Falling Stars

This is the time to remember
'Cause it will not last forever
These are the days to hold on to
'Cause we won't although we want to
This is the time
But time is gonna change
I know we've got to move somehow
But I don't want to lose you now

Sometimes it's so easy to let a day slip on by
Without even seeing each other at all
But this is the time you'll turn back and so will I
And those will be days you can never recall

- from "This is the Time" by Billy Joel

The story so far:

( Season One: Prontera Chapter )

( Season Two: Payon Chapter )

One year ago today, I started playing Ragnarok Online.

RO. Last Thursday's siege.

After the disaster which was the previous siege, our objective was simple - help No Love regain their fort, Valkyrie Realms 4.

Simple doesn't mean easy, however.

( Fate is a bitch )

RO.

I don't have the heart for pretty words right now.

Last Thursday's siege, we lost the fort we had won so valiantly the siege before. I wasn't there that day, since I had to work. You could say that ultimately it was the lack of numbers that did us in, but from what I can gather things were a lot messier and uglier than that. I won't go into details - I wasn't witness, and it would only be hearsay.

But this loss wasn't something that weighed on me heavily. Because that same day, out of the blue, Lumialle came back to RO again. And it was good - like the old days when WOE was little more than a distant rumour, when we could just mess around and have fun.

On Saturday, we went to Juno, the new city in the sky. Shin Jace led us there, a whole big group, giving us his unique tour guide commentary along the way. Juno itself is gorgeous. Ancient and stately buildings, mysterious pillars of light lining the streets, and bridges arcing across the heavens. We spent a while exploring the city. In a classroom, we all took seats while DarkDragon got up in front of the blackboard and started quizzing us on bits of historical trivia. We all got into the spirit of things, taking turns asking questions on different subjects. Shin Jace said something along the lines of, "Screw WOE, this is more fun," and I was inclined to agree. It was one of those moments you know you'll always remember.

Then during Sunday's siege, we helped our allies Slaughtered Saints get a Payon fort against ferocious opposition. Fatty Chubby Kitties, the owners of the fort, had most of the Payon Alliance helping them defend, and there were also other guilds vying with us for the same fort. I have no idea how many times I died during that siege - twenty? fifty? more? But our hard work paid off when Slaughtered Saints got their fort. Whatever else, we did a good thing that day.

Lunakitty called a guild meeting on Monday. The winds of change are blowing for Shin Ravenloft. Only time will tell whether it is for good or ill.

I haven't been playing for the past few days. But the news has been going around that several people have been hacked and their items stolen, which is always upsetting. Slaughtered Saints lost their fort in today's siege. And on top of all that I log on tonight to find that Neshtall has decided he has had enough and is quitting RO.

I don't know what I should be feeling after this week. Too tired for anything but sleep.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.

- The Fellowship of the Ring, J R R Tolkien

RO. Yesterday's siege.

( The hour of destiny )

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

- 'The Second Coming' by W B Yeats

RO. Last Sunday's siege.

And the last siege, perhaps, for a long time.

( All good things )

RO.

I got way too little sleep last night because I was up late typing out my con report. Still, I set my alarm to wake me early so I could be up in time for today's siege. An hour earlier than the usual Thursday siege time, of course, since daylight saving time has finished in Australia.

On the other hand, no one thought to tell me that daylight saving time has now started in America.

So I logged on an hour late and didn't even realise it for a while. I wish I had been there earlier - I'm not entirely sure what difference my presence would have made, but I like to think it would have had some effect.

( Complacency 2, Shin Ravenloft 0 - again )

RO.

( A week in Prontera )

It's Sunday again. And what does that mean?

Siege day on RO.

( The Ravens return - in triumph! )