**The old warrior looks down at the blade resting gently in his lap. His mind wanders to memories of yesteryear, of friends come and gone, battles fought and wars won. A smile plays its way across the old warrior's face, as his hands caress the worn pommel of his sword.
With a sigh, he pullls himself slowly to his feet and places the sword in its mount above the mantle.
Lighting a candle, he totters to his writing desk and pulls a piece of velum from its drawer.
With a shaky hand he begins to write:
"Pater Imperium, Fellow Magistrates, Senators and Citizens of the Empire.
It is with a profound sadness that I retire from any political duties of the Empire. Recent sentiment expressed by various members of our family have showed me that it is time for this old warrior to hang his sword and rest my weary bones.
I would appreicate it if my words can be passed to the stone masons so that they may make one final adjustment to the titles I have been blessed and Honored to have worn within the Empire to reflect my retired status.
To those that have tought me what it is to be a part of something so much larger than myself, I am forever in your debt and no words will express my gratitude.
To those that bore the Empire on their back through these many years, through trial and tribulation, through Victory and Defeat, who gave me a home within these strange lands when first I found myself upon its shores, I salute you, I Honor you, and above all, call you friend.
To the citizens of the Empire, new and old alike, I wish with all my heart that you have learned or will learn what it is to be a member of this community, of this Empire. And that you follow with conviction, the road paved with the blood, sweat, selflessness and tears of those that have come before you.
And so it is with this letter, I close this chapter of my life within the Empire.
May Honor Guide and Bind thee for all the days of your life.
Yours in Friendship,
Wolf"
The old man sits heavily into his chair and stares at the parchment in his hand. Carefully, he rolls the letter, drips wax on its edge and seals it with his signet.
Slowly, the old man climbs the steps to his pigeon roost. He sighs as he watches the messenger fly out into the night bearing his letter.
Returning to his room, the old man sits heavily onto his bed and blows out the candle.**
++++OOC: Many of the comments made on the boards these last couple of days have showed me much of the thoughtlessness of some of the individuals who posted them. This has nothing to do with the desire of the majority to see a more active "leadership", for in truth there have been many instances in the Guild's history in which we have made such changes and had leaders come and go for the betterment of the guild, a sentiment that I truly share and support.
For the record, my desire to retire Wolf as of this moment, stems from the genuine ignorance that some of our members have shown with respect to the personal sacrifices and committments that the INDIVIDUALS (not the characters) have made so that all could enjoy this community and grow and share within it. This post is neither a flame nor a rant but the personal feelings of a long standing member of this community. Now, I know that these sentiments are only expressed by a few and do not represent the many however, there is enough of it displayed to make me step aside, knowing that there are those that would behave in such a fashion. There are ways to do things and express yourself and there are ways not to. They say that ignorance is bliss and in some people's case that appears to be true. Perhaps a lesson can be learned, though this is a virtual world, think before you speak as there are real people listening.+++++