This is for everyone.
For all the players, even those I've never met.
For the developers and DMs and administrators who volunteer their time.
Arelith for me is an escape, as it is for many others. My youngest son has Autism and will most likely never be able to live on his own. I lost my father fifteen years ago to Alzheimers, one of the cruelest conditions I've ever seen. My mother survived breast cancer during this same time and now needs constant check-in. We quickly followed this with the death of my husband's brother and mother. So, just when we thought we would have more time to ourselves, now my husband and I each have a parent to constantly check on and run errands for. (His father, my mother)
As retirement grew closer, I had hoped to have more free time to enjoy some other things, spend more time with my son, and help my husband who is still working, but fate has had different plans for me. My older brother began having health issues, so I retired early hoping to get him through his issues and back home where he helped watch over our mother. But this week, my sister and I have come to the painful realization that he isn't coming home. His diagnosis is most likely SupraNuclear Palsy or Lewy Body Dementia, which in less than two months took a man who could drive, manage errands and take care of his elderly mother, to a bed ridden shell of himself, being fed by his own mother, who requires a walker to come visit him.
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So, enjoying the stories on Arelith... the big plots, the little plots, the silly side quests that come out of nowhere (why is this pig talking to me?) ... helps to ease some of the constant wear of being a caregiver.
There are players I have never had the privilege to meet, yet their actions ripple through the server in other stories, statues, paintings, and Aria's favorite...books.
I am constantly amazed at the creativity of players to make this old game come alive more than anything new out there; The magicians and illusionists, the playwrights and storytellers, the craftsmen who can turn an ordinary item into something magical.
I am constantly amazed at the players who spend so much of THEIR time just to make a magical event for other people. I spent an hour Saturday laughing at a play on a screen consisting of typed words and little pixels running around, and I was completely entertained and appreciative, not to mention NOT thinking of some of my responsibilities.
I am scared to list the names of player characters who have meant so much to me, as I know I will miss a few. and feel horribly guilty, but here goes.
SKAL
Sago Teas, Cashang Kenner, Willow Borino, Annika Freysdottir and Henryk W. (I can't spell that last name) I swear we would have quit playing Arelith right then if we hadn't run into you all. We were so lost with how to play this game and even the idea of role play! You really lit a fire in us.
GULDORAND
In the early days, it was Gabe (who wasn't Freeman, yet) Aleksander, Ayiesha and Samantha Goodman who helped Daun and Aria get their footing with gear and advice. We never forgot that.
Thanks to Salah, who once told Aria that he had been afraid to hire her, but that he thought she was one of the most loyal citizens of Guldorand ever.
To Gynnie Robins who showed Aria how to use her songs and move about in some unsavory places.
To Rav'nheart, Myst, and Villi who taught Aria languages and fashion tips.
To Max Storm, who invited Daun and Aria into his newly formed noble House and got them introduced to the Radiant Heart.
To Everyone who was EVER in the Constabulary with Aria: Dethos, Bodhi, Domila, Vico, Nyle, Aedan, Takeshi, Velasco, Timmothy, Thamerric, Malos, and Cyrus, but now I am too tired to recall them all even though I made up all their personnel files! We all know the stuff we went through in there.
Kyelet Soris - who spent HOURS teaching Aria how to survive a fight...she'll never win one but she might make it out alive to go get help.
To some of my frenemies: Lefric Ruston and Ekrid ... learning to role play conflict while appreciating and still valuing the other player is surely a lesson I have had to learn, and I am very grateful to have had the two of you to learn from. I think some of -my- best roleplay was surely in interactions with the two of you.
Random characters who always make me smile: Exordius, Flan Vale, Azalin, Thalantyr, Arkhan, Dibgub (shhh!), Bryan, Aerdrick, Snorri, Derristan, Jard, Gunnar, Tera'Thiel, and dozens of others I'll remember later.
Special mention to Angela Amana, Willow/Thea and Morrigan Ti'ffien/Ammutseba.
And then for my Arelith FAMILY:
These player characters have not only been my in game team, they have checked on me in and out of the game, at home, while I was at work...sending me jokes and words of encouragement. And I am so grateful to them for helping me stay same in and out of the game.
The Scarlet Order: ALL OF YOU ROCK (Karos, Peradoc, Nes, Ren)
Lastar, Viri, Rikus, Xenphon, and Brinja. I do NOT know what I would do without you all.
Brinja...who has checked on me as if she was MY very own caregiver. I DO NOT THANK YOU ENOUGH!!
So this is my thanks to everyone involved in Arelith because it takes everyone from the designers and programmers and players to make this such a living world where I can escape for a while each day. And as this is NOT a goodbye, Aria will still be happily collecting all her bits of information and piecing them together incorrectly.
Cheers!
I really hope you find some light in the darkness! Be it NWN, family or otherwise! Stay strong!
