Passing Of A Friend

[Indigo]

As some of you may know a few days ago we lost a friend to our guild. Her name is Sam, she was the leader of a friendly guild known as Creators Of Destiny Awakening (CDA). Personally, I met Sam whilst I was looking for raiding experience in the LFG tool, her guild were inexperienced but had an amazing attitude. I'll never forget how they got VG to phase once and were delighted with that progress, it really stuck with me. Once they had finished raiding for the night they had managed to get VG to 50%, not amazing but they were all still very happy and very positive. I remember chatting with a couple of their members after and saying something to the effect of "Add me in game and let me know when you raid again, I'd like to come and help." And they did, in fact they accidently invited me into their guild and that begun a friendship between our two guilds.

Given the luck she had, Sam had every right to be sad or angry with life. But from what I saw, she saw everything as a fun challenge, Sam had the most positive outlook on everything whenever I had a conversation with her. In a world online and offline so caught up in mistrust and  frustration her presence was refreshing and enlightening. I will never forget the time myself, Rugi and Aly were able to help CDA get their first Vale Guardian kill, everyone was learning and progressing together, we pushed Vale Guardian to 2% and we wiped. Sam was the first to say, "Let's go again! We were so close!" A couple of attempts later we succeeded. I'll never forget that moment of pure joy and elation in the group, they had all worked so hard to improve and they had been rewarded for all that work. After we completed VG I distinctly remember Sam mentioning that was something she could cross off her bucket list. And whilst I am very upset over this news, I can be happy and proud that Rugi, Aly and myself were able to help Sam have that moment. 

Raiding with CDA is an amazing experience for me, it allowed me to learn how to lead a raid. CDA could have pushed me down when I started giving raid commands to their guild during raids but they let me continue and learn with them. I became a better player and raider because of this, because Sam and CDA gave me a chance to gain confidence. Sam was always asking how she could improve and was looking for tips and I spent much time discussing raids with her. You could just tell it was something that interested her and infused her because it was a challenge.

I know a few other Gankers took part in other CDA raids and everyone will agree what an amazing influence Sam was in the raid environment. Sam was able to complete the Escort for the first time in her final raid. In memorial, Chris with the help of Rugi and myself have setup a memorial in the Guild Hall. We have a small garden and memorial area to the south of the tavern. Chris has done a really nice job of this area and it's a good place to take a minute in game.

Our guild is very much more than a group of people online. Whilst we move to and from different activities as a core we have stuck together, not because we are bound by a single thing we enjoy but instead because we enjoy each others company. We have our differences at times but we usually overcome them. We have become more than just people we know online via a game, we have become friends. Some CDA members have joined our Discord and our PvE raiding groups in the past few months and have been guests in Gank, I'd like to think in this difficult time for their members we can be there for them as well.

Thank you Sam The Stormchaser. You will be missed and you won't be forgotten.

[starrifyx]

It has been quite a difficult time, and I've been telling several people her story, each time more difficult than the last. I hope that one day when we are past the initial shock, we can tell her story and be able to inspire others with her amazing story. Her being an amazing person is an understatement, I have no words for how kind, loving and brave she was.

You'll be missed, Sam. <3

[Rugiviet]

Beautifully written Indi, I couldn't agree more with those kind words. Having the opportunity to get the VG kill on Sam's bucket list was a great experience and one that I will never forget.

[stormseeker]

Lovely post, I believe I was present for CDA's first Escort kill, and Sams last raid, I remember a bouncy asura that seemed as enthusiastic about them as me :3. I didn't realise until recently how much she was into storm chasing and weather. I chose this name for the same reason, I love those sorts of things, albeit I've never actually gone out and done storm chasing (I value my windscreen). The fact that with all the problems she faced, she managed to go out and do these things, is truely inspirational.

I didn't setup the memorial area and garden with too much detail, as I think it would be nice for other people to add their own bits to it, and not just for Sam, but anyone else we have lost over time, as these sorts of places can sometimes help people with the grieving process.

The marker in front of the statue of Dwayna is an excerpt from a poem by Elizabeth Mary Frye. I couldn't fit the entire poem onto the space alotted, so I only added the most important bit, so here it is in full for those interested.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there - I do not sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints in snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
As you awake with morning's hush
I am the swift-up-flinging rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there - I did not die.

As long as we remember Sam, she's not really gone.

ps. I'll be tending the garden/memorial to fix up any placements that go awry (level designer innit, floating props trigger me), but I will never remove anything specific you place there.

[Paul (what is my password??)]

That's a beautiful sentiment Indi. I'm sure we all share it. Even the briefest time knowing sam or in her online presence was inspiring and uplifting. She'll be missed

Thank you too for the poem Chris, and the work you put in to the memorial garden.