The Arena

With a week to go before launch I can’t help feeling like there is still so much to do. I haven’t been playing the beta as much now because I believe I have a firm enough grasp on the system and characters are going to be wiped in a week anyway. School just started too so I have been getting into the rhythm with that and I think I have it down now. Of course with launch just 7 days away now, a bit of retooling is in the cards soon. I am not worried though. I played Aion all throughout my last two semesters so things are fine. Master’s degrees aren’t hard anyway, right?

Neutral Impact is ready to hit the ground hard now. We have a few people now who are considering either being main crafters or seriously pursuing the arts along with their battle class. This is very good to see. I’ve had to talk to recruitment about making sure our angle on this is clear–we are definitely looking for crafters. We are also looking to hit other demographics too (women). This will take some time, but it is in the works now. That said, there are quite a few things that need discussion and so I’ve decided to call for a linkshell meeting. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone (at least not those who spend any time on TeamSpeak), as I’ve been hinting at having a meeting just prior to launch. I felt our last “free” weekend was just the time to get that started.

Taking on a leadership role again has me a bit concerned. Not about the usual stuff like time involvement, attendance requirements, or any of the usual stuff. I honestly wonder if I am up for the task. I want to build something from the ground up and have it be better than something I previously inherited. While what Karas* became was entirely my brainchild, it was still inherited. There were enough building blocks to work with among the rubble when I took over to construct the aqueducts and get the plumbing cleaned up. I constantly felt like it was an uphill battle though, and I know it was because the members stopped caring as time went on and I started to rage more and more. I know I can be a better person, leader, and maybe even friend, to these people. I certainly haven’t gotten to know all of them, but there also hasn’t been too much opportunity for that. I feel that once we are on the field of battle I’ll know who my true allies are. I know this is how a few others feel too.

It all seems very surreal now that it is just around the corner. With all the unsettling thoughts in my head, the responsibilities that I have and have taken upon myself, and the direction I want things to go in, I wonder how much of all my desires I will truly see come to fruition. As usual only time will tell.

Figaro server here we come.