Cecil's gratuitous speech

[Cecil Burrow]

Thanks to everyone who joined me for my 'leveling' yesterday. It has been quite a journey. I once thought I would be happy reaching level 99 alone, in privacy, maybe killing some maggots, or soloing in the scorpion room. But as you play, you get to know so many wonderful people - your goals become their goals and their goal become your goals, and next thing you know reaching level 99 is not just a question of incrementing some figure on a server somewhere, but instead a cause for genuine celebration with people who you now actually matter to you.

I still remember being a complete noob and having Stooball (or a former incarnation thereof) help me get a bone knife. After that, Dean Ween, Prsm, Dayve and Arikel continued showing me the ropes. My 'stackmates' Rock, ptitnem, arikelle, Dark Finder, Dark Water, and NiteMares kept me wonderful company all the way to the bitter end. It was fantastic to have almost all of these people assembled together, counting down and cheering me on. The mages who then started using lightning; all the archers who showed up and ironically refused to destack (and helped get me poisoned at 99.99.99) - all these people contributed in their own way to the wonderful circus-like atmosphere that left everyone with a smile on their face. Whatever your view on warrior stacks in the skull room, having a group of virtual friends band together, root for you and celebrate with you is a wonderful thing.

So thanks again, and I hope everyone continues enjoying the game! Watch out for Miklos - I think he's up next