Yesterday I learned some sad news that, after some reflection, I think is appropriate to share here. Long time EfU player MithrilDragon died, more than one year ago. He's been missed and when I learned about this I was genuinely filled with sadness and sorrow.
I don't know what exactly happened, but of course we can only wish his family and friends well.
I never got to know MD very well outside of the game, but he was actually one of the first players I played with on an entirely different server years before EfU even existed (City of Arabel). When he played on EfU, I was always very happy to DM for him.
MithrilDragon was not really interested in NWN mechanics. He just did not care about potions or wands or maxed out stats or anything. I think the max level he ever got was 5. But he took the setting, his characters, and roleplay seriously in a way that I wish more players did. Julian Valerius, his bouncer at the Crone, was a genuinely scary dude and effective bouncer. His character Walter depicted a genuinely decent, modest guy in a way that's been rarely equalled. His one armed, drunk Sharboneth Retainer Culp was always getting in hilarious fights. He was talented, creative, and frankly badass.
MD was the kind of guy who I'd always check out on the DM client with the expectation that he'd be up to interesting stuff. He was also a great presence to have knocking around in IRC.
This event was a real tragedy for his family and those who knew him. We in the EfU community did not truly know him beyond the little time he spent as a player. However, I still will miss him very much and am grateful that we had the opportunity to play together.
Given the passage of time, I imagine many of you didn't know him at all. But at some point I will be, and perhaps this is silly, taking the time to add a small memorial somewhere into the game world. Should you ever come across it, now you'll know a little about the reason.
I enjoyed the short times during these years that I played with him. He was quite a person in irc, and I recall having both debates and hearing some funniest stories during his time in old underdark.
I can't say I know people well through a plastic keyboard and as a player behind the screen, but what I can say is that it was a pleasure to spend my free time and share a great hobby with people such as him, just like it is with all of the players despite good and bad times.
It is tragic that ones life must end before they've even fully had a chance to live it through. Best wishes.
This sucks. Being horrifically interrogated by an MD PC was basically what hooked me into EfU in the first place. I wish he'd stuck around, and I wish he hadn't died.
Rest in peace.
Rest in peace, old friend...
I had no clue he had died ... wow. Always wondered why he didn't come around anymore :( .
Was a great, fun, opiniated guy to have around.
I remember his drunk Sharboneth retainer "Culp", was a big fan of him, one time I had no current characters, I rolled a random dude just to watch this character.
Can't say I know the player, but that was my memory of him.
May he rest in peace!
I always enjoyed MithralDragon's particular blend of PCs. While I will admit that I hadn't thought about him in some time, I am none-the-less saddened to hear of his passing.
Requiescat in pace
Damn.
Howland, know if there's something like a family member's FaceBook page or blog or something like that we could send our condolences to?
:(
I knew MD from a different sight, it was a Roleplaying sight that hosted many different games. I had the honor and privilege to DM for him. The characters he brought to life here,I sadly did not know, but I can say he did the same in a text based DnD game. (Play by Post)
He managed to bring the character to life through nothing but words. Even there he never cared about the numbers, just the fantastic story he could tell through the eyes and action of his character. He had the ability to always keep me on my toes, knowing that if there was one thing I had not considered, it was sure to be the action he would take. I can remember spending hours digging through books looking for the sure fire way to stump him.. I don't think I ever did.
Sadly, this is all I know about him. I don't know anything more of his life, or his dreams.. now, now I wish I had taken the time to know the man (or woman) behind the name.
Rest well my friend, your unique style will be missed.
Damn I had no idea :(
I had a concept or two with him in the early days of efu. I remember having to drag him along to quests because they really weren't his thing. He never once played a character that was just wooden.
Second player whom I got to know in nwn who has died now :(
A true shame he passed, I never quite knew him hearing a few echo's of his life through rp and other means, I heard a faint echo of him, true an exemplary rpler if even now his chars are mentioned his legacy on efu intact. None the less hhis death is very saddening and may he rest in peace. Via con dios MD, A man (Or Woman) I never had the chance to meet, but whom from what I hear, and have heard was worthy of praise.
I wish it was easier to express one's sorrow for a person you have only ever met over the internet. Especially one as great as MD. Rest in piece, old buddy. Thanks for all the good times we shared.
I never met Mithril Dragon myself but I am saddened on behalf of all the friends and family left behind. My profoundest condolences.
I will miss you so
:( MD
MD was one of the first players to explain how to RP to me, and his influences still form the basis for how I play and enjoy NWN PW's. I had the pleasure of DMing on CoA with him briefly, and of DMing for him on EFU.
Though it feels somewhat strange to laud someone's ability to portray a digital character, I suppose it is of merit in this community so I will say (as others have) that he ranked among the very best.
I will miss him immensely, and it is good to know that others here have had similar memories and some kind of (internet) love for him.
He will be missed. He was one of those players you enjoyed to RP from EFU early times all the way he was around.
MD was an incredible and, as Howland said, BADASS roleplayer. He simply did not give a fuck about mechanics or levels, and just went balls to the wall. Julian Valerius set the tone for both all Rogues, and all Bouncers, to follow. I shared many good times on early EFU with him and I won't soon forget them.
RIP man.
RIP
My words can not say the Sadness I Feel. Rest in Peace MD.
GreenSkin.
Puck:
Captain of our fairy band,
Helena is here at hand,
And the youth, mistook by me,
Pleading for a lover's fee.
Shall we their fond pageant see?
Lord, what fools these mortals be!
Wendel Hood The Younger :(
MD helped draw new players into the world and intrigue of EfU so well. Even those characters of his I never met IG, I knew about from other people talking about them. He was always a nice guy on IRC too, fun to talk to about almost anything. EfU would never have been what it was and is without his excellent contributions.
Rest in peace, MD.
first guy to interact and teach me roleplay way back when on coa, sickest guy :(
RIP.
I did not know him, but he seems to have been a good man. Rest in peace.
I did not know him all too well, but my condolences and prayers go to his family and friends.
Interesting you post about MD and CoA Howland. I still remember my first character on CoA - A level 1 priest of Tempus that just happened to get to the city about the time that a certain evil necromancer (Pree) was working with an army laying siege to the walls. It was MD who sent me the welcome tells, and who ended up directing me how to get immediately involved.
An excellent RPr, his values, his personality and love for gaming I think showed in his characters, and he remains an example to draw from, learn from, and follow.
Quote from: The Beggar;231355An excellent RPr, his values, his personality and love for gaming I think showed in his characters, and he remains an example to draw from, learn from, and follow.
I was going to write something deep, but I couldn't have put it better than that. RIP MD you'll be sorely missed.
I don't believe that I've ever had the opportunity to play with MD, but I am saddened to hear a former player of our community had passed away.
EfU is a great server with an impressive playerbase and we owe it to each other to recognize what we've all given to EfU.
MD, in some way or another, helped our server become what it is and we, who continue to play on a server shaped from individual thoughts, ideas and concepts, should honor those that aided us in making where we call "home" as spectacular as it is.
RIP, MD.
His user name rings a bell to me, perhaps i once played with him.
It seems as though he had touched the lives of many, a touching speech Howland. I am sure he will be sorely missed.
Rest in peace.
I never really had the chance to play with MD much, our play times were totally different. I do remember the odd times we were around together either IG or in IRC, he impressed me with his humour and ability to roleplay a character so well. His passing is a sad tragedy for his friends and family, and a loss for us as well.
Thanks for the heads up, Howland.
Man, what a loss. I can remember my Sharboneth character Larc Valaro (A Tyrran Zealot) conversing with Culp (A washed up drunk) about the importance of service before self and excellence in everything we do. Culp would listen then throw a hundred and one practical and hilarious reasons why Larc was wrong and the Colony was doomed. I remember thinking OOC wise, wow; this guy is good at RP and made the conversation especially fun.
He was great to RP with and will sorely be missed. My prayers go to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
MD ): I remember when he was playing Mister Valerius a very famous gangster in the UD. MD was awesome and one of the greatest RPERS on the server. EFU has yet again suffered another tremendous irreplaceable loss. New people will never understand how awesome MD was.
Damn. What sad news. He was a great player and seemed a nice guy in general.
Quote from: Howland;231107But at some point I will be, and perhaps this is silly, taking the time to add a small memorial somewhere into the game world. Should you ever come across it, now you'll know a little about the reason.
I don't think it's silly at all. Maybe a resurrected or undead Valerius NPC or something of that nature would be a fitting tribute, as well. :)
*puts on some somber music (//%22http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW-ZkAogumk&feature=fvst%22)*
This makes me very sad. I remember him from COA and remember playing with him here. :( :( :(
I didn't get to play with him very much but we did have some cool talks upon occasion. R.I.P. =/
With respect to MD, his friends and family...
It's amazing what you find when you dig...
Kudos for this suggestion...
http://www.escapefromunderdark.com/old_forums/viewtopic.php?p=4559&highlight=#4559
Interactions between the Sentinel and one of MD's mysterious hunters were intense. Good times :)
Peace and Light to You, MD...
A great player who I looked up to and tried to hang around constantly! I know it doesn't really compare to what the people who knew him better are feeling, but he'll be missed.
What can I say that hasn't already been said. Rip MD.
MD was a great player/person. Tragedy to see this, really. =/
R.I.P. MithrilDragon
Really enjoy the chance I had to play with him with Grimar Stonehlem. He will be missed. RIP
Had the pleasure of DMing with him on CoA for a short time, this is a shock indeed.
Cheers, MD.
Storytelling is one of man's strongest, most basic instincts. A great (in my opinion at least) CoA and EfU player once told me that "the only excuse for spending hours locked away in some dark room while the sun is shining and the holidays are happening, is that we're telling a great story". MD is definitely one of the people who helped tell that great story, and so I don't feel in the least strange to call him my friend, even though I do not even know his name. May he rest in peace.
R.I.P. MithrilDragon. I wish you could respawn just one last time.
Valerius was one of my all-time favorites of old EfU.
*his leather creaks as he folds his arms across his immense chest*
I shed a tear for ya, MD. :(
That's intense. I did play with him from time to time and thought of him as "one of the good ones".
Rest in peace MithrilDragon.
Only popped in for a quick glance and this thread shocked me to the core. Every interaction I had with MithrilDragon as a player was a enjoyable, he was a excellent roleplayer and a excellent attitude towards EFU no matter the circumstances.
May he rest in peace.
Was thinking about MD today. He is still missed, all these years later.
May he walk with peace wherever his steps take him.