I've been playing my bard "Crier" for just under 38 days of 'played' time
and I just hit level 36. That's definitely *not* fast leveling, but I've
seen a lot slower. Before my bard I played a monk up to 23rd and an
Enchanter up to 13th while learning EQ and realizing that the best class in
the game was bard.. but I digress.

Last night I saw a level 9 bard in full Lambent, dual Ykeshas, Flowing Black
Silk Sash, Mistmoore Drums, the works; he was decked out like a level 50
that hadn't been to the Planes. About four days ago I saw a level 15 in
full Lambent, and I assume he had MM Drums and other goodies as well.

I've got to say that this was *profoundly* discouraging to me. I've been
working my ass off for the pieces of Lambent armor that I have and I *still*
lack the boots and helm. So here I sit, dejected on the sands of Oasis,
being *less* complete than a guy that started his bard last weekend. Not
only that, he literally *laughed* at me for having 38 'played' days and not
being level 50.

When there ceases to be any way for players' characters to differentiate
themselves from one another other based upon level (i.e. time and effort
expended), what is the point of continuing? I want, when people look at me,
for them to know that I braved death and died many times to achieve the
armor that I'm wearing. I don't want people to assume that I bought it from
a farming high level Wizard or Mage or twinked myself with it. I am now
"just another bard in Lambent". If the armor was NO DROP it would be a
different story. The bard that I saw in Oasis would have been in steel
probably and I would have something tangible and visual over him based upon
my efforts. Everyone that saw me would then *know* that I had earned the
pieces for myself. They would know that I had pulled Gypsy Musicians from
Mistmoore Castle for a lute, and that I had pulled Gargoyles in Lower Guk
for a Basalt Carapace. The Lambent armor's not being NO DROP has reduced my
efforts to inconsequential and unnoteworthy.

I am seriously wondering what it is I'm doing playing a game that makes me
feel this way.

Crier Sharpsong