I am the Beastlord standing next to Dreek. I was grouped with Vet on one of our late night adventures when she asked if I was going to Sony Live I said probally not she said oh I wish you would go I want to meet you. For some reason that I didn't understand at the time that was all it took. I asked my son to try EQ again (I created a monster he plays alot now) He is the one who got me started 13 years ago. We looked at the SOE LIVE site and booked the hotel and bought the passes. My only regret is that my husbands work schedule did not allow for him to attend with us. I normally don't just say ok I'll do that when someone suggests something but that is the special power Vet has to know her is to love her and her happiness has become important to me. At the dinner when we were on stage cause she even convinced me I had to dress up LOL she was tearing up and saying I don't deserve this. I told her yes you do you are awesome and you inspired these people. She hid her face in her cloak, she has no idea how wonderful she is and that adds to her charm. The MC gave me to mike and it was hard to talk thru the tears but I meant every word I said Vet is the most wonderful person I have had the privilege to know. There are others that are high on my list Baky you are very special and sweet guy. You gave Vet a very special weekend and Dreek you are so kind and wonderful to drive all that way to spend a few hours. Everyone can see from the smile on Vet's face she was thrilled I saw that smile alot in 3 days. Thank you also to Sony for making her feel like the special lady she is and to all those we met at SOE LIVE you rock!!

To this awesome person:)

All the Best :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VETURIKA!

To those in Veturika's Guild that helped her get to SoE Live, To those that are simply guilded with her and To the People at SoE that have ensured that Veturika never has to pay to play in our Amazing world, Congratulations. It's an amazing story, for an amazing woman.

Jarimor, I want to commend you especially for writing such a great post as well. People sometimes forget that there are Real people on the other side of the screens when they are chatting with them but this type of story shows without a doubt that we are all real on the other side and we do matter.

My love to this woman. Truly a heartwarming story. Kind of at a loss for words other than I hope things stay good for her, for as long as possible.

I relate, in a way. I'm not in horrible pain or anything, but I certainly live a stressful life. I think many people in this game do in some way shape or form. We all have a story. Some more heart wrenching than others, but there's one thing that we all have in common, we share this game, or another game, or our love of making art or writing stories, anything that we can use as an escape, that's exactly what we do with it. This isn't limited to EQ, or video games in general. As far back as paper/pen D&D, or simply drawing or writing as I said. We have to deal with our problems out in the real world, but when we sit down, with our eyes fixed on that screen, or that canvas, or that paper, and it bleeds into our minds... That pain dissipates. Even if only for a moment. There's no time to worry about bills or medical issues or war etc when there's a gnoll swinging a sword at your face. For that fleeting moment, you're gone from this world. And when you eventually log off, or put the brush or pen down, and the real world floods back in, you can always look forward to that escape later on.

People don't know it, or at least acknowledge it much, but stress kills, and it does so FAST. That escape is life saving. I'm certain she is doing so well now, and outlived expectations, because she CAN escape, she isn't focused on it, lying there worrying. She sits down, is engrossed in those pixels and what is going on behind them, and the stress fades. And when that stress fades, so to does the detrimental effects that come with it. It is more life saving than most people realize.

So my heart goes out to you Veturika, fellow EQer. :) And also to the wonderful people in your guild etc that helped you and continue to help you. If you're reading this, and you ever want another friend, I'm at 'Test.Rainbowdash'. May be on a different server but I'm still more than happy to talk to you and be yet another companion in this virtual world. =D

Also, serious props to Sony for the perma-gold account thing. It's always amazing to see, even a large company, giving up cash (which most people assume is all a company cares about) to ensure a struggling, loyal, and loving member of their community...their family.. is happy in any way they can. :)

This is an awesome story but not a surprising one. I have been a member of the EQ/EQ2 part of the family since beta in 1999 and have seen how we all come together the most recent, Ribbitt and all the server/GMs/Guides/players did to make his final days happy ones.

I too hope to go to Fan Fair (now SOE Live) one day and if it is His will, I will. Until then bless you Veturika, what a wonderful and uplifting spirit you have, thank you.

Naax
90 Fury
Butcherblock
Advent of Valor

She has been an inspiration and a great friend, I have never met anyone as loyal to her friends, selfless and not a mean bone in her body. It was well worth the trip to meet her.

Indeed, people like Veturika are why I have gone to innumerable Fan Faires and have played in online games since 1999... players like this are a driving reason why I work in the industry now. These social worlds allow us to interact and form deep relationships with people that we'd never even meet else.

My fondest salute to Veturika and all of our family at SOE Live.
We are honored to walk this life with you.
~Brasse