At the age of 15, a boy sat alone in front of a monitor, exploring countless new MUDs. After trying a few, he stumbled upon Shattered Kingdoms. Little did he know the lasting impact it would have on his life. Hooked, he excitedly shared his discovery with friends, and they embarked on adventures together.
Years flew by. At 43, the man found himself alone in front of a monitor, his family asleep. A comforting warmth of memories flooded his mind as familiar text scrolled down the screen, pausing at, "By which name would you like to be known?" This screen had become an anchor, connecting him through the years, holding echoes of old friends and the possibility of new ones. No statues commemorated his past characters, no lasting records of his achievements. Pondering for a moment, he selected a name. "That's alright," he thought. "I've met wonderful people, seen dragons, witnessed gods rise and fall, and seen kingdoms brighten and fade, so many stories unfold."
Minutes turned into hours as he reacquainted himself with the strange but familiar world, both now showing their age. Struggling to read some of the colorful text, he finished up for the night before heading to bed. The screen stopped scrolling with the words, "Alas, all good things must come to an end." He smiled, thinking, "But not today!" Images of his characters flashed through his mind, wondering where this next adventure would take him.
I hope everyone has a Merry Yigmass!
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