Let's pay our respects to six and a half years, as well as the ride of my life

[i am a raging faggot who loves big dicks]

It'll be archived.

[Nightmare]

I feel like posting a bit of my story too.

I joined back in FESS1, but no one would ever remember me since I barely posted like 2-5 times. Funny, but looking back I just remember one person with whom I replied or as replied by, Superbus. Perhaps because of his avi. I also remember being amazed by the sprites, specially the ones made for the legendary weapons of FE6 and Jaffar's (love the guy). All that time is kinda blurry, but I recalled using a Jaffar sprite that I copied. Back then I didn't knew about the giving credit rule (I knew better of custom ones, but not of the ones that came in games)- but quickly changed that in FESS2.

I forgot about the place, to be sincere. Then wanted to look into something and found the community had moved. I didn't have to register, I just had to log in. I just assumed all the data was moved or something xD. I returned to stay, because this time I thought about posting and got attached to FESS. Even now it is hard for me to feel the same way about any other forum- it is even rare for me to even register.
All this is kind of blurry, so it won't be in order. I recall making crazy posts in the CD that back then caused a laugh or two, meeting many friends with whom I still talk with, the creation of FESSpain along with Spanish help, Raturday, and many other fun things.
I grew very fond of the community. It was basically my internet home. Many of the things I know and am I owe them to this place and how it was runned. I recall vividly when I mini-modded with another guy that escaped me, and was GEOS'ed by 'Bus.

I recall how The Nightmare Restaurant began because Living Prose gave me the idea after my iconic Fish Pancakes. I do not even remember how many incarnations of it were, or where the "dishes" list ended up, but I do have fond memories of it. At first it was fun, really fun, and befriended some people there. I recall "Inspector Dale" entering the restaurant to check it out and stuff. I recall the birth of the Falter and the Hunter's realm, of "wars" in the CD, the FESSR, FESSpain (and all its spoofs)...
Different to popular opinion, the restaurant wasn't always the same. The thing was, it pretty much became a chat, which basically nurtured needless spam. When I lost track of it due to lack of time, I couldn't "tune in" to what was in, and left. Yet it thrived for a time and even advocated for it until it was inevitable.

I also recall the contest of the last poster before the move and how I thought it was nearly impossible to win. Nevertheless I tried and managed to won (I still can't figure it out ). I even asked 'Bus to sign it, so as to have something material to remember FESS, 'Bus, all the members and what it all means. It felt incredible when it arrived.  I haven't played it- I have it as a "trophy"- albeit I did try if it could run in the GBA (since it was in japanese and I wasn't sure it was capable of running it).
To be honest, I didn't even heard of the second contest D:. So hen I read about Yuri and the games and all that I was baffled.
I also recall the awards given at the end (well, actually around february of the next year ). I always wanted to win one and did in best topic creator on 07 (or was 06 with that year in the pic because of the date in which it was given?). I still have the image there .
What was really fun of the acitvity was how everyone proposed candidated, voted, the way it was held. It was perhaps one of the best times of the year in FESS because of all the activity.

Has everyone forgot about the knolling fad?  

Raturday was fun at first, but I still don't get why it became bothersome later. Perhaps it was because I never understood the caturday fad.

I wish to particullary thank FESS because I owe my english to it. It isn't perfect as I still miss things here and there, but I doubt it would have been the same without this place.

I never been in FESSChat much, just for a while. I recall placing fish names on some people, but I can only recall Twilkitrout XP. And changing to names like "CO_Rex" or things playing with the words that made the nicks.

Superbus, this may sound cheesy, but I won't ever forget you. Your way of managing the community was incredible. Yeah, you may have some hard times, but I guess that comes with such great loads. What is astounding is how you weren't just administrating the place, but how you directed member to be better themselves. You even went to make topics were you asked the community's opinion- you cared. It was only natural that you'd feel bad about the community going down.

Dale, looking back, you did do a lot of things. I recall the Black Knight project. You tried, too bad intenal problems didn't let you work in peace. Wonder how would it have turned without it... I'll always remember Inspector Dale and the huge PM of Spanish thing i sent you that time .

Kelp, Joa, iced_saltine, Iceland, WSL, Thunk, Veers, Dark Huntress, Cataphrak, Kryptonite, 1stmatebob, Chaz Natlo, Celice, Gray, Straw_Wolf, Willfor(Speed), Living Prose, Artemis, Zephyr, Superbus, Dale, Lord Glenn, Gunlord, and countless others. I won't forget the good times we had in FESS and/or how you were essential to the community.

Internet life wouldn't have been as fun without FESS and its members. I do hope that in some way or another I've made some important part in FESS.

[Neofox]

Let's see, adventures at FESS... Well, the most obvious thing is that I did what I'm best known for: debating. Naturally, I was pretty terrible at it upon first arrival, and looking back I'm almost emberassed at how badly I did in all my arguments... I still have a habit of looking for trees and missing the forest, but at least I'm not nearly as bad as I was before. Sometimes the best way to improve is to get your rear end kicked around a bit, and at least I wasn't afraid to play devil's advocate and potentially get owned if it taught me how to debate better (though to learn counters to some arguments I'd occasionally turn around and use them in other topics to see how people reacted... I like to refer to it as the "monkey island approach to improving").

I guess then there was the hacking craze, but I never did produce anything worthwhile... I did try to make a FESSer4, but that kinda feel through due to issues on my end (gee, that sounds familiar... >.>'). I also tried to make a Yugioh-based RP on the RP boards, but that never got too far (though I do admit it was fun while it lasted... I think everyone did a really good job of emulating the anime). I did try to have fun in the CD as well, but I always had a habit of coming accross a lot more serious than I intend, so some thought I was taking their jokes seriously... XP I still call for more originality in the humor you guys use, but hopefully I've gotten better at playing around, too.

Next we have... Huh, I guess that's it. Makes me feel kinda insignificant considering the events and contributions of the more legendary members, but even if I didn't personally contribute much to the community, I'm still glad I was here to experience it all with the rest of you.

[Twilkitri]

Not exactly a person who can think of things to say or anything, really.

This isn't the first time something like this has happened, and it won't be the last (especially as FESS has already indirectly started the slow death of at least one group I'm in, and this happening will likely trigger the slow death of another). It'll just be one more thing to get nostalgic about.

Although of all the communities I've been in that have died, I'd have to say that FESS would be the one that has made the greatest effect on me. But to be strictly honest, that FESS disappeared quite some time ago already, in a manner of speaking.

We had some great times, and the fandom would be a vastly different place nowadays had FESS not existed. But dwelling on them too much is bad for you.

[nahkampfbiber]

So sad.

It's true, nothing lasts forever. This was inevitable.
After seeing quite a few communities getting closed, I get the feeling that you can't really do something about that.

Even though I wasn't all that active here, FESS always had this special charme to me. I can't really put it in words... all I want to say that I enjoyed my time here. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this forum in whatever form!

Bye FESS. We'll miss you.

[DMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA JonnyJon]

I don't know that there's anything for me to say here that I haven't said elsewhere, but the last thing I want to do is tarnish the last memories of FESS by not posting.

Goodbye, FESS. The good times, the bad times... They're over now.

This is my stop, and I'm getting off.

[Jeffer]

I've done a lot of fun projects along the way. Think of Hannibal the Cannibal, As The FESS Turns and the FESS7 Project. Unfortunately, none of them were ever finished.

God I hate you Dutchboy!

Anyway, I know that there used to be something in this community that made me put a lot of energy and effort in becoming a good member of it, and I like to believe I was for a while. After some stuff went down, which doesn't need specification for anyone who knows what I'm talking about nor explanation for those who don't, a lot of that faded away for me, which caused my activity to drop considerably. Still, I've met some nice people here (Zeph, Togs, Twinks, Stevia and many more...), so it's been a good ride.

So cheers to you, FESS~

[SirChristopher]

Has everyone forgot about the knolling fad?  

Hey, you. Stop  ing around. I damn well mean it, if you  one more damn time, I will ensure that you can never  again.

 

[arashisama without the decorative symbols. RANDOM ENOUGH?!]

I work my ass off for a couple midterms, self-grounding myself from everything but WebCT, and... I miss most of FESS' last week. So much for being a good student for once... The announcement email wasn't exactly something I really wanted to see when I finally got a break. Then again, I was already worrying about closing when the earlier storm of retirements was announced. Time to copy down the FESS AIM list...

Well... these two and a half years I've been at FESS, since May 13 of 2006, have flown by remarkably. I was only at the Invisionfree forums briefly before the move to Velthomer, but there I remember all those fancy FESSer projects, the fancy skin, and fancy sprites that awed me. Right off the bat, there were these sexy, exclusive emotes   that were found nowhere else, Tent's banner of do's and don'ts, and the Anna "Sigh. Care to expound on that thought?" animation. There were crazy times in Nightmare Restaurant and Zeph's Pirate Ship, though I didn't particularly frequent those threads. From a definitely many steps up compared to many other forums on the Internet to, well, excessive craziness (and fad name fun)in the Craziness Domain... I never thought I'd join a Fire Emblem community so long after I first picked up FE6 and was completely drawn in.

Actually, I am quite surprised. I actually remember a ton of member names, whereas on other fan forums, I'd remember... a few. I might even remember bots more than I remember the mods, but I am glad that is not the case here. I didn't join chat, but from members of a generation to those whom I know through making requests... Iceland, Blood Rune, Yokaiknight, Daetyrnis, Bus, Hinata, Sword Saint, DMA, Togie, Zeph, Jet, Autumn-Sacura, Laxedrane, Black Dragon, Ice Dragon, MK404, Eltoshen, Art (who was once House...), Tiltyu, shamanx21, Nightmare, Kryptonite, Lord Glenn, Rhombus, Musashi, Neofox, Mow Yun, Malice, MeerMullen, Saint Sword, TIFFD, EliwoodGabriel, Jeffer, Quanta, Crystal, Samuraiter, M.A.N., NTG, FireLizard, Eaichu, Twilkitri, Sliced Bread, Judas, Fer, LordRaven, Ursula, aznswordmaster1, aznddongman, VASM, KeyLimePie, SpyroDi, and about a thousand others... This is a wonderful case where everyone is an iconic FESS staple, instead of one figurehead with a bunch of drones.

And now that we are at this point, I wished I could have contributed a little more. I've brushed up on my spriting for a project of mine, but have... somewhere around 32 incomplete face sprites not yet ready for posting in FSW. Laxedrane... I'm going to get a better drawing of Ismea as a swordmaster for you someday! I remember posting a beginning sketch, but it was rather screwed up due to confusion with the scanner... I also wished I could have done hacking, maybe helped with the FESSer projects that were so unique, but at the time, that would have been utterly disastrous.

Though I will be trying to post up until closure, this will be the only official farewell from me ~  Best of luck in everything from here on out.

Good bye, FESS

EDIT: And Starwolf and Kick@$$ 2000 and Cheesecake Mage and flyingace24.

[Fëanen]

FESS, FESS, FESS...

It's amazing to think of how much time I've really spent here. When I look back, I can only think of three times where I didn't log onto the forums for several days at a time: my uncle's death, a two day loss of power, and my vacation to Arizona. Aside from that, I have probably logged onto the forums almost every single day over these four years.

And yet I've made maybe 200-300 posts over the four FESS versions I've joined. That's okay: I'm quiet, I like watching. And let me tell you, it's been fun to watch. In particular, I have very fond memories of the times when new FE games came out in Japan and America; I remember virtually gluing myself to the forums for days at each release, ravenously sucking up information. While many of us are less attached to FE than we were years ago, I personally think my love for the series grew due to the forums.

And the members. Such an interesting group. I won't pretend to be horribly integrated with the memberbase;  I've made a few friends here who I will take with me, but I think I'll have fond memories of many more people than that. There have been so many funny moments, I could never keep count. And I've learned a lot in my lurking here, about games, computers, and life.

Did FESS change me? Majorly, no; most of the events that have had a huge effect on my life have been in my rare moments offline. But I think that every experience in life changes us in a small way, hopefully for the better. And in four and a half years, I think that my times here have probably affected me in ways that I can't recognize. And if I'm a better man because of that, I'm very grateful to everybody

But now it's over. I don't think it's anybody's fault, just the natural progression of things. If anything, I applaud Superbus for ending things like this; instead of letting the forums rot away like so many others I've been to, we have real closure and a chance to go out on maybe a bit of a high note. But the death of the community as we know it isn't the death of the community; people are migrating to other forums, and I'm sure most of us will keep in touch with a few FESSers for many years to come.

To everybody, especially those of you I won't see again: it's been a pleasure, it really has. Maybe one or two of you will in years to come remember the quiet guy with the weird user name. I know that I'll never forget many of the members here, past and present.

Regards,
Eric/Fëanen

[Evil Monkey]

I've not been hugely active at FESS lately for awhile now, but I've lurked here and there, and watching this community go downhill has truly been sad. And so close to me reaching the 3 year mark- I joined FESS November 30, 2005. It was the first online forum I had ever joined, and since then I have tried others here and there, but none have ever enthralled me the way FESS has. Maybe it was the smoothness of the running of the forum and it's staff, maybe it was the great members, maybe it was the fact that I was on the internet and enjoying serious discussion, but whatever it was, FESS has never lost a place in my heart.

I've loved a lot of things about FESS. Incredible custom sprites, epic roleplays (MK404, I'm really sad that I sort of fell out of Worlds Collide- That thing was so impressive), great writing, intellectual debates, great humour, ridiculous CD chat, and some of the best people I've seen this side of the internet.

I guess my one regret would be that I was always somewhat aloof, never joining FESS Chat or AIMing people, and when I see people who I got along well with on the forums, I feel like maybe I should have made that extra effort to get to know them better. I may join the Ashtray. I may not. I don't use forums too much now, real life is pretty busy. But if I do, hopefully I'll make that effort this time around.

I applaud this decision, as FESS deserves better then to rot as lesser forums might. All these messages show how dear this place has been to people, and in this way at least it can be remembered for what it was, not what it may become.

So long FESS, I'll miss you greatly. Nightmare, I'll take those fish pancakes to go

[Cold Popcorn]

I might as well say something else, since my other post was a bit of a cop out.

I first stumbled upon this corner of the internet back on FESS 2, not long after it moved there. I lurked a bit and then left after I found the help I needed. Of course, I naturally forget the name of the site so next time I couldn't find the damn place.  Eventually I resolved to click every last link I got in Google for "Fire Emblem", and after about 10 pages of crap I found it. I recognised it through now classic background picture.

Then I joined the site, under the same name I use today. I never did change it. On the the hand, at some points I was changing my Avatar/Sig every other week They're essentially all the same, really. Just different characters most of the time. I lost my originals so I can't change back now, unfortunately, although I kinda sucked at it back then, so I guess that's a good thing. 

I've always had fairly sporadic activity, so I never really got to know anyone well, although I do recognise virtually everyone in this thread at least. I tended to stick around the FE forums, since I've got a passionate hatred of RPing and debating for a reason I've never quite worked out myself. Or it might be rather because I'm a smartass, but whatever. Thanks to this site I got to play FE3-6 in English, as well as get me into amateur ROM hacking. like that got anywhere. Well, actually it did, but I never released it. 

Anyway, I've enjoyed my time here immensely, and it's been an important part of my life damn it feels odd to say that, but it's true.

Goodbye FESS, I'll miss this wonderful community.

EDIT: Mentions! 'Bus, Celice, MK404, Spade, Angelix, VincentASM, Camus the Dark Knight, Lord Glenn, Gray, Starfox_UK and Swordsaint. Too many... Screw it, I'll just say everyone. And Blacky Wacky of course, but whatever.

[caleb723]

Dammit, I give in.  As a dedicated something-of-a-lurker for the past ~six months, let me say this.  I did nothing memorable for the board, but I came out of this situation with many memories.  Thank you all for entertaining me for these times.  I have The Ashtray, but I doubt I'll be joining because I'll just be defiling it with my being there.

It would seem tomorrow is the day.  Shit, I'm sorry to see this go, and the tradition of FESS in general.

[Hoja]

Been a while since the last time I posted in FESS,  life has taken most of my free time so I only had time to lurk every month or so for a while.   Yet seeing  FESS at its end has been quite a shock for me.   I  never posted all that much here, the main places I would hang out where the CD(!Viva  EL FESSPAÑOL!) and watching custom sprites and yet for some reason I was quite fond of this place.   

Bus, DMA,SS, Blacky Wacky, people of the staff, you have done an splendid job with FESS it’s a shame this place has to be closed but after seeing how things have affected you,  closing this place seem way better than letting it  be an extra load.
I truly wish I could have the time to hang around in here like when I was on FESS3,   but everything has to end someday.
Nitey, Joa , Fredin, Blackfire I loved hanging around you guys,  I hope we can talk in msn (as soon as I figure which address its  Joas ).

Goodbye FESS and everyone in it, thanks for everything, I really had a hell of a time in here.

[Crystalline Eliot]

TerranigmaFreak talked to me on AIM today, and was going to join and post, but signups are locked. Here's what he posted on SF instead:

I really wasn't planning on posting. Gunlord told me about it and I didn't really care. Nothing lasts forever. Then I figured what the hell, might as well leave the Busman with a few words of encouragement, so I decided to turn on my AIM and see if he's there. I didn't find Bus, but I did find the root admin of Serenes Forest: Whateverthehellhecallshimselfhere. I had a little talk with him and decided to take a look. I mean, it wouldn't hurt. I read the posts and actually felt sorry for some of you -- does not include those who never had a history at FESS.

A couple of things you guys never saw was that it didn't matter where you hang out at or that FESS is going down. If you guys enjoy hanging out together, then you would all stick together and just agree on a place to move to. This is a nice forum. A forum is just a computer program, but whatever bonds you've made -- even through the internet -- still very real. You may not be able to save the forums, but if you guys enjoy hanging out, then it doesn't matter where you do it. Agree on an existing place, and move there. Problem solved. Serenes Forest isn't a stranger to FESS. I'm sure Vince understands and would love to see his forum grow.

As for Fire Emblem interest dying, so what? It's just a common interest. I figured people who reminisce about the good old days don't just include Fire Emblem. When I first set up the forums, it was for people to have a place to look for information, but it also serves as a place to hang out with others. If people need help with Fire Emblem, they know where to go. If people just want to hang out and talk about things other than Fire Emblem, go right ahead. Fire Emblem is Fire Emblem, hanging out at an FE forum doesn't mean that's all you can/should talk about. If nobody uses those sections, that's fine by me. I can still enjoy hanging out with others in the other section. It's the members that make the forum great. Hey Vince and Whateverthehellhecallshimselfhere, are guys going to ban people even though they come here just to hang out like the old days whether they want to talk about FE or not?

What you guys should have done is think about whether you and everyone else wants to remain a close knit community rather than worry about what can or can't be done. I really didn't read all 9 pages because most of those posts are way too long, but I don't recall anyone suggesting that. If you'd like, you can still have a great time here just like the old days.

Here, let me hand you guys are barfing bag if you managed to read through all of that. I wrote this at a rather inconvenient time so I've left out a lot of things. I might be back with more.

Source: http://serenesforest.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=9089

[Deadguy118]

Well, I guess this is goodbye. I stopped coming to this forum except to lurk occasionally after I finished the disappointing FE10. With a series as niche as this you have to expect a lack of interest, but this is quite sad. Even the scary-as-hell, immature, and elitist Gamefaqs boards are active Oh well, there are plenty of gaming forums to lurk and occasionally post in the internet sea.  Farewell.

[i am a raging faggot who loves big dicks]

And Blacky Wacky of course

:DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

[Kahane]

BoNam'oLafs

If everyone does I might as well short:

I've come here for so long that I can't remember how long.
etc.

I'll have to move to SF but not before I stand in front of closed doors.

Post end.

[Yuri Hyuga]

Better late than never, I suppose.

FESS was an integral part of my life for a very long time -- I don't feel like checking now, but I think I joined in 2003. Or maybe it was 2004. I actually joined first on FESS1, but I was... well, bluntly, an idiot. I posted asking for ROMslol. Needless to say, I had my ass handed to me.

Hey, that brings up a question I never felt like asking -- considering I was banned on that account, wasn't I subject for banning when I joined FESS2? Probably was, I just didn't remember I did that until I was ingrained in the community and didn't want to jeopardize my activity here.

My first years at FESS were fun, if not the best times I had. It was the height of Willfor's arena, which I absolutely loved to death -- as can be shown by the fact that I started my own once he stopped his. I actually had four runs at it or so, all with new, random ideas. Not sure any of them ever toppled the tried and true formula of Willfor's, but I think everyone would agree that it was pretty fun while it lasted.

Then, I entered FESSchat. That's what kept me here; it wasn't Fire Emblem, definitely. I suck at the games and barely play them anymore. But I made some friends in there that I would stick around to talk to. Personal dedication time~

MageKnight404 -- My first friend here. I met him on the GameFAQs Fire Emblem board as... LloydTheSwordmaster, I think. I don't even remember anymore. He introduced me to FESS, and that's enough to thank him for. But even aside from that, he's always been one of my favorite people, and has helped me through a lot; I can't even remember all the situations he helped in.

Lord Glenn -- First period is ending. I'll finish this later.

[Shaman_Artemis]

Art (who was once House...)

Objection!

I was House!  (House MD, to be more exact).

Also, I can now be found   ing around on The Ashtray. More or less, anyway. And Vincent, since I love you and NTG to death, I might join SF soon... or when SD comes out, whenever I'm up on the Fire Emblem swing again. Not soon, methinks. Dammit, WoW.