Lycantropus

No, that's the point. City of means so many things to so many players!!

That's the point. Nothing I say diminishes anything anyone else experienced here that made their journey worth it. If anything it deepens it.

What we experience here is more than the sum of its parts to each of us, and that's the message. I'm sorry you see it any other way.

Frankly, and not to diminish anyone else...

Just about every moment I've spent in Paragon City.

I've met friends and aquantiences all over the globe.

I've participated in Hami raids and itrials with my community on Champion and other servers I spent my time.

I'm now sending care packages filled with all kinds of expensive goodies to someone I've never met in real life who's stationed in Afghanistan, because he's such a good friend to me and my family.

I and my SG also spent time with both him and his wife (in this game) when they lost one of their daughters (in real life) to cancer.

I was the one to find out, and pass on the news and information, of the passing of one of our SG mates.

I just sent a pair of expensive headphones to someone I never met in another state I've known for over 7 years, but have rarely heard their voice due to a lack of of a good headset (though we've talked on the phone) so no matter where our family goes they can stay in touch with us. (chat programs in other games suck!!!!)

I've recently reached out to a community I just realized I'm going to be losing, even though I've known many of them by name for years, but just lurked because I... 'didn't have the time'. (this isn't so much a crowning achievement, but a promise for the forseeable future).

From moments as intimate as these, to the times I joined a Pug for a LRSF that dropped down to 5 people (before incarnates) that contiuned to push until we did it as a team; to the incarnate raids led by some of the best I've ever met...

The thing is, every positive experience I've had in my life from this game has added to my positive outlook on life... gave me optimism, and gave me hope that not everyone is as rotten as they seem in most cases in real life. I've shared these views (and the game) with my real life family, and many of them have become just as much family to them.

I guess, at the pinnacle of 'moments of awesome' are moments like these when I talk about all the great things I got from this game, and learned the most important is a family that's, in many ways, just as much a part of my family as the people that actually share my life- and the interraction that makes them such. How we all tie together.

My crowning achievement of awesome is the family I made in this game, that will contiune with (or despite) it.

By no means am I to be credited with this, but it's the truth. If I'm right, Hyperstrike was the first to say this (though I could be wrong but I don't care, it's good advice... and bears repeating) if we really want to win against this.

One of the biggest things they're going to look at (if they're inclined to look at anything) is numbers now. We need to show support and solidarity BY PLAYING THE GAME.

I'm sure they'd like nothing more than for us to vent our spleen and then move on to other games (their games if given a choice). That justifies them closing it down. That's what they're hoping on if they're determined to shut us down. We made noise and that's great, BUT THAT'S NOT ENOUGH. Not until November 30th when there's no choice. If you feel the need to protest after that, there's no recourse but to speak with your wallet.

Right now, we still have our game, and leaving can be just as vital as our voice when it means we aim to stay.

Titan contiunes to come up with 'solidarity' events. The next Positron Rally (on Thursday and Saturday to run both Positron TF's is) just more fire in the bellies of our participants, and data to those who can mine it to show how important we are to those who swore to stand behind Paragon Studios... Both it's employees and the game they created. Each of these are pivitol in making our case.

It hurts. I know. It's sad to look at... (whatever) I know. The thing is, for now, we CAN'T STOP PLAYING.

Us 'moving on' is exactly what they want. If, 3 months from now there's little to no playerbase, they'll close the doors with little regret, and probably little press. They will have won. After all, WE gave up. It's not enough to have energy now...

If it means so much to us, honoring those relationships that we know will contiune beyond this game...

If it means so much to us, those relationships that have passed us from other causes, that we'll never see again.

If it means so much to us, the server communities we formed, and will never see in this inacarnation again..

IF IT MEANS SO MUCH TO US, the development team that we praise for their time here and don't want it to stop... further enriching this game in ways we've rarely or never seen in any other MMO...

We need to keep playing. We, the players, need to dredge up the strength to log in and keep fighting the good fight (for heroes) and taking what's ours (for the villains). As the dev team said... without us, they are nothing.

We need to keep being their heroes (and villains!!!) We need to keep logging in and letting NCSoft know we support Paragon city 'til the bitter end!!!

I don't care how sad it is, how mad this makes you. These things don't matter. If we have any hope of saving our City, it's through actions AS MUCH AS WORDS.

Keep logging in. Keep saving the day (or taking it over) keep the 'little guy' safe (or keep robbing the bank). Whatever it is to keep our City vital. KEEP DOING IT.

IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO TOTALLY GET OUR MESSAGE ACROSS WHEN WE'RE NOT DOING COMMUNITY/SERVER EVENTS TO SHOW SOLIDARITY.

LET NCSOFT WE WILL NOT GO QUIETLY INTO THE NIGHT, AND WE WILL KEEP PLAYING 'TIL THE LIGHTS GO OUT.

I don't ask you do this for me. At the end of the day, I'm a nobody lurker who only wished they could contribute more than they did, and you probably don't even know who I am.

Do this for yourselves, who claim to love Paragon and the Rogue Isles so much. Do this for the Game Developers who are not just losing a game, they're losing a job!

But again, just as importantly, do this for yourself...

If you love this game, spend as much time in it as you can, because if everything else fails, you will at least knew you did everything could could to suck the marrow out of it and learned and felt all you could for this City until the bittersweet end.

Thank you.

A player and citizen of Paragon City.

EDIT:upon investigation of the original thread I was referring to it was Kellan Pine that Hyperstrike referenced. It really doesn't matter. Please, pass this on to everyone you know. Especially those not logging in from depression or anger. We need their optimism and hope more than ever!! No guaratees it will succeed, but there were no guarantees to our heroes either... they just did what they knew was right...

Awsome! I could have brought most of the SG to any server, but that makes me happy. I'll see if I can't make this a full SG event and bring our mains for pics and everything That'd be fun.

Very nice, relatively big new field for you to play in.

Use your powers wisely!

I'm sure I can get the SG to show up for Thursday, and help pick up anyone needing a team if we have room left! Not so sure about Saturday though. Great idea for the different times for just that reason!

Also, is there a particular server for this, or we just showing a mass of people across servers running Posi?

Last but not least, does Titan have a global network, in-game, one can subscribe to?

I couldn't begin to count all the great times this game, and its community, has given me. I played a little on every server, but Champion was my home, and my SG my online family.

I'm thankful that we're all staying together whether its here or another game. Most of us are old farts and have spent almost eight years together. Through weddings, passing on of SG mates, and all the good friends that ran with us from time to time, as well as the acquaintances that were a big impact to our server at large and our experiences in Paragon. I can only hope that the members of our little SG had as positive an impact on everyone we met, as much as most of the other players we had the joy of running with.

I think if I have any regrets, they are few, and more because they were missed opportunities for me to 'give back'. With limited online time, I wanted to be more a part of the greater Champion community. I lurked quite often and got to know just about everyone on all the Champion global channels by name, and helped and teamed when I could with everyone, However most of what time I had when I logged in was devoted to my SG. Whether it was building our bases (hero and villain- both of which I'm rather proud of) or dedicated SG nights... I don't regret that at all though. Not one second of it! It just would have been nice to have had more time for everyone, I guess. I grew very fond of a number of folks who might not even know my name LOL. I don't consider that a regret though, more of a missed opportunity.

If it could be said I have any regrets, personally, it would be two.

ONE, I will never get to finish my A.E. project to re-write all the old story arcs from way back and tie them together into a cohesive story all the way to 50. Tsoo Shenanigans, The Vahzilok Pollutant Plot (and plague), The Hand of Iron, the list goes on. I wanted to make the stories more interesting, and include members of the Freedom Phalanx and Shooting Stars as guest appearances. I felt both the lore (and the characters in the game) needed to be highlighted more for its brilliance and forethought. I mean, The Path of the Dark- probably one of the first story arcs in the game, and it tied directly into Cimerora and the Midnighter's arc!! I remember when Oroborous came out and I started playing through an arc here, and arc there, in my spare time... and then realized how tight the history and lore was in this game. Even if it wasn't, they paid attention to what came before and fit it together!

I wanted to include other characters to assist the player as well, because after seeing people's reactions to the Who Will Die arc, I thought "They really need to get to know these characters outside of that situation". The players needed a reason to care, and nothing provided that really, which was a disservice to them (both the players and the signature characters).

If anyone is interested I did have a few on A.E. (Lycantropus is my global too- if you want to look them up.) and had purchased a number of slots more in readiness for my next installments. (okay I regret that too, now)

And TWO, my other regret is that I always wanted to be involved in the Paragon Wiki, and help filling in the gaps for posterity. Doing all the lore research I did (and I was a sucker for it before I started the above project. I read the wiki quite often, and have both books and the whole comic run!) I noticed there were a number of incomplete articles. Little touches here or there, and it's more noticeable as newer content came out, and wasn't documented as well. I don't fault anyone for it. I'd be a hippocrite if I did. I was too busy with what little online time I have playing too... which is why it's a big regret for me. If things go poorly, that may be the only source of lore for the game.

I will promise, however, that for me it will not go to waste. I plan on taking a system- Marvel, DC, Mutants and Masterminds, Abberant... something, and coming up with stories for City of Heroes for my tabletop group. Even if I can't play it on the computer, I will still be able to share it with my friends here at home, and the Paragon Wiki will be an excellent source for that.

Heck, maybe I'll even design my own 'home brew' tabletop system for it if I ever get the time. If I do, I promise I'll share it with the community.

I deliberated over a theme song for Lyc for a long time, until I found this song, and it was perfect! I could see it playing at the opening to a TV show for him.

Cat Power- Werwolf

Yes, most definitely. I had that thought a long time ago as a hope if they ever decided to shut it down, just let everyone buy a copy just for their own personal use.

I love this game and solo as much as I team. I love following the stories and playing different concepts. I love my SG but we'll survive past this, but I'm really going to miss this, what is truly my favorite game of all time (and that's saying something).

I miss Sho too. Been a while since he's been around as far as I can tell.

I'm old, and have responsibilities. My internet time is limited (though I'm up way too late now for this) but under normal circumstances, it's over by now. What I'll miss the most of the forums is this section.

With said limited internet time, this was my source of information about what was going on in comic/geek culture consisted mainly of this, and what my rl friends decided to share with me. It took a hit with games being cut from the thread, but now I'm not sure where I'll hang my hat for topics that interest me when this forum disappears.

I know I lurked a lot, but especially it was because of this thread. I'd love to be the one to post something first, but a lot of you faster, more savvy folks would put what I just heard about, up well before me. That was awsome, and it taught me to respect the posters of this forum to be 'in the know' hours before I would find out. I never had to doubt that anything I saw here would be interesting, and before my limited resources would discover, if it even did.

I guess what I'll remember is that folks from Sho Nuff to Lord of Time (rest him)- and many others would always let us know what we needed to know about in this forum, and I will miss this.

For me the "Scooped" only meant that enough people cared for me to know something, that they made sure I did.

I didn't always catch the first posting of it (so I almost always saw the 'scooped' thread first) by the way, and never had the info to share first (though I wish I did from time to time). However, I didn't mind, because I knew I could depend on one of you to have it.

Lyc~

Tell me about the Gamester. What was (it)? I know it was a plot device, but what was intended for it to be in the long run at any point?

The Gamester was a neat concept that could have pulled itself out over many issues and events, and one I have incorporated into some of my own tabletop games as a side character, as the players discovered who (it) was and (its) intentions.

I just want to know what Paragon had in mind for what (it) might be.

[redacted]

I hope this effort makes a difference.

Sent, and I don't expect a reply LOL. I just hope I'm cool enough (?) to make the cut. Good luck with the video (if that's what it is) or whatever, can't wait to see what you do!

Added mine!

Thanks again Samuraiko, what you're doing is awesome.

Okay, here's the information for @Crimson Sun (it was his global name as well as his main character) His real name was Thomas Altamore.

I actually managed to find a real photo of him



And the SG couldn't locate any good, solid, screenshots of his costume so I recreated it:



Simple enough, sure, but just in case, here's the costume code to make it easier for you- from a tailor/costume creator file made into a .txt file.

Just to point out, while Lyc isn't the first character I played, he's been around for over 8 years in the City of Heroes Universe. He's the second character I made.

It's an important distinction, since I brought up Going Rogue and the alignment system, which may have implied he was much younger. He was well before that, and the lack of a system enforced his code in my mind, but the point of the system's openess when "Going Rogue" came out solidified that concept in my mind and was a 'defining moment' for the character to the point that it was worth mention.

Anyway, on with the topic

I made Lycantropus as a personal view on my world in a game setting. It was about my anger management, if nothing else, though it was a bit more.

I have a personal fascination with werewolf movies and the idea behind the creature that is the werewolf. The duality and struggle to maintain what is human beneath the easily scratched beast. The negative impulses that reside within most people made manifest.

Lyc wasn't my first character, but he had the most impact on my life as a person, and became my main very quickly. This became even more pronounced to me when "Going Rogue" came out. Because he was my main, he was also my main badge collector. I came to the decision, amost immediately, that he would never go vigilante, villain, or rouge, and only get the badges he could as a pure hero. For Lyc was a lycanthrope. If he even once gave in to the beast, he would be lost forever in rage and hunger. At the time it was a hard decision, but it was made the more vital because he had a choice in a tangible in-game way to get more badges he could earn.

That was the lesson I learned MOST from City of Heroes. In it's most simple terms, it isn't about the reward but the journey that makes the true hero. Lyc wouldn't fall, because he couldn't. This asked a simple run of missions that would easily allow him more accolades to put upon his mantle, but he refused them, and I applied these lessons to my everyday life.

That's what City of Heroes means to me.

The freedom the game gave me, gave Lyc himself the strength to choose otherwise, and made me a better person for it. Anger and desire are much easier to reach for than the higher goals. I knew that, but this game illustrated it nicely, which made me feel better for the choices I made for him as a product of it. Life is easier to explain in a game context, and City of Heroes offered that to me. What turned out to me my main villain, Master Designer, was a different story altogether.

My other favorite set of characters are the same guy, just 3 sets of power armor to represent the need he has to fill. His history is more detailed than Lyc's, but Lyc's has the most personal affect on me, so I'll represent that by leaving it at that.

As for me, there will never be another Lycantropus in any game anywhere else, by any developer. If you see that name, it will not be me outside of City of Heroes. That chapter for him is finished, when Paragon goes dark. That is my sacrifice in the name of what this game has meant to me. Do with it what you will.

Lyc~ one of the first werewolves of Paragon City to be a hero after the first Haloween event.

While I'm hoping they'll be able to save Paragon, my hopes are not high. I've signed petitions and sent letters and whatnot, but...

See, I'm thinking this is proabably the best alternative. Have TonyV and the Titan Network team up with whoever from Paragon wants to join in (hopefully all of them) and start a kickstarter around the project: Titan City. The money they would pull in from the emotional investment at this point would likely be huge. Hopefully huge enough to get the project rolling, and keep those people in jobs!

Most importantly, it'd be an independent company with no 'big business' getting in the way.

It'll be smaller in scope then City of Heroes currently is at start, obviously. However, we know what these people have done, and what they can bring to a new game. Moreover, they know what we expect, and with time and the love they poured into Paragon, can eventually fulfil those expectations. May take another eight years to get to something like we have now, but that's a game I'd be willing to invest the time and money into to see grow.

Basically, if they don't want the people at Paragon Studios, we do! Let's hire them to make the game that'll honor and surpass City of Heroes for us!

That was great and thanks Doctor Dave for getting it on demo record for Samuraiko!

Under the statue now and calling out for it on LFG and Help channels. Starting to gather a crowd. Plus we have the protesters on the steps of City Hall here on Champion.

This is no dis to other servers. They provided great communities to those they represented, and for that I have nothing but respect. This is for Champion, good and... not at good, depending on your point of view, that has made us the server we are today.

I was more a lurker, spending time with my SG mates more than with the server at large, so only the more 'vocal' or what I considered 'stand out' names hit my radar. Feel no offense if I didn't see you, my time was always limited to a few hours a night, so if you were "kind of a big deal" and I didn't note you. Please, I let others with more time (or different time) constraints mark your achievements here. This is not, by far, a comprehensive list of people on Champion that have made a difference over the past 7+ years. These are simply the ones that have had the most impact with me. (NOTE: IF you disagree with anyone's sentiments in this thread, take it somewhere else. This is the thread to note who has made Champion in your home more than anyone else as a whole- not argue someone else's choice... so RESPECT!!!)

First of all @Cobalt Azurian. You got a lot of crud from a lot of the other players by keeping what global channels you moderated as pure as you can to their goal. I have always respected that and have never found you 'out of line' in that duty, even when others did. You did a great service to us by trying to make sure everyone kept abreast of what was going on, and for that you have my utmost respect. You have always been at the forefront of community activities and support even when you didn't have a leadership role (and in some cases- I think you avoided such for the politics) and for that, I acknowledge you, and thank you.

@Ping, even though the Pingus weren't a strong force over the past few years in Paragon City, the Pingu Coalition was even friends to a fringe group like the Legacy Foundation and never made us feel "out of the loop" in your activities. @Ice Ember and @Rhea and peripherally @Aslan. may have played a part in that, but the fact that any other Pingus made us welcome friends in anything my SG members took part in had an impact on me, personally. I'm not the most social git, nor are many members of my SG, so when we're taken at face value as 'good to know' that means something. For that, I thank you. I remember keeping up with your wedding and you and your lady's happiness. Thanks for sharing all of that with us!

@Amygdala, and @Thul Sorapa (I think best known as Laday Clara). You both were consumate trial leaders and community builders. From Task Forces, to trials, you built them regularly and led them with the souls of artists. I may have turned down an invite from either of you you from time to time, but never out of doubt of your ability (my personal friends and SG always came first). Nothing either of you have run was a disappointment to me, and your leadership skills made every adventure with you a joy. I never regretted a moment of your trial expertise.

@Braije, for making me feel welcome in the DarkGuard Network, and encouraging me to speak up in there from time to time. It was a good network, and a lot of good folks met and played there. You also introduced me to a most awsome movie "Poolhall Junkies". Thank you.

@Craz Dragoon, much like Amy and Thul, you always put your neck out there for leading things. Especially after the incarnate stuff first came out. You led a lot I had the honor of taking part in, it was always fun.

@SCybertaz, You were always a fun read in my lurkings. From your movie quotes and your jokes, to your pervy 'so called' "mistells" I was always entertained. Later coming into your own as a community organizer of sorts... Like anyone else who will stick their neck out there, I thank you.

@Purplewolfman (or Purplewolflord- can't remember your global), your name stands out to me because believe it or not, I remember when you joined, or was at least new. You were in Steel, I think doing the level 20 costume mission, and I kept dropping rezzes on you because you kept dying, or soemthing. It was a long time ago, but I remembered the name because of the 'wolf' association. To see you giving out sound advice on the global channels and seeing how much you learned and shared with the community made me happy to see you stick it out from way back then and help others.

@Blaster wanabee (probably better known as Justice Squid on Champ) I knew you from the old URA days (that's going back) and you never joined the Legacy Foundation, but you were one of that's that both @Aslan. and I remember fondly from those times. You were always welcome to our teams!

Same goes for you too @Grey and @Dr Shadow and @Dalante, but you should all know that. I told most of you just the other day and should know our Vent stuff

This also applies to @roninwyrm, @Magickal Flame, @Hellrot Knight, @BlueMyst, @Mystified, @Rogue Revolver, @White Tiger 007, @OriginalGrim, @Phantom Investigator (though some of us talked on Vent or the group recently) You have all touched my live throughout the years, and that deserves some recogntion. Thank you, and I hope you keep in touch to run with us in other endeavours.

As for the 'meat' of the Legacy Foundation itself that has stood fast:

@Aslan., better known to most of us as Bael (Bael Nightshade)
@AZAZEL1, who has a 'bad attitude'
@Aster, tap,Tap,TAP
@Frost'Byte, who often plays too long on Facebook, and annoys Siph (her husband)
@Mr Superhero, my son who hasn't had time to play for quite a while due to college.
@SiphonWraith, Frost'Byte's husband and is currently in Afghanistan, our thoughts and prayers are with him, especally after this bit of news.
@Wolf Bait, my wife and who has given me the most comfort in these dark times.

The Legacy Foundation will live on, there's no doubt of that. We're making alternative plans on where to go. However, this... legacy, for lack of a better term, is important to me to benchmark.

There are so many others I'd like to mention that have touched us over the years. The most in particular would be @Crimson Sun, who passed away last year to complications from diabetes. His wry wit and humor have left us feeling his presence in our group. This game meant a lot to him. I can't imagine how he would feel now...

Damnit, not going to cry 'til I get done with this.

There's a lot more I'd like to mention. @Bubble Gun and @Rhiannon01, @Shenzie Rix, and @The White Shadow who have had the heart to be in touch with us recently... There's so many friends on my global list and beyond that has had an impact on us as players, and hopefully the game at large.

Take a moment, if you will, to talk about the folks on Champion who have made an impact on your life over the years. I was just a lurker for the most part that had a bunch of people make me feel welcome and a part of the community when they could. I can't imagine what someone who dived in to the community must recall as important.

Please, share it here.

Champion, or... as we all will forced to be eventually... GTFO

I've never hated PvP, and even through the 'invisible mexican jumping bean' contest it became, I never resented it. I respect all of you, and hope you find the challenge you want in another game. Even I didn't care much for the changes in I-13, and I wasn't an avid PvP'er, considering it a tertiary part of the game.

Artic, you kept things going even when a lot of folks gave up. Good on you. I know your name from a number of global channels.

That said, I still respect the game you all played and followed it as the folks that represeted our server. Like any city/state has a sports team, I supported you. Thank you for your time!

Lyc~

Edit- I don't remember the name the Pingus went under for the PvP, but quite a few names were fond names to me too.