Nothing Gold Can Stay

[Malchaeius]

Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf, So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day, Nothing gold can stay.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with this poem, and a heavy heart, that I come to you to announce that I am stepping down from daily duties at the Forsaken Lands. I have been a member of this community for nearly a decade – with over six and a half of them being in a position to shape the very world. There have been some great times, as well as frustrations. I have poured thousands of hours into fixing typos, bugs, touching up areas, directing plots, hiring staff, interacting with players, and spending my money to see this place flourish. Would that I could, I would pour a thousand more. Sadly, I cannot. My life has taken a turn into a road which I cannot bring FL along with me.

There are some people I would like to thank:

Virigoth – The time that I spent with you on test port was some of my most memorable times. I was always in awe of your ability to shoulder such a massive workload. I must admit that for the longest time, I kept your pfile stored. EA lost a brilliant mind. Thank you for all you have done for this place.

Bryntryst – You had faith in me and what I could do. Thank you. In a lot of ways I looked up to your ability to create a living world – it is something I always tried to emulate.

Arzaeth – Thank you for continuing to provide us a forum. It is a shame that most people do not get the opportunity to see what a great person you are.

Kalug – What can I say man. You have been a mentor to me even to this day. I can remember how much doubt I had in my ability to be an administrator. If it were not for your encouragement, I do not think I would have even accepted. Thank you. It is regrettable that you are a Lakers fan.

Mircea – I learned how to enjoy this position from your example. You were always such a mystery, but I could always count on you for a laugh. Thank you.

Chayesh – I am praying for you and your family my friend. Your sense of humor kept things light, and made the experience more enjoyable. I believe I still have your pfile stored somewhere, hoping that you would come back some day.

Irumeru – Thank you for taking the initiative with the MUD. If it were not for you, it might have been the end. You paid for the MUD for two years, with hardly a word of thanks. You worked 60 hour weeks and still put in the time to code. Thank you my friend. Next time I am in town, the pizza is on me.

Caimor – I really hope you are somewhere safe and sound. You really were a great guy. I only wish everyone got to know you better.

Raargant – You are one of the most intelligent and logical people I have ever had the pleasure of working with. The only thing that I valued more than your input was your friendship. Try not to start an international incident ok?

Eshaine – The People’s Imm. I have much faith in your abilities to lead this place. We have had our share of misunderstandings in the past, but I hope you know how much I appreciated your input. Out of all our original staff members, you have been the most consistent in your reliability. Never lose that perspective of yours; it is the reason why the players love you so much.

Gradrel – Always a friendly ear. I am pulling for you my friend. I always enjoyed our talks, as we shared some of the same interests. You are a very dependable person, and for that I am glad to have worked with you.

Lytholm – Your point of view is refreshing. I hope you continue to plug away.

Zhokril – You are going to have a tough task ahead of you my friend. I feel that you are more than capable. Try to balance the workload, because everyone will want something, and they will want it immediately.

Atebos and Haesierph – The new guys. I have no doubt I made the right decision to bring you guys on board. Always know your strengths, but don’t be afraid to acknowledge your weaknesses. You have much upside.

Hitandrun – I thoroughly enjoyed your con quest. I hope you continue to improve your role-play.

Balinor – As emotional and brash as you come across on the forum, you were always professional and hard-working on test port. I wish I could have made more use of you as a builder. It is one of my few regrets.

Celerity – I felt there was always a misunderstanding between us. I want to clear the air and tell you that I never had any ill will against you. I admired your tenacity and your passion. Though we may have disagreed on how it should be done, we both had the Forsaken Land’s improvement in mind.

AG and WC – Our very own FL google gurus. Though you may come across as abrasive, you two have genuinely cared about newer players. For all your input, thank you.

To all who may have disliked me – It was never personal. The few times that I have done something unprofessional, I apologized to those individuals. If you think that I personally sought you out, I assure you I did not. Still, everyone is entitled to their opinions, and I will not encroach upon that right.

To everyone and anyone that I did not mention – This does not mean that you were not important to my experience here. It is just that at the moment, I could not recall. I pray you forgive me for my spotty memory. Everyone from Valek, Myrek, Grim Reefer, L-A, Mya, ladioki, Pali, Dizz, klemkin, Mali, Teralis, et cetera. You players are the lifeblood of this game. Continue to enjoy yourself and spread the word!

As I bring this post to an end, I must say that there are two milestones that I wished that I could have seen as a lead Administrator: February would have made it five years since we took over. June will be FL’s ten year anniversary. That being said, I will not abandon this game. I leave this MUD in capable hands – and I will to continue to aid them when need be.

Don't be dismayed at goodbyes.

A farewell is necessary before you can meet again.

And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends.

[-Totenkopf-]

Goodbyes always seem so sad. I didn't have much interation with you Malch, was Malchaeius always the name of your imm, as I don't recall seeing them in the early days.

Wish you all the best in your endeavours and hope everything goes well for you. I am sure we all appreciate the effort you have put into maintaining this MUD and bringing us an enjoyable world to play in.

Although I am quite often a thorn in the IMM's side I am not at all ungrateful. Sometimes my perspective just doesn't agree with others, and I have never been one conform just for the hell of conforming. It is both a weakness and strength of mine, but something that makes me who I am.

Thanks, and best of luck!

James (AKA Tot)

[Montahg]

Cheers Malch, you provided me many an hour of enjoyment with this mud.

Take care of yourself now.

Mont

[jibber]

You provided an enjoyable environment (for those who didn't cheat), and I thank you for that. I appreciate your time, your effort, and your ability to forgive.

Take it easy, and stop by every once in awhile, eh?

[ladyoki]

I think I’m about to cry, my fav demon is leaving. Who will torment me ? Who will haunt me in the shadows? Oh right, I still have Anume.

On to a serious note. I hated you when I first began this game, in game and out of game. You always acted like a **** (in Game of course) . But I grew to understand RP and the responsibility that weighed down upon your shoulders. With Palwen, you ( and the imm staff) gave me so many opportunities, some I may have taken for granted. You made this game enjoyable for myself, and I am sure for many others. I do appreciate everything you have done for this game and I wish to thank you for all the effort you have put forth. I wish you all the best.

Oh…. It’s ladyoki, but love all around.

[The-Nameless]

I know it is not april, and that is why this is so sad. I truly hope you get all the best out of life Malch. I dunno what brought this on, but I know it is not just a whim you had. I do wish you the best Malch. I know your not going to be here as an immortal, I do hope you will still be a member of the community.

[Mindflayer]

Issasthys enjoyed being your spy, even after you ripped his arms off for ratting you out! Your roleplay always inspired me to get more into mine. Good luck in the future, and thanks for providing us with this awesomely addictive game.

[samag08]

Thank you for all of your hard work and time and effort my friend. Might you find prosperity and good fortune in whatever it is that draws you away.

[Evangelion]

You know, the heartbreak wasn't as keen when Irumeru left, because by the time people were sure he was gone, you had already settled into place. But today, I remember what it feels like when all of the others left. It's with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to the man who is single-handedly one of the most dedicated staffers FL has ever had.

As far as our personal interactions, I don't think we had any long-lasting, memorable interactions in game (aside from when you gave Demon to Manipulant). However, I will say that I find other people's lauding over your RPing completely understandable, after every brief yet remarkably engaging conversation you and I have ever had.

My work for you on the build port was something I will never regret, and though we don't always have the opportunity to do as much as we like, it's more often than not better to remember that we did what was needed. Thank you for the chances and the trust.

Stay classy, keep warm, and you know better than most that the door is always open. May the road rise up to meet you, and all that jazz.

[tassinvegeta]

Think I'm about to cry.

[Pieman]

Wow, I'm a little speechless. This brings back memories of April Fool's Day jokes, but this post had soul in it. And it truly is heart-wrenching. You were in your position when I started playing, and to the kids from my generation of FL'ers you were always amazing. From the pure fear of you, to the knowledge through trial and error that you were always a fair judge in what you did with us. Whether you are here or not from my perspective you will always be a part of this game for me man. Thank you and good luck.

...P.S...

It is regrettable that you are a Lakers fan.

I couldn't help but think of Lakers Rivalries and the important one to me that comes to mind is Boston?

[f0xx]

Meh, I was about to say something nice, but since I am not mentioned in your post (and Mya is!), the hell with it

Now on a more serious note, thank you for spending your time for us little ungrateful vermins. I always enjoyed your posts, especially the ones in prayer where you wouldn't be rude while still keeping your state of authority. I know it's a hard balance to achieve but you managed greatly.

Hopefully you will still be around, at least as a player.

Good luck in real life.

[edit] Forgot the point of my initial, post. Now that the big head is stepping down, who should we be sending our congratulations to?

[Anume]

I also want to thank you personally and in the name of the whole staff for all the time, effort and money you have put into FL over the years.

Think you know that those times I whined at you was with the good of the mud in mind.

I know your real life situation is taxing you right now, but I am sure things will brighten up eventually. Make sure to drop in and say hello when you have the time and energy.

Wish you all the best.

[MadHieronimo]

Wow.. I think I've been MIA for a lot of the time you were at the reins, but I sincerely thank you for keeping the MUD going and putting the time, money, and effort into it that I imagine it would take to keep the MUD in such a great state. I hope everything in real life works out. It's always sad to lose a member of the staff, but all the very best for whatever you dedicate yourself to from here.

[Pali]

Honestly, having been in and out of FL for 9-ish years now, I have to say that your reign as head of FL was the best. Granted, FL (like many MUDs) may be sadly weakening right now, but that is not at all something I can lay at your feet (mostly I blame WoW )... rather, you have always been dedicated to letting people go where their imagination takes them, which is the greatest ideal of this game. As much as I enjoyed playing this game under first Crypticant, then Viri, then Behrens, I have enjoyed it playing under you... and truly, many of my best moments in this game have been in the last couple of years.

You'll be missed... and I'm sure you'll always be welcome to return, at least by me. Take care.

EDIT: While I hate to be the one to bring this up, I must ask... who is now head IMP (or more correctly, who now owns FL)? My guess is Eshaine, but regardless of who it is it'd be good to know.

[Dead Voodoo Doll]

Good luck in life and may it be blessed, may peace be with you.

Your dedication to this community bordered on the insane. Thank you.

From CF to AR to FL to today, gotta say you are one of the all time greats.

[Croyvern]

Good Bye would not do "Justice"

Thank You for endless hours of entertainment.

Thank you for allowing me personally to accomplish so many RP goals.

But most important Thank You for staying true to your Character, and taking chaos and hatred to new and always exciting levels.

You will be missed, beyond doubt.

[khaede]

While I wasn't as close to you as I was to viri and crypt, I still enjoyed our interactions as both imm and mortal. Your effort, while often unseen, was never unnoticed. You have my sincere thanks, and apologies for the whole goblicant thing. But, as you now no doubt know, real life interferes.

It's good to know Ive got good company on the sidelines. I'm not familiar with your situation and will stop short of an empty offer to assist, but you certainly have my internet support.

Best of luck

auzzie

Apologies for any typos. Fingers too fat for iPhone.

[Mali]

Have a great life, from one Mal to another. Maybe someday we will see you on the players side, getting playerkilled by madcowdeykari.

Until then...

[Cephirus]

Goodbyes are always difficult, so I wish you good luck. As with the rest of the staff/players, we have had many, many, many great times.

On a personal level, I always enjoyed our rp, although I unfortunately never rolled up a demon to serve under you (I regret I will just have to live with) our interactions were exciting and enthralling none the less.

Having played this game on and off since it officially opened, I have watched this game develop into what it currently is. I feel I can say with great pride that you have done great things here. You have made many people happy, and those people have been entertained. In my opinion, that is all that really matters.

I am sure that whatever RL has brought you to make such a decision, I am sure it is with a heavy heart that you leave us. However, we will still be here and assuredly will always welcome you back. I hope that whatever RL situations there may be, that like your work here, you take your time and care with those as well, and everything will work out just fine.

To the Imms: If you guys ever need any help from an old builder/tester, let me know.

[BigPapa]

In the words of Pony Boy from the Outsiders....

Stay golden Malch.. stay golden.

[Nekky]

I hope your goodbye lasts as long as Valek quitting FL.

Thanks for all the time, effort and magic you invested in something that we all enjoy so much.

-N

[H&R]

You were such a cool and scary imm. I remember my first interactions with you as Nortak, and I was like "holy ****, he's speaking to me. What do I say..? I better call him master or something." Many times I regret deleting Nortak, because you carried on your big RP plot that came from my conquest together with Eshaine and other imms. But when I get too addicted, I have to delete to force myself to stop playing... I wonder if anyone else ever got to see the demon city?

I loved your small RP plots, like when you hosted the Aabahran games. And the little things you did to my chars to give them RP oppurtunities, and the things that I noticed you doing to others. Also, I want to thank you for the demon dk. When you made me demon was one of the best days of my life, haha

On the forum I had so much respect for you (except on april 1, heh). You will be missed. Take good care in RL. And yes sir, I will try to continue to improve my RP Looks like you won't fool me on april 1 anymore :/

[Aulian]

Stop playing for a while and look at what you miss.

Sad to see you go my friend.

You were a true gentleman and scholar and long will we remember your name.

[Warmongrel]

I never read the post because it didn't make sense, figured someone was selling some gold.

Malch- I only had a handful of interactions with you over the last 10 years or so, but everytime I did I thought you were awesome. Not often enough thanks are given to all of you for all you do. So Thank You for everything you've done over the years. Good luck to you in where you're going, maybe you can't take FL with you, but hopefully you will come back and visit it from time to time.