Resignation as Guildmaster
 

This announcement comes with much heartache.

As many of you have noticed despite the fact it being summer I have not been very active these past few weeks. As I mentioned in a thread not too long ago, I have been incredibly busy over the past few months, and in hindsight it doesn't seem to be clearing up anytime soon. Especially with things becoming less troublesome in my real life (the drama I was mentioning a few weeks ago has thankfully simmered down) and yet it still remaining so hectic and cluttered, I have spent the past few weeks in very heavy deliberation.

A leader has many things to fear; weakness, partisanship, bias, corruption. But I have managed to eliminate nearly all fears in my reign as Guildmaster as I have learned to trust myself and my guild, except on one key issue; I have always feared the day where I will be the weight that burdens this guild. For as I have seen countless times in the past, great, unstoppable guilds are often only killed from within, by the very person who created it. I made a promise to myself a long time ago when I first made the guild that I would stop myself before I ever began to bring the guild down.

It's time I keep to my word.

I do not want Partners N Crime to be a guild that is watered down by an inactive Guildmaster. As we have already seen in the past few weeks, the guild has been lagging a little for a summer season because I have been very unable to get online and be with all of you. I fear that if I allow myself to carry all the power I have with me to the graveyard throughout the school year, I will doom this guild as I will be stripping it from the boundless potential it has. This guild must continue to lead the Caribbean, even if that means I am not at the helm.

Because of this, it is with a heavy heart that I announce effective September 1st, 2012, I, Captain Delmaria Darkskull, will officially be stepping down as Guildmaster of Partners N Crime.

Over the next two months I will be dedicating much of my free time to preparing the guild for the change, but easily transitioning it in to the new stages of the guild. I have already spoken to Nayana and Kyle in private about the possibility of my resignation, and we all seemed to agree that Alice Darkbane will be the one to take over the guild upon my resignation. Of course, however, we will be convening plenty of moots on the issue over the summer between all staff members to make sure we agree on the conditions of a new Guildmaster.

Please understand, however, that this does NOT mean I am leaving the Caribbean. I will still be an active part of the guild as I will make efforts to regularly come online, attend events, and of course act as an adviser to the guild officers and the Guildmaster to make sure they don't do anything... well, stupid. As I have vowed many times before, I will never leave the side of this guild, whether I am its Guildmaster, or a Partner just like all of you. This just means I will not be the one to boss you around anymore, is all ;)

And please, understand this: I have never stopped loving this guild from the first day I created it. My love for this guild and its members has only grown over time, and I cannot tell you in any sum of words how hard this decision is on me. But my love for this guild is the very reason why I am stepping down; I love it so much I could not live with myself if I was the one who hurt it.

I will always be a part of this guild no matter what, mates. I will always fight for you, and alongside you. I will always be your friend, your mentor, and your captain.

And above all else, I will always be a partner til death.

~ Delmaria Darkskull
Partners N Crime Guildmaster

Del, there was never a day I thought this would happen. My jaw just dropped after seeing the thread name and I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. But, it's happening. Now, I had thought that this was some kind of early (or late) April Fool's joke, but it turns out to be reality. This is probably the saddest thing that my mind has ever processed since Marley & Me. And, it really does bring tears to my eyes to think that the greatest GM I've ever known is stepping down.

But, the brighter side is you're not leaving the Caribbean. It would be a shame to hear that and that would bring me to almost suffocate in my pillow. (Not that I do, of course. :psmiley35: )

Back when I was a lurker, I thought "Meh, what could be so special about this guild?" Then, I joined it and saw its true potential. And, it was all because of you, Del. The members, veterans, officers, and Circle of Trust made a big difference, too. But, out of all of them, you were the one who made the biggest difference: you created this guild. Savvy created the original, and you revived it yourself to carry on the Partners.

I always knew that I could never accomplish what you did, because I would never have had the courage to do what you did, or the strength. You led an awesome guild for...4 years, right? And, you did it successfully.

And, of course, when you step down, Alice will carry on the tradition and the Partners will live on. It passed from Savvy to you, and soon, you'll pass it to Alice Darkbane AKA Marry the Night.

You have made a huge difference to PNC and we will always remember that in our mind and in our hearts. And, we'll make sure PNC's legacy lives on until our last breaths.

Igor's respect
 

^Stop taking words out of my mouth Igor.

Alas, tis a sad Day indeed.

I understand Del, how it is juggling a game that means a lot and real life. You have done a great job as GM of PNC. Good luck with the real life stuff! I am sure Alice will do a wonderful job!

The sad day comes for all of us Guildmasters. Nobody can lead a guild forever; something always brings us to this very decision, where one must decide whether or not they can continue as a guildmaster. It's sad to see you resign Del, but I, and everyone else I'm sure, understand your need to resign.

While never being a true Partner N Crime (I never was very active on my PNC pirates, I apologize for that :p ), I was always extremely close to PNC as a friend, and I always looked up to you as a guildmaster. You were truly one of the best role models and mentors that I ever had as a guildmaster. Without you, I doubt that my guild could have gotten as far as it did. Thank you Del.

I know that PNC will continue to prosper under Kyle (or whoever takes on the challenges and joys of being a guildmaster). Best of luck, and skill, to you Kyle, and congratulations Del, for leading the guild for over three strong years!

Could not agree with you more Tiberius, tis always a sad day when a Guildmaster has to make the decision to step down. But things change and there are times when RL steps in and the GM has no other choice but to step down for the betterment of his guild.

Del, you have been a great leader of PnC and a great leader to all pirates in the Caribbean. Your active presence at GM of PnC will be missed by all. But knowing you will remain an active part of PnC, and our Caribbean world, is good.

And I am sure you will be leaving the guild in good hands with Alice. She has a top-notch core of officers behind her.

Wish you all the best Del and be seeing you around the Caribbean.

A tip of my Tricorne to you Captain Del