Early in this thread, there were many good suggestions from the men of these forums for new medals. One of the best suggestions was from Hobbes, when he proposed that I design a new medal for the achievement of reaching 2000 posts. It really made sense to me, and I couldn't help but wonder why I hadn't thought of it, myself!
I knew that when your postcounts passed a certain point, you began to acquire titles instead of ranks. But I also knew that once you reached 1000 posts and acquired the title, "AGEod Grognard", that was it. You'd reached the top!
So, Hobbes suggestion was the perfect solution to recognize those men who are the "Grognards of Grognards": men who have made enough posts to become a Grognard, twice!
It was fortunate at the time that I was perceptive enough to note a
remarkable coincidence: Hobbes had 1999 posts!
After I sweetly pointed this out to him, his surprised delight was unbounded! And so, he reached the milestone, enraptured with joy at the prospect of receiving the handsome little medal that I'd designed for the occasion. So unexpectedly, too! How remarkable!
Earlier in the thread, I'd presented the "Iron Tiger" medal to the men who were both indestructible and utterly terrifying on the virtual battlefield. I'd also presented the "Paper Tiger", as a medal that you award to yourself to acknowledge poor play or inexperience. All medals with "Tiger" in the name were about extremes! It seemed
totally appropriate to name a medal for the extreme of 2000 posts the "Stuffed Tiger", since the Grognard who'd first achieved that milestone was Hobbes!
Enter, the villain!
Those of you who have read our German Ambassador Dooya's posts know that he has a mischievous sense of humor. And so, scarcely had Hobbes responded with his 2000th post, than did the German Ambassador suggest that the medal be for exactly two thousand posts... echoing Hobbes very own unfortunate choice of words, when he'd suggested the medal. Who was I to refuse the suggestion of our distinguished Ambassador? And so, I solemnly presented
"The Stuffed Tiger" to Hobbes, emphasizing that it would be rescinded with the 2001st post. Poor Hobbes!
But the tale grows sadder, I fear. No sooner had I awarded the medal to our newly mute friend who had exactly 2000 posts, than his Excellency the German Ambassador immediately insisted that Hobbes share his feelings about winning the medal. Apparently, Hobbes was too overwhelmed with joy to notice the Ambassador's request, since he made no response.
Even so, his medal appeared in his signature. He just became mighty quiet.
And so we waited, for a surprisingly long time. But finally, he reappeared here, and with great dignity promised his undying loyalty to the Order of Aphrodite's Knights, though he (mistakenly) accepted that he was no longer a Knight. He'd made a post in another thread, and so he'd come back to relinquish his medal. What nobility, folks!
Of course, little Queens who are
sweet tend to like noble acts and want to reward them. And so I rescinded the medal's recension clause, decreed that the medal be his in perpetuity, and changed its requirements to read "2000 posts
or more"... just like Hobbes had known all along that I would.
And so it was that everyone lived happily, ever after!
And that is the tale of the Stuffed Tiger, my friends.
@Chris: You and your "stuffed tiger" now have a tale!
Of course, all that was long ago. Time has passed, and things have changed. But you know what? One of the things that hasn't changed is that Hobbes is still here, and still posting! He's neither a Developer, nor a Coordinator. But if you look at his post count, you'd think so! Gentlemen, Hobbes has made more posts than any other "AGEod Grognard",
ever. He has passed the 3000 post milestone! Incredible though it may seem, his "Stuffed Tiger" needs to be upgraded!
For the remarkable achievement of his 3000+ posts, Hobbes is awarded the Tiger Pin, to add to his "Stuffed Tiger" medal.
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Congratulations, Chris!
I've affixed the "Tiger in Cool Shades" pin to your medal, to commemorate your accomplishment!
Next: Hobbe's "Bright Idea!"