Moving along..

[caravel]

Well all things come to an end eventually and I've been playing TW games since Shogun, so the time has come for me to move on. I've exhausted the possibilities with STW and MTW, and RTW just doesn't do it for me. It's not as bad as some people would have you believe, but it's just a game with some fancy eye candy. STW and MTW seem to be much more than that.

I haven't played MTW for a few weeks and so decided to remove XP and MTW with it, as that's all I use it for and go back to using solely Linux. There doesn't seem much reason for me to post here any more. I have tried the backroom, but it's just not my thing, besides, unless you're part of one of the cliques your posts go unnoticed in there anyway.

I started out originally at the .com back in 2003, under a different username, before that I didn't much bother with forums at all. I managed to get myself into trouble over there (I questioned their policy. Never do that. Troll all you like but don't question .com policy) and realised that it wasn't for me, when some of the regular patrons began flaming me in a staff endorsed free for all, so I left. I joined the .org back in 2004 and didn't post much. I suppose I didn't take to it well. I had a bad experience in the backroom, mostly my fault, where I called the regulars there a bunch of nazis and left. Early in 2005 I re registered back at the .com and got quite settled there, until the M2TW forum opened and all of the crap started flying. That, combined with the general attitude of the place, put me off and I left it for good a few months ago, and came here.

Since I've been here, things have been great. The members here are alot more mature, much more well mannered and not at all insulting like they are at .com. The moderators here are also several leagues above their .com counterparts. They are unbiased, well mannered and lead by example. They are not patronising, heavy handed nor rude. They also make good recruitment decisions for new moderators (I saw Martok's promotion today), which proves that they know what they're doing. If they do make a mistake they also admit it. Neither are they thread closing junkies. The .org staff members earn respect and deserve it.

This is another part of the problem. I would never buy M2TW. I no longer respect CA, their official "community" nor some of their official representatives. Their PR policy towards fans, the people that put CA where they are today is vile. An example being the petitions issue, where a CA staff member came here and had the audacity to proclaim a petition being held here as invalid, even though some of the staff here had endorsed it themselves. CA come across as arrogant. They treat their forum's patrons like imbeciles, and expected to be able to do so here also. They take everything away from them before they get a chance to abuse it, and claim that it's necessary. Funny. I don't see many other black, uninviting, featureless and opressive messageboards on the net. I wonder why people go there at all? Most of them are there because they aren't aware of this place, or similar, or need support. I don't really have a problem with the CA official board, I just see it as a bad PR strategy, that treats new members as guilty and never proven innocent. To me this reflects badly on CA itself, and gives me some idea of what they really think of their consumer base. This has made me turn away from CA, and this is why I would never buy another CA game.

It has been fun. I've enjoyed many of the threads in this forum and learned much from many of the members here.


Thank You.

This is probably off topic, but I'd appreciate if it was allowed to remain here, as this is the only forum I really post in.

[R'as al Ghul]

Sad to hear, mate.
I know we haven't interacted that much but I've recognised you as a friendly and helpful member.
Many Newcomers of MTW could still use your help in the future.
Thanks for joining the community in the first place and I'm glad you enjoyed your stay for the most time.



R'as

[Arciel]

Caravel, I'm sure that you've been a great help to many members of the org, both new and old(including me). Like R'as said, thanks for joining the community and may you enjoy whatever things that you go off to do in the future!

[drone]

You...... uninstalled MTW? Didn't think that was possible.

Anyway, thanks for your contributions. I sure you will be welcomed back a few months down the line, when the bug kicks in again. If not, all the best.

[Martok]

GAH!

Caravel, you're leaving?! I can't believe it. You've been an active particpant and a valuable member here for a good while now; it seems unfathomable that we might no longer be blessed with your presence. Truly, your departure would be a loss to us all.

Still, I know we can't stop you from leaving if you're determined to do so. If that is indeed the case, then I wish you well my friend.

This is probably off topic, but I'd appreciate if it was allowed to remain here, as this is the only forum I really post in.

I don't think that will be a problem. You're always welcome here, Caravel.

(And at the very least, you should drop back in now and then to say hi; we'll leave a light on for you. )

[bamff]

Caravel your posts will be missed....as will you. Take care. I echo the sentiments of all other posters to this thread that we hope to cross your path (or vice-versa) at some point down the track.

[Geezer57]

Sorry to see you go, Caravel - I've enjoyed sharing this cyberspace with you! Hope you regain your enthusiasm for MTW someday, and I see you back again. Good luck!

[Derfasciti]

Sorry to hear you go Caravel. I just want to thank you again for that help you gave me in getting MTW running. Good luck for wherever your road takes you from here on out.

[Ludens]

I can only echo the sentiments already expressed in this thread. I am very sorry to hear that you are leaving, but I thank you for your contributions to the community.

[caravel]

A appreciate all of your kind words. I have made alot of personal effort here, though it may not seem like it sometimes. This board was worth all of that effort. I hope to return some time in the future. Strangely the lack of any MTW is already feeling weird, though I know that if I installed it (and windows), I'd play two campaigns (probably as the Turks) and just get bored again and start modding stuff, then give up altogether. The modding is the big problem. I'd really like to have seen a new mod for MTW that concentrates on the historical accuracy of the existin factions and units without drastically altering the gameplay. I'd like to do it, but I don't have the time, nor the artistic skill to undertake such a mod. Besides I think that the next realism mod for MTW should be inevitably for MTW2. It's a pity that an STW/MTW risk style campaign map could not be added to that game...

I will always visit here on occasions of course.

Regards

Caravel

[PaulTa]

Hey mate... You inspired me to ditch Rome and go back to MTW. The abundance of happiness that has thus been imbued upon me is your responsibility, so I can say that you'll be missed from me as well.

[Scurvy]

Thanks.

[caravel]

Hey mate... You inspired me to ditch Rome and go back to MTW. The abundance of happiness that has thus been imbued upon me is your responsibility, so I can say that you'll be missed from me as well.

Amazing, and I hadn't even criticised rome as yet.

[naut]

Caravel

Your presence will be sorely missed. Your contributions and insight into MTW have been most useful and helpful.

"As the canvas passes,
Laze the ships in bottles,
And the souls in shadows."

Stay healthy.

[Kralizec]

I think you and I actually colided once in the backroom a long time ago, but in retrospect that was a non-issue. Farewell and thank you, for your many contributions

[Martok]

Amazing, and I hadn't even criticised rome as yet.

I don't think you had to, Caravel. You simply spoke about Medieval with enthusiasm and eloquence. In all likelihood, that's probably all that was necessary.

[caravel]

(Double post - delete)

[caravel]

I haven't forgotten that day. If you hear the wind rustling your curtains one stormy night and feel the hackles rise on the back of your neck, then you'd better cover your head and pray to as many deities as possible.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

probably the window cleaner

I don't actually remember that "non issue" to be honest. Was I being obnoxious?

On another note I made use of some of my spare (Medieval free time) time over the last few weeks and went to see a psychologist, and to cut a long story short have finally been diagnosed as a dyslexic, which doesn't come as much of a surprise as I've suspected it all along. Nowadays kids get proper support and such conditions are diagnosed early and education tailored/adjusted suitably. When I was young you were dumped into the "remedial" (not at all similar to the "medieval" class) class and labelled a dunce, because this type of thing wasn't widely understood. Support or any kind of help was non-existent. I believe that my father has exactly the same condition but has never been diagnosed. Unlike myself he cannot write or spell correctly, though he can read fairly well. My weakness was always mathematics, concentration, very poor handwriting (thank heavens for computers), cash handling, and telling the time. I also have a whole host of other traits/symptoms linking me to the condition. We all have our issues I suppose.

I don't think you had to, Caravel. You simply spoke about Medieval with enthusiasm and eloquence. In all likelihood, that's probably all that was necessary.

A thousand blessings upon you and you master's camels sir.

[naut]

I'm sad to hear that.

Nowadays it's pretty easy to get help for such ailments.

[Vladimir]

May the wind always be at your back and God's speed.

[caravel]

Well I've got good news and bad news today. First the good news. After talking listening to Martok. I've decided to stick around, and maybe even go back to playing TW games. The attitudes of the people on this thread have really surprised me. There are a good bunch of people here and I feel that it would be a mistake to turn my back on all of this.

The bad news is that while on my way home from work last night I was mugged (beaten and robbed) by a gang of about eight youths that attached me from behind, knocked me to the floor and kicked me repeatedly in the head before stealing my phone and bank card, then running off. This has rather shaken my faith in humanity in general. Not that I had much faith anyway. I was at the accident and emergency for about 3 hours last night waiting to be seen and making a police statement for another 2 hours. What a pathetically corrupt shambles this country is. I'm trying not to think of vengance because I probably won't have it. I've no idea who they were or where they were from, it was too dark and they were wearing the usual hoods, so I couldn't give any good descriptions. If you take the law into your hands in this country you end up in prison with the offenders walking scot free. Where is the justice?

Anyway I'm back, not that I really left.

Regards

Caravel

[naut]

I'm shocked and stunned.

I hope your not badly hurt.

[Vladimir]

Good Lord, where do you live? Always watch your back, especially when alone. At least you're in a condition to post which means that things can't be that bad . And you have an Avatar!

[gaijinalways]

Caravel,

Glad you never really left ! I too have enjoyed your posts and have learned all that I don't know about this game, which is plenty. Everyone needs a break sometimes, I didn't play MTW myself for almost 2 years. Even now my current campaign is sitting as I have been busy.

As to getting mugged, ouch ! My wife was robbed a few years ago in Paris, and sadly it was over too quick (a motorcycle drive by snatching) before I realized what had happened (and just far enough away to feel very guilty indeed). I still think my wife is too lax in her attention when out and about, and it turned out we were in the worst area of Paris, near the Gard de Nord (North station), where the Eurostar comes in. All so we could save her friend who came on the trip with us, some money (we usually stay near Concorde, much safer, well relatively anyway).

I pray you're okay and nothing is broken. My wife has pretty recovered from a broken collarbone, but it has been a 2 and 1/2 year process with two surgeries.

Take care and I hope you can recover quickly, both mentally and physically .

[caravel]

Thank you my most honourable friends, I greatly appeciate your concern, and this is not the drink talking... Ok it's the drink talking, but that's not the point is it???

[Martok]

I'm very glad you're staying, Caravel--in my completely biased opinion, I think you've made the right choice.

I'm shocked and appalled by your attack; I find myself in a state of disbelief over it. I hope you're not in too much pain--although I'm guessing the drinking is perhaps helping a little with that, yes?

In any case, I wish you a speedy recovery, my friend. May you be feeling well enough to again crush Europe under you boot soon!

[bamff]

Let there be rejoicing throughout the kingdom of The Guild, for our lord Caravel hast return'd!

Great to hear of your return Caravel. On a more serious note, I was sorry to hear of the attack. sadly I fear it is a sign of our times, no matter what part of the world we are in....

A pox on those varlots!

[caravel]

Let there be rejoicing throughout the kingdom of The Guild, for our lord Caravel hast return'd!

Great to hear of your return Caravel. On a more serious note, I was sorry to hear of the attack. sadly I fear it is a sign of our times, no matter what part of the world we are in....

A pox on those varlots!

Honoured good sir, as always.

I am at present playing an EarlyXL/Irish/Hard campaign (or as Martok would call it, a Masochistic campaign!), listening to the salsa, while partaking of a beverage, dreaming of the day when I will set foot upon my home shores again.

Regards

Caravel

[Biggus Diccus]

Hey, Caravel! I think you will discover like me that this game never ceases its grip on you. I just don't uninstall it anymore because I always get a sudden urge to play it after a while and reinstalling the game with various mods and such at regular intervals can be a real pain.

And this place is always the best place to go if one wants to read about the experiences of other MTW-fans.

Cheers everyone!

[OmarPacha]

Caravel,
sorry for robbery and beating You had to bear but I'm really happy to see You back,
never thought could really leave MTW,
I've uninstalled it several times, last time just thinking that RTW could supply same interest, needless to say, it did not.
Yes, just as the guy who said (Mark Twain), "Quitting smoking is easy. I've done it a thousand times."

Greetings