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This weeks feature is Alisaire, a roleplayer I've known for about six months. Alisaire is consistantly in character, and her name came up quite a few times in my
survey.
I always enjoy interacting with her, and thought that you'd like to know more about her.
What is you character's name? (First and last.)
Alisaire Frey'yttre
If asked, she will typically introduce herself as "Ali'shara na'yttre
uin'Frey", explaining that "Alisaire" is about as close as most are able to
pronounce her name. Each part of her name does have a specific meaning; an
example is that her first name can translate to either "Dark Daughter" or
"Betrayer", depending on the stress.
How long have you, the player been playing RPG's?
I love console RPGs. The first one I ever picked up was the first Legend
of Zelda. Since then, I have grown to appreciate the menu-based RPGs on a
variety of consoles. My favorites include the Seiken Densetus series, the
Chrono Trigger/Cross series, and Xenogears. And yes, I am a geek and still
play them frequently.
How long have you been playing GSIII?
My friend introduced me to GSIII right after AOL went unlimited. Back
then, GSIII typically had about 2000-2500 people logged on in the evenings,
there was drop on decay, and it was free to AOL and Prodigy users. I was
your typical newbie!
The most hilarious thing I remember from this time was when said friend
rushed to tell me, totally in a panic, that he accidentally killed a level
19 fellow just outside of town -- by throwing a javelin into the next room.
By a freak occurrence, the poor fellow was killed by it. The real kicker of
the story is that he was on his way to the inn to train for his 20th time
(still a rather impressive thing even then), but had no deeds and ending up
decaying his last time for a lack of help. Oops!
After about half a year or so, I stopped playing all-together, and my
atrociously-trained sylvan ranger has thankfully never since been about. I
played off and on the following several years, rarely more than a month or
two with free trials, until about a year and a half when I took it up again.
As for the friend who initially introduced me to GSIII.. Well, he's still
around, sort of; he has been in the off-and-on routine for the entire time,
but is considering canceling his subscription again.
Can you give us a history of your character?
I prefer to not reveal too much of her history in out-of-game environments
as it, and that most of it is only revealed to a few, are both integral
parts of who Alisaire is. If anyone would like to know more about her, I
highly suggest getting to know her in-game, although it would most likely
take a while to learn any significantly dark secrets.
Alisaire is Dhe'nar; she was born and raised the first third of her life
in an outpost a day's journey east of Sharath. The vast majority of the
outpost's Dhe'nar were able to implement magic in some form of another,
which is why Alisaire is doubly hard on herself for being born without that
aptitude.
When she left Sharath, Alisaire traveled roughly east then north along the
coastline, skirting the inner portions of the Southron Wastes and eventually
spending a few years in the New Ta'Faendryl region. There she slowly honed
her grasp of the Faendryl tongue and took advantage of the opportunity to
study foreign cultures. She spent a number of years wandering the majority
of the eastland, essentially village-hopping within the City-States.
Avoiding the cities for the most part, her prior training was more than
sufficient to get her by in the rural and uninhabited regions.
Eventually, Alisaire travelled west over the Dragonspine on a whim. She
has since spent the majority of a year in the Solhaven region, occasionally
broken by bouts of wandering that she can not quite seem to shake.
Naturally, this is the abridged version. One major figure in her history
is oddly enough her brother, with whom she had kept in close contact until a
few months ago. She will speak of him in mixed tones and lengths of time,
depending primarily on her mood.
In addition, a number of her quirks, such as her stance to be self-spelled
(read: no spells) and extreme discomfort of the raise are entirely driven by
past experiences. One thing she will never do is intentionally lie,
although she will frequently either not voice the entire truth or state
several unrelated facts in addition to the truth, encouraging the listener
to draw his own, faulty conclusions if the situation requires it. After
all, if he is so naive and quick to believe the first explanation that comes
to mind, perhaps he should learn the full error of his ways when more
dangerous situations reveal his mistake.
Can you, the player, describe your character from an objective
viewpoint?
Alisaire is a failure in a number of ways, although she would never
readily admit it in a public manner. She strives far too hard toward an
unattainable ideal, yet frequently stumbles along the way. Those familiar
with the Dhe'nar's philosophical ideals expressed with the Way might pick up
on several incongruences with respects to her behavior.
Add to the mix her almost obsessive tendencies involving certain aspects
of her past. Alisaire has allowed herself to be drawn into a number of
less-than-desirable circumstances in order to remedy things that have gone
awry. Often the cure is worse than the disease.
Can you name the biggest influence on the way you roleplay your
character?
I can not really name any single out of game source that has directly
influenced my roleplay of Alisaire. I've always loved the tragic hero
stereotype, and took that idea to heart with her. As much fun as winning
can be in a game, there is always that part of me that loves to see failure,
which is part of why I wanted to play a dark character. After all, the good
guys have to win over someone else sometimes.
Several novel series have no doubt influenced me subtly, such as Terry
Brooks's Shanarra series, Frank Herbert's (more futuristic sci-fi) Dune
series, J. R. R. Middle Earth books, and Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time
series (although I am a late starter in that one). Probably the aspects
that deal with the rarity of true magic, and how others react to it, are the
major factors that have rubbed off on me.
Are there any characters who you look up to as rolemodels?
There are a number, actually, that I have continually been impressed
with -- usually through interaction in-game, although occasionally through
other means of gathering information.
Nevrek consistently is one, with a combination of logically-driven
devotion, occasionally bizarre actions, and ability to inspire roleplay in
nearly any location.
Similarly, Sayori and Azorack both create an unusual presence with
seemingly quirky behavior that is only better understood after knowing them
after some length time.
Among the "quiet" roleplayers, both Rekarth and Ketum have always struck
me as intriguing -- and apt to say just the right thing at just the right
time, even if they are never the loudest individuals in an area.
There are several "dark" characters that I have interacted with who are
not only excellent roleplayers, but also carry with them a palpable presence
upon entering a room. Among them are Armaxis, Dispater, Grhim, Pyrocite,
Setzier, Sepher, and Naamit.
Rimalon, Ysharra, Tanager, and Nofret are all superb roleplayers and
frequently inspire roleplay in others by taking the time to interact with
new and old characters alike.
There are a number of others that have inspired me in some way or another
since I returned to Gemstone; Allanor, Kilthal, Stefinn, Songie, Atania,
Skaster, Haxley, Juspera, Mnar, Wyseth, Igrak, Kree, Isyn Gahread,
Krissella, Talantris, Kallistan, Tarkisis, Turinrond, Neilus, Rinika, Ruhk,
Gretel, Hadiar, Lylia, Silvean, Teveriel, Delyorik, Jacinto, Kevralynn,
Sung, Dajamar, Mahrekesh, Setzuna, and others I know I am forgetting have
all encouraged my roleplay either directly or indirectly. (In no particular
order, of course!)
If you can describe the most glaring feature of your character as
succinctly as possible, what would it be?
Alisaire tries to be more than she is or can ever be -- and realizes it.
On a scale of 1-10, how scripted to you think roleplaying, in general,
should be?
While in general, I prefer non-scripted roleplay, I do realize that often
planning ahead (but still NOT scripting) for specific events is a very valid
and efficient strategy to ensure that there are not long periods of silence
when a specific task is being worked toward. There is nothing worse than
staring at the screen expecting the other person make the next move for a
few minutes, then ending up typing out something totally contradictory to
another person's line at the exact same time!
Do you feel that your presence in a room causes others to roleplay?
Sometimes -- or at least I would like to think so.
As you know, almost all characters can be put into basic
categories(Evil, bouncy, etc.) What makes yours unique?
The vast majority of the "evilness" that Alisaire has acquired is not
actually intentional by her own actions. One's race isn't exactly a choice
when born, and as for her "dealings" with Luukosians -- those were
perpetuated by in-game events. A number of them she essentially has to grit
her teeth and follow through with, putting her own views aside as need be.
How do you deal with people who make OOC disparaging remarks? (Snerts,
basically.)
Typically, I try to either avoid or ignore such things. If I can tell
that the person is genuinely new to things, I will offer advice via whispers
or private thought. If said snert is persistent with his behavior and
refuses to listen to advice, I report and/or leave the area. There is
nothing to be gained by allowing someone else ruin my enjoyment of the game.
When you first created your current character, did you have her
whole history/personality thought out?
The template, yes. As I played her more, I wrote in aspects of her past
and personality that seemed fitting for how they were roleplayed in a
variety of situations. And, of course, a number of things have been added
with the help of interacting with a myriad selection of other characters.
Do you have any tips for the beginner roleplayer?
First, when in doubt, ask questions. Some people are unfortunately too
preoccupied with their own perspective to offer aid, but a surprisingly
large percentage of the population is more than willing to give a helping
hand -- or at the least, a point in the right direction as to where to find
better help.
Second, recognize that not everyone has the same perspective as you in
game -- and does not necessarily appreciate the same things or plays the
same way. Miscommunication, misinterpretation, and refusal to accept other
potentially valid viewpoints are often the major cause of unnecessary player
conflict, which is different from character conflict. Building on this
idea, do not let others ruin your enjoyment of the game. Yes, game. Games
are supposed to be fun for all people involved, and if something is going on
that does disturb you, the player, find out how to best change things so
that you will have fun again.
Finally, do not be afraid to experiment. It can lead to so many new
possibilities, interactions, and acquaintances. Most of all, it can be
fun -- which is what this game is all about.
Any comments that you'd like to make?
I have to admit, when it comes to playing the game.. I love the numbers as
much as I love the roleplay. Why such a stigma has been placed on
power-levelers, I do not know; enjoying the mechanics of the game is as
valid a reason for playing as the roleplay. Not that I am one to talk, of
course, as I have barely titled Alisaire in half a year's time!
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