Humanizing the Realms with Diana Learned (nee LaPierre), Sir Kiira of Invictus
1. What do you do outside of the game? What would you like to be doing? (Work, school, projects, etc.)
I am a Preschool Teacher at HCS Head Start. I work with at-risk communities to provide free, high-quality childcare and education for children ages 0-5, with my classroom specifically being a preschool room, which is ages 2.9 to 5-years-old. I have been working there for just under 13 years. I love working there and it is my calling in life. Being able to meet children where they are, taking into account that no two children learn the exact same, with neurodiversity both in my students and in myself, and just having a great time doing it. We are never done learning, in my opinion, and my students teach me just as much as I teach them, and a lot of time they teach me a healthy dose of humility. My kids, Eris(19) and Karter(15), are a huge part of my life and I’m so proud of the people they are. I’ve volunteered for their activities in the past and it’s been super rewarding to be able to work with them and their fellows to see them grow in so many aspects of life, and that has also taught me very useful skills. Spending time with my family, including my husband Josh and my three cats, is the best part of my life. I am probably the luckiest person in the world and I continuously look forward to doing that for the rest of my life.
2. What hobbies do you enjoy other than LARP?
So many hobbies! I like to think of myself as a Jack of all trades, master of none, which is most likely due to my ADHD. I love playing table top role-playing games. I’ve been playing D&D since the beginning of 3rd Edition(about 25 years ago) and I still play a weekly game where Karter also plays and it’s run by Kevin Betie(Cinnabar), who is an amazing GM! I also have an Ork Army, Imperial Guard Army, and the beginnings of a Death Guard Army for Warhammer 40K, which I don’t play(or build, or paint) nearly enough for the amount I’ve paid for the tiny plastic creatures and vehicles. I also own random other card decks for systems that I should play but also don’t. I have had a life-long love of video games, and recently I’ve been playing a lot of Nintendo Switch. I still break out my old systems every few years for nostalgia’s sake. I also keep replaying old Pokémon games for the same reason. Crafting is a huge part of my hobbies and I’d like to say I love sewing but I don’t know if that’s true. I sew, leather craft, wood craft, build weapons, and random other things that help facilitate my Realms Career, which is extremely transferable to the real world. Finally, I love reading everything, especially comics, manga, fantasy novels, romantasy books, and following late night rabbit holes into random topics on the internet. I also enjoy watching movies and tv series and discussing or arguing about them in person.
3. Favorite meal, dessert, and drink?
I love food so much, which is sad because my food restrictions are pretty severe. My Italian Grandmother lived next door to me as a child, so there was always an abundance of food and incessant nagging if I didn’t eat it. My favorite meals that I am always in the mood for are; burgers with sweet potato fries, steak with mashed potatoes and asparagus, or tacos topped with microgreens instead of lettuce. My favorite dessert used to be cheesecake, but since I can’t eat it anymore I’d have to go with dairy free ice cream in a cone or popsicles made with real fruit. Yes, and hot brownies. I am a very, “what have you done for me lately,” kind of drink consumer, so depending on my mood, I will mostly drink water but I also enjoy teas, matcha, colas, Shirley Temples, or Code Red Mountain Dew.
4. If you could go on vacation anywhere, where would it be? Would you bring anyone?
This is a very difficult question. I love learning about the past, so I would greatly appreciate visiting historical places in Europe, the Middle East, South America, or Asia. I would have loved to see the Parthenon before it was blown up(during WWII), to see any of the pyramids, the colosseum, etc. The other thing I would enjoy is visiting Hobbiton and trying to break in and live there forever.
Recently, I’ve been focusing on my own physical and mental health since we’ve been living through such unprecedented times. The journey has been extremely successful and I’m proud to say I’m feeling very happy and very healthy.
As far as future goals, I would love to return to school and get a doctorate in Education. Education is my passion and, ironically, I love learning.
6. Favorite outfit other than garb?
Anyone who knows me knows that my go-to outfit is a graphic tee and jeans or shorts. If I’m going out, I tend towards goth fashion, with fishnets and fun shoes!
7. Do you have any professional or personal skills you’d be willing to talk about?
I can juggle, which comes in really handy to entertain small children. Also, I love music and I can sing, which also helps me at my job. In my job, I excel at working with children who have challenging behaviors which translates into me being able to form strong bonds with people in a small period of time and I have developed the patience of a mother wolf spider carrying her babies on her back. While I try and use this skill with everyone, I tend to be able to use it more with younger folks.
8. What drew you to the realms, and what keeps you there?
I went to Holyoke Community College where I joined the RPG Club. From there, I was introduced to LARPing and I immediately took to it. I met my husband Josh (Shandar) there and haven’t looked back in 21 years. Our relationship, even within the context of the game, helped us to be better people and players in the game. The people, specifically my friends and found family, keep me coming back. I also love teaching people the skills I have gained from the game because I LOVE sharing knowledge, even if it’s unwanted(sorry).
9. Favorite movies/shows/books?
This is impossible to answer. There are sooooo many. Currently, I’m living for Apothecary Diaries, DanDaDan, and I’m trying to catch up on One Piece(I just hit the two year time skip). Genre’s I love are fantasy, horror, sci-fi, some drama, some comedy, classics, and news parodies. For literature, I like the same sort of things including comics, manga, manhwa, and smut. I’m currently reading Zodiac Academy and enjoying the 6th book.
10. If you happened upon 3 wishes, what would they be? (Wishing for more wishes doesn’t seem to work...)
- Universal Health Care
- Every child could grow up being safe, healthy, and would only have to worry about self-actualization on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
- A tiny house/vardo wagon of my very own where I can put it in the woods to be my preschool classroom and be able to sing to animals and get them to do chores with me like some kind of Snow White-esque life. 🥹
11. Who would you like to see interviewed next?
I’m not sure who has, so I’ll give a list: Kathy Fey, Antonio Laudati, and Michael Durocher.
12. Anything else you’d like to add?
Some helpful tips, if you’ll humor me: When trying to establish a relationship or interacting with people you don’t know very well, remember to recognize that not everyone has the same experience you do. Look at things through different lenses. So many factors can go into an interaction that you may not be thinking about. We all have our own truths. Before I realized my neurodivergence or masking skills, I didn’t always have great interactions, and sometimes I still struggle. On the opposite hand, you do matter and don’t let people treat you poorly if you’ve done nothing to deserve it. Stand up for yourself because you are just as important as the next person. Try your best to be positive and keep that glass half full. This has been so important in my own personal growth and happiness. Don’t perpetuate unsubstantiated information. Lies and slander can really hurt people on so many levels. Don’t blindly believe rumors. Do your own research. If you know there is a problem, don’t stay quiet to maintain the status quo. Speak up and go to others who will help you.
If you'd like to do one of these interviews, please contact Dani Lacasse or submit your responses HERE!
