Requiem for a NPC

The world is veiled in
Darkness. The wind stops,
The sea is wild,
And the earth begins to rot.
The people wait,
Their only hope, a prophecy....
“When the world is in darkness
Four Warriors will come...."
After a long journey, four
Young warriors arrive,
Each holding an ORB.
-Final Fantasy I

We gather here today to remember Kary of Final Fantasy I. Kary was not the most original NPC ever. She did inhabit the relatively exotic location of Gurgu Volcano just northwest of the sleepy town of Crescent Lake, but her unmistakable resemblance to Kali the Hindu goddess of death cannot be overlooked (Trollock you FOOL, those were MY FAQ notes). As regards the path to Kary's lair, I find the words of one Brian P. Sulpher most poetic in his recently published Final Fantasy walkthrough: "Now you are FINALLY ready to go the Gurgu Volcano, but you may want to drop by Crescent Lake to buy the Exit spell for your White Wizard or Red Wizard. Regardless, find the Gurgu Volcano (northwest of Crescent Lake, east of Elfland), use a tent to save just outside of it, and then head into the fiery depths below!" Please fellow gamers let us forgive his mistaking a MAGE for a WIZARD (Mr. Sulpher, one Grimlock17 of AOL may contact you in this regard. Please, ignore his seductive subject lines: his correspondence is nothing but degenerate emoticons). True, the approach to Gurgu Volcano was beauteous. Also true, the use of CANOE irrepressibly whimsical. But, that final fight... vicious though it maybe, was tainted, yea I say TAINTED by the Post-modern weaknesses of Kary. Physically Kari was fit for the task; her HP was 600, and her use of the spells FIR2, DARK, FIR2, DARK, FIR2, HOLD, FIR2, HOLD at times overwhelming (especially when playing with the refreshing "party of theifs" sic Catyrlane). But, only a child could truly be held in this NPC’s thrall. Only a child (see also one Kinglord of Player’s Lairs) could find this religious rip-off inspiring. Yet, only a man could ever satisfy Kary. You see Kary was forever trapped in her fiery lair, enslaved even by her desire to satisfy young roleplayers around the world. Kary was a victim of love, a casualty of war, shot through the heart (and you are to blame…) Look into your heart, and you will find a place for Kary. She only wanted to know your white hot passion, not your white mage’s knowledge of STUN. She only wanted to help you find yourself in Gurgu Volcano. She was there for you in your hour of need. So, as we pass by Kary today, she has asked that we place not roses on her grave. She has ask that we spare the flowers in favor of a simple song. And, so let us join hands and whistle the battle theme from Final Fantasy.