Naming Conventions

There is an odd thing I've noticed when interacting with my online friends.

I've been playing now on Cenarion Circle long enough to make people I'd really call "friends"... something that never happened despite playing for just a long on my old server.

It was a little odd when I first started hanging out with the new social group, particularly because people had a habit of referring to someone by a name that wasn't the toon they were currently playing.  Or occasionally, even by their real name.  But I started to pick up on who was who.  Making a handy alt-list to refer to helped.

It was a little odd for a while, too, when I'd change social circles and the name I was called changed.  If I were playing with people who primarily knew me from Horde side, they'd call me "Kezrin."  It was a bit jarring, since most everyone else at the time called me Derscha, or very occasionally, Ketlan.   I am now pretty used to being called multiple names based on circumstances.

But the truly odd thing that caught my attention several months ago was that it didn't bother me to think of people in terms of multiple names.  I will just as easily refer to my friend Arietha with any of her other names.  I have even switched which name I've called her in the middle of a conversation.

This has caused me to think a lot about the meaning of names, and the etiquette of names online.

Back in the Game? One Year Later

...err, out of the game?

Yes.  I have been spending far too much time in game lately.  I admit I have been having lots of fun, and with the expansion around the corner, I've had things to get done before it all changes!

AAMS Featured on WoW Insider!

I know I've not been a very good blogger, but I would be horribly remiss in not writing about the AAMS being featured on WoW Insider today!

Link to article here!

I have been on an emotional high all afternoon.

WoW Terms at Work

I occasionally find myself thinking of WoW terms in real life.

The first few times weren't intentional.  Now I do it for fun when I'm bored, mostly at work.

There's some easy stuff.  My set responsibilities are considered quests.  I have a series of "dailies" with checkpoints I need to cross off.  Completing them faithfully earned me reputation with the Boss Faction.  I think I'm finally at friendly.  It's a long grind if you're only doing dailies.

My Characters... as Villains

There's been a few posts around the Cenarion Circle community about villains, and requests for villains.  Really, a good villain is needed for a lot of plots, and if you find one, treasure him/her/it.

One day, it might be fun to roll my own villain and see what fun I could stir up.   Right now, though, I feel like I'm busy enough with the three characters I play the most- Derscha, Ketlan, and Kezrin - and don't want to add another.  So it made me wonder: if one of my current characters became a villain, what type would they be?  How would they operate?

Technicalities, and Yet Another Jingle

Okay, I've been a bad blogger and musician.  Two months went by without me writing any music, and very few articles here.  I'm pretty sure both of those trends are related.

Character Poems

Okay, I haven't written a new post in a while on RP, and that's because Derscha's been very busy.  There has been too much going on for me to find time to sit and write about it in a coherent way.

Today's not that day, either.

Instead, enjoy these poems.

Lady by the Lake

Well, I missed February's goal, and March is almost half way gone already.

I'm a bad music blogger. At least I have the lyrics and melody to a new song in my head. I just need to write the music!

In the meantime, here's Lady by the Lake.   It's still not great, but it's likely the best I'm going to get without months of practice.

Ye Olden Days, Part Six: Transitions

Character Profile: Kebrin

Age 14

Recent growth spurts have given Kebrin some height, but the boy has yet to lose any of the characteristic chubbiness of youth- or perhaps he’s just very well fed. Kebby’s the kind of kid for whom they invented the description ‘big-boned.’ His round face has a naturally light complexion, with full lips, a flat nose, and large, almond-shaped brown eyes.  No bangs; his curly black hair is cut short, so that it curls close to his head and stays out of his way.  

Ye Olden Days, Part Five: How It Ended

[StarCraft] Lynyl reappears suddenly, opening her starry eyes.

[StarCraft] Cipri huggles the Lynyl

Lyana smooches Lynyl! Lynyl is smooched!

[-StarCraft] Cipri: And now Lynyl. What is this, Old faces day? ;)

[-StarCraft] Etain snuggle-attacks Lynyl

[-StarCraft] Lynyl  :P

[-StarCraft] Lynyl: Hiya, everyone 'cept Cipri.

[-StarCraft] Cipri sulks and is left out:(

Meet-n-Greet, Lakeshore, Cats and Chickens, Whispers

Buuuusy week.

Derscha hosted her first official AAMS event last night, a meet-and-greet for all the new couriers we've recruited the past few weeks.  And boy. we've recruited a lot.  I know I'll need to keep a watchful GM eye on a few of them, but overall, I'm very happy with the quality of RPers who've joined our ranks.

Short Story: "Hearts and Healing"

The normally sterile hospital hallways were decorated in pink ribbons and hearts, marking the annual "Love Is In The Air" festival, where all of Azeroth spent two weeks celebrating love.   Derscha barely gave the bright displays a passing thought as she located the administrator's office. 

"Oh, so you're making the delivery this week, Miss Kettlebomb?" the elderly gnome sitting behind the counter greeted her as she approached.   He tapped his hand on the counter for her to set the box down.  "Haven't see you in a while."

"The AAMS has been keeping me very busy," Derscha Kettlebomb replied with a smile.  "But I haven't forgotten."

"AAMS?" a younger, pink-haired girl looked over curiously.  She was dressed in scrubs, likely an intern from New University of Gnomeregan.  "Shouldn't you be in white?"

The courier in question, indeed, was not in her white uniform, but a sturdy plain outfit similar to the intern's.  Even her jaunty hat was missing, her hair held in place by pinned-up braids. 

Back in the Present Day.... Why Random RP Matters

I had another lesson in the "RP begets RP" category.

Derscha has been very, very busy this past week.  There have been some changes in the AAMS management structure, and she's now the Alliance Branch Manager. Wow!

I've spent a lot of time on her in the past week, which works out, because I've been very sick the past week and anything more physically exhausting than playing a game would have been Bad.  I think it's been very good to have someone with the <AAMS Alliance Branch> tag hanging around online.

I'd like to see more active people join.  Having alts join in nice, but what happens when someone new hears about us, and wants to contact us?  They're not going to know there's generally an alt or two hanging around in AllianceOOC they can talk to.  They don't know what our OOC channel is.  Unless there's someone online sporting our tag, they're going to assume we're not here.  We are missing out on potential clients and contacts.

I've gotten random whispers about the guild, so I know they are looking.  So has Suni, the other AAMSer who is frequently online.

About the lesson-

On my little talk about Harper's Tale, I mentioned that all the guilds knew each other, and that we all lived in the same continuity.  I also mentioned that in WoW, it was possible to RP in your own world without regard to other guilds.  This isn't a bad thing, just a different thing.

Derscha was meeting Arietha in Darnassus, and took the boat from Stormwind.  My mouse decided to play a mean trick, and when I tried to land my gryphon on the dock, I ended up flying every which way first.  There were people on the dock, so I had Derscha mutter to herself about making such a bad landing, then calmly walk onto the boat and take a seat at the table inside.

Imagine my surprise when one of the other players walked in and asked if she could join me.  Her name was Ixin, and I didn't recognize her or her guild tag.

So we had a quick chat- as long a chat as a boat ride will allow- and Derscha mentioned she was used to traveling, since she was a courier.  We exchanged a few /whispers afterward, where I explained our concept, and then we parted ways.  It was a nice bit of unexpected RP.

Yesterday, I got a whisper from someone named Shiaria asking if we could make a delivery. She was sending out four invitations to a formal dinner.  I took the commission, and made the first delivery straight away.

I didn't make the connection at first, until I remembered Ixin.  Both ladies were from the same guild, <Silverleaf Clan>.   They're a level 8 guild, 45 characters.

I've never heard of them. AllianceOOC wasn't familiar with them.

Silverleaf Clan hadn't heard of the AAMS, or at least Ixin and Sharia hadn't.

It seems rather obvious that we can't make the assumption that every role-player abides in the same social circle, or reads all the posts on the forums.  There may be an entire separate "universe" on our realm that I don't know about.  But there still exists the opportunity to interact with these folks, and maybe, find a way to bring us all together.

Wouldn't that be great?

Ye Olden Days, Part Three: Secret Romances

Danire (#8528)

You see a fairly tall young man, his eyes are pitch black much like the dark 

hair which falls down past his shoulders, it is tied back at the shoulders. His 

skin seems pale compared to some people. He stands at his full height of about 

18 hands. He is fairly strong, and very kind.

He has put his summer clothes away and is now wearing a dark red pair of pants, 

a longsleaved white shirt, and a pair black boots.

Danire is wearing the bright-red and white knot of StarCraft.

He is awake and looks alert.

Ye Olden Days, Part Two: Meet Lynyl, Starcrafter

Lynyl (#8813)

Lynni appears deceptively short and slender, but her thin frame fits her well. 

Her manner is often rather quiet, and nothing she does is not without thought. 

Her fine auburn hair falls down to her shoulders, effectively framing her thin 

face with its small features and medium dark green eyes. Her skin is light, but 

bears a faint tanish color, and faded freckles are sparsely spread around her 

countenance, serving to enhance rather than to make her look younger.

Her hair falls loose around her face. Lynyl's DistanceViewer Case hangs over 

Lynyl's shoulder.

Lynyl wears a delicate gold ring which looks to fit her just right. It appears 

to be perfect as the thin band sparkles under any amount of light.

Lynyl proudly wears a StarCraft Sr. Apprentice knot.

She is awake and looks alert.

Ye Olden Days, Part Four: Journeyman Project

The StarCraft Anniversary Exhibit officially opens in 10 minutes!  The 

StarCraft Lesson begins at 5:30 MOO Time, to be followed by some possible 

stargazing. Contact Lyana or Lynyl for info.

  -- entered by Lyana on Sat, Sep *th,  at 4:57 pm MOO Time.

The Second Night of the Starcraft Celebration begins in 15 minutes! (We delayed 

for the Beach Party)  Come to the Starcraft Gardens for a brief 

lesson/discussion about our craft, a raffle, and stargazing! 

  -- entered by Lynyl on Sun, Sep *th,  at 6:04 pm MOO Time.

[jproj] Lyana: You've been away from Danire for to long! You don't know how to catch it! :P

For her journeyman project,  Lynyl decided to host a "Starcraft" fair to invite everyone to learn about the guild.  She recruited Lyana, and they used it as their joint project.   It was actually a series of events, starting with volunteer sessions to help paint models of the planetary system, build booths, and so on.

Lynyl commission some work from the Smithcraft to build a table-model of the planets.  That's how she met Darman, a Smith apprentice.

I have more logs of this time period, since I was tracking my journeyman project.  I have a log of yet another stargazing session, this time with Darmon in attendance.  Stargazing turns out to be a very romantic activity!

Darman walked her "home" to her apprentice dormitory.  Then he leaned in for a kiss... only for them to interrupted by another apprentice coming home!  The apprentice quickly retreated, but it spread through the guild grapevine, anyway.

While still forbidden, the rules had relaxed in the time since Danire left.  That was good, as it was harder for them to meet in secret since they were in different guilds.  OOCly, the rule was only there to promote conflict, anyway.

Darman never really won Lynyl's heart the way Danire did; she never did explain to him what the gold ring was about, or stop wearing it.  (Nor did she have to worry about changing her monogrammed "D & L" towels.)

The fair turned into a success, and Lynyl and Lyana were approved to be interviewed for their Journeyman's knots.

Unfortunately, Lynyl never received her promotion.

Up next: why I stopped playing.

Ye Olden Days, Part One: Introduction

WoW isn't the first time I've been a role-player.  I first started role-playing more years ago than I care to admit, when I was in middle school. For a while, I've been wanted to write about those experiences, particularly as they become hazier in my mind.  Those experiences shape the way I've approached playing in WoW.

First, bit of background.

It's raining, it's pouring...

Wow! Busy day.

Warning: long post ahead!

Let this be a lesson: taking initiative and acting on something leads to more opportunity.

Wanted: New Hat

Wanted: New Hat.


Must be purple, never eaten.


Please send offers to AAMS Alliance Branch, Caer Darrow

So, what am I going to do with all of this?

What am I going to do with my music?

I have been thinking about this a lot.  Some of my music, I really just need to learn how to publish.  Find a company that prints choral music, and submit it.  I need to seriously consider registering with BMI or ASCAP, too.

What about my WoW stuff?  I would like to share it with the community, but really, white text on black isn't terribly exciting or interesting.  I need to look into basic machinima techniques and make some real videos.

.... yeah, that's going to be happening real soon.  Sure.

I happen to work with an old school mate of mine, back when we both were at an art magnet school (though in different years.)  He also works in a music studio and gets paid to record and mix other people's music.

Obvious idea is obvious.

But, if I could afford to pay a professional, then I sure as heck wouldn't be using a five-year-old version of Garageband on a computer that has less than 10 GB of free space and minimum RAM.  There's no room for those hypothetical videos.  If I wanted to install new music or video editing software, I'd have to spend money to upgrade the computer first, and get a external drive.  I am saving up, but really wish I could just throw it all on a credit card and be done with it.

Chicken on the stove should be dried out by now, so I'd best go finish making dinner.

Light Be With You Orchestration

I thought I was supposed to be at work today.  Was halfway there when I thought to look at the schedule I keep in my car, and saw I had the rare Tuesday off.  I don't like having Tuesdays off... can't play WoW!

Seriously, though, it gave me a chance to work on my music again, and today I decided to expand the orchestration on "Light Be With You."

The things I do when I'm bored, updates on Elren

The Man with Three Fists

nf, Play.  Comedy.

Tollwight, Artuwick

cat. no. 37568.13

Published: Late Adamant Wrynn Period

Synopsis: Warfen, a traveling fighter and and gambling addict, is traveling to the "Market's Day" fair to enter a prizefight when his hand is injured by his companion Diggry.  He tricks a well-meaning, but dim-witted, man named Holgen to take his place while pretending to be Warfen.  Warfen bets on Holgen losing the match to earn money, but first must build up his reputation as a amazing fighter without letting anyone know he's a pushover.  

"Light" update, and unguilded RP

I spent my day off doing chores and mucking with music again.  I've switched to recording 'Light Be With You,' as it's a shorter, easier song.  I am recording one phrase at a time.  I have one verse completed out of three.

I like WoW holidays, although they make a great excuse not to be doing stuff in real life.  Right now I'm having Derscha fly around to all the elders. Doing EK today, Kalimdor tomorrow.  I enjoy the 'go everywhere in the world!' quests, even if it's just a lot of flying.

Someone nonfictional!

Look, I'm making a post, and it's not some unholy hour of the night!

That's because I specifically refrained from writing this last night.

So, my fictional readers, are you still fictional? Because I know I had at least one real person visit.

Or rather, nonfictional person who role-plays a fictional character. Whatever.

Anytime, Anywhere download

Um.. well... hello!

If you're not a fictional reader, then I've done something crazy and posted a link to this blog on realm forums. Welcome to my humble abode!

You're probably looking for a link to the AAMS Jingle.  You're in luck!

Right click the following and select download file:
Anytime, Anywhere

All set!

Anytime, Anywhere

Well, I went and did it. I published something on YouTube.

As of this writing, the song is barely 24 hours old, and I already have it published and getting feedback. It did not exist 26 hours ago, but it's already out of my hands.

That's quite a turn around from my last post, don't you think?

"Bells of Stormwind" on Paper, "Lady" getting better

Well, I met my goal for the month! I have one piece of music written.

I finally wrote out "When the Bells of Stormwind Ring," along with a simple piano accompaniment. (I took a quick stab at recording my voice to it, but it came out worse than "Lady by the Lake."  WTB singer, etc., sigh...)

I feel better having met my self-imposed goal, even it it means I'm making yet another late night post.

Recording

Progress: I have actually been practicing music this past week.

I haven't written anything, so I still have to work on that, but I have have sat down at the piano, and I have been vocalizing and recording myself to help my voice improve.  And it has!

It's still horrible, mind you, but it's merely horrible and not OMG I'M BLEEDING FROM MY EARS.

I'm back...? Plus, a short RP story

Okay.

Well, there went a month.

I can blame the holidays, family birthdays, and all of that, but the truth was, I was simply avoiding doing any music. I had the opportunity to open my files on several occasions, and chose not to.

This is why I need this blog to help motivate me.