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The Reflecting Pool:
Hithlinel & Aquilla
Shiv & Annatar's Gift
Bado & Cuchir

In celebration of four years together as a kinship, we're looking back at our history. All threads on this page have been moved out of the archives, for bumping, posting, and reminiscing. We invite you to look back with us...

Bado (view Bado's application and the beginning of our fascination with cake).
I have often thought of the luck that brought me to the Sanctuary. Believe it or not I was as shallow as just being impressed with the website that first made me think about joining. It didn't take long for me to feel right at home and I think to myself how lucky I am to be part of such a wonderful kinship.

I never honestly thought that there where such nice, caring and understanding folk on the internet. The support and ethic of this kin is second to none I think you would have to go a long way to find better kin both in the game and on the forum. Like all families we have our ups and downs but with fantastic leadership and level headed members we always come though smiling. I feel privileged to have been a member and I think it has enriched my gaming experience no end. I have many many happy memories of the kin over the years some go far back as the first meetings together:

• The Sanctuary Formation Dancing Team, a very grainy early capture of the Sanctuary's dancing prowess.
• Our first visit to Hen Harn and the swimming competition. [img]
• One of our many visits to Goblin Town
• The house warming party
• Horse racing in Rivendel. [img]
• And lastly one of my favourite pictures, the Sanctuary salutes by the kinship house fire.

Cuchir (view Cuchir's request to join)
So, a few of my favorite Sanctuary memories...

-Running around Bree with Aquilla and Shiv killing brigands. I think we did this one of the last nights before Aquilla disappeared... It was, to say the least, one of the funniest times I've ever had.

-Those many GB runs in the early days. So many great times and 'learning experiences.'

-The three hunters of Val, Shiv and myself, running the world ragged.

-Shiv and I duoing the majority of Fornost.

-The epic battles to get wood.

-Runs to Rivendell at level 15 in Beta.

-The Helegrod run where only 3 people had gone before and it was majority Sanctuary (have to remember to do that again.... hmm...)

-Our first kill of the Turtle... Horrifically under-geared, with people under-level... and WE DID IT!!! I was so proud that day... it was so awesome.

-The many many times I've heard good things about our members. Whether it be their helpful attitudes, great runs, or just funny folk, I often hear positives about the kin and our people. That makes me more proud than any run.

There are though 3 things that I love the most about this kinship

1) In my original app for this kinship (yes I actually applied and wasn't one of the really oldy oldies) I mentioned, "I especially like the idea that this won't be a kinship that will die." I love that this kinship has not only survived but thrived during this time. Not only that, but 7 of the people that replied to my original thread are still in-game and 6 are still in-kin. We have survived some rough times and enjoyed some awesomeness and I know we're in store for more greatness.

2) The awesome people I am around all the time in this kinship. I have made some great friends and it is something I cherish. I hope to see as many of you as possible at the Sanctuary Vacation and as always, in game and in vent.

3) And finally, I love my Usurp button! My love... my precious...

In all seriousness, it has been a great honor to me to have been able to of had a part in leading such an awesome bunch of people. The amazing people of this kin has made this role a good one and something that I have enjoyed. I can't wait to see where the next four years will take us, but I know it will be a fun journey!

Here are a few other memorable moments in the short life of The Sanctuary:

• Oldest thread still in existence, started by Aquilla's wife the year before they were married.
• Original roster: Aquilla and Chameleon (now known as "Hithlinel) are the only members left from there. To ease the burden of maintain the list, it was decided to find a way to integrate character information with the forums. That was back before we found out Europeans and Americans could not play on the same server.
• The Sanctuary finds out it must divide into 2 houses, European & North American/Oceania.
• Chameleon's (now known as Hithlinel) official promotion to leader of the European players
• The angst of closed beta. As his kinmates began trickling into closed beta testing, they tried creative, althought NDA-violating ways, of letting each other know.
  
• The USURP button. The usurp button was a common theme after release for the NAO players. Eventually, Sir Shiverwood would stand in as Steward for Aquilla before passing the mantle on to Cuchir.
  
• Steve