Today's the Day...

[Bartholomew Foulsteel]

Although BBK celebrated its anniversary on Saturday, today is the actual First Anniversary of Black Bart's Krewe. The Krewe was started after consulting with my two in-game friends; my boy, Matt, and Combat Lizzy. I met Lizzy in the Pantano river (not on the Krewe B-Day), desperately attempting to beat some rather wicked flytraps there. With a little help, she was able to complete that portion of the quest.

On the 6th of June last year, I pitched the idear to Lizzy about starting our own guild. Due to both of our difficulties in-game with rude players, griefers, and each of us having young pirates chasing us around wanting to be our boy/girlfriends, we thought that perhaps a guild based on helping others and teaching teamwork was the way to go. From there, a little research into pirate history led me to Bartholomew Roberts--Black Bart. We took his nickname as the namesake for our guild and created the Krewe one year ago today.

Our Krewe website was created shortly thereafter and followed by my persitent hounding of the management here at POF for our own subforum. Although turned down several times, with the rapidly growing Krewe and the increase in members and activity here on POF, we soon were awarded our own subforum and badge.

Through the year, we have met some great pirates. I still very fondly recall when my meager and fledgling Krewe were invited to Chris' mastering party, and how we were all in AWE at all the founders and pirate masters. I do believe I can speak for us all in attendance that we felt that we had been invited to a grand party exclusive to royalty! True, we felt as if we were hob-nobbing with the Brethren Court itself. This of course followed by a major celebration (in which the Krewe really shined!) and Redfury's Boss Battle.

It was on June 30 of last year that Lizzy earned her nickname "Wrong Way Lizzy" whilst the Krewe was raiding Kingshead. 'Twas the same day JK became a Krewe Officer. It was on July 10th that we met and Krewed Rachel Hexwalker.

Through our year we have made great friends and also lost some. My first true hard-core Krewe mate (aside from Lizzy, Matt, and m'self), one Katie Morgan was a dear friend. However, the personality dynamics between her and others were too much, and one day shortly after Charlotte and Redfury had joined us (if I recall correctly) she let me know that it was either JK goes or she goes. Poor JK! To feel that a high-ranking officer left because of you--the poor guy almost quit technology for good! And yet, Johnny Kingcage ended up being one of my Inner Circle and a great Krewe mate. Katie left and took half me Krewe with her! All who had left with Katie eventually came back to the Krewe. But it was okay. The Krewe grew bigger and stronger.

I remember meeting Li Wildtimbers playing poker. She was a kick in the pants laugh riot! And then there was the post-knee-surgery plundering she attempted--pretty funny in a severely dedicated sort of way! I swear she were drooling on the cannons more than shooting them, but I believe it was cathartic for her. I remember the day in August when our dear Charlotte Firemenace was promoted to officer--which was also our first big LIMBO TAG PARTY at the Rooster! I also remember Johnny Sharkskull and I attempting the Boss Battle--just the two of us! Almost made it several times, too. I remember meeting Wolf and standing next to what appeared to be my twin on the streets of Port Royal!

Of course, I remember Li's and Lizzy's Boss Battles--don't think I ever let anybody know I was on vacation and staying at a hotel for those: the family was playing at a waterpark and having a great time, but I had yet again hurt my shoulder (trying to be a kid again) and had returned to the room. You mates took the pain out of my arm and put a smile on my face. I remember Molly Bluesilver joining the Krewe last October and sticking with us like glue sticks to, uh.... well. She stuck with us to become one of our greatest rankers of all time. Not to slight Ben Dreadgull, of course. He's still the only Krewe mate to be on the Overall Ships sunk ranking. And let's not forget his Toons--or those of Jules, not to mention her wonderful stories!

I remember so many things, and far too much to type here. If I didn't get around to writing about ye, my deepest apologies. I would like to make all my Krewe know that I admire ye each and every one, and I thank ye deeply for all yer hard work and perseverance. We, like all guilds I'm sure, have had our ups and downs, but on the whole have always come out stronger and larger than life.

Thank ye to the Krewe--all 193 members (for now)! Without ye it would just be Lizzy and m'self. And that would be okay, of course. So take a trip to the 'Skellar or the Rooster, and toss back a cold Mojito (just don't mention it has rum in it!) on ol' Bart, okays? Ye certainly all deserve it. Every last one of ye.

I salute ye, Krewe.