Question of the Week - 32

What do you think of capped events (events that limit the number of players that can attend)?

Happenings on the Emerald Path

This is the start of a news and announcements section of what Realms players are doing outside of the Realms.

Congratulations!!Eric “Ged” Willisson is putting his WPI education to good use with an exciting new opportunity as a Software Engineer for the Google Flight Search team. He'll be working with ITA Software (the company that google just acquired that makes the databases for companies like Orbitz and Priceline). Eric just finished his two week orientation in CA last week and began work in Cambridge on 3/12.

Andrew "Lysis" Adams, has been chosen to represent North America at a theme park in Japan. He is one of 7 pipers and drummers performing at the Huis Ten Bosch park in Nagasaki. He is performing 4-5 shows a day from March 3-June 10. The park is a Dutch Village theme park.

Alex "Baby Drow" Sargent's studies have taken her to Rwanda, where she is studying Post-Genocide Restoration and Peace-building in the capital city of Kigali with 23 other students. The program includes excursions to Genocide memorials and local NGOs, as well as site visits with Millennium Village projects and even learning the art of weaving traditional peace baskets with local women. She is also living with a Rwandan family and learning to speak kinyarwanda- a language spoken in only one country in the whole world!. You can keep up with her on her adventure by checking out her blog, The Afreekan Diet, here.

When not roleplaying in the Realms, Dano "Piper" Knobel plays different roles on stage. He most recently was in Columbinus. A play by the United States Theatre Project written by Stephen Karam and PJ Paparelli and presented by the UMASS Lowell Off-Broadway Players. The play included the actual 911 call and dialogue from the events and aftermath of the 1999 Columbine High shooting, and, according to viewers, "did it justice."

Bethany “Freesia” Tozier is gearing up for her 4th year of participated in the full contact sport of Roller Derby. She is currently skating for NHRD. Known as “Irate Prirate” she is a member of The Skate Free or Die! All Stars and is the Jam Coach for the Granite Skate Troopers. Click on the links above to learn the schedule and make it to one of her games to see this exciting sport live and show her your support.

Welcome to the world- Sian (pronounced Shawn) Rodolph McCarthy, son of Michael "Myrrdin" McCarthy and Michelle "Tiara Moonstone" McCarthy. He was born 3-9-12 at 9:18pm 19.5 inches and 7 lbs. Both mother and baby are doing well.

Not Forgotten

Former Realmsie Jason "Rancor" Massey passed away on March 11, 2012. Although he hadn't been an active player in a few years, focusing on his family, education, and career, he still tried to occasionally stop in at events (most recently NPC'ing at Folkestone Questing 2010) to keep in touch with friends from the game

His obituary can be viewed on line and includes some beautiful pictures as well as information on how make a contribution to his family in his memory. In addition the Knights of the Blue Rose plan to collect donations at their upcoming Tournament.

10 Questions - Tim "James Swift" Suitor

Tim "James Swift" Suitor

Photo by Casey Lemay

How long have you been playing?

I'll be getting my fifth Tourneys of Creathorne bracelet this year, so I've been in almost five.

How has the game changed since you've been playing?

The game has been few a couple rules changes, some new spells, some nerfs, a fair bit of stuff, but it's still the same game.

Who have you learned the most from?

I've learned a lot from a lot of people.  Grimloch taught me a time or two to behave myself.  And I'm glad, I really am.  Travis Wilcox taught me a lot too, he taught me to 'try it', to experiment and see what happens.  And Janna Oakfellow-Pushee, she taught me to be loud, among a million other things.  (Believe it or not, once I was timid!)

What was your best moment IC?

We were in hell, sieging Lucius's castle.  I am more than well aware Abjury is next to useless in most situations, even more so against the big boss.  As a three path I couldn't really get in there two well, so I was settling on scalping the wall with my Holy Mace when he showed up.  The big demon himself.  What the hey, why not.  So I bellow out an Enfeeble Being him, ending in a nice loud 'SUCK IT!', and of course he just looks at me and Resists Magic.  The marshal next to me however told me the spell reflected, so I popped my Resist magic.  Then I heard him start off with "I banish you to...".  I had to recast my Resist Magic fast, and it just got up when he finished his spell, and it bounced right off me.  So, I started shouting my last Enfeeble.  I like to think he was walking away because I out Abjured him.

Photo by Douglas Fisher

What was your best moment as a NPC/EH/Player?

Feast of Blackwood this past year.  It was the most fun I've had in AGES.  But there was one moment when a wraith like creature scalped me, and it was supposed to really mess you up, it hurt your character's soul because it tried to enter you.  The marshal was explaining to me that it feels like I've been scalped ten times.  Another marshal came by and said "Wait, that's James Swift!  He actually roleplays his soul and scalping.  Swift, it feels worse than thirty times."  Yes it hurt, but it was nice to see marshals will play along if you have a schtick sometimes.

What would you like to see changed or developed more in game?

Honestly, I would like to see something done with Abjury.  Either buff it or drop it.  It has some great flavorful spells, but so many NPCs aren't even briefed on what to do, or marshals just say no, that it's next to worthless.  That, and Roleplay, we are a LARP gosh darnit!  Roleplay more people!

What advice would you give new players?

Meet people, introduce yourself, find out what's going on. Get involved in a plot, plots are a lot of fun and give your character more depth and things to do.  Other advice, get spells, Magic rules.

What do you love most about the game?

The people and the chance to really connect.  It may be a game, but feeling like you can trust someone and they have your back is a great way to bond with someone.

Who would you like to see the next interview be with?

My pal Roland, or Travis/Janna

Anything else you'd like to take the opportunity to put into print?

Oh boy, is there ever.  But I've been scalped 23 times in my 4 active years.  I'm not going to admit to anything in print ;-)

[For the ladies, we have an extra photo today.]

Photo by Dustin Mack

What You Missed - Feast of Winter's Twilight II

Photo by Angela Gray - 2012

Photo by Douglas Fisher - 2012

Photo by Douglas Fisher - 2012

Photo by Douglas Fisher - 2012

What You Missed - Twilight's Dawn S.o.S.

Photo by Casey Lemay - 2012

Photo by Douglas Fisher - 2012

Photo by Angela Gray - 2012

Photo by Dustin Mack - 2012

Why I Fight – My Advice to Female Fighters by Alysha "Kyntela" Metcalf

Today we have an excellent article sent in by Alysha on the topic of female fighters in the Realms. Give it a good read and you'll likely learn something. Also of interest is the fact that this Saturday at WPI in Worchester is the Huntress Guild Crafting Day where the goal is to make some weapons for their practices and participants. So come to help out, learn to make some weapons and shields, or just to socialize.

Why I Fight – My Advice to Female Fighters

My Realms career began at UConn fight practice in fall 2006. I arrived at college already having located the Society for the Medieval Arts and Combat on the University of Connecticut Student Activities website. It was the “medieval” part of that club name that grabbed my attention, but it was the combat that kept me coming back every week. The idea that I could hit people with a big stick and not get in trouble was immensely appealing.

When I learned more about the Realms, I faced the same decision we have all made at one point: fighter or caster? For me, the choice was easy. I liked the idea that I could use any weapon I wanted, and that I could have two points of armor. To be honest, I was also intimidated by the idea of learning spells. I didn't believe (and still don't believe to this day) that I could remember how many Raises I had left, or what spells I had in which slot.

Ever since I first made that decision, I have remained a fighter. I love fighting, but I'll admit that I wasn't very serious about it in the beginning. I fought at practices and the sporadic events that I attended. I only signed up for single short and hand and a half tournaments. I had no idea how to call my armor.

Then something changed. I started practicing more, and harder, with the goal of improving and learning new styles. I became more competitive at events and tournaments. At first I just wanted to win, but this feeling evolved into the desire to promote not only myself, but women in general, in the realm of combat. Female fighters seemed to be a minority, and I wanted to change that.

The struggle of female fighters is two-fold; like any fighter, you need to work hard to be good at what you do, but you also need to work hard to be taken seriously as a fighter. A man who chooses to be a fighter is more readily accepted into the fighter culture than a woman is. I think the fact that women are not expected to be fighters has been a big part of what has motivated me to keep fighting.

I have attempted to compile some advice for any woman who is, or is thinking of, following the female fighter path. What I have encountered may not hold true for everyone, but I have applied my experiences to a few points that I hope will resonate with the other women out there. I'm not perfect; I'll be the first to admit it. There is a lot of advice here that I myself need to follow more diligently. But I will be happy if at least one woman can take something away from what I've written here.

ñ     Practice.

The only way to get better at fighting is to practice. Improving your combat skills requires time and effort. You will not magically become an expert fighter over night. The top tier fighters you see at events and practices became that good because they have spent countless hours honing their crafts. There are several practices around New England: WPI on Monday nights, Nottingham on Tuesday nights, UConn on Wednesday nights. These are all excellent opportunities to work on a variety of drills and work with a diverse group of fighters. If you can't make it to any of the major practices, grab a friend and spar in your yard or driveway. Seek out chances to practice at events, whether it's sparring off to the side at a tournament event, or lining up against an NPC on a quest. NPCing also provides a great opportunity to practice.

ñ     Step outside your comfort zone.

Being a good fighter means being a well-rounded fighter.  The key is to be open to learning new styles (even if you think there's no way you can overcome the awkwardness of fighting florentine). I spent almost three years fighting with a hand and a half. I became comfortable, and was afraid to try something new and potentially fail at it. I finally forced myself to put the effort into learning to fight sword and marne. Fighting with a combination taught me a host of new skills, encouraged me to be a more offensive fighter, and even helped improve my hand and a half style. Being competent with multiple styles can only benefit you. A situation might arise on a line, or in a castle, where the team needs another fighter to pick up a pike, or join the shield wall. That ability to adapt successfully to changing combat scenarios and switch weapon styles to suit the situation gives you a huge advantage and makes you an asset to any team.

Even the best fighters have aspects of their craft they need to improve. You should never feel bad or embarrassed if you lack skills in a certain area. Be aware of what you need to improve, and work on it. When it comes to fighting, there is always something new you can learn.

ñ     Participate in tournaments.

Think of tournaments as just another opportunity to practice. Sign up for every tournament you are eligible for. Not confident in your sword and shield fighting? Me neither. Sign up anyway and use the opportunity to learn something new. I also understand how difficult it can be to overcome that fear of fighting in front of a crowd of people. Do your best to forget the spectators. The only people who matter are yourself and your opponent. Everything else is just a distraction.

There is also a lack of female participation in many combat tournaments. An important step toward being taken more seriously is to increase the female presence on the tourney field. This goes along with stepping outside of your comfort zone. Even if you don't advance through the first round of a tournament, just the fact that you put yourself out there should boost your confidence. Other women will see you and feel encouraged to sign up for more tournaments as well.

ñ     Men will underestimate you. Use that to your advantage.

While this may not be a universal truth, it is something that you will face in one form or another during the course of your fighting career. Men will use their brute force to try and overpower you. Learn to adapt your fighting style to your strengths. You may not have the same arm strength as a male fighter or be able to fight the same way, but you can learn to work with your own body to create a fighting style that works with your natural strengths.

 If you step into the tourney ring against a male competitor, he might be thinking to himself that he has an easy win. Let that motivate you. Defeating an opponent who underestimated you is deeply satisfying. Even if you lose the fight, you can show that you aren't afraid to compete. If you're at practice, make it a point to line up against that guy who seems to keep beating you. Learn his style, and learn what you can do to beat him.

ñ     Don't be intimidated.

Easier said than done, right? We've all been in that situation. You get called for a tournament. So does Rohde, or Jaha, or Shandar, or any one of those people that causes that gut-dropping feeling of dread. You feel like the pressure is on; everyone is watching and you know you're going to lose. Never go into a fight with that defeated mindset. Even if you are facing a more skilled opponent, that negative attitude will defeat you before you even take a swing.

In general, female fighters are not as naturally aggressive as male fighters. Forcing yourself to be aggressive is possibly one of the most difficult aspects of fighting you will have to learn. Aggression is certainly one of my main obstacles. It takes a lot of practice and pushing yourself to move your feet, to commit to closing on your opponent, to learn to double-tap. If you are woman who is naturally aggressive, learn to focus that energy into controlled and effective combat.

ñ     Ask for help.

If you see someone at a fight practice or at an event and think to yourself “you know, I would really love to learn a few tips from that person,” don't be afraid to approach them and ask if they could take some time to practice with you. Most fighters in the game would be happy to help you. Female fighters especially will open to sharing their knowledge with you. Although approaching someone can be scary, I promise you won't regret the decision. Working with different people is extremely valuable. You will gain different perspectives and learn a variety of techniques that you can take and apply to your own fighting style. You will also find that you have an easier time training with some people rather than others, whether it's their teaching style that works for you, or your styles mesh in an effective way. Even just discussing combat with other fighters can open you up to new ideas or ways of approaching fighting that you may not have thought of.

ñ     Don't give up.

There will be times where you will get discouraged. Every fighter has moments of self-doubt, and questions if all the hard work is really worth it. Understand that becoming a good fighter is an arduous process that requires time, dedication, and a genuine will to learn. If you truly want to improve and want to compete at the level with the best fighters in the game, then you need to put a lot of energy into    the process. In those moments where you feel ready to give up, remember that every amazing fighter had to start from scratch. If you are struggling to decide if you really want to continue down the fighter path, think that your hard work and presence on the battlefield could be an inspiration to another woman out there.

ñ     Remember: the goal isn't to be a good female fighter; the goal is to be a good fighter.

Being a good female fighter is only half the battle. If you only compete against other women, you can't truly integrate yourself into the Realms fighter culture. There is no doubt that I have experienced fierce competition within the One-Woman Tournament, and I am proud to compete against my fellow female fighters. But I know that if I want to be one of the best, I need to compete against the best, and that includes men. Putting yourself up against male competitors can be intimidating, certainly, but the more you do it, and the more you practice, the more confident you will become that you can compete against anyone.