Returning to Avalon after a long absence can be a difficult process. So many things forgotten, so much of one's old equipment possibly obsolete, new abilities and powers flish-flashing all around and, not least, one's reputation or place in Avalon's history - glories achieved, status won - can become a handicap during a reawakening phase: what more appealing target for a lustful fighter of the current generation than a great name from the past? What more frustrating, even humiliating occurrence than being killed and gloated over by some upstart, while you remain newly reawoken and bemused and disadvantaged? And nine times out of ten the murderer will be of a type you would have slaughtered when attuned to the land and playing to potential as you will have done on past Avalon-play periods...
But this is Avalon, this is the way of things. No doubt those seriously contemplating a return will take a few deaths on the chin and rise stronger - remembering the name of the over-zealous attacker. Vengeance is a dish best served cold.
GENERAL ADVICE: expectations, pitfalls and realities of a return
Guard against arrogance and over-presumption of "rights" by dint of your character's past achievements - the more so if you are one of the great figures of some important era in Avalon's history. After coping with inevitable hardships in the transition to a former excellent, the conceit of past eminence is the secondmost dangerous pitfall encountered by returnees. Once you were great and all respected or feared you, and at your fingertips was the resources of an entire guild or city. Is it not natural to presume this will always be so? But do not make the assumption. It is not fair to your current guild-brethren or citymates. Who knows the interceding history; who knows how large their contribution, how hard won their high position (even if once it was your own)? Show your new peers the respect you would expect in return and avoid the awful arrogance of steamrolling in with demands you would have found insulting in another's shoes.
The Gods are mindful of these difficulties and there exist certain measures to help the transition from "bemused returnee" or "considering-another-chapter in your Avalon character's life" to that stage where things new are not so unfamiliar, inventory is up to desired standard and settings are evolved to meet the demands of the Avalon of today. Trust divine wisdom when it is said what was competence at Avalon-play of the past can be regained relatively quickly; if you were one of the best in your day, you will be one of the best in any era. It is simply a matter of level-headed patience while making the transition and a sensible, open-minded approach to the re-equipping and re-acquiring of one's former capabilities.
Most find the necessity of enduring an albeit short period of "mediocrity" a bitter pill to swallow and many turn aside from the desire to return. It is understandable. Reputation of the past was hard won; why risk it by not living up to expectation in the present? "Have more confidence in your character's past, and more faith in your potential of the present!" retorts Olympus. There are reasons why it is more likely you will find the fighting-ability you acquired a decade ago overmatches the equivalent today (see HELP ERAS for a diatribe about this very topic if you are interested - it is non-essential reading). Do not despair. Two weeks positive-thinking and strident activity will render your Avalon character surprisingly close to the zenith of your former capabilities.
Read HELP TRANSITION for commands and important info on the "transition" phase between returning from long-time dormancy and getting back to full Avalon readiness.
As was the case when a youngster, the returning player could do worse than talking openly to fellow citizens and guild-brethren. Discover the lay of the land, in your homeland and elsewhere. You may be shocked how well your name is known and how eager folks are to speak with you, quiz you about times past; tohelp you over that transitional phase (it is in their best interests after all) while attempting - some with subtlety, many without - to win your esteem. Realise your importance, o Avalonian of old!
The Gods, it goes without saying, will be happy to lend a sympathetic ear and a helping hand: this is part of the divine mandate so do not be shy of presenting yourself and requesting aid. There is no disgrace in being keen to make a transition phase as short as possible. The pantheon has gift-commands, for example, to quickly provide equipment (temporary or long term) covering the needs of any profession and any level. It is the norm for long-slumbered returnees to be treated very generously as regards divine gifts: once only, it should be emphasised, to hasten the impact of a return not substitute the importance of independence or play favourites vis-a-vis the current generation.
See HELP SPONSORSHIP for important info for all historical Avalonians.
