Leafiara's late-starting Advent calendar of love and life lessons

[Leafiara]

So I really like way, way too many of you lovely GS players and wanted to honor tons of you, and thought I'd start a belated advent calendar honoring a few of you each day until Christmas! I took my alphabetical list and I'm rolling 3 or 4 random numbers each day and you can keep dropping by to see who's getting honored this time. Let's have some fun!

• Maybe you'll love seeing a mutual friend on here since someone I think is great is also someone you think is great.
• Maybe you'll be on your way to making a new friend by learning something about a person that you never knew. (You'll definitely learn things about me that you never knew, at least!)
• Or maybe you yourself will be the one honored?! Stay tuned and find out!

Today's numbers are 16: Ilande, 31: Puptilian, 29: Nolofinwe, and 40: Stormyrain!


Links:
Day 1 - Ilande, Puptilian, Nolofinwe, Stormyrain (this very post)
Day 2 - Jostaldo, Luxelle, Cruxophim, Khylynnia
Day 3 - Andalusain, Riixae, Aydan, Quane
Day 4 - Areigha, Sekoridin, Elionora, Gingie
Day 5 - Dirvy/Chaddeaux, Kittai, Deva, Shinann
Day 6 - Clunk, Cephia, Ylandra, Caence
Day 7 - Kyulen, Tolan, Maags, Solstys
Day 8 - Irar, Kahlanni, Rubi, Sareyna
Day 9 - Brokkrsten, Adavelle, Barble, Mischung
Day 10 - Dreaven, Jhenni, Ketiosin, Telum
Day 11 - Thailmore, Ososis, Lylia, Severine
Day 12 - BLOWOUT SPECIAL: Archales, Balantine, Chamorr, Cherryth, Criket, Cryheart, Drakes Vanguard, Hapenlok, Izden, Katiesa, Kayse, Krontab, Lilysnow, Maylan, Nyatherra, Raelee, Rhayveign, Roelaren, Ruskos, Ysharra
Day 13 - Finale: Roxe('s GM), Wyrom, Jainna, Retser, Kenstrom

Bonus spoilers: Anyone mentioned by name in any of these writeups who hasn't gotten their own writeup yet will get one at some point in the upcoming days.





Ilande

You were just one of the most adorable empaths in the lands while you were here! I haven't seen you in a while and I figure you got sick of fighting the F2P struggle, but what a fun and energetic character you portrayed that inspired me in a lot of ways. I still wish this game had a verb to tousle someone's hair, because I needed it in the worst way every time I saw you.

Something I learned from you: The "grin flash" verb that was all you ever used and is now all I ever use, the praise verb, the fret verb, and you were the first one I saw rubbing your eyes even though I still don't know what exactly that verb is.



Puptilian

We've barely interacted, but for someone who says so relatively little during story events, almost everything you do say is very meaningful to me and often helps me shape why Leafi's chaotic good and not lawful good. I saw you write once on the officials that you're not very good at RP, but I disagree. Sure, you're not an exaggerated character or a master of verbs, but you have a clear sense of who Pup is and you play that to the utmost even in story settings that, as you've mentioned (and I agree), don't have much space for a lawful good character. You make a great grounded contrast to some out-there scenarios that maybe not every character should be instantly agreeing to.

So while Leafi doesn't care for Pup much yet (she's warming up the more she sees him interacting with Maags or cracking occasional jokes), I appreciate you and all that you do.



Nolofinwe

A reliable face who I always look forward to seeing. We don't talk all that often since we both have a habit of always being out and about, but sometimes I still feel like more of a kindred spirit with you than many others because we're the types who can manage to be mutual friends of two people who hate each other. I really respect that about you along with your taking time to help others and even playing along with my off-hours story-based RP!



Stormyrain

What a wonderful portrayal of Stormy you do! Much like I thought that Leafi's "real" character was hidden or buried in the gravitas and circumstances of the recent story but now feel that she's really come back in a huge way recently, I also feel like I'm only now just starting to know Stormy from seeing her more loosened up for mischief and a fun side in TSC. Both Leafi and I love her and you for (appropriately!) playing so differently in the middle of a war than in more peaceful times. You'll be hearing from her in-game about this too at some point whenever she works up the nerve and/or finds the perfect opportunity to say it!

Something I learned from you: How to participate in story events! Someone else brought me to the dance in terms of getting me started, but since I didn't know a thing, I was just going to watch events passively and maybe throw out a couple verbs here and there until you told me one day that we can have more substantial participation. Also, I got the praise verb from Ilande like I said above, but the "praise eloquent" verb from you!

[Jhynnifer]

This is really sweet, and a great example of the spirit of the Holiday. Kudos. =)

[Leafiara]

Quick change of plans for the better: forget "3 or 4" names per day, it's going to be 4 names per day without exception! And with that said, today's numbers are...!

19 - Jostaldo
25 - Luxelle
10 - Cruxophim
22 - Khylynnia



Jostaldo

We kick off today with another vanished Landing empath! While you were here I really enjoyed the halfling folk songs you made up and sang in the square, and the very silly way that Leafi and your character were pretty much trying to play each other, with Jostaldo wanting smooches instead of tips for healing her and her giving them out--on the cheek--because she's secretly kinda greedy. :P


Luxelle

How would anyone know anything about the story if not for you and your bold leadership of the TownCrier team? You're an ever-hard-working, ever-friendly, ever-awesome ray of sunshine to everyone, beloved and deservedly so! Keep being you! (Please, for all our sakes.)

That's OOC! IC you really are the Bardess, as one of my earliest memories in this GS run was when you dropped by TSC and sang everyone a song of several stanzas for a few minutes. I was wondering who you even were since you were so distinct and yet I hadn't seen your name, but then you talked about coming from the Elven Nations and made it sound like a grand trip and that you wouldn't be back to the Landing for a while after that night. It's so easy to take for granted now because of Chronomages or ;go2, but that really is a long distance to our characters and you impressed me and kind of brought back some of the "magic" to GS that night.

A wonderful RPer and person.


Cruxophim

The absolute king of RP, not even a question in my mind. The most well-portrayed character in the lands and a nonstop joy to interact with, watch, discuss even when you're not around (which is very easy since you're so distinctive), and even write posts about on the officials. Of all characters in the game, I think that you and Pup have most helped me flesh out Leafi a bit more on the D&D alignment scale, where he's contrasting lawful to chaotic and you're contrasting I-have-no-idea-what to good.

With you it's more than that, though, where you also helped me figure out what happens when her general squeamishness about dark magic and anything macabre clashes with her love of distinct people who she'd call "not-boring." I don't even know if Leafi and Crux are as much as 15% similar in morals and interests, but she thinks he's great because of sheer charisma.

Honestly, I feel like I should have a lot more to say, but what do you even say to the person who just does everything well? And thank you forever for creating an entire sidestory recently with me completely off the cuff.

Something I learned from you: That there's an entire world of how to vary adjectives and verbs for speaking and I'll probably need two years to come close to you!


Khylynnia

Poor Leafi has had like eighty would-be suitors despite showing no interest in romance (and kinda fretting that she's accidentally breaking hearts because of her red hair), but I think you might have set the record for just how fast you went for her after arriving from Dragonrealms. :P You've picked things up super fast on both the gameplay and RP sides and I really look forward to when or if you start participating in stories, whether those are GM-driven or (based on what you've said) player-driven.

Something I learned from you: That Leafi has a very kissable nose. Who knew?!

[Leafiara]

We've got a very eclectic bunch from today's numbers!

2 - Andalusain
33 - Riixae
4 - Aydan
32 - Quane


Andalusain

Always a fun empath and welcome sight! My schedule changes mean that I almost never do see you anymore, but when we were aligned better, I always got a kick out of chats between you and Ketiosin. I think you were the first one who made me notice that the weirdo Landing culture (said in the best way!) loves licking people. Also, this is completely random, but one day I got the biggest smile for no good reason when out of nowhere you got on Prime and went "OMG I'm so hungry someone buy me a pizza." Yes, I'm easily amused. :P

Something I learned from you: What perfumes are and the shocking fact that people can be rated on lickability!


Riixae

There are a ton of empaths who I'd call cute or fun or sweet, and you're in that group too, but you're the only one who I'd call fluffy. It's really charming how you're sometimes slightly squeamish or timid... So many players make a character who's unwaveringly bold (or even unwaveringly evil), and that's fun but can also feel very "fictional," for lack of a better word. You have these touches of realism more than many others. Subtle, but so appreciated--we need more of ya!

Something I learned from you: It's not a shameful thing for any character to show weakness sometimes. I went from playing Leafi as fearlessly mocking her captors even while facing certain death to, a couple months later, playing her as nervous and scared when all eyes were on her as the (previously-seen-to-work) black blood cure was tested on her. And I believe you were the difference; between those events, Riixae was the only one out of over a dozen half-elven blood donors to be (understandably) timid about seeing even a few drops of her blood drawn, and that impressed me. I can be more nuanced now thanks to you.


Aydan

I've had all of two conversations with you, one of which was only three lines or so, and in that span you did more to help me define Leafi's character than many, many other heavy hitters. Like with Pup, there just aren't all that many people playing a straightforward lawful good character (or at least giving off the impression that that's what you are), and I really look forward to seeing more of and playing more off of your conflicted paladin in the future!


Quane

Talk about dedication to an intriguing idea with a character raised by wolves who couldn't speak. Still miss ya! You interacted a lot with Ylandra, Dirvy, and me, and I'm amused that half-sylvan Leafi and sylvan Dirvy loved Quane but didn't take it upon themselves to teach him language--in my case Leafi loves animals and doesn't see "not speaking" as a problem needing to be addressed, and maybe something similar for Dirvy?--but Ylandra the dwarf jumps right in to play a mother figure. I would have loved to see that progress!

[Ardenwulf]

This is a really great thing to do. Thanks for brightening this place up a bit!

From reading it, I'm also learning a lot about people's characters, many of whom I haven't been able to interact with much yet. It's great preparation for when I have more time to enjoy this aspect of the game!

[Leafiara]

Today's numbers are all somehow related! Kind of. You'll see.

3 - Areigha
36 - Sekoridin
14 - Elionora
15 - Gingie



Areigha

You, my dear friend, have been so remarkably good to me that I almost don't even know what to talk about here.

• Should it be the first memory I have of an interaction between us, when Ososis brought me to a GALD merchant before I knew what a GALD merchant was and you were joking about it being my "first time" and telling the merchant to be gentle? (All this while Leafi was the one pulling rope out of her basket because someone had joked about tying the merchant down to make her do even more work for us.)
• The countless boxes that you've picked for free for me and others?
• Or when you brought everyone in TSC coffee, juice, and fruit just for fun?
• Your random silver giveaways at Dreavenings?
• The time we were bidding against each other for the same sword and you won, but then you didn't like the sword and gave it to me free the next day?
• Your dozen or so in-game siblings whose names all begin with "Night", "Wolf", or "Elionora"?
• The morning when you were taking the time in TSC to find something nice to say about each person there and uplift them?
• The rogue tales you sang while playing your harp? (Do you remember that you once said "We have to get you singing" to me months and months before Leafi did start singing when she raises the fallen?)

Of all the names in my list, I think you're the one who's around the Landing the most and I've seen so much from you. I could pick anything or everything, but I only have so much room to write, so I'm going to pick this:

You're one of my favorite RPers because your RP switch is always on even when it costs you heavily with arrests, fines, and in the moment I'm about to mention. Out of all the rogues by profession in the lands, you're one of only three I've seen who I've believed plays a stellar rogue by character. And the pinnacle of this was my favorite player-driven RP yet, when we both got escorts to Icemule at the same time and traveled together along with Brokk. A bandit one-shot me with a shield bash when we were very close to Icemule, my traveler ran, you gave the death threat to your traveler, Brokk sancted and field raised me, and so you stepped one room away to kill your traveler for their culpability in getting me killed.

For me, that is a rogue.

Something I learned from you:

The "skip [name]" verb, "skip behind [name]," "nod enthusiastic," "sit down [own name]," and most importantly that there was an ongoing story. For months I thought invasions were isolated events of GMs messing with people for fun (which is totally what I'd do if I were them) and I thought the weather was just ambient messaging until you invited me along to a Chaston speech. Back then, because you mentioned an RPA, I was like "wait, free exp?! I'm there!!" Now I also go along for the memories and souvenir items (but the free exp is still nice, I can't lie ;P), but it's thanks to you.

In fact, I could say another big thing I learned from you is that sometimes those of us who participate in the story need to be the ones who reach out to our friends and invite them in, rather than hoping they come to us--because some of the great players and characters who we see all the time living out their everyday adventures might not have a clue the story exists unless we tell them. In the spirit of that I invited Severine in, and hopefully I'll find others in the future.

Thank you for everything. I'll end it here before I tear up--oh, sorry, too late! (Really, I did. Softy's curse...)


Sekoridin

Oh, talk about a great juxtaposition in the random number rolls. You've gotten into some unfortunate, um, "antics" that I won't bring up here that have negatively impacted my friends or even me (mostly unintentionally in both cases), and yet you've also done so much for me, including running into places many levels over your head to rescue me. And I'm not perfect myself. One time you ran out for me and I complained that you left my boxes behind and felt absolutely terrible afterward. Even though I was kinda joking, I was also kinda serious, so I was being ungrateful. I don't think I apologized enough that night, so I'll say it again here!

I guess that's humanity. We're ugly and we're beautiful. So let's be ugly and beautiful together. I like ya, flaws and all. It's not without reason that even Areigha seemed to make up with you one morning. There's a decent guy in there! Just, uh... please stop drinking and playing so often, maybe? :P


Elionora

Maybe Areigha's newest in-game sister? I don't know. What I do know is you're one of the not-all-that-many energetic characters in the lands who's always a ray of sunshine to others. If you weren't so charming and sweet then maybe I'd be kinda jealous over someone giving you the starstone prep for free or that time Seko passed you a free half million note and winked and ran away, but you know what? You deserve it and more. Haven't known you as long as most others on my list, but we'll get there! I know you stick around to chat a lot more than I do, after all, and from you I see what happens when you make deeper connections instead of always being go-go-go, bounty-bounty-bounty like me.

Something I learned from you: That chrism holders of the appropriate Arkati work with Symbol of the Proselyte, a spell I'd never used because the wiki makes it out like you have to travel to Zul and I didn't feel like doing that. Brokk didn't know this either, by the way! Amazing how much older clerics can learn something from a younger one...


Gingie

You know you're always my favorite giant ranger! Or at least I hope you know, since I always say it and then Leafi gets a tickle back. :D With you and me it's a story of firsts... You were the first name I added when I found out about the befriend list, because you always drop by to share some colors and spells. You covered the cost of my first GALD merchant (yes, the same one I mentioned up above). All my characters got their first 4x armor from your shop and I still get equipment for other characters there to this day. You're warm and generous and all-around great and you even help new players get started with better outfits than the ones they start with, and I'm so personally happy that I'm a high enough level now where I can run out to rescue you and start paying some of that back.

Something I learned from you: The recite verb! I was newly returned, and how magical and interesting it sounded when you'd say "Courtesy of the Black Wolves." Who were they? What were they? Elanthia was open and fresh again, full of mystery.

[FlayedAngel]

What an awesome idea! <3

[Leafiara]

Who's up today?! Some very fun characters with very small nuances.

12 - Dirvy
23 - Kittai
11 - Deva
38 - Shinann



Dirvy (and Chaddeaux)

You're an extraordinary RPer with both Dirvy and Chaddeaux and an amazingly helpful person whose patience and generosity blow mine out of the water. From Necropolis runs to Sovyn talks to organizing RP events to your everyday rescuing, foraging, and skinning, you do it all and spend more time with the community than absolutely anyone else I know of. Is it possible for someone to be voted in Frost Queen and still be underappreciated? Maybe it is--because whatever amount of love you get, I think you deserve even more.

Something I learned from you: The chortle verb, the "tilt my head" verb, the "preen [own name]" verb, and the fact that a bell-adorned layered skirt is zesty. (I got the one I have from a mystery bag, so I wouldn't have known there was anything special to it if I hadn't seen you with yours.) Also, as a proper and formal character, Dirvy never uses contractions in her speech... After I noticed that really fine subtlety, I started intentionally simplifying and "casualizing" Leafi's speech tics too and added bits into her backstory about the differences with the way her human and sylvan parents talk.


Kittai

Another friendly and helpful character; you've gone out of your way to do things for me at times that even I wouldn't necessarily do for others, and you've done it with a grin. Speaking of a grin, there's something about your character that I can't quite put my finger on, where she's either subtly mature or subtly tomboyish or both--one time you gagged at the thought of the color pink and ever since then I noticed that like 90% of the time you use the grin verb instead of smile, I've never seen a beam from you, and I've also never seen you curtsy or giggle. In a world with a lot of cutesy characters, you're definitely not that and yet every bit as helpful. Charming and a breath of fresh air!

Something I learned from you: That you can leave a kid in a hard-to-get-out-of spot like the monastery exit or the cliff out of Darkstone, fog or Symbol of Return back to town instead of swimming or climbing, then run back from the outside to one step away from that place and the kid will follow. What an amazing tip!


Deva

Oh, friend, where have you disappeared to? We had many fun times when you were around and I still think of you. Like so many of us you were coming back after being away from many years, and you were always concerned that you were being a "pain" by needing too much help getting back into the swing of things, but the community in general always appreciates another friendly face and so do I. Helping each other out can be its own reward.


Shinann

We've only scratched the surface of interacting with each other, but you RPed a two-friends-as-close-as-siblings relationship so well with Rubi that Leafi and I kinda instantly fell in love after just one conversation in Solhaven. Right now I really don't think that the "chaotic" in Leafi's chaotic good could ever be held down long enough for her to join the Landing militia no matter what kind of intel benefits her "good" side would want (especially now that I learned about the Landing Defense Irregulars this past week), but if she ever did then it would definitely be because of her admiration of you and Stormy! Also, I love that you always bow instead of curtsying--it's such a small thing, but does help set you apart if someone takes the time to notice.

[Leafiara]

Today we've got three Cs and Ylandra! It's alright, friend. For today you can be Cylandra... or something.

9 - Clunk
8 - Cephia
44 - Ylandra
7 - Caence


Clunk

Talk about pioneering untreaded ground... who would imagine that a character could be made and RPed who's based around forging weapons? And yet here you are pulling it off and making a remarkable impression every time you step away from Zul to deliver to customers. There's nobody like Clunk.


Cephia

My most reliable and trustworthy Landing-based bard friend! We have a thing going with my foraging and your singing (and pocket wizarding)! I think (this is just my impression) that you're more playing yourself than RPing, but either way I always find you one of the funniest characters around. The way you nod three times in a row when you're being sarcastic, the time you wore a gown and ankle-boots to Brokk and Riixae's wedding because of your bad hoarding habits and not being able to stuff clothes away (not that I can talk!), or your quick-as-a-whip "No sylvan girls here" when a guy in TSC wanted flirting targets.

Oh, and of course I can't forget the OOC fun at that one Dreavening when I was joking that Leafi gets kidnappers and suitors alike because of her red hair, then someone said people would want her even if she were bald, and then you were like "not sure about the bald part." Hilarious honesty. :D

Something I learned from you: After watching you blow up your hand and a gem often enough, I learned why some clerics charge 15k for chrisms and I learned how to feel just a little bit dumber for only charging 12k myself. ;) Oh, and you gave me the final push to go premium and become a gigantic packrat forever. Um... thank you? Yes. Thank you.


Ylandra

Always such a friendly face and snuggly arm around the Landing, and you're just the best and super helpful even when I was asking incredibly dumb questions like thinking one of my items was cursed because I "lost" 15 AS, but really it was just that my Strength melted in Darkstone and I didn't know about spell active yet. Even now you're still helping me avoid doing dumb things--literally to this day since just yesterday I won a custom spell prep and would have gone for Major Spiritual until you pointed out the perks of putting it in Cleric. You have a real love for the people and I know that because you stick around the Landing even though there's nothing for a capped character to do here except bandits, the Confluence that I don't even think you go into, waiting for invasions and stories, and rescuing. Which reminds me...

You're one of the greatest rescuers who's been saving me since I was dying to greater spiders! Both you and your empath are two of the first four names on my friends list--says it all, really. You had the most distinct raising ritual out of anyone and inspired me to write songs and have my own fun too. All the respect and love to you.

Something I learned from you: How to pose heroically, how to snuggle, and how to give verve to raising rituals.


Caence

I'll keep this one short and sweet. You're the ultimate master of roshambo mindgames! Keep doing your thing there in TSC, my friend. I also laughed so hard when you said, as a corpse, that Illoke could kiss your pasty white butt. I hate the Bowels too, but I'm stuck never leaving the Landing because so many fun people like you are there.

[Leafiara]

What a fun RP-centric bunch we have today! The numbers are:

24 - Kyulen
43 - Tolan
27 - Maags
39 - Solstys


Kyulen

The Landing's top drunkard! (Sorry Barble!) Booze in this game must be to you what experience is to me since I could almost swear you pretty much never gain a level, go hunting, or do anything except sit around as a dedicated RP machine getting drunk in TSC late at night and laughing at your scripted maggots. But hey, that's why we love ya. And I can't blame you for being endlessly amused by your antics since I'm endlessly amused by them too!

Something I learned from you: An even more firm commitment for Leafi to never get drunk unless the social situation absolutely demands it! ;)


Tolan

Your number's finally rolled! I know you've been waiting for this since I keep mentioning Leafi's red hair and it's all the fault of you and your lady Areigha (but mostly you) for convincing her everyone loves a redhead. :P Speaking of Areigha, you're a great match because you play a somewhat dark and yet amusing character who rides a fine line between good and evil. You're a ranger and yet still a better rogue than most! If I need someone to get conspiratorial with or dream up bizarre plans, you're a great go-to.

Something I learned from you: Well, as you'll never ever let me forget, you invited Leafi to Voln when she was a fresh turnip! Also, that time you made fun of Leafi by saying she was like a brother made me laugh a lot, but also immediately became part of her backstory when she replied on the fly that she does take after her dad. I'd never thought about it before then. I can't remember whether that was also the day I decided her dad was a ranger or whether that happened at some point while taking foraging jobs and someone saying she must be related to a ranger, so let's just say you contributed there too.


Maags

For as much as I'm racing to cap, sometimes I fear getting there--will it still be fun, will I like the limited selection of hunting grounds, etc. But then I see characters like you. There's a lot competition for who's the cutest empath, but no competition at all for who's the cutest cleric: that's you by a long shot and you're such a blast and so charming every time I see you in town. Mischievous, funny, playful, and just a joy to be around--a quintessential halfling!

So no matter what being capped is like, the RP still will be there and that makes me happy, plus maybe I can actually get to go along on hunts with characters like you... if you'd have me, anyway! Also great to have even one other prominent character in the Landing who skips around.

Something I learned from you: The stomp verb!


Solstys

My friend, you are possibly the most outlandish person in, well, the lands! For better and worse (yes, better and worse?!) there's nobody quite like you sitting around in your self-proclaimed butt dent and calling out heathens. :P I still don't know what you're even talking about with that, to be honest, but that just makes you even funnier and more surreal to be around. We're going to find a toy chicken for you one way or another--oh yes we will--because it would be perfect for you. Even if we just end up having to alter some other toy to get one!

Something I learned from you: One of my very favorites: the tickle verb!