Retiring from Mysrai: Nothing but Love, Love, Love

Five years ago, Mysrai came into being under circumstances outlined here: https://www.lusternia.com/near-misses-becoming-mysrai. Now, at the end of that five years, I have removed that hat, and many masks, and am, as Zvoltz put it, returning to dust.

It’s been a good, and glorious run, but life is simply to busy now to do Mysrai justice any longer. Before I leave, I want to leave a few words about the thing that made this wonderful: the people.

I want to throw some thanks out to the players that made Gaudiguch and the Beloved what they are today – at the end of the day, YOU are what make the game. You show up, do your thing, and the game spins on, plotting admin or no plotting admin.

I want to thank Orderlings, current and alumni, for playing along with the long-running plot of Iklara. I want to thank those who never did join the Order, but who also followed the story. I want to thank Zvoltz’s Order for playing some of the best antagonists who, all too often, got the short end of the plot stick. You’re all great folks.

On the fellow Gaudi admin side, Kalikai was an amazing mentor and much-missed compatriot.

Yomoigu emerged onto the scene with the force of a blast, and behind him was a really thoughtful, creative, and determined administrator. We’ll always have DC and whiskey, man.

Crumkane was so much fun. Dude, you’re great. I’m inspired by how hard you work, and how determined you are.

To the one who now wears the Mysrai hat: you’ve got this. Don’t think of this as big shoes, think of it as an amazing tapestry that you get to design. Don’t forget that the players make the Order – and the best ones of them will make your day again, and again, and again.

To my buddy Zvoltz: best of enemies, best of dudebros. See you in February.

Thax: you know what grinds my gears?

Drocilla: execute plan Red Shallamar.

Morgfyre: I can’t say enough good things about you, so I’m not going to try. You really are the best.

Isune: you could wing it, but feather or not you do, you’re sure to soar.

Manteekan: soooooon.

Darvellan: you have so much goddamn talent oozing out your pores. Best of love, best of luck.

Lisaera: we need more cocktails, let’s make it happen.

Hoaracle: dude. Dude. I miss donuts in Oakland. I’m sure our paths will cross again.

Fain: wtfux dude. Hit me up, we need to go drinking if we’re ever in the same city.

Nocht: you me and some wine one of these days, dude. It’s been a real pleasure – I’m going to miss the hell out of you.

Shikari: you are an inspiration, in so many ways. Wherever you are, I don’t need to tell you to kick some ass – you already are.

Eventru: say, did you hear about the bear?

Viravain: no matter which way you slice this, it sucks.

Jadice: we’ll always have tapas.

Iosai: nothing but <3. seriously, it's been real. Ieptix: you are the tentacles on my cuttlefish. <3 Let's meet up sometime in Minneapolis! I could muse on about the steamer trunk of wine from the San Francisco meet - the red eye flight to DC and half bottle of whiskey with an unnamed player, or watching another admin get a tattoo. I could tell you meeting Lis for the first time was like meeting someone I've known for years, or that Morgfyre introduced me to the best cookies I've ever had - or that Fain drunk-called me one night around 3AM. Or about the time Zvoltz and I stumbled drunk through Seattle, or the expedition to the cheese shop with another Isune and a bunch of ephemerals. Or how about meeting Yomo and Shikari for the first time two different times at the same Nandos? What about Jadice and [REDACTED]? I'll never forget [REDACTED] or when you [REDACTED] with me that one night in [REDACTED]. What about Drocilla and wine in Manhattan, and her manhandling my luggage at high speeds through transit as I raced to catch up? Lady, I made my flight that day, and you're still a wizard. Or the many Boston and DC adventures? Or dim sum? This is getting long and full of injokes, but the memories are many. I can't say enough good things about the friends I've made, the stories I have. This has become more than a volunteer gig, but a place where many of my closest people have come from. I love you guys. I'd say I'll miss you, but - you know where to find me. I will see you this Friday, next week, next month, and definitely in February, the year after, and on down the road. It really is true: the real God was the friends I've made along the way. I leave you with this: “King Saul fell on his sword when it all went wrong
And Joseph’s brothers sold him down the river for a song
And Sonny Liston rubbed some tiger balm into his glove
Some things you do for money
And some you do for love, love, love.”

– The Mountain Goats “Love Love Love”