Faceless but Fearless: Honoring the Ones Who Fight for Splinterlands
Faceless but Fearless: Honoring the Ones Who Fight for Splinterlands
The celebration of Conclave Arcana continues — but today, we pause for a retrospective not on the game itself, but on the players whose conviction has carried it further than many realize.
In Splinterlands, we often talk about chance, persistence & grit. We celebrate the brave, the relentless & those who continue showing up when others falter & fade. But behind the visible battlefield, there exists another form of fight — one less glamorous, but no less vital.
Today, we honor those who fight facelessly.
Those who carry the burden quietly but bear it proudly.
Those like @azircon, who, true to the spirit of his Hive alias Kaonashi, has moved mountains behind the scenes.
Kaonashi: The Silent Warrior
Kaonashi — or "No Face" — is more than just a name; it’s a symbol. One who operates without demand for recognition. One who builds, buys & bids, even when others doubt.
Historically a polarizing figure, @azircon has been loud, opinionated, principled & fiercely independent. He has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, even when it meant standing alone.
Those who know Azircon know he is not without his fire.
But what cannot be denied is this:
He speaks loudly.
He carries a big stick.
He says what many are unwilling to say.
He has fought for us.
He has fought for Splinterlands.
A Relentless Commitment
From the inaugural auction card event, where he secured 10 of the 100 Heloise the Hollow cards (while placing high bids on countless more), to this most recent act — setting up a massive $0.01 SPS buy wall, injecting well over $30,000 USD of real value into the game's economy over just the past few days— his actions speak louder than any words ever could.
These aren't just trades.
These are acts of belief. Of stewardship. Of conviction. Of leadership.
I said recently on one of our The People's Guild podcast episodes: "We would not have survived without our whales."
It’s players like @azircon, @vugtis, @bravetofu & others — who have put their money, time & spirit behind this game — that have kept Praetoria alive during its toughest winters.
We Are All Kaonashi
Whether through delegation, voting, buying, building, creating or simply continuing to show up — we are all Kaonashi in our own way.
Splinterlands was never meant to be just a collection of battles.
It was meant to be a world fought for, a community grown, a legacy built.
And so the call remains:
Fight for this game.
Fight for each other.
Fight for what it can still become.
The fight continues.
The mask is yours to wear.
And in the immortal words of Azircon, my friend:
We're done here!
Notes
To @azircon — Kaonashi — thank you, my friend. You've carried this torch when few others dared to. Your belief in this game has never wavered, even when the winds howled hardest. You didn’t just buy SPS — you bought us time, space & hope.
To @vugtis and @bravetofu — your quiet strength has meant more than words can say. The three of you, each in your own way, have reminded me what real conviction looks like: not just in what you say, but in how you act, where you show up & how you stand when no one’s watching.
The artwork here was made to honor you — not by name, but in spirit. These faceless warriors, these silent sentinels — they carry your likeness, because they carry your heart. (Fun fact: I pulled the inspiration for this artwork, & specifically for this post, from one of my new favorite, yet-to-be-revealed Conclave Arcana cards)
I'm proud to know you.
I'm proud to call you my (internet) friends.
And like you, I’ll keep showing up.
Beautiful and kind words for these legends — I couldn’t agree more. Thanks to everyone who’s here enjoying the journey together.
And don’t underestimate your own contribution! You’re a great voice on the podcast and in discussions. Keep up the awesome work, Kaonashi!
Many thanks beaker. Your own contribution to this game is also substantial so is bjangle's
Thanks Beaker! We've got a pretty friggin rad community of folks here <3
And likewise, Kaonashi! We're all doing our part :)
We continue to hold the line
Thanks for the update! Looks like things may have stabilized a bit aye?
Yes, a bit. Because more people are helping now.
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Thank you for the kinds words!
We are in this together!
Yessir, we are! You're very welcome, Az — the least I could do! :)
Such talent in writing! I love your posts, man. Keep it up!
Thank ya kindly, sir! It feels good to be writing again! Appreciate you saying so, man :)
Thanks for sharing! - @azircon

Wow artwork is stunning! It perfectly embodies the "faceless but fearless" theme.
Thanks! I thought so, too :)
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Wow Jangles, you are so spot on lately! I think you are paying tribute to the right people in the right way. Thank you for this.
I will fight beside him in any battles any day. He shows no fear, he does what needs to be done, and he doesn't shy away from battles, He figures out what it takes to win, and will push to make it happen.
People on the other side of his thoughts sometimes don't like him because he usually gets his way. But one thing I admire about AZ is that he does what he thinks is right, and doesn't let what people think of him stand in his way.
We can never have enough AZ's on our side.
That's a fact!
ps... and more Braves, Vugtises, Jangles, and many many more great Kaonashis in this game and community we are building together!!!
Many thanks for the kind words Dave. We all want this social experiment to be successful. That is my only goal.
Definitely! Happy to be your teammate AZ! Thank you for all you do, it is noticed!!!
Appreciate the encouragement, amigo! A simple article from me acknowledging all Az (& others) have done for this game & community is the least I could do.
Onwards & upwards, Dave!
Amazing post and I couldn't agree more! Thank you Jangles and AZ!
Cheers dude! Great seein ya here on hive amigo ;)
This post is amazing—truly epic! I absolutely loved the comparison. I completely agree: we owe so much to our AZ, and it’s incredible to see how he’s passing those principles on to others. He’s like water, to borrow another metaphor from Eastern wisdom—always adapting, always flowing, yet shaping everything in his path.
Heck yea, Merdorn! Thanks for taking the time to read & comment your thoughts here, dude. Love the analogy, too :)