Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2016 18:00:48 GMT -8
Hello fellow guildmembers,
What will follow will be a recount of recent experiences in the game as well as a personal description of who I am as a person. (not the game character but the actual human being behind a laptop screen... as it may hold bearing on the discussion below.)
First let's begin with outside interference (re: non guildmember interactions) and how hypocritical thinking and ignorant arrogance can soil a friendly game.
While having a simple after guildbattle bubble chat in Dunby with a fellow guildmember I jokingly said "We are GODS!" in reference to us being undefeatd two months in a row with not a single battle scar... surely a harmless comment... BUT a passer by mocked us and then ran off to eaves drop the continued open chat. (this was no doubt an alt as it seemed to be low level and hailed no guild affiliations) I mocked back because I have no taste for rude people... and eventually this internet troll poofed away. Only to return as his main and continue the "debate" over my GOD claim? Words were spoken.. challenges made.. but in the end.. this larger level version of the same internet Troll walked off (no.. really.. he took the time to hold shift to actually walk off!?!)
I simply laughed it off but the moment seemed to haunt me in reflection... and here is why...
1. we are all immortal... we cannot die in the game...
2. I can fly! no pet... no wings... no potions... I simply hit a hot key and I am defying gravity and soaring the heavens!
3. I can transform into virtually anything (including the Goddess Macha)
4. we can Pali (or in my case DK)
5. we can achieve Demi status
By these 5 points.. and my early learning from "The Ghostbusters"- "When someone asks you if you are a God... you say YES!" HA! I can only assume we are all Gods in the game.
And finally.. to point out the hypocritical mentality in this bully gamer... his name.. ironically... had the actual word God in it!?!
So to challenge someone... talk smack... play the tough guy roll... and just be a general fool over a joke statement about being a god.. while you yourself hail a GOD mentality in your own name... just makes me shake my head in disappointment.
Now this wasn't the first interaction of a negative kind I have experienced... and I am sure it will not be the last... but it does show a trend in the game.
another fine moment more recently was...
I had just rebirthed my alt and needed to bring her to the hot springs for a muscle enhancement. sitting in this pool was another non guildmember also working his upper body size.
What is the first words spoke as we sat in the pool with monkeys to realign our appearance to our tastes? "that's a pretty manly chick you made.. good job" OK.. maybe it was just a joke comment.. and my reply was simply "my.. that is kinda rude to say?" (I don't know.. I guess he was expecting a female to come to the pool.. disrobe completely and throw on a naughty school girl outfit and dance for him as he bulked up? Sorry kid.. the name of the alt is literally "TheBlackRobe".. so.. uhh... yeah.. that's pretty much what you get.. a chick in a black robe!)
And these stories go on and on... in a banquette... one charming fellow at a close enough table simply swore throughout the entire hour! I see channel wide bugle horns telling the entire game someone is a pussy!?! multiple times!?! (someone actually pays to shout out that? Who does that!?!)
This is just the general population too... a systemic problem of people just not realizing.. or caring.. that other people, not NPC's are also trying to enjoy the game.
Below becomes more personal... I will omit names and generalize, to do my best not to call out any guildmember openly... this is not my aim.. its more to try to relay my dissatisfaction to some attitudes and explain why I joined a guild.. why I play in general.. and that when you speak.. you are responsible for the words that are broadcast through bubbles.. over guild chats.. and in dischord.
I am not new to the game... I began a very long time ago as I seem to continuously relay my early history in posts. But the game changes... and content gets added... its hard to keep up with it all and as I began as a solo player.. working in groups.. fighting dragons... fumbling through the do's and dont's and learning the tactics to beat impossible creatures as a daunting endeavor!
Every time I engage in a party battle.. be it in a dungeon... or a shadow mission.. or in the open field against a dragon or some other large foe with a million plus HP... I learn valuable things.
1. playing with a non guild friend I learned the value of "playing dead" as I was thrust into an elite sulfer spider mission teamed up with super power players... I barely kept up.. but seeing the skills they used and the tactics they employed gave me insight as to how far I could go with my own magic talent. (the only sour taste left was one of the members was arrogant.. and my questions on his shock wave skill apparently were too childlike and his response was.. figure it out... I did after as I can read and click for information... but surely saying.. ohh.. it's shockwave... couldn't have been that hard to type considering the finger skills he employed in actual combat!?!) (not guild affiliated)
2. Meeting this guild... happened in a dragon raid I simply saw in open call and rushed to for the fight and for the adventure seal... I did as I always do... I fought hard.. healed anyone and everyone who was low and close... died three times... and burned my stamina to ZERO... so I had no choice but to sit on the sidelines and recoup as I had foolishly left all my potions in a pet! HA! But one individual flew right up to me.. and told me I was sponging in a corner not helping and basically disrespected me for all my hard work... ignorance and arrogance... not 100% sure it was a guildmember... But an interesting tale of an actual guild sponsored battle and how unwelcoming it was to an outsider. The irony of it all was the kindness of other guildmembers and their "talk me down" style of chat helped me to shake off the rudeness and investigate the overall guild...
3. gaining the assist of a fellow guildmember I was forced into a speed run of a dungeon... my doggy wasn't even fast enough to keep up so I had to burn time off my Pegasus to stay in the game and power run the course. My first lesson was.. Pegasuses are quite fast in a dungeon! A great lesson to learn... but with a back handed style teaching sadly... even though I was keeping pace.. I still was just that one half second to slow to reach each room before the chest was opened... so at every room.. I would hit a closed door.. have to open it and be dismounted... remount.. and then try my best to be part of the battle and do my part to kill enemy's! (I wasn't looking to be childishly walked through the dungeon... I can fight.. I have skills... and as a team I think waiting for all party members to enter a room is a fairly appropriate common courtesy I try to promote in every dungeon I am helping a freind in... and seriously.. I was hit by a closing door most of the time.. so.. it was literally being slammed in my face!) By the time I was able to enter most foes were beaten so I simply "control targeted" blindly and attacked as both a player and a pet were on either end of the room taking out everything. Total chaos! My thanks for the assist... "Don't attack the creature I am killing.. its is a "pet peve"!?! Now... lets talk about this in detail... we are in a low level dungeon as high level players.. we are not here for experience.. and running too fast to collect gold.. we are here to get to the chest and hope for the one item this whole thing is about... we never set any rules of engagement... I was the one being helped... and I spent seven runs being thrown off my mount trying to open doors slammed in my face... but please.. tell me more about your issues on me hitting the last foe in the room with you... this is arrogance... not guild worthy assistance and commendatory. If I am doing something wrong.. there are kinder ways to relay this... and when I counter mention the door situation.. and simply get complete silence... yeah... again.. not team work.. I had hoped for a better interaction in a guild that seems very serious on working together.
4. Now again... I am coming from a solo play viewpoint.. and I only recently even braved dragons as I am now finally coming to levels and ranks that support the power to take on these foes seriously. The literature on the subject is vague... and I use my experiences on the battlefield to somewhat figure out the tactics and general game play of my surrounding warriors. And I honestly had ZERO understanding of baiting a dragon... I truly thought the dragon simply wandered aimlessly away from its guards... my mistake... but again... a battle would teach me this recently.. but again with a back handed slap through the process. I encountered a white dragon and set my task to simply killing wyverns as I was alone on this channel I had no visions of defeating this on my own.. but the practice in taking out the flying defense would help me in our next white dragon raid. I want to be as flexible to the team when we encounter them again... so.. working my archery up in my free time... seemed a good call. After a few moments and about a dozen kills a small few arrived but really didn't participate. (seeing no one attacking probably caused them to channel jump in the hopes for an easy bounty... this one.. would be actual work... and apparently no one wanted to put in the time today) After I killed enough winged suckers I triggered my final hit and dove in for some dragon cutting... I think one or two jumped in... but they didn't stay long. I ran my FH through.... rearmed my bow and continued my arrow assault on the airborn creatures. At one point I actually saw a half dozen players on a ridge just looking at me battling the entire army single handedly! Finally.. when the dragon walked far away from the army, a few others came in to assist... But in all actuality they were waiting for it to wander even further away... and my attacks from retrospective on the entire account.. may have actually turned it around and lead it back to the safe haven of its ranks (again.. I didn't realize attacking it.. was the wrong approach.. but this lesson would also be taught from the guild.. in a somewhat less than cordial way) It did, again leave its safe place.. and it eventually wandered far away and in a position where it could not auto walk a straight line back to the group. So me and only one other player simply hacked and slashed it till it actually fell!?! I did a nominal level of damage.. but this second person... after triggering some music.. and swapping from alchemy to swords.. seemed to dominate the hp reduction of this white dragon at a very visible rate! Noting this serious difference in hit strength I decided to attack the newly created army under the dragon so he could be free to swing away on the big guy and together.. we prevailed! My shock in being a part of a two person battle against a white dragon was so much that I needed to relay the story over guild chat! Where instead of mutual excitement about this once in a lifetime story.. I was met with cynicism.. grilled for details... and talked down to like I was an inept waif who simply walked in with my eyes closed and/or simply made the whole thing up!?! After a grueling debate on tactics and skills I realized why the people were sitting on the cliff.. they were waiting for it to wander there like it eventually did... and my attacking at one point.. had turned it around and back to its protections. But seriously.. is this how I am supposed to learn this lesson.. by being treated like an idiot!?! You can't simply state the information.. you need to turn it into another moment of why you hate players who do things... half-stateing you think I am an irritating player in the subtle inference! again.. I am an adult.. I can understand clear info.. but I rarely enjoy being talked to in a less than respectful manner... if were are again referring to "pet peves"
It's moments like these that make one ponder enrollment in a guild... and make me weary of asking for help when I desperately need it! I try to be helpful.. even when its above my level of skill to add myself to a high level mission. But if the call is sent.. I feel honor bound to assist.. I enjoy watching high level players work.. its never a dull moment.. and there is always a lesson I learn that betters my game play. But the stigma that I will walk away scorned or berated is now significant enough to make me re-thing any and all calls to arms... and again.. to me.. that's not a guildworthy mentality.
Ok... now its time for a break from the events of concern... and to explain me.. why I play... and who I am... as well as why I find this guild so appealing.
I started this game in my 30's (yes.. I am an old dude!) Initially I chose to be strictly solo and not engage in chat forums or make friends... at the time this game seemed to be geared to a far younger crowd and I was not enjoying the idea of being an adult chatting it up with under age children...
In my youth I played Dungeons and Dragons... have always enjoyed fantasy games.. book or video style... and I simply could not afford to play World of Warcraft. The very style of pay to play would give me a few months of entertainment but eventually I would fail to pay and be locked out from advancing my character and miss out on added content. I stumbled across mabinogi looking for something close to WoW and was pleasantly surprised with the game play and structure of the game. The free part... was the clincher for me though... and for the first two years I played I spent absolutely ZERO on it. It was my continued enjoyment of the game, that finally prompted me to buy some pets and actually drop real cash into my entertainment. I figured if I had played this for two years.. I was fairly sure I was enjoying the game... and they did seem to constantly update it with new content.. so.. they deserved the money for keeping me glued to the game for so long. (I have played several free to play games... and a few pay to plays... this one.. just won out my time... and rose to the top of the genre as well as beating out space games and super hero ones!?!)
I did make a few friends on my original version character and that's where I became aware more adults played than my initial assumption would consider. Alot were people home bound due to illness.. but still.. adults were playing.. so I was happy to continue knowing I was not that creepy old guy playing a kids game.... HA! Lost passwords and an inability to reacquire my account took me away for over a year before my longing to play overcame my sour taste of losing rare and paid for pets.
Time for more backstory about me... I am an American... born in New England and grew up in the late 80's and was a young adult in the 90's. I moved from Massachusetts when I was able to New Hampshire because I worked so much I never had a chance to enjoy the beach.. so.. I simply moved to one... so when I was headed home from a 12 hour day I could at least be assured I was heading to the ocean to sleep my day away in that crisp and serene beach atmosphere. Eventually I leaft my night job miles away and found closer work on the beach. I lived the good life as a young adult.. no cares in the world.. found a band... played the rock star and enjoyed all the perks of that life. Stages.. performing.. writing.. singing.. women.. drugs... beer and booze... and not one ounce of concern for politics or elections. I was young... I thought the world was at my feet and the sky was the limit... The some planes crashed into the towers! And the Bush era took a huge thrust of support.
I began working at a mom and pop motel shortly after (ill save you the 9/11 history...) as a night security officer... so by day and off nights I was a rock star.. and working I was yelling at people three times my age to go to bed.. and chasing people off the property who were trying to sneak in with the hopes they would bed a guest who had retired from a long night at the bars. It was a very contrasting time for me... but I had a job to do.. and a loyalty to my bosses and the perks for the work were grand.. free room on the beach... wifi.... yeah... I was still living the life.. just with some details that hindered full on awesomness. What can ya do... life isnt all rainbows and sunshine...
I was still blissfully unaware of politics... but I was excited and a supporter of Obama in his debut run for the top seat... I remember the day he won.. his inauguration speech and can honestly say I had some tears of joy in my eyes to be witnessing that moment in history! Ad I began to pay attention to politics as I witnessed religious programs begin their attacks on him.. (I was born a protestant but never really practiced and fastly became concerned over christian over reach.. I was more agnostic then with a strong understanding of the bill of rights but still early in my quest for knowledge but I did scan all forms of publications even back then.. so.. I would stop on a religious evangelistic program so I could keep up with all sides of things)
The band ran its course... The job became more a hindrance than a benefit.. and I decided to move to my moms and transplanted to Oklahoma. This would be a culture shock of immense proportions! I had witnessed first hand the heroin problem working in the city up north.. but out here.. meth was the top issue! Work was scarce and without a car travel to jobs over hot flat miles of streets was a serious issue. it took me a few years to fall into a haunted attraction job. I initially signed on as an actor... but as I am a jack of all trades (I learned electrical in HS, learned electronics in a trade program, I am an artist and also learned the "Sign painters" union trade in the same trade program, I did general home repair for the hotel and for friends and family... and programmed basic as a kid in the beginnings of the computer age!) so I asked if they need help on the build too... they did and saw how easily I acclimated and I actually worked for them for over 2 years before ever getting the chance to actually act! My background in stage performing.. band set up and my tinkerings with with sound and lighting pushed me to learn their tech and I became the head light and sound tech by my 4th season. I also helped the owner set up big bands as he also moonlighted as a concert promoter for the local collage and had a rolladesk of big name artists so once a year I would be lead set up for some large band in a huge collage benue (I set up sound dragons first sold out show... that was pretty cool!) I had designed my own haunt for easter seals when I was 18 with a $2000 budget.. but my time with the current haunt made that look like a kindergarden production. in this larger scale operation.. we spent $200k annually on props and lumber... paint and makeup... all to run a 25 day seasonal haunt... we pushed through over 10k in people in those short runs... at its end.. well over 25k in human bodies.
As it was seasonal I spent my off time working with a DJ setting up party's.. weddings and events for the rich people of the Tulsa area... Silent auctions.. ritzy black tie private balls... one million dollar wedding on a rented out golf course. I followed the local news more.. and daily I would see the repeating story.. someone was shot.. someone was robbed... drug bust.. human trafficking. yeah... this was an interesting place. I watched the republican religious front discriminate on gays... poor... watched the govt kill education and promote private christian schools and homeschooling. while the rest of the country was enjoying the ACA we were hindering it to make up bad numbers to try to stop it. I got more angry.. and followed more closely... I watched as this state pushed 21 different anti gay bills last year and got one through.. watched as Indiana was attacked for their anti gay laws... only to say they would make a fix amendment and when we all left.. it didn't pass their house!?!
Now we are in the current elections... GOP candidates attack all non white citizens... GOP supporter meanwhile are poisoning their city's water and fighting to sell off protected land to foreign corporations.. domestic corporations are laying off union workers and moving to Mexico for cheap labor...
I grew up in a predominantly Spanish speaking area. My son is half Dominican... his mother barely spoke English when she first arrived here. She is probably the most hard working woman I know... I myself learned Spanish to ease the burden my customers dealt with simply trying to order food and make the cash transaction to receive it! (I just figured... English is a tough second language... so.. learning all my food items.. how to count to 100 and genera size and type phrases would help them see I was just as willing to conform as this country pushes an immigrant to be. ...and it helped alot!)
I know alot of gay people.. I worked in theater and the haunt itself hired a larger than you would expect level of gay actors to scare the daylights out of the hungry to be frightened customers. They are just as good as straight people... just as funny, as kind, and generous...
I know alot of poor people... I am poor currently. I have seen first hand how one lay off.. an unemployment benefit cut short by republican laws... can destroy a life.. and cause extended years to recuperate from the piling bills and debts acrewed from the time out of work retraining for a new career. I know first hand how a failed health care system leaves on billed huge sums of money for simple procedures that in blue states... are actually free!
I spend my days reading articles on all sides of politics these days. I read conservative ones.. liberal ones.. research bills and translate legal speak to actual practice... I research candidates... research lawmakers.. and follow even local politics. When Bernie sanders came out of what seemed like nowhere... I was intrigued! So I investigated... and the deeper I got.. the more unlike any candidate he became to me. The guy is actually an honest "for the people" politician!?! I was beginning to believe they didn't exist! but here he was.. messy hair.. glasses.. and the most hilarious accent... and every video from his past.. he is fighting for things I believe in! Ok.. call me sold on this guy!
Then I see the GOP clown car... and the new top dog... Trump! I kinda see why the conservatives are going for trump.. every actual lawmaker in the GOP has destroyed their states... or are so wildly religious they should be running for pope NOT the presidency! But I also see the Trump rallys.... and every one is getting more and more brazen... it began with simple escorts our from silent protesters... but now.. I see violence... photographers being chokeslammed by secret service.. black people being sucker punched as they are in the isles leaving with a full guard of cops who react by further assaulting the victim and telling the attacker to please.. have a seat and continue the show.
I began my adult life only slightly noticing the underbelly of racism.. every now and then.. as a white guy in private conversations would I hear another white guy drop the "N" word... but lately.. I have seen first hand serious racial and bigoted actions... online in threads.. I have gone from subtle dislike of conservative to absolute hatred for them. I used to follow several national stations online.. but one by one.. based solely on the endless hate in the comments.. I have walked away from the entire lot of national publications.. who's only aim seems to be hot point titles to incite the eager hate by their viewership! I have spent hours and day researching every topic under the sun from the inception of the confederate battle flag to the reasons for the civil war.. read every compiled list of shootings.. read on Muslims in America.. socialism.. communism... the KKK... the black panthers... all in the hopes of combating threads with valid facts and information... only to walk away so angry and frustrated by the absolute ineptness and willful ignorance of the conservative mindset that I wondered why I had educated when the entire population seems to be so dumbed down to facts that they even consider science a "belief"!?!
Why am I telling you all of this? Here is the thing...
Mabinogi is a free online game... played over the internet. It is virtually the definition of a socialist program! And I have recently been entertained with a very conservative players thoughts.. a black joke about Obama... and a serious claim of voting for Trump!?! Now if you are a conservative.. why are you playing a global game.. with players who are living in the countries that actually give their citizens health care... speak several languages... and openly laugh at us or are seriously concerned about Trump or another GOP taking control! You support total capitalist ideals.. support closing our boarders...and discriminating against immigrants... yet you have no problem playing this free game.. fighting side by side with them.. and still in closed circles have very low opinions of all other country's and their successful practices!
Heck.. even the guild and its web site are socialist! ...if you make a post.. be part of the collective... you can actually get... hmm.. dare I say it... "free stuff"!!!! Funny how its good for the game but if a candidate suggests it suddenly we are becoming communist Russia!
I come to this game to escape.. to escape the woes of life.. the restraints of republican laws... and to not have to experience the ignorance of conservative hypocrisy! only to jump into a discord of Trump affection and belittlement over my visual game appearance! I am poor! I cant buy every gachapon to be the next "fashionogi"!!! I play the game like its true rpg... armor and a helet are the preferred equipment in such fanfair.. to be laughed at for my dress.. in a game where people run around in over sized head of animals and have purple bone dragons or butterfly wings! ... just kinda aggravates me! And do be done by what I thought was a fellow guildmember who should be here to assist and be relatively friendly... kinda kills my initial interview of caution to offense by threat of retribution! Just because I look like an NPC of Avon... doesn't give you the right to openly laugh in my face.. or try to confuse me for a fresh noob who logged on last week! You represent a guild.. who's members reach all around this globe! This is NOT an American exclusive game! Where you can be the stereotypical ignorant fool and simply change channels and laugh with your friends over a clever remark. Here you should always think about the other guy... is he black? is he gay? is he playing from Mexico? Europe? Australia? Should I make a racist joke in a general chat attachment? Should I promote my thoughts on a GOP contender who is widely disliked around the world for his rhetoric? If you aren't asking these before you engage in guild chatter.. maybe you are in the wrong guild? ...or maybe I am?
I personally embrace all cultures... all classes.. all orientations... I am not a big fan of religion BUT I will not seek to cleanse the globe of any... I am a kind hearted and helpful player... every struggling to learn more from the game and enjoy the helpful tips given by more seasoned players. I am also very vocal... I cannot stand quiet when I see a fool making a stupid statement. being disrespectful... bullying... so I will wiind up in a stupid bubble match with some plyer every now and again who just wont stop being a complete idiot! (my only reserve is guildmembers... I will generally walk away and vent my frustrations to a friend so he can laugh at my problems and then give me 25 striped marlins! HA!)
I write this here to kinda get it all out in one fell swoop... as its weighing heavily on me.. and compounding daily as I interact more and more with the guild. and the general players online... I can't change them... but maybe this can help restrain us to be more thoughtful to others... or simply just think before you speak in open company!
If I am wrong to detail my thoughts... explain who I am and how I use this to get away from real life... if you all don't think respect for all and an understanding that we are all different.. and not all Americans with a 6 figure income... is important to recognize... please... let me know so I can go back to solo play... If I have some valid points or bring up things you have overlooked... then correct your bad behavior.. or consider solo play for yourselfs and free yourself from offending people with your poor opinions.. bad jokes.. or bad tact in teaching others who are desperately trying to learn to help you!
thank you for this moment...
What will follow will be a recount of recent experiences in the game as well as a personal description of who I am as a person. (not the game character but the actual human being behind a laptop screen... as it may hold bearing on the discussion below.)
First let's begin with outside interference (re: non guildmember interactions) and how hypocritical thinking and ignorant arrogance can soil a friendly game.
While having a simple after guildbattle bubble chat in Dunby with a fellow guildmember I jokingly said "We are GODS!" in reference to us being undefeatd two months in a row with not a single battle scar... surely a harmless comment... BUT a passer by mocked us and then ran off to eaves drop the continued open chat. (this was no doubt an alt as it seemed to be low level and hailed no guild affiliations) I mocked back because I have no taste for rude people... and eventually this internet troll poofed away. Only to return as his main and continue the "debate" over my GOD claim? Words were spoken.. challenges made.. but in the end.. this larger level version of the same internet Troll walked off (no.. really.. he took the time to hold shift to actually walk off!?!)
I simply laughed it off but the moment seemed to haunt me in reflection... and here is why...
1. we are all immortal... we cannot die in the game...
2. I can fly! no pet... no wings... no potions... I simply hit a hot key and I am defying gravity and soaring the heavens!
3. I can transform into virtually anything (including the Goddess Macha)
4. we can Pali (or in my case DK)
5. we can achieve Demi status
By these 5 points.. and my early learning from "The Ghostbusters"- "When someone asks you if you are a God... you say YES!" HA! I can only assume we are all Gods in the game.
And finally.. to point out the hypocritical mentality in this bully gamer... his name.. ironically... had the actual word God in it!?!
So to challenge someone... talk smack... play the tough guy roll... and just be a general fool over a joke statement about being a god.. while you yourself hail a GOD mentality in your own name... just makes me shake my head in disappointment.
Now this wasn't the first interaction of a negative kind I have experienced... and I am sure it will not be the last... but it does show a trend in the game.
another fine moment more recently was...
I had just rebirthed my alt and needed to bring her to the hot springs for a muscle enhancement. sitting in this pool was another non guildmember also working his upper body size.
What is the first words spoke as we sat in the pool with monkeys to realign our appearance to our tastes? "that's a pretty manly chick you made.. good job" OK.. maybe it was just a joke comment.. and my reply was simply "my.. that is kinda rude to say?" (I don't know.. I guess he was expecting a female to come to the pool.. disrobe completely and throw on a naughty school girl outfit and dance for him as he bulked up? Sorry kid.. the name of the alt is literally "TheBlackRobe".. so.. uhh... yeah.. that's pretty much what you get.. a chick in a black robe!)
And these stories go on and on... in a banquette... one charming fellow at a close enough table simply swore throughout the entire hour! I see channel wide bugle horns telling the entire game someone is a pussy!?! multiple times!?! (someone actually pays to shout out that? Who does that!?!)
This is just the general population too... a systemic problem of people just not realizing.. or caring.. that other people, not NPC's are also trying to enjoy the game.
Below becomes more personal... I will omit names and generalize, to do my best not to call out any guildmember openly... this is not my aim.. its more to try to relay my dissatisfaction to some attitudes and explain why I joined a guild.. why I play in general.. and that when you speak.. you are responsible for the words that are broadcast through bubbles.. over guild chats.. and in dischord.
I am not new to the game... I began a very long time ago as I seem to continuously relay my early history in posts. But the game changes... and content gets added... its hard to keep up with it all and as I began as a solo player.. working in groups.. fighting dragons... fumbling through the do's and dont's and learning the tactics to beat impossible creatures as a daunting endeavor!
Every time I engage in a party battle.. be it in a dungeon... or a shadow mission.. or in the open field against a dragon or some other large foe with a million plus HP... I learn valuable things.
1. playing with a non guild friend I learned the value of "playing dead" as I was thrust into an elite sulfer spider mission teamed up with super power players... I barely kept up.. but seeing the skills they used and the tactics they employed gave me insight as to how far I could go with my own magic talent. (the only sour taste left was one of the members was arrogant.. and my questions on his shock wave skill apparently were too childlike and his response was.. figure it out... I did after as I can read and click for information... but surely saying.. ohh.. it's shockwave... couldn't have been that hard to type considering the finger skills he employed in actual combat!?!) (not guild affiliated)
2. Meeting this guild... happened in a dragon raid I simply saw in open call and rushed to for the fight and for the adventure seal... I did as I always do... I fought hard.. healed anyone and everyone who was low and close... died three times... and burned my stamina to ZERO... so I had no choice but to sit on the sidelines and recoup as I had foolishly left all my potions in a pet! HA! But one individual flew right up to me.. and told me I was sponging in a corner not helping and basically disrespected me for all my hard work... ignorance and arrogance... not 100% sure it was a guildmember... But an interesting tale of an actual guild sponsored battle and how unwelcoming it was to an outsider. The irony of it all was the kindness of other guildmembers and their "talk me down" style of chat helped me to shake off the rudeness and investigate the overall guild...
3. gaining the assist of a fellow guildmember I was forced into a speed run of a dungeon... my doggy wasn't even fast enough to keep up so I had to burn time off my Pegasus to stay in the game and power run the course. My first lesson was.. Pegasuses are quite fast in a dungeon! A great lesson to learn... but with a back handed style teaching sadly... even though I was keeping pace.. I still was just that one half second to slow to reach each room before the chest was opened... so at every room.. I would hit a closed door.. have to open it and be dismounted... remount.. and then try my best to be part of the battle and do my part to kill enemy's! (I wasn't looking to be childishly walked through the dungeon... I can fight.. I have skills... and as a team I think waiting for all party members to enter a room is a fairly appropriate common courtesy I try to promote in every dungeon I am helping a freind in... and seriously.. I was hit by a closing door most of the time.. so.. it was literally being slammed in my face!) By the time I was able to enter most foes were beaten so I simply "control targeted" blindly and attacked as both a player and a pet were on either end of the room taking out everything. Total chaos! My thanks for the assist... "Don't attack the creature I am killing.. its is a "pet peve"!?! Now... lets talk about this in detail... we are in a low level dungeon as high level players.. we are not here for experience.. and running too fast to collect gold.. we are here to get to the chest and hope for the one item this whole thing is about... we never set any rules of engagement... I was the one being helped... and I spent seven runs being thrown off my mount trying to open doors slammed in my face... but please.. tell me more about your issues on me hitting the last foe in the room with you... this is arrogance... not guild worthy assistance and commendatory. If I am doing something wrong.. there are kinder ways to relay this... and when I counter mention the door situation.. and simply get complete silence... yeah... again.. not team work.. I had hoped for a better interaction in a guild that seems very serious on working together.
4. Now again... I am coming from a solo play viewpoint.. and I only recently even braved dragons as I am now finally coming to levels and ranks that support the power to take on these foes seriously. The literature on the subject is vague... and I use my experiences on the battlefield to somewhat figure out the tactics and general game play of my surrounding warriors. And I honestly had ZERO understanding of baiting a dragon... I truly thought the dragon simply wandered aimlessly away from its guards... my mistake... but again... a battle would teach me this recently.. but again with a back handed slap through the process. I encountered a white dragon and set my task to simply killing wyverns as I was alone on this channel I had no visions of defeating this on my own.. but the practice in taking out the flying defense would help me in our next white dragon raid. I want to be as flexible to the team when we encounter them again... so.. working my archery up in my free time... seemed a good call. After a few moments and about a dozen kills a small few arrived but really didn't participate. (seeing no one attacking probably caused them to channel jump in the hopes for an easy bounty... this one.. would be actual work... and apparently no one wanted to put in the time today) After I killed enough winged suckers I triggered my final hit and dove in for some dragon cutting... I think one or two jumped in... but they didn't stay long. I ran my FH through.... rearmed my bow and continued my arrow assault on the airborn creatures. At one point I actually saw a half dozen players on a ridge just looking at me battling the entire army single handedly! Finally.. when the dragon walked far away from the army, a few others came in to assist... But in all actuality they were waiting for it to wander even further away... and my attacks from retrospective on the entire account.. may have actually turned it around and lead it back to the safe haven of its ranks (again.. I didn't realize attacking it.. was the wrong approach.. but this lesson would also be taught from the guild.. in a somewhat less than cordial way) It did, again leave its safe place.. and it eventually wandered far away and in a position where it could not auto walk a straight line back to the group. So me and only one other player simply hacked and slashed it till it actually fell!?! I did a nominal level of damage.. but this second person... after triggering some music.. and swapping from alchemy to swords.. seemed to dominate the hp reduction of this white dragon at a very visible rate! Noting this serious difference in hit strength I decided to attack the newly created army under the dragon so he could be free to swing away on the big guy and together.. we prevailed! My shock in being a part of a two person battle against a white dragon was so much that I needed to relay the story over guild chat! Where instead of mutual excitement about this once in a lifetime story.. I was met with cynicism.. grilled for details... and talked down to like I was an inept waif who simply walked in with my eyes closed and/or simply made the whole thing up!?! After a grueling debate on tactics and skills I realized why the people were sitting on the cliff.. they were waiting for it to wander there like it eventually did... and my attacking at one point.. had turned it around and back to its protections. But seriously.. is this how I am supposed to learn this lesson.. by being treated like an idiot!?! You can't simply state the information.. you need to turn it into another moment of why you hate players who do things... half-stateing you think I am an irritating player in the subtle inference! again.. I am an adult.. I can understand clear info.. but I rarely enjoy being talked to in a less than respectful manner... if were are again referring to "pet peves"
It's moments like these that make one ponder enrollment in a guild... and make me weary of asking for help when I desperately need it! I try to be helpful.. even when its above my level of skill to add myself to a high level mission. But if the call is sent.. I feel honor bound to assist.. I enjoy watching high level players work.. its never a dull moment.. and there is always a lesson I learn that betters my game play. But the stigma that I will walk away scorned or berated is now significant enough to make me re-thing any and all calls to arms... and again.. to me.. that's not a guildworthy mentality.
Ok... now its time for a break from the events of concern... and to explain me.. why I play... and who I am... as well as why I find this guild so appealing.
I started this game in my 30's (yes.. I am an old dude!) Initially I chose to be strictly solo and not engage in chat forums or make friends... at the time this game seemed to be geared to a far younger crowd and I was not enjoying the idea of being an adult chatting it up with under age children...
In my youth I played Dungeons and Dragons... have always enjoyed fantasy games.. book or video style... and I simply could not afford to play World of Warcraft. The very style of pay to play would give me a few months of entertainment but eventually I would fail to pay and be locked out from advancing my character and miss out on added content. I stumbled across mabinogi looking for something close to WoW and was pleasantly surprised with the game play and structure of the game. The free part... was the clincher for me though... and for the first two years I played I spent absolutely ZERO on it. It was my continued enjoyment of the game, that finally prompted me to buy some pets and actually drop real cash into my entertainment. I figured if I had played this for two years.. I was fairly sure I was enjoying the game... and they did seem to constantly update it with new content.. so.. they deserved the money for keeping me glued to the game for so long. (I have played several free to play games... and a few pay to plays... this one.. just won out my time... and rose to the top of the genre as well as beating out space games and super hero ones!?!)
I did make a few friends on my original version character and that's where I became aware more adults played than my initial assumption would consider. Alot were people home bound due to illness.. but still.. adults were playing.. so I was happy to continue knowing I was not that creepy old guy playing a kids game.... HA! Lost passwords and an inability to reacquire my account took me away for over a year before my longing to play overcame my sour taste of losing rare and paid for pets.
Time for more backstory about me... I am an American... born in New England and grew up in the late 80's and was a young adult in the 90's. I moved from Massachusetts when I was able to New Hampshire because I worked so much I never had a chance to enjoy the beach.. so.. I simply moved to one... so when I was headed home from a 12 hour day I could at least be assured I was heading to the ocean to sleep my day away in that crisp and serene beach atmosphere. Eventually I leaft my night job miles away and found closer work on the beach. I lived the good life as a young adult.. no cares in the world.. found a band... played the rock star and enjoyed all the perks of that life. Stages.. performing.. writing.. singing.. women.. drugs... beer and booze... and not one ounce of concern for politics or elections. I was young... I thought the world was at my feet and the sky was the limit... The some planes crashed into the towers! And the Bush era took a huge thrust of support.
I began working at a mom and pop motel shortly after (ill save you the 9/11 history...) as a night security officer... so by day and off nights I was a rock star.. and working I was yelling at people three times my age to go to bed.. and chasing people off the property who were trying to sneak in with the hopes they would bed a guest who had retired from a long night at the bars. It was a very contrasting time for me... but I had a job to do.. and a loyalty to my bosses and the perks for the work were grand.. free room on the beach... wifi.... yeah... I was still living the life.. just with some details that hindered full on awesomness. What can ya do... life isnt all rainbows and sunshine...
I was still blissfully unaware of politics... but I was excited and a supporter of Obama in his debut run for the top seat... I remember the day he won.. his inauguration speech and can honestly say I had some tears of joy in my eyes to be witnessing that moment in history! Ad I began to pay attention to politics as I witnessed religious programs begin their attacks on him.. (I was born a protestant but never really practiced and fastly became concerned over christian over reach.. I was more agnostic then with a strong understanding of the bill of rights but still early in my quest for knowledge but I did scan all forms of publications even back then.. so.. I would stop on a religious evangelistic program so I could keep up with all sides of things)
The band ran its course... The job became more a hindrance than a benefit.. and I decided to move to my moms and transplanted to Oklahoma. This would be a culture shock of immense proportions! I had witnessed first hand the heroin problem working in the city up north.. but out here.. meth was the top issue! Work was scarce and without a car travel to jobs over hot flat miles of streets was a serious issue. it took me a few years to fall into a haunted attraction job. I initially signed on as an actor... but as I am a jack of all trades (I learned electrical in HS, learned electronics in a trade program, I am an artist and also learned the "Sign painters" union trade in the same trade program, I did general home repair for the hotel and for friends and family... and programmed basic as a kid in the beginnings of the computer age!) so I asked if they need help on the build too... they did and saw how easily I acclimated and I actually worked for them for over 2 years before ever getting the chance to actually act! My background in stage performing.. band set up and my tinkerings with with sound and lighting pushed me to learn their tech and I became the head light and sound tech by my 4th season. I also helped the owner set up big bands as he also moonlighted as a concert promoter for the local collage and had a rolladesk of big name artists so once a year I would be lead set up for some large band in a huge collage benue (I set up sound dragons first sold out show... that was pretty cool!) I had designed my own haunt for easter seals when I was 18 with a $2000 budget.. but my time with the current haunt made that look like a kindergarden production. in this larger scale operation.. we spent $200k annually on props and lumber... paint and makeup... all to run a 25 day seasonal haunt... we pushed through over 10k in people in those short runs... at its end.. well over 25k in human bodies.
As it was seasonal I spent my off time working with a DJ setting up party's.. weddings and events for the rich people of the Tulsa area... Silent auctions.. ritzy black tie private balls... one million dollar wedding on a rented out golf course. I followed the local news more.. and daily I would see the repeating story.. someone was shot.. someone was robbed... drug bust.. human trafficking. yeah... this was an interesting place. I watched the republican religious front discriminate on gays... poor... watched the govt kill education and promote private christian schools and homeschooling. while the rest of the country was enjoying the ACA we were hindering it to make up bad numbers to try to stop it. I got more angry.. and followed more closely... I watched as this state pushed 21 different anti gay bills last year and got one through.. watched as Indiana was attacked for their anti gay laws... only to say they would make a fix amendment and when we all left.. it didn't pass their house!?!
Now we are in the current elections... GOP candidates attack all non white citizens... GOP supporter meanwhile are poisoning their city's water and fighting to sell off protected land to foreign corporations.. domestic corporations are laying off union workers and moving to Mexico for cheap labor...
I grew up in a predominantly Spanish speaking area. My son is half Dominican... his mother barely spoke English when she first arrived here. She is probably the most hard working woman I know... I myself learned Spanish to ease the burden my customers dealt with simply trying to order food and make the cash transaction to receive it! (I just figured... English is a tough second language... so.. learning all my food items.. how to count to 100 and genera size and type phrases would help them see I was just as willing to conform as this country pushes an immigrant to be. ...and it helped alot!)
I know alot of gay people.. I worked in theater and the haunt itself hired a larger than you would expect level of gay actors to scare the daylights out of the hungry to be frightened customers. They are just as good as straight people... just as funny, as kind, and generous...
I know alot of poor people... I am poor currently. I have seen first hand how one lay off.. an unemployment benefit cut short by republican laws... can destroy a life.. and cause extended years to recuperate from the piling bills and debts acrewed from the time out of work retraining for a new career. I know first hand how a failed health care system leaves on billed huge sums of money for simple procedures that in blue states... are actually free!
I spend my days reading articles on all sides of politics these days. I read conservative ones.. liberal ones.. research bills and translate legal speak to actual practice... I research candidates... research lawmakers.. and follow even local politics. When Bernie sanders came out of what seemed like nowhere... I was intrigued! So I investigated... and the deeper I got.. the more unlike any candidate he became to me. The guy is actually an honest "for the people" politician!?! I was beginning to believe they didn't exist! but here he was.. messy hair.. glasses.. and the most hilarious accent... and every video from his past.. he is fighting for things I believe in! Ok.. call me sold on this guy!
Then I see the GOP clown car... and the new top dog... Trump! I kinda see why the conservatives are going for trump.. every actual lawmaker in the GOP has destroyed their states... or are so wildly religious they should be running for pope NOT the presidency! But I also see the Trump rallys.... and every one is getting more and more brazen... it began with simple escorts our from silent protesters... but now.. I see violence... photographers being chokeslammed by secret service.. black people being sucker punched as they are in the isles leaving with a full guard of cops who react by further assaulting the victim and telling the attacker to please.. have a seat and continue the show.
I began my adult life only slightly noticing the underbelly of racism.. every now and then.. as a white guy in private conversations would I hear another white guy drop the "N" word... but lately.. I have seen first hand serious racial and bigoted actions... online in threads.. I have gone from subtle dislike of conservative to absolute hatred for them. I used to follow several national stations online.. but one by one.. based solely on the endless hate in the comments.. I have walked away from the entire lot of national publications.. who's only aim seems to be hot point titles to incite the eager hate by their viewership! I have spent hours and day researching every topic under the sun from the inception of the confederate battle flag to the reasons for the civil war.. read every compiled list of shootings.. read on Muslims in America.. socialism.. communism... the KKK... the black panthers... all in the hopes of combating threads with valid facts and information... only to walk away so angry and frustrated by the absolute ineptness and willful ignorance of the conservative mindset that I wondered why I had educated when the entire population seems to be so dumbed down to facts that they even consider science a "belief"!?!
Why am I telling you all of this? Here is the thing...
Mabinogi is a free online game... played over the internet. It is virtually the definition of a socialist program! And I have recently been entertained with a very conservative players thoughts.. a black joke about Obama... and a serious claim of voting for Trump!?! Now if you are a conservative.. why are you playing a global game.. with players who are living in the countries that actually give their citizens health care... speak several languages... and openly laugh at us or are seriously concerned about Trump or another GOP taking control! You support total capitalist ideals.. support closing our boarders...and discriminating against immigrants... yet you have no problem playing this free game.. fighting side by side with them.. and still in closed circles have very low opinions of all other country's and their successful practices!
Heck.. even the guild and its web site are socialist! ...if you make a post.. be part of the collective... you can actually get... hmm.. dare I say it... "free stuff"!!!! Funny how its good for the game but if a candidate suggests it suddenly we are becoming communist Russia!
I come to this game to escape.. to escape the woes of life.. the restraints of republican laws... and to not have to experience the ignorance of conservative hypocrisy! only to jump into a discord of Trump affection and belittlement over my visual game appearance! I am poor! I cant buy every gachapon to be the next "fashionogi"!!! I play the game like its true rpg... armor and a helet are the preferred equipment in such fanfair.. to be laughed at for my dress.. in a game where people run around in over sized head of animals and have purple bone dragons or butterfly wings! ... just kinda aggravates me! And do be done by what I thought was a fellow guildmember who should be here to assist and be relatively friendly... kinda kills my initial interview of caution to offense by threat of retribution! Just because I look like an NPC of Avon... doesn't give you the right to openly laugh in my face.. or try to confuse me for a fresh noob who logged on last week! You represent a guild.. who's members reach all around this globe! This is NOT an American exclusive game! Where you can be the stereotypical ignorant fool and simply change channels and laugh with your friends over a clever remark. Here you should always think about the other guy... is he black? is he gay? is he playing from Mexico? Europe? Australia? Should I make a racist joke in a general chat attachment? Should I promote my thoughts on a GOP contender who is widely disliked around the world for his rhetoric? If you aren't asking these before you engage in guild chatter.. maybe you are in the wrong guild? ...or maybe I am?
I personally embrace all cultures... all classes.. all orientations... I am not a big fan of religion BUT I will not seek to cleanse the globe of any... I am a kind hearted and helpful player... every struggling to learn more from the game and enjoy the helpful tips given by more seasoned players. I am also very vocal... I cannot stand quiet when I see a fool making a stupid statement. being disrespectful... bullying... so I will wiind up in a stupid bubble match with some plyer every now and again who just wont stop being a complete idiot! (my only reserve is guildmembers... I will generally walk away and vent my frustrations to a friend so he can laugh at my problems and then give me 25 striped marlins! HA!)
I write this here to kinda get it all out in one fell swoop... as its weighing heavily on me.. and compounding daily as I interact more and more with the guild. and the general players online... I can't change them... but maybe this can help restrain us to be more thoughtful to others... or simply just think before you speak in open company!
If I am wrong to detail my thoughts... explain who I am and how I use this to get away from real life... if you all don't think respect for all and an understanding that we are all different.. and not all Americans with a 6 figure income... is important to recognize... please... let me know so I can go back to solo play... If I have some valid points or bring up things you have overlooked... then correct your bad behavior.. or consider solo play for yourselfs and free yourself from offending people with your poor opinions.. bad jokes.. or bad tact in teaching others who are desperately trying to learn to help you!
thank you for this moment...
