When I came into CoPaP and created Wyland Dandafar on the Moonsea server in early 2003, I really didn't know what to expect. I ran around Moonsea and had a blast, meeting people from Avlis and Rockhome and Hala. The first PC I ever met in CoPaP was Tyrius Rune, some here will know of that name. After going through a couple plots on Moonsea, Wyland found the portal to Rockhome. Over time the Moonsea server became defunct and eventually shut down. Wyland explored the world of Rockhome, made it his new "home", and ultimately met several folks whom most of you may know: Calandra, Lir'ana, Niko Waynn, and many others(forgive me for not mentioning you all).
Many a good time was had on Rockhome, and many good IC relationships formed. Rockhome was cool and all, but there was some serious DM presence missing, and plots were hard to come by. Over time, Wyland found the portal to Hala along with Cal and Lir. The girls got pulled into the infamous Hala Blood War due to their alignment while the young(yes, he was young at one point) Wyland was left behind due to his not so evil mentality. A few RL months went by and Wyland ran around mostly alone and missing his friends.
He tested the waters in the strange world they called Hala, and was simply astounded. First, every single PC he met seemed to have years of history behind them; the depth of the characters just amazed me. Second, the storylines going on were incredible and scary and altogether jaw-dropping. I was very intimidated by it as a player, thinking I just didn't have the RP skills to hang with these folks. I mean there was monstrous RPing going on with major politics and intrigue and wow! Yeah it blew my mind for a bit.
Eventually, I said f*ck it, and Wyland jumped through the portal to Hala...for better or worse.
Turns out it was for the better, and how! Wyland steps out of the portal into the famous New Havens....on fire! the whole place was burning! First person he sees is Sarakin Fyne, the beautiful and talented sorceress. She welcomes him to the world and then saves his life from some wicked demon. Nice intro to Hala, heh.
So I hang out on the forums for a few months, and just read, listen to folks, and get the general vibe of the place. Very in depth RP, very detailed storylines. Just the place to be for a RP focused fella like me. But still very intimidating to "break into", so to speak. Eventually I find Wyland wrapped up in the Demon Army with Cal and Lir, with the infamous Grimm leading. What a time THAT was.
Over time, I realized what I really wanted out of my experience with CoPaP: I wanted to leave a permanent mark on the world I play in. So I really got into Wyland' personality and who he was, and what he was after. I made IC posts, and RP'd my ass off. Eventually DM Micah decided I was worth the time and got me going on a storyline: He took away Wyland's spells! LOL. This was in May or June of 2005?, and it was simply a rollercoaster. Everytime I logged in, it was a "RP your ass off or die trying" situation. It really made Wyland grow as a character, which is what I was after. FOUR months this goes on, and by September I am seriously at my wit's end, as is Wyland.
Finally, rumor hears of a "new berg". Well, Micah built the the Infinite Staircase and Rockgate. And Wyland (and Niko) got to discover it first, along with Shaundakul making an appearance and "granting" Wyland his spells back. Not to mention the Rider named Wyland his Chosen (The Hand of the Rider). Along with that, Wyland had the Shrine of Shaundakul built and his home alongside it.
It really was a mind blowing experience as a player. I never dreamed I could make that sort of permanent mark on a world and get that sort of attention. Let it be said right now that I was spoiled as hell, and I think they made some sort of rule against that sort of treatment after that, right Arkon?
In the time after I got to see some fantastic RP and DMing by all sorts of people and I give you all props for it. Plots abound, intruige left and right. You name it, Hala likely had it. What a trip it's been.
Alright enough rambling. That's the condensed story of Wyland Dandafar and his time in Hala and CoPaP. I sincerely thank everyone who I've ever RP'd with (or for) and wish you nothing but the best. The DM's here work their butts off to make it the best experience for everyone, and if you question their methods, just have faith they are doing what's best for the world. I'm not even going to start naming names of who to thank and such, since I can't remember half of them anyway.
Let's just finish with something the old man would say: "Safe travels to you! May the winds be at your back and the path before you clear."
Take care Hala,
--Odin Hammersong
This comes like a HUGE supprise. 