Just a Drop in the Bucket!

It's the 27^th of January, and I am working on the calendar for February. I'm a bit reminiscent this morning as I look back at the first blog post from December 23^rd. I really can't believe it's only been a month since the first one! And as we will look back over this time, a month is just a drop in the bucket compared to what will be a long time from now. So much has happened in four short weeks because of all of your efforts. We were able to organize ourselves administratively OOC and start organizing IC. Actually yesterday, we were able to fill the head scribe position, so that's all that's left. Well... except for one major role, but we'll be getting to that in just a few weeks. I don't want to ruin the spoiler for you.

We've taken a close look at our prims and our build and made some adjustments to prepare ourselves for an increase in warrior activity and what we felt would be a really slow, good growth throughout the month, and we did that too – and now that we're growing more quickly, we're able to accommodate people in an organized way without pulling our hair out.

One of my main goals was to go through the month and NOT cancel any events if we could help it. I had to cancel the Imperial Ar Blade Tournament because we had a logistics mix up at the last minute, and we could not do it. Oh, I hated that, but out of over 30 events, we did not cancel any others, except that one. This month we're doing it all over again, and people are starting to get the drill. They know the events are on the website, they know they're advertised on the big boards in the OOC landing, and people are starting to show up and expecting fun things to happen.

One concern a month ago was, would people stay? I always maintained it would be okay if everyone left, that we'd rebuild it from little if we needed to. But I have just been amazed and so proud that almost everyone has stayed. We've had very, very little attrition and are adding people every day. Ziarre told Joscelin to add 18 people to the Census just last night. Folks, that is amazing – and even more so that we are retaining them. All in all – with every goal that I had in the beginning for our first month, we've met it. We've exceeded it. Ar's rockin'.

For February, my goal is to see some exciting caste-specific events happen that will reach out to Gor-at-large. Gwidian and Feorie are going to be working with the physicians. We have been talking now about organizing a major series of events for scribes, called the “Master Debators,” in which topics will be formally debated before a Judge, using a timer, opening arguments, paired up, competing for opinions in the Forum in the Central Cylinder. The Initiates will be having a rededication of the temple early in the month, and Taltos has been looking forward to this for weeks – The Blessing of Steel. The Merchant's Sampling Fair happens the day before the 1^st, and that will focus on our merchant caste. The slavers will have their auctions and dances and such throughout the month. The warriors – well, they have the war with Tyros! I guess all I need to do today is go chase down Cadence and Crow for the rest. Ha!

Another goal I have for February is secret, but it's big. And I'm hoping you'll help me make this important transition. Stay tuned for more information.

This month's events are going to focus on rooting out Cosian philosophy and influence in the city for specific roleplay events, showcasing the talent Ar has, we'll have another big OOC dance like we had to kick it off at the end of December – Caelyx and Cora have outdone themselves on a “Fantastica” fairytale set. We're going to hear from the lovely lady from the north, Helga, about her homeland stories. One of the most talked about events of the month – Gorean Confessions – is coming back in just a couple of weeks, and folks are already writing up some juicy confessions for them to be read. We'll have the Master Debators as already mentioned, the Blessing of Steel, plenty of home stone swearings and Veils of Ar Teas, and... we're just going to have a great time again this month.

And as we go into this month watching some exciting things happening – consistent traffic numbers putting us as the #3 and #4 BtB sim in Gor many days, an almost 70% increase in members, and amazing activity in our castes and on the forums – the thing I am the most excited about is this cohesive “us” that's forming. It is starting to really “feel” like home. I love our group chat. I love meeting new folks I haven't met before. I love seeing old, old friends who I thought were long gone showing up to give it another go. And to think – this is just a drop in the bucket. I can't wait to see what more you all have in store – ideas, relationships, fun, and of course, roleplay.

Thanks for all you do, for all you're making this place to be. You aren't taken for granted for a single moment. Here's to February, and another drop in our bucket!

SPQA.