10 Questions - Richard "Quinn" Pavis

Richard "Quinn" Pavis

Photo by Foren Mike

How long have you been playing?

Since Knights of the Eternal Flame Tournament '09.  So, 3 years this February.

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

It's hard to say exactly what has changed, since I've been in the game such a short time.  However, I've seen a number of important events, I've seen Embrace Death nerfed, fiberglass passed, Wayland defeated and the Munuko rediscovered.  More than everything I've seen the game grow rather than change.

Who have you learned the most from?

Magically, I learned the most from the Order of the Magi.  Through both direct instruction and indirect questions, I've learned quite a lot from the order as a whole.

Combat wise, I've learned from everyone who's ever beaten me.  I make it a point to spar with everyone I can.  I can't make it to every fight practice, but I try to learn from every death.  Even if the only lesson I learn is that I can't fight with a shield.

What was your best moment IC?

Being crowned King of a new world, rallying my people together in a time of danger, and facing a Dragon God in single combat, armed with the Sword and Shield of Destiny.

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

On staff for Beyond the Hag and Hungry Goblin, I gave out some Dissention key phrases to certain PC's.   Later when the PC's encountered a certain Bois, I got to yell fun things like "The sun has set forever" and "The darkness has no end".  Then I got to watch the PC's scramble around not only dealing with this new threat, but trying to determine where it came from.  It was great seeing a new mechanic work well.

Photo by Douglas Fisher

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

A way to add variety without unbalancing the game.  Also a way to engage the entire event site rather than a select group (I'm guilty of this as well.)

Oh, and puzzles that don't involve rune translations, or those little wooden puzzles where the pieces get lost all the time.

What advice would you give new players?

Listen.  Spar.  Ask Questions. NPC.

Quite often important information on a quest is said directly to the PC's.

Spar often.  Even spellcasters need to practice their verbals and footwork.

When asking questions try not to be pompous or arrogant.  Even if someone is playing a jerk PC or NPC, chances are they are willing to help a new player out.

NPC-ing is often a fun way to practice a new weapon combo, and call armor you don't have to wear.  Also, NPCing tends to be free.

What do you love most about the game?

The careful balance between tone and fun.  Various modern conveniences are allowed because they add more fun than the anachronism detracts.  I'm not sure about other people, but most of the time I don't even see cars, camp chairs, and the like while questing.

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

Nate Soule

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

Nope.

Why I Want to Go- Rhiassa Presents: What Lurks Beneath III

Why I Want to Go- Rhiassa Presents: What Lurks Beneath III: The Will of the Wind

Rhiassa Presents: Queen of Hearts XVIII
December 3, 2011 (Saturday 12pm) - December 3, 2011 (Saturday 7pm)

This is the third part of a continuing series of full-blown quest events. In the past these have been exclusively quest events with no tourneys or other non-questing components included...and that's a good thing. That is not to say there has been no fighting because past events have been filled to the top with stuff to fight. Speaking of the past, the event write-up provides a history of the previous events in the series so people who have not participated before can catch up on the plot and what has come previously. This should be a good, solid quest event.

The event is currently full since the site requires a cap of PCs. However, I am sure they would be fine with getting some more combat NPCs if you are looking to help out the Realms or just looking for something to hit (check with the eventholder before simply showing up).

Question of the Week - 16

What is your favorite monster to fight against?

What Character Are You?

Over at http://www.easydamus.com/character.html there is a questionnaire that asks a series of questions on your likes, dislikes and possible reactions to specific situations. From this it spits out what type of D&D character you would be. For fun, I used a fusion of my Realms experiences/outlook and real-world activities to answer the questions. Give it a try and let us know what you are.

In case you are wondering, the following was my final result...

True Neutral Human Wizard/Sorcerer (4th/3rd Level)

Ability Scores:
Strength- 12
Dexterity- 11
Constitution- 11
Intelligence- 14
Wisdom- 15
Charisma- 14
Alignment:
True Neutral- A true neutral character does what seems to be a good idea. He doesn't feel strongly one way or the other when it comes to good vs. evil or law vs. chaos. Most true neutral characters exhibit a lack of conviction or bias rather than a commitment to neutrality. Such a character thinks of good as better than evil after all, he would rather have good neighbors and rulers than evil ones. Still, he's not personally committed to upholding good in any abstract or universal way. Some true neutral characters, on the other hand, commit themselves philosophically to neutrality. They see good, evil, law, and chaos as prejudices and dangerous extremes. They advocate the middle way of neutrality as the best, most balanced road in the long run. True neutral is the best alignment you can be because it means you act naturally, without prejudice or compulsion. However, true neutral can be a dangerous alignment when it represents apathy, indifference, and a lack of conviction.

Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.

Primary Class:
Wizards- Wizards are arcane spellcasters who depend on intensive study to create their magic. To wizards, magic is not a talent but a difficult, rewarding art. When they are prepared for battle, wizards can use their spells to devastating effect. When caught by surprise, they are vulnerable. The wizard's strength is her spells, everything else is secondary. She learns new spells as she experiments and grows in experience, and she can also learn them from other wizards. In addition, over time a wizard learns to manipulate her spells so they go farther, work better, or are improved in some other way. A wizard can call a familiar- a small, magical, animal companion that serves her. With a high Intelligence, wizards are capable of casting very high levels of spells.

Secondary Class:
Sorcerers- Sorcerers are arcane spellcasters who manipulate magic energy with imagination and talent rather than studious discipline. They have no books, no mentors, no theories just raw power that they direct at will. Sorcerers know fewer spells than wizards do and acquire them more slowly, but they can cast individual spells more often and have no need to prepare their incantations ahead of time. Also unlike wizards, sorcerers cannot specialize in a school of magic. Since sorcerers gain their powers without undergoing the years of rigorous study that wizards go through, they have more time to learn fighting skills and are proficient with simple weapons. Charisma is very important for sorcerers; the higher their value in this ability, the higher the spell level they can cast.

What You Missed - Order of the List Invitational 1

Question of the Week - 15

This is a multi-part question...

What do you think about eventholders scheduling events on the same day? Is it ok? Does it hurt the Realms or maybe help it? Should the first to post an event "get" the date?
 

What You Missed - Rock & Roll

Photo by Dustin Mack

Photo by Dustin Mack

Photo by Dustin Mack

Photo by Dustin Mack

Why I Want to Go- Feast of Kalithnos

Feast of Kalithnos: Because Zula wants a Restaurant for his Casino

November 19, 2011 (Saturday 12pm) - November 19, 2011 (Saturday 8pm)

As a counterpoint to the martial event on the same day, we have a feast with all sorts of activities planned. The White Griffin Casino will be open for gambling goodness, as well as a special poker tournament. There will also be a Chinese Auction and multiple ways to earn some of the needed tickets. There will also be some fighting in something called the Wheel of Chance. To top it all off there will be a full feast and court. If you are looking for a laid back relaxing event this is for you.

Why I Want to Go-Order of the List Invitational 1

Order of the List Invitational 1 

November 19, 2011 (Saturday 12pm) - November 19, 2011 (Saturday 7pm)

If you haven't been paying attention lately, there has been a reckoning of martial prowess going on throughout the past year. The Order of the List has been collecting tourney results at various tourney events and keeping a tallied record of them. All this has led up to this event. This is where the top 16 tourney fighters of the Realms will compete to see who is the best of the best. It promises to be a spectacular display of marital skill.

For those not able to participate in the Order of the List fights there will still be enough to keep them busy and occupied. There are special contests for the spectators (with some really cool prizes), especailly if they can shop their support for their favorite fighter. In addition, there will be opportuinities to bet on the fights, seperate tourneys to gain some money to gamble with and some shops as well.   

10 Questions - Carrie "Tetch" Dolph

Carrie "Tetch" Dolph

How long have you been playing?
I have been playing since 1993, since the first Feast of Chimeron. I hate math, so ...

How has the game changed since you've been playing?
That would take a lot of time...

Aside from the obvious: changes in magic system, changes in nations and players and player characters...

I think the major change is in focus - it seemed that back in 'the day' there was more comraderie between players - like sing-a-longs in the evening, or gatherings after the event to talk about the event.. I kind of miss that...

Some things are better now, though, less favoritism, more consistant rules.

Who have you learned the most from?
I can't really say.. I learn from everyone, and try to learn from everything.

What was your best moment IC?
Do I have to pick one?

As Tetch: Defeating Thanatos in spirit combat. (Teach HIM to think a healer couldn't fight!)

As Tenguanese Samurai: Winning One Woman at QoH's (even though I wasn't supposed to be in that tourney!)

As Alex: All around kicking butt in Hell.

As Rune: The reaction of getting the 'gift' from Father Yule, and the 'super secret Commune with Spirit'.

What was your best moment as a NPC/EH/Player?
Again, just one??

The reaction of players to Fafnir.

The reaction of players to the Draco-Lich.

The way "The Citadel" came out in the last of the Lost Gate series.

What would you like to see changed or developed more in game?
More consistancy! (who didn't see that coming, I mean, really?)

Aside from that, I would like to see a better way of encouraging more NPCing, and more questing.

What advice would you give new players?
Be Brave, not IC necessarily, but OOC: Ask Questions. Introduce yourself. Try new things. Take risks you might not normally OOC.

What do you love most about the game?
The people.

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

Anything else you'd like to take the opportunity to put into print?
No thanks. :)

Question of the Week - 14

Which actor should play your character?

Outside the Realms - Shade's LARP List

Shade's LARP List is a website whose mission is to keep a list of all LARPs throughout the world. It is fairly comprehensive, though at times outdated (broken links, etc). In fact we are on the list as Realms of Wonder. Of particular note is the fact that there are announcements of upcoming events on the front page. One thing I would like to see is for someone (not me) to figure out how those announcements are placed and then get announcements of our events up there on a regular basis.

There is a similar site that lists various LARPs throughout the world at TheLARPER. I could not find the Realms anywhere on the site, but I believe the site is fairly new. It would be cool if we were there as well. More public exposure can only help our game.

Photo by Nathaniel Soule

What You Missed - Feast of Blackwood II

Photo by Dustin Mack

Photo by Dustin Mack

 

Photo by Dustin Mack

Photo by Dustin Mack

Why I Want to Go- Rock & Roll

Rock & Roll: T5C: A Tale of the Inventor, the Maze, and Things that Go Boom 

November 12, 2011 (Saturday 11am)

This promises to filled with questing epicness. It is being billed as a "ridiculouly challenging" event that will test every character (and player) on multiple levels. Do you have the stuff to handle it? Can you handle the robots? There's only one way to find out. While this is part of an ongoing plotline it should still be fun for everyone; I suspect many of the challenges require no prior plot knowledge, just a keen mind and body.

If you've been to this event site before, you know how awesome the site is. Of course then you also know that it is an expensive site (the site charges NPCs full price). Thus it is a good idea to let the EH know in advance if you are attending as a player or NPC, so they can better appropriate funds.

Question of the Week - 13

What do you think of the terms "newbie" and "oldbie"? Do you find those terms offensive or something you are ok with?

Riddle the Realms by Ian "Bright" Pushee

	T h e a	B r o m	U l r i c	S i m o n		F i r s t	S e c o n d	T h i r d	F o u r t h		M a g i c	A x	M a c e	D a g g e r		M i l l e r	M i l i t i a	B a k e r	F a r m e r		B l a c k w o o d	C h i m e r o n	C o v e n t r y	R h i a s s a
Borin
Rowan
Ayleth
Leif
Blackwood
Chimeron
Coventry
Rhiassa
Miller
Militia
Baker
Farmer
Magic
Ax
Mace
Dagger
First
Second
Third
Fourth

Rowan was killed before the Ascension War.
Lief was killed after Bedlam was opened.
Ayleth was killed by magic most foul.
An axe was used durring the murder in Coventry.
The murder in Blackwood took place after Sauron was defeated.
The murder in Rhiassa took place before Queen Meg went under the hill.
Brom killed Borin.
The farmer was killed in Coventry.
Thea killed Leif.
Brom used a dagger when he killed his victim.
Borin was killed in Blackwood.
The miller was killed before the Duchass of Beauty reawakened.
Ulric killed his victim after the Ascension War.
The militia member was killed after the sacking of Argyle.
The miller was killed after King Pyr was crowned.
The farmer was killed while Baba still walked the realms.
A dagger was used in one of the murders before the Bois reapppeared.

Hints:

Use the above matrix to mark negative linkages.
(If Brom killed with a dagger, the other three murder's didn't)

You'll eventualy be left with empty check boxes for all the true linkages.

Don't make logicly false asumptions
(You know Lief was killed before Bedlam was opened...
that does not in mean his murder took place after the Ascention War)

Show/Hide Answers

Borin - Brom - Third - Dagger - Miller - Blackwood

Rowan - Simon - First - Ax - Farmer - Coventry

Ayleth - Ulric - Second - Magic - Baker - Rhiassa

Leif - Thea - Fourth - Mace - Militia - Chimeron

Riddle the Realms

Riddle the Realms will be another ongoing feature of the View From Valehaven. These will be puzzles, riddles and other mind challenges/games that all have a central theme relating to the Realms. The goal is for the feature to publish every other week or so. Today we have our first Puzzle in the next article post and it's a really nice logic puzzle by Ian "Bright" Pushee. The layout was all his doing and I think it looks really nice.

So put on your thinking caps and have some fun!

Why I Want to Go- Grimgiving 2

Grimgiving 2: realms toy drive
November 5, 2011 (Saturday 12pm) 

A nice tournament event, which will include tourneys for spellcasters as well as fighters. The best part is that this is a toy drive for needy children during the upcoming holidays. In fact, in lieu of the already low event price, you can instead bring an unwrapped toy to pay admission. So, if you want to do some fighting, see some of your friends in one of the last outdoor events of the year or just want to help out those in need, this is an excellent opportunity. The event listing has specific instructions on what type of toys are accepted for the drive so make sure to check it and the event out.

Why I Want to Go- Carnage in Wonderland

Carnage in Wonderland: Carnage 14
November 4, 2011 (Friday 5pm) - November 6, 2011 (Sunday 12pm)

This annual event takes place at the same time and place as the gaming convention, CarnageCon. This is a great way to promote the Realms to those who have not tried it before. It is my understanding that the price of admission includes the gaming convention as well, so after a hard day of adventuring you can relax with some board or table top rpg games. This could simply be geek heaven. For additional information on the gaming con you can go here. Even if you go last minute they can usually fit you into the convention games and certainly into the Realms portion.

The site is very pretty, especially this time of year with all the colors. Despite the event taking place at an inn/convention there is usually plenty of room for the event itself. Last year the event made use of the outside and thus had plenty of room for some good adventuring. Last year they had an outdoor dungeon built of epic size with full walls. A lot of work went into the event.

10 Questions - Ian "Bright" Pushee

Ian "Bright" Pushee

Photo by Melissa Fitzgerald

How long have you been playing?
Since King of Rogues in mid 1997 (more than 14 years).

How has the game changed since you've been playing?
This feels like a cop-out answer... but  I really think the Realms si basicly the same game I joined just out of high school. Sure, the magic system is different, innumerable rules change every year, the quality and quantity of questing events waxes and wanes, and the face are constantly changing. But it's kind of a "the more things change, the more they stay the same", I can't think of any fundamental way that the game is different now from what it was back then.

Who have you learned the most from?
This is a really tough question to answer -- I credit the game with a lot of my personal growth in the past 14 years, and it's not one single person that has done that for me, but rather the general game experience and community. If I had t pick one person who has most influenced where Bright is today: Jony Balboni. Form the "I wan't to be able to do that" moment of watching Stuart carve holes in walls with an etch-e-scetch, to Borjid's self-depricating battle cry of "Daggers to the fore!", Jony's characters have always set a great example of how to be a powerful and memorable mage, without overshadowing your comrades.

What was your best moment IC?
It wasn't really a 'moment', but the process of petitioning for the Spirit Council was probably the most memorable and influential experiences I've had in character. The vows Bright swore and the spirit which chose him has had a profound impact on the adventurer he has become.

What was your best moment as a NPC/EH/Player?
The most fun I had NPCing was probably at Kelly's first event. Shaun Stoddard and I were playing imps under the control of Mike Amend's demon. We hid in a tree as Mike greeted/taunted the PCs, and jumped out on his signal, cackling. We continued cackling maniacally for the rest of the night, pretty much non-stop.  I hear it was rather creepy for the PCs :)

Photo by Robyn Otter Nielsen

What would you like to see changed or developed more in game?
In game, I'd like to see more leadership. Especially on quests, it seems that people are less and less willing to take responsibility for the adventuring party as a whole. We are ever more likely to blunder through the quest, hoping that the right information gets to the right people at the right time for everything to work out. We are ever more likely to segregate into national groups, rather than working for the common world-saving goal of the day.

What advice would you give new players?
Figure things out for yourself. Don't wait for people to hand you
information, they are probably all just as clueless as you.

What do you love most about the game?
The questing. Every weekend is a chance for someone new to tell a story close to their heart. Every weekend is a chance for new heroes to be made. The Realms is a perpetual and ever evolving mythos... and I love that we all have our own equally important part to play in it.

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

Anything else you'd like to take the opportunity to put into print?
Let it be recorded for all time: if you are having any sort of trouble with RealmsNET... send me an email. I have the memory of a goldfish and will most likely forget any issues you tell me at an event!