[color=fff200][b]The Down and Dirty:[/b][/color] It is with extreme reluctance and potential remorse that I have decided to call a premature end to this story.  Thank you all so much for the time and effort you've invested.  It means everything.  I've not given up on this world we've created, but I currently lack the resources and experience that you all deserve.  To that end, this is not The End, but rather To Be Continued... Thank you so much for being a part of it with me.

[color=fff200][b]The Dribble:[/b][/color] This was my very first RP to GM and the second RP of which I've ever been a part.  My cherry was popped with [@Almalthia]'s [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/174454-x-men-the-new-era/ic]X-Men: The New Era[/url] which is still active to this day, nearly a year after it started.  That RP was initially created by [@ShieldsOfWar].  It is actually the 2nd effort of Shield's to make a successful X-Men: The New Era RP.  The first had a good start but puttered out.  The current one, the one that has been chugging along for 10+ months, is the second effort.  Needless to say, the second effort was stronger, more structured, had great people behind it.  That is what I'm hoping to achieve; a Second Coming in the near future.

That is certainly not to say we didn't have great people behind this one.  In fact, I'm confident in saying we literally had the best.  I want to give a well deserved shout out to [@Tenma Tendo] and[@Argetlam350].  You both stuck to it from the beginning and you didn't lean on the crutch of Discord to stay interested or loyal to the concept.  I thank you so much for the stories you told, the patience you've had and the amazing characters you conceived.  You're both aces and welcome in any RP of which I have a controlling part.  No tryouts, no auditions.  You're in.  Thank you so much!

I was extremely blessed with the people who took interest in this idea and I consider all of you an extended part of my family.  Alma, [@c3p-0h] and [@Damo021] were TNE vets who were willing to come along with me for this crazy ride and their advice, input and company was absolutely invaluable.  Alma has always been the sister willing to explore and structure ideas with me while cep was ever the sister willing to ask "What the hell are you doing?" but in a much nicer way, while also trying to help me through any problems or obstacles.  Their input and willingness to tell it like it was has always been the reason why I have been and always will be more confident in my endeavors with them at my side.  Thank you, Damo, for jumping into this thing with enthusiasm, being willing to add to the lore and hanging in there through the process.  Thank you, Alma, for always being willing to work with me, even if I'm off or grumpy, and helping me to recognize a better path toward a particular goal.  Thank you, cep, for being my council, an ear when I need it, a jab when I deserved it, and a friend for which I care dearly.

As the RP went on, it was [@NorthernKraken] who emerged as a fantastic storyteller and someone who continued to shed light when things seemed dark.  Hosting the infamous Red Hoods: Non-Canon, she pumped life into the RP that many players rightfully hold dear.  Their amazing adventures are still chronicled in the Discord channel.  Kraken has always been willing to go the extra mile which meant I'd be a fool not to offer her a Co-GM spot that she earned in spades.  Thank you, Kraken, for being you and opening up to us and letting us in and being willing to put yourself into this project.  I wouldn't trade you for the world.

To the rest of the family: I love you all and am so blessed to have met you.  [@MsMorningstar], you remind me so much of a female version of me.  I can be open and grotesque and crude and you don't blink and it's awesome.  You've always been honest with me, even when honesty was awkward, and you have the ability to make me laugh endlessly.  You're fucking fantastic.  I will always treasure your friendship and I thank you for being a part of this.

[@ZAVAZggg], your companionship has been an eye-opening experience.  We have great similarities and even greater differences which has always made you an interesting and invaluable friend.  Hearing your take on concepts and contemplating upon your analysis of certain situations has been extremely enlightening.  You seemed to start with a hard shell around yourself and you allowed us to chip away at it and get glimpses of the man underneath and I appreciate and feel honored for that opportunity you bestowed upon us.  Thank you.

All that said, I have definitely learned some lessons in taking on this endeavor, have gained some experience in what works and what doesn't and I plan on taking all of that accumulated knowledge and applying that to the next iteration of this project.  I will reiterate what I said in the first paragraph: this is not The End, this is To Be Continued.

The Red Hoods discord will not be taken down for as long as I am active on The Guild.  It just won't  That's my sanctuary and it stays.  Meanwhile, during the time that I'm trying to concoct the next iteration of this project, I welcome each and everyone of you to join some projects that some of us are currently involved in.

[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/178316-red-dead-reckoning/ooc]Red Dead Reckoning[/url]
This is a Red Dead Redemption, western inspired RP that I, NorthernKraken and Cep are helming.  We are still accepting applicants and the approach to this one consists of much more freeform playing than Red Hoods did.  It's going to be a learning experience in and of itself to truly see an RP ran a great deal more by the players than the GM, although it's certainly going to be shepherded toward a few basic main goals.

[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/174454-x-men-the-new-era/ic]X-Men: The New Era[/url]
A long standing RP inspired by the X-Men of Marvel comic fame that is GMed by Alma.  Cep, Myself and Damo are all active participants.  Alma has been amazing at getting her story out with a healthy balance of narrative freedom that she extends to her players.  It's lasted this long because it's managed very well and all the kudos goes to her.

[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/177764-cold-front-tacitum-mafia-party-game/ooc]Cold Front[/url]
This is a "Mafia" type party game that functions as a narrative WhoDunnit which NorthernKraken and I have both enjoyed participating in.  While there are story elements involved, it's more about the mechanics.  Someone is a 'Bad Guy' in the group and its your job to find out who.  [@Gcold] has GMed the first few iterations of the game, the latest of which just recently came to a close.  He's extended me an invitation to GM the next iteration.  You are all absolutely welcome to come aboard and I will let you know when that time comes.

I know many of you are involved in other RPs as well.  Feel free to plug them here because I would love to keep playing with you all in the interim that it takes for me to come up with the next, more refined concept for the Red Hoods Saga.

I love you and thank you.