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...that I announce my retirement from my position as Venture-Captain, effective 31 October. Real life is taking an ever-increasing amount of my time and I can no longer devote the time to justify the honor of the position. I have had a great time serving the society and meeting so many awesome gamers. I leave the leadership of PFS in central/southern Illinois to my Venture-Lieutenants in whom I have complete confidence.
But never fear, I'm not totally going away. I will still be around just on a smaller scale. I look forward to continued opportunities to support the society as a player, GM, and occasional organizer. I hope to attend some conventions and reconnect with distant friends from time to time.
So, in the words of my all-time favorite fantasy character...
"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
I regret to inform you, this is the end. I'm going now..."
Explore! Report! Cooperate!
Venture-Captain, Michigan—Mt. Pleasant
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:( I'm sorry to see you go Bob. You were the first VC I met, last year (2011) at Marmalade Dog. I was hoping to play with you at Scotty's this year (and would have if you VC's hadn't chickened out of starting at 11 pm... You'll notice the two VL's still played. ;D)
Venture-Agent, California—Los Angeles (South Bay)
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Bob, I think that everyone understands about life keeping you busy. So,I think you should know that the people whom you have played with in Northwest Indiana and Central/Southern Illinois are grateful for your efforts.
I learned a lot from you on how to run PFS scenarios, and I thank you for your efforts. Be well!
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Hey, you're a great GM so hopefully you continue with PFS in some capacity. It's a fun hobby. I'm sure your efforts are really appreciated locally.
[soapbox]
More generally, I think VCs and VLs are really too hard on themselves. I think if you communicate monthly, manage the GMs at a store, and organize GMs for a few conventions a year, that's enough. Well, I consider it enough, especially since it isn't a job. I guess I just find it unfortunate that good leaders seem to burnout so often (yes, real life is often cited but I also feel burnout is a component).
Once you get a good infrastructure of GMs (which is the hard part!), I think you can lean on them a lot, delegate tasks, and ask for help.
[/soapbox]
Ah well, good luck and hopefully we'll see you at a future Gencon.
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Bob finally realized what he was missing by being tied down by his VC obligations. When all the Venture Officers on 5-Star Mountain have to travel down to the 4-Star Base Camp to meet with Mike*, the rest of us get to mess with all their stuff. Todd has probably suspected that we've been watering down his booze collection to conceal how much we've pilfered. Besides, the 5-Star VOs can't participate in Operation Dragnslayer due to their oath of service. We know that dreaded day is coming, when you-know-who is going to come up the mountain. We've been working hard to train the yetis to go berserk when they see him, but it's hella difficult. Bob's assistance will get our plot back on schedule, we hope.
*Mike Brock declined to appoint himself the customary 5-Star rank like the previous Campaign Coordinators. Due to his principles and work obligations it's anyone's guess when he'll ever hit the 5-Star level, making him the longest resident of 4-Star Base Camp.
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Doug, why did you just confirm to Todd that we've been stealing his booze? Have you ever seen that guy fly into a sober-induced rage before? He's like Bender, except he doesn't shut down when he runs out of alcohol, his "kill all humans" switch gets activated. We're screwed. Perhaps I can hide in the purple wing of the mansion*.
*currently being renovated for two special GMs.
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Venture-Lieutenant, California—Sacramento
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We know that dreaded day is coming, when you-know-who is going to come up the mountain. We've been working hard to train the yetis to go berserk when they see him, but it's hella difficult. Bob's assistance will get our plot back on schedule, we hope.
You are talking about Mike right?
I think Mike will throw Mark at the Yetis to get past them...
Owner - Enchanted Grounds, President/Owner - Enchanted Grounds
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Bob, it's sad to see you go. It is nice to know you'll remain involved, but I echo Jiggy's statement that this seems to be too common, lately. So many of these people I saw go from player/GM to Venture Captain, then away without my ever getting the chance to meet them. So...
I think if you communicate monthly, manage the GMs at a store, and organize GMs for a few conventions a year, that's enough. Well, I consider it enough, especially since it isn't a job. I guess I just find it unfortunate that good leaders seem to burnout so often (yes, real life is often cited but I also feel burnout is a component).
Once you get a good infrastructure of GMs (which is the hard part!), I think you can lean on them a lot, delegate tasks, and ask for help.
...I wholeheartedly agree. I hope my new Venture Captain takes heed of this sound advice. Seeing her burn out would not be a good thing.
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But on an unrelated note I have seen Kyle trying to teach a yeti to say "dimensional anchor" while doing some goofy dance.
He's getting close! For Dragnmoon, I have several goblins who have reached the graduate level class of "Ready, Delay, Action!" Soon I will be teaching them to say "Swift Death" in common. And you thought only the Shadow Lodge could teach a goblin!
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Venture-Lieutenant, California—Sacramento
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There was a clue in the message. But on an unrelated note I have seen Kyle trying to teach a yeti to say "dimensional anchor" while doing some goofy dance.
Wait....
Besides, the 5-Star VOs can't participate in Operation Dragnslayer due to their oath of service.
That's Me!!! Missed the odd spelling of Dragn the first time around..
You Guys mind replacing the Yetis... They make me itchy and sneezey..
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Thank you all for your kind words. I have always been in awe of how awesome our community is. I intend to try and maintain my 5-star GM status, so even though I won't be a VC anymore, I will still be around. Playing + GM'ing + organizing was just too much of a drain on my time. And I assure you, burnout had nothing to do with it. Every time I attend a GameDay or convention, I get reinvigorated by all the enthusiasm I see.
Oh, and Dragnmoon...just because I am retired doesn't mean I'm not still on the top of the mountain with the rest of the 5-star throwing Yeti-poop on you as you futily attempt to ascend. :-)
Fromper, welcome to Illinois. Let me know if/when you're in my area and it would be my honor to GM for you.
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Thanks. I do hope to see you around at some point, though I'm in a different part of the state. I actually played my first PFS game in Illinois on Monday, with the Chicago VC as the GM.
Fromper, welcome to Illinois. Let me know if/when you're in my area and it would be my honor to GM for you.
You played with Rene and lived to tell the tale? He must be losing his TPK touch. ;-)
Seriously, welcome to our corner of PFS heaven. Looking forward to sitting at a table with you soon!
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Thanks. I do hope to see you around at some point, though I'm in a different part of the state. I actually played my first PFS game in Illinois on Monday, with the Chicago VC as the GM.
Fromper, welcome to Illinois. Let me know if/when you're in my area and it would be my honor to GM for you.You played with Rene and lived to tell the tale? He must be losing his TPK touch. ;-)
Seriously, welcome to our corner of PFS heaven. Looking forward to sitting at a table with you soon!
Well, I was playing my sorcerer whose battle cry is "I'll hide in the back!", and I still managed to take some damage. My wand of infernal healing got a ton of use on the whole party.
Are you in Chicago, or elsewhere in IL? I'll actually be GMing a table at Dice Dojo this coming Monday. Volunteering for that was probably a mistake, though. I still have a lot to do when it comes to settling in to my new home, so the prep time for an adventure will be inconvenient. But I am finding that my morning train ride to work is a great time to read scenarios. It's the map drawing and researching stuff in other books that I can't do on a train which will take up free time at home.
But back on topic, happy "retirement" to Bob! I hope to meet you and game together some time soon, now that I'm in the area.
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There are days when I'm like...Man this is a lot of work, but then I get to the game day and everyone is shaking my hand and thanking me and I remember that there is a reward. :)
Just a shaking of hands huh? No showering with gifts, women swooning, and parades? Obviously you live in the wrong region.