I'm posting this farewell now since the imms tend to speed up the rage deletion process once the person posts a farewell talking about their character. While this deletion will show up as a rage deletion, it is one and it isn't - technically my last death was to a new IC friend that I dueled nearly naked after I had already decided to delete. On the other hand, it was a rage deletion because I mob died and was almost full looted by some lowbies after spending about 5 hours exploring/reequipping from being naked after returning to the game after a few weeks. Enough rambling and on with the farewell.

Merten was a comeback character for me. I hadn't played in a while and for some reason I decided to roll a new character. That was a mistake, since I played way too often and neglected way too much. Because I played so much (and probably because he was a decent character), Merten rose through the ranks of the Empire quickly. The quick promotions were nice. The odds I faced 90% of the time weren't so nice. I could bitch and moan about the pendulum and talk about how the Empire has been in the gutter for a very long time, but we've all heard it before and whining is so negative and annoying so I'd prefer to avoid it.

Before my extended break, I thought I had helped start to pull the Empire out of its rut, but then I died in a frustrating manner and decided stressing out and wasting that much time in a game wasn't worth it. I avoided the various forums for a few weeks before checking back in and seeing the pendulum was still stuck in place. I came back today in the hopes of revitalizing the Empire, but found that I was no longer in it (which is completely understandable). But that, combined with seeing no Imperials at all after my first 5 minutes of logging in until 5 hours later successfully quelled my motivation to do the whole underdog thing again. So instead I put my character aside and went gear hunting with a couple of new friends and went gear hunting, which I subsequently lost very quickly from a mob death and lowbies, reminding me why I took my break in the first place.

Well, I'm still rambling. I do that sometimes on the internet. On with the farewells.

Empire:

Grurk - Thanks, you were great. You didn't behave like an ass like some of the former immortals of Empire have in the past, but at the same time you were an evil guy who encouraged evil RP and proper imperial behavior. It always feels weird interacting with you, since I remember the 'old' Grurk from when I played Kelrizza (hi!). Oh, also when you talked about Thestune being more concerned with his mace than keeping me alive - I didn't know what you were talking about until 3 weeks later when I looked back over the log. That's when I got a bit angry (a bit late for that, though) - but really, I just ended up laughing that I missed what he did until I was showing the log to a friend. I could tell you wanted me to be meaner, but I just didn't have it in me. I'd play goodies, but I really tend to like the players that play evil much more than the players that play good. I guess I'm a major contributor to the team part of Team Evil when I play.

Grunthor - I don't know if you're still around, but you seemed competent and I liked you.

Arkan - Same with you. I was very impressed with how you did despite your disabilities. It's too bad you didn't stick with it, but on the other hand I can't fault anyone for deleting. Hell, it's probably the right thing to do for everyone who plays cf.

Kharg - I didn't really know you before you became Emperor, so I was pretty surprised when a level 33 AP got Emperor. It didn't bother me, though, and from what I saw I liked the way you led. I won't go into detail since (I think) you're still active, but I wish you the best.

Thestune - Now I'll ask what I should have asked before - what were you thinking? Oh well. It happens. If I would have noticed it when I was active, I would've done something about it in game. Anyways, if things worked out differently, I think the Empire could have been a force again, especially with a competent healer. Unfortunately, it looks like we were missing the competent part. I jest. I liked you for the day you were around.

Ragers:
Lerimos - I had respect for the way you played and how effective you were considering your specs and path. Well done.

The rest of you.. well, let's just say that many of you do not resemble ragers from the good old days (not the good old, old days, but the old days in between the old and the old, old days). Many of you would hunt the lone imperial warrior much more fervently than fortress mages. I can think of more than one time when I'd be trying to retrieve from the fortress, be fighting a mage of the fortress, then having a rager come up and engage me. Honestly, it's times like those when I just stayed out of fights when I played my ragers in the past - but I guess I played a more honorable rager than many of the current ones. I will say that I appreciate the fact that you all (and many players in general) tend to make it a point to leave some equipment and for that I have some measure of gratitude and tended not to take much. Of course, there are exceptions, and for some reason if I was in a group and a rager died and my groupmates looted a bunch of crap, the rager would blame me. Or maybe they just blamed everyone and sent identical tells to them. I don't know.

Burrgyn - Jastren and I wouldn't have taken all your things today if you had shown that sort of respect to Jastren, instead of destroying all of his things.

Fortress:

Hyzin - I didn't like you, but I admit you were a tough opponent. There were a couple of times when I missed an entwine or parting blow that would have killed you, but alas, it didn't happen. Well done.

Farigno - One of the few enemies I liked. Congrats on imming.

Others:

To the friendly AP and healer I met today - I think we could have been the best of buds if I was more devoted to playing. Really, you guys are the bees knees, whatever that means.

Cabdru - Since you seem to be the talk of the town, I'll mention you. I fought you about five times even though I didn't stand a chance at killing you, but at least you never killed me. So there! Even though you were an enemy, I'm rooting for you and hope you're killing a bunch of Fortressites. I guess I'm just rooting for the lesser of two evils. Unlike many enemies, you weren't a trash talking jackass which in my book makes you a cool dude.

Other people - Don't feel neglected if I fail to mention you. I took a long break and I'm not good with names to begin with. I don't have much positive to say to most of my character's enemies, so I'll keep it brief. But for a few exceptions, I had little respect for you. As far as the fortress goes, I really feel it's a complete role reversal. The Fortress reminded me of bullies constantly picking on the little guy, while the Empire struggled against its oppressors for FREEEEDOM! The village, while fierce warriors, also seemed like bullies while bending their loose rules.

Argh, I'm complaining too much. I think this post may have been more negative than I intended. In summary, I chose underdog specs and an underdog cabal on purpose, and I guess I got what I deserved, good and bad. If I play another character, I'm making a few vows. One, it will be the type of character that can stand alone against a horde and kill them (basically, a race/class that lends itself to being a powerhouse). Two, I will try to immort for various noble reasons. Three, if I play evil (and I probably would), I'll be meaner, I swear.

Thanks (and curses) again to the immortals of CF for making an addictive game,
Merten Catall, the kindly War Master. AKA Jagaub