Letter from a Sheep

Dear Everyone,

Staff and a few players I have spoken to already know what this is about. It’s taken me some time to find the words for this, and I’ve been a wreck the past couple days. I’ve been debating on whether to make a public thread, and finally decided that it’s only right to explain.

Long story short, I retired as Admin on April 11th around 1am EST. Reason being my real life is collapsing beyond my control. I have demons to face, problems to fix, and people to support. Life needs to take priority over staffing a game right now. Reverted my account back to Artisan, the rank I held before I became staff on May 25th 2013.

I joined Oasis in October 2012 by the name of izumi4kona, alongside my boyfriend Logan (Big_Piglet). I played Maplestory for a few years up to that point. I had just left a toxic community - severed most of my ties and friendships as burnt bridges for the best. I joined Oasis nearly silent and very afraid of people. Three years later everyone knows me as Lina, regardless of the wacky nicknames I go with.

Oasis is everything for me. It’s a place to call home. It’s comedy gold. It’s a canvas for artistic expression through pixel-patterned blocks. It’s that warm spot in the sunlight perfect for a nap. It’s a rave of colorful festivals, competitions, and celebrations. It’s hugs, music, wisdom, poetry, holidays, popcorn, potatoes, race horses, leafblocks, and sheep. It’s comfort through dark times and support when you need it most. It’s my friends and my family, even when my real family isn’t there for me. Oasis is the only place I feel I truly belong, and the only place I can be my complete self without fear.

I want you all to know that my retirement is no where near “goodbye”. I will never leave the server. I can’t, it would destroy me. Retiring is already painful. I am not going to be someone who retires and hardly ever logs on. To be honest, I won’t be surprised if I’m still on here every day even if just to relax and say hi. I'll still check the forums a good 3+ times a day as well. Old habits die hard.

I cannot promise I will reapply for staff in the future, but I can promise you I will not leave. I don’t know where life will take me right now, and a lot of things are changing out of my control. I will say it’s a possibility though. I really enjoyed my time as staff.

Thank you all for the warmth and support you've offered me these past few years, and I'll still see you in-game!

~Lina and a herd of sheep

LINA @A@

We understand completely. Your visits will be the highlights of our day.

LONG LIVE LINA'S SHEEP ARMY

wow this is one of the saddest days the oasis community has ever faced.

Cya around and good luck in your future endeavors

I will miss staffing with you, Lina. But now, I guess we can all simply enjoy Minecraft with you :3

Known you for a long time Lina, thankyou for everything you did for Oasis as a staff member and while I would love to staff with you again in the future I hope that you can continue to enjoy oasis and with your amazing personality make everyone (and all the sheep!) around you happy :) (And hopefully we will all make you happy too :3)

I hope you can sort stuff out Lina, and you don't need me to tell you that you can talk to anyone here if you need us.

Glad to hear you aren't leaving. You were a great staff member! (That was the closest I could find to a sheep emoji. :P)

I know exactly what you are going through Lina, i wish you the best of luck

You will be missed as staff but its good to hear your staying around

Lina, its been an honor serving with you. Never forget, once your family, YOUR ALWAYS FAMILY!

Lina it is sad to see you leave the staff community; I'd like to thank you for helping all of us, fighting away the trolls, and being awesome. I hope everything will get better for you. I'm glad that you're staying with the Oasis fam! <3 Much love and support TwT

Thank you for everything Lina, we'll miss you as staff! ;w; .w. .3.

Lina, if this is what you believe is best, I am confident in your decision. I do hope things improve for you and hope you enjoy not having to help people every two seconds.
Unless thats what you want, in which case go right ahead. You just do you, bby

Thank you so much for all the things you've done as staff, you were amazing! I hope everything will get better for you in real life. Remember: we love you <3