What follows is the first of what we hope to be many more posts contributed by War Machine members. In today’s post, Robdamage begins to tell the story of how he came to WoW and War Machine. If you think you would like to contribute a story of your own, whether it be your version of Robdamage’s tale or something entirely different, talk to one of the guild officers.

What to say, what to say?

I’m not on trial for doing anything bad – at least not yet…

War Machine has been kind enough to offer me a home, of sorts. A sanctuary, if you will. My story is long, convoluted, and probably not very interesting. Still, I will tell it here in the hope that others will be interested enough to contribute their own. A guild is comprised not only of the people within, but of the individual history that they carry both into and through it.  These tales are often fascinating, and mostly untold.

Case in point : did you know one of our members holds a server first achievement on one of their toons? No? Nor did I until last night. How much do you really know about what each of us have done in game (and out) – and conversely, how much do each of us want others to learn?  A philosopher once said that to see where we are going, we need to look at where we have been. Ok, I made that up. But it sounded cool. Anyway, on with the show, err, spectacle, um.. story!

Sonjasdad – The Adventure Begins.

I’d played Warcraft III. I’d played Starcraft. I’d played MUDs. My background was gaming, I worked with computers. I thought I was up with what was current. Then I discovered WoW. An acronym was never more fitting.

I cannot remember the day, month, or even year I started playing WoW. I do remember my toon name. Sonjasdad. My (first) daughters name is Sonja. My wife also played. Her toon name? Sonjasmum, of course.

Ironically enough my toon name allows me to place a timeframe on the breaking of my WoW virginity. Sonja is now 4 years and 7 months old. I remember playing shortly after she was born. I have played WoW for the entirety of my daughters existence. I do not know whether this is a reflection of me, or the game. Probably both.

My journey begins on Aman’Thul. I am a warrior, revelling in the game and the newness of everything that surrounds me. I am enthralled. Joining a guild is natural progression, and I experience my first “clique” within the wider populace. The sense of belonging, meaning, companionship – intangible yet undeniable. Still, malcontent lurks. A dictatorial officer enforcing military style guild law invokes feelings of defiance, and these soon manifest into public displays of rebellion from my still innocent self. A swift gkick follows, and I am staggered. Who would remove me from their guild? Surely they see the folly? Evidently not.

I wander. Lost, confused, emancipated. What do I do now? There is nothing for me here. Complete abjuration will suffice, nothing less. I leave the server, and delete my toon. Never to return.

Or so I thought…

<to be continued>