An Explanation and Apology
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 6:37 am
Given server access is down at the moment I thought I would take time to address an issue which arose earlier today. In context a bit of history is required.
I played live for the entirety of its online run. During that time one of the dominant aspects of the game, to me at least, was the in game rivalries which grew between me and other players. I played Order almost exclusively, and as I am sure occurred with other Order players there were certain Destruction players whom I was always glad to see on the battlefield because I knew they were good players and would provide a challenge. One such, who is also now active on this server, was Shinto. When on my SM I knew whenever I saw Shinto in RvR or in an SC if I was going to get a kill against him it wasn't going to be easy. That was the essence of PvP combat, winning against someone you knew was just as dedicated to winning against you. It was what made this game great.
Others included Shebali, Anomandar, Axewolf, and Riftbeards.
I also ran an AM at that time, and the battles I most enjoyed as an AM were those going up against a competent Shammy. On the Badlands server the two Shammys I most readily recall were DRZ and Ochican. What struck me about these particular two was their penchant to run the zones solo, something the vast majority of Shammys would never do. DRZ was almost impossible to kill. I did it three times, the most memorable fight occurring in Praag on an occasion when we just wondered into each other. That fight must have lasted ten minutes, and in context of an MMO game was truly epic.
But the rivalry was what mattered, as from then on every time I ever saw either him or any of the listed players anywhere, it was game on. I developed one such rivalry here coming up through Tier Two with a Black Ork named TwoBigTeeth which was an absolute blast. We even talked about it in chat one night as he moved on to T3.
All of which brings me to the current issue.
I first saw Pentagramus in Tier Two while playing my White Lion. Again what instantly struck me was the fact he was a Shammy out running solo, something I have yet to see any other Shammy do on this server. We battled back and forth a bit, and then a bunch of Order arrived and ran him off. Over the last two days I encountered him in Tier Three while on my AM on multiple occasions. The first time I was rounding the keep in the Badlands and he just dropped out of the sky next to me. We sparred back and forth a bit until he ducked into the postern door. A bit later he came toward the front of the keep and again we went at it.
It was a good fight, a fun fight. As stated he is the first Shammy I have seen on this server running solo, a practice typically common to Witch Elves and Witch Hunters and a few good tank class players. It actually looked as if he was getting the upper hand until a SW appeared and ran him off. Earlier today he appeared in Avelorn, again running solo around the keep during a siege. Naturally I went after him. We sparred a bit until a bunch of other players mixed in and the fight broke up. What happened next is the apparent problem.
I went up on the outer wall, saw Pentagramus back out there, and in open chat told him he sucked. I instantly came under fire from a number of players for crossing the etiquette line. So, ok, apparently I broke a rule. But the truth is my only intent was to foster the rivalry between me and Pentagramus, because the additional truth is during the three or four times we have fought it is obvious to me he knows how to play his class and is therefore a worthy opponent. Really, I meant no disrespect. I was attempting to employ sarcasm in order to achieve a goal, but obviously chose poorly in expressing my intent. If I offended either him or anyone else, I do apologize.
I love this game, I am grateful I am allowed to play it, and I don't want to make anyone mad. It is true that when I play I want to win. It is also true that winning against a good player makes the former that much more worthwhile. Pentagramus and I have yet to get an actual kill on each other, but in pursuit of that goal in the future I promise to watch my mouth.
The Archmage still known as Sharsmal.
I played live for the entirety of its online run. During that time one of the dominant aspects of the game, to me at least, was the in game rivalries which grew between me and other players. I played Order almost exclusively, and as I am sure occurred with other Order players there were certain Destruction players whom I was always glad to see on the battlefield because I knew they were good players and would provide a challenge. One such, who is also now active on this server, was Shinto. When on my SM I knew whenever I saw Shinto in RvR or in an SC if I was going to get a kill against him it wasn't going to be easy. That was the essence of PvP combat, winning against someone you knew was just as dedicated to winning against you. It was what made this game great.
Others included Shebali, Anomandar, Axewolf, and Riftbeards.
I also ran an AM at that time, and the battles I most enjoyed as an AM were those going up against a competent Shammy. On the Badlands server the two Shammys I most readily recall were DRZ and Ochican. What struck me about these particular two was their penchant to run the zones solo, something the vast majority of Shammys would never do. DRZ was almost impossible to kill. I did it three times, the most memorable fight occurring in Praag on an occasion when we just wondered into each other. That fight must have lasted ten minutes, and in context of an MMO game was truly epic.
But the rivalry was what mattered, as from then on every time I ever saw either him or any of the listed players anywhere, it was game on. I developed one such rivalry here coming up through Tier Two with a Black Ork named TwoBigTeeth which was an absolute blast. We even talked about it in chat one night as he moved on to T3.
All of which brings me to the current issue.
I first saw Pentagramus in Tier Two while playing my White Lion. Again what instantly struck me was the fact he was a Shammy out running solo, something I have yet to see any other Shammy do on this server. We battled back and forth a bit, and then a bunch of Order arrived and ran him off. Over the last two days I encountered him in Tier Three while on my AM on multiple occasions. The first time I was rounding the keep in the Badlands and he just dropped out of the sky next to me. We sparred back and forth a bit until he ducked into the postern door. A bit later he came toward the front of the keep and again we went at it.
It was a good fight, a fun fight. As stated he is the first Shammy I have seen on this server running solo, a practice typically common to Witch Elves and Witch Hunters and a few good tank class players. It actually looked as if he was getting the upper hand until a SW appeared and ran him off. Earlier today he appeared in Avelorn, again running solo around the keep during a siege. Naturally I went after him. We sparred a bit until a bunch of other players mixed in and the fight broke up. What happened next is the apparent problem.
I went up on the outer wall, saw Pentagramus back out there, and in open chat told him he sucked. I instantly came under fire from a number of players for crossing the etiquette line. So, ok, apparently I broke a rule. But the truth is my only intent was to foster the rivalry between me and Pentagramus, because the additional truth is during the three or four times we have fought it is obvious to me he knows how to play his class and is therefore a worthy opponent. Really, I meant no disrespect. I was attempting to employ sarcasm in order to achieve a goal, but obviously chose poorly in expressing my intent. If I offended either him or anyone else, I do apologize.
I love this game, I am grateful I am allowed to play it, and I don't want to make anyone mad. It is true that when I play I want to win. It is also true that winning against a good player makes the former that much more worthwhile. Pentagramus and I have yet to get an actual kill on each other, but in pursuit of that goal in the future I promise to watch my mouth.
The Archmage still known as Sharsmal.
