Well, oddly (and ironically) enough, this is my first post since this game's beta boards (more than ten yrs. ago). I used to write short narratives about the heroes that I wanted to create/be---and eventually did---as the game lived out its own life. Throughout the game's inception and into the many years that followed, I felt that I finally a had something (a conduit if you will) which gave my creative energy an arena to manifest itself. I can't tell you the relief I finally felt in 2004 to have such a therapeutic/ cathartic exercise available at arm's reach...which is now, of course, coming to an untimely end.
What I didn't know, was that there were just as many people out there that had the same "creative energy" as I did. For me, the kinship was immediate and spiritual with many of the same ilk. Indeed, I have met around 6-7 great/best friends in person...with many others that I would consider heartfelt ones. Around 5-6 yrs ago (I can't remember exactly) I think it was "QC" who introduced me to Crimmey, Rich, PoPs, Duncan and Mini (and others) of the SCS SG. Since that point, I was a "solo" player, who had lost touch with many of the initial friends I had made in 2004 (and before). Moreover, I had been in the same sg since I started--one that I created--so I was always apprehensive of joining another. However, there was something about these people that pushed me out of my comfortable virtual "bubble". They were humane, friends, family, supportive and simply cool folks with a great sense of levity. I joined SCS soon after...
Bar none, Duncan was a player of immediate stature in-game...he was always in command, never caught with his "virtual" pants down (as it were). But behind the pixilated facade of his numerous characters was a person of immeasurable human capital. He was simply a "giant" of a person...the personification of all superheroes into one human.
Likewise, Duncan was just as "monolithic" in person with his kindness. He had capacity to give amazing gifts to those he barely knew/talked with. It blew me away when for no apparent reason he bought QC, Rich, Crim and I (and countless others I think) a free account to Champions. (He had no idea what the game was going to be like...he just knew we were passionate suckers for "supe" games. I was floored...) He never, not once, asked for thanks or any return gestures of kindness. These displays of generosity and philanthropy were many and done with such an altruistic soul...
I also remember how unassuming Duncan was in general. He simply "jelled" with everyone he met...nary an enemy in the mix---never! Hell, I never remember a negative word being ushered from his lips at all. Flat out positive to the core...
Nevertheless, I can only provide this snapshot of the unbelievable person Duncan was...for that is all I really know of this great human being. I regret not knowing him in real life...for he, without doubt, would have been the type of person that is a "game changer" to have in one's life. Those are few and far between...
So, what I can do is make a pact with the person he was and stood for. I literally started this game two days after it went live, and I will play to the last hour of the game's "life" with the thoughts of the man being honored (on this thread) in my mind..and with the imagery of Duncan's deeds as a human, cemented in my soul for the rest of my life.
Cheerio brother Duncan...and remember to get your cape when you walk through heaven's gate!
Best, and with love...
~BuGskull (Daniel Dunn)
