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| Photo by Angela Gray |
(Editor's note- The last person to be interviewed for 10 Question was Leilani Grayson. One of the people she suggested for an interview was her husband Jeremy. When I reached out to him his response was that he would do it, only so he could pick Dave Dolph as the next interview. I immediately reached out to Dave to make sure we'd be able to get this in for this week. Thanks to Jeremy for the suggestion. Don't think you are off the hook for writing up an interview just because I had Dave go before you. - Angie/Phoenix)
How long have you
been playing?
1988. 26 years. My first event was the Siege of Rrathchllwyn, an annual field maneuvers and
castle siege. Paul/Decion and Niko/Brendan talked me into going. They were part
of my D&D group and had been trying to talk me into going for a couple of
years. I had heard the rumors of pagan shenanigans, such as sacrificing
chickens, so I didn’t wanted to go. However, Paul and Brendan were fairly sane
so I figured I’d give it a chance. I went to a few practices and the people
seemed normal. As expected, I went and had a great time.
How has the game
changed since you've been playing?
With our current focus on combat and tourneys, this may
sound strange but there is now more magic and role-playing. When I started out
the Realms was all about the combat. We were essentially a boffer version of
the SCA. After I joined there was a concerted effort to add more spells
(we once had less than 5 spells in our system). Every year thereafter we added
more spells and spell systems which continues to this day. Back then combat was
the focus…that has changed a lot. I feel magic is now the focus and the driving
force of events (except for tourneys).
I’ve seen about 4-5 major spell system overhauls. When I
started there was no unified magic system. Individual groups could create a
spell system that defined spells gained, how they were learned and how they
were each cast. Individual event-holders then decided which magic systems to
pass per event. When I started in the Realms I was a caster who could wield 2
4’6” weapons and cast spells…as long as I wore white (hence why I always wear
the white shirts). I had to quest for each casting of a spell…each casting…so
if I wanted to heal a limb I had to quest to cast it once and then quest again
for a second casting.
All that being said, the fundamental things are still
close to the originals. Combat and martial skill are still relevant and
important, with the only difference being that they are not as important as
they were at my start.
Who have you
learned the most from?
Tardhel/Joe Callahan for how to be a Knight. Jarrod/Jarrod
Marshall for how to deal with people and lead. Kugen/Terry Armstrong for how to
be uncompromising. Prince Bob/Shannon Slate & Eldritch/Neil Kusleika
for excellence and focus in fighting skill. Meg/Kathy Journeay for realizing
the importance of chivalry. Shandar/Josh Learned for teaching me I can still
learn. Rob Scarlett/Rob for always reminding me not take this too serious.
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| Photo by Mike Palumbo |
What was your best
moment IC?
What was your best
moment as a NPC/EH/Player?
Playing the Scarecrow…it was so much fun.
Jonas Cooke/Shadowking. I wanted to introduce a bad guy
that people knew, could understand. It was a long term plan to introduce him (I
was playing him for 2 years before the plot was actually started and he became
the “bad guy”). I think overall it worked out.
Cadre. We changed the way people looked at NPCs and how
they could interact with the Realms.
Creating North/South War, creating Gold & Green.
I’m actually proud to have been a part of all the things
Folkestone has been able to accomplish as eventholders.
What would you like
to see changed or developed more in game?
Immersion. Less out of game talk at events (and I know I
am guilty of that one). Better garb (Is it really necessary to wear a baseball
cap...ever?).
Choices for fighters. Right now, other than figuring out
what weapon to bring, there aren’t a lot of things for fighters to decide on
when designing a character. I’d like to see perks/minor abilities for fighters.
However, this is a complicated issue as there is a need to balance pure martial
skill with character abilities. I think/know it can be done.
What advice would
you give new players?
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| Photo by Angela Gray |
What do you love most about the game?
I’m gonna give the standard answer and then the real
answer…
The people. Sure that’s the standard answer but it is
true. There is a common bond between all of us simply by the choice we made
when we decided to come play in the Realms. Playing in the Realms sets us aside
from the rest of the world and in that, it brings us together…even when we
squabble and fight.
Real answer…fighting/combat.
The first answer is why I kept going to events…the second
is where I found my joy.
Who would you like
to see the next interview be with?
Jarrod Marshall.
Anything else you'd
like to take the opportunity to put into print?
If I could leave everyone with one thought it is this…
Make the Realms a
better place for everyone.
I don’t just mean you should put some effort/work into
the Realms, such as NPCing (which you should still do on a regular basis). No,
I mean when you show up to an event as a PC or NPC you should ask yourself what
you can do to make it better for someone else, preferably someone that you
would gain nothing from for making them have a good time that day. Whenever you
interact with another player, try to leave them feeling better for it.