A story of friendship! Or something...Follow

Right. It seems like every other topic on these damn boards are complaints about gil farmers, ********, etc., so I'll tell a little story about how things can still work out in the long run!

It all started in late November of 2003, I myself had bought FFXI when the PC release was made, yet started out on the Bahamut server with some random people. I didn't play much, because to me the game isn't the same unless you're playing with friends, etc. Soon after a friend of mine I knew for a few years purchased the game (Kulganflame). He decided to start on the Bismarck server so he could play with his cousin, so I decided to tag along and flip servers. Shortly after we started, the first thing we planned on doing was saving up 8k for a linkshell. Of course, back then 8k was a crapload of money, especially for two newbies. But we saved up, and purchased the linkshell now known as the HotukenKnights. Funny and sad part is that Kulgan spelled the name incorrectly, but we kept it anyway!

For quite some time the LS was pretty much empty, most of the time just myself and Kulgan's personal chat channel. Then came the PS2 release of the game in March 2004. WIth it brought quite a few friends that we knew from a game we all played years before. The shell started to bloom, of course we were still newbies, but we had fun doing it! But their was a problem, Kulgan was progressing fast in levels and no one else was. He was at his AF stages when nobody else was past level 30. So he joined another LS to seek help. He took alot of crap for the LS he chose, including from myself. It was at the point where we would rarely see him once a week.

Recruits were steady within the LS at this point. Inviting people who still to this day call HK their home. We would average 20-30 people during peak times, and Kulgan returned to the mix once his Dark Knight hit level 75. But then came another dilemma... the AF stages. More than half the members neeeded their AF, and with Kulgan being the only person capable of handling such a feet, he thrust himself into the position of the LS AF *****. During this stage... things were rough, very very rough. People were getting buring out after camping so many keys, etc.

Then something unexpected happened that had to do with me. Things changed, hell, I changed. I don't regret what happened, but looking back on it now, I regret turning away from my friends. Slowly but surely people left the shell. Then I went back on my own word and did the same by joining and endgame LS. I pretty much casted them away without even a goodbye. While I enjoyed the time spent with said endgame LS, something was missing. After I month I hit rock bottom after some things transpired. I quit the game without anyone even knowing until I left a message as the /lsmes.

From what I heard after that... the LS was dead. Kulgan left, everyone but a few thoughtful people remained. I myself tried everything. I played WoW, Guild Wars... you name it, I tried it. But nothing could replace that which was FFXI and the friendships I had within the Linkshell.

Then about 2 weeks ago someone who was still in the LS had a convo with me on Guild Wars. After a re-install of FFXI, and re-registering my account, I was back where I should have been a long time before. I tossed my pearl to the endgame LS not because of what it was, but because I already had a linkshell. After re-equipping the white pearl in which I wore for more than a year, it felt like I was back home again.

Since then Kulgan has returned, as have many of the people who once dawned the white pearl of HK. We've even been able to merge LS with another with a fine group of people who just fit exactly what our LS is. A fun group of stupid *** people who play the game for enjoyment. And while we're at it, we also get some stuff done while doing it!

Now we average about 10-20 people on normally within the level range of 50-75. It's not a huge number, but it's the way we like it. Friendships were reborn, and new friendships were made.

I could make a huge list of all the crazy awesome people in the LS, but they know who they are, and that's all that matters! I can't thank these people enough for just being themselves, stupid, but themselves!


Sorry if you read this! It was just somewhat of a nice story, something you don't hear much about anymore. XD

His cousin is an awesome WHM and NIN. Good to hear that you were able to make things work out with your LS.

Congratulation!

Edited, Wed Jun 8 17:32:12 2005 by Balgareth

From what I understand she was an awesome DRG before she was an awesome WHM and NIN! Pretty soon she's about to be an awesome 75 RNG no doubt.

That arrowburn set of theirs levels at a sickeningly fast pace, heh.

peace,
CR

You never even say hi to me any more, Ray. Gimp. /cry

B(Cel)--

I had the dubious pleasure of knowing you before WoW, and the absolute joy of getting to know you as a member of SilentRequiem in WoW. You are, by far, one of the most talented and hilarious individuals I've ever spoken to. I'm so glad you're back in FF!!!! HK forever, even though I stomp around in IRON now ^^; You guys are in my thoughts and in my heart always ^^