Tributes To Greatness

What have you seen since learning of Friday's news that demonstrates gratitude and lifts mourning spirits?



The Parting Glass

On Friday, August 31, the City Of Heroes Facebook page posted this picture:



Personally I was numb from shock at the news of the day until I saw Paragon Studios smiling with glasses held high. Then the chorus of a song came into my head and I started bawling.

So raise the parting glass
Here's to living!
Here's to me
And here's to you
My part is over but yours is beginning
The best or worst is yours to choose...



The song/image combination haunted my aching heart. I'd like to share alternate lyrics that keep running through my mind:

Of all the things I leave behind
The things I'll miss the miss the most
Devoted fans
Supportive devs
That Primal Earth can boost

Life's memories are mine to keep
When flesh and archetype part
And memories of our journeys
Are planted within my heart

I'll miss the birth of a hero new
The sun-bright Atlas Park
The cheerful 'Gratz'
The epic raids
Sharing these things with you

I'll miss your voice
Your enthused words
You've been my abiding friends
Remember me and I'll be close
Until we meet again

So raise the parting glass
Here's to living!
Here's to me
And here's to you
The past is over but the future awaits
Noble or cruel is yours to choose

Many alts and all
The good therein
Are blessings unto man
Then we learn to reverence the worlds
Created by the Masters' hands

I seen the darkness and the light
I've seen what love can do
So take these words
And heed them well
The rest is up to you

So raise the parting glass
Here's to living!
Here's to me
And here's to you
The game is over but life's still worth living
Kindness or gloom is yours to choose

So raise the parting glass!
Here's to living!
Here's to me!
And here's to you!
My part is over but yours is beginning
The best or worst is yours to choose
To choose...
Let's choose...





Thank you, Paragon Studios. Thank you, City Of Heroes community.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.





Original song: The Parting Glass (sung by Kirsten Millsap)

Here are more examples of people doing great kindness:


Zortel is encouraging all to provide positive Support through the outpouring of emotions.

Samuraiko is creating two videos (er, make that four videos), including a memoriam of player who have passed.

Steelclaw wrote a moving fiction piece titled Epitath.

Ultimus is rousing everyone to celebrate who they are in one last reveal.


What ways have you had your spirits lifted? What are you doing to uplift another?

Some more examples:


TheNet is welcoming stories of your favorite CoH game bugs.

Ein_Dose is helping us be amused and nostalgic through sharing your very first character.

Leandro has heroes chasing after civilians to learn how many hours of service your characters gave to Paragon City.

Ironik organized a clever game to place your location on a map.

Further heroic deeds to keep spirits high:


BurnSucka invites us to share our favorite toons and what they mean.

XxPsyrenxX wants to know if City Of Heroes helped you meet your lover.

There is an ongoing LotG 7.5% and more giveaway.

TonyV challenges to create a costume of your favorite Paragon Studios employee.

People are continuing great efforts to uplift:


Leandro created a video of 3000 heroes present for the Unity Rally. Direct YouTube Link

Samuraiko created a screenshot from Leandro's video.

Angelus Animi created a video tribute. Direct YouTube Link

Clawstriker wants to know what was your crowning moments of awesome.

PERC is hosting an entertaining event with Puzzles Two.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madame Pistacio I also have 2 additional puzzles, if anyone is interested in doing them just for fun, go ahead and send an email to perc.coh@gmail.com and I will send.

Mindscythe is busy introducing 40 new players to CoH.

And TonyV organized a Paragon Studios celebration meal, aptly called Dinner's on Us!

Jaw-dropping amazing, Leandro!

It was a very nice touch to include the signature NPC heroes, villains, and Praetorians at the front.

Somehow, I missed this thread. Thanks, Llydia; this is all fantastic.

Glad you are enjoying, Jack_NoMind!

Please feel free to add or link to any other examples of players continuing to keep this the fantastic community it has always been.

Elvenheart wrote a stirring poem/song.

Their PM and song are reposted below with permission.

The continuing saga of caring:


I need help to uncover forum fiction pieces at Roleplaying SOS.

Winterminal encourages staying positive, even and especially when there is Silence All Around.

Ravenlore created a reflective video. Direct YouTube Link

Many have shown love and mutual support through the high and hard emotions of the last few weeks. It's okay to cry.

Markovia wrote an article about how City Of Heroes is more than a game, more than a community, even more than an intregral part of many lives. We have evolved it into "a priceless work of art, unprecedented in scope and sheer scale."

Pausing for reflection:


Primantiss invites musing about Why To Always Love CoH.

Similarly AmazingMOO expands on Great Lessons Learned from time with City Of Heroes.

Also Samuraiko started a self-explanatory thread titled All I Really Need To Know I Learned From City Of Heroes.

Then Samuraiko created another humorous twist with Burma ATs.

A few years back Ascendant made a Tribute Game for April Fools Day that still induces smiles. Direct Game Link

Keeping positive and helping others do the same:


Gravoc want to know what was your favorite COH/COV memory.

houtex wonders what things you never noticed before, but are noticing now?

houtex also reflects on some re-discoveries, invoking a bit of nostalgic-ness-icity-ation.

Blondeshell has a long list of qualities that made City of Heroes unique, with room for everyone to add more.

TimTheEnchanter created a moving recap celebrating the players tenacity since 8/31. Direct YouTube Link

*peruses thread*

...

Awright. I got two links in this thread. Sweet. And thanks. And I'm humbled to be mentioned with such way more awesomer peoples than I.

This thread is win!

Mike

Sentiment, Sorrow, Support, and Opportunities To Uplift:


Hit Streak hosted a community chat because he heard we missed it. KUDOS to him! Direct Twitch Link

VoodooGirl recreated City Of Heroes for a video. While shockingly sad to watch, that very depth of sadness shows how much emotion and creativity has been invested into City Of Heroes. Direct YouTube Link

You know the community is an amazing place when SDragon and several others share how CoH Saved My Life in full trust that their soul-baring stories will be handled with respect-filled care.

Thor's Assassin did a writeup about the Dinner's on Us! dev appreciate meal. Pictures also on the City Of Heroes Facebook page. Direct Blog Link

Maressa has sounded the call for the Extra Life Charity Drive. Save The Date and Join In the Gameathon on October 20!

When I think hope and positive thoughts have been sapped away, people like this show there are still some around:


Interface challenges to Post an obscure tidbit about CoH that no one else knows.

AllYourBase's wife made him a cookie.

Texarkana encourages letters of praise for CoH rednames of all eras.

Angelus Animi shared a movie that highlights both gameplay environments and rousing calls to action. Direct YouTube Link

Pep_Rally reminds that tomorrow is Tanker Tuesday 8th Year Anniversary! Congratulations, TT!

Sadness changed to smiles:


Victoria Victrix invites players to share anonymous Testimonials of how the game has helped you or those around you.

Rubberlad wonders Where Would You Settle Down If You Could Live In CoH?

Angelus Animi created another video, this time made especially to make fellow players smile. Direct YouTube Link

Mindscythe made me grin really, really big when he announced that Stan And Lou Are Back!!! Direct YouTube Link 1 & Direct YouTube Link 2

Make sure to (re-)listen to the original Stan And Lou series by Hertz. Then check out the video version of the first episode by Magmabolt Productions. (Have to play both at the same time for the correct effect on the latter link.)

Walk tall. You're a child of Paragon:


GreatRock shares a picture of cuddly fluffies.

Doc Blast asks what are some of your favorite exploration badges?

LadyGrimrose wrote an empowering reminder of why we can Be Proud To Be A Paragon Native.

Angelus Animi needs help creating a special video tribute about heroes that were created in-game which mirror heroes from real life. Please PM Angelus Animi with the info.

Thanks for creating this thread and updating it often Llydia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paladiamors I love you, I Burnt the Toast!

It definitely is!

Talents and tell-alls abound:


BlackJackDavy shares their talent of turning heroes into action figures.

As follow-up to Positron's Ask Me Anything Loregasm, Black Scorpion offers to answer questions regarding [CoH] systems and technology.

Organica is diligently sharing their sunset journal of adventuring as much content as possible. Or as they call it: 90 Days To The Apocalypse.

Lots of good to be seen, lots of good to be done:


Samuraiko shared her Farewell To Paragon City video. Warning: Having Kleenex on hand is recommended. Direct YouTube Link

Sol_Eternal created a video fly-through of many iconic CoH location. Direct YouTube Link

Angelus Animi again expanded their style of fan videos. Specifically a CoH Gangnam Style. Direct YouTube Link

The Extra Life Unity Event has raised over $7750 so far for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals around the world. Now THAT is when City Of Heroes players are at their finest. Keep it up, everyone! And happy gaming during the 24-hour marathon today Saturday, October 20, 2012!

Edit: Final total raised by team CoH for the Extra Life Unity Event was $8,618.00! WOW!!