In all honesty, I did not expect to come to this conclusion. I apologize
for my enormous delay in reaching it. I have decided, however, that I no
longer have the desire, the time, or the money to keep up with Gemstone III.
It was a good online roleplaying game, it remains a good game, and I think
it is infinitely superior to any of the newer graphic oriented games appearing
on the internet.
I never associated myself personally with the game or its players. I was
often criticized for my so-called "aloof" stance as a result. Regardless,
it is not difficult for me to say goodbye. I consider roleplaying an
introspective activity and I learned a lot about myself through Gemstone.
I do not wish to get any more scholarly, long-winded, or complicated than
that.
Due to successes, positive achievements, and lucky happenings in my life
I am now concerned with other issues than Gemstone III. I do not, however,
wish to belittle the game, roleplayers, or internet users.
I will say, however, that I created the character of Silvean when I was twelve
years old. My best development of that character occured when I was fifteen.
As I lived in a desolate area, I literally had nothing else to do except
play Gemstone until I was able to drive and so forth. When I got older and
had increasing responsibilities in my academic and personal life it was no
longer beneficial for me to dedicate a great deal of time to Gemstone.
Life is made to be lived, and even if Gemstone is fun in the same way that
television or standard video games can be fun, you have to think about how
it benefits you in the long run.
Everything in moderation is the key, consider this. Again, however, this
is not a letter to criticize anyone. It's a letter to explain why I am moving
on. The ten years that I played Gemstone to varying degrees were wonderful.
The House Chesylcha project, if started about three years earlier would have
been great. But it was crafted for a different game than what Gemstone III
is now.
Regardless, I hope I added something to the game. I hope someone remembers
the character I made. I will not destroy Silvean or my Gemstone account
personally. Maybe I could pick it up again someday if I had the sufficient
resources in both time and spare money.
