Dragon Wrath Competition - Sandeep, StormRiders Hero Band

MY 9DRAGONS JOURNEY

It was the year 2009 when I found Chinese history inspired MMORPG, 9Dragons. This was the first MMORPG I ever played. I was naïve and alone in the huge online world. Without any knowledge about game mechanics, especially after coming from FPS games and retro NFS games, it was hard to proceed and gain in the game. I used to sell BE to NPC, that kind of a noob.

But with all the difficulties, I still loved the environment in-game, I became addicted (not to an insane level). Like everyone, I used to wait for weekends for BOOSTed experience. My first character in-game was Wutang Nuker (forgot name) which I loved to play. Nuking the perilous monsters from “nuker spots” during weekends and killing players in BP, was entertaining.

With my, at the time, busy schedule (work and studies) I got my character to Hermit somehow in Nirvana server. I chose Nirvana just because I like that name and I was logging in from Australia. For developed countries, Australia has the worst internet connection, especially in that period. That’s where I first experienced lag, before that I never knew about lag. Anyhow, in the year I moved back to India got married, where again I started my studies just to compete to get a better job. I was lucky to get a nice job in an Indian government office, losing connection with 9dragons until I found the Play9D R3 server.

In Play9D R3, I learnt about 9dragons before I was just levelling like dumb. Here I met a guy names Aries/Zeus, bandmaster of Olympus. He had vast knowledge of the game so I learnt few tips from him. There I met some noobs with whom we used to rule in Tibet village 2, Darkkurllz (GeorgePig), BlackRose(Klaus), RedWind (Oppie), Deastro (myself), Zeus (LM) and many more*. Sorry, I forgot many names here and even misspelt. We had a great time there as well. As it was a private server, they did server, which made me lose interest. I tried but couldn’t get my interest. Moreover, Redwind (Oppie) introduced me to League of Legends, then after I continued to play LoL, whenever I got time. So I left Play9d or 9dragons again.

In the year 2021 month May, I was lurking around MMORPG's forums there I again found 9Dragons Awaken. I again got interested in playing my most addicting game. My interest was soon faded, as I soon found that it is 99% money, black markets have ruined the game. Everyone had a +15+2 weapon (because of the 5th-anniversary event), I missed it by like 10 days. There I found another Indian guy who helped me gears and weapons, he even power-levelled my character. I reached HG 3 days (imagine that coming from Play9D, these 3 days includes my job time and daily chores). Even after I got levels, decent gears and a Repel bracer +15+2, I felt I do not know a dime about this game. The game which I had nice memories with. There I heard about a new publisher (Papaya play) launching 9dragons. With my 7-10 days in RedFox, I made my mind to uninstall 9dragons, but I decided to give it a try on Papaya’s server.

26th May 2021, 9dragons launched (no further delays), I got updates about the game as I had joined StormRider’s discord channel.

The reason I joined SR discord because when I saw the name Sebdona/Bones, a bell rang in my head, this name felt like I heard this name. Then it stroke to me, Guides section from Acclaim’s server, there this name was famous. I never talked to this guy/girl before, didn’t even play on the same server in Acclaim times. But found him/her friendly and always helping others, for me similar to Aries/Zeus (from Play9D R3 - Olympus LM).

After downloading the game, like most, I started to level, even took off from work. Reached HG4, you won't trust me, I was 1 level behind Inuyasha and Arg0s at that time. But I knew I cannot keep up with anyone in levels, game knowledge as my knowledge was almost 6-7 years (approximate) old and know 9Dragons was new. New items, relics, resource and create systems. Once again I felt like a stranger to 9Dragons. But on the very first day, I found Bones on the ZZ map, killing burglars for RTQ quests. I requested Bones to join SR, few seconds later I was a StormRider.

To my surprise, I found my old noob friends, friends I had a great time with within R3. Darkkurlzz (GeorgePig ---- fkin weird name) found me, just looking at my character name “Sandeep”, that’s my real name. Good thing he remembered that there was an Indian guy in R3. I was excited to find him, got a chance to play again with my old league mates. Another surprise, we found RedWind/Oppie, now I didn’t feel new, alone as now I have my 2 mates who know more than me. I felt confident that I can play/survive moreover enjoy the 9Dragons once again.

Now we levelled in GCM, GeorgePig taught me about the game, what we didn’t know we asked in the league. And for my 3rd surprise, as I never expected any league to be such helpful, I was in SR league where we have the most experienced players from the whole server. Just throw any question, you will get the correct answer (unless it is from Arg0s, just kidding, am I?). People here don't hesitate to share things and knowledge here. Most important, in this league we all respect each other. Some differences will be always there, even we have our differences in our family.

There are few names from the league who have helped me in one or another way. Starting with Sebdona (sadly, some douchebag took that name in-game but the name itself is useless, the experience behind that name is everything), he/she helped me like I am an old friend, never hesitated in giving. I respect and appreciate that even though I don’t have what it takes to be a 9dragons pro. Seb even helped me find with finding deco and recommending my name. Sebdona - a true leader.

Second, Arg0s, come on how one can ignore him, he is our official translator. A friendly jolly guy. “Second to best model”, even this guy treated as he knows me from old times. Language is the best way to make friends, this guy speaks with almost everyone in their language. I bet he can speak “Whale language”. Arg0s – don’t take Shaolin ways literally, don’t mute yourself.

Cantona – he helped with very items, almost dirt price. The very first trade with him, he gave me the item and asked me to return the rest gold whenever I get it. “Whenever,” no one says this to a total stranger, but he did. I tried my best, returned the rest gold the very next evening. Respect.

Deathstroke, Fatababei, 2b3b4b5b…, Happy, Heavenly, Sienna, Nevermore and more enjoyed doing SrS with the shared experience. Still looking to play with you all guys as long as I can. Love.

I know GeorgePig will be there for me anytime and anywhere. He gave me KJ inner for nothing. I respect and appreciate that.

I know this was supposed to be an experience about my character till now. But for me the experience is meeting new friends, sharing with them, learning with them. I do not feel levelling in-game is an experience. After it is just a game, knowing people is the real experience/treasure.

GeorgePig/Oppie/Klauss – glad to be once again around you guys. Olympuss Rocks.

Please do not mind my English and forgive me if I miss anyone or misspelt anyone’s character.

TheOne – Shaolin Nuker

Sandeep – Wutang Healer.

After all, this is only a game, enjoy this as we already have problems in real life. "Don't make a game, real-life problem"

Thanks,

Sandeep Kumar