Player Profile: MaryKate BensonOctober 5th, 2017, 11:19 pm

How long have you been playing?: I started playing in Fall of 2008, so… *does some math* I've been playing at KoN for 9 years now. 

Describe your character: My current character is Dwyn, an elf who was stolen as an infant and raised as a house slave by various Dellin tribes.  She was passed between tribes for over 200 years, generally as a gift, to help cement alliances and peace treaties.  Her last Master was the notorious Black Mountain, leader of a large Dellin horde that invaded the Freelands about 5 years ago, give or take.  When he was slain by the residents of Pinedale she found herself with no Master and freedom that she didn't know what do to with.  She came to the Freelands to find his murderers.  She's still not sure if she intends to thank them or seek vengeance.  At her core she wants nothing more than to belong – she's not quite and elf and not quite a Dellin – and The Black Mountain, a man who broke with societal norms (and who she loved), held the promise of belonging for her.  So, unsure what to do with herself and gifted with the patience of 200+ years, she has taken up mercenary work with the Owl & Ore General Store.  She's also decided that it's time to take on an apprentice to pass on all the knowledge and skills she learned in her years in the tribelands.  It should be an… interesting apprenticeship. 

What was your favorite in game moment?: So there's a lot to choose from here, so I'm going to do a two. 

When Belladonna (played by Ann Aumick) gambled for memories with a Dark Fae so she could win back those lost to it by a fellow party member, Ambrose (played by Richard Baldwin).  It was one of those moments where you felt real life bonds being formed because of in-character actions.  The group we were all in at the time, The Oddfellows, blurred that line a bit and the familial bonds formed by those characters has bled into our personal feelings for one another.  I still consider those Odds as some of my dearest and most cherished friendships.

Again with the Oddfellows, but this one is a sad one.  The death of Ajax.  He was the founder of our little group and had been our leader.  He was also brutally murdered right in front of us by fringe religious zealots.  It was one of the most gut-wrenching moments I have ever experienced IC.  So why is it one of my favorites?  Because it drove so much plot for the group and other groups for years.  His death had fallout – he had friends who grieved for him – he had friends who sought vengeance for him – he had friends who sacrificed the last bits of his remains to forge a sword that would be used to defeat the Avatar of Darkness – he became a hero of his people with statues erected in his honor.  I mean, that's just amazing to me.  This brief moment, a death that happened in an instant, spiraled into something world changing. 

 

Why do you love Kingdoms of Novitas?: So community is the easy and obvious answer.  I love these nerds.  They are my nerds and I will love them and hug them and keep them forever.  That said, I also love the story we're telling together.  The cooperative story-telling that happens at KoN is pretty amazing to me.  When people buy-in to someone else's story line and you get to see the ripples of that story spreading to other players, whether through their PCs or through the GMs responding with plot – it gives me warm fuzzies.   

 

Who is your favorite PC?: This is hard, especially with the new influx of PCs we had this last year, but I'd have to say Thaerion (Laura Buchta) is my favorite.  Thaerion confuses the heck out of my PC, so we always have really interesting role play.  She's completely unpredictable and seems to always be getting into (and amazingly, out of) trouble.   The thing I find most impressive is Laura's ability to throw herself into her roleplay.  In real life she's one of the bubbliest and cheerful people I've ever met.  In character, I'm only about 10% sure she's not going to stab me at any moment and I think she likes my character, so… that's… fun. 

 

What did you think your character concept was?  What is it now?: Honestly, I think I've managed to stick pretty close to my concept.  I initially intended Dwyn to be a bit crankier than I have been able to maintain (it's hard to play cranky when you're happy playing with your friends).  I also intended her to be a bit darker than I've played, but I have plans to fix that.   Oh, did I mention Dwyn is looking for an apprentice?  Yeah.  Anyone interested?

 

How many PCs have you had?  What happened to them?: I'm on number 4, technically.  Here's the quick and dirty:

My first PC was Maeve, a Septon healer.  She got married, got pregnant, had King Quartzhammer buy her and her family citizenship and an estate in Civen as reward for her part in defeating the Avatar of Darkness and saving the Terran people (see Ajax story above).  She's in Civen now, raising her family with her dearest friend, Belladonna, while her husband (also a Septon) is out doing the work of the Sept. 

My second PC was Agatha, an elderly Wise-woman from the Shari Nai tribe.  She came to Pinedale to die, but instead ended up adventuring for a few years with a group of ruffians known as the Brave Companions.  A few years ago, she returned to her tribe and actually did die (from natural causes!).  Parts of her remains were sent to her companions in the Freelands to be consumed so that she would be with them always and they would gain some of her strength.  Yay! Mortuary cannibalism!

My third PC was Antigone, a travelling Judge from Civen.  I only played her for a few events before retiring her.  When the game moved towns to one with actual law enforcement about a year after I retired the character, it made sense to bring Antigone back as an NPC Constable of Maplewood.  In my head she's not really a PC, but technically she was, so…

Now there's Dwyn and I have no idea what's going to happen to her.  Figuring that out is half the fun!  

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