Nefertiti
02-25-2010, 04:30 PM
FGB: A History
Originally written by Tipsy Kitty for FGB In Focus
Added in throughout time by other Guides & MotCs
I’m sure that there’s no doubt in our minds that Wrestling With Demons has been one of the most successful RPGs around. The game has been running for more than eight years, and in that time it has seen many changes, not the least of which has been this move to Midnight Shadows. However, this move was not the game’s first major transition. While C:tP hosted WWD for many years, the game initially began on Charmed-Boards (CB). The surviving instinct of this game is a testament not only to its creators and humble beginnings, but to those who have played, and worked, hard here.
Within the FGB itself, we have seen many changes, from leaders to groups to training ideas and techniques. We have had at least 28 guides in our history: Alwaysright (Marisa), Psyche (Chris), Shannen Doherty (Jess), FeDe, Crimson Spell (Phoebe), CharmedGal (Marie), Darkside Kitzzy (Kitzzy), Alter Ego (Drew), Halliwellwannabe, and Twitchy (Heidi) are some of the lesser-known long-ago guides, dating back to CB.
This time being before the we (most of us at present who are still playing) joined, help was requested from the amazing Nancy (Jinx) to fill in some of the blanks for those of us who are less well informed of FGB’s far away history.
There is one Guide that stands out the most in the FGB. One who I would consider The Guide. Her name would be Marisa (Alwaysright). She was my very first Guide all the way back on CB. She was the epitome of what a Guide is. I have always wanted to be at least a fraction of how good she was. She was able to critique you in the most positive ways, was always there to answer any question you may have had. She could bring out creativeness in a student that you didn't know you had. And I will certainly never forget the PMs that would get sent. The titles made it seem as if you had failed the mission and would have to repeat it all over again. A great way to freak you out. Evil, but so much fun.
It seems when one Guide leaves, there is at least one or more that follow suit. I had my first occurrence with that back on CB. I never thought those things happened back then, not like they do now. I remember the first Guide that stepped down was Darkside Kitzzy. It was a shocker to me, and others, because she was another fantastic Guide, one that would be missed greatly. But what followed then was Psyche stepping down right after her. Wow, two Guides leaving at one time. I never saw that. But they say third time is the charm? Eh, well no, not this time as one more Guide followed suit. FeDe was the third and final Guide at that time that stepped down. They would be replacing 3 Guides.
In FGB then, a nomination thread was made. People either accepted or turned down the nomination. But after that, the Guides and anyone who had the Guides' Lounge access had a say. There wasn't any public vote or top 5 being the selection candidates. Much to my shocking surprise, that was the first time I was selected as a Guide, along with Stephen (Balthier) and Tash (tashmel). Being a part of that group selected was amazing. I got to work with some great people both in The Hollow and in FGB.
It was shortly after becoming a Guide that the game left CB. It seemed like a sudden shock as one day you came online and the game was gone. It was heartbreaking. Luckily seeing a mention on the Friends Board that the game was going to be on a new board called Charmed: The Prophecy, I literally raced to join. And yes, it did have a new home. A much, much better home. All was well with FGB and the game.
It was absolutely wonderful when you can see people who have been in your mission classes moving their way up from trainee to a Guide position. Kate and CJ are two examples. Kate, I believe was one of the longest running Guides too. It was great to see CJ become a Guide as well. I remember those water bubble days and all the debates we had about them.
So many past Guides I have worked with, all have been enjoyable indeed. I remember P4Halliwell, well the one thing that sticks out is the colour of style she always used. I mean everything was in that colour. A good Guide, but the colour was just too much at times.
I think the most scandalous election of a Guide was when Nick (Vingt-Trois) became a Guide. This all happened right before the very first WWD switch. You see, Nick was a level one. A very knowledgeable level one. Some members had a hard time with that. There were higher levels who had been in the game longer but had not become Guide. I know if people looked back at the whole situation now, they would see that he was absolutely the right choice for Guideship. Nick was beyond good and proved to be a huge asset to the game.
It was then that I switched over to ADA. I was still able to work with past and current Guides. But memories of the past FGB Guides are something to be cherished. I hope you enjoyed a little past Guide information.
Perhaps the most shocking event to occur in the FGB happened in December 2003 when Tash (tashmel), Tara (Starbuck), Nancy (Jinx), Kate (Alyssa Milano), Nick (Vingt-Trois) and Stephen (Balthier) were our Guides. So what happened? The first ever WWD switch week. To this point, whichever side you initially joined was yours for keeps, no question about it. FGB had always been the larger side in the game, and when the first switch occurred, it was like a mass exodus. FGBers flocked to the ADA for a taste of the dark side. Many people were shocked, upset and angry. Not least because two of those who switched were two of the Guides of the time – Ste and Nancy. The first switch week saw many FGBers switch, and only a handful of ADAers switched in return, leaving FGB shaking in its foundations for several weeks. In the aftermath, Phoebe (Serenity) was elected Guide.
There has long been an idea within the FGB of a curse. A curse that Nancy described above – much of the time, it appears that when FGB loses one Guide, it is destined to lose more at once. Aside from the double loss during the first switch, my first experience of the FGB curse was when Tash and Nick stepped down close together mid 2004. In their place, Mari (Dissident) and Joanna (Tipsy Kitty) were elected. This group – Joanna, Mari, Phoebe, T and Kate – were the first Guides to implement the coven training, creating the first covens and putting Group Missions aside. However, we were not to remain as we were for long. Only a couple of months later, T stepped down and Mags (Wicked White) was elected – but there was a change of plans and T returned leaving FGB with 6 Guides – Mari, Phoebe, Kate, T, Mags and Joanna. As such, Jo was the last Guide elected to run Group Missions, and Mags was the first Guide elected who never ran them. In the second switch week at the end of 2004, T switched to ADA. This time, though, it was ADA who lost more members than gained.
The curse struck again in full force in February/March 2005. Mari, Phoebe and Mags all stepped down together. CJ (Sexcapade), Gina (Obsidian), and Nick (Vingt-Trois) all became Guides in their absence. Joanna followed a month later and Kail (Drunk Puppy) stepped up to the challenge of Guide. Later that year, Nicole (Fall From Grace) also became a Guide when Nick left.
April 2006 saw yet another attack of the FGB curse, when several Guides stepped down, and drama ensued when Kail and Gina forced Kate down due to inactivity. At this time, Jessica (Starry Heavens), Samantha (Pretty Reckless), Rene (Cardinal Sin) and Joanna joined Kail and Gina as Guides, until a little while later Kail stepped down. He was not replaced taking the number back down to five. Later that year, in June, Gina stepped down, and Steven (Kujo) was elected. August 2007 saw Rene and Steven step down, and the last Guide elected on C:tP – Cornelia (Nefertiti) – leaving us with four Guides; Cornelia, Jessica, Samantha and Joanna. Billy (Prophecy) also became the first MotC to ever be promoted to Guardian without having first been a Guide.
Over on MS, the first changes in Guideship we saw was Jessica stepping down in April 2008 and clearing the way for Bing (Six Degrees) to rise to the ranks of Level Seven and for Kail (Drunk Puppy) to return, alongside Joanna, Cornelia, and Samantha. In August 2009, Kail and Joanna parted with the position of Guide and only one new candidate was upped. Hilary (Funny Girl) was elected as the newest Guide.
In the month of January/February 2010, the curse returned! First to announce her resignation was Cornelia, followed by Bing just four hours later. Adding greater shock to the members of FGB, Samantha completed the leaving with her post four days later leaving Hilary to torment members with non-clues in various IC and OOC posts. The decision was finally announced with Cornelia returning as Guide and Amy (Daylight Dancer) and Luis (Aeorus) ascending to Level Seven!
Another alterations in the rank of Guideship happened in June 2010. Unexpectedly, Hilary stepped down from Guide after much too short of a time, and in her place Ecks (Disremembrance) stepped up to be FGB's newest Guide. Along with Ecks, Bonnie (Acquiescence) was also made into the second member that was invited into The Hollow and becoming a Guardian, and the first one to do so without achieving level 6 first (she was only a level 3 at the time!).
During this month another big change also happened; the promotion system major revamp. Character development and fighting are no longer separated and members are encouraged to focus more on storylines even as they're doing battle posts. Each post that contains power usage now counts to the fighting aspect. This change was welcomed and received very well among members.
Another change in Guideship happened late August/early September 2010, in which Luis stepped down, and stepping up to fill his shoes was Bonnie. Along with this, FGB also introduced a new concept to reward their hardworking members in the form of Coven Regents, a second in command in charge of each coven's activities.
In February 2011, Cornelia broke our hearts when she stepped down after years of great leadership. Filling her shoes seemed daunting, but Carly (~Senescence~) was the perfect choice to take the level 7 position. However, later on in the beginning of June 2011, due to the increasing amount of players and characters, the FGB decided to go back to its roots of having five Guides. The existing Guides at the time did their first non-election and rehired Cornelia after her brief rest period. Notable Guardians who were promoted into the Guides' Lounge during these times were Tom (Sobriquet) and Todd (Elixir).
Around July 2011, we had what could be called a 'step down scare' from Ecks, who thankfully, after an apparently eye-opening accident decided he had been foolish after all and reclaimed his Guide seat.
Perhaps the biggest change in training styles was the transition from Group Missions to Covens. It’s hard to believe, but FGB has seen 20 different covens flit through. The original five were:
Crescent Moon (Jo)
Silver Rose (T; resurrected by Samantha)
Ethereal (Kate; resurrected by Jess)
Silent Whisper (Mari) and
Eternity (Phoebe).
These were followed by:
Rising Phoenix (Mags)
Shadow Light/Obsidian Rose (Nick)
Forgotten Illuminati (CJ)
Elusive Spirit (Gina)
Coven De Danann (Kail) & Adelphos Anekico (take two!)
Crimson Serenity (Nicole)
Eternal Shadows (Rene)
Divine Evenings (Steven)
Twilight Eclipse/Twilight (Cornelia) & Arcadian Star (take two!)
Iridescent Flames (Bing)
Gothic Lullabies (Hil)
Ethereal Reveries (Amy)
Eternal Spiral (Luis)
Caelus Invictus/Calan Beltane (Ecks)
Tempus Aeternus (Bonnie)
Midsummer Dawn/Onyx Star (Carly)
Throughout the spotted history of FGB, drama has run high, friendships have been made and broken, skills have been learned, but two things have remained constant: the amazing people who make up the game, and the incredible entity that is the game itself. Through whatever shake-ups and changes the FGB sees in the future, I hope you can all keep having fun and keep this game around for many more years to come.
Originally written by Tipsy Kitty for FGB In Focus
Added in throughout time by other Guides & MotCs
I’m sure that there’s no doubt in our minds that Wrestling With Demons has been one of the most successful RPGs around. The game has been running for more than eight years, and in that time it has seen many changes, not the least of which has been this move to Midnight Shadows. However, this move was not the game’s first major transition. While C:tP hosted WWD for many years, the game initially began on Charmed-Boards (CB). The surviving instinct of this game is a testament not only to its creators and humble beginnings, but to those who have played, and worked, hard here.
Within the FGB itself, we have seen many changes, from leaders to groups to training ideas and techniques. We have had at least 28 guides in our history: Alwaysright (Marisa), Psyche (Chris), Shannen Doherty (Jess), FeDe, Crimson Spell (Phoebe), CharmedGal (Marie), Darkside Kitzzy (Kitzzy), Alter Ego (Drew), Halliwellwannabe, and Twitchy (Heidi) are some of the lesser-known long-ago guides, dating back to CB.
This time being before the we (most of us at present who are still playing) joined, help was requested from the amazing Nancy (Jinx) to fill in some of the blanks for those of us who are less well informed of FGB’s far away history.
There is one Guide that stands out the most in the FGB. One who I would consider The Guide. Her name would be Marisa (Alwaysright). She was my very first Guide all the way back on CB. She was the epitome of what a Guide is. I have always wanted to be at least a fraction of how good she was. She was able to critique you in the most positive ways, was always there to answer any question you may have had. She could bring out creativeness in a student that you didn't know you had. And I will certainly never forget the PMs that would get sent. The titles made it seem as if you had failed the mission and would have to repeat it all over again. A great way to freak you out. Evil, but so much fun.
It seems when one Guide leaves, there is at least one or more that follow suit. I had my first occurrence with that back on CB. I never thought those things happened back then, not like they do now. I remember the first Guide that stepped down was Darkside Kitzzy. It was a shocker to me, and others, because she was another fantastic Guide, one that would be missed greatly. But what followed then was Psyche stepping down right after her. Wow, two Guides leaving at one time. I never saw that. But they say third time is the charm? Eh, well no, not this time as one more Guide followed suit. FeDe was the third and final Guide at that time that stepped down. They would be replacing 3 Guides.
In FGB then, a nomination thread was made. People either accepted or turned down the nomination. But after that, the Guides and anyone who had the Guides' Lounge access had a say. There wasn't any public vote or top 5 being the selection candidates. Much to my shocking surprise, that was the first time I was selected as a Guide, along with Stephen (Balthier) and Tash (tashmel). Being a part of that group selected was amazing. I got to work with some great people both in The Hollow and in FGB.
It was shortly after becoming a Guide that the game left CB. It seemed like a sudden shock as one day you came online and the game was gone. It was heartbreaking. Luckily seeing a mention on the Friends Board that the game was going to be on a new board called Charmed: The Prophecy, I literally raced to join. And yes, it did have a new home. A much, much better home. All was well with FGB and the game.
It was absolutely wonderful when you can see people who have been in your mission classes moving their way up from trainee to a Guide position. Kate and CJ are two examples. Kate, I believe was one of the longest running Guides too. It was great to see CJ become a Guide as well. I remember those water bubble days and all the debates we had about them.
So many past Guides I have worked with, all have been enjoyable indeed. I remember P4Halliwell, well the one thing that sticks out is the colour of style she always used. I mean everything was in that colour. A good Guide, but the colour was just too much at times.
I think the most scandalous election of a Guide was when Nick (Vingt-Trois) became a Guide. This all happened right before the very first WWD switch. You see, Nick was a level one. A very knowledgeable level one. Some members had a hard time with that. There were higher levels who had been in the game longer but had not become Guide. I know if people looked back at the whole situation now, they would see that he was absolutely the right choice for Guideship. Nick was beyond good and proved to be a huge asset to the game.
It was then that I switched over to ADA. I was still able to work with past and current Guides. But memories of the past FGB Guides are something to be cherished. I hope you enjoyed a little past Guide information.
Perhaps the most shocking event to occur in the FGB happened in December 2003 when Tash (tashmel), Tara (Starbuck), Nancy (Jinx), Kate (Alyssa Milano), Nick (Vingt-Trois) and Stephen (Balthier) were our Guides. So what happened? The first ever WWD switch week. To this point, whichever side you initially joined was yours for keeps, no question about it. FGB had always been the larger side in the game, and when the first switch occurred, it was like a mass exodus. FGBers flocked to the ADA for a taste of the dark side. Many people were shocked, upset and angry. Not least because two of those who switched were two of the Guides of the time – Ste and Nancy. The first switch week saw many FGBers switch, and only a handful of ADAers switched in return, leaving FGB shaking in its foundations for several weeks. In the aftermath, Phoebe (Serenity) was elected Guide.
There has long been an idea within the FGB of a curse. A curse that Nancy described above – much of the time, it appears that when FGB loses one Guide, it is destined to lose more at once. Aside from the double loss during the first switch, my first experience of the FGB curse was when Tash and Nick stepped down close together mid 2004. In their place, Mari (Dissident) and Joanna (Tipsy Kitty) were elected. This group – Joanna, Mari, Phoebe, T and Kate – were the first Guides to implement the coven training, creating the first covens and putting Group Missions aside. However, we were not to remain as we were for long. Only a couple of months later, T stepped down and Mags (Wicked White) was elected – but there was a change of plans and T returned leaving FGB with 6 Guides – Mari, Phoebe, Kate, T, Mags and Joanna. As such, Jo was the last Guide elected to run Group Missions, and Mags was the first Guide elected who never ran them. In the second switch week at the end of 2004, T switched to ADA. This time, though, it was ADA who lost more members than gained.
The curse struck again in full force in February/March 2005. Mari, Phoebe and Mags all stepped down together. CJ (Sexcapade), Gina (Obsidian), and Nick (Vingt-Trois) all became Guides in their absence. Joanna followed a month later and Kail (Drunk Puppy) stepped up to the challenge of Guide. Later that year, Nicole (Fall From Grace) also became a Guide when Nick left.
April 2006 saw yet another attack of the FGB curse, when several Guides stepped down, and drama ensued when Kail and Gina forced Kate down due to inactivity. At this time, Jessica (Starry Heavens), Samantha (Pretty Reckless), Rene (Cardinal Sin) and Joanna joined Kail and Gina as Guides, until a little while later Kail stepped down. He was not replaced taking the number back down to five. Later that year, in June, Gina stepped down, and Steven (Kujo) was elected. August 2007 saw Rene and Steven step down, and the last Guide elected on C:tP – Cornelia (Nefertiti) – leaving us with four Guides; Cornelia, Jessica, Samantha and Joanna. Billy (Prophecy) also became the first MotC to ever be promoted to Guardian without having first been a Guide.
Over on MS, the first changes in Guideship we saw was Jessica stepping down in April 2008 and clearing the way for Bing (Six Degrees) to rise to the ranks of Level Seven and for Kail (Drunk Puppy) to return, alongside Joanna, Cornelia, and Samantha. In August 2009, Kail and Joanna parted with the position of Guide and only one new candidate was upped. Hilary (Funny Girl) was elected as the newest Guide.
In the month of January/February 2010, the curse returned! First to announce her resignation was Cornelia, followed by Bing just four hours later. Adding greater shock to the members of FGB, Samantha completed the leaving with her post four days later leaving Hilary to torment members with non-clues in various IC and OOC posts. The decision was finally announced with Cornelia returning as Guide and Amy (Daylight Dancer) and Luis (Aeorus) ascending to Level Seven!
Another alterations in the rank of Guideship happened in June 2010. Unexpectedly, Hilary stepped down from Guide after much too short of a time, and in her place Ecks (Disremembrance) stepped up to be FGB's newest Guide. Along with Ecks, Bonnie (Acquiescence) was also made into the second member that was invited into The Hollow and becoming a Guardian, and the first one to do so without achieving level 6 first (she was only a level 3 at the time!).
During this month another big change also happened; the promotion system major revamp. Character development and fighting are no longer separated and members are encouraged to focus more on storylines even as they're doing battle posts. Each post that contains power usage now counts to the fighting aspect. This change was welcomed and received very well among members.
Another change in Guideship happened late August/early September 2010, in which Luis stepped down, and stepping up to fill his shoes was Bonnie. Along with this, FGB also introduced a new concept to reward their hardworking members in the form of Coven Regents, a second in command in charge of each coven's activities.
In February 2011, Cornelia broke our hearts when she stepped down after years of great leadership. Filling her shoes seemed daunting, but Carly (~Senescence~) was the perfect choice to take the level 7 position. However, later on in the beginning of June 2011, due to the increasing amount of players and characters, the FGB decided to go back to its roots of having five Guides. The existing Guides at the time did their first non-election and rehired Cornelia after her brief rest period. Notable Guardians who were promoted into the Guides' Lounge during these times were Tom (Sobriquet) and Todd (Elixir).
Around July 2011, we had what could be called a 'step down scare' from Ecks, who thankfully, after an apparently eye-opening accident decided he had been foolish after all and reclaimed his Guide seat.
Perhaps the biggest change in training styles was the transition from Group Missions to Covens. It’s hard to believe, but FGB has seen 20 different covens flit through. The original five were:
Crescent Moon (Jo)
Silver Rose (T; resurrected by Samantha)
Ethereal (Kate; resurrected by Jess)
Silent Whisper (Mari) and
Eternity (Phoebe).
These were followed by:
Rising Phoenix (Mags)
Shadow Light/Obsidian Rose (Nick)
Forgotten Illuminati (CJ)
Elusive Spirit (Gina)
Coven De Danann (Kail) & Adelphos Anekico (take two!)
Crimson Serenity (Nicole)
Eternal Shadows (Rene)
Divine Evenings (Steven)
Twilight Eclipse/Twilight (Cornelia) & Arcadian Star (take two!)
Iridescent Flames (Bing)
Gothic Lullabies (Hil)
Ethereal Reveries (Amy)
Eternal Spiral (Luis)
Caelus Invictus/Calan Beltane (Ecks)
Tempus Aeternus (Bonnie)
Midsummer Dawn/Onyx Star (Carly)
Throughout the spotted history of FGB, drama has run high, friendships have been made and broken, skills have been learned, but two things have remained constant: the amazing people who make up the game, and the incredible entity that is the game itself. Through whatever shake-ups and changes the FGB sees in the future, I hope you can all keep having fun and keep this game around for many more years to come.