Unlike most farewells, I actually have a vested interest in the game, so I'm not really going anywhere. However, it is time to retire this character. A lot of factors were put into making the decision, but mostly it's because I am pressed for time to put forth the kind of effort I would have liked to run a city. I still enjoy playing MafiaReturns, but sometimes it's just time to call it a day on a character. Realistically, it would've taken too long for anyone to launch an offensive that would put a dent in me. I'm not trying to sound arrogant, but let's face it, in the time I was alive I lost about 9 or 10 bodyguards during times of war that I was involved in, and that's being generous. So, as Satanta said, I'm "letting them off easy". I've had my share of multi-day wars, and I lost my taste for them a while ago. Being able to pull multiple all-nighters is a trait I look forward to putting behind me.

This game can be painful with the wackbacks, 1%s, and any other method of unfair death, but always riding that edge is what makes it fun as well. Many people retire because they don't care any longer, but I still do, this is my home. Throughout my reign at the top, and Kendra's as well, we've endured horrendous insults and sleights to our integrity, and even that doesn't bother me so much. Baffles me sure, but rubbing salt into those open wounds on people who made the allegations was a lot more fun than I ever let on. If I still had access to any Admin capability I wouldn't have stayed up nights on end fighting to keep control over a city made of code and text.

Since June of 2008 when I stood at Prem's side as his RHM in his violent overthrow of the old guard I've had an unbelievable win streak (putting aside getting beaten by Animal when Prem was thrown in lock-up [which of course ended up poorly for him judging by how quickly he died after that]). It's gotten to the point, and again I don't mean this in an obnoxious fashion, just truthful, where I have beaten everyone I've wanted to or had to many times over. What... or better... who is left? It gets to the point where it's repetitive waiting for everyone to rank back up after a huge war just to attack them or be attacked by them again.

I know I was lucky enough to be in a position where I could run the table for a long time, and I won't lie, if you get to that point, it is pretty amazing. Unlike the years past on this game, it is actually fun to work with other leaders for long periods of time, and that is one of the biggest trends I hope continues that was started by Detroit. If you can learn to actually treat everyone whose character has earned it with a shred of respect you can lead the same type of life I have for the last year and change. That's called decency. I know there were times when Kendra, Belle, or Prem (wait no the last one is not right) had to twist my arm to leave people I didn't like alone, and more often than not I was right when those people proved unwilling to act politely or respectfully. Or I kept the incogs secret of people who have achieved past successes or are leaders and figureheads right now within the game even if they thought I didn't know. Because there are occasionally people that finally get what it takes to succeed and it is truly nice to see.

Furthermore, when you can one shot anyone in existence, things lose their luster. I know it sounds awesome, but when I was pounding out kills and occasionally missing now and again, I had something to continue to work towards. Now I know when New York gets into a fight I'll have to wade through pros, because they know I'm coming. Most people thought my gun came out of nowhere, but the bottom line is I outworked people quietly. There were no haxz0rs, just putting my nose to the grindstone and picking up bodyguard kills instead of making my record known by posting my kill totals. I had over 600 killshots between people and bodyguards, that's well over 500 hours of being awake and shooting (discounting the very occasional easy shot that I could just pop on to kill). If you can't do math, that's a lot of time to spend training a gun. For anyone who is interested I won't clog up the thread with a kill list, I'll just throw a link to it:

http://mafiareturns.com/comm/thread/72545/tpass/c03840c0fd47db748a21bfcb5d2ee8ef

In conclusion, I enjoyed my time on this character, but sometimes things happen. The new job is keeping me without access to the game for over 50 hours a week, and I enjoy putting in the hours there. Plus with recent death and illness in the family I just don't have the drive to keep pounding away at an account I feel quite fulfilled with. I'd like to thank the usual suspects: Kendra, Izzy, Prem, Belle, Satanta, FP, Rianne, and everyone who directly contributed to my success. I'd also like to thank Cam for letting me use his name for this character and specifically him and depth for supporting the Rourke lifestyle way past the point of understanding. All the past Rourkes, members of my family, and the cities of New York and Detroit for everything that led to my rise to power. It will certainly be strange to have to log in from now on under an email address instead of "ThomasRourke".

It's been a smile.

Grin.

~T~

indeed a sucessful character..

This has come as a total surprise and I know we have had our ups and downs but this does sadden me, you were up there with the best, character wise.

best wishes.

Take care Sir Rourke.  When you do get back I am looking for a good associate :P

Best of luck to you!!

woo hoo for the honorable mention... good times good times ... i would say you'll be missed but as you said you'll still be around so see ya around. Oer all good run you kicked ass and ruled by hard work and preservation and no one kan take that away. kudos

Wow, I didn't believe it when I was first told. It's a shame it ended this way but as you mentioned, For right or wrong it would have taken a while for anyone to get in a position of having even the smallest chance of killing you. You have carved a very successful and bloody path through Mafia.org/Mafiareturns history and even though you and I rarely saw eye to eye during ThomasRourkes life span I have to commend you on the sheer effort and time you put in and the heights you reached.

Good luck with your new job.

As I said to you in the mail, you had a huge influence on this game as a player and I have the deepest respect for you after what you've done and for your retirement. Congratulations for everything you achieved.

It will certainly be strange to have to log in from now on under an email address instead of "ThomasRourke".

Actually, your account name remains the same. Every character has an account name. This is the name of the first character created with that account.  You always have the choice to log in with either your account name or your email address.

Now thats a very intresting idea that bears more pondering.

Do the right names give the player an advantage?  Say you sign on with some really dumb name like...say "Youself".  It seems to me that you would not be taken as seriously or trusted like the person who signed as Tony Montana.

How does one overcome that deficiency? CAN one overcome it?

Yes.  I have a captain named "Rhuarc".  That should speak for itself.

Rourke! Rourke!!

I need an ambulance!!

Thomas, Billy,

As I've said before when joining you I joined a completely new sort of mafia, at first it was a bit adjusting, especially when you shot my Don account (oh was I gutted) but in the end it was all worth it.

I can go on and on but the truth is everyone who has had the pleasure working with you know what I mean, sometimes it was tought but most of the times it was good fun! I definately believe that your presence here helped MR advance a lot, not only in "role play rules" but also in matters how to view up on things and how to handle.

When you retired the account at first I was a bit shocked but then actually pleased to see you decided how to end in, you decided to give the reins to Deimne who was without any doubt the right candidate, it was the perfect situation. You will truely never be forgotton :)

As ever,

Rianne