Geoffram Galanosis

[Evangelion]

Well, this is long overdue. I apologize to anyone who has been frustrated with me for the last month or so while I've been largely inactive. To ease those frustrations, allow me to say this: In addition to working retail, meaning that the holiday season is the busiest time of the year, I also teach high school marching band. After work, rehearsal three or four nights per week, and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life, I simply didn't have the time or energy to play. Last weekend, I moved to a new apartment (which was a trial in and of itself). I asked the immortals for an extension on my cabal hours for the month (which they generously granted). That same day, my great-grandmother passed away. Suffice to say this week has been chaotic. And now I find myself making the decision I should have made a month ago.

[50 Pixie (Faeri) Inv] [PRAETORIAN Regent(L)] (Hope [L]) (Blackwatch Guard [L]) [Male] Sir Geoffram Galanosis the Righteous Fire of the Light, Commander of the Black Watch Guard

/---------------\/----------------------------------------------\

| Geoffram || Regent of PRAETORIAN |

\---------------/\----------------------------------------------/

| Str: 14(14)^2 || Level: 50 Sex: M Age : 229(365h) |

| Int: 25(25)^1 || Class: invoker Ethos: chaotic |

| Wis: 20(20)^2 || Race : Pixie(faerie) Align: good |

| Dex: 23(22) || Hp : 1072/1072 Exp : 58980/584820 |

| Con: 08(09) || Mana : 1434/1434 |

\ Lck: [||||--] \/ Move : 472/472 +Hit: 7 +Dam: 12 /

/---------------/\------------------/\--------------------------\

| ARMOR || SAVES || Deity : Drokmar |

| Slash : -541 || Spell : -6 || Faith : Purity |

| Pierce: -517 || Afflictive : -7 || Weight: 132/318 |

| Blunt : -528 || Maledictive: -26 || Items : 22/37 |

| Magic : -420 || Mental : -20 || Prac : 0 Train: 0 |

| || || Gold : 12k CP: 4.7k |

\---------------\/------------------\/--------------------------/

/ Condition: You are covered with deep scars and lacerations. \

| 30 more hours must pass before a cabal promotion. |

| [KNIGHT] forces are aiding your healing. |

\---------------------------------------------------------------/

You have mastered the following:

1. armor

2. burning hands

3. call lightning

4. cancellation

5. chain lightning

6. control weather

7. create food

8. create spring

9. detect invis

10. detect magic

11. dispel magic

12. enchant armor

13. enchant weapon

14. fireball

15. identify

16. locate object

17. pass door

18. sanctuary

19. shield

20. teleport

21. word of recall

22. hurricane

23. dagger

24. mace

25. hand to hand

26. parry

27. second attack

28. fast healing

29. meditation

30. scrolls

31. staves

32. wands

33. recall

34. ice storm

35. protective shield

36. jet steam

37. mystic tendrils

38. ice shield

39. fire shield

40. mana shield

41. hellstream

42. knock

43. flame arrow

44. icicle

45. guard

46. trance

47. staff

48. firestorm

49. mana charge

50. stand ground

51. leadership

Before you is a man, diminutive in stature, though his presence

diminished none for it.  He stands a mere four spans from the ground,

perhaps a quarter the size of an average human.  Reddish-brown locks are cut

short in the style popular among militiamen; he carries himself with a poise

and dignity that seems unthinkable for one so tiny.  The red in his hair

serves only to emphasize the odd hues that swirl across his flesh: a

greenish-gray color, perhaps an exaggerated shade caused by seasickness. 

His ears are pierced with two ruby-set studs, dangling low with the weight

of time.  Combined with the fiery rhinestones, three of each, set in

triangles beneath his eyes, his face fairly glimmers red in the light; they

pale, however, with the fire that burns in his eyes.  A zealous fervor

perpetually blazes in his tiny oculars, giving him a certain look of

fierceness that is only tamed somewhat by his almost constant smile.  


A small moonstone pendant dangles from his neck, emblazoned with a sigil of

a mighty sun.  The jewel itself seems relatively simple, but a small ruby

set in the epicenter of the orb pulsates faintly with an inner light.  It

hangs just below his throat, suspended by a worn leather cord.  The only

visible weapon on the man's person is a staff, slightly taller than he is. 

Atop the staff is a white, pearl-shaped globe which appears to be filled

with a swirling, cloud-like substance.  Similar to the amulet, the sphere

pulsates with a white light.  


The small man's left hand is completely absent, his arm ending in a stubby

knot of scarred flesh just below his elbow.

Geoffram was my longest lived character to date. He outlasted my previous best by over 100 hours; the only character I've ever played for 6 months. My first cabal leader, my first self-run faction, my first RP plot(s)... it's been a great ride. I'd like to offer a few things: some history, some shoutouts, and some constructive criticism.

History

Geoffram started out as a follower of the Compassion religion. Within two weeks of becoming a KNIGHT, I applied to switch to Purity; not so he could become an avatar (contrary to popular belief), but because I felt it fit the RP mantle that Geoffram had been forced to take up as the only active Knight at the time. His term as a Sigil was short-lived, and when he freed Drokmar from captivity, he became a Praetorian and earned the title, "Righteous Fire of the Light." From there, Geoffram led a much more... explosive lifestyle. He fought and fought hard against numerous foes and often spoke of his penchant for blowing things up. Over time, this penchant was tempered as Geoffram stepped into the mantle of Regency. The RP plot with Thalos was spurred by a trade agreement between Tribunal and Knight, in which Knight turned over Maelbrim peacefully in return for several things, among them being a promise not to dispute takeover of Thalos for construction. After the groundbreaking ceremony, Geoffram was severely injured (which is also when my playtime got cut very short) and I nearly deleted; I almost wish I had. But alas, rather than going out with a (literal) blaze of glory, Geoffram fizzled and went out in a wisp of smoke.

Shout-Outs

Nexus

Aschkel -- My most challenging opponent throughout the early life of this character. We had some amazing, close fights and they were always infused with a delightful swirl of RP.

Antoyss -- Another skilled opponent, you were crafty beyond reason and, on top of it, beastly strong. I think you killed me as many times through melee as you did through assassination.

Levign -- My first fight after induction, you were another beast.

Thulgan -- I was disappointed that we only got to interact a total of twice. I am, however, childishly pleased that our record ended up in my favor.

Secundus -- The number one most challenging foe of Geoffram's late-life. I never thought I would be killed in a head-to-head against a fire giant, especially a berserker. Damn if I wasn't surprised when you got me multiple times. And you were always classy about it too.

Knight

Zyneste -- I honestly wish you hadn't deleted so early. I feel like the friendship our characters had could have been epic. Still, you were a wonderful friend and an incredibly strong ally.

Aelrah -- You were my single biggest trial as Geoffram. Not throwing you out of KNIGHT required an incredible amount of self-control as a player. And I'm glad I didn't. I knew the minute I made that choice that you would be Elder someday; I wasn't kidding when I said I had one note written to expel you and one note written to promote you.

Lortikan -- I cannot express how gratifying it was to have you inducted into KNIGHT and subsequently make Elder, especially after you stalled out at level 37 and Drokmar gave me hell for recommending you for early admission.

Others

Covarrubias -- One of Geoffram's best friends from the very beginning. We bonded over how to kill Levign and hit the ground running. Always a pleasure to play with you.

Mareuywn -- Another potent enemy, I truly enjoyed the "professional courtesy" relationship that we had as cabal leaders, even when we were at war.

Eril -- From the moment I helped you hit 50, I knew you were going to be a force to be reckoned with. Mad props to you for being a consistently positive force for the roleplay aspect of this game.

Names are escaping me at present, unfortunately -- and oddly, I can remember far more of my enemies than my friends. If I forgot to mention you by name, please don't take it as a personal slight.

Constructive Criticism/Suggestions

Knight Cabal Skills

Without illuminating too many hidden details, it is no secret that these skills are incredibly imbalanced between subcabals. Sigil is substantially more powerful than Praetorian with rare exception -- granted, at the cost of being bound by RP restrictions -- and there are a number of combinations allowed in Praetorian that will find the skills useless. Invoker is most assuredly one of them.

Constriction of RP

As a sub-suggestion of the above, I think there is far too much boxing of RP. Admittedly, RP needs to be contained and nurtured effectively by the IMM staff for it to blossom; however, I think that we -- as a whole -- are often too protective of our comfort bubble in this game. It is entirely too difficult to go outside of the box, and only short distances and for brief periods does this sometimes occur. I do not have a solution to this, other than expanding our expectations of "quality of life" within the MUD, which is a thousand times easier said than done.

Speaking in anecdote, Geoffram (in my opinion) should not have been boxed into a Praetorian, Avatar-to-be box so early in his life, when I had no intention of going Avatar. I would have much preferred to rein myself in and temper the fire as a Sigil than to become a pillar of carnage. But alas, we roll with the punches.

Classiness

Now some of you may be saying to yourselves, "Balinor, talking about classiness?" Well, to you I respond, I wish you had met Geoffram later in his life. At the beginning, I was a self-confessed full-looter. I took every speck from every corpse I made. At the end of Geoffram's life, and essentially since I was promoted to Elder, I made it a very conscious effort not to fully loot anyone needlessly. I still slipped once or twice, but I'd like to think I learned a lot about classiness and the merits thereof with this character. I don't know why this falls under the suggestion section, except that I hope others can find it within themselves to learn similar lessons.

Conclusio

I welcome your thoughts, memories, etc. regarding Geoffram, as he was one of my most treasured and invested characters.

One final word -- if the staff will allow it, I would like to finish and implement the Fort Blackwatch area in place of Thalos. I have spent quite a bit of time laying the groundwork for it and I would hate for it to go unfulfilled.

And so I say to you one last time...

In Service to the Light,

Geoffram Galanosis

Captain Commander of the Blackwatch Guard

Regent of the Crown

Righteous Fire of the Light

[Twinblades713]

Awesome.

[Akoz]

Wish I could have been more help on Kadego!

[egreir]

You have always been one of my most favorite people in this community Balinor. Congratulations on a very well played character in all aspects. I hope you find the balance you seem to be looking for in life, I know you'll do well in all things you attempt.

[Evangelion]

I can't believe I forgot to add this at the end like I intended.

My single greatest shout-out goes to Drokmar. Our roleplay was some of the most immersive, gut-wrenching, influential stuff I've ever seen out of this game. You made Aabahran feel like it was happening around me. I wish we had gotten to spend more time together but, as happens all too often, real life and our schedules got in the way. I sincerely hope that you continue to play because I think you have a lot to offer the world of Aabahran and I think KNIGHT has, regrettably, been a revolving door for immortals. Seriously -- you rock.

[Icor]

Wonderful character. Thank you for everything.

[Volgathras]

Geoffram was a powerhouse. I remember reading your first few notes and thinking to myself 'yup, this one's going to be a problem (rp-wise of course)', and you were. I think you'd be proud of how frustrated you made most of the nexus. I never messed with him directly, but for once or twice, because i (the char) knew he would not be swayed.

You played him with real life and fervor, something that's a real challenge to build, much less maintain. Serious props on the character, and contnuing the line of epic knight leaders.

[KRins]

I didn't get a ton of interaction with you, but it was clear the character was of unique quality. Even our short interaction when I was the fail boat Yiznip was incredibly entertaining and VERY engaging. I feel bad that I got frustrated and bailed on the character after such a considerate exchange with a lowbie clan member by the Regent himself.

As I myself have adopted a new motto it might help you a little. Seek balance in all things. Sometimes you have to shed a little weight to balance the things that really matter. Good luck with all your pursuits in game and out and congrats on such a superb character.

[Tantangel]

I hear an uprising surge of evils once more cheering in the background. Seems my revival thread was only a month premature after all. Sucks about your Grandmother though, mine passed away a couple years ago and it destroyed everything that was fun for me for a while. Good luck with your next though, I'm sure you'll have a blast once you find the time once again.

[f0xx]

You had incredible RP. Well played.

I am glad you are improving as player as well, talking about your classiness note.

[Aulian]

Wow Bali, nice one.

Major props, I never really interacted with Geofam but your reptuation was massive.

Props on an epic character

[Elrozin]

Oh, you say that Praetorian skills are overall useless compared to Sigil skills for an invoker, but I have a pile of Prayer Posts that say otherwise.

Congratulations on a well-played character and well-lived character.

[Spark215]

Phenomenal character. We had great interaction as Fliblin and some excellent fights as my current. Come to the dark side now!

[The Forsaken]

Well played Bali. Well played.

[Pali]

Enjoyed my relatively few interactions, and heard nothing but good things. Well done.

[Spark215]

Invoker is most assuredly one of them.

I'm no so sure I agree to this, however. The E skill and L skill are both EXTREMELY useful for an invoker. Can't really say why for sake of discretion, but think of the functions of the No names and the addition given by the E skill.

[Warmongrel]

Levign -- My first fight after induction, you were another beast.

and

Covarrubias -- One of Geoffram's best friends from the very beginning. We bonded over how to kill Levign and hit the ground running. Always a pleasure to play with you.

Ohh how I hated that Owl, and I knew he had to have given you some pointers because he was always so much more difficult for me than you were in the beginning, but towards the end you were equally annoying

Great Character though, we had some amazing battles. Wish there were some logs, but as you know, I was playing from a phone when I was whooping on you In all seriousness, Well done. Good luck with your next project.

Levign