((An Out of Character Post, my final goodbye))

This post is not the usual story post, but an actual out-of-character entry.  It will also be my last entry into this blog.

I want to thank everyone that has read this blog and kept up to date with Faewyn’s story.   I really enjoyed the time I spent on the MUD.  The role playing has been, and probably will always be, one of the best I’ve ever experienced on an actual MUD.   If you know about MUDs and MUSHes, then you’d probably think that one would be wanting to rp on a MUSH, which are usually geared towards RP…  But Dark Isles was different.  It is a MUD that rps like a MUSH, and it is probably the only MUD that exists that offers the in-depth role play that it does.

I just want to make it clear that I do not regret the time I’ve played on it.  I also want to point out that I hope Dark Isles does well in the future and I hope it continues to strive and grow.

I actually needed to walk away before making this post because I was initially angry when I left.  I needed some time to think about what I liked and disliked from the MUD.  Now I’d like to share my thoughts on the matter, for those that care enough to read about them from my point of view.

I’d now like to point out the pros and cons of having played this MUD.

Now, I’ll start with the good points:

If you strive to find role play, but are not fond of MUSHes in general and enjoy a game that has a combat system, along with other coded features, then I highly recommend Dark Isles.   I was looking for a MUD (before I learned about the glory that are MUSHes) that offered mandatory role play and fit a fantasy theme, and this game delivered it.  Not only did it (and probably still does) have a great community of players, but it had (and probably still has) a very dedicated staff.  The staff members really, truly, cared about every single character that is created in the game.  They take the time to read your blog posts (like this one) and they usually, from my experience, helped do all they can to make your game play more enjoyable.  I really liked most of the staff, and some of the players, and as I said I do not regret my time that I spent on the game but I really enjoyed my time in it.

However, the experience of the MUD changed for me and now I wish to point out my dislikes of the game and the final reason why I left.

For one thing, the MUD itself is very strict.  It has rules (like all games), but the structure of them is very…  What’s the word…  Well, let us say that the consequences are very dire.  Now, I’m not talking about OOC rules, but the actual IC choices one makes in the game and what happens when, say…  You break the IC laws.

For example, and this is from what I experienced over a month and a half or so ago, you had to have special permits in order to do simple tasks in order to make a living.  Some examples include gathering materials in the wild, mining, having weapons equipped on your character…  Name something and there is probably a permit designed for it.  If you were caught, in character mind you, breaking one of these permit laws then you’d have to pay (with in-game money) a fine, and sometimes the fee is a hefty one.

Faewyn was accidentally caught with too many harvested goods in her backpacks, so she initially was fined…  What was it…  20 pounds.  A pound was the most valuable coin, and I have forgotten how the economy works, but it was a very deep price to pay.  Only nobles usually could afford it.  Some of my previous blog entries mentioned that Faewyn had to do community service, well that was her way of paying the fine without going to jail.  I have to admit that it was a kind choice and that, despite how miserable it was, it was better than being locked away in a single room with no other character interaction (jail) for a time.  I felt like a RL month of not being able to make money by gathering was torture, but the staff did try to make things easier for Fae, and I also admit that.

I guess what I am trying to say is that if you plan to play this MUD, really think about your character’s actions.    If you think you can get away with something, chances are that you will most likely be caught.  It’s like speeding on the highway IRL, if you take a chance and go extremely fast, you’ll most likely get pulled over.

Another point I’d like to make is that this game is not newbie friendly, at least with making money is concerned.   Remember the permits I mentioned?   Well, you need them right as you start your character in order to not break the law.  And a new character, a new player even, has no means of getting money to buy the permits in the first place!  The only option was to depend on the kindness of strangers and new friends you’d meet, which I guess is realistic but it still will make some new players less likely to stick around and try the MUD out.  It is, however, newbie friendly when it comes to the community.  People, and staff, are usually always willing to help you understand the rules and the laws of the city of Seahaven, but…  Just don’t count on them to help you out financially.  If they do, they usually want something in return, like a service of gathering goods or something.

I guess that is all I can think of to say, besides stating the reason why I left.

I was unhappy with where things had gone with Faewyn.   Sure, she was engaged to perhaps the most devoted guy she could ever meet, but OOCly I was not very pleased with the way the role playing was going.  I had to admit that I always wanted Faewyn to stay with Dalindo and I had a secret hope that they’d always be together, but things did not turn out that way.   Dalindo’s player basically left the game, at least that is from what I guess, like how I left.   I wish, to this day, that I could talk to his player and get a understanding of why he didn’t want to play or be with Fae anymore, but I guess I’ll never know.   Cavinaar’s character is a really interesting one and he was a good match for Faewyn, but there were just…  Too much OOC negatives that I don’t really want to discuss in the hopes that I do not bring any negativity to the player.   Things, just didn’t work out for me in the end and I want to apologize to Cavinaar’s player for that.   You’re a good guy, and you were a great friend to talk to, but…  I was not happy, I’m sorry.

What really made the decision of my leaving clear was the fact that Cavinaar’s character ended up in jail (from what I had seen the last time I logged on), and basically had been (and may still be) locked up in jail for at least a full RL month.   That’s a REALLY long time for one to not have any social interaction or game play with anyone.   I discussed this, or rather I complained, to the staff about this on my last day that I logged on (besides the day I just signed on to update this blog listing, which I am betting will be removed, but at least I can get my message out while I still can), but they basically did not listen very well or very much cared.   Now, I can understand being in jail for a week or two at the max, and I would have no problems with that…  But an entire RL month and counting?   That’s just not right.   Cavinaar was Faewyn’s everything in the end, and he was taken away from her.

Now I will state a fault of myself, as a player.   I tend to get heavily attached to my characters.  I also tend to get heavily attached to the other players that I have romantic RP with.   I had to really struggle when Dalindo left, and I learned the hard way that I couldn’t let my feelings get the better of me IRL and that nothing would come from it.   With Cavinaar though I was a little more steady.  I was not as attached to him as I was with Dalindo.   Still, in the end, I had (and still do) always tried to look out for that potential RP partner.  Someone who would be exclusive to me and only RP with me, but I learned (and I am still learning) that I simply cannot find that anywhere.  No one is willing to play like that, at least not any male players that I have come across.   I still hope one day that I can somehow find that, but I am trying to not get my hopes up.

I guess that about wraps it up.   I could state what I’ve been up to since I’ve left.   I basically went and tried MUSHes, mostly fantasy ones…  And at one point I tried out an Adult themed MUSH (which was VERY interesting).   Now currently I am playing an MMORPG (a graphic online computer game).   I will not state which one I am currently playing, but I am still out there.   And no, I am not playing WoW nor will I ever subject myself to it.   I am also writing again, although now my character is different from Faewyn and she has a different name.   I also am hoping I can start doing some art with my new tablet that I received, but I have been enjoying playing this MMORPG too much.

I guess that is everything…   I apologize to everyone that I’ve hurt or brought difficulties to in Dark Isles, and I really do wish the MUD the best.   I hope that the staff could at least read this blog entry and take away something from it.    Logging back on, even for a mere five seconds onto the MUD is going to be extremely difficult for me, but I want to update the blog list and get this message out there.

Thank you for reading and again I apologize for everything.   I’m not going to bother with proof reading this message as I am too tired to do so and I am nearly about to collapse from exhaustion.

If you would like to give this MUD a try, then I encourage you to go to their website at:  http://www.dark-isles.net/

I really do hope Beckett becomes King and that Cavinaar will get out of jail and find a new girl, and that maybe the permit laws will lessen a bit.  I’ll miss all the times where even Faewyn was attacked and nearly killed.  I’ll miss the friends I made and the wonderful RP time I had.

Good bye.

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