How long have you been
playing?
Let's
see. My first event was Tourneys of Teng Hua II back in 2002 so.....almost
twelve years now. Wow. I never really stopped to think about that before! This
year is also the 10th anniversary of the founding of UCONN practice. Hard to believe sometimes that it's been
running (or that I've been going!) for that long.
How has the game changed
since you've been playing?
Since I went fighter several years
ago, the game itself has stayed more or less the same for me (though of course
it does change a bit every year after the EHC) - overall, I feel that it is
moving in a positive direction. It's really the faces that I feel change the
most over the years - people that were a lot more active during the beginning
of my Realms "career" have become less so over time due to expanding
families and other life issues. The political landscape has changed a few times
as well, in terms of the ebb and flow of various nations and organizations. Also,
others argue with me on this, but I sometimes feel that there are less large, "epic,"
overarching plotlines now than there were a few years ago - though that opinion
may be skewed by that fact that as a newbie, I thought everything was pretty
epic!
Who have you learned the
most from?
Many people have influenced me during the course of the years- I credit
Meg M (Kyomi) for bringing me to my first practice at WPI, and Melissa F
(Sybil) for being my partner in crime for so many years. I have learned a lot from many people,
including Stephen Johnson (Elder Duncan) and Dave Martin (Sir Owen - wait, not
anymore?), both of whom were among the first to teach me how to use a
hand-and-a-half at said WPI practice, my knight Seth Flagg (Da'oud) to whom I
was squired to for several years, Angie Gray (Phoenix) and Tanja Johnson
(Katasha) for being strong female players and pretty kick-ass in general. My
fellow Rhiassans, including Alysha (Kyntella) and Lani (Gwen), have been a huge
source of pride and motivation. There are too many other people to name who have
positively influenced my Realms career in some way. But in terms of who I've
learned the most from - and this will
sound horribly corny but - the person that I have learned the most from
throughout the years (and still continue to learn from), even when we were just
friends, is my significant other, Jason Rosa (Aeston).
What was your best
moment IC?
Here's a secret -- I actually like
to NPC/staff a lot more than PC'ing. I feel more comfortable "behind the
scenes" so to speak, so I have trouble singling out one single best IC
moment. A few come to mind - joining Vinehaeven and putting on that maroon
surcoat for the first time was a really great moment for me - I finally felt
that I had found a great group of people that I really fit in with and belonged
to, on both and IC and OOC level. Going along with that, when the majority of
that group stopped playing, I would say that another great moment for me was
when Jason and I made the decision to join Rhiassa as dual citizens, and put on
those red tabards for the first time. And of course, being made a Knight of
Rhiassa is definitely up there as well!
What was your best
moment as a NPC/EH/Player?
In terms of specifics, one very good
memory comes from a Fae event, when the PCs were making their way into Bedlam
itself to try to free Boquet. I was playing a named, friendly NPC - Mad
Maudlin. It was on the night quest, and we had been battling down the path at
Sterling for a while (after a long day of questing as well), and we were
nearing the gates but everyone was tired, dragging. I remember people sitting
on the pathway. Then, all of a sudden - the memory is a little fuzzy - but
someone started yelling some sort of battle cry. I don't know if it was a PC or
another member of the event staff - but
it was like electricity shot through the PC group. Everybody jumped to their
feet, including myself, and started charging down the path- regardless of how
tired everyone was. I just remember the energy being so high all of a sudden,
and everyone was running and yelling - it was such a powerful moment, I remember
feeling swept up by the emotions, and we didn't stop until we'd reached the
gates themselves, and everyone was breathless, excited, pumped again. It really
was a great moment! But I have so many great memories from NPC'ing various
events, including Rhiassa's. My best moments come when I know that the players
are able to have fun with the interactions and challenges that I am providing,
and knowing that I am contributing to the success of the event. Any time Rhiassa
comes together to throw a quality event -- those are some of the very best
moments for me - the feeling that comes with knowing that what your group just
did was a job well done, and how proud I am to be a part of it.
What would you like to
see changed or developed more in game?
I would like to see more initiatives
aimed at "service to the game and the community." I think there are a
lot of awesome crafters in the game, and I think it would be awesome if
crafting "guilds" or organizations were developed where people could
come together to share and teach these things with each other and with others
in the community - so many people have so much to give, and just need an outlet
to do so! For me, I love the beautiful leatherwork that some people are able to
create, and would love to be able to do that too, even if only on a basic
level. But where to start - which I think can be a barrier to a lot of people. Also,
the reception has been great so far - but continued support of the Huntress
Guild is also important for the game. And some sort of system for procuring
NPCs would also help the game I think, especially for younger potential
eventholders who may not know a lot of people in game or have that
"networking" base that is so helpful when trying to recruit NPCs.
What advice would you
give new players?
Take your time and explore your
options! If you really want to be a fighter, be a fighter. If you really want
to be a caster, be a caster. I was a healer for a number of years because as a
female and a newbie, I felt that I would be more "useful" that way -
and I was not sure if I would be taken seriously as a fighter. It was later,
and with the help of good role models (as mentioned above), that I realized I liked
big sticks more than spells, and that I could kick just as much butt. So don't
feel that you have to play the game a certain way just to fit in. Play the way
that will allow you to enjoy the game the most. And don't rush in to joining a
nation - make sure it's a good fit for you first! I stayed independent for a
long time before finally finding a good fit in terms of a nation. Remember, a
nation is rarely just an "IC" thing - these are potential
"OOC" groups of friends as well! Make the most of your early years. Whether
you come in through a practice or through a friend - take advantage of all that
people have to offer you as a newbie, try to get to know everyone - you can
learn a lot!
What do you love most
about the game?
Above all, I love community and the
feeling of community that comes with playing this game. This is such a diverse
group of people. I've made a great group of friends and acquaintances through
Realms that I would probably not otherwise have gotten a chance to meet IRL -
including my husband! As I mentioned above, so many of these people have
influenced me in so many ways throughout the years, both in the game and
outside of it. I look forward to events not just because of the content, but
also because of the chance to hang out with and see different people. This is
such a great community as well in that it cares for its own - so many people
willing to help other players in need, whether that person is a past or current
player, and whether they know that player personally or not. You really
couldn't ask for a better group of people to spend your weekends with!
Who would you like to
see the next interview be with?
Alysha Metcalf (can be read here
), Diana LaPierre (can be read here), or Leilani Grayson
Anything else you'd like
to take the opportunity to put into print?
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all
of the members of Rhiassa for all of your hard work and dedication, both to our
humble nation and to the game, throughout the years. It is not always easy to
do what we do with the numbers we have, but we always seem to make it work!
I'd also like to thank all the people who helped
keep UCONN practice alive when it first started, and who also helped to shape
it into the practice that it is today - particularly the members of Vinehaeven
and the Southern Wastes, and the earliest members of the Oaken Guard.
I'd like to thank Alysha Metcalf (Kyntella) for
bringing back the Huntress Guild and working to promote females in the game, as
well as all those who have gone before us - Tanja Johnson, Kathy Fay, Angie
Gray, and many others.
And finally, I'd like to thank the players in
general, for making all the long hours worthwhile - thank you all for your
support of Rhiassa and all of our endeavors. It is because of you all that we go
to the lengths that we do, and because of the excitement and enthusiasm you bring
that we strive to push our bar higher each time.