Well, I apologize for it taking so long to reply. I had been gone on vacation--wasn't really a vacation, because all I did was go home. Anyways, I just had a couple things to say here I guess. You were a really great character, and a fine roleplayer and knowledgable person. You had a certain way with words that was always fascinating. Plus, you always listened to most of what I had to say, which I am thankful for. You sort of helped me form this character. And always had solid advice for me, should I have asked for it. It was a pleasure getting to know you from the beginning of Selessya all the way until your end. I don't think I would have gone in the direction I went without you being there. So thanks again, and best of luck to you with your next. Hope to meet you again.

Selessya

No need to apologize for anything! I hope you enjoyed your trip home. Thank you for the kind words. I really liked Selessya, but I will save my praises for, well, you know.

P.S. How's my tree doing?

Well, seems we have been in this position before, with Cado I mean. Anyway, it was nice to finally start to get to know you at the end. Too bad you had to die like that, I'm not far behind though so don't feel too bad. Had a great time with you at the Inn see you around sometime, hopefully anyway.

Which one of you wrote that goodbye? I need to know who I'm replying to and all! *innocent*

I enjoyed your company immensely. I'm glad we got to know each other some - I hate not being in with all the Heralds. The worst thing about this particular death is that I wasn't entirely prepared for it. I thought that, after so much time, boredom would set in, but I was fortunate to have met so many new people toward the end, you being one of them. I hope everything works out for Kohl, and be careful of those Ladies - they'll make you do weird things. Like give you spontaneous tour-of-the-Inn duty. *ducks*

Sure, you go and die like EVERYONE else when I'm NOT around. That makes you the tenth person I think that's kicked the bucket that I wasn't able to say,"Ciao!" too. But atleast I got to see you before this happened (unlike Esfergref, Naloueme, Matthen, and others I'm sure). Sad thing is that before I went "wandering in the desert" you were younger then me. That dry air works wonders, let me tell you .
You were amazing, and will be deeply missed by all who knew you, me ecspecially. You helped me out greatly, and I hope that all other charries after Allie will be as successful as she was, I doubt they'll ever be able to be as loved . To the good times, and the times you probably wanted to strangle Aira, I wish you luck .

Twice I replied to this, and twice it ate my post! If I didn't want to strangle you before, boy, do I now. :-p

No, no. Alessa wasn't the type to strangle. Lash, perhaps, or beat with a stick, but not strangle. I'll wait for you to go before I say what I want, mostly because if I spend all that time on this post and it eats it again, I'll have to scream. Suffice it to say that Aira always provided some sort of energy that Alessa liked to feed off of. Keep getting lost in new places - it's the best way.

Good luck and all that good stuff.

Keep getting lost in new places. HAH! I've tried that (really, I have. That's all I did with Aira when I first made her) and all it does it frustrate me and make me forget HOW I got back because, well because I wasn't paying attention dammit! I think when Soucivi gave me my task to become a Herald, she didn't want me to ask for help. HAH! I'd still be stuck in those caves outside of Udgaard (that was terrible. Thank God you came and dragged me away, I was getting bored as all heck).

And of cooooourse Aira has energy.... she's insane. She's kinda scarey actually, all "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" one moment then "Wooooooooooooooooooooo, yeah!!!" the next.

Love you Allie!

So, here we are. *twiddle* Fine, I'll start.

When I rolled Alessa, I wanted something that would kick my ass. I've really only had one other serious character (and by serious I mean "made it past level 30 and actually DID something"), and I wanted to dive in head-first and learn the game inside and out. Of course, the process will never stop, but I'm not going to make a half-assed effort and put in all that time to get me nowhere. So, along came Alessa Emelye Tarindal.

My goals were this: RP well a female (which I am not - how'd I do?), get empowered (more on that later), get a tattoo (I almost wet myself when I did), and write something for the Lyceum (that didn't work exactly as planned, but Vote Phaelim, Read Alessa!), and not get pissed off every time I died (man, did I know how to do that!). Being a Herald was something that I decided on sometime later in Alessa's life - I tried hard not to be a repeat Herald (it's addictive, I swear) - for RP reasons that really never panned out (writer's block will kill any scribe, expecially if it lasts 300+ hours).

All-in-all, Alessa was super-complicated, and I did it to myself to keep me on my toes. I purposely walked into a large number of my mob deaths, partially to try to stay within my twisted role, and partially to teach me, the player, to deal with dying and losing things. Well, I've blabbered on enough about me, not on with blabbering about you. Disclaimer: In 517 hours, you get to know a TON of people, especially if you play a healer that's hell-bent on helping everyone who asks. And even those who don't. I've also had a rough few weeks (even spent some time in the hospital), so if I forget anyone, you have Alessa's permission to yell at me - she won't whip you too badly.
-------------------------

People in the Sky
=================
Phaelim: You get top billing. I've had a good share of Immteractions in the past, and have heard/read plenty of stories, and it was my understanding that you weren't easy, especially compared to following other Imms. And easy was the last thing I was going for. You made me think, and you made me work. In short, you made me crazy. But in that good, thank you sort of way. I hope someday to roll another follower of yours, because you rock.

Eshval: If Alessa wasn't so close to age-dying, I would've loved to immerse myself in you more. I started to write something that tied in Alessa's beliefs with your religion, but writing doesn't always come easy. Regardless, I've known you in all your incarnations, and not once have I stopped enjoying you. Glad you finally made it to the big time. You haven't seen the last of me.

All the other Imms (Arvam, Shazirah, Vynmylak (sure, it was only one brief, pointless meeting, but it was a highlight) in particular): I won't say something stupid like "this game would be nothing without you," but I want to thank you for keeping me addicted. Because, you know, I have nothing better to do with my time. In short, I love this game. The end.

People on the Ground (with apologies to those Arial-folks)
==========================================================
I don't think I can do this, so I won't. Really, though. Now that I'm here, my brain is overloading. There are (and were) so many that stick out, it would be insane to even try. That doesn't mean I don't love you all or whatever, but, you know, give a guy some love. Tell me how much you hated me, and I'll respond. Besides, I need to start rolling something. Really, though. You can stop reading now.

Kicking one heel behind the other, Alessa dips into a graceful curtsey one last time before fading into memory.

Super Bonus Points to anyone who simultaneously ignores my typos AND wants to lend me Five Fun PBF Dollars. Paypal hates me and won't make love to my bank. Therefore, I have been reduced to begging.

I didn't even get a reply when I deleted! Ouch I tells ya.

Well, I really said mostly everything I had to say when I deleted..if you even read it =P

But again, loved the character uh..hope I didn't piss you off which my oddities..uh...this sentence is nothing but something to complete this ..paragraph?

Alessa sure got over Esfegref fast heh heh..shows what kind of friend Ansrtril was! Esfergref dies and he just zooooms in there and steals his women, tsk I tells you tsk. But I kid! ..Or do I?
I'm drunk!

No! Next time, pick a better week to delete! You know, personal things were going down, and I wasn't feeling very much like writing how much I enjoyed things at the moment. So, I offer my apologies.

It did feel a little strange, a halfling falling in love with a Svirf, but it was all about the personality, you know. Esfer brought out the inner-silliness in Alessa, and that was a big thing for her. Her "lost childhood," if you will. That, and there were some quirks that Esfer had that were irresistable, from an RP-perspective. Like latching on to how he spoke. Right!

And Ansrtril WAS a good friend! Honest! Alessa always saw death as the bringer of life, so when Ansrtril zoooomed in, it was just another step in the natural order of things. Besides, Esfer's too dead to feel insulted.

I did enjoy every moment with Esfer, and I'm sorry that you were having your own issues. It was too bad I didn't get to spend more time with the little drunk man. But it's okay, because that fountain water is really dirty, and I hated having to dry out my boots. :-p

Well done on lots of fronts. I had no clue you weren't a girl and though I know lots of guys play girls had someone randomly asked me if you were a he or she behind the character I'd have probably guessed a she. That's meant as a compliment. I didn't get to spend much time interacting with Alessa, I think the longest time I spent around her was when that group of us went to that one place and we all ended up dead. Cadothu from what you said had a penchant for finding dramatic and wonderful new ways to get you croaked.

The bottom line with any character is that if you enjoyed it, then it was a successful character. Win, lose or draw. I hope you had fun and for my part it was fun running around with you once in a while. Good luck on the next.

This one time at band camp, me and Cadothu and Aytak and...

That had to be one of the funniest moments ever. Who knew so many corpses could fit into that pit? Well, Caddy *was* little, so I guess that could explain it. When travelling with him, there was never a mundane death.

One of the things I enjoyed about Aytak, both from the player's and character's perspective, was the efficiency with which you'd get things done. You'd ask, can you help me grab XYZ, and I'd say yes. Within 10 minutes, we'd have collected all that and more, with time to spare. I could get back to doing my thing, you could get back to yours, and everyone was happy. I'd have loved to interact with you more, but there are those you BS with, and those who you get things done with. Thanks for all the help, and good luck out there.

See you in the fields.

I'd never been to that place before and you all were like "Sure, you lead." It wasn't my entirely my fault that I found that way for all of us to die.

Damnit, I've been saying for MONTHS that look is overpowered. Finally someone else agrees with me.

Of course, I tease. I love dying in new and exciting ways, especially when it involves 5 corpses and a discussion of who went down in what order. Yup, yup, those were good times.

I'm not always happy having to write goodbyes to a character that was a defining factor in my current character's life so I guess you'll just have to wait until Ansrtril is an effeminate corpse for all the praise and flattery I have for you. I first want to say that I have, over nine years of playing cf, played a few female characters myself that have never come close to the way you portrayed Alessa. As well, my first empowerment was an abysmal failure. You balanced your skills and limitations so well through the time Ansrtril came to know Alessa that I would have bet you had played a couple of healers before her. I obviously cannot speak from Phaelim's perspective on a priestess of his order, but I was in awe of how well Alessa thought out everything, and still could be taken with beautiful flights of fancy. Your book, in my opinion, is wonderful and you should seriously consider submitting it to the lyceum. I hope that you can appreciate that it was your work that convinced me to delve into the gallery further as much as it is Eshval's. I am thankful for all the times that I laughed honestly at the silly things we ran with. ("No! No! Mr. Ansrtril!") I really hope I cross your path again in another incarnation. It is interaction with you and people like you that keeps me playing. Try to keep yourself out of hospitals and stay well. I'm sure there will be more sappyness to come your way from my end in the not so distant future.

Last, I would encourage you to finish the writing you started for Eshval if you have not already discarded it. I would really enjoy reading something else from your hand. Please send me a copy if you feel up to it.

Ansrtril@hotmail.com

Well done, the elf and I are both going to miss Alessa.

Martoonie.

I'm still not prepared for this goodbye. You know, writer's block and all. That's why I've put it off, but if I wait too long, I might make you sad, so here goes nothing.

Like you said, I will have wait until Ansrtril becomes a permanent part of The Wall before I say most of what I want. But suffice it to say that Ansrtril was the most influential character I've met in my entire CF experience. Half of what I had originally intended to accomplish as Alessa came after Ansrtril and Alessa became close (it only took 400 hours....).

I hope I did inspire you some, because you certainly inspired me. I liked the mutual respect, and the give-and-take the we had. From both and IC and OOC perspective, I was amazed at not only the quality of what you produced (writing, painting), but the quantity. Everything was good, and you managed piece after piece. One of the first real chats we had was a turning point for Alessa, especially as the book was concerned, and for that Alessa (and I) will be ever greatful.

There's too much more, but it will have to wait. I hope you find your way to one of those empty podiums. You deserve it. It's almost sad not being able to log on and interact with you, but I'm sure we'll meet again. Keep it up.

Oh, and I'll try to finish what I started for Eshval. It's an idea I've had sitting around since my last char, and I'd really like to finish it. You can always toss me a line at cfherald@yahoo.com if you've got anything nifty to share.

I hope my advice helped you, and from the sounds of it, you got the tattoo, so it did. I had lots of fun exploring places with you, though somehow I always managed to get you killed. Good luck with your next.
Hipsy

Hipsin, more than just about anyone else, was the one char I hated turning down, be it for some help, or travel, or whatever. Believe it or not, even though our interactions were sparse, Hipsin tought me more about Thera than any single character, save perhaps Cadothu. For that, I can't thank you enough, especially for the patience in dealing with someone who was pretending to know what he (she?) was doing. Too bad you were gone for so long - not too much time would pass between me sitting around and thinking to myself that a Hipsin visit would be nice.

Keep at it, and hopefully we'll meet again, somehow, somewhere, finding ourselves new ways to die.

I liked Alessa, though the impression she gave was quite complicated and I cannot say that I really understood her. Well RP:ed, I think, though I didn't understand Alessa too well. Alessa was one of those Heralds who was around when many others were not, same time with Fungor. Interviewed by Matthen, whom I interviewed(or tried to do so) and age-dead before Fungor. Probably a third or fourth later Heralds who have passed before... I'd say this makes Fungor feel even older.
But, hovever, Alessa was fun, though not the most talkative type.

So goodbye, and good luck to your next. You are welcome with the fish. ;P

-Fungor

I had a rough time understanding Alessa myself, sometimes. It's funny how a character can seem to have a mind of his/her own. I had intended on her being the quiet, think before you speak type, but she had that inner suppressed child that was dying to get out, if you could find it.

I always had respect for Fungor, even with my last Herald (wow, you're OLD). It always seemed to me that you always wanted to know more - that simple directions weren't enough. With that kind of an attitude, you'll go far.

I'm sorry we didn't have much time to get to know each other well and all, but I'm sure, at the rate you're going, if I ever roll another Herald, you'll still be around.

Now I'm dying to know who the other Herald was? One of the old ones who were Heralds before Fungor? Let's hear it then.

-Fungor

What, you want me to give away all my secrets?

<20 Arial Asn> Fungor the Kasokutei

That was a long time ago, huh?

Anywho, I was Qirinor.

I can't remember in which month I rolled Fungor(I know it was this year though (January-April)). Qirinor was the one of the first Heralds to die(Along with Sastine and Ghroth). You seemed kinda bored with Qirinor when I came along, but I do remember Qirinor killing the centurions blocking the Inn after I had announced their presence. I sat on that rank quite long too. But what can I say, no wonder Alessa married Esfergref, a svirf warrior(like Qirinor)

Fungor

PS. And to those who do not know Fungor IC, yes, Fungor rants like this in the game too. He's getting old and likes to remember the times of his youth at times.

You're right, I did get bored with Qirinor around that time. The first log I can find with you in it was the middle of March. You were at 20 (you had just published your first Udgaard Traveler's Guide!), and Qirinor had already logged 509 hours. I had already decided many, many hours before that I wasn't taking Qirinor in the direction I wanted, and I tried to change that, but it was too late, so I got bored with the "wrong" Qirinor. It was really a shame, becuase I was enjoying everything else, just not me. But, as Alessa would say, these things do happen.

...Yes, Fungor does rant like that... Not so much around me, but he rants.

Well, I am so pleased you had fun and accepted the challenge you set for yourself. It was fun to watch you develop a personality that was unique to yourself. As you said, however, your time ran out, otherwise I was sure I was going to squeeze some more art out of you.

Good luck and bring it back on your next.

Eshval

Eshval's email
BlackMarquessa@gmail.com

Eshval's slightly off-center (unofficial) blog.
http://blackmarquessa.blogspot.com/
Carnivàle
http://cirquecarnivale.wordpress.com/

God you rocked Alessa.

I'll start with the one thing about you that bugged me, then I'll continue with the you rock. When Matthen interviewed you, he was super enthused about having a scribe in Heralds, feeling that you would fill a niche in Heraldry that had been ignored for some time. However, I never saw or heard of an ounce of writing from you! Maybe you DID write a lot, scribes tend to be less obvious in their contributions than other Heralds... but make it more obvious next time! Scribery should be a bigger part of Heraldry than it is.

Okay, now, on with the you rocks.
Alessa was always a great character, fun-loving, carefree, and wise. She was calm, cool, collected, and yet knew how to let loose constantly. She took jokes well, dished them out, and played nicely with other Heralds. All in all, she was an awesome addition to the Inn and it's personality. Always nice to have the old wise sage in the corner. When you showed up, people flocked to the Cozy Corner. (The old Hero Herald Positive Magnetism thing, multiplied to the Alessan power)No matter what you roll next, I hope you'll be able to put the same presence into it. Good job and keep 'em comin', yeh heroin addict!

Splntrd

Well, thank you for the compliments. And for the criticism, at that. I didn't quite expect to be a scribe, to be honest. Alessa actually wanted to be a cook! But there was a specific reason I wanted to be a Herald at that point in Alessa's life that involved scribing more than cooking; unfortunately, it never worked out as planned. As much as I love writing, it has always been a chore for me - it's either there, or it's not. For most of my time playing Alessa, it was not. Hopefully someday I'll get to scribe again, and make something of it.

I loved Matthen, for what it's worth, and when he interviewed me, I left feeling very good about things, the state of the Heralds included. With the rare exception here and there, I was proud to be a Herald. While the Heralds often get put down for being drunk, silly, repeat mudseXX0rs, there is so much potential there for the group to make some significant impact on the game as a whole. The Imms might make the game exciting, but it's the players who make the experience exciting, and for me, the Heralds are a HUGE part of that.

Anyway, thank you again, and I hope our paths will cross somewhere down the road.

I thought as a character Alessa was pretty good. As a priest she had her faults. Towards the end you got a lot better with that part, it's just a shame it took that long. Good bit of writing...I just wish I knew why everyone thinks they need to write something.

I really enjoyed our interactions. Not only did you make me think as Alessa, you made me think as the person behind Alessa. I'll tell you, there were nights I'd go to bed after talking with you and my head would be spinning. I wouldn't have had it any other way.

As far as being a bad priestess, it was part me not really knowing how to play an empowered class - it was my first, and really having nothing to go on, I had to try a little this and try a little that - and part me trying to stick to my role. I (the player) was FLOORED when, the day I lost some of my supps, I teleported after I tried to rejuv someone (failing for the first time, realizing OOPS, they're gone), and found myself in a room with some writing that completely justified Alessa going back to "renew" her faith. The coincidence was eerie, and it turned out to be a major turning point in Alessa's life. All-in-all, thank you for giving me not only the first chance, but the second as well.

As far as the writing, one of my goals for Alessa from the beginning was to write something, I just didn't expect it to be for you. But since I wasn't sure how to "be a priestess," I thought I could redeem myself by writing something for you. *shrug* Seems like it worked out regardless.

Yep, worked out fine. To be applied to any future situation- action, no matter what it is, is better than inaction. Stick with that and you'll be good to go most of the time. It was the lack of any type of action that was bad, rather than doing anything "wrong". I'd prefer wrong to a void though, there's something there for me to work with at least. For a first empowerment, not to mention second hero, it was a good character, especially towards the end when it seemed to all come together.

I *loved* Alessa. You were always, always a pleasure to interact with and I (the player AND the character) often found myself admiring the sheer amount of thought you must have put into some of the things you did.

I'm sorry about the wedding tonight, though. You can blame it on hurricane Ivan killing off my power.

Anyway, I thought Alessa was a lot of fun and I hope your next incarnation is as good or maybe even better.

I was always impressed by Ioniyeh - I would've been upset not to see you make HH while I was still alive and kicking. The whole "Barefoot Herald Cook" thing had me from the beginning; for some reason it impressed me (I like the little things, I suppose), and there was never any doubt you'd someday be HH. I knew that when I logged in and saw your name on who herald, I was going to have a good time. Anywho, thank you for putting up with me for so many hours, and hey - go easy on Ansrtril, deep down inside, he's really a good guy, belly-horns or not.