Thank You All from Mrs. Skafloc

[Natasha]

Hello Everyone,

I hope that you don't mind me contacting you but I would like to extend a huge Thank You to all of you who offered Rick such warm wishes and strength over the past few months. As well, on behalf of myself and our children I would like to thank you all for your condolences.

I will never fully understand why my sweet and loving husband was dealt this terrible and cruel punishment. He was such a kind and gentle person and was certainly not deserving of what fate handed him.

It's ironic to think that a man who had such a brilliant mind was forced to succumb to the destruction of it's very function. It's completely baffling.

In his last days he was basically bedridden. He couldn't walk nor could he see. To keep him from the pain he had to be drugged. When I was sitting with him one day he asked why it was so dark. My heart was broken knowing that he couldn't see me. I knew that the tumor had taken his vision. I didn't know what to tell him except to say that we had a terrible snow storm causing the power to go out. I explained that I couldn't see him either. Thankfully, he couldn't see the sunlight coming into our bedroom.

To honor my husband, I would like to have his stories published sometime. He was going to do that during his stint on sick leave this year. I'm not sure how to go about that as I don't want to be sued by Blizzard Entertainment so I thought that perhaps I should contact my lawyer first to see if this is all legal. If any of you have any advice to offer I would certainly be most grateful.

If I am successful in having Rick's writings published my plan is to have a foundation created in Rick's memory or have the proceeds of his writings going to brain tumor research, focusing on curing or at the very least inhibiting the growth of Glioblastoma Multiformes.

So, if any of you can find his stories somewhere on this site, I would certainly appreciate it. He's read me bits and pieces over the years but WOW was his hobby alone so I wouldn't even know where to begin gathering his writings.

Again, thank you all for your condolences and expressing your kind thoughts and concerns over what has been a very difficult time and a terrible and painful loss.

Sincerely,

Natasha Mohr

[Swerto]

We've actually been gathering all his work in a thread elsewhere on this site, I'm sure someone will come by with a link.
Thank you for contacting us.

[Akuje]

Natasha,

Here is a link to a partial gathering of Rick's works.
http://wow-tng.org/showthread.php?t=14845

There are several other discussions regarding the publication of his work as well, and I would expect those with the knowledge of the process to contact you.

I admire your desire to preserve Rick's legacy in the form of a charity dedicated to defeating what overcame him.

[Villayna]

We are so sorry for you loss.

Per a discussion I had with Peter, I have contacted the Blizzard Licensing people but I haven't received word from them yet. The player of Sabacthan I believe is working on compiling and editing Rick's work into something that someone who has never played WoW could appreciate.

I gave Peter my real contact information and I will post whatever information I receive from Blizzard Licensing.

This is the email I sent them:


Greetings,

My name is [me] and I run a small fansite for the roleplay
community of the World of Warcraft RP-PVP server Twisting Nether named
the Twisting Nether Gazette (TNG) and can be found at
http://wow-tng.org . The reason I am contacting you is one of our
most beloved fan-fiction writers, Richard Mohr, passed away early
Christmas morning from an aggressive brain tumor. For nearly three
years he has been one our most prolific writers. His willingness to
collaborate with anyone and his creative genius will be sorely missed
by many.

As a tribute to him, and at the request of his family, many of the
members of the TNG community would like to self-publish his works to
bring them off of the internet and into the real world. The printing
would be a small operation primarily for the benefit of the TNG
community and Rick's family. I would be surprised if more than 50
copies were created.

As fan-fiction, we would of course include any and all disclaimers
required that what is written is fan-fiction and completely
unofficial. However, as the writings do take place in the World of
Warcraft Universe and many official character (NPC) names would be
used, we understand that we would need the permission of Blizzard to
make this happen. We have no interest in making any money off of
this endeavor, so the books would be distributed at cost, or possibly
with a small amount going to an appropriate charity listed in his
obituary, the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada or QEII Foundation
Neurosurgery Unit if it didn't make the legal stuff more difficult.

His obituary can be found here:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/announcements/display.php?anntype=obituaries~2008/12/27~16810265

A forum thread Rick (posting on his hunter character name Skafloc)
created that chronicles the sadly short timeframe from when he was
diagnosed to when he was finally taken to us can be found here:
http://wow-tng.org/showthread.php?t=13580

An incomplete listing of the stories we are looking at including in
this endeavor if we can get permission:
http://wow-tng.org/showthread.php?t=14845

Please let me know what we would need to do to make this happen.

Thank you,

[me].

If there is anything we can do, do not hesitate to ask.

[Natasha]

Thank you so much for responding to my post. Are you the administrator of the entire website? What a huge undertaking. My hat goes off to you. I will certainly keep you updated on my progress as to the publishing of Rick's writings. One thing he did mention was that he may have to change names of characters. I'm not sure why that would need to be done but I'll cross that bridge should I come to it.

Kindly, Kimberly and her husband Daniel contacted me earlier this evening. It was so nice to hear how fondly Rick is thought of.

Again, thank you for responding to my post.

Sincerely,
Natasha

[Villayna]

If Blizzard declines to give permission for you to use the warcraft universe (official characters, names of places, and general historical background), then substantial editing would be required to remove any trace of Blizzard intellectual property if you still wanted to pursue publishing.

Kim and Daniel have been very active in trying to get some sort of tribute put into the game, and I very much hope they suceed :)

[The_Golden_Wolf]

My condolences to you. Skaf was a wonderful friend and an amazing writer, I hope you do get it published.

[Rand_Shea]

You could have the works published for non-profit, though you would still need to contact Blizzard for permission. If you could present this as a public relations opportunity, they would be more than willing, I'd think.

And non-profit could be that any money made goes towards a cause that isn't considered income. Setting up a memorial and maintenance of that memorial would be one, paying for the funeral costs would be another, or some other form of charity.

Talk to your lawyer about it and look to the blizzard site for a means to contact their legal department.

There is actually a cause that some of us have started that Skafloc would have supported, I will be sending you a PM about it.

[Natasha]

Whoa! Rick made surfing this site look so easy each morning as he sat back on his ass while I slaved over a hot stove making his breakfast sandwich (a Mommy McMuffin he calls it). Please be patient while I make an attempt at navigating this site. I'm still attempting to use the smiles function. I guess Rick is the computer geek and I am the accounting nerd. Perhaps, that's why we work so well together.

I never realized just how deeply Rick touched all your lives and vice versa. I never fully understood what was going on while he was logged on to this site. I assumed you all were planning raids but it was obviously more to it than that. Now I understand why sometimes he'd crack up laughing out of no where. I'd ask him what was so funny and he'd say "It's just the game, Honey."

I will admit that at times the gaming was a sore spot with me because I never understood what he was doing off by himself. It was the one aspect of his life that he never shared with me until the last year and a half. One evening I asked him to explain to me what he was doing off in the basement, so he did. He allowed me to read some of his stories and I was blown away. He even started to share some of the personal interactions with me as well about some of you, like issues and conflicts that needed resolving, the purchase of a new puppy named Jasper (??), etc. He showed me some pictures that some of you drew and posted - you'll be impressed to know that I can only draw stick people - and as well, he asked my input on some forums, like the one recently about men's facial hair - sexy or not and why? I don't like country music but I'm all over Keith Urban with the facial hair. Very manly.

So, basically you're like your own little culture and community. I'm glad that he finally shared all that with me cuz I needed to understand what it was he was doing off by himself. I honestly had no idea.

I hope you don't mind if I browse or check in with you to seek assistance and provide updates on the whole publishing thing.

I am going to see him this morning so I will give him your regards. Now, I'm going to cry all over again so I'll sign off.

Thanks.
Natasha

[Chikt]

Rick touched a lot of lives here on the TNG, I think it's safe to say he is one of the most outstanding writers and role-players we've had on the Gazette. His writing gave a lot of people inspiration and he achieved what a lot of writers can only strive for in their stories - to move people, make them feel something.

Me and my family over here in our little corner of the world wanted to send our best. I was looking into sending over some native wildflowers but unfortunately they won't allow them out of the country (darn it).

I have to admit, I've been kinda trying to avoid saying goodbye in any sort of way. Because I know wishing well and sending condolences can only go so far. I can't imagine how you and your family must be feeling, and I don't pretend to understand what it must feel like. All I know to say is what I know I feel and that is that Rick will be missed dearly, and won't be forgotten by any of us over here either.

Good luck with getting his writing published, I'm a massive fan of one of his poems that he wrote in Skafloc's personal archives (http://wow-tng.org/showpost.php?p=254977&postcount=5) and I really think that - of all things he ever wrote - deserves publication. If there's any way we can help here on the TNG you'd only need to ask and I think everybody able would love to help. I'd very much like to be part of the creative process of getting a novel cover designed should you ever take Ricks work to the presses, and I know there would be plenty of other graphic designers and talented people here on the TNG that would love to aid in the collaboration.

I hope your lawyer gives you good news.

[Redemptio]

He showed me some pictures that some of you drew and posted - you'll be impressed to know that I can only draw stick people -

If your going to have some of Ricks writing's published may i suggest getting some of the people here to illustrate a few of the stories. I suggested this in another thread but i hadn't seen you post this one.
:( sorry my computer has been a little loopy as of late.



I understand how hard it is to have someone this close to you that has been with you for so long be taken away so fast.

It happened to me before, it still hurts, but i promise you it gets easier to breath 'The length of time doesn't matter when you lose somebody you love.'

Its true, the length of time doesn't matter, but you will learn how to live again. Your strong, stronger then I was when it happened to me, i can see that. Just don't lose hope and your faith in yourself.

Learn from what you have seen by being with him. Love the time you had, and stay strong for yourself.

And realize that he not only touched your life and those around you, but many people across the world by being here for the time that he was.

Cause of what happened to Rick... I have taken a firmer stand on what I want.

I'm going back to school... I'm not scared to any more...mater of fact as i type this my fiance is waiting for me to get the hell off so i can go sign up for class before my own doctor's appointment. He showed me that even if you are so far away you can still touch those that you have never seen, you can be 'there' with out having to stand by their side. I've gotten off my butt... I'm not sitting in my apartment moping anymore, wasting my time, cause of Rick and what happened. I'm making myself a better person cause I knew a man that lived hundreds of miles away that i never met... he didn't have to be a friend to me, but he did. For that I am grateful.

If there is anything I can do to help, let me know, I'm more than willing. =^.^=

g2g, my classes are waiting.

[Moknim]

Natasha/Mrs. Skafloc,

Thank you so much for stopping by our little corner of the internet. I am glad that you can see all the ways that Skafloc has touched people here. I only knew him briefly, but could tell that Rick/Skafloc was a wonderful person. He was everything good about people - always calm, never angry, and always friendly. You knew that no matter what happened, Skafloc would be there with kind words and a "we can do this" attitude.

I am so sorry for your loss. To show you the impact he had, the day that I found out, I read the note left to my wife, and she immediately broke down in tears. She does not play WoW here, and her knowledge of Skaf was limited to what I had told her and the stories she had read that I had linked to her. Even from that little interaction, Rick had touched her.

He was a beautiful man.

-Moknim/Matt

[Xaraphyne]

Mrs. "Skafloc",

I'm so glad you found our community here, and that you had a chance for Rick to share with you some of the joy he found in his friendships with many of us. I've had countless "laugh out loud" moments myself that I never want to forget. Don't worry too much about not being computer savvy or if you can't understand half of what Redemptio said... *wink* If you understand the feeling behind the text, that's all you need.

Your words brought tears to my eyes. I couldn't agree more that Rick was one of the brightest lights in our lives, and that it's terribly unfair to have lost him. Even so, I can only imagine your and your children's grief, and other than my deepest condolences, I offer any and all support for projects for his benefit. I would dearly love to see his writing published; it would be a book I would pass down to my children. I have some modest editing skills and can offer any amount of energy and time lobbying for interest and support as well.

I've also composed a letter to send to a popular WoW journalism site, which Peter may have mentioned to you already, as I wanted to know if this would be all right by his family. Its purpose would be to share with a larger community the wonderful person Rick was as well as his beautiful writing. I would like to include some of the real-life pictures Rick shared with us, some of his stories and poetry, and the conversations he had with us about the disease. I can leave out any of those things or any other details if they make you uncomfortable. Here is the draft of the letter: Click here (http://wow-tng.org/showpost.php?p=255637&postcount=143). The pictures and stories and conversations are sprinkled throughout in the form of links, except for the poem which I would like to put in the letter.

Thank you for reaching out to us. I hope we're able to offer more comfort and condolence than inconvenience on your part. From all over the world -- Canada, all parts of the US, Australia, England -- there is immense love felt for your husband and in turn those closest to him. Take care.

--Meredith

[Natasha]

Meredith, you go girl. Whatever you need to submit on behalf of Rick then go to it.

I was thinking if Blizzard Ent. is giving anybody a hard time about Rick's writings, accounts, etc. perhaps you can refer them to me. I am, afterall the Executor and Beneficiary, so if they give you problems please feel free to refer them in my direction. I'm assuming they'd have to release any info in his name to me but hopefully it won't come to that because I don't know enough about this website or the game to be of any use really. As I said, I can hardly get the smiley faces to work.

You just do what you have to do. I can see that you all will do well by my husband.

I went to visit him today but sadly the path leading to his resting place was covered in snow. I tried to get through it but the snow was too deep. I contacted the cemetery office and gave them a piece of my mind. I will try again tomorrow.

.......Natasha

[Nadea]

Natasha,

First of all, I am so sorry for your loss. Having lost my father less than a year ago to Cancer, I know how hard it can be for you and your family.

I am truly touched that you have decided to come to this site and check in with us. Rick meant a lot to many of us, and I am glad you are able to experience a little of what we have here.

Rick was an amazing man that I am truly happy I was able to meet face to face. When he stopped in Boston last April, I had the pleasure of seeing him, along with Keraph, who is another poster here and also my boyfriend. Rick was one of the most kindest, positive people I think I have ever met.

I wish you the best to you and your family during this tough time, and if there's anything I can do, please let me know.

-Anna

[Gorvena]

Natasha,

I will also express my condolences and offer that Rick was indeed special. He paid attention to people, which is tragically rare in this day and age.

Reading your account of his last days made it hurt again, but it is good to know that you and your children had a chance to say goodbye, as painful as I know it was.

Speaking for myself, and echoing others, you are more than welcome to stay and read and catch up all you want, and at your own pace. We all take the structure of the site for granted because we are used to it. I can see how it could be confusing if you were not familiar with the format.

God bless.

Jeff

[Taknar]

Hi Natasha!

I'm glad you've been able to come to the site, and that you and Rick were able to share even just a little bit of our community. I've already expressed my condolences in our communications, but I'll do so again here. I hope you and your family take comfort in one another, and continue to keep Rick's memory alive.

~Shawn Drape

[Ellsbeth]

I remember the first time I saw Rick's email address when he was applying to the Melar Danashj website. "Rick Nohr?" I wondered if it was my older brother. Then I saw it was Mohr not Nohr. I commented to him on it. Maybe one day the Mohrs and the Nohrs were all related and the bad ones (that's us Nohrs) went west across the Rockies to live in the Lower Mainland.

Anyway. Thank you for stopping in. I grieve for your loss and your family's loss. I miss him too. I think his voice was one that could make even the darkest day, shine. He always said the most glowing things about you and seemed awed you would be a part of his life. I was pretty happy that he shared one of my experiences with you and you told me, "Go girl!"

I know we're all a little emptier without him here in our life. I hope to see his work published and I hope that the proceeds go toward finding a cure because the abruptness of his loss was so painful and so ...unfair.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope your family well and I want to thank you.

- Kim Nohr (from B.C.)

[Nymare]

Natasha,

From the very start, from the very first post he made about his cancer, I've been at a loss for words. And I hate so so much that I could never seem to say anything worthwhile, or, at least, nothing seemed appropriate... good enough... Encouragement and well wishes were coming from people far greater than myself, and there is always the belief, the hope, that I'd have more time to find words, or that they wouldn't be needed at all. Because, from what I got to know of him in the past two years, it seemed impossible to think that anything could overcome him. He just had that sort of personality - a beautiful optimism and sense of humor that could conquer anything. And through it all, he kept that, which I think is amazing.

I did finally manage to send him a message, to let him know I was thinking of him, to apologize for not saying anything sooner. In response, he told me it was all right, and he would be around as soon as he was home and feeling better - which I also think is amazing. Despite everything, he was telling me that it was all right, and even if he knew something I didn't, he never let it slip. That would be the last correspondence I would have with him.

I'd tried, after he posted that it had spread to his spine, to put something together for him, but then time was ripped away. We're still trying, the community and I, to make the video that I wanted to give to him. When it's finished, I'd like you to be able to see it, if you wanted to. You may not understand it, or you may laugh your ass off. I hope you laugh, it's what I wanted for him - something silly, and a way for all of us to wave and talk to him and his family, if even only through our pixels, to let you all know that we were pulling for you.

I want to tell you that I am sorry for your loss, and I think it is very kind of you to come here and correspond with us. I also wanted to tell you that I envy you, for being able to be apart of his life, to laugh with him, and to enjoy the delicious food he was always talking about!

And I want to thank you for being a wife that let him have this hobby - without which, we might never have gotten to know such a wonderful person. He brought many of us inspiration through his writing, perspective through his words (especially in posts like this one (http://www.wow-tng.org/showpost.php?p=200595&postcount=32)), and a good laugh when we needed it. So, thank you.

Wishing you and your children the best,
Crystal