My 3,000th Post
Although this took longer to reach than I thought it would, this is my 3,000th post. As I reflect on my time at EN World, I think of the changes that I have been through in my own life and what we have faced as a community. A good community is more than just the sum of its parts. Rather, it also has a shared sense of responsibility and belonging for its members. I am proud to be part of this great online community, which has given me good insights into gaming and introduced me to friends as well as new ideas. I hope that I have made some meaningful contributions to the discussions here at EN World.
Perhaps I should address how EN World has helped me as a gamer. Back when Eric Noah started up his site, I was able to use it to help convince the skeptical members of my gaming group that 3rd Edition might be a good idea. Even my former DM, who was very dubious of a new edition, thought it might have promise. Others in the group, who were familiar with the play testing process, thought the new game would be an improvement.
More importantly, EN World has become a place for me to connect with other gamers. I think there is a risk for any gaming group to become isolated from the larger community. This was a tendency in my old group that eventually became a problem. The game eventually went from high powered with a mix of role playing and action, to something that was incredibly unbalanced as the DM literally allowed any D20 supplement. It reached the point where two characters of the same level could be of vastly different levels of power, based on what books were being used. (I used the core rulebooks, and for epic level, the Epic Level Handbook.) Towards the end of my involvement with that group, which I had been with in one form or another for 21 years, I began posting on issues that bothered me -- such as bonus for magic items, and skill items. During one dispute, the DM sarcastically asked what people at EN World thought of it. I calmly replied that I did not discuss the issues of an ongoing campaign without other members of the campaign on the board, and received a rare apology. Eventually, after several disagreements, I left the group. I vented a bit on the boards, and decided to move on.
EN World was part of what kept in the RPG hobby. I vented a little frustration and decided that when I was ready, I could find a group better suited to my tastes. I participated in several EN World Gamedays, and played in a brief campaign run by Mark Clover of Creative Mountain Games over at Games Plus.
Currently, I am working on my own homebrew setting along with some fiction. While I am not currently in a gaming group, I think that I will be ready to DM as soon as I am done working on a few more elements of it. (My non-game activities do keep me busy, but I consider gaming as a great way to relax and unwind.)
So, what has EN World meant to me? It is a place I can go to talk about a hobby that I love, and related issues. Also, it has become to me an online community of which I am glad to be a member. I think I have gained greater understanding of different gaming styles, different game systems, and different strategies. I have had meaningful online conversations on a variety of topics, from history and mythology to game mechanics. More importantly, I have gained some friends and meet people whom I respect.
We have also come together as a community in times of joy and sorrow. We have rejoiced with Joshua Dyal and others at the birth of children, and mourned the loss of several of our own, such as Angelsboi and Chairman Kaga. We have supported one another through such tragedies as September 11th and the recent London bombings. To those friends and acquaintances that I have made here at EN World, I say thank you for letting me into your lives and your gaming worlds.
I think it is important for us to respect our differences, and to learn to celebrate those differences. I have learned a few things from people with very different playing styles. Indeed, I think that one of the strengths of EN World is our diversity as a community. A board member who may seem weird or even freakish to you may have some valuable insights and experiences to relate. So, I say give others the same dignity and respect that you wish for yourselves, rather than insulting or ostracizing that person whose opinions are so different from you own.. I believe that an honest, respectful debate can bring new insights -- and is a sign of a healthy and vibrant community. You might learn something talking to people with different opinions, even if you continue to disagree. You may even gain a new friend.
To Morrus, Michael Morrus, Eric Noah, Piratecat, Darkness, Dinkeldog, Creamsteak, Henry, Eridanis, El-Remmen, Hypersmurf, Pielorhino, Plane Sailing, BOZ and all the other people who keep this sight running and a friendly place, I thank you for your efforts. Good gaming and happy posting, everyone!
