I understand you have your own twisted idea of what balance is. I understand you can justify just about everything you've done in some way or another. But in another thread, I typed out this mockup quote:

"Your 99 +1 Almace is the exact same as my 99 Almace. Oh wait! Yours gives ME a bonus!"

And as I finished typing it, I realized more and more how this makes absolutely NO sense. There isn't a shred of logic here.

You've stated that a Level 99 R/M/E will have the same damage, delay and effect as a level 99 R/M/E with afterglow.

You've also stated that the afterglow will effect everyone EXCEPT the wielder.

You've also stated that the trial for said afterglow is going to be absurd enough so that only a few players actually get it.

My question is very simple: Why?

If Player A has a 99 Almace and Player B has a 99 Almace, they are on even ground. If Player A goes and does the insane trial for 99 Almace +1, PLAYER B reaps the reward.

"Oh, but Player A gets to glow!"

Big freakin' whoop. When it comes down to combat, your glow ain't gonna do squat while the rest of the party reaps the afterglow effect and your years of insane trial questing has left you in exactly the same place you were years ago.

From this perspective, it's actually more beneficial to me if I just stand around a few years doing NOTHING, and wait to get the benefit of someone else's afterglow.

I've twisted logic as much as I can for your past actions. But this...I can't even truly comprehend WHY you're doing it this way.