10 More Questions with Steven "Nalydros" Loya
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| photo by Chris Zurk |
1) What achievement either in or out of character are you most proud of?
Having the opportunity to represent the Realms as a guild member at the Bicolline LARP in Canada is probably my most memorable achievement to date. I am very thankful to have had that opportunity.
2) Are you a fighter or a caster? Have you always been? How did you choose?
I have always been a fighter – but there were times where I have given some serious consideration to spell casting. Sometimes it feels like casting would really benefit my character a lot. My friends and I recently had a dedicated healer join our questing party, so it could be some time before I take on casting.
3) Have you ever owned an artifact, memento, or magic item that has meant a lot to you, and why?
I have never owned a magic item.
4) What group of people do you spend the most time with and why?
I spend a little bit of time with everyone these days, but it wasn’t always that way. I have friends in almost every nation, but most recently: Blackwood, Creathorne, Grimloch and Invictus. Most of my friends come from the UML Riverhawk practices.
Having the opportunity to represent the Realms as a guild member at the Bicolline LARP in Canada is probably my most memorable achievement to date. I am very thankful to have had that opportunity.
2) Are you a fighter or a caster? Have you always been? How did you choose?
I have always been a fighter – but there were times where I have given some serious consideration to spell casting. Sometimes it feels like casting would really benefit my character a lot. My friends and I recently had a dedicated healer join our questing party, so it could be some time before I take on casting.
3) Have you ever owned an artifact, memento, or magic item that has meant a lot to you, and why?
I have never owned a magic item.
4) What group of people do you spend the most time with and why?
I spend a little bit of time with everyone these days, but it wasn’t always that way. I have friends in almost every nation, but most recently: Blackwood, Creathorne, Grimloch and Invictus. Most of my friends come from the UML Riverhawk practices.
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| Photo by Andy Disbrow |
5) Who is your best friend in character and why?
My best friend in character is Bartholomew Victor (Tom Keaney OOC), an independent two-path archer assassin/bard. I had known Bart for some time out of game, but it wasn’t until Tournaments of Blackwood 2014 that he became really involved in the realms. The rest is history.
6) What event or moment had the greatest impact on you as a player?
Tournaments of Blackwood 2016. I was presented with my first opportunity to petition a nation. But also, I broke rounds in one of the tourneys (either sword and board or Florentine – I can’t remember which) and made it to the third round. There was a disqualifier for third place, so I wasn’t awarded a prize, but it got me a lot of recognition.
7) What event or moment had the greatest impact on your character?
Some players know my character is wary of magic, and doesn’t trust fae. Without going into too much detail, something happened at Black and White 2014 where my character’s life was placed in serious jeopardy by Goldmist, a fae lord. After that, it just kind of made sense that my character be distrustful of fae. I would like to see that rivalry between Nalydros and Goldmist develop in future plotlines.
8) What is your most embarrassing moment, either IC or OOC?
Haha – most people know about that one. Uncle Cecil’s 2014 was a rough night for me, and an even rougher morning. I passed out in the tavern. I remember the point of no return was when I ordered a double of bourbon for an esteemed member of the Realms, then by the time it arrived, that person was gone. So naturally, it went down the hatch and then – blackout. I was dealing with a lot of stress from school, not that that’s an excuse, but it was weighing on my mind that night.
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| Photo by Eren Pils-Martin |
Meet with and talk to as many people as possible. I have been presented with so many amazing opportunities just by talking and being friendly with people. I am a cross-gamer as well and have some pretty great connections in other LARPS that I wouldn’t have if I hadn’t tried being just a little outgoing. If you put yourself out there, you will be rewarded, but you have to try.
10 ) What is the most important thing you've learned through the game?
To be honest with yourself and with your character. Be confident – but don’t get cocky. I have seen a lot of new players get really excited about larping only to burn out and quit because they had their heart set on something that they couldn’t quite pull off in game. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – explore and experiment and don’t be afraid to fail. The game is about improving, and you can’t do that unless you fail sometimes, and that’s okay.
BONUS QUESTION: Who would you like to see the next interview be with?
Estome. OOC - Zane Raschick