Maecius, you are a true role model for all role players to model their roles after.
While leaving your role in the capable hands of Elly makes me very happy, I will still miss your thoughtful, even handed responses. I consider myself a fairly laid back and considerate individual (except when driving...all other drivers are morons which gives what my wife calls "aggressive road rage" -- I am aware of the redundancy, not sure she is), but you respond to some posts that are so overwhelmingly out of bounds with more grace then I could ever manage. If you truly do leave, and it's during a time when I am so busy with work that I go several weeks without posting, please know that you have had a positive impact on my approach to things even outside of this server. Like me, I'm sure there are many others who have taken a few breaths and responded to work e-mails, fights with loved ones and other stressful situations in much more mature and calm manner by virtue of witnessing your ability to do so in these forums. The greatest compliment I can think to give someone I have only met electronically is that you have had a positive impact on me outside of how I interact while indulging in a hobby, it can be felt across how I respond to scenarios in many situations on any given day. So while I hope selfishly to continue seeing you around the forums until some day in the (hopefully) far distant future when the server finally gasps it's last breath, I am more hopeful that you finally get the time to go out and do those things you have been putting off and yank all the life you can out of the world outside our little corner. As our friends across the pond say, "Cheers mate!"
Elly,
Not sure I would have imagined you as a system admin, though I can recall being a bit surprised when I learned you were a DM! However, as was the case with your being a DM, it is a very pleasant surprise. I can recall a time prior to meeting you in game when I read a post someone made in the thank - you thread where they described how amazing your RP was (something about forgetting to RP picking up scrolls and thus dumping tens of thousands of GP worth of them in a campfire). In any case, that complimentary thread made me think about where I could do better when RP'ing with the few people I interacted with and when we first met in game, I must admit I was a little intimidated (which oddly worked out since Cranston was an introvert and not very good at talking to women anyway). In any case, during our times when we did RP you always made me feel comfortable and I got a great deal of enjoyment out of our brief conversations and even our few adventures! I know you will approach your role as admin in the same manner, making new and seasoned players alike feeling welcome and doing your best to make sure everyone has as much enjoyment as possible during their time in game, and in the forums.
I know this is early, but I also know over the past several months, up until the past week or so, my forum presence has been pretty spotty so I wanted to give you both a thank you in case I miss the final transition. Now both of you get back to work!
