Stepping aside

[Rance]

I wanted to make a post really quick just to pretty much address my recent absence from the Broken Dagger. As you guys might have noticed, I haven't been around for several weeks and haven't been active for long before that.

At this point in time, I can't necessarily guarantee that I'm going to be around much in the channel anymore. Unfortunately enough, the real world is catching up with me, and between work and various other things, I've found that I simply haven't had the ability or even desire to come on mIRC in quite awhile. It seems as though even the most amazing things have their timespan.

This isn't an easy decision for me to make; I've been around the Broken Dagger for going on seven years now, and it was as integral to me as is eating and breathing. I can't recall how many times I spent long nights with you guys on the computer, playing and laughing and having a blast! It will definitely be something that I will miss, day in and day out, but for right now, it's not something that I believe I can integrate into my every-day involvements with as regrettably busy I've become.

Of course, you guys are totally welcome to contact me! I check my e-mail every day several times a day, so I would definitely not be long in throwing something back at you! My e-mail address is violenceobscene@gmail.com, and you can also catch me on AIM under the nickname 'Corpsical'. Although I've found that my creativity has waned and my desire to play has faded, I definitely have no qualms in talking and laughing with my friends!

I realize that this comes in the midst of a plot that I myself have been unable to complete. I would be a liar if I said that I really wanted to finish it. That, of course, comes from nothing but myself and my own lack of drive to play. You guys have all been wonderful to create with, but I simply can't find it in me and haven't been able to find it in me for the past few months to continue on with what I started. In that interest, I will definitely be contemplating my own proper withdrawal from the plotline to tie up loose ends and make sure that everything for continuation of characters beyond this point is provided.

Again, I can't apologize enough -- I do hope that you guys will understand. The past few years have been absolutely unforgettable, and I would not have traded them for anything else. The stories were astounding. I'm certainly going to visit and I'm definitely going to be on the computer and even the boards, it's simply my presence on IRC that's going to be scarce.

I'm going to miss being involved and being a part of watching this place thrive and grow, but I'll still be popping on the boards to see what awesome new stories develop!

I wish absolutely everybody the most wonderful and amazing holiday season! I hope it treats you and your families astonishingly, and may the new year bring immense joy to all of you!

And, of course, continued prosper to the Broken Dagger!

Much love and many thanks,

- Rance

[Altias_Bromn]

I can't speak for anyone but myself, Rance, but I have to say that I will miss you greatly. Hell, I already do. You've been a great force that has touched my life. Your RP has been the stuff that I will remember always. You...are a genuinely unique person.

I understand, perhaps more than most, about life catching up with you. I've taken my share (and your share, and her share, and his share) of extended leaves from this place, though I always find myself coming home again. Maybe you will too, only time will tell. ANd if you don't...? Then you don't. I will still have memories. And an email address at which to stalk you.

I wish you the best in your endeavors, and may everything that you strive to do be exactly what you want it to be, or at least some amazing variation of it.

Rance, you have been a driving force here for a very long time, you will be sorely missed, I have no doubt of that. Just stop by from time to time, even if it's just to see us here on the boards and so we know you are doing okay. You are, at least for me, part of the family...so we'd better see you at all the required holidays and such

Be well, my friend, and take care of you...for all of us.

Melanie

[Treadwell]

Rance,

You're a good man and a good friend. You've been there, at least for me, through really up times and some really down times, and you've been, as Mel said, a driving force, an inspiration, through every last bit of it with your ever-present optimism and urge to do what is fun. Thank you.

Poke your head back in here every so often.

Paul

[ShadowRose]

Rance,

You've always appreciated my brevity, so: there aren't words to describe how much your roleplay, the memories you've given me *because* of that roleplay, and as you as a person, meant and mean to me. I would be very sad if you didn't keep in touch. My best wishes to you always.

- Nessa

[Kylerryth]

Rance,

omfgbl00d4bl00dg0dd00d


Sincerely,

Jamez0rrz.



P.S.: Happy birthday, champ!

[channe]

Rance,

You will be missed. Good luck in everything you do. Stay in touch, keep on being awesome, and drop in on us now and then, y'heah?

[Rattrap]

...there isn't really any more for me to say that hasn't been said. Just scroll back up and re-read the above, I s'ppose, and mentally affix my name to it. That my game is sitting on Vyral.com shows my gratitude toward you even beyond the roleplay.

Just remember the love: http://www.brokendagger.com/BB/showthread.php?t=933

I wish the fat cat picture were still there.

[Pipkin]

This is the most depressing thing I have read all day! D:

I will certianly miss playing with you, Rance. I really will. I hope you can find fun in RP again some day. If you do, make sure to let me know, okay?

I'll be sure to watch your LJ like a hawk, and even assult you verbally through AIM in the future.

[Sherazade]

You will be greatly missed Rance and you'd better believe i'm gonna download aim just to stalk you

[Treadwell]

Rance, if you're still reading these:

Happy Birthday!

[Mongrel]

You have done more for this channel than most who cross its transom. We will forever be grateful for your contribution, imagination, and inspiration.

Please don't say "goodbye," just say, "I'll see you later"--whatever that 'later' interval may mean.

Thanks again, Rance. You will unquestionably be missed.

[Carnath-Emory]

You'd best keep writing, hear? And start publishing! *grins* Best of luck to you, Rance... and happy birthday, too!

[Sherazade]

Happy birthday rance

[jacktim]

"Poor Rance... I knew him not so well, Horatio"...

Anyhow... I'm always sorry to hear about a player leaving the forever gilded halls of RP-dom... But I must agree with many of my consorts and colleagues... you may leave the game... but the game will never leave you. As such... even though I haven't had the great chance to "sit and talk" with the great Rance... I will believe that the channel will be diminished without your light and guidance. Hurry back soon, because I am certain that my insanity may tide them for a bit... but I can only supply so much for the demand!!!!!

Have fun, live well, and drive safely...

[Rance]

No, the game won't ever leave. *grins* That much is true! And in time, with some personal time and some downtime, I might get back to loving and missing it again! The last time that I took a hiatus from roleplay, it was for eight months, and then I came roaring back so unbelievably backed up with zomgmadparagraphz! Maybe that will happen this time, too.

My internet at home is actually currently down -- I'm waiting on the cable guys to come out and replace some of the 59-wire in my house, because it decided to burn out and crap out -- but when it comes up, I'll be able to jump on and actively discuss with Liz how we'd wrap up our part of the plot to best give you guys the chance to continue to work off of it.

To be entirely fair to everything, my decision to step back from roleplaying was entirely without premeditation -- nobody (including me, at that point) had any clue I was going to do that, so now it just needs something to wrap it up for you guys. Not even Liz, with whom I had been working this plot with for so long, had any clue that my feelings were going to take that kind of twist.

But, we'll make sure we don't leave you hangin'!

And thank you guys so much for the awesome birthday wishes! You guys were on my mind!