Does anyone ever truly leave Istaria?

[Screech]

Well, I tried to make a trial account to see if maybe...
But alas, the verification email never arrived and I honestly can't be bothered to jump through hoops.
"If the email is not showing up in your inbox or spam folder, please open a support ticket at https://support.istaria.com so we can activate your account."
Err. No. I won't. That needs to be fixed, because I've tried twice and both times the email didn't arrive.
Makes me wonder how many new people try to sign up...and end up having to open a support ticket -- that is *not* a good advertisement.
(In comparison: Aion email took 5 seconds. Same email. So I know it works.)

And as another P.S. : I tried to open a ticket. But because the account isn't verified, I can't log in to request the account to be verified.
What gives?

[Screech]

Ignore me. Email arrived. I'll be making a little draggy on uh...Chaos.

[Lascivious Goat]

I'm back after a 7 year break to see what's changed. The biggest draw for my returning was the play-forever-for-free option, which was not available back in 2007 when I left. The only thing I'm sad about is that I can't carry on with my original character without paying a sub (I can't justify spending the money unfortunately), and anyway the plot and house and other structures I had built with that character are long gone. I'm enjoying my return for now.

[Carinde]

Istaria has a way with people. I recall days when Horizons was little more than a beta, and many of us kept recreating ourselves as the land prepared to reveal itself to the world. That day came and, well, there was much left to be desired. Still, we continued on. Through countless crashes, bugs, reinstalls, glitches, broken quests and so on. I have gone to other games and I find my mind gently returning here from time to time. Why?

The people.

There is no other reason. Istaria has the most closely-knit and thoughtful community of any realm. I do not know what the land is like now, but I recall when this world felt like it was led by the people, and we had a say with what happened to it. It was indeed our home. Stories weaved that endured the test of time, and friendships that will last even longer. On a personal note from me, there was a time when I had to leave Istaria. I sat in my living room, trying to see through tears as I explained what was happening. I felt that I was losing my friends. People who had never met me in reality, but nonetheless meant the world to me. That is not a feeling I take lightly.

Does anyone ever truly leave Istaria? Our subscriptions may end and the server population may dwindle but, Istaria is, and forever shall be...home.

[Chioxin]

That's how it is... the people, because it always takes just one or two fools to whisper it into my ears and I'll likely make my way back, forgetting all the rather solid reasons for leaving in the first place. Sadly for Istaria though... I last about a month, MAYBE 2... and then I'm back to doing other things and telling those whispers to STFU and get away from me. =P

I love the place, really do, but I'm afraid I'm only in love with the memories of what I once had. I'll never find those again, I'm afraid, and rarely do when I do return on occasion. =(