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Tribute to...
 Suz
Dodd aka GameMaster Lady Fawn
Condolences from the GS3 Forums....
Remembering Suz
It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to Suz Dodd, former product
manager of GemStone III and Hercules & Xena: Alliance of Heroes, who
passed away in her sleep this morning. Suz will be remembered for her compassion,
and as a sweet and kind soul who always looked out for others. The countless
friends she made in her long service to Elanthia serves as a testament to
her eternally warm spirit.
Remembering Suz Dodd (GM Fawn)
When I first came to Elanthia I had troubles with giving commands & just
plain learning the ropes. Somehow in all that a nice warm hearted person
named GM Fawn was watching. I had a crystal amulet explode on me which I
guess was a bug in the game. She came along when I learned how to assist
& just made me feel great. You always remember sweet people regardless
of titles, position, & importances. All I can say is we need more people
like GM Fawn in this crazy mixed up world. We need folks to stop being pests
& look at the heart of the matter & upon each other. GM Fawn did
that with such class & perfection. It is sad she is gone. But to her
Elanthia family & real life family I give my love, support, & prayers.
Folks we all need to step back & take a look at what this incredible
lady showed us with her life.
Care, concern, & joy filled her life. I pray her example to us all continues.
GM Fawn know that lil Hasek never has forgotten you nor has his big uncle
Legend Haashek. I bow in respect & love to an awesome lady.
Legend Haashek Nedved
One of my best GSIII memories, thanks Suz/Fawn
This is really sad news and it honestly feels like a true piece of the essence
of Gemstone has been laid to rest.
Fawn was definitely the most patient and I would say kindhearted Gamemaster
I have known of even though she was the only one to ever lock me out of Gemstone
III. I completely deserved it because I was using a vulgar mouth and I wasted
no time in apologizing to her once I was able to return, and she wasted no
time in forgiving me.
I was sad when she left the game. And now that she is really gone I feel
even more sadness...
One of my favorite memories will always be when I became a legend (level
50 back then) and she came and personally congratulated me. In fact, it was
something that she would commonly do back then, and there weren't that many
legends around at the time, but I remember it was about two weeks after I
had become legend and I still had not heard from her, so I was getting a
bit down. But then, all of a sudden (without me mentioning anything about
it to anyone) she popped up and gave me a great big hug and a congratulations
and we had a nice chat. I had gotten many congratulations from my friends
and family here in Gemstone III, but Fawn's congratulations was like the
missing link and so that moment was really special for me.
I think many would agree back then that she was almost like a mother figure.
I could see how she had that effect on people, especially newcomers. And
I'm sure that many would agree that this is like a death in the family.
Rest in peace Suz/Fawn and may your adventures be neverending!
Tommy/Krisenfest
Fawn
I fondly remember you and those other pieces of you that travelled our lands
during the Genie days. I have never ever in any life met someone who cared
so deeply for those people who travelled in her world.
I remember getting scolded by you because I let some big friends of mine
explain to a young adventurer in no uncertain terms that no-one kissed Lady
Misdy without her consent. Especially with the front Misdy had. It made me
think, and reconsider. Because of that scolding, I took a good part of my
time and sat at the north gates, getting to know new folks, and meeting alot
of people I knew as friends.
I remember sending a report thought out because a friend Warrior was having
such a difficult time, he was talking of leaving, and was working on saying
goodbye. You answered the Report, when you didn't have to, and sat with us
for the better part of two hours just listening to his frustration and offering
him hope. That warrior is still around today.
I remember introducing Ughsplat to you and Berr, and him calling you Grammama,
and the delightful reaction that provoked. You had me in tears, I was laughing
so hard.
My heart is heavy at your passing, but as long as the memories remain, so
will you.
Mike McInnnis
Suz
I didn't have the chance to know you as the others did. I was able to chat
once or twice with you in game and elsewhere.
I know you are a legend in many peoples eyes. And you should be. You were
a very dear person in their hearts, and I'm glad they had you.
You will be missed.
Becky/Dremerie
Suz/Peacock
Maybe my best known character is Roxana, and I am Krisenfest's wife both
in game and out. I'm very sorry to hear this sad new about Suz also.
We've been trading old Fawn and Gemstone stories and I just like to say that
I am sure she never realized it, but I always thought she was a peacock!
You see, I am German and to me Fawn sounded very close to the German word
"Pfau". Which actually means "peacock". Fawn was probably the first Gamemaster
I ever saw and she just had this radiant aura of honest friendliness, it
was just like a peacock opening his beautiful feathers. And so peacock for
me always stuck.
Thank you for the many fond memories Suz/Peacock!
Claudia/Roxana
Any loss is felt by all
I never got the chance to meet her but hearing of this tragedy, I want to
wish her family and friends my condolences. It's always hard to lose someone
and she seemed to be such a connection in the link of Simu. I am sure many,
many people will feel this loss for a long time to come.
Chaerion's soulkeeper
Remembering Suz
I'm deeply saddened. Suz(Fawn) was and still is a profound influence on all
our lives and the ones we portray. I offer my condolences to the extended
Simu family.
Bob
Fawn
...was also the first GM I really had any interaction with, near 7 years
ago.
I lost everything I owned during a big freeze. She personally took the time
to replace it all, and did it without complaint. Of course the NEXT time
it happened, she wasn't so sympathetic...
It's always so sad when someone so young leaves us, unexpectedly or not.
My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Kristen/Coriana et al
My deepest sympathy and prayers
I didn't really know her but i saw her online a couple times. She was nice
and took everything easily...Its really bad that shes gone though
Time heals all wounds
I also want to send my deepest sympathies to Suz's family, friends, and
co-workers at Simu.
I only met her once, briefly (and had a noce chuckle together) ... but her
impact on Gemstone cannot be understated.
I'm sorry to see her leave this world, but hope know that her spirit will
live on.
-Jon / Prestius
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I never had the pleasure of getting to know Suz (GM Fawn) as many others
have. I just wish to offer my prayers and condolences to her family and all
of her friends. The loss of a loved one is always hard, but in time, the
wounds will heal and the good memories will make you smile. Always hold onto
your memories. May God Bless you and you rest in peace Suz.
Christina / Augie
A True Lady
Suz was a true lady in every way. She meant to much to every Genie player
and so many more. She was truly a kind hearted lady, that cared for every
person who played the game, even the ones that were in trouble all the time.
I meet her in real life many times, and she was always happy and wonderful
to be around.
In game her PC was engaged to Berr and was the "step mom" that helped raise
me as Faegil.
I will miss you Suz, you will be remembered for what you were, a true lady
and a special friend.
John/Faegil
Condolences
I just want to express my sympathy and send my condolences to Suz Dodd's
family for their tragic lost. You know, reading the posts of all these people,
you have to realize how much of a great person Suz was, the fact that a whole
entire game has come together to express their feelings. God bless the family
to help deal with this loss. Suz/Fawn, you will not be forgotten.
Scott/Sintik
Suz...
I can't believe you are no longer with us. The legendary Fawn. The lady who
gave the best hugs whenever she saw me and laughed with truth and mischief.
Seeing you was always the highlight of my conventions because you welcomed
me every time.
Working with you was a blessing, even when you ran ragged. I was so sad when
you left Simu...I guess now I know why. I wish I could have said one more
goodbye.
Blessed be Suz, my Simu Mom. I love you. I continue to miss you.
Ana/GM Ianthe
Fawn...
The terrible sense of loss I feel knowing that Fawn has moved on bites me
to the bone.
Suz you are a mythical legend to all that walk the streets of Elanthia
It could not be better said if one were to say
/
Divine she was
with Compassion and understanding
touching all lives that she meets
thru keyboard or in the flesh
the absense of her in our Real Life World
brings a sense of sorrow yet also
makes me realise she is headed
to a better place now
Til again we meet Suz
We shall all see you on the other side...
~ the Hayworth family
Loss...
I knew Suz best as Daryann, a happy ranger who even when she first joined
the adventure was a ray of sunshine. I remember with particular fondness,
now bittersweet, her inquisitiveness about the game, and her delight at learning
new things. Of course, she was always so friendly and patient and bright;
but for some reason the best memories I have of Daryann were how every so
often I would realize how well she really understood the lands and the people
here. Also the way she treated one of my secret characters, without knowing
that it was me, hunting with him despite the fact that she could have done
much better on her own. Simutronics was definitely onto something when it
gave Suz responsibility for our world as Fawn. This is a great shock and
loss. As all the others have said, I will truly miss her.
~ Art/Artuero
Sad Loss...
I'd never met her in real life. But the times she would talk to my character
and seeing how she responded to player issues in the lands and on the GEnie
boards, little things like that; she was always very generous, kind-hearted,
and concerned about everyone's experience in the lands.
I'm sorry to see her go and my prayers and condolences.
Frank
"And all their tears shall be wiped away..."
If you know what that quote is from, then you understand my wish for Suz.
If you don't, find it, read it, and I hope it rewards you. It's a spirit
of wishing better for others that I think I recall most of Fawn. For that's
how I knew her, as her GM persona. I wish I had had the time to know her,
and Galadriel, and others we have lost, and all my old friends, and new friends,
and friends to be; as people, not names...but life is like that.
My heart goes out to her family, as they have the hardest part now. She is
in a better place, and I don't doubt smiling down on all of us. Give her
family your prayers.
Next time the world, or the game or whatever gets you down or mad, think
of Fawn and hug someone, or help a newbie. She will live with us always as
we carry on what she worked so hard at.
Take Care Suz.
Brian/Killjar (Don't think I ain't watching.)
One of my best GSIII memories, thanks Suz/Fawn
Of the GM's that I've had the chance to meet I can honestly say that Suz(GM
Fawn) left biggest impression. She was always good natured and lightened
the room when she was there. I send my heart and prayers out to her family
and the Simu team as well.
Raulin/Aarenis
Heavy Hearts
Words can never express the loss that Suz/Fawn's family and coworkers must
feel.
Please know she is thought of in the highest regard by more people than you
could ever imagine.
My prayers for you who loved her, is for strength and eventual healing.
John/ Amgard
Fawn..
A lost character in the mangler...
Tarts in tree spirits....
Run by hugs....
Whispered laughs at fighting creatures with acantha leaf....
A release from the consultation room after a false accusation
Ever a watchful eye....
Two will miss your whispers....
Dear Fawn, travel this new path with our love....
Trish/Twoflame
Fawned memories
My heart goes out to all of Suz's family, coworkers and team-mates, first
and foremost. You had the privilege of knowing Suz better than most of us.
Your loss is profound, but find solace knowing that your burden is shared
by thousands of others. As Fawn, Suz touched the lives of more people than
I could begin to recount. Every one of those people, to a man, holds her
in the highest regard and esteem. She was a pleasure to be around, and principled
in all her actions and words. She had a fantastic way of being firm while
still using a soft and caring touch. Many was the night that my enjoyment
of Elanthia was heightened simply knowing that she was somewhere in our midst
setting things right, and spreading mirth and cheer, and copious hugs whereever
her flash of light brought her. Fortunate are those of us who have had the
opportunity to interact with her in a direct manner in the game. I will never
forget the first time I saw a young deer fleeting across the path from the
North Gate to Hearthstone Manor. I cherish the opportunities that I had to
chat with her when she dropped in on us just to see how things were going
for us, the individual players. Her loss leaves an empty space in Elanthia
that can not, and will not, ever be filled again. There will be another Product
Manager, but there will never be another Fawn. It is my most sincere belief
that Kim (Galadriel) and Wanton, among others, were there to meet her at
the moment of her passing, to welcome her into the next great adventure of
her existence.
With deepest sympathy,
Lord Higlac Wexstan
Sorry for the loss...
Today a world is weaken by a loss.
Even though i never met you,
Your impact has been true.
For everyone is morning your passing.
I look at the lives you have touch,
Who wants to hug so much.
You will be missed by many and none to few.
She now looks over us, not from a screen,
Making sure we find our way through our dreams.
One day i will meet her spirit with open arms.
And everything will be fully bliss,
Her spirit is with us so she will never be missed.
I'm sorry i never got to meet her. She sounds like she was a wonderful person.
I give this poem and my condolences to her friends, family, and co-workers.
Shawn/Atraue
A memory of Fawn
Early in my time in GSIII I was reading a log of one of Pauper's Haunted
House parties and I remember seeing Fawn "drinking" someone's blood - the
first time I realized GM's had "superpowers" to write their own scripts.
She was great - displaying the kind of quick wit I wish I had and leading
by example of what could be done in this game.
My thoughts go to her friends and family - I'm sure the heart-hole is deep.
Connie
There will be laughter after pain; there will be sunshine after rain. (Mark
Knopfler)
Suz...
Suz was such a delightful person: kind, wise, warm, and witty. I have so
many memories -- working with her in GemStone III and H&X:AoH, watching
her interact with players (and staff) as she took time to get to know them
and listen to them. She was very creative too: I remember the areas that
she designed were lovely and packed with so much detail that they really
came alive. It was fun just to be around her and to see what she'd come up
with next. I will miss her...
Miriani / Limerick
Condolences...
I met Suz at Gemcon in 1998. At a get together after the costume party, I
recall her going around the room and talking with each of the attendees.
The discussion was as much about who we were as it was about the game. She
seemed genuinely interested in the people behind the characters.
I am saddened -- and genuinely surprised -- to hear of her death. We citizens
of Elanthia are all poorer for her passing.
R.C.Gimmi
(Haaka's player)
Why I love Suz
The scene is a restaurant somewhere in St. Charles after SimuCon. A handful
of us are having lunch and Suz asks me how I'd feel about working on a game
related to the TV shows, Hercules and Xena. I laughed; at that point, I hadn't
actually seen either show but the idea seemed incongruous. Her next question
is, "Have you ever thought you might want to be a product manager someday?"
I laughed again; I had no such ambitions.
So fast forward: by the next summer, I was helping design Athens and painting
my little heart out for our version of Greece tinged with New Zealand. In
one meeting, Suz introduced us to a visitor from Renaissance Pictures (who
worked with us on incorporating elements of the show with our game); she
got to me and said, "I don't know what Tracy's title is." "I'm the comic
relief," I said. Within a year of that, my partner in crime Limerick and
I took on roles as Suz's assistant product managers. And later still, when
Limerick and Suz both moved on, I stayed.
Even after she stopped working in our game, she influenced me personally.
"Say, GS3's Issigri has been on leave; maybe he might want to come back to
a smaller product -- can you talk to him?" she said in the summer of 2000.
Come the following January, after much talking between me and Issigri, he
and I got married. She's the first person I called to tell, even before anyone
in my own family, shrieking with laughter on the phone with her like a teenager.
All the time I've been involved with Simutronics, Suz has been here for me.
I loved how she could explain things so calmly and kindly. Whenever I lost
my temper, she could soothe me over like magic. Sometimes it seemed as though
our thoughts were exactly the same about different things; she was my cosmic
twin. I wished fervently to grow up to be just like her.
And I still do.
Tracy
Suzie...
I only knew you in passing
May the Lord shine on you as you have shined on so many
We will always love you and will miss you.
May your next adventure be as fun as you have given us
We love you and miss you.
Love
(GS) Shaniya
PS wish I could raise you like I have raised so many
Our Lady Fawn
Our Lady Fawn, one of the few mystics of the lands, keeping an eye on us
as God watched her. She has passed now but will not decay for she shall be
in the hearts of everyone and with that she will live on. We pray for her
safe passage to the heavens, we pray for her family and loved ones, we pray
that she will still watch us, we pray we pray we pray.
Arewen Cbaoth Priest of Charl
Graceful Landings
One of my first days in Gemstone, long long ago, a ranger lady dropped lightly
from the treehouse in Town Square Central, with catlike grace, and then she
gave my in-game boyfriend a huge smooch, gave me a tickle, and bounded off.
Of all the nerve! Kissing my boyfriend! And what was worse, he didn't seem
to mind. "That was FAWN", he explained, with just a touch of awe.
I always regarded Fawn as the slightly stern schoolmarm you didn't want to
have to explain things to if you'd been naughty, but who was always there
for you when you needed compassion.
She was always there for you when you had an emergency, such as needing chocolate
sauce for your honeymoon, or creating beautiful new places for the community
to enjoy. She realy did care enough to get to know each of us. It was not
a hard thing when the population was much smaller, but it was still wonderful
knowing that someone cared about you as an individual.
Her presence on the GEnie boards was soothing when things began to get raucous.
Her support of our in game rp efforts and player run groups was steadfast.
When Suz made the leap to the next reality, I'm sure that she landed on her
feet with all of Fawn's catlike grace. She was always a lady and as long
as any of us breathes, she'll be remembered.
As a side note, I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face, and my
dog just appeared in the room with a travel-sized packet of facial tissues
that she removed from my briefcase. I can't help thinking that the ranger
lady just sent an animal companion to comfort me and help me dry my tears.
~ Carolyn
Suz Dodd...
I don't know where to begin to express the feelings I am feeling upon hearing
of this sad news.
A major part of the Lands is no longer with us. Fawn/Suz really truly did
care about the players and the Lands and made them what they are today.
She was a pioneer for women in the gaming industry as well.
Barry and I both send our condolences to her family, friends and co-workers.
Words are never adequate to express how you feel at times like these.
Nancy and Barry Hutchins
aka Gremlynn and Geoff
~~~~~~~~
I echo my wife's sentiments...
Fawn/Daryann/Suz Dodd was one of the first, if not the first, person from
Gemstone who congratulated Nancy and I on our real world marriage. That is
just another example of how she cared about the players behind the characters.
again our condolences to family, friends, and co-workers..
Geoff/Barry
Suz...
For those of you who didn't know Suz, I'll tell you this: everything anyone
here has said about her -- BELIEVE THEM.
I'm a cynic, I admit it. When people die, there's a tendency to look back
on their lives through rose-colored glasses, to elevate them to a status
that they didn't hold in life. It's a perfectly human reaction, a byproduct
of grief.
This is not true with Suz.
She was quite simply one of the nicest people I ever knew.
I can't adorn the truth with any more adjectives. She was just a nice, caring
person.
And I miss her.
Simu-Steph
Webmaster of the Wild Simu Frontier
A bright light amongst the dreary shadows...
Player of GM Lady Fawn has passed on. 48 yrs is not much time in this world,
but she did the most one could do with it. She was one of the reasons I stayed
on in Gemstone when we first went to the web. She also was the first noble
I ever saw (that took several days of constant playing) and she knew how
to take an encounter and transform it into an epic! I never got a chance
to meet her in person, but I did have the pleasure of knowing her in character.
~ Alarinn
Wondering
I had the priviledge of sharing Suz's life for the last 5 years. She truly
was an amazing woman, who had a bottomless capacity for caring. She loved
the people of her games, both GemStone III and Hercules and Xena; Alliance
of Heroes. She often spoke about the GMs in the games as her family, and
the players as her extended family. I'll print this thread out, and bring
it with me to her funeral, to share with others who knew her outside of these
virtual worlds.
In the last days of her life, she and I would reminisce about the joys she
had in sharing her time with all of you. She truly cherished each and every
encounter. She touched my heart and soul, just as she touched yours. She
will be missed.
Thanks for all the kind thoughts.
Bruce
Fawn I miss you...
This is indeed sad news. I was one of the first to ever play Gemstone III,
back in the Genie days, some of you oldtimers may remember me. I must say
that without a doubt, Fawn/Daryann was one of the finest people I ever met
in the Gemstone III environement. As a player, Daryann was loyal, one of
the finest friends you could imagine. As a GM later, she was one of the most
understanding GMs ever employed here, I think even the GMs will admit that.
She was always willing to listen to you, even a knucklehead like me who
complained too much about things that really were not that important.
Let me tell you folks, losing an old friend like this IS important. All I
can think of is the many times Fawn was so patient and understanding to the
players of this game. We all wanted the good changes to come, she knew that,
but was able to keep us on an even keel as the game progressed.
The world is less pleasant today for her loss, I shall always remember her,
along with many of the other players and GMs (especially Gira also) that
I have missed over the last few years. May she find the reward she so richly
deserves...
Corwin D'Amber, co-founder of House Arcane
Michael L. McLawhorn
A very sad day...
A wonderful person who will never be forgotten. This news saddens me deeply.
My thoughts and prayers go out to everybody who was priviledged enough to
have known her.
~~~Frank/Jaialias
continue...
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