Here we are, at the bitter end. There is no celebration, there is no fade. There is anarchy and pain. I have no wealth in-game, and even if I did, it is beyond use now. But I will offer words, because that much I can do.

Men will speak of Tigerstaden, and of Columbia. They will speak of the HCF and the LSIF and the Gimmick Brigade. They will recall drama and admin crimes. But all of these things are smoke and mirrors.

HERE, on this board, was the heart and soul of Civcraft. Where good men saw a need, and without asking what profit was in it for themselves, without asking questions of ownership or rights, they fulfilled that need. Men of all ideologies, of all backgrounds, put aside their differences to work towards the common good.

Efficient transportation systems are the foundation of every civilization. Rome, China, Persia, England and America. Even the Mongols prospered in large part because THEY BUILT ROADS. Connectivity of men and ideas is the cornerstone of civilized life. This was as true in Minecraft as in the real world.

And when Civcraft was populated by men who believed travel was limited to one's parkour abilities and time, you dared to offer a better way, a better path. This server is what it is because of you. Strongman332, hpoom, Celdacea, dbb, and all others who have aided in this project. Civcraft could not have become what it was without you. Only ttk2 himself is more worthy of respect.

So stand proud of who you are and what you did. This map will fade. The roads you carefully and obsessively tended will be sucked into the void.

But this does not mean your work was in vain. What you did was more than pave roads. You brought people together. You brought this server together, and enabled it to prosper. When the map resets, it will be populated by people who came to love the map you built, people who found Civcraft enjoyable because you made it so. Be proud of that.

I will ask the first question once again, to close this speech. One of the first signs posted on the original message board, in Strongman's oldest transit hub, asked the cliche "But who will build the roads?" That question can now be sufficiently answered, in minecraft. Good men will build the roads, for no reason other than that the roads need building.

Now, if you don't mind, I am slightly drunk and mean to enjoy that. Celebrate what you've done. And when the server restarts, expect to find me exactly where I was a year ago, and where I wish I could have been along the way--a pickaxe in my hand and a road to pave before me.