Why I Want To Go, Pick Up Realms

While the Event Holders of the Realms are dressed as superheroes, waving colored card stock around and banging their heads against desks, the rest of our community can be engaging in a different form of chaos.
From what Im gathering, the event this Saturday at Riley Commons at WPI is a light hearted dungeon crawl in which the rules will change minute to minute based on the god's whims.  By the gods, I mean, of course, our hard working crew of EHs.
So come on out for some laughs, for a good story, and to learn just how long it takes for the rules of our beloved game to be tweaked each and every year.  If you are not serving the EHC with your presence, have a blast with some "Timey wimey" stuff.

Timey Wimey Stuff

Where are they now- Robert "Morgil Ravenswing" Traynor

Bob Traynor played Prince Morgil of Gwenethelin (originally from Blackavar) from 1989 (his first event Blackavar’s was the first Clarinda Rose-Turner threw, and was held in the old Grinnell Arena at UMass, at the time a sawdust-filled equestrian venue) to 2002 (his last event was held by Bill DeMarco, the plot of which was overrun by a war in which Banecroft and allies "curb stomped" Achoria and the Borderlands.)

He was the founder and Grand Master of the Guild of Alchemists, Knight-Commander of the Knights of the Sable Dragon, and in his words held “several other titles and knighthoods that sound fairly meaningless at this remove, and had whole lot of IC deeds and achievements, which would be tedious to relate to anyone who had other plans for the next couple of days.”

He had connections with many who are still active in game including Avendar (Tom Gallagher), Celtrex (Ken Crowley), Liselle (Maria Carr), Metron (Doug Fisher) and Baba (Jason Gray's previous character) were all in groups that were sworn to him.

He also has a long list of out of character contributions. He noted, “there are a number of rules I proposed for the Omnibus that are still in there; many were by way of setting down written rules superseding the unwritten – and oft-contradictory – customs of the Realms’ cowboy era.  I was one of the organizers of the first joint event holders/players meeting, in the wake of Shannon Slate’s withdrawal, to help decide Where Do We Go From Here?  I wrote a newcomers’ guide which circulated for several years.  (As much as anything else, I’m grateful to have convinced an event holder that tent-burning rules were a bad idea!)”. In addition he was a long term event holder, throwing both Feasts and Quests.

“I’ll always be grateful to the Realms for distracting me in the summer of 1993, when I wasn’t in a good place in my life.  I remember the next couple of years where night quests dragging on until four in the morning (not at all uncommon in the early 90s, when it wasn’t unheard of for night quests to run to dawn) had people hauling me out of bed because Only My Powers Would Save The Day, and however much I grumbled and bitched, secretly I was pleased to be one of the go-to guys.  There was the event in which I set the record – which I devoutly hope no one’s had to break – for raising the dead, around 1500 in a four-hour period by a couple people’s count, well before the end of which I couldn’t speak above a whisper.  I’m proud that people thought enough of my play to have been voted either first or second for the Roleplaying By A Spell caster View award three years running, and just as proud to have been voted a couple of Best Editorial awards as well.

Of quite literally a hundred or more quests, I’m proudest of the quest into the Dreaming where I led a handpicked team (including my wife Princess Julia, Baron Diamond, Sir Callin, Sir Lucas and several others) on a whirlwind quest to rescue Sir Pyr’s soul, which we had to finish in a half hour or be damned ourselves.  We were tight, we were fast, we were perfect, and we got the job done.”

Bob currently lives in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, with his wife Amanda (Dion) Traynor who played Dame Julia his in-character wife.  He shared that she “proposed to me out of character.  Our tenth anniversary will be in a few months, and she’s by far the best to happen to me in my Realms involvement.  (Or at all, ever.)”

When asked about his life these days he shared, “I did the high-powered legal whirl in Boston for too many years.  I’m now back in western Massachusetts, administrator of a local church, living a much quieter life and a good deal happier.  I’m also an active editor, author and editorial writer.  (The last will likely surprise few 1990s View subscribers.)

I found that *not* being in the Realms enabled a number of changes in my life.  Away from the dust of event sites, my singing voice recovered from over a decade of damage.  I rejoined my university chorus, which allows alumni to sing, and became a soloist and the only non-undergrad section leader in the chorus’ history.  With weekends no longer constantly taken up, I started tabletop RPGs once more, and began attending my local UU church.  No more twice-a-week fight practices or vassals on the phone most nights wanting me to sort out issues?  That time went into becoming a senior Wikipedia editor and one of the encyclopedia’s top contributors.

And some will remember the feasts I used to throw, for years traditionally the final Realms event in the calendar.  I still put those skills to good work, as an active contributor to the Franklin County Community Meals program, feeding hungry children instead of costumed questers.”

His final thoughts were, “I was one of the oldest regular players there was from my first event forward, and it took several grueling hours a week of fight practice by the end to keep my skills from deteriorating.  (And that coughing I used to do a lot of at events?  Turned out I’d been asthmatic all along.  Oops.)   I’m closer to collecting Social Security than to my last event.

Beyond that, I was seriously turned off by the increasing PvP of my final years; if I’d wanted a game in which half the players were real or potential enemies, I’d have done Vampire LARPing.  Perhaps things are different now and the game’s back to being “us-vs-the-monsters” instead of a PvP-laden cockpit.  One can always hope.

That being said ... well, let’s just say that there are plans afoot, and I’ve been talking with some folk.  I predict an interesting eventing season.

What I’d like, some quiet weekend, is to put up a tent in a forest somewhere, alongside a bunch of old friends I haven’t seen in years.  We’d pull on some tunics and adjust sashes and belts around thickened waists.   I’d break out the Coleman stove and some pots, and throw together a good field dinner.  (Beef stir fry dished over homemade rice pilaf sound good to anyone?) We’d sit around a campfire, swap stories about monsters we had known, tell lies about how great we were in the old days and how today’s players couldn’t possibly measure up, and toast absent friends.  There wouldn’t be a scrap of pipe foam around, and the spell books and NPC masks would stay in the tents.

THOSE were the best times of the Realms to me.  Not the quests, exciting as they were, not the Interventions, however much I loved to show off, not the tourneys, however much it was fun to compete.  Campfires and friends.  I hope those of you I haven’t met (at least, not yet) are out there making good friends and memories of your own.”

Editor's Note- While I recognize I’m a flawed person who has made many mistakes and continues to make them, I do also pride myself on being willing to admit that and continuing to work on improving. I mention this here, as I was truly shocked to not just receive a response to my request for information on where Bob is now, but to get a gracious and friendly one. I say this because when I read his comment that he was, “was seriously turned off by the increasing PvP of my final years”, I did so realizing I was a complete little shit at that point in history, and likely am someone who specifically decreased his enjoyment of the game. I am very grateful that he looked past that and contributed to this series. - Angie

Why I am in Neden by Casey "Karmha" Lemay

Photo by Matt Norris

I was an independent for ten years. I loved every minute of it, the making new friends on every adventure I went on and not having to listen to anyone. I pretty much did exactly as I pleased.  Of course I helped when I coul. I fixed people's magical items and weapons. Little things like supporting the newbie fighters can make it so you can be good friends with people in high places as time goes by.  Also healing the Healers makes it so they get you up more too  (remember to always thank them when raised).

But alas in times of war I found myself relocated and in the unknown lands of Independent Isle. It was time for me to find a home.  I wasn't sure where to turn because I guess the easiest way to say it is I never clicked with any of the nation leaders I know.  Not that I don't find some of them my closest friends in this Realm,  but you know what I am talking about when it just all clicks and you feel right at home.  Then one day Tallon of the infamous Neden came back.  Now the first I heard and saw him was when he returned to the realms at North Sout war. He was scalped by Folkestone on sight.  Radstar informed me on the play by play of it all for he jumped in it too.  It did peak my interest.  I had only heard the tales of Neden, was not there when they were originally around.

I love questing as anyone who knows me knows. I found myself running into Tallon a lot.  He and I were usually right up front ready to hit and find things.  I remember once at Grimloch a bunch of people were turning undead and going crazy.  I dropped the magic three foot I was borrowing from a friend, turned around to grab it, and looked up and saw an undead Tallon coming right at me.  Fear for my life was not there just the fear of loosing the borrowed magic sword because of the person coming at me. I kept running into him and he never did me any wrong, he even started making sure I got back up because I would help him out when he was stranded.

Photo by Jesse Gifford

Of course when Tallon tried to recruit me I was unsure. I didn't know Neden, but more of them started showing up and I started making new friends.  Rawlin, although he can be cranky without his naps, is an awesome Bard.  I found Cronin's assassin dagger at TOC for him, and became his favorite person that weekend.  I knew Booties and Blackie from when Syruss started up his Dark One church. I made them tabards.  Everyone brought something different to the table and it seemed like a place I could fit in nicely.  Then came a day iIneeded someone to have my back and Tallon was there without me even asking.  He showed me what a fair leader he was and that was the day I decided to become the first Lady of Neden.  When all the drama was said and done there was a serenading, a Siffy shuffle and I had a Tallon on his knees offering me a Neden tabard.  What girl wouldn't feel special after all of that?    

Neden has it's history.  Whether good or bad people assume the worst of them.  From what I of know of the NEW Neden, we are looking to be amusing if anything , but also one of the heavy hitters in this Realm.  Whether it be in questing, tournies or non coms we will give it our best and have fun doing it.  With the no jean initiative and constant IC atmosphere we bring to every event you'll sure enjoy having us around. We're a growing nation.

An Atypical View- SPECIAL EDITION

Just in from Kovaks-- the picture that her magic pencil drew when she cast a vision to learn the Silent Scribbler's identity....

An Atypical View

One Goddess- 3 Faces by Ender (Jeremy Burger)

Tyche/Tymora/Fortuna is one of the Five Sisters goddesses.  Unlike most deities, she manifests three different aspects, depending on the situation.  Known as the Three-Faced Goddess, she holds domain over Fate, Luck, and Chance.

Each of her three aspects covers a different part of her domain.  In addition, each of the aspects comes with their own personality and proclivities, oftentimes directly counter to the others.  Very little is known about her otherwise, as she is ever-changing and veiled, much like fate and luck themselves.

Fortuna is the aspect most focused on chance and luck.  Landing a sword blow at just the right moment?  Drawing just the right card at the right time?  Fortuna’s hand can be seen in these actions, manipulating luck and chance to her wishes.  However, Fortuna is a capricious aspect, and is as likely to help as to hinder.  She favors the underdog, the long shot, but oftentimes breaks those rules with apparently little thought or plan.  Due to her seemingly random nature, she wars most often with Tyche, and there are times where the two aspects of her are on opposite sides in a situation.

As much as Fortuna is random and aimless, Tyche is pattern and structure.  The weaver of the Pattern of Fate, she governs the destiny of all, making sure that none escape the fate woven for them.  She is very hands-on, pushing and pulling to ensure things go the way the Pattern plans.  She is certainly the least empathetic of the aspects.  While not cruel or mean, she is very stern, and takes her job protecting the Pattern of Fate very seriously.  Woe to the person who escapes their fate, for her wrath can be terrible.

In the middle stands Tymora, the balanced aspect.  She is the one to use both luck and fate to correct things, however she maintains a very careful balance between the two.  Tymora is the judge, the balancer of the aspects.  When Fortuna and Tyche war (and they do, often), Tymora is the aspect that makes the final decision.  The reasons for her decisions are a complete mystery, but she stands uncontested as the final arbiter in all situations.  To that end, it is Tymora that powers many divination requests, since she can continue to balance the other two aspects by giving mortals the information she wills.

It does not appear that any of the aspects care that someone would worship another.  In that regard, they present as a singular entity, one that simply responds to multiple names.  Only her worshippers can see the differences in the aspects.  In addition, worship of any of the aspects does not guarantee protection or reward.  She expects that her worshippers will do her work, but just as chance is fickle and fate is inevitable, they too will end up on the wrong side of the Three-Faced Goddess at some point.

Why I Joined Rhiassa by Alex "Elouan" Groom

For those who do not already know me, my name is Alex Groom (IC: Elouan), and I am a Rhiassan.


 Also, because a lot of people who do know me mix me and Ben Hamilton (IC: Kyro) up, let me clear the record once and for all by saying that I am the new(ish) Rhiassan dude with the beard.  Anyway, on to the reason I assume you are here: to read about my experience with Rhiassa.

For me, joining Rhiassa was a natural evolution of my Realms career.   My Realms career started with UCONN fight practices; a buddy (Ben Hamilton, aka Kyro) had told me about the practices, and they seemed like something I’d enjoy, so I went.  After a couple weeks of fight practice, I went to my first event, Black and White, and joined the Oaken Guard, like most of the other SMAC newbies.  It was through these fight practices and induction to the Oaken Guard that I was first introduced to Jason Rosa, or as I would come to know him in character, Lord Aeston.

During my time in the Oaken Guard, I learned that there is an expectation to “graduate” into another nation.  As such, I spent much of my time trying to get to know groups (emphasis on trying; I am not exactly a social butterfly now, and was far more shy during my first year in Realms).  What I found out was that for me personally, the best way to get to know a group was to NPC with them.  I NPC’ed with a couple different groups, but in the end, one stood out to me: Rhiassa.

To elaborate, if one event left an impression on me, it was What Lurks Beneath.  I will never forget the event.  I was first struck with a feeling of awe as I looked upon the dungeon L’s, wondering how someone could have turned the quite plain Hick’s Arena into a full-blown dungeon like that.  I was also impressed with the clever way the arena was divided into two, so that when the players were in one section, the other section was being rearranged to form a new room.  What I learned at this event was I really liked not just NPC’ing, but taking initiative and going beyond what others expected of me.  At the time, I was in the game for about two months; most of the other newbies with my level of experience had left by the end of the event.  Among the few of us who remained were Katie Skeggs (aka Charlotte) and Ben Hamilton.  All three of us would go on to be Rhiassans, and I do not think that this was mere coincidence.  Instead, we all shared that passion of hard work, of seeing the job through, even if others quit or did not think it was worth it.  This was my first experience NPC’ing Rhiassa, and it would definitely not be my last.  Further NPC’ing with Rhiassa confirmed to me that this was definitely a group that I enjoyed working with.

After about a year or so in the game, I began very heavily thinking of moving on from the Oaken Guard to something else.  Coincidentally (or maybe not; I have my suspicions, but do not want to be presumptuous), I began to get invited to out of character parties attended mostly by Rhiassans (and Nighthawk).  Long story short, it did not take much consideration for me to settle on Rhiassa.  For one, both of my closest friends in the game, Katie Skeggs and Ben Hamilton were strongly considering going there; this certainly did help my decision.  What ultimately made me settle on Rhiassa, though, was the approach to the game of the nation.  Having spent a year or so in the game, I knew that I wanted to contribute to this community; I knew I liked being on the event throwing/NPC’ing side of events; and I knew that I liked doing work.  At the same time, I had seen that Rhiassa was a nation that greatly contributed to the community, and very much valued a strong work ethic.  As such, at one of the parties all three of us asked to join Rhiassa.  We were told that first we would have to join the Lion’s Militia, and enter a trial period of sort.  This was to make sure that Rhiassa was a good fit for us and us a good fit for Rhiassa.  At North-South War that year, I was inducted into the Lion’s militia.

Photo by Jesse Gifford

After some months NPC’ing at some more events, helping with event prep, and PC’ing with the group, it was decided that I would be made a full member of the nation at Feast of Leviathan that year.    That was approximately a year ago now.  I am still in Rhiassa, though now I am squired to the Knights of Rhiassa under the tutelage of Sir Kyntela (Alysha Metcalf).

If there is one constant in Rhiassa, and in case I haven’t hinted at it strongly enough in previous paragraphs, it is the willingness to do work to help the community.  I don’t think I can emphasize enough the phrase “willingness to do work.”  Rhiassans are not just about planning events, coming up with new tournament ideas for Queen of Hearts, or designing new costumes for monsters; Rhiassans also go forth and make their plans reality with their own two hands.  To me, being a Rhiassans is about not just dreaming big, but having the work ethic to make those big dreams come to life.  Even the squiring process focuses on personal growth through doing meaningful work.

That is not to say that Rhiassa is perfect.  When I was a newer member, I felt that I most of the important discussions took place between the knights and squires, and I felt ignored or left out during some of the discussions.  I think the logic behind this is that the knights and squires have the required experience to have informed discussions, and newer/less experienced members might just spew every idea that came to mind.  At the same time, I do not think it was done with any malice, and may not have even been intentional; these discussions often took place during time crunches.  This would also bother me more, save that Rhiassa is definitely a meritocracy; if you have the work ethic the knighthood will notice you.

Photo by Jesse Gifford

In addition, some might think we go a bit too far with our ideas, stress ourselves out a bit too much, and don’t relax enough.  The truth is the work ethic can take an emotional toll after some time.  I ended up feeling a bit burned out after Feast of Leviathan this year, and can’t imagine how the kitchen staff and others who I felt contributed more than I did must have felt.  In the end though, being a Rhiassan is about looking at your hard work and that emotional toll that some events can have, and knowing that the joy and improvement you have brought to the community is far more than worth it.

Ultimately, Rhiassans are always striving to outdo ourselves.  We go out there, throw the best event we can throw, and before the event is even over, we ask ourselves “How could I make this better?”  And maybe one day, the answer will be that we can’t, that the event was totally perfect.  But until that day comes, we will always put in the hard work and dedication, even if it makes things just a little bit better.