lich gave me an ego boost.
Stoslav: fighting you was always a thrill.
Keniston: damn you for banning me from the Inn
Tikar, Hejduk: scary.
Astirath: I am proud to be the one who applied the infamous "trip, trip, trip" to you. Your poem was the best and I swear to remember it.
Zeglufin: very dangerous foe. I am proud of killing you.
Daemelin: another one I feared of.

Olin: thank you for the last IMMteraction

To others I forgot, sorry, 2 years is a damn long time
Sorry if I messed up something, English is my second language.

My e-mail is: ibd@orcsoftware.spb.ru. I would be honored to hear your opinion about my character, or just to speak of something not related to CF. CF community consists of many talented and creative persons which I enjoy interacting with.

ICQ: 78012791

Boris (AKA Calessin)