Thar Shaddin

But this time, instead of just a lame "yeah I'm here," you must justify your existence. What does that mean, you ask? Well...it's pretty self-explanatory. And directly ripped off of a column from The Onion.

This is mostly to make this roll call fun. Answer the questionnaire in character or out, whatever makes you giggle as you hit the submit!

So, I'll start:

What characters do you play?

Jenica, Anga, Lanya, and Geld.

Why do you feel your character(s) are important to the board?

Well Jenica needs to eat people, Anga needs to be an object of Mavarion's worship, Lanya needs to be a pathetic human, and Geld...well, um...*crickets*

Why do you think people should care about your character(s)?

Well I hope that each of them is at least interesting, and has an interesting life to follow. I try to keep things psychological, which I personally find interesting, so you should too obviously.

Why do you think people should read your writing?

Even when I'm being ultra-dark, I try to keep a sense of humor about it and keep my writing crisp and clean. I hope that even in some of my bloodier or more sinister posts, there's an element of the giggles to be found. Or I could just be a freak.

What is the worst book you've ever read?

She's Come Undone. Don't ever read this book. Especially the ladies out there.





That's all I got for now. Have fun with this! Add questions if you'd like, or do a little story about how your character is ruining the interview, or whatever! C'mon guys, you're role players, so play some roles!

What a good idea! I look forward to reading what other people say about their characters.

What characters do you play?

Julen

Why do you feel your character is important to the board?

I think Julen provides a nice "Everyman" perspective. Despite the rather unexpected direction his life has taken, he's still just a guy trying to make a living, keep his marriage together, and avoid unpleasant confrontations with his in-laws. This makes him a good contrast when paired with more unusual characters. Ones who are, say, slowly transforming into angels.

Why do you think people should care about your character?

Well, I care very deeply about him, so maybe some of that comes across in the writing and infects other people. Julen isn't flashy. He's not as immediately compelling as a vampire, or a battlemage, or a water spirit. And on top of that, he's basically decent. So my challenge has alway been to write someone who's "ordinary" and "good" without making them horribly boring. I hope I've managed to depict his struggles, temptations, and mistakes in such a way as to achieve that.

Also, I've been told that his avatar is pretty cute.

Why do you think people should read your writing?

Uh...because there's a lot of it? Seriously, I think people should read it because it tells a good story. While it's certainly possible to plan things to death, especially in an RP situation, I've seen a lot of threads falter and die because no one was willing to take a hand in directing the plot. Railtus and I went into this with very clear ideas about what our characters want to achieve, and we're always tossing around suggestions about how to help or hinder them. As a result, we have a complex (and I hope interesting) storyline, with -- if not actually a cast of thousands -- an awfully lot of supporting NPCs. Myself, I kind of think it reads more like a novel than a RP.

What is the worst book you've ever read?

Lost Souls by Poppy Z. Brite. Miss Brite has a lovely writing style, but I absolutely loathed her characters. Her heroes (if there could be said to be any heroes) were more distasteful than her villains -- and not in a way that I think was deliberate. Besides that, I'm always disappointed when a female author makes her sole female character a complete doormat for everyone else in the novel to wipe their feet on. And come on, another vampire novel set in New Orleans? Don't vampires live anywhere else? The only reason I got through the whole thing was because the book had been given to me by a dear friend, who loved it, and I felt like I owed it to her.

What other Thar Shaddin personality would you most like your character to meet?

Still hoping for a Julen/Gelden encounter one of these days.

What characters do you play?

Xyon of Calhoun

Why do you feel your character(s) are important to the board?

I don't. The board seems to be getting along fine without me, for the time being. I think the board is more important to Xyon than Xyon is to it. (For now.)

Why do you think people should care about your character(s)?

It doesn't really bother me if people care about Xyon or not, as caring for people is Xyon's forté. That being said, people should show him respect, but then seven foot of Xenetian muscle demands a certain amount of respect anyway.

Why do you think people should read your writing?

I write for fun, and not necessarily for other people to read. I enjoy reading some things I write, and forget I've written, and I hope others enjoy reading my material as well. If you don't, don't read it. Just don't moan. Simple.

What is the worst book you've ever read?

Mein Kamph, by Adolf Hitler. Seriously, the guy was a great public speaker. He did wonders for the German economy and infrastructure, (BEFORE the holocaust, people, BEFORE!). But he wrote the most boring pile of crap I have ever had the misfortune to read.

Who would you most like your character to meet?

Well, I've nothing in mind for that. Mostly, my plot ideas are joined to Railtus Anstrun's future plans. BRING ON THE PALISADES!!

Any further comments you'd like to make?

I exist, at the moment, as the resident exile, if such an oxymoron will be permitted. However, a BT engineer is coming to mine on the 4th of June, to fit my house with a broadband connection. Xyon will be back, people, watch this space

---------> <---------

Keep watching it.




Keeeeeep watching.....






Gullible fools. CIAO!

PS: Mua ha ha ha ha !!! (Evil laugh)

My turn.

What character do you play?

Railtus Anstrun (on his way towards Aorlle Karr).

Why do you feel your character is important to the board?

Mainly because this one creates stories. Many characters simply join stories, but this one has a whole set of in-built storylines which can easily include other characters - earning a knighthood, good deeds, founding an estate.

Here is also a hero amidst the bleakness, a man of virtue and principle above all. That is a rare find in dark and dire settings. By doing the right thing, he is in complete contrast with most of the population that he finds.

Why do you think people should care about your character?

Brings the storybook knight into a world of violence, torture and terror without compromising his basic integrity. Deals with hard issues while staying true to that ideal, for example, when acting brave there truly is an element of danger and death which makes his bravery more meaningful. When compassionate, that compassion actually pays due heed to the suffering involved. Even when facing difficulties he chooses what is right.

The character is also passionate about what he believes in. This man lives his Code with all of his heart and soul. The credo he lives by is 'Better to do right and die than to do wrong and prosper.'

And he cares about you, so it is only fair.

Why do you think people should read your writing?

Because you will enjoy it.

More seriously, my writing presents the knight-in-shining-armour in a way which can be related to and appreciated by the mature reader. Gives honour and compassion and righteousness the consideration and weight that they deserve.

General style is a blend of epic, technique, and grim detail which is feels (to me at least) evocative and meaningful. Each scene is an event in itself, something I can use to demonstrate something beyond the obvious. That adds further and consistant depth to the story.

The threads in general have wonderful writer's chemistry. See how Julen and Railtus interact with each other, the contrast between a paladin-angel and a 'normal' man, how they affect each other and how differently they handle things while both being undoubtably good men.

What is the worst book you've ever read?

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. Was pointed to it because the boy/narrator/main character has a lesser version of the disability I have. Yet, there was absolutely nothing to like about him. Nothing to empathise with.

What other Thar Shaddin personality would you most like your character to meet?

Lanya, because she is a damsel-in-distress if ever there was one. Instead of her being the 'pathetic human' it would be interesting if she were to encounter someone who admires her and values her, rather than think of her as a helpless waif in need of defending.

That, and, she's hot. Like, smokin' hot.

Shadow, I must disagree. Reading The curious incident of the dog in the nightime was quite enjoyable, even though I wasn't sympathetic. I suppose it's a matter of personal taste, but even though you may not emphasise with the main char, I felt there was a fascinating tale being told.

I don't feel you have to sympathise with him to enjoy the book. Although, for my part, I found the whole ausperger's thing fascinating, that's not all there is to the book. It's been some time now since I read it, and I wouldn't say it was the best thing I've ever read, for different reasons, but it's by far not the worst.

Anyhow, it's high time I went back to lurking.

What characters do you play?

Kamar Deythal, Mavarion

Why do you feel your character(s) are important to the board?

Kamar adds a gritty determination and an ambition for power beyond almost any scope seen on this board. He will be weeding out the chaff, so to speak.

Mavarion, on the other hand, is involved in a fairly large plot line, himself leading a couple of unknowing people around by the nose in order to further his own plans. Of which will consist of a fairly large scale plotline involving angry gods and both god and evil

Why do you think people should care about your character(s)?

Neither of them care about people, other than what use they have to further their plans, so why should people care about them?

Seriously, maybe care isn't the correct word, and maybe Xyon has it right with respect. Someone who can hand you your head before you even know they are there, or someone who has the backing of a god, even as deranged and weak as she is, needs to be respected.

Why do you think people should read your writing?

I think I write in a fairly descriptive manner, since I try to bring the post to life. I picture everything in my head, as if I were seeing it, and I try to bring that to the people that are reading my writing. My downfall is that I can get too descriptive, in my own opinion.

What is the worst book you've ever read?

The Mists of Avalon - Marion Zimmer Bradley

Easily! The premise behind the book was great, probably a really good idea, but the book was so freaking boring, it took me almost 6 months to read it. I'm an avid reader, and a book that size should only have had me reading for a month and a half at most. Boring. Trust me, don't read it. And if you have, I'm sorry.

Xyon_of_Calhoun wrote:Shadow, I must disagree. Reading The curious incident of the dog in the nightime was quite enjoyable, even though I wasn't sympathetic. I suppose it's a matter of personal taste, but even though you may not emphasise with the main char, I felt there was a fascinating tale being told.

I don't feel you have to sympathise with him to enjoy the book. Although, for my part, I found the whole ausperger's thing fascinating, that's not all there is to the book. It's been some time now since I read it, and I wouldn't say it was the best thing I've ever read, for different reasons, but it's by far not the worst.

Anyhow, it's high time I went back to lurking.

How often do I actually read books I dislike? Once I decide I dislike a book I put it down and don't bother reading it. This time I had not that luxury.

What characters do you play?

Tavvru, Haegrath, and a now-defunct urchin

Why do you feel your character(s) are important to the board?

Currently, not one seems to be doing much; but Haegrath is militarizing and unifying the trolls, Keldarrec *should* be a bit of serious mixed with comic relief, and me... hopefully, I'm interesting, but I'm just scouting things out right now.

Why do you think people should care about your character(s)?

Because if you don't care about us, Haegrath will bring the trolls down on your head, Keldarrec will rob you while you watch the trolls, and I will observe carefully before becoming a raven and flying away.

Why do you think people should read your writing?

I'm afraid I've barely started the records of my exploits, or those of the trolls, but the latter at least may be an important document in the future, and the former should provide a bit of interest.

That is aside from the more obvious answer: I'm just that good.

What is the worst book you've ever read?

There aren't too many in the forest, but there was one... well... I've done my best to repress the memories.

What characters do you play?

Aislinn, and that's all right now.

Why do you feel your character(s) are important to the board?

She is important because I play her.

Why do you think people should care about your character(s)?

I couldn't care less if you lot cared about her... so there.

*please RP with me!!! *



Why do you think people should read your writing?

Because it passes the time? Hehe, seriously though, I am completing the first draft of my first book this summer so hopefully you lot will be paying to read my writing.

What is the worst book you've ever read?

Eldest by that muppet Paolini.

What characters do you play?

Amira and Sable

Why do you feel your character(s) are important to the board?

Sable is...deep. And disturbed. And stuff.
And Amira has a shiny green ring. See avatar.

Obviously, both are indispensible.

Why do you think people should care about your character(s)?

Sable has this whole my-life-sucks thing going on, and she's kind of warped and hates people, and yet (I hope) she manages to be a fairly sympathetic character.

Amira almost got eaten by a vampire on her first evening in Marn. Talk about depressing. Also, she has a shiny green ring.

Why do you think people should read your writing?

Because I enjoy it! Seriously, I think that the more a writer enjoys his or her writing, the more other people enjoy it, too. In theory. Also, I'm pretty meticulous about my writing, so the cringe-factor is, I hope, pretty low. Finally, I think my characters are unique-ish, and have thus far been in pretty unique-ish plotlines. So that's fun. And stuff.

And Amira has a shiny green ring.

What is the worst book you've ever read?

The Order of Things by Michel Foucault. That guy is whacked out. Don't read it unless you want a major headache.

What characters do you play?

Chrishton, Camulous, Brin Moryldar, Belatucadrus, The porter... Only Christon and Camulous are really my characters though.

Why do you feel your character(s) are important to the board?
Chrishton is a shit disturber . Shit disturbers are useful. Camulous runs the guard

Why do you think people should care about your character(s)?
Chrishton is a fine piece of man meat and all the ladies should be all over him. Camulous runs the guard.

Why do you think people should read your writing?
With Chrishton I don't. Not unless they're curious or they're posting with me. Camulous runs the guard.

What is the worst book you've ever read?
You're assuming I read books. And then you're assuming I can pick a worst. Both wild assumptions. I don't read books I don't like. But uhh... I'd have to say that the worst one I can recall starting to read was called, uhh... The Chrome Borne. It was recommended because one of the main characters is a kitsune. Too bad it was utter shit. At least in my opinion. I hope none of you like this book.
Camulous runs the ... Oh wait.

Edit: Dear Amira Lum. Foucault is some kind of super famous post modernist writer and he's very important for some reason or other regarding his theories on power structres and dialogue. You suck. Also, I've never read his stuff, and never will.

I'm perfectly aware of the groundbreaking impact of Foucault's work. Why else would I have attempted to read it? I was in debate, and we used Foucault Kritiks (yes, it's spelled that way) in a lot of the high-powered rounds. I'm familiar with his theories.

Nonetheless, he writes like crap.

Hey, when did we go back to calling me Amira Lum?

Your name is Amira Lum, is it not? It says so on your HELLO sticker.

I heard a lot of those post modernist french authors write in some incomprehensible crazyness. But this is way off topic. I blame you.

You started it.

Kind of.

Didn't we establish that you're to blame for...well, everything?

Hey! Get back on topic, guys! Seriously!

...

Meh, it's ok if we go a little...ok, a ton...off-topic. I can figure out who's actually posted for the roll call by the length of the posts. And this is supposed to be fun!

Everyone has until next Friday to post, and then you will be considered inactive. Oh yes you will!!!