Player Profile: Rachel GarropyMarch 1st, 2018

How long have you been playing?: I have been playing on and off since 2009. I've been going regularly since November of 2013.

Describe your character: At first, second, and third glance she's a snooty book elf. She's got a temper and will almost always tell you what she's thinking.  Does not play nice with others is an understatement. She does have a soft spot for her friends though.

What was your favorite in game moment?: I have two that are tied. First would be standing shield to shield with Arbor fighting off waves of undead as one of the phylacteries of the Al' Cairn were destroyed. No one got past our side and I've never felt more bad-a**! The second was the time the BC's bought every single pierogi from the inn one night just because we could. I don't know if I've ever laughed as hard as I did that night.

Why do you love Kingdoms of Novitas?: It's the whole package. The players are by far the best people I know. The atmosphere is immediately immersive and encompassing. The characters are all well rounded, independent, believable individuals. The storylines pull you in and keep you engaged. The world building is exhaustive. There's something for everyone and I really like that in our game. The fact that it is OUR game is also a big draw for me. Players can really impact the game's world through their story-telling and role-playing. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?!

Who is your favorite PC?: Definately Arbor. She is a perfect balance of compassion and chaos. I love watching her interact with the world and others in such a unique way. She's a good counterweight to Miria's reserve and sometimes indifference.

What did you think your character concept was? What is it now?: My character concept was a scholarly book elf who was going to come to Pinedale and write a monster manual. When I brought her in, she met at least 5 other people doing the same thing. So that was quickly scrapped. Through some seriously awesome storylines she's grown into a more well-rounded character. She's more of a learn-by-doing type of character instead of observation. I'm excited to see where she's going to end up.

How many PCs have you had? What happened to them?: Miria is my first and only.

Posted by Julie

Player Profile: Jordan BellassaiFebruary 16th, 2018

How long have you been playing?: I started the first full event of 2005 at 15 years of age. At this point an event was 14 people and the only Elven Steel was 12” and I had to swim for it.

Describe your character: My current character I have had for over 6 years. He is known as Micah, the Master Gem Merchant of Pinedale. He is everyone’s friend from his Merchanting, to his support on the line, and his gambling makes some friends and some enemies. He first came to Pinedale to learn how to fight with all different types of weapons and see the beasts that were found there. After a few years I got bored with him and thought of retiring him. Then I formed a new group and set new goals. It made me fall in love with this game all over again.

What was your favorite in game moment?: When I played Durum who was part of the Slatestones we had a strange welcoming to town. One of our early events the town of 18 other Player Characters marched on us because they heard we were up to no good. This was the same event my father came to see what I do once a month. He got so heated by J.C. attacking me that he began to swing for max damage and backed J.C. into an old rusty car. J.C.’s metal armor even got dented. That event he also witnessed heated conversations with Snow Goblins. To this day he still talks about his visit.

Why do you love Kingdoms of Novitas?: Over the years it has been such a great support structure for everyone who attends. The ability to clear your mind and just forget about the real world is something I look forward to every month.

Who is your favorite PC?: Birch was my 4th PC and he was a Druid that would never harm a fly. It was hard at first to not play a fighting character but as time went on it made me be more creative with how I handle situations. Even when the town (David H.) sent a bog lurker into the Inn to attack me I stunned it and carried it over my shoulder to the outskirts of town.

What did you think your character concept was? What is it now?: Micah wanted to find magic through stones and gems. Now he is exploring other sources of power he never thought he would.

How many PCs have you had? What happened to them?: Nai: Retired into the sunset to follow the soldier/knight Durum: Died 10 minutes before we changed the final rest rules so we burned down the whole lodge and everything that was in it. Micah: Current main PC Birch: Alt PC when I stop having so much fun with Micah.

Posted by Julie

Player Profile: Katlyn HJanuary 25th, 2018

How long have you been playing?: Less than a year. I started playing March 2017.

Describe your character: Joy Strifeborn is an eternal optimist and vocal worshipper of the dragon/moon god Draconus. She approaches every situation with a smile and an accompanying jingle from her coin headpiece. Joy is a fortune teller known for her eerily accurate predictions and has on more than one occasion scared other characters. She’s free spirited and prone to walking alone at night much to the dismay of her husband and friends. She travels with her group, the Guardians of the Sacred Truth or GoST, when she’s not carelessly wandering off. Joy loves mysteries and views solving them as a form of worship for her deity.

What was your favorite in game moment?: My second night of playing Joy I was told that someone’s master wished to meet her for a reading… outside the “safer” area. Joy being Joy happily accepted with no hesitation. It wasn’t until another PC, a merchant named Oz, overheard who she was visiting that Joy was able to have a much needed heads up. Without that her meeting with Reginald the Nosferatu vampire would have been an entirely different experience. It was a great roleplaying experience and exercise to show Joy’s commitment to helping others… even if she’s suitably frightened. Just keep smiling!

Why do you love Kingdoms of Novitas?: This was my first ever LARP and I love how supportive the community is to new players. I’ve probably asked a couple hundred questions so far from rules to world clarification and everyone has been very helpful. The people that make up Kingdoms of Novitas, staff and players, are phenomenal and I’m happy to call them friends.

Who is your favorite PC?: My favorite PC earned that title even before I started formally playing! Months before I was able to come to KoN in person I spent my time reading Ellenor’s hundred plus blog entries. Not only did the blog give me a firsthand look into the world and character but it endeared me toward the ever dramatic Ellenor. I love how far the character has fallen and changed over time! I’d recommend reading Ellenor’s Letters to find out for yourself about her and her various mistakes in pursuit of power.

What did you think your character concept was? What is it now?: Originally Joy was going to have a lot more to do with spirits and helping the dead. That’s why when I first made her I took Medium (the ability to see ghosts) at level 1. Other than that I wanted her to be optimistic and a fortune teller but didn’t have much direction. Of course I had the stereotypical “tragic backstory” and threw in a curse for good measure but it wasn’t something I immediately focused on.

Joy ended up being far more religious than I intended and views herself as an intercessor to help guide others. Having no experience in fortune telling I was surprised at how many coincidences have happened, but that’s only solidified her otherworldly gifts. Joy has become a catalyst character and I love helping other people progress their stories. By far the funniest surprise about the character has been the number of people frightened by her. Then again I’d probably be afraid of a lady that sometimes deals cards with people’s faces on them 😉

How many PCs have you had? What happened to them?: Joy is my first and only PC. A lot has happened to her, most recently her curse nearing fruition, but I’d say she’s had mostly positive experiences. But that could be entirely due to Joy’s outlook on life… In any situation you can choose whether to smile or frown.

Posted by Julie

Player Profile: John SpencerJanuary 11th, 2018

How long have you been playing?: I have been playing since July of 2013 and I have enjoyed every event and work day since then.

Describe your character: My current character is Flint, a Terran of former nobility, exiled from his homeland for various reasons. Later spending time in Pinedale searching for gems and a specific Succubus, becoming a merchant to better learn more information on the answers I seek. Now in Maplewood and making a goal for a more permanent residence near town.

I also have an innkeeper known as Yurick, he is a caretaker of the land, helping run the inn, the farm that helps supplies the inn, and cut wood for the town.

What was your favorite in game moment?: I’ve been playing for so long that I cannot pinpoint one exact favorite moment. One of my more recent ones is listening to the interactions with the Rhinos and the lovers quarrel that they were dealing with. Secondly, another moment that I have had fun with is as my innkeeper Yurick, trying to be convinced to marry a beautiful young woman. I already have a wife and children, I offered for her to come and meet them back at home and her and her sister lost their minds.

Another wonderful moment is nearly every time I hang out with Ivan drinking and encouraging his sexcapaids.

Why do you love Kingdoms of Novitas?: This is a great question. I have had many great reasons for loving KoN. One of the major reasons is that the people and community. The friends and family that I have made over the years are priceless and I would not be the same person without them. Secondly, I love the ability to get involved, I have been doing everything I can in the past few years to give back to the community and it has really paid off. Lastly, being able to leave the real world and enter another for a weekend where I can choose my own fate is incredibly freeing and relaxing.

Who is your favorite PC? I have to say that Odric Velrin is my favorite PC. I have to say that because no matter what the situation, whether I am in trouble with other PC’s, getting hunted by fiends, turning into an undead ghoul, or just trying to make a large profit, he is always there to help me out and bring me back to the light when needed. Saving me numerous times from most certain death and many other awful situations.

What did you think your character concept was? What is it now?:  My original character concept was relatively simple. I was a gem crafter in the family that crafts the royal jewels of Terra. I married a slave and was sent above ground with my title and name striped. My wife was killed by a succubus and I chose to hunt it. Bringing my path to Civen and then to the Freelands. While in the Freelands, I have made many friends and become a Merchant, Master Craftsmen, and Savant. I have become more of a merchant than savior of the town, though I am known to help when someone is in need. Especially if it is a friendly creature is in need of shelter and care. I have turned into a caregiver in my older age trying to make up for losing my child while I was younger.

How many PC’s have I had? What happened to them?: I have had two PC’s, with a third on the way. My first was Saber Markov. He was a barbarian that wanted to kill any and every orc that was in the Freelands. Later being sent to the great forest to train as a druid and fight off an orc tribe that had taken up residence there. My second and current main character is Flint, as described above. Finally, I am planning on bringing in a drake in the near future. No spoilers for that one yet!

Posted by Julie

Player Profile: Maggie BechtelDecember 28th, 2017

How long have you been playing?: I have been playing since September 2012.

Describe your character: I have two. Baevynn is my main PC. She is a Freelands farm girl turned Medium. She is incredibly kind and caring. She has been called both “Pinedale’s little sister” and “everyone’s fifties housewife” and neither of those descriptions are wrong. Her heart aches constantly as she goes between the adventuring life and raising her departed friend’s two young children. Agrona, my Dellin (pictured above) is the opposite. She is grumpy and mean and will definitely fight you.

What was your favorite in game moment?: My favorite in game moment was the plot where Baevynn became a Medium. She was visited by the ghost of her mother as well as a Dellin grandmother she never knew she had. The roleplay was amazing. I cried a whole lot and that night really shaped Baevynn into who she is today. Huge props to Kevin and Richard for orchestrating the whole show as well as props to Amanda for playing Baevynn's grandmother.

Why do you love Kingdoms of Novitas?: I love KoN for a bunch of reasons. The roleplay is spectacular and the attention to detail by both the Plot staff and the Props and Atmosphere staff makes it all feel so real. Nothing is better than having a stressful mundane life and being able to run off into the woods for a weekend and forget about it all. Another reason I adore Kingdoms of Novitas has been expressed by almost everyone who has filled out these profiles: the people. I started playing this game in a time in my life where I really needed some support and the friends I have made through this game really came through.

Who is your favorite PC?: My favorite PC is Adam del Cano's character Ferrous Irongall. He is a gem of a person (pun slightly intended). Adam has always gone all out with his character, leaving him incredibly close to permanent character death more than once. If you get a chance to meet this character, definitely take it.

What did you think your character concept was? What is it now?: Baevynn started out as me in funny clothes. I was sixteen at the time so she and I were both naive. It wasn’t until she became a Medium that she became her own person. Now she and I are both grown up. However, she is just as lost as she was when she arrived in Pinedale that fateful December day. Agrona is still very new so she hasn't strayed much from her original concept of being a grumpy, selfish barbarian.

How many PCs have you had? What happened to them?: I have had three. Baevynn was my first PC. She comes in and out of play frequently. Until her missing husband is found, she just doesn’t have the strength for the adventuring life. My second PC was a Civenite courtesan called Andromeda. She ended up not being as fun to play as I hoped. She is not technically retired so I may bring her back one day. She is currently on a ship off the coast of Evenandra. Agrona is still milling about the Freelands. I expect she’ll return to Maplewood in the spring.

Posted by Julie

Player Profile: Shane SmithDecember 14th, 2017

How long have you been playing?: Since April of 2016

Describe your character: Kiba is salt. A person who has had a hard life, but does not gripe about it in the slightest.
 

What was your favorite in game moment?: One of my favorite in game moments was when Kiba helped out with waking a princess and when she asked which prince saved her, gesturing towards marriage, Kiba was the only one hanging around to ask “What do I get out of it?” After a verbal exchange, Kiba declared marriage to just be slavery and walked off to have tea instead.

Why do you love Kingdoms of Novitas?: I’d say the various people you meet when playing. I’ve made my best friends in this game and I’m thankful for the experiences I’ve had here.

Who is your favorite PC?: I can’t say one specifically, but Helene is one of my favorites because she is Kiba’s employer, the sugar and salt play well off of each other. She has a naive innocence about the world whereas Kiba does his best to fulfill the contract of keeping her safe. Marcus is also a favorite because he is the leader of the adventuring party I am part of. He is the grizzled veteran that Kiba relates to best when it comes to herding the cats. Even though Kiba and Marcus have theological differences, they still get the mission done.

What did you think your character concept was? What is it now?: Kiba was my therapy character. I had a close friend who was just starting to come to game with me pass away and rather than play the character through, I made Kiba. I wanted to be salty and be a jerk. Kiba has evolved into something that I never expected him to become. I have various people from other snow goblins to even elves wanting to chat with me and have tea. It kind of blows my mind with how well Kiba has been accepted by the community.

How many PCs have you had? What happened to them?: I have had only one PC before Kiba. I retired them after my friend’s death because I felt it would not be right to keep RPing him if I didn’t have my friend there to RP with.

Posted by Julie

Player Profile: Laura BNovember 30th, 2017

How long have you been playing?: I started in May of 2015, so almost 3 years.

Describe your character:  My first and current main PC is named Thaerion Daewen, an unconventional wood elf that hails from the Mad Wastes. She probably won’t like you at first, but don’t take offense–she doesn’t like anyone at first, if ever. She wandered around Novitas on her own for a long time, surviving different trials and hardships before finding a small group of elves in Pinedale that accepted her as one of them. Although it has taken time, she has grown to tolerate and accept them as what others would call family. She operates more as a scavenger–she will use whatever she is given, although sometimes unpredictable she can be relied on in a pinch–if the mood suits her.

What was your favorite in game moment?:  I really enjoy roleplaying with other characters–especially when it really causes someone to think as their PC and not themselves. I think my favorite example of this was when I was an NPC named Gert. She was a feral, cannibalistic human that was feeding in the graveyard of Pinedale. It was so neat to see the different dynamics in all the PC’s that were involved. Some wanted to kill her for violating the graves, others were against it because she wasn’t aggressive–just hungry and was lacking in communication. In the end she was petrified for a few hours then ran into the woods during a very large battle with some Undead (after snacking of course). She may still be roaming the wilds so look out if you get wounded!

Why do you love Kingdoms of Novitas?: I really love KoN because it supports a rare type of community. The kind where all the people–regardless of gender, race, religion, background or skill–can come together and simply accept one another because we are all there for the same purpose and same reason; to enjoy ourselves. It also helps teach people some consequences of being a leader or a follower and what can happen if you give the wrong command or follow the wrong person or idea.

Who is your favorite PC?: For this I’ve got to say Lord Sidhan (JC’s PC). He puts a lot of effort into his character’s looks and demeanor and roleplays nobility in a beautiful way. Lord Sidhan gave Thaerion something nobody else ever had at the time–trust. This simple concept really changed the course for Thaerion’s developments as a character and makes her double check herself sometimes. When she steps slightly onto a wayward path or borderlines it, Lord Sidhan manages to sway her back to her course–without causing her to want to stab him (if you know Thaerion then you know this is nearly impossible). It will be interesting to see how this plays a part in Thaerion’s life.

What did you think your character concept was? What is it now?:  When I created Thaerion I was brand new to Novitas and had no idea what to expect. I created Thaerion as an outsider so she could learn the ways of Pinedale and Maplewood at the same speed as myself. I had originally thought maybe she’d learn a trade and simply wander the Freelands for a bit, but she has now developed into an elf with reputation. She is now respected as a Wildrunner and a daughter to a noble family, and is known as “Shadow” for many reasons.

How many PCs have you had? What happened to them?: I currently have two PC’s and they are both alive and well–for now.

Posted by Julie