Haha- You are a man after my heart. Careful though please sir, my egomania and sense of self importance is always on a hair trigger. It's a bitch to keep in check.
But TCNButchx baptized me in to the AE circle thankfully delivering me from FP at the time. I remember being in a chat room with a dozen or so others at some point in launch prep. To my recollection/knowledge the whole structure of the game was all Lee and Wedge's hard work. You guys were in it all before me and I checke in righ before it all kicked off. CSA fell apart at beginning, ther ewere 3 of us- butch me and another dude damnit his name escapes me...
I remember you very distinctly but never with any sort of real animosity, but I'd have a grudge against anyone in AE plodding the space lanes with a duo-trio of those VSDs. I dunno where I met/found KJ but me and him started SIU then at launch with Soriano doing the other main Imp GE faction. (i remember his real name was Jason and he lived in the upper easy coast..vermont I want to say.) I only wish I had any of the content man, I remember bits and pieces, like you say- at times there is something that unlocks a whole 'nother avenue of SWSF memories. I can distinctly remember at one point KJ was running SIU and it was after one of those monthly High Council meetings where new tech and rule change/address proposals were addressed and after the fact we were bullshitting about it and KJ goes "Run Lee! The peasants are revolting!". Kind of a hilarious insight in to the psychology of the mid level manager simmer =) in some sad saga angle however, probably a moment leading up to Lee's departure from AE. But that rule set really shifted simming forever.
Man I met a I few dudes personally in my geo-area from all of this. I entirely agree and couldn't think of any other way to say than you do- but what a unique experience we all share. I to, smile from ear to ear and that's exactly what keeps it alive to this day for the several of us regularly active here..
As far as AE vets, I would dare to say everyone here touched down in AE at some point. It went on so much longer than Lee, you guys and Soriano and what not. Were you still hanging in there with Amir (VZarrin) did the IG (Imperial Guardians) ? and then there was the whole AckbarTB era later on.
I do believe Ramano who recently checked back in has an extensive AE experience. Amir is very busy, I try and talk him in to getting involved every so often but literally dude is a brain surgeon and on the IRGs most wanted list. Ok- I added last part but I think he'd be flattered.
Hoppus here was in AE for a later bit I believe and Hale who is one of remaining highly active duders I believe touched in AE as AdamSmash. There are even later AE warbooks available for download on the site but that printed material you tease may be the most 'virgin' of all. If it is entire- there may be some great appreciation for your sharing all of it!!
But there are a lot of old school people I bet you recognise who have checked in or are active around here. Run down..
This forum went from back in day hosted by Dravin to Empie##s (he was from AE I know) to eventually Hoppus who handles all of that for us now (eternal shouts out brother!)
Syren & Medivh are most active, they have a storyling saga that is years itself in the making.
Hale, Hoppus and Myself are always trying to get something together as a universe development wise. GalPizi has always been here. Erasmar was for awhile but havent seen him in a minute. Bishio posted a lot of awesome story for awhile in one uni launch. Basileus (GeorgeCSII) checks in from time to time. GreyJedi rejioned us recently and posted great story. RanesDsane is here and does awesome contributions! Rinny I think maybe did some old school AE writing?? She's here still..
Ramano has just started checking back in and hopefully sticks around. EmperorSeverus has also rejoined the folded as of a few years ago and hopefully remains.
You can check out the memberlist and I bet recognize a lot of other old timers.. Starjunx has recently checked in, Fearv (T1/Tanner) a little before. Lots of folks
I remember mine and KJ's VSD names though... Audacity and Pandora's Box. At some point, his became inaffectionately referred to as Pandora's Snatch. Man. Old days.
Lately there's a lot of OGs checking in. IGErs, AEers and more.
Ideally. We have a game of some form going again soon. If youre in to that, it puts us closer to it because its all about community in the end.
So glad you said Stefanos. LStefanos#s? was his AOL handle right? Dude. I wonder if he knows what he set in motion with that rule set. As far as I remember- he didn't stick around for a whole lot of it
Hale is really our Rules Guru now a days and puts together great value systems for doing battle. All it ever lacks is enough 'Umph'. A seasoned starfighter corps leader of the New Republic could maybe play a lead role in shifting that ;p
Ramano is often NR oriented I know as well. Hoppus has been crafting an AE inspired set in his own area I know.. maybe its maaagiccc