I'm sorry, folks, but it's become increasingly obvious that other projects prevent me from continuing with the RPM. Therefore I'm officially bidding you all farewell.

As for the resolution of remaining issues - my characters and storylines and such - here's how I'm thinking it should play out:

My characters have vanished mysteriously. No one knows where they've gone or if they're in danger. If anyone cares to follow up on it, you might find indications that evil supernatural entities were behind it - auras of black magic, that sort of thing. I have a contingency plan in the event of my return and this is part of it. Investigate, don't investigate, it's entirely up to you.

The Eastern King storyline no longer exists. Any characters in that storyline which were not my own are welcome to go their own way. FYI, Xidharai (at least as I envisioned it) officially does not exist on Phaema; I'm consolidating it into another project. I expect this frees up some space on the eastern continent for other settings, so hopefully everyone wins. (You are, of course, welcome to come up with a similar nation - though I haven't told you much about it, really - but I would appreciate it if the name wasn't used.)

With Artemis and Rhisiart gone, and Preacher also missing (last I checked, that is), New Avalon has no ruler. Torlax, I'm thinking it falls under Dantimos' direct control, possibly pending an investigation to ensure that the previous rulers cannot now be found. I would imagine a regent would be appointed by the High King at the conclusion of that investigation. New Avalon's days as a magocracy are likely finished. (Should anyone care to pursue this idea, I could conceivably see a civil war rising from this - the people of New Avalon have been under magical rule for some time, and the wizards of that nation may not like being displaced from the hierarchy. If anyone wants to start a storyline along these lines, you have my blessing, such as it is considering my departure.)

I think that covers things. I'll try to drop by from time to time and check on how everything is going. Oh - and keep an eye out for my role-playing game, "The Final War," which may be on the shelves of your local game store as early as next year.

So long, all.