Shireroth

As you have seen by my departure speech at MNN and the MCS, I have decided to leave this hobby for good. This is not one of those cut-and-run deals like I've done in the past, or like Bill and others where it's a temporary thing. The MCS was too dear to me. I dedicated four years of my life to that project and a lot of personal money. And for what? To serve a community that stuck a knife in my back. More than that, the MCS required my constant attention not just as a cartographer, but also as a diplomat, more often than not solving some international crisis or another. It's too personal for me to remain here.

Now onto more pertinent matters.... Most of you here in Shireroth I consider friends. So I just wanted to say goodbye and good luck with whatever endeavors you undertake.

For requests I only have one - dissolve Lac Glacei. I removed it from the map at the last update and just want it out of the picture rather than be bickered over. That's it. Bjorngard can fall under the administration of Hyperborea.

I'm not coming back. I can't bear witness to the continued existence of the MCS and what I consider to be bad moves. But that's Vehendi's deck of cards now, and it's up to him how he deals them. Furthermore I honestly do consider this hobby to have degenerated from the heyday back when I first joined. It's not what it was and there is no ambition for where I wanted to go with it. I love the hobby, but don't like many of the people that populate it nor the direction it is heading. That's not a personal shot at people, it's an honest opinion.

You won't find me on MySpace anymore either. I deleted my account there. Instead I intend to buy my own dot-com for a personal site to publish my writings and other little creations/musings on and perhaps host some things. Dunno yet, but I intend to do something to give my writing career a little backbone.

Those of you who want to stay in touch can email me at sibirkhan[at]hotmail[dot]com and from there request my personal AIM account. I'm not giving it out here, but a few select people already have it.

Now I bid you all adieu.

PS: Thank you, Scott, for trying to defend me at MNN. I agree with your points, although only I know the truth and depth of the events which led to the creation of the GSO. It's unfortunate that I'm outnumbered 3 to 1 and that those three happen to hold a monopoly on the hobby. Your efforts will ultimately be in vain and I only see a widening path of smaller and smaller communities developing with this split. The one-man-micronation will soon become the mainstay of this hobby, making it virtually indistinguishable from such atrocities as NationStates. I'm shocked to find that I actually miss the days of Prince Peter Ravn Rasmussen, and that perhaps he was right after all.

Ryan wrote:making it virtually indistinguishable from such atrocities as NationStates.

Hey, Nationstates is/was fun. Though I stopped playing it ages ago, so I'm not sure what it's like, now - nor did I ever leave my region board for interaction, so I guess, when it comes down to it, I have no clue about the community about it, which might suck big time, but...!

...okay, so I'm clearly clueless.
Don't mind me.

-

I've not known you, personally, nor much of your project except in fleeting glance - but I value someone who has sense, honour, and knows to leave before something breaks them like a twig. I don't agree in drama-leavings, as I've seen far too many of them spread over many, many online hobbies, but sometimes they are necessary, and, failing knowledge at the details behind this, I cannot judge this, and meet it with neutrality.

But what is clear and undisputable is that what's happened has had a deep impact on you - I, too, have experienced backstabbing in the past, though far, far, far less subtle, but it wrecked me because there was no opposition to it at the time. I am eternally greatful that you at least have that - and that you can retire knowing that you have done great things, and people appreciate it. Please know to value this, for it is true friendships that will keep you sane. And I hope those true friendships will stay with you for the rest of your life, no matter what paths you choose to take.

All the best.

Bon voyage, Ryan. May your triumphs be many and your trials light. I leave you in the grace and favor of the Lord.

May you find new things to do that make you happy

Ryan

I realize I am new to micronations, but I have a great deal of respect for the job you have done at the MCS and in Shireroth. I wish I had been involved in this hobby in the old days as well. As the new Kaiseress, I pledge that as long as I hold that job, Shireroth will remain in the MCS. I wish we could have known each other but I have heard great things of you. I wish you well in your new life outside of micronations, and would welcome an opportunity to speak with you online if you wish it. The Lord bless you. You may reach me on AIM at Hypatias mom.

Ryan.......... goodbye........



*sniff*


(we love you!)



and as a farewell gift, and as a last respect to a hero, I will not join the GSO. Farewell, good luck, and Somnis Keep.

Alas my Grand Duke, I will miss the few offensive we had, and victorious ice cream feasts that ensued.

Lac Glacei will always be with me, and i shall discontinue the creation of Lunarduex hooch, in mourning.

Youre a groovy dude Ryan, miss ya, see you around.

H4773r 3lfs0n, Lord of Lunarduex, Commander of the Lac Glacei Aeroluft and Aeroteer, Vassal to the Grand Duke of Lac Glacei.

Radish flavored ice cream for all.

Thus passes the last of the Hellspawn.

*six-hundred and sixteen gun salute*

This time we need to ensure that when he comes back, he'll become a loyal Shirithian.

Bribe him with rootbeer?

mmmm......rootbeer.

It was thanks to an old Shirerithian that I found the Beer that is Root of all Life. Stone, I think?

Yeah, it was Stone. I miss that crazy guy sometimes.

Draft him back?

It doesn't quite work that way, youngling.

Not with Stone anyway. His name was extremely apt...

The largest light has gone from our firmament. Ryan, of all people, did not deserve knives in the back. [Me, eh, stick me full of 'em like a porcupine, I just trundle on. But then I'm a (formerly?) evil (emperor?).]

Ryan was a true Duke in spirit and in name. Something important should be named for him, at the very least.

Adieu, Adieu!