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BattleMaster => Helpline => Topic started by: Ehndras on December 16, 2015, 08:36:06 AM

Title: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Ehndras on December 16, 2015, 08:36:06 AM
A player sent this message moments before deleting his account. If he's who I think he is, then he's the guy who nearly died in the '92 riots. :\

Please, if any of you are in Arizona or have access to Arizona authorities, please help us verify that he is okay. As someone who has struggled with suicide for many years, I have to make sure that our players are okay. Please, do what you can and let us know!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMP6bXnXdZM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMP6bXnXdZM)

Quote
Out-of-Character from Kenley La Pointe   (39 minutes ago)
Message sent to everyone in your realm (50 recipients)
Battlemaster was his life.

Reginald Denny sat in his makeshift office, casually watching the Arizona sunset through his trailer window. Not more than a folding chair and table of plastic, with a seemingly ancient desktop computer sitting atop, arranged carefully to maximize his available space. He stretched his back and uttered a faint sigh; it had been a long day of work, but now he was done and back home. Reginald switched his computer on, patiently waiting. His monitor began to flicker as the low hum of his pc signaled the time was approaching. He smiled.

Work had been extraordinarily tough today. It seemed a never ending parade of issues, both major and minor, had cropped up in a project long overdue. "Goddammit. Just let me get this damn boat fixed." A small job he took over three weeks ago had turned into a nightmare. Reginald was skilled in boat repair, and really anything with his hands, however a lingering brain trauma made a simple step-by-step process incoherent. Completing crucial steps out of order unknowingly, he turned a minor leak into a half destroyed, half rebuilt monster. He knew his client would be extremely upset, and the fear was starting to paralyze him. He was in debt and this would surely ruin his business. But, that was not a concern for now. Time for Battlemaster.

As the login screen appeared, he excitedly cracked the knuckles of his damaged hands. Boat repair and maintenance was often no easy job, but these injuries were from decades ago. The scars from his hands reached up along his arms to his chest. From there, they spread like AIDS in West Hollywood, completely, across his entire face and body. He could feel the cold stares of people when he went out in public, in the normally upbeat, party/tourist town of Lake Havasu. So, he stopped going out, only for groceries and work. A sad life, but his and his alone, and through Battlemaster he found a small measure of joy in an otherwise empty existence.
Reginald Denny

star  [reply to sender] | [ignore] | [userdata unavailable]

Quote
Out-of-Character from Kenley La Pointe   (39 minutes ago)
Message sent to everyone in your realm (50 recipients)
He saw his family page appear and took a deep breath. He had moves to make for his characters that he had planned for the past week; Reggie agonized over strategy and his attention to detail helped make many of his past goals in Battlemaster successful. Now it was time to see his latest plan through. Unfortunately for him, things would not go accordingly.

Aura, it was called by some. Anxiety, cold sweats, and the faint taste of metal. His mind began to float. Reginald knew this feeling well and knew it signaled an oncoming seizure. Epilepsy was another effect of the injuries he sustained long ago. The intersection of Florence and Normandie in Los Angeles flashed back to his vision as he lost control of his body. He saw four men approaching so he stopped his truck. He had no idea a riot was taking place. All Reginald knew was that he had a load to deliver in his dump truck, and he impatiently tapped the steering wheel as they approached. What could they want, he wondered. Maybe they'll explain why pedestrians had been throwing rocks at his truck moments earlier. Ripped from the driver's seat and thrown onto the rough, hot asphalt. One man held his head down with his foot as others took turns kicking him. He vaguely remembered a hammer impacting him repeatedly, but he no longer felt pain. He looked up and saw a man holding a fire extinguisher menacingly over him and he knew his life was finished. As he saw the pressurized metal cylinder fly out of one of his attacker's hands and towards his unprotected face, Reginald Denny was jolted back to present day reality. Aware, but unable to control his muscles, he looked at his computer screen. Dread fills his belly as he sees an unfamiliar page, the delete your family Battlemaster confirmation page. Just another 30 seconds and I'll be fine... He tried with all his might to throw himself to the floor, but to no avail. To his dismay, his flailing arms smashed into his keyboard, again and again. The seizure finished and he surveyed the aftermath. Family Deleted Successfully. He began weeping.

Now, a new reality had taken form, one devoid of Battlemaster. He was scared, crushed, and confused. How would he endure now? Slowly he began to feel a peace and euphoria washing over him. Perhaps there was hope. Perhaps there something more to life than a browser game. He smiled again. He had found his answer. Reginald stood up and walked across his trailer home to a small chest on the floor. Opening it carefully, he pulled out a Smith and Wesson .40 calibre revolver. He loaded a single bullet and put the gun mouth. 

CLICK.

He cocked the hammer, but hesitated. I can always make a new account, right? A new family, a fresh start!
He began hyperventilating.

"Noooooooo!"

BANG
Reginald Denny
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Zakilevo on December 16, 2015, 08:41:03 AM
His account got deleted so there is no way of contacting him.

I checked his account just before it got deleted but he didn't even have the email available. I guess I was too late by that time.

I hope someone knows how to contact him.
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Vita` on December 16, 2015, 08:56:45 AM
He mentioned Lake Havasu City. Here's their local police department, for contact: http://lhcpd.com/

There is also the local hospital: http://www.havasuregional.com/
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Ehndras on December 16, 2015, 08:56:49 AM
I'm calling the Lake Havasu police department but the line's busy. I hope they take me seriously. :\
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Ketchum on December 16, 2015, 09:02:19 AM
At first I thought it is a Roleplay but mistakenly written in OOC, until the name Arizona come out. We need help him if we can. My heart bleeds when watching this youtube video. It appears his work is boat repair shop, on youtube there is 1 poster who appear to meet him before.
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Ehndras on December 16, 2015, 09:24:08 AM
I filed a report with Lake Havasu police department. They said they're going to try finding him but they didn't take me very seriously... :(
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Ehndras on December 16, 2015, 10:42:47 AM
They've called me back a few times now, reporting in. I emailed them his last messages and all the info I had. They're trying to locate him now. Will let you guys know what they say.

Extremely depressed and drained. Have a good night, morning, or whatever the hell this is. :(
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Zakilevo on December 16, 2015, 12:33:52 PM
Thank you for going as far as you did. Let's hope it was just a hoax. Don't want to think otherwise...
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Chamberlain on December 16, 2015, 01:56:30 PM
Hell though... viewing that video on youtube... that has got to mess someone up.  Poor guy really hope he is okay... to survive that as he did and to come to such a low point... its just unthinkable
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Mayhem on December 16, 2015, 02:42:35 PM
Feeling sad about this.
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Gabanus family on December 16, 2015, 03:00:53 PM
I really do hope it ends up being a hoax, this !@#$ is horrible.

Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Samboji on December 16, 2015, 04:32:54 PM
Just in case it helps.

Bay12 was where I found out about Battlemaster. There's heaps of gamers that check the site, and there's posts back from 2012 in the thread referencing the La Pointe family in BM.

Nothing from the player of these characters though.

Still, b12 has a heap of game players, in heaps of genres of games, so maybe it can help. Hopefully someone knows the player.

The posts may sound harsh, but the internet is.

http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=106998.msg6669424#msg6669424
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Larkspur on December 16, 2015, 05:46:29 PM
Seems like quite the admirable fellow...the world needs more people like this. I truly hope something or someone helped him out of the darkness, this morning.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Reginald-Denny-Looks-Back-on-the-LA-Riots--149165165.html
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: CyberGenesis on December 17, 2015, 03:09:40 AM
I spoke to him a fair bit when he was playing Erasmus, seemed like a normal enough guy. I dunno - he did have a sort of twisted humor though. I'd be sad if this was more than that
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Ehndras on December 17, 2015, 03:29:02 AM
Quote
The Lake Havasu City Police Department contacted "the real" Reginald Denny this morning in the Lake Havasu City limits.  It was learned that Reginald Denny who resides in Lake Havasu City does not play these on-line games and was in good health.  It appears that whoever is using the name of "Reginald Denny" is copying information learned from the internet in an effort to use his identity and make up stories in the letter.  The real Reginald Denny is fine and the police investigation has been concluded.  Due to the fact the person writing the letter and posting it on your gaming community could be anywhere in the United States, it makes it extremely difficult to believe the threat is real because the person is using a fake name in the letter.  Thank you again for the information, hope this helps.

Son of a BITCH! I can't believe I took this !@#$%^& seriously. This is what I get for being so stupid. I did something I can't take back. I really thought this was legit. :( !@#$ing !@#$... I can't believe someone would be such an inconsiderate douchebag, putting people's emotional stability at risk. !@#$ing !@#$%^&!
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Zakilevo on December 17, 2015, 03:34:44 AM
Haha.....

Well my friend, it is better to feel angry than feel sad and depressed.

At least we know he was just a dick. Think of it this way, you put many of us at ease.

Thank you for doing all this. Really appreciate it.
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Indirik on December 17, 2015, 04:04:52 AM
Thank you for your efforts in this matter, Ehndras. It shows that players are willing to go out fo their way to help other players, and that's something to feel good about. As Lapallanch says: Better to be angry than sad.
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Ehndras on December 17, 2015, 04:20:46 AM
I guess your sigs right... No pressure, no diamonds...
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Eduardo Almighty on December 17, 2015, 05:30:12 AM
"The real Slim Shade, please stand up"

Great story at cost of people who care. Just wondering if it's real and he just opened the door and "BM? Nah...". At least that would be a story, at all.
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Chamberlain on December 17, 2015, 07:40:41 AM
Could all still be true, but for whatever reason he changed his mind and then felt a dick when the police turned up so was all "who me?" about it.

Don't blame you for being angry, but this story could have had way worse endings. 

You have a good heart Greg.
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Ketchum on December 17, 2015, 08:04:58 AM
Good to hear the real person is alright. And possibly the player behind the account as well. Better be safe than sorry later, thank you Ehndras for your effort and time :)
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Foxglove on December 18, 2015, 12:36:43 AM
Son of a BITCH! I can't believe I took this !@#$%^& seriously. This is what I get for being so stupid. I did something I can't take back. I really thought this was legit. :( !@#$ing !@#$... I can't believe someone would be such an inconsiderate douchebag, putting people's emotional stability at risk. !@#$ing !@#$%^&!

You did a good thing here. Never forget that and never feel bad about it. When I logged in and saw that message in game (many hours after it had been posted) I thought it was real and got that icy chill on the back of my neck, thinking there was a distinct possibility that we'd all read a real suicide note, or at least a cry for help.

Never feel you got played here. You reacted as a caring person would do and you were in a position (and presumably the right country) to be able to chase it up with the Lake Havasu Police Department. If it was a bad joke or a hoax, or what ever we want to call it, then you're not the person who should feel bad.

Hopefully we can all rest easy knowing that you cleared this up for everyone who was worried or concerned. I also very much doubt that the Lake Havasu PD has a bad impression of you for reporting it.
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Ehndras on December 18, 2015, 03:00:08 AM
You guys are right. Thank you.

Honestly, it could be either or. I was reported once, years ago, for a suicide attempt. I obviously played it off, having spoken to a close friend who convinced me it would be the utmost sign of cowardice to throw my life away, and pretended I had absolutely no flaming clue what they were talking about, that someone must have misconstrued my words or understood something I didn't intend to express. They were a bit skeptical, but without just cause, had to leave my property.

If so, I'm just glad he's okay. If not, then I still think the hoaxer is a colossal !@#$%^&, but remain glad everyone's okay.

Admitting to suicidal tendencies is BAD in the US. Hell, if you call the suicide hotline the police show up at your door and try to force you into treatment in some cases. Its fairly ridiculous, but I guess better safe than sorry... Its a surefire way to ruin someone's life, but when someone's life IS what's on the line, I'd rather jeapordize a career than sit quiet as they lay dead and bleeding.

Is what it is, I guess. Glad all this ended on a good note.
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Mayhem on December 18, 2015, 12:27:28 PM
I happen to thought this was serious as well, I was sad for the player loss already but the suicide was something like WTF.

But yeah, kinda dick move from that player. At leat we know we can trust our community to pull out teh righ card at the right moment.
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Dante Silverfire on December 18, 2015, 04:44:04 PM
Ehndras,

You did a very good thing. I am glad that someone looked into it. It is an immense tragedy when cries for help like this aren't acted upon because someone thinks it's a joke. Taking it seriously is the only thing that should be done. I commend you and thank you, for your efforts.
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Ehndras on December 18, 2015, 07:46:45 PM
My pleasure. :) I wouldn't be alive if someone hadn't taken a stupid teenage cry for help seriously years ago, so I try to repay the good intent. No threat must be taken likely - nor the hardship of our fellow human. You never know what someone's going through.

When I see someone upset, I try to understand them and console them in whatever matter seems necessary. If someone's angry, I show kindness - sure, it pisses them off even more, but they'll appreciate it later on when they've calmed down. You never know if that "!@#$%^& driving fast" or that "douche who bumped into you on the street" or the impatient guy who jacked your taxi is in a colossal hurry because his wife is giving birth, his kid is sick, he just lost his job, he's late for an interview and has a family to feed, or is otherwise having a very bad day. If it was that important to me, I'd be the one driving fast, walking fast, or taking the first opportunity to move. Therefore, its better to understand and empathize than immediately demonize.

A little life lesson I learned over the years, but only recently experienced: I can't count how many times this year I've been that one !@#$%^& driving way too fast, and for a damn good reason. I had a guy block my lane and slow me down to 15 under the 65-mph limit when I blew out a tire on Route 78 on my way back from Pennsylvania this summer, on 4th of July actually. My cousin had just drunkenly backed up his Ford F150 (or 250, not sure) into my car, demolishing it. All my tires were bald because I can't afford to change them, I was low on gas, and my right front rim was damaged from the impact, compromising the integrity of my tire - and thus my control. Because of that dick not understanding that I needed to get near the shoulder as fast as possible and not be in the tiny under-construction-with-concrete-barriers-on-both-sides 2-lane with no embankment in sight, and his dumbass slowing me down as I tried to keep as much distance between myself and the horde of cars behind me as humanly possible, I very nearly caused a massive pileup when my tire exploded and I spun out. Thank god I decided to do something incredibly stupid and irresponsibly risky - my car is one of those fancy new ones that tell you your tire pressure. When I saw it hit critical, I switched lanes, cut off the guy next to the douche, and blasted to about 110 miles per hour til I got just near the start of the embankment. As I slowed down, POP. At around 70, I spun out, fishtailed across the beautiful, amazing, incredible, thank-!@#$ing-god 3 or 4 lanes and managed to hit the embankment going about 40, maybe a bit less. I skidded to a halt just beside the central divider - nice steel-cord between concrete mini-pillars, sure to annihilate my car and prevent me from killing anyone by flying into the opposite side of traffic. A very, VERY nice PA state trooper even stopped to help me change my tire! Apparently someone saw me and called 911, saying they're pretty sure I need an ambulance and am severely injured. Somehow, I managed not a single !@#$ing scratch. Thank embankment saved my life - and that pissy douchebag who tried to slow down Mr. Speedy Gonzales? Well, he would have been responsible for my death, and the injury and damage to a good 30 cars behind me.

Lesson? Get the !@#$ out of the way, because you don't know whose about to die, give birth, having a heart attack, about to !@#$ their pants, or lose control of their vehicle. :)
Title: Re: EMERGENCY - Possible Player Suicide - NEED HELP!
Post by: Ossan on December 20, 2015, 12:08:53 AM
I spoke to him a fair bit when he was playing Erasmus, seemed like a normal enough guy. I dunno - he did have a sort of twisted humor though. I'd be sad if this was more than that
Definitely had a twisted sense of humour, and I found him to be untrustworthy IC and possible OOC. Would not play with him again.