It's been another week in Istaria and, while hectic, it's also been productive and sad at the same time.

I guess I should start off by saying that I am on Order Shard, guildleader of the guild Obsidian Order. So, anything which affects my guild I learn about quickly. Needless to say, the temporary loss of two of our dearest colleagues has me at a loss personally. While they are out of game due to financial reasons, their contributions in game have been already missed. The plots they build and the machines they put in place near the resources are now missing. People have been commenting about the need for those machines back. Even a couple other players have started offering up their crafthalls to be built for the good of the community. While this is very heartening that our populace is so resilient, it's also very upsetting that the loss of but two even for a short time can put things in a tailspin.

On the up side, Alaysar has started showing up in guild again and starting to talk about getting involved in the guild's activities. I told him that while we're predominantly focused on the building of the guild plots we still have, there are numerous other opportunities to hunt for components for teching gear. I'm not sure which he'll want to be doing. I guess I'll find that out in the next few days.

Tagath has been busy as well, both hunting for components, getting his new lairshaping scales made, doing the crystalshaping mastery quests to level, and helping build more of Fayleth's lair to raise his own lairshaping skill.

Heather was the second in guild to obtain a plot slot by blogging. It's possible she may have been the second in Istaria. The devs aren't saying, but I think it's rather exciting that our guild is leading by example again for the entire game.

For any interested, please check out www.istaria.com for more information on this wonderful game, Istaria: Chronicles of the Gifted. I hope in upcoming blog posts to give more perspective on how diverse this game is from the norm.