Shattered Kingdoms

Yeah, ok, so I retire. As of now, all my characters (Tojishiro and Eregund) are retired. The reason is very simple:

When I haven’t logged in for two months, because I can’t bring myself to log in, I’m suffering a serious burn out. The reasons behind the burn out are irrelevant. What is relevant, is that the burn out is -there- and I’ve been finding myself enjoying less and less in SK and more in non-RP games lately. Sad panda...

So, I’m starting with the thank yous and I’ll close with the story. As much story as I can bring myself to write, that is.

The OOC Thank you list.

First and foremost: Lykofos.
You brought me back to roll Tojishiro. Thank you, as this has been - hands down, all things included - the most real and immersive character I’ve ever played in any online game, not just SK. You are a true friend and we won’t get lost

ardith - For forcing me to learn how to avoid being PK’d. His constant state as a jerk and his persistent RP through the lives of four characters of his made me appreciate the meaning of the phrase “Heads up” when IurAtreiJaiLene was in the realms.

baldric - For teaching me “Basic PVP survival 101” with Marietta

ObjectivistArchivist - For giving me a few good pointers on how to make money, what to enchant for.

MourningSong - For all the loot locations she ever showed me! And the absolutely awesome RP plots.

To Reinald’s Player, all I have to say is: Reinald should have been rolled greybie and he’d be 100% pure awesome. Instead, he’s (in my opinion) a badly played “Good” character. Your ability to roleplay is fantastic, especially diplomatic, scheming characters (that this game, up until my departure lacked. And I suppose still lacks). If only you had gotten the alignment right...

The IC Thank List

Starting at the start of his life:
Sandhya, Amithlen, Jallin, Krysti, Nosephthyki, Tristala - For the fun-loving, carefree first few decades.

Cendre, Genai, Banalow, Ivstnesr - For all the Faith RP

Tiamre, Huneria, Ehlyn, Culhwch and all the Harlies of “that age” that made playing this char as memorable as the best table-top chars I’ve ever played!

The Late Years: Jaena, Kyla, Vyraxi, Krihr, Tavia, the entire IC “family” (even if at times the player behind the keyboard felt a little like it’s grating on his nerves that half the games calls him uncle) and,

Hell, everybody. Even the stupid people.

Story:

Tojishiro was the kind of baby people toss out to die when they do not want it. Such was the case with one particular infant that was wrapped tightly in his birth blanket and left at the side of a road to die in the cold.

To his luck (or as the years turned out, curse), he was found by a wandering monk (NOT fistie). He was raised and educated, taught to read, write, play the flute and a few attempts at singing - all song attempts failing horribly. He was named Tojishiro as a play with words, as it means “Gutter” and refers to the gutter of a book’s page. His monk thought that it would constantly remind him his humble beginnings, while at the same time lend weight to the importance of education.

At some point, he exhibited the penchant for Sorcery and was sent off to learn how to practice that Art. Where, is not important. One day, he returned and enrolled in Zhenshi for training. During his training time he met with some people (Amithlen, Jalin and later Sandhya) and in a very short while, he ended up being both a Thubanite and a Harlequin.

[snip months of roleplay]

What I would like to point out about Toji is that, as a Thubanite, his approach to lies was very simple. He mostly never lied. Ever. His approach was that everybody in the world is mistrustful enough, suspicious of others enough, blind enough to lie to themselves, so all he had to do... was be Truthful. And, to be sure, it turned out VERY well. Especially after it became widely known that he was a Thubanite he did not lie about a thing. He was truly invested as part of a “accept or be sacrificed” RP, he truly spoke events as they happened - with a decent amount of flair and maybe sharing facts in little, careful doses, but never altering them.

It was a magnificent approach to Thuban’s concept and I enjoyed it immensely, being the “Most Honest man in Pyrathia”, seeing everybody around me fooling their own selves just because... Well, Toji could not possibly be telling the Truth. Right? ... Right.

Then I got bored. Some plots that I enjoyed thoroughly were cut off suddenly and for mostly OOC reasons and it made me want to play less and less. I started taking long breaks, then longer. I came back for a while, had another run at things, trying to find the “old flame” of when the character was in his thirties and fourties... Failed. So, I stopped yet again.

One last thing... The Cards:

I actually researched the story of the Tarot Deck, one of the longest stories I’ve ever told anybody. IC, I’ve only said it... Two times, once to Tiamre and once to Xiaiolian. It’s a fantastic story and I’ll gladly link you the site I found it if you want (pm me). But I’m not going to post any logs of it as it took... About three OOC hours for every three to four cards.

As for the readings. Well. I enjoyed watching people taking everything I said as part of a Tarot Reading and turning it into their own version of “the future”.

As for Eregund: Yeah. He liked swords. I’d love to say more, but I can’t possibly compare him to Tojishiro.

So long, and thanks for all the fish. Will I see you, or you me again? Don’t know. But I doubt it. Oh, and before anyone says something, I’m not inclined to share the OOC reasons I stopped playing.

And, just because this felt so 2003:

It was always a pleasure to see Toji on the who list. By far one of my favorite people to rp with please come back with something else when your burn out is reset again.

They say it takes two to tango. Thank you for that wonderful experience that was playing with you over my last three characters. You surely know how to lead your dame.

Callie had really wonderful experiences with Toji. Thank you for sharing him with us. I also think you are spot on in your description of Reinald. I actually really look forward to see what else that player rolls. And I am VERY sad to learn you are burned out. Hope you'll be around soon enough

Definitely wasn't expecting that. Thanks, I guess.

Aerlyn was played in the same manner as Toji. It truly is an enjoyable angle.

I loved Toji. Loved him as both Ehlynn and Iliphalia, who knew full well she could believe what he said and saw him as something of a surrogate misguided child.

Well played, Sir.

I regret not taking more time to RP with Toji and get to know the character. I don't really have an excuse, since I led the harlequin for a good chunk of time when he was in it. I don't remember if Rorey inducted him or if someone else did, though. I also did not remember that he was Thubanite. Was he a Thubanite when I was playing Marietta? Also, I can't remember if Marietta was ever HF. I don't think she was.

Toji was fun to interact with, and always helpful to me when I played. I'm glad you took my pk survival tips to heart and found them useful.

Had a good time with him with Ivstnesr! Enjoy yourself.

He was a Thubanite three or four days before becoming a Harlequin, but he was never an "open" one. In fact, he only admitted it after a plot with Reinald, where he was preparing to tell the world Toji is a Thubanite. Instead, Toji admitted it himself, twisting the outcome of that plot. Fun times. And, no, I think Marietta was not an HF ever, which would explain why she did not know. During Marietta's time, Toji was a "godless, harlequin distraction".



I took them to heart, but not always followed them. When I did, however, I mostly survived. Except whenever Ardith was after me. I could not be arsed to bother

I really wanted to wait before Reinald age-died so that I could do a last "dance on his grave" rp, but meh, no patience.