So, Who Were Your Mentors?

[Boogerbear]

When you were a newb, what players and staff had the biggest, positive impact on you?

I'm going to limit myself to four:

1. Kroz/the player of.  Hired my ass naked after getting jailed and put me in the Byn.  Helped me and answered all my dumb OOC questions for years.

2. Berlain and his player, Xanous.  Contemporary Byn Sarge to Kroz right after Krrx revamped the Byn.  Like with Kroz's player, I talked to him for years  OOCly and, even though he hasn't logged into the GDB for years, I still regularly think about him.

3.  Karianna.  As an imm, she absolutely blew my mind as a new player.  She just went out of her way as a staff member to involve my clueless newbie burglar self in awesome stuff that I was totally undeserving of.  As a player I was almost totally new and a nobody, but that didn't prevent her from letting me know how fucking interesting it could be to play this game sometimes.

4.  LoD.  Both ICly and OOCly, his early guidance was just exemplary of what it is to be a good leader and a good player.  I'm sure plenty of others feel me on this one.


So, who were some of the players, characters, or staff that were mentors to you or otherwise really left a strong impact on you when you were a clueless newb?  What set them apart from the rest?

[Armaddict]

Aware of some the reactions this'll get, but alright.

1.  Delerak/Kronibas/Eatten_Back_To_Life/other IRC entities.
  Unpopular names for some of you, but I'd been mudding for three or four years by the time I came to Arm, and the code was -insane- to me, and I really had no true idea what roleplaying was.  I was invited to the IRC channel somehow, I don't recall how, and these guys helped me figure out code and, without being mean-spirited, made fun of me for my reactions to things and why they didn't fit in.  While we diverged on ideas a great deal over time, they separated IC from OOC for me (it was -fine- for our characters to be enemies and try to kill each other), and helped me through what would have been a process of learning that would have scared me off if I didn't have people to talk about badassity, wonkiness, and other such things with.

2.  Moontug/CodeMaster
This guy's still around, ya'll, I don't know how scarce he is though.  He hung with the same crowd, but had a closer grasp to what my idea of RP became.  He's the elf in the 'It's in my belt' log, interacting with my soldier.  He breathed life into scenes around him, so that in that fledgling state, I genuinely wanted to make things seem as cool and real as they could be.  I wanted his approval in my actions, and we talked about a great deal of things 'surrounding' IC without giving IC info...appropriate responses, explorations of cultures, etc.

3.  Zagren
I was suspended for a bit early on, for multiplaying.  Rather than ban me, the staff put me in a tavern with no exits so that I could still read helpfiles and such.  Zagren used to stop in on me, talk with me, discuss the game, and eventually ended up getting me to play city elves for him later, in the Haruch Kemad.  He wasn't against PvP, but talked in the mentality of elves; sometimes, you really shouldn't miss an opportunity to give more than a death.  Make it a death worth remembering.  Paraphrasing one of his things to me, 'There is no greater delight for an elf than to see the look on someone's face as they realize for the first time that -you- were responsible for their undoing, just before they die.'  He made the sidestep into a new mentality in the context of the game, i.e. the elven mindset, real for the first time.  I thought I understood with my dwarves before, but this was next level.  It was a character of mine in his clan where you can visibly see a change in my playstyle.

4.  Sanvean/Eniriah
While not exactly mentoring me on the game itself, these were the two most patient staffers who could maintain a dialogue with me.  Eniriah went out on a limb for me.  Sanvean remained impartial in cases where reviews were happening, not necessarily agreeing with all my actions, but often saying 'But I see how this could make sense in a different interpretation.'  While there were lapses afterwards, they improved my communication with those above.  Eniriah remains one of my favorite staffers, though I think her time was relatively brief.

5.  Kind of an honorable mention, Dar/Silver/Lec, the Guild Crew of the Detritus Den before the earthquake forever changed the labyrinth.  They taught me stealth things, they played fantastic powerhouses that could be both allies and antagonists, and they brought me along for many-a-ride even knowing that I was a helpless noob with only limited understanding.


There have been -many- influences on me during the game.  Many positive, and many negative, but I'd say that the above counted as 'mentors', rather than influences, even if they were not purposely taking me under their wing.

[mansa]

Mine was real life players from Highschool.   Our computer teacher taught us coding, showed us his own mud he was building and got us to help build, and introduced us to #ArmageddonMUD   (Gauss, also known as Olafson)

I read a lot.  I read the old Hyperthread discussion board.  I read all the ISCA threads.  I read HunterKiller's website, and other websites.   This was the early days of html, so everybody had a geocities website.  All those articles and discussions that people had, the arguments.   I read stories on the website.  I read it all.

My first character was declined 6 times.   Sanvean reached out and helped me write a main description and a background.   I was in, and died within a day.

I chatted with some people from ISCA.  I made more characters.  I made a pickpocket named Mansa and Lord Marius Tor and Jolanda picked me up, made me an aide, and taught me about politics and social structures, and how to bow to templars and nobles.

Eventually, I had a character who was in a merchant house, and that was when I got it.  It had to do with the players around me (Berlian, Captain Radoon, Merchant Adia) and having to live a longer life.   When I hit about 8 days playing time, I really got into the skin of my character and the world around them, and the power/political structures around them.

[Feco]

Man, I feel weird, because I feel like I don't have any mentors.

I didn't meet my first Armer until several years after playing, and I met them IRL basically immediately.  Other than that, I've stayed cut off OOC from other players.

Even IC, I'm not sure I had any really strong "take me under your wing" situations.

[MeTekillot]

Netflix/Rakas and Alain/the small, scarred man. Netflix got force-stored for a reason I still don't know and quit the game because of it. Alain I think just stopped playing.

[deskoft]

Player of Tallis was absolutely essential to me sticking to the game for sure. She brought so many plots my way, and made my first character, Flaire, be amazing. I would not be here without her - nor do I think my mindset when I enter a character would be the same. My time playing with them is definitely my 'north' into how awesome Armageddon can be.

Lucith Borsail engaged with my 'character 0' (the 1-week-long character I had before Flaire) and also hooked me really well, and their kudos to me after one scene we had also was very, very inspiring, I still remember that.

Definitely Xalle and her animations for Flaire really did it for me though. They motivated me so much into the role and showed me a lot of things about the game world of Armageddon that I didn't know, hadn't even imagined. She inspired me into a lot of things thanks to one or two scenes she had with my first character.

I would say these three were really good for me. Big props to the Tuluki players back then.

[Strongheart]

Sergeant Jin of the T'Zai Byn was my first official mentor once I finally started grasping the game (Arm is my first MUD). She was patient and understanding on an OOC level and on an IC level she also happened to be a compelling character that wasn't solely focused on combat. Thank you SO much, Insigne! You made the Byn life for me.

I did have mentors after this though, including a newly created noble named Teskelden Borsail. I am not certain if the character is still around or not but I want to thank them regardless for their patience with my aide character as I further cemented myself into the game.

Along with a multitude of mentors, I would like to name a few influential characters in my time of play: Lirael / Lira / Lii (knew the character since they were a Runner and got to see them grow, it was an interesting experience! So thank you, MatisseOrOtherwise) Okay the Giant (was there with my first character! Thanks for that Malifaxis) and gosh...

I remember this group I rode with on my dwarf who was named Stronhart (he very much liked giving hugs as it was a part of his focus though OOCly I also did it for the odd interactions lol). They were known as the "something Riders" I cannot remember the name but if anyone recalls this small group of characters with a volcano-necked woman (this was the most memorable sdesc as I was playing on the website's client at the time) let me know!

[boog]

Socko, but he brought me over from another game. He was the only person who actually RPed with me in that other game and I somehow found out how to contact him and he told me to come to Armageddon.

In game, I'd say Thunkkin's portrayal of Arkesh Kadius and a certain, wonderful couple's in game Tenneshis are what kept me around and really exemplified to me what Armageddon was all about.

[PriestlySiren]

I'd say... BadSkeelz was my big one, actually.

[Derain]

Amandagreathouse taught me most everything and took the time to take me under her wing.. She's banned now I believe.

[LauraMars]

Marko (Holten Irofel) and Travis (Methyas Groot) - probably a couple of the first players I encountered in the game, they were both very helpful.

Adhira for helping my first character go out with a bang and get me hooked on permadeath FOREVER

The guy who would become my husband whose username I don't even remember* because we have been married for seven years and that is no longer important. He got banned a lot (A LOT) but I definitely would not have kept playing armageddon without him. 

Alesix

Jpritch - still my good buddy to this day and I've known him for like 10 years and never even met him in person

brytta.leofa - see above

The guy who played Chosen Lord Cammul - WHERE ARE YOU
Bloodfromstone - WHERE ARE YOU

Malifaxis for being nuts

Path, the sweetest and the bestest with the best descriptions
Rairen, likewise

More recently:

The player of Alisima Oash - everything she did was so excellent
LargeHero for just being all around creative and willing to roll with every punch

*Ivory Angel in irc (watching him get kicked out of the channel 99999999999 times by Dig definitely made me realize he was just the man for me (not)(but it was funny))

[Brytta Léofa]

Gimfalisette (sergeant emeritus, sir)
alesix (templar emeritus)
LauraMars (you can go eat buttons or something)
Desertman (first Byn sarge)
Seeker (most interesting man in Vrun Driath)

These folks showed me how amazing the game could be, each in his or her very distinctive way.

And the rest of the beautiful endtimes AoD crew of 2009 or so: Bogre, Cutthroat, Gunnerblaster, Is Friday, Paryl, Rogue Gunslinger, Tisiphone, ...?

I'm still a fairly shitty player.

[Delirium]

Seeker, EvilRoeSlade, Samoa and whoever played Durg and whoever played Samar Kurac.

Their PCs had a big impact on my characters and on bringing the game to life for me as a newbie.

[QuillDipper]

I don't play really anymore, but shout out to most of the people who were in the AoD with my character Crete for helping me figure out pretty much everything. I was very out of my depth, especially in a clan like that, and everyone I played with was very tolerant and set a good example for me on how to treat other people who were still learning the world and code.

[RogueGunslinger]

Murk- the peg-legged Mul. God I think his name was Murk, my memory is such shit. He held my hand when I was a newbie and I joined his clan. I died fast, but he showed me the ropes and was very patient. He also played the role like a total badass. Really showed me the depths of roleplay possible when I saw how he interacted as a Slave for the clan. Later on I had a different character who ended up on the wrong side of Murk's clan and Murk beheaded him.

Samos- Having a hard time remembering who played Samos, was it Ale_Six? Anyways they were major leaders at the time. Samos was one of the first major character interactions I remember vividly. He burned my character with a fireball and stole his sight. It was really fucking cool at the time because I'd seen nothing like that in the game. Samos lived for a long time and I had many, many interactions over different characters of mine.

Gimfalisette- Was an exemplary leader, both in-game and out of game. She really excelled at making anything fun and I basically tried to mimic her whenever I had a leadership position. There's a ton I could go on about but I'll just say this: it set a high bar that I'm not really sure was ever met again when it comes to clan leadership.

Desertman- For inspiration and how to enjoy oneself. He made me unafraid to play a caricature as much as a character. To really ham it up when I wanted.

[LauraMars]

He burned my character with a fireball and stole his sight.

I remember this scene so well. You were running around aimlessly and eventually Samos was just laughing and said something like, "Where do you think you're going? You're blind and I can fly."

[RogueGunslinger]

It's funny, because at the time I was mad OOCly because I felt like I was being made into a punching bag. But as things progressed I realized I was given SO much leeway to role-play and interact. It wasn't until running into Midge, who had a few choice words for my character, that I realized this. Samos basically gave that character an immense backstory that was fleshed out ICly. Sadly I wasted it by dying soon after.

Fathi could easily be on my list of mentors as well.

[gotdamnmiracle]

(Edited to remove reference to currently living PC, per the rules)

[Marauder Moe]

I think Akasha and Aliera Oash shepherded my transition from hack'n'slash player with a veneer of roleplaying to truly playing a character.  I saw roleplaying not just as a means to justify skill grinding or collecting loot/money, but as the actual reason for playing this game.

I'll also give a shout-out to Samos.  Being hunted and captured by him was one of the best things that happened to that one character of mine.

[perfecto]

Mine was real life players from Highschool.   Our computer teacher taught us coding, showed us his own mud he was building and got us to help build, and introduced us to #ArmageddonMUD   (Gauss, also known as Olafson)

Those Blue-Eyed Bastards for sure 

Also ZalanthasNomad although we poked a literal shit ton of holes in the early code of this game I like to think we helped make it better eventually hahaha after all the Imms were done screaming at us.

Sanvean sparked my early creativity and let me run wild with some crazy ideas, and Ness's constant anger gave me more to strive for.

Playerwise I'd say the owner of Meso the Red for showing me how a powerhouse character can also be a powerhouse of a roleplayer. Little_Cacophony whose character I can't even remember the name of (though I know it started with an L) He was a sunrunner and his signature says it all.  "cinnamon, sugar, and softly spoken lies"

[Suhuy]

This was all a really long time ago now, but I remember shadowing Basya of House Kurac while she stood a couple rooms outside the Scaien Gates. I was a newbie just playing around with sneak and hide with no serious designs on RPing beyond what was required.

Alone (or so she thought), she withdrew a Kruth card with a sun or sun king on it and stabbed a dagger through the card, then said something out loud about her denouncing the Sun King. It was the first time I was ever witness to so called "solo RP". And it was pretty compelling RP too. It was clear this was part of some sort of character development, rather than just casual emotes about day to day actions. And this was the late 90's, which is sort of looked back upon as the No RP, Hack and Slash era of the MUD. I felt like there was something deep and meaningful behind whatever (and why ever) this character was denouncing the Northern king of Tuluk. It gave depth to the story of the game world and somehow that small little encounter stuck with me ever since.

More long term role models for me are:

Sargax Kurac. This guy was proof that you don't need long winded, 3-line long emotes to be a skilled RPer. He used very simple, short language to express his character, but was extremely consistent and full of depth. A very creative player who should be seen as one of the founding RPers of the MUD. And it all rang true not just with Sargax, but every character he played that I encountered.

Hekorz the Hand of Utep. Or really any PC played by this guy. Like Basya, this guy's RP motivated me to search for depth and meaning in my characters, rather than just running around maxing skills. A true storyteller.

Waevar (sp?) Kurac. A lot of Kuracis, I realize, but it's really just a coincidence. I'm pretty sure this guy was behind several well known PCs back in the day, including the (in)famous Lord Vedelerin Borsail. To contrast with Sargax, this player was in fact extremely wordy with his emotes, but he was one of the rare ones who could do it with excellent command of the English language, rather than the usual writing emotes long for the sake of being long. He was a real character to me and you could tell when he did things like express anger, it was the character, not the player, who was angry.

[Synthesis]

Lius, Berlian, Eldor, Ysania, and that whole crew.

[WarriorPoet]

LoD as Sujaal brought me into the Byn and really got me going, though I had been playing badly for awhile before that. I remember him emoting about a hungry child getting ignored and it rrrreally set my wheels spinning.

Brok and Brekkin the Byn dwarves both took the time to help me with code and emoting. Much respect. This was 02 I think.

I had been playing awhile and was comfortable by this point but Serpent (Ghost) in the Guild taught me how to be a cutthroat criminal and a good person.

Oh, and Sanvean!!! She was very kind to me and patient, even when she had reason not to be.

Honorable mention to Tlaloc and Halasturd.

[sleepyhead]

Valeria for playing my fake cousin You really helped me get the hang of things, or at least begin to. You are a big reason I am still around.

I forgot the gdb handle, but the player of Kit the Allanaki gypsy loyalist fme whore/burglar/jeweler. I loved playing with you a bit too much and I was probably a bit clingy but I was just so excited to play out our drama. I loved every moment of it.

LauraMars for being an incredible noble role model. I still think about your incredible emotes and strive to one day live up to that standard.

Taven, who was not only a fantastic RP role model, but a shining example of a contributer to the Arm community. I miss you and I hope that you will one day feel like coming back.

TheLonelyHunter, who to me is still the gold standard of mul RP. One day maybe we'll play together again and I'll figure out how to not die in the dumbest way possible. Thanks for all the memories!

Kismetic, who created an awesome tribe with me. I'm sorry I died to something silly (again). If we ever get another chance to do something similar, I'll try not to be so foolish.

The gypsy crew: Lexie, Aarif, Nicci, and Asha. And their sympathizers, Pearl (not Terash), Kit whom I mentioned earlier, Bixan, and I can't remember who else. I still look back on those days as some of the most fun I have ever had.

Advisor Nell for showing me the potential of hemotes. I'm still lame, but I'm trying.

Validos Fale for being one of the scariest templars I've ever had the simultaneous pleasure and displeasure of interacting with.

...and countless others. Thanks to all of you and I'm sorry to those I've missed. You are all incredible.

[azuriolinist]

It was my first experience in the T'zai Byn that got me hooked into the game and, gradually, learning my way through the code, world, and roleplay of Armageddon. In particular, I'll mention my first Byn Sergeants, Urzen and Grir, both of whom made for an utterly colorful (in the swearing kind of way, too) pair of characters. They truly exemplified the grit of the T'zai Byn for me. Grir had a shamelessly crude and rough personality, and one that still inspires me when I think of the T'zai Byn. Urzen, I vaguely remember, once smiled while whipping one of his unruly subordinates, showing me the often sadistic side of the people of Zalanthas. Honestly, overall, the experiences I had during that time of the Byn shaped a large part of Arm's theme for me as a newbie.

Another character that inspired me was Quen. (Yes, yet another Byn character). The player inspired (and continues to inspire) me to really just let loose when I'm playing Armageddon — to have fun. The experiences I had as a Runner under Quen's leadership were some of the most fun (and hilarious) I had in Arm.

As for staff, Akariel, amongst many others, is particularly notable to me for being extremely supportive in his replies on my first leadership role's reports. It was always a pleasure hearing back from him. The advice he gave me encouraged me, despite the difficulties I had with the role.

There are a number of players and staff I've probably missed or deliberately kept from mentioning, with some being too recent to speak of and others still living. I know I've learned a lot from the numerous discussions and guides on the GDB, too.

[Boogerbear]

LoD as Sujaal

I remember Sujaal and I deciding to roll Bynners together because the clan was weak at that moment. Mine died and the other went on to become Sujaal as we remember him.  LoD was always way better than staying alive than I was, heh.

Can't believe I misspelled Berlian's name. Outside of that certain Kadian crew, he was also Krrx's "bringing back the Byn" team after its redesign IIRC: Mazzel, Khilaroz (Kroz), and Berlian as the Sarges, followed by Iltrin who was a runner w/ my 2nd PC. Mazzel just stopped playing AFAIK despite winning a bronze shield from an arena championship.

Also much respect to Sargax as well. I'll never forget being a kid and going to Sargax wanting to work for Kurac as a spy. He was like... how do I know you aren't just a spy for someone else?  Teenage me:  Uhhhhhhhhhh.

[Bogre]

Digger, the Guild assassin. (Played by Boggis)

ERS's templar.

Forest Junkie, who I think I played my first d-elf with (he and Derain). Reiloth. Asher.

Sarador Sath. Elithan.

[Rokal]

Faithful Lady Fortuna. & Faithful Lord Yasir
Jargon, Corporal in the legions
Mesmer Dasari
Kiris

and about a dozen other characters that really came together to give me a memorable experience and help me learn the game.

My first character experience  wasn't just a tuluk experience, it lasted until tuluk came to a close and some time beyond that - and i haven't had as long a lived character since.

Thank you to everyone that had an impact in Keyrena's life, and helped me through my very noobish moments!

[Bebop]

Validos Fale for being one of the scariest templars I've ever had the simultaneous pleasure and displeasure of interacting with.

I loved Validos.

Idji and Sham - I have no idea who you were but you taught me a lot.

Marko as Hathor.

Valeria as Miss Onyxi

Zoltan as Sergeant Raul - we had some badass stories

Sanvean and Eniriah who gave me my first karma and were so patient, kind and fair.  Tlaloc who actually became a dear RL friend.  I miss his presence in the Byn.

I had been playing awhile before those but I think around that time is when RP started to really come together.  Longevity has never been my strong suite but I'm sure a lot of you all helped along the way.

Armaddict and Kismetic I remember being really fun to RP with and people who let RP incubate.

[Cind]

I don't remember. I didn't start having good characters until a couple of years in, and its just been too long.

I probably should thank my byn sarges, for teaching me combat early on, and also teaching me that you die to everything, no matter how strong you are.

I was a witch newb not that long ago so I remember the drovian old man luirsman who was the representative of the quarter and communicated with the templarate, seeing to their witchy needs. He helped me out with some basic questions, and the water witch too, a human male I can't remember who seemed to know that he was dealing with a lot of newbs as a water witch and was very patient with all of us.

[Akaramu]

Probably Kishime Fale and Seumas of House Salarr. Morrolan's halfbreed Byn sarge whose name I don't remember.

Also Delirium, who OOCed me after I emoted reading the message board in the Gaj. 

[manonfire]

Player mentors, who not only taught me how to play, but how to play better.: LoD, Fathi, Only He Stands There, Reiloth, Ender, Delirium, Rishenko, 7DV, path, Gimfalisette, Forest Junkie, kismetic, ghost

Staff mentors, who have either astounded me with their creativity or have changed how I see the gameworld: Naox, Onimantu, Shalooonsh, Halaster, Rahnevyn, Belenos

[X-D]

Which Hathor Bebop...what year?


I would say that would be my only (player) mentor sorta...but this one was in around 2000-2002.

After that...just the more patient staffers, Sanvean, Ness, Tlaloc, Vendyra. I know I come across as a dick sometimes...well, likely most times.

[ghostymudy]

I met Patuk in Antwerp and he taught me how to love.

[Patuk]

YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO TELL

[tapas]

The players of Ceylara Borsail and Zharal the Gypsy.

Who somehow indulged in my badly played lesbian-mudsex-aide-first-time-drovian-oh-god-what-the-fuck was-I-even-doing.

[Hicksville Hoochie]

Advisor Nell for showing me the potential of hemotes. I'm still lame, but I'm trying.

Thanks! If I'm ever remembered for anything in this game, I'd be cool with it being my ability to tell/direct a story through hemotes. They're my second favorite command, just behind think. XD

[The7DeadlyVenomz]

Davaz the mul, and all of the various players in Kurac around that time.

[path]

I wanna play too! I've been so happily inspired by so many wonderful players over the years, but most recently I've been blown away by Nauta, Yam and LargeHero. You guys are awesome. You all make me want to be a better player.

[Kol]

All you guys. Honestly, I wouldn't be playing today it wasn't for all of you and the way people are so helpful towards new players.

Cutthroat (Raleris Winrothol) Really helped me out when I first started playing though. I'd gone through a few short lived PC's before then, and he helped me really make a good start of actually surviving past a day or two played.

[lostinspace]

I believe the characters name was Horb. He was a hunter/gatherer for Teneshi and helped explain all the syntax and controls to me while leading me out to hunt Raptors and gortoks.

My first vivid memory of armageddon is digging up a bunch of gemstones with him to give to the Fatty lord as a gift and request for a job.

[Jihelu]

Patuk, Majikal, and Akariel. They all helped me get to this shitposting power I am at today.

I hate them all for it.

Thank you three for helping me get into this game properly.

[WithSprinkles]

Sergent Silteye - When it was obvious I was new, he had me buy armor for myself with my starter money because I had no clue about anything, and explained things to me in his gruff manner. After making sure that I was set up on the forums, he let me do my own thing and made sure my beetle was pointed in the right direction on contracts.

The Raging Tembos - These guys were GREAT! They gave survival tips and taught me so many starter aspects of the game. After I left the company, I used to grin every time they shouted and waved to the wagon on our escorts.

Agent Siamaca - Learned patience and eventually independence and ruthlessness from this awesome character.

Macian - Many have watched and emulated Macian because of her quiet example in emoting through crafts. Lots of us thought of that character as the clan's 'Mamma'.

Ellandris Borsail - I as a player didn't know what the significance of silver signet rings were, but Ellandris seemed to understand that and snagged my character by the ear to educate him on social niceties. It ended up being a great and lasting friendship that taught me a lot.

Nell - Like several on this list, this player hemotes like a champion and was amazing to watch in action. I don't know about anyone else, but when I see someone really throwing themselves into their character, it sometimes makes me try to match that intensity in the scene. This is that sort of player.

There were others, but there are also a lot of good examples to choose from.

[Refugee]

I came over to Arm after many years of playing Shadows of Isildur.  Some things transitioned well and some not so much.  You would have laughed if you watched me struggling for a half hour trying to figure out the command for getting through a clan gate...

PCs who spent hours and hours teaching my PCs how to survive, fight, and hunt in this new game:  Elrum, Sensia, Crestian, and Azayrek.

I was given a sponsored Byn Sergeant after just one PC and two weeks of another, and I'd never played in the Byn.  The half-giant Albie, skillfully staying in character, taught me day by day the ways of the clan and the lands of the south.  I remember one conversation with another sergeant just before a raid on a spider nest where we thought it likely we would not survive.  We agreed, Albie had to survive no matter what, because he was the heart of the Byn and the next sergeant would be okay if he just had Albie.

That's all I can say right now but there are many more I'd like to list when the time is right.  But you know who you are!

[razorback]

Nell - for showing me how to RP deeper, although I didn't take much advantage of it then with my AoD sarge. But thanks anyway! It helped later, I promise.

James - For being Kitrix when I got my very first sponsored role as Varnathius, for me teaching me how to Templar. I honestly think I would have failed miserably if I hadn't been lucky enough to have Kitrix there to guide me. That goes for Takharion's player as well. Both of you gave me a hell of a kick start in the right direction. Thank you.

And now the part that is going to drive me nuts. And shame me at the same time. The Sergeant of Kurac when I was Vilonia, I think she was only my second, maybe third PC. And still the most fun I think I've ever had in the game. There was a large learning curve, but thanks to the Sarge's help IC, Vilonia managed to last IRL years, thanks to the short time together. That PC was a big enough influence on Vilonia she had a tattoo made after the Sarge's death that depicted her, sprawled across her back. Sorry for being old with a bad memory!

[Riev]

TFW I'm not even mentioned.

That REALIZATION that many of these people are bounds and leagues above even my best PC.

[Strongheart]

TFW I'm not even mentioned.

That REALIZATION that many of these people are bounds and leagues above even my best PC.

You've been a positive in my Arming experience! Athough I don't believe we've ever played together ICly.

[Krath]

Lets see:

Players: LoD Snarf, Ghost, X-D
Staff: Nessalin, Halaster, Vendyra

[adri]

I'm still a newb, honestly. I spent SO long just.. dying repeatedly to stupid things. Recently, a few players REALLY took me under their wing and made a difference in my understanding of surviving, training and being a part of amazing plots. So, a big thank you goes out to the players of: Vektus, Bosowan and Emilia!

[valeria]

I suck at remembering who played who, so I'm going to have to do this by characters. Basmir the Kadian, who took my noob self under his wing in Tuluk and got me involved with House Kadius (Elorin and Ishi, Irminia who I ICly hated and eventually resulted in my death, but who was a great RPer), including by introducing me to...

Adjo, who trained her in how to sneak and thieve, though I never learned who that "if you look at me I'll kill you" guy was until I got my account notes some years later. Faithful Lady Isatep, who scared my socks off.

Sergeant Creek, who took my next serious character, Faith the Legionnaire, under his wing. Youko Elkynhym, showing me what great characterization was. Faithfuls Khentim and Qoriya, who kept shit interesting. Her lover, Musadir, who was shady af. The staff who animated the kryl who ate her arm off. Whoever performed the amputation while she was sedated, and everyone at Ayun Iskander who provided the background emotes and terror that made that whole RPT heart-pounding.

Those were the two characters they hooked me, and the people around them that made them great.

There have been many, many people since then, who I have borrowed from to make my characters more interesting and real. So many great RPers. And then there age the numerous other players who have reached out after my many breaks to draw me back in, too many of those to name, really.

[HavokBlue]

Sergeant Thuler and Raisa-di Kurac, a certain elf by the name of Worms, and a Red Fang called Two Moons who turned a mugging into a great desert survival tutorial for a newbie.

[Cind]

Siamaca was the earliest mentor I remember, but the other members of our crew helped a lot too. They helped me believe that a sociopathic pc (not player) could be a fully functioning member of society, inside and out.


I didn't really understand your 'stereotypical' American t.v. sociopath--- an unfeeling individual who either does not have desires or has them, but not the will to bring them to conclusion. I was sort of afraid I would be unable to play one who didn't feel like a piece of walking particle board. The crew really helped me enjoy playing her. Also, she was an unmanifested rukkian. Heh, I don't really play in Tuluk without being an unmanifested something or other.

[Morrolan]

I was a witch newb not that long ago so I remember the drovian old man luirsman who was the representative of the quarter and communicated with the templarate, seeing to their witchy needs. He helped me out with some basic questions, and the water witch too, a human male I can't remember who seemed to know that he was dealing with a lot of newbs as a water witch and was very patient with all of us.

The drovian was maybe Corse. That which is remembered, lives.

[slipshod]

... Faithful Lady Isatep, who scared my socks off.

Isatep was the closest thing I've played to a blind character since she seldom deigned to 'look at' scum, and most PCs were scum to her.

Oh, Wheel was one of my big mentors.

[TitaniaArl]

Bit late to the party, but got a lot of love for my first mentor to the game. Shout out to Lieutenant Torgun of the AOD helping me be the worst corporal I could be! You taught me (and my best bud) everything I know.

[Delirium]

I was a witch newb not that long ago so I remember the drovian old man luirsman who was the representative of the quarter and communicated with the templarate, seeing to their witchy needs. He helped me out with some basic questions, and the water witch too, a human male I can't remember who seemed to know that he was dealing with a lot of newbs as a water witch and was very patient with all of us.

The drovian was maybe Corse. That which is remembered, lives.

Corse and Moraz. Legendary times.

[Barsook]

All you guys. Honestly, I wouldn't be playing today it wasn't for all of you and the way people are so helpful towards new players.

Agreed.

For me specifically it is:

Jamuk, the real life friend who got me playing about 12 years ago. He quit after a year of playing but I'm still playing strong!

The player of Ayla for showing me how to emote crafting things and how to teach with emoting for crafts.  I even quoted her line "work with stone as you would with a woman" (or something like that), A.K.A be gentle with stone, on a few of my crafter characters.

Cutthroat , as the Chosen Lord, allowed to learn Tuluk.

The players of Lord Iancu Oash and Moraz for showing how to play a water witch.

[chrisdcoulombe]

My brother in law taught me how to play I had never even heard of Muds before that.  I think he is Jozhole on the board or something like that.    It took most of the learning curve away as far as mechanics go.   As far as rp goes that is a journey in and of its self.  I'm sure many of you have helped in that.  The majority of my Arm experience is indy salter/hunter/miner ect. So I don't know who the majority of the people are.   I would say I learn something almost anytime I play with a different group of people including my most recent.

[racurtne]

If not for Pip the dwarf and Smort(e?) (the slate-eyed fat man), I probably wouldn't have gotten into playing much. They showed me the ropes on my 2nd or 3rd character. It took one or two for me to stop dying so fast.

[The Lonely Hunter]

TheLonelyHunter, who to me is still the gold standard of mul RP. One day maybe we'll play together again and I'll figure out how to not die in the dumbest way possible. Thanks for all the memories!

Thanks! I do love me some muls. I read and re-read documentation so much and I just love the way that they are written out.

[Riev]

I had played MUDs before, but never really 'got' the RP thing (some would suggest I still do not).

When I was in college, a friend had been playing Arm for a long time, and they showed me the ropes. They were a rather top-tier player, a lot of connections with staff and veterans and whatnot. Played Shattered, the desert elf sorcerer. Wisp the Tuluki Assassin. The short-term psionicist aide of a Southern Templar. Kaya Uaptal.

The only drawback to having them teach me the game, is I saw the game as played at the highest levels. Magick. Sorcery. Corruption and Politics. All done during an age with high player agency, staff facilitation, and a dogmatic sense of "if it is done in the game, we will make reflect it in the world."

Its not a complaint, but the dogmatic sense has changed from "making the world reflect player actions" to "making the world react in a contentious manner to player actions". But since I was seeing it differently, its colored my whole play experience.

[Thomoto]

So let me take a step back. I was introduced to the MUD by a friend/family member who at the time told me a lot of stuff about arm and stories (looking back on it prob not the best Idea on her part rule wise but they weren’t exactly expecting me to play because I was twelve at the time) so naturally I was interested and registered and it was my second character that she found me playing where she showed me the ropes.
Now I haven’t (i dont think) ever ran into them ig so mentor wise was ehh.

Though shoutout to a few folk in the byn who helped give me a bit with the game. PriestlySiren (if m serves) And Cenmus (again, I THINK).  And a few others along my extremely looong newb days.

On staff part thanks Aromit for the feedback and the animations I can still laugh about.