A Land Far Away

It is with some sadness, and no small amount of RL trepidation, that I announce the retirement of Rathalan Whitsword.

Since April 15, 2008 my online gaming days have been filled with wonderful excitement. Rathalan was a departure for me. I have never before in 30+ years of gaming played a Lawful PC. It was at times a challenge and at other times invigorating. Same goes for playing a zealot. As a staunch moderate in my daily life, having Rath always be so dogmatic and self-righteous was sometime difficult....but I enjoyed it and enjoyed the play with all of you.

I have so many fond memories of my times that I can not hope to list them all. I have met so many PCs and players, some of whom remain, some of whom have moved on.

I will keep my list of "shout-outs" short, because to try to make an exhaustive list would exclude too many great folks.

To Danielmn - Thank you for the very idea of creating a Helmite PC and for building the House Invincible. It gave the faction a focal point a fitting place to grow into.

To Brother Humphrey - Thank you for your portrayal of Lemuel. He was truly a comrade, brother, confident, and son to Rathalan. Our hours together in game are truly among the most enjoyable I have ever had in gaming.

And, of course, to Wynna - Thank you for building a realistic, complex, living heirarchy around the House Invincible..... For providing authority and challenge and intrigue and support to the Helm faction.... And for taking time from your busy RL for the sole purpose of advancing my PC's storyline. I would not have made it this far without you.

And of course .......Thank you to all of ALFA DMs (JLM, darren, curm,etc) builders, scripters, and players for gaming with me and making this world so darned addictive and compelling.


Rathalan Whitsword, Guardian of Helm, Tested and True in the Order of the Everwatch Knights, Sworn in fealty to the House Invincible and the Lady of Hope, Protector of these Blessed Silver Marches, Hero of the Battle of the Rauvin Vale, Liberator of Rivermoot..............may he eternally watch from his vantage aside the Everwatcher upon Mount Celestia.

Duty and VIgilance!

Let me be the first, mate.

Well done!!

The fact that Rath got under the skin so completely is a good indicator of how well you played him, especially never having had played someone as lawful before.

My only regret is that there were so many witnesses around when Rath lay unconscious on the ground before Dawn after getting an ogre beatdown. It was SO tempting to force this goodbye a year ago.

I look forward to your next incarnation.

I always enjoyed your portrayal of Rathalan and the Helmite faith, and look forward to your future character. Be sure that Rathalan left an impression on both of my characters to date.

I'll never question a player's decision to move on. However, it is my sincere hope that Rathalan at least be folded into House invincible as an NPC, he deserves that, a lasting impact. It was extremely satisfying to share goals with a lawful neutral PC, have common ground, while disagreeing fundamentally on so many things and maintain a respectful relationship.

It was a challenge, it was excellent RP, and I may not have been around for his early days, I'm glad he was involved and around while my current PC developed. Duty and Vigilance

Well played sir... well played.

Pansy. Besmirch the dwarves and then immediately retire...had second thoughts about your actions, eh?!

Dude, it's been great fun everytime my pc ran into yours. I've often grinned at the antics of poking at, just slightly, a PC who is so serious. Moreso, because Helm is my favorite Diety, and I think you portrayed a faithful follower spot on. It was my pleasure to build a fitting temple to Helm for you guys, and though I mumbled occassionally, mostly because I was still in the early stages of doing interiors outside of OAS2, I can say the project was extremely enjoyable to build. Doubly so for consistent rpers like yourself and BH. I honestly enjoyed Rath, and applaud your play sir. I do hope that those in power do take up the notion to have Rathalan a permanent fixture on TSM by morphing him into an NPC. I am glad you enjoyed playing him, and stretched your wings from the daily life. I often find the most enjoyable PC's to play are so unlike my own self, it is good to explore. I hope I can run into another of your PC's in the future, perhaps by then ole G will have found himself a quiet place to retire and I'll be playing something new as well.

Bravo sir.

Major lost for the forces of good...


Thank you for keeping Rathalan with us that long and good luck with the next character.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Whew..got that out of My system

Truly thankyou for a char so well played and Real.

I have several fond memories with several different Chars. A celestial Boar Outside..but thankfully not insdide the Gates of Silvvy.

In Group with a Helmite and seeing him fall before Ogre's..Telling a certain Dwarf what I've seen..watching him laugh and say "yeah Right" then realizer I am serious and sprint in all his Barbarian stumpyness to aid you.

Discussions on Law vs. Right..and Law vs. freedom

ok shutting up now..too many memories over the last 14 months or so since first meeting Rath..will miss him..Marches won't be the same..good luck on your second Char in NwN2

Congrats on a wonderful character.

Very well Rped...the above is evidence of how you got into his skin.

Well done Rath...i mean dergon....see what i mean?

Good luck on your second character....

Cheers dergon, I am glad I got back amd met Rath in game possibly the first day I traveled to TSM on the 3rd day back. At least I did meet him pre-retirement.

Cheers, and looking forward to seeing your next roll... role? ...rolled role.

~G

What you may not be aware of DD is the amount of RP your play of Rathalan promoted when Rathalan was not around. In my opinion, this is a hallmark of great RP: when your character provides the impetus for the RP of others. Very well done. I enjoyed every moment of RP with you and Rathalan and look forward to more with your next PC.

I'm looking forward to playing with you on your next character. I was pushing to invite the Lord Guardian to the wedding but I was out voted. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Melody wrote:I'm looking forward to playing with you on your next character. I was pushing to invite the Lord Guardian to the wedding but I was out voted. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Not to derail this congradulatory thread, but damn it would have been funny to have Rath presiding over that wedding.

Audark wrote:I'll never question a player's decision to move on. However, it is my sincere hope that Rathalan at least be folded into House invincible as an NPC, he deserves that, a lasting impact. It was extremely satisfying to share goals with a lawful neutral PC, have common ground, while disagreeing fundamentally on so many things and maintain a respectful relationship.

It was a challenge, it was excellent RP, and I may not have been around for his early days, I'm glad he was involved and around while my current PC developed. Duty and Vigilance

I second the motion, but if ever QV gets rebuilt as it was proposed, I vote for Rath to be the resident high priest at the Temple of Helm up there. I'm going to miss having the old far.. err, fellow around. We had plenty of good times and Lem did feel that Rath was the closest thing to a father he was likely to find outside of Cromm's Hold. It nearly ruined him when Coraddor tossed him out on his ass, but it was Rath's steadfastness that anchored Lem despite his inner turmoil and gave him hope of redemption.

I can't wait to see what your new toon turns out to be, but I can be certain that it'll have the same depth and flavor that was put into Rath.

Hat's off to you for 2 1/2 years+ of fantastic RP and impetus for bringing out more of the same from others, even when you weren't logged in.