Confession time I guess.
But first, thanks to you all for a world well played. I won't demean our former enemies by saying that the war was a breeze. In fact, late October and early December had me relatively disheartened as W2V seemingly slid into inactivity in the face of a more resilient than expected MM.
Such fear was unfounded however as look where we are.
But yes, as I said, confession time.
Up until I was added to W2V council I was all for a lovely relationship with MoM, then I saw how wIz and Roo were getting on and swiftly opted for the backstab/blitzkrieg.
Secondly, the merge talks last September weren't as dramatic as you all were led to believe. They were far more so. From me calling Z an incompetent dick to Z hinting at preparations for war with Roo, it was a horrid month.
And lastly I suppose is our preparations for war itself. I told W2V to begin preparing for war and sent out stacking lists and eventually funneled 2200 odd DVs into rcmst (in hindsight clearly not enough) the day I was made Duke. Subsequent negotiations were hard lined at that point as my ascension was what one could describe as a preparation for war in and of itself, IE ultimatums abound.
Eventually after a prolonged RL crisis and miscommunication (read: no communication) with Bella after a deadline I'd arbitrarily set I announced to the tribe we'd be going to war. 24 hours and 30min later and the seemingly over world was plunged into the yearlong slugfest we've all known.
Oh, and propaganda really was the key to winning. From swallowing personal distaste for some in M2W and trumpeting their actions as valiant to internal circs painting MM leadership as amoral I feel as if propaganda efforts internal and external compounded by W2Vs wartime successes following November was what finally beat MM.
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To all W2V, love you guys.
Roo, ping me for anything fun in the MMO realm you may be doing in the future, it was a pleasure to play alongside you. I particularly enjoyed our early world ethical debates regarding RL events and you may be pleased to learn you've changed my mindset on some issues. I truly regard you as one of the favorite people I've ever met on the Internet. Stay classy.
Conor, you rock and I couldn't ask for a more pleasant dude to chill with and talk to. Take care of yourself dude, it really was a pleasure.
Boo/Rob, both of you helped keep the rest of us grounded and served as awesome examples to the tribe, thanks so much for your work.
Ais, though you didn't finish with us you were instrumental in moving us through the world. You kept W2Vs elitism alive and well through your actions and ideals. Thanks for being our sacrificial lamb in every war. Long live St. Ais.
Koss, you're a machine and the best TW player I've ever met.
Sichtie, thanks so much for being a level headed pragmatist these last few months. I just wish we'd added you to council sooner.
Willy/Taz, you two create enough fun to last a lifetime, and drama too, but mainly fun. You guys rocked and thanks so much for informing Roo and I that we were dreadfully wrong whenever we were dreadfully wrong. Oh and thanks to willy for planning our Christmas op on BJ that worked even though you sent Bella the plans. <3
Glyn, I wish you'd stuck around. Your wit was something sorely missed this war.