Gaten Stave

[Kotenku]

Gaten was conceptually intended to be a long haul character. One who I could stick it out to the very bitter end with, who would be around when H'bala or the Agony were finally destroyed, and, ideally, would have a major role in it. With those ideas in mind I built a character who would be brutally competent in fighting the Undead, and for the most part I succeeded. He was certainly strong, and he certainly managed to stay alive for a long time. Longer, probably than any of my other PCs since Cail Durris in the Underdark.

I'll let the EFUSL record tell that particular story:

This character was created on Thursday, February 9th, 2012 at 03:23:52 PM.
Since creation, this character has logged on and off 143 times.
The character has spent 7 days, 10 hours, 41 minutes, and 42 seconds online.

So while I did succeed in some of the goals I set out to accomplish, ultimately I don't consider Gaten a successful character. That aside, there was -some- cool stuff, and I don't really regret playing him, I just hope to do better.

Born an Eldathan, Gaten was raised a man of peace. When a necromantic cult shattered his home life, that changed, and he grew into the man on Ymph, who had fought twenty years against undeath wherever he found it.

His personal goal was to unite the disparate 'Tribes' or Factions of Ymph into a cohesive force to fight H'bala. In the beginning he was almost idealistic in his belief that it could be done.
His undying commitment was to be the bane of undeath, to destroy the Agony, and earn a victory for Life.

He spent a great deal of time in the Mist at one point, where he very much lost his mind and barely escaped. When he returned, Squire Reach was one of the first people he met. The next bunch were a little less fortunate. (Pictured, Gaten holding the defeated John Rossart shortly before his execution. Gaten didn't know any better, and would later turn against Redthorn, as well.)

When the most recent Mayoral term came around, he meant to run and win, but was talked out of it by Squire Reach. He so admired her confidence and clarity, and the scope of her vision for Mistlocke, that he backed her utterly. And would until the end of his days.

 At her side, and for the Red Knight, Gaten's victories were indeed swift, sure, and brilliant. (here was the reward for that)

Things eventually became grim. Though the history is still unfolding in-game, Squire's mayoral term took a turn for the worse. It seemed that much of their work was coming undone, and Gaten learned despair.

He spent more and more time outside the village, patrolling the Withered Lands, when eventually he was infected with Lycanthropy by Kirby Collingsworth.

At first he considered the new power to be a blessing, before very long at all, it broke him. He made his last farewell, and left.

Stripped of his sanity and his humanity, he rampaged the crossroads, desperately seeking the supplies he needed to continue his mad one-man struggle against H'bala's forces in the West.

In the end though, it seemed an immeasurable maw of blackness yawned open before him, and he gave himself to it.

[Aethereal]

And so it was... that man walked willingly into the Abyss.

Sadly did not see much of Gaten, though I do recall some hopeful interactions as Shadowfall and I believe I saw him say goodbye to Reach during the tournament. Good show with felling the ice elementals though! :D

May your next transcend your expectations!

[The Old Hack]

I never saw much of him, unfortunately. But what I did see of him impressed me very much. He struck me as having a quiet dignity and determination that resembled the surface of a calm ocean... with vast depths beneath it. When he spoke, you listened.

I'm sorry he didn't succeed according to your desires. Console yourself with having made a character that made a strong impression, and better luck next time.

~tOH.

[Eddie Walker]

A great character from the little I had seen, I wish I could have seen a great deal more.

Jora tried to help the poor bugger out, but in the end it seems it wasn't to be.

Ed.

[Kinslayer988]

Coo Kontenku

[Yanamar]

Gaten Stave; the unsung hero and driven madman of the isles.
He could turn no exploration down, and fought always toward the destruction of the cursed undead.
Thanks for the adventures!

[sylvyrdragon]

<3

[lovethesuit]

Hero.

[Ryan]

I wish Alex and him got to interact more! Great character :)

[TheBarmaid]

Stop exploading you cowards!

[VanillaPudding]

At least you didn't suicide.