Retrospective — Knights of Memory

Knights of Memory, founded May 1st, 2014

“What does KoM mean to you?”
Screenshot & Story Challenge 2021

From our Knights

KoM holds a very special place in my heart. I have met wonderful people through this community, and KoM has been incredibly inclusive and welcoming. I am extremely thankful for everyone's companionship. I feel very comfortable and grateful for the wonderful community I am apart of! In a very stressful time, amidst covid, it has been amazing to be able to talk and bond/get excited over a game we all hold very dear (along with other games!). KoM has touched my life in ways I cannot express enough gratitude for, thank you everyone for making such a wonderful community and a safe space.

—Crim

Where to even begin? I started playing FFXIV in April 2020 because of some friends I have in KoM (mostly Romano), whose savage raid streams got me so interested in the game that I wanted to actually try it for myself. I knew I wanted to try savage raids, but I never expected to jump so quickly into raiding with the team that got me into the game in the first place! Through COVID lockdown and all the other craziness of life, KoM has been a source of comfort and enjoyment. People to talk with, friends to game with, and so much joy. FFXIV wouldn't be the same without KoM, and I'm so happy to be a part of this wonderful FC! (I hope Crim doesn't mind I stole their screenshot)

—Mythrilia

KoM has been a place that accepts the fact that even though we are playing an MMO, I can still be doing solo things without judgement. However when there are events up, it is nice to be included in the fun. I feel comfortable with the Knights of Memory to just be myself and I have met some of the best of friends in this Free Company. I am grateful that Illinia and Tharash encouraged me to jump into this game and introduced me to this FC. I have made some good memories and I plan to make a few more.

—Yllamse

Surprisingly, I don't have a whole lot to say about this game and community that's been a part of my life for the better part of 5 years. Though people come and go, it's good to know there's always a group of people around who care. Even though I'm not around a whole lot, I'm glad that you've all been a great part of my life, and I'm glad to have been a part of yours. So, thanks for the fun years, and here's to a couple more.

—Romano

KoM has been a wonderful community to me with so many great people in it. Welcoming, supportive, talented, and just plain fun lot of folks to be around and I can never thank you all enough for welcoming me in and making me feel like I belong.

—Tristran

KoM: came for the FC, stumbled on a great gaming community. You all have been instrumental in plowing through this pandemic especially; be it raiding, farming, goofing around, late night Mario Kart, etc.

—Kalare

Rolling into Amarout with Crim with nobody else around was one of my ShB highlights. —Kalare — Rolling into Amarout with Crim with nobody else around was one of my ShB highlights. —*Kalare*

The subligar contest was a lot of fun and I started to get an idea of the group sense of humor.

We did a beach event as an FC, there were some previous screenshots, and I actually accomplished a jumping puzzle for once. It was a really fun event and a nice way to get to know people. Bean made it too :)

I came to KoM to harass Star Bearer but I stayed because of the kind people. Games like this, heck, life in general, can get lonely if you're forging your way through and you have no one to share your experiences with. I feel fortunate that my winding path led me here to a group of interesting, humble people that don't take themselves too seriously. Thank you for being a shining little corner of the universe <3

—TC

Doing HoH with Crim, Kalare and Flayre until we got our mounts was really fun. We had some scary moments in there and only wiped once out of the 5 attempts.

I'd really like to express how much I enjoy being a part of KoM and its community. I've been in the FC since its early days and I was, at one point, an officer prior to taking a long break from the game. Over time, KoM seems to have become less a FC and more a diverse network of friends who are interested as much in each others' lives and well-being as they are in a common hobby. Hanging out with you guys in voice chat is something I really look forward to after often long days of dealing with my chronic health issues and other life stuff going on. It's tough for me to scratch together the cash for game time codes, but for so long as I can, I hope to play together and talk with this great group!

—Nova

I've made so many memories with you all in the years since I joined the FC. You guys are some of the coolest people I've ever met, and I'm incredibly grateful to have such amazing friends to chill and relax with. This FC and the people in it are what keep me coming back XIV; I can't wait to see what the next year will bring!

—Talomere

Our first clear of Dun Scaith at release.

Going through these old screenshots was such a journey. That’s the power of them, right? It’s hard to put into words what KoM has meant to me. The best I can do is hope how I feel comes through in the events we put together: KoM has been my home. It has gotten me through the pandemic. And you are some of my dearest friends. For everything we have shared together, to the people who’ve had to say goodbye, for both the good and the bad, I will always be grateful for your role in my life. Thanks for putting up with me—through all my fantasias, and silliness and bad (GOOD) riddles. My time with the Knights has been, hands down, the best of what I’ve experienced out of FFXIV. An unforgettable 5 years. An unforgettable Roe Bean. Wherever we end up in the future, that’s something I’ll always have.

—Bean

I’m really nostalgic for this moment. My first KoM event, probably even one of Zeb’s pizza days :)

Romano [Well one of us has to change].png

Crim [Star Spangled means AST right] (1).png

Yllamse+%5BThat+moment+when+your+baby+griffin+is+unamused%5D+%281%29.jpg

What can I truly say about KoM? I was going through a very rough mental state when I joined them, feeling like I barely had any friends, or people to call friends. I was invited to the FC when Zeb and Wren were leading, yet even with different leadership, they made me feel accepted, welcomed. Despite still feeling distant at times, especially with running content, I still feel included every time I see things posted in the Discord. Thank you, KoM, for making me feel wanted.

—Eke