Interview with the King
The room is aphotic, it is the only word I can think of to describe. No other word that describes the color black seems appropriate.... there simply is no light. None with the exception of a small silver hanging fixture that casts a protective yellow circle around a table. It is here that I sit, within this warm yellow glow. All around me shadows encroach upon us, threatening to devour our very being, to rob the life from my very body. I can feel tremors of anxiety and fear playing a solemn melody on my spine. However it is not the looming darkness nor what lurks within it that strikes fear in my heart... no it is a man.
Sitting across the table from me, in a metal folding chair, is a man of high renown that is respected by man. A man with years of experience in his particular art, a man who always appears calm and collected. This man sits just at the edge of the light, his body partially concealed in the shadows. What is visible though are his hands, hands that rest clasped together atop the green felt table top.
As I squint my eyes, trying to see is features better, I swear I can make out the faint glow of embers and possibly see puffs of grey smoke entwining with the darkness, however I can't be sure. Steeling my soul I pick up a glass of brandy, take a sip, and then clear my throat.
Q:"Thank you King for joining me today. Let's start with, how long ago did you start role playing and where?" The first question leaves my lips as a stutter, my confidence is fleeting.
A:"I started role playing about... twelve years ago, I'd say. It was actually in MSN chat rooms, with a friend. I didn't even know it was called "roleplaying" at the time."
There is a certain ease to the way King speaks, words effortless roll from his tongue. However it's pretty clear that there is forethought put into his responses. It becomes painfully obvious that this is a man who is extremely comfortable talking to others. Hastily I finish off the glass of brandy, the warmth in my throat and stomach begins to expand.
Q:"When you started on MSN what type of characters were you playing and storylines were you crafting?"
A:"No characters, no real storylines. It was just my friend and myself using ourselves as "characters," writing random scenes. One day we might write some kind of Mission Impossible type deal for a few hours, and then later that night be samurai in Edo era Japan."
Q:"So at what point in time did you transition into structured RP with long lasting characters?"
A:"Not for a while, actually. I'd say he and I did that for about two years, off and on (it was just something fun to the pass the time) before he introduced me to the Yahoo! chatrooms. That's where I started actually making real characters, and joining in on really developed plots."
By now my teeth have gone numb and any anxiety I had felt is replaced by fuzziness. It feels like a haze is moving over my frontal lobe... a weird combination of clarity, fog, and pressure. I find my speech is more fluid and the questions come with less thought.
Q:"Where... err were you part of any 'famous' or 'infamous' groups back on yahoo?"
Clearly I've had a little bit too much to drink at this point, however I don't care and King doesn't seem to notice.
A:"Not really, no. I kept to myself and my small group of friends unless bothered."
Q: "Do you have any one storyline or roleplay that really sticks out in your mind from back then?"
A: "Yeah, actually. It was a fantasy roleplay being GM'd by a friend of mine. Really epic LotR type stuff, without the gay walking across a continent nonsense. My character had a pretty cool polearm."
As the interview continues, I realize that there is nothing to fear or maybe I'm just too tipsy to to be afraid?
Q: "Gotta ask, what was so cool about the polearm?"
A: "It only had one ability but I thought it was pretty fantastic. It could generate a "sheath of force" around the blade, that could either be used to increase blunt force (the sheath would explode on contact) or increase the cutting strength of the blade, and indirectly increase its reach by another foot or so. Considering it was invisible, except to things like true sight and such, I abused it pretty hard."
I prepare the next question, however King promptly interrupts before I can begin.
A: "The sheath of force was invisible, I mean. Not the entire polearm."
Admittedly I find it a tad strange that he feels the need to clarify, however I continue on with my line of questioning.
Q: "That's pretty awesome. So other than MSN and Yahoo, did you role play anywhere else?"
A: "Plenty of sites that've come and gone. .Com, Aoyn, Paragons... the list goes on."
Q: "So eventually you ended up on Valucre, what's made you stay around on this site?"
A: "Familiarity and a high return on my investments, primarily. The majority of the people I've met throughout my years of role playing are all on Valucre at the moment. I also get a lot in return for the amount of work I put into on there, which is always a good thing. And let's not forget that we've got some incredibly talented writers on there, as well."
It's very subtle and I just barely pick up on it. The change to his voice inflection is absolutely minuscule, however upon noticing it I am immediately filled with a sense of fondness and sincerity.
Q: "So in the past 12 years would you say there has been a noticeable change in your writing technique and style? Are there still things you'd like to improve on?"
A: "Most definitely. I'm pretty sure that I would probably vomit if I saw some of the early-to-middle things I've written. I like to think that my writing has matured into its own style now. Considering I don't believe writing is an art you can perfect, I'm always looking to improve on. Imagery is one of them."
Q: "I can definitely agree with everything you've said. So then, do you have any advice for new role players or role players that are looking to improve their writing abilities?"
A: "It's going to sound cliche, but read. Don't just read anything, though. Read what you know will be inspiring to you. Personally, I don't find myself being inspired by big-time authors or NYT best selling series. Instead, my fellow role players are the driving force behind my muse. If I'm lacking the motivation for a post, I'm more likely to pull up some of my favorite roleplayer's threads and spend thirty minutes to an hour just soaking it all in. There are a few series that do the trick for me, but not many. I also suggest that you don't hesitate to look things up. There are plenty of things that you can do to expand your vocabulary; research is one of them."
Q: "That definitely sounds like awesome advice. Now for something from left field. Did you know that based on an independent survey, conducted by someone who isn't me, you are considered to be one of the top 20 best T1ers on Valucre?"
A: "Really? That's cool considering I don't T1 anymore................... but I'm not really surprised, all things considered."
My left brow lifted a little at his response, at first I was taken a little aback. Then I really thought about, based on the number of T1ers on Valucre.... was top 20 really that impressive? If only 40 people T1ed was it really anything special to be in the top twenty? As I churned the thought over in my mind, I realized King was being arrogant. No, he was more or less reflecting on the current state of T1. There simply weren't as many people doing it anymore.
Q: "Ha, I'm not going to lie. I was kind of expecting a "That's nice who cares." kind of answer. Clearly you don't engage in a lot of T1 tournaments and really probably only use it for peacekeeper related duties. However for people who are interested in T1 and being able to do it well, is there anything you can recommend?"
A: "Don't try too hard. It's incredibly obvious when you are/do, and it never ends well.
Also, recognize that T1 is just another way of telling a story. Yes, it's telling a story with certain outside rules applied, but you're still telling a story regardless. Don't worry about your opponent's lore, either. They can base their character off of whatever they want, but that doesn't mean it effects you. A good example is just because DnD says the "astral plane is where all souls go to\originate from" doesn't mean it's the end all, be all. Focus on what's actually shared between you. As in, you're both standing in this field and if you cut him with your sword he's going to bleed.
The most important thing, though, is to have fun. I think that the sharp decline in T1 activity is due to the incredibly poor attitudes of the participants. It's very rare that a T1 match doesn't degrade into one person trying to force-feed the other their "fictional rules," or an epeen contest. Being honorable in victory and graceful in defeat seem to be lost arts, as well. I can't remember the last time I saw "Good match" at the end of a T1 fight. It's really depressing."
I can feel the haze of the alcohol starting to fade. Apparently I should have kept drinking because fear and anxiety start to bubble up from my gut. Shifting nervously in my seat a few times, it becomes increasingly clear that this interview needs to end before I lose my nerve.
Q: "Alright, well that is all the time we have for today. Those are definitely some pretty deep thoughts. With all that being said, do you have any final words for your fans and/or fellow members of Valucre?"
A: "It's been a pleasure to write with and for you. I appreciate the compliments, and hope to keep providing you all with my very best."
I thank him and stand. He accompanies me and we both lean over the table to shake hands. Oddly the shadows invade the ring of light keeping his features obscured. Relinquishing my grip I turn to collect my things, only to pause. Another question rushes from the depths of my mind, instinctively I look up to ask it... however he is already gone. The light fixture above me flickers once and then dies, suddenly I'm enveloped by the darkness. It is here I ponder the interview and realize, I never had anything to fear. King was a pretty damn cool guy.
(Provided by Praetorian- the blog's favorite supporter- thanks Cody!)
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