Player Profile: David HaldenwangFebruary 9th, 2017, 8:53 pm
How long have you been playing?: My first Kingdoms of Novitas event was in May 2004, although we were technically still part of Adventures in Mid-Land for that event.
Describe your character: My only current PC is Ivan Freelander, born Ivan Bjornisson, also called Ivan the Red, once known as King Ivan of the Freelands, First of His Name. He’s a tribesman berserker who left the tribelands over a decade ago, after his uncontrollable rages caused too much trouble for his clan. He eventually settled in Pinedale, and moved to Maplewood when Pinedale was flooded. He’s honest and principled to a fault, but also tactless and brash. He tries very hard to always do the good and honest thing, and, while he believes that people with weapons should be able to take care of themselves, he’ll put himself in danger to defend the helpless. He’s currently a semi-retired member of the Brave Companions adventuring group and a sought-after merchant of high-quality magical items and weapons, and spends most of his time drinking ale and accosting pretty women in the Spinning Jenny.
What was your favorite in game moment?: The time Ivan faced down the entire town on the road to the beach, shaming them for wanting to kill the Slatestones for unfounded allegations that they were evil. Turns out, they actually WERE murderous Darkness worshippers, but we all make mistakes…
Why do you love Kingdoms of Novitas?: Those occasional magical moments when you become your character. I love the depth of our classless system, how it can be as deep and complex, or as simple, as you want it to be for yourself.
Who is your favorite PC?: I currently very much enjoy watching Courtinie play Beryl Finderkeep, and Mike Benson’s Stan the Bard. I also have a real soft spot for all the “on the down low” evil characters that are around – there are more of them than anyone suspects!
What did you think your character concept was? What is it now?: Originally, I wanted to play a stereotypical Dellin Tribesman. He was bold and brash, honest and principled, and extremely good-natured and outgoing, ready to crack a friendly joke with anyone, and loved giving people fun nicknames. Sadly, a woman broke his heart, and since then, he’s had a little harder edges. The good-naturedness has crumbled away under the weight a decade of Freelands adventuring life. His honesty and principles remain intact, but there’s often a disdain for newer folks he meets, because he’s pretty sure you’ll be dead in a year or two, and he doesn’t want to get close to you.
How many PCs have you had?: Four.
What happened to them?: Judge Vladimir Ilianovitch Strvychenko, a human priest of Shevel (a god from Mid-Land). He was retired after our first event because we invented the world of Novitas between our first and second events, and he no longer made sense. Adimo Decido, a Terran necromancer – he was stabbed in the back, murdered in the street by two other PCs he trusted, in broad daylight in the game’s second year. Zhuhao Wei Xingfeng, a Snow Goblin noble who founded the House of Cherry Blossoms in Pinedale (along with the two players whose PCs murdered Adimo Decido), was retired after about three years, for two reasons: I was really tired of doing noble Snow Goblin makeup and encampment, and I was really enjoying playing Ivan, who was my first (and only) alt. And I’m currently playing Ivan Freelander, who has been in-game since February 2009, and my only PC since October 2009. Ivan is capped – I’ve checked every box available to him on his character sheet – so it might be time for a new project…
Thank you Dave for your thirteen years at Novitas! Keep a look out for our next player profile!
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