Question of the Week - 157

If they were making a Hollywood movie about the Realms, what would the title be?

10 Questions- Jennifer "Areni" Rosa

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. 

Artist Profile- Keith "Tark" Tatarczuk

What mediums do you work in? 
I work in a lot of mediums to be honest. I went to school for digital art, specifically 3d, but my heart belongs to dry media graphite and charcoal. In the effort to delve into color I started messing with paints but found I am far too impatient to wait for paint to dry. I’ve found a bit of a love for water colors and the unique style that comes with it. 

Have you had any formal art training?
I was enrolled in plenty of crafty classes as a kid and took as much art as I could fit in highschool. When I got to college I trained in digital art, mostly lower resolution 3d environments for video games. Most my 2d work is just me trying to do better than last time. 

Where do you find inspiration? 
Music, the right song holds some truly amazing inspirational qualities. Not to sound ridiculous but a good new song can take me away to interesting places in my mind, where my true inspiration awaits me. Basically I get lost in my head.



Has your art been influenced by Realms? If so, how? 
From time to time. Most my art in high school was fantasy based. Since I have drifted more to realism and sometimes some more abstract work. 

Where do you share your work?
I haven’t shared much of my work. I’m a terrible artist in that sense. When I get the opportunity I am always happy to have my work shown but I’m awful at selling myself. As of so far I’ve never had my work shown in a gallery. This winter I was given the chance to do an installation art piece at Magic Hat. My first time using spray paint, loved it.

What project/projects that you've created have you been particularly proud of?
Still working on that. So far I’m proudest of two pieces that I did in charcoal. Originally done as nothing more than a sketch exercise they’ve turned into some of my most appreciated work. I don’t love the subject, they are kinda gross.

What projects do you hope to complete in the future?
So many. I have far more ideas and plans than completed projects. The most important being a snowboard design I want to complete and I would love to design a craft beer label. We dream.

What other Realms artists work do you enjoy?
I’m really sorry to say that I don’t know of any other artists in the realms. Perhaps vague whispers of some identities but not much else.

Ask Syruss

Hey there buddy... yeah you with the shirt, you don’t look so happy. What’s wrong goblin steal your favorite coat? Lose all your gold at the Blackwood Casino? Best friend ascend to godhood only to kidnap you and then torture your dreams every night since you got back to this accursed realms………Sorry got off the trail there anywho.
My name is Sir Syruss and over this past decade plus of adventuring I have been around the block a time or two (maybe too many times or twos) and I have seen it all. Girlfriend gave you the Shadow Blight and she swears she was never Drunk at Rohde and Syruss’s hump house, best friend sold your soul for the magic item, or my personal favorite got conned by, "you can trust me, just because I look an awful lot like Zula doesn’t mean I am the secret bad guy pretending to help" is totes the secret bad guy.

Needless to say I have a lot of life experience at strange and unusual problems combine that with my online degree from Corsica in “Professional Counseling”, I am here to answer your questions however strange and or crazy they may be.
In Fact the crazier the better that way we sell more copies of the view
So ink your quills ready ponder your questions and send your ravens to me with said questions and you may get some answers. Or at the very least I can provide you with a funny anecdotes not really relevant to you in anyway.
Cheers, Sir Syruss

(OOC- Questions for Sir Syruss should be sent to view staff at aearlegray@gmail.com)

What you missed, Tournaments of the Void 2014

Photo by Dustin Mack

Photo by Dustin Mack

Photo by Dustin Mack

Photo by Dustin Mack

Photo by Dustin Mack

Question of the Week - 156

Have you ever drawn a picture or written a story about the Realms?

Perspectives Gained on Mentoring, Part 2 by Jason "Aeston" Rosa

In this continuing series of articles, it is my goal to communicate things that I have learned about mentoring others throughout my years as both a member of the community, and in my professional role as an educator. In each article I will discuss a different maxim of teaching; things that educators must apply to their craft if they are to be successful, and explain how I have interpreted each of them to help me be a better mentor within the Realms.

Each student learns in a different way.

In education, each and every September, you begin the school year with over a hundred brand new faces in front of you, for some teachers, many more. The reality of education is that you must teach these kids as a group; when you have a classroom of twenty-five to thirty students, all you can really do is present the same information to all of those young people at once. But no classroom contains thirty kids who are all identical learners. Each of them has a different background. Parents with different perspectives on the importance of doing well in school, a different set of teachers that brought them up through the different grades, a different array of interests that prompted them to focus on some things and eschew others. We are tasked, as educators, to get to know these students as individuals and teach them as individuals, even as we must address them as a group.

Such a demand can be very difficult, but it does happen, in some way or another, throughout the fullness of the school year. Over the weeks and months you begin to understand each of your students as a unique learner. You get to know their history, their personality, and what enthusiasm or baggage they bring through your door every day. This allows you to begin to engage them as individuals, even within the larger context of the whole classroom. Until you reach that level of understanding with a student, teaching them can be a very difficult task. Yes, they might be able to get passing grades and do well on tests if they are taking notes and studying, but you only truly become their teacher once you have a personal relationship with them which allows them to trust you. They need to trust that you have their wellbeing at heart. They need to trust that the reason you are there is to help them grow and become better people. They need to trust in your belief that the knowledge that you want then to gain has value.

The mentees that you have within the Realms community are the same. Each of them is a different person. Each of them has a different background that made them the person who they are out of game, and has had different experiences that have shaped who they are as a member of the community. If you are tasking yourself with the responsibility of helping them to grow, you need to understand that background and how it influenced them.

One of the largest mistakes that a mentor can make is to generalize from themselves when trying to understand their mentee. Even if you see a lot of yourself in the person that you are attempting to teach, it is important to remember that there are huge gaps between the experiences you had and learned from and those that brought your mentee to your side. These differences, sometimes subtle, often vast, are one of the most important things a mentor should learn before deciding how to best teach a person who is putting their faith in them. In the beginning of your relationship, talk more about what makes you different than what makes you the same. Your goal is not to make your mentee more like you, rather your goal should be to make them a greater version of themselves.

If they are becoming your squire or your apprentice then what is motivating them to take that step? What is their personal understanding of what it means to hold those titles and be working towards others? What do they most want to learn and what parts of the community to they want to grow into? Who have their role models been up to this point and what perspectives on the game did they receive from them? What have their greatest disappointments been and how have they suffered through them? These are but a few of the things a mentor needs to know to more effectively understand who their mentee is and how best to teach them.

Part of learning about who your mentee is involves failing together. In schools, students do not always succeed at each assignment they are given, and it is through evaluating their missteps that educators discover who they are as individual learners, and how to teach them better. This will be true of your mentoring relationship in Realms as well. You will assign tasks to your mentee which are rooted in your own personal experiences and perspectives, but those tasks may not always be aligned with who your mentee is and how they will best learn. Because of this you will see times, especially in more complex projects, where your mentee will stall, not follow through, or even fail to live up to your expectations.

In some cases this may mean that you and your mentee are not a good match for one another, but that is the exception rather than the rule. Unfortunately I have seen too many situations where the relationship between two people would completely dissolve on the back of one or two assigned tasks that did not go as the mentor expected. But being a successful teacher takes more fortitude than that. Instead of writing off your mentee as a failure, instead you must evaluate why they did not live up to your expectations. Were you asking them to employ a skillset they did not yet fully understand? Were your assumptions incorrect about the amount of time it would take to accomplish something? Was the content of the task simply something that they found uninteresting and uninspiring?

Don’t be afraid to let some little things go. If a task wasn’t done exactly the way you expected but it was clear your mentee put in effort and learned through doing so, that can be enough. If your mentee found some other way to achieve similar ends to the ones that you intended, you don’t need to feel slighted that they did things in their own way. But in those situations where they fell far short of what you asked them to do, the duty of a mentor, through a conversation with their mentee, is to find out why. Sometimes a task or goal needs to be restructured or redefined. Sometimes it may require more teaching or more time working together towards its completion. Sometimes, the task simply may not be right for that mentee and the best mentors can then take a step back, not draw offense from the situation, and look for a more effective way of teaching their mentee what they need to learn.

As an educator, comprehending the learning styles of so many new students every year can be daunting. And certainly not every teacher succeeds in doing so every single year. In our community, however, it is more common to have a handful of mentees rather than a hundred. It means that learning how to teach them best is a much less overwhelming prospect, and one we must dedicate ourselves to if we are going to make a commitment to help them to succeed.