Douglas "Metron" Fisher
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| Photo by Lina Weldell |
How long have you been playing?
Since Midnight Storm 3 in 2001 -- so about 11 years now.
How has the game changed since you've been playing?
Mages are more powered than they were when I started, even just 11 years ago. At the same time, the martial aspect of the game has increased. I think that by and large, plots are more complicated and special effects are getting slowly better.
Who have you learned the most from?
It's a combination of three people: Steven Matulewicz, Matthew Brenner and Angela Gray. Steven, I learned the most from early in my Realms career, in ways to act, wanting to better oneself, and to keep going on art and crafting. Matthew more in the middle of my time in Realms, in terms of running events, game balance, and crafting stories. More recently, I've been leaning from Angie about keeping a separation (as this is only a game, really,) working with a wide variety of people, and getting back into really roleplaying again.
Since Midnight Storm 3 in 2001 -- so about 11 years now.
How has the game changed since you've been playing?
Mages are more powered than they were when I started, even just 11 years ago. At the same time, the martial aspect of the game has increased. I think that by and large, plots are more complicated and special effects are getting slowly better.
Who have you learned the most from?
It's a combination of three people: Steven Matulewicz, Matthew Brenner and Angela Gray. Steven, I learned the most from early in my Realms career, in ways to act, wanting to better oneself, and to keep going on art and crafting. Matthew more in the middle of my time in Realms, in terms of running events, game balance, and crafting stories. More recently, I've been leaning from Angie about keeping a separation (as this is only a game, really,) working with a wide variety of people, and getting back into really roleplaying again.
What was your best moment IC?
I feel my best moment IC was at a Feast of Min years ago, on the "Tuesday" night quest run by Carrie Dolph. I was so far IC that I actually grabbed the front of the Vampire Azreal's shirt and screamed at him that he was not leaving the area with Aeston Stromgate's soul!
He coldly sliced Metron's belly open and I collapsed on the ground. It was real and intense, even though there was a misunderstanding involved (it was really PVP that had resulted in Aeston being scalped, not Azreal), but that night quest was still extremely awesome.
What was your best moment as a NPC/EH/Player?
The best moment as an EH was watching the players piece things together during the event (and especially night quest of) A Single Grain of Sand. I've come to realize that those are my favorite times as an EH, when the things that we (the Fae Staff) have set up get figured out and realized. Possibly not even in the way that we had intended.
I feel my best moment IC was at a Feast of Min years ago, on the "Tuesday" night quest run by Carrie Dolph. I was so far IC that I actually grabbed the front of the Vampire Azreal's shirt and screamed at him that he was not leaving the area with Aeston Stromgate's soul!
He coldly sliced Metron's belly open and I collapsed on the ground. It was real and intense, even though there was a misunderstanding involved (it was really PVP that had resulted in Aeston being scalped, not Azreal), but that night quest was still extremely awesome.
What was your best moment as a NPC/EH/Player?
The best moment as an EH was watching the players piece things together during the event (and especially night quest of) A Single Grain of Sand. I've come to realize that those are my favorite times as an EH, when the things that we (the Fae Staff) have set up get figured out and realized. Possibly not even in the way that we had intended.
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| Photo by Erin Martin |
What would you like to see changed or
developed more in game?
I would love
to see us have actual set races in the game, ones that each had a benefit and a
detriment. While one of the greatest things in our game is that people can be
whatever they want, that's also one of the most difficult things. Everyone's
background/race is all different, and it makes for a marked lack of consistency
in our game work.
I would also love to have the game world of the Realms be more consistent. Some sort of plot committee together to keep everything piecing together with everything else. I do what I can with the Realms map, but Event Holders working with each other across different plots could be really amazing.
I would also love to see more emphasis on roleplaying, and in roleplaying being able to actually change the course of events/plots (at least perceptually). There are many times where event and plots seem to plod along on a scripted course no matter what the PC's do. It's a special thing when PC action really does change things, divert them, make them better (or worse).
Lastly, and this might seem odd coming from a three-path .. I'd actually like to see LESS spells in our game instead of how we keep adding two or three each year. It feels like there's a lot of "filler" in the spell-paths right now.
What advice would you give new players?
Definitely hit more than one event before making a decision about whether you're going to stay in the game, or what group you want to join, etc. Try a variety of events, from different Event Holder/plotmasters, and have fun! Lastly, realize that this game is wonderful, but -- it's only a game. Real life must come first (i.e., don't ditch work or schoolwork because you're hitting a Realms event -- the game will still be here when you're done with your outside obligations).
What do you love most about the game?
The creativity we display on a weekly basis. People are constantly creating art, crafting armor, weapons, shields, NPC outfits and concepts, and so much more, ALL the time. People learn to sing or play instruments, get better at photography, painting, and everything else we all do. Occasionally things can bleed over into our daily lives because of all this massive amount of artistry going on, and when it does, it's truly magical.
Who would you like to see the next interview be with?
Matthew Brenner.
Anything else you'd like to take the opportunity to put into print?
Remember we're all in this game to have fun -- pick something you're good at or want to improve on, and do it. It doesn't matter if you're the absolute best at something -- life is a journey. Live along the way.
I would also love to have the game world of the Realms be more consistent. Some sort of plot committee together to keep everything piecing together with everything else. I do what I can with the Realms map, but Event Holders working with each other across different plots could be really amazing.
I would also love to see more emphasis on roleplaying, and in roleplaying being able to actually change the course of events/plots (at least perceptually). There are many times where event and plots seem to plod along on a scripted course no matter what the PC's do. It's a special thing when PC action really does change things, divert them, make them better (or worse).
Lastly, and this might seem odd coming from a three-path .. I'd actually like to see LESS spells in our game instead of how we keep adding two or three each year. It feels like there's a lot of "filler" in the spell-paths right now.
What advice would you give new players?
Definitely hit more than one event before making a decision about whether you're going to stay in the game, or what group you want to join, etc. Try a variety of events, from different Event Holder/plotmasters, and have fun! Lastly, realize that this game is wonderful, but -- it's only a game. Real life must come first (i.e., don't ditch work or schoolwork because you're hitting a Realms event -- the game will still be here when you're done with your outside obligations).
What do you love most about the game?
The creativity we display on a weekly basis. People are constantly creating art, crafting armor, weapons, shields, NPC outfits and concepts, and so much more, ALL the time. People learn to sing or play instruments, get better at photography, painting, and everything else we all do. Occasionally things can bleed over into our daily lives because of all this massive amount of artistry going on, and when it does, it's truly magical.
Who would you like to see the next interview be with?
Matthew Brenner.
Anything else you'd like to take the opportunity to put into print?
Remember we're all in this game to have fun -- pick something you're good at or want to improve on, and do it. It doesn't matter if you're the absolute best at something -- life is a journey. Live along the way.