Hey there, you beautiful people. <3 I can't possibly express enough just how thankful I am for all the hard work everyone puts into this crazy hobby and irreplaceable community. Y'all make life magical, and I appreciate it so much. Collin, Donna, and Kyle especially. Tom and Erika and Mike, too! Really, everyone contributes so much in so many ways. You can't take three steps without bumping into someone who is giving their all to some amazing project for this game. Seriously, do you all see how much we do, the variety of gifts and energies we bring, and what a crazy phenomenon it is to pull this game off? So much comes together. Wow.
All the NPCs who were tireless and tenacious!! The energy and ferocity you folks bought to all the evil lil dragon-lings, despite the cold rain. everything was intense, and everything was played to a T. ESPECIALLY the rock star NPCs who took the lead roles! From costuming to politics to tiny mannerisms that perfectly reflected their nature... And can we please give one more round of applause to Collin Babcock for creating these most beautifully written and well-casted crew of characters?! Developed and revealed expertly over the past 3-5 years... I almost can't believe it. That's almost 100% of my LARP career. Living with these characters and stories. I'm getting emotional, geeze. Collin, thank you. NPCs, thank you. I feel spoiled by such wide-reaching, patient storytelling. Big picture stuff FTW!
Now then. Alda, specifically, has had a lot of ups and downs, both IG and challenges of playing her OOG. But thanks to good, consistent friendship, and mainly the unending hype Erika provides for me, I came in feeling real fresh and genuine with her. Erika, thank you for triple BFFing with me <3.
Meeting Otho, Alexander, and Ian, as well as catching up with Nathan made me feel at home with this characters and was a really great way to start this event. She has such a need to care, outreach, know people, and take her time. Those initial interactions gave her a lot of peace and got the mentality set for me. The more people I can share moments with like that before the drama goes full swing for an event, the better. She gets exhausting to play because she takes such notes and cares about all the details so much... it is the small interactions with people that keep her/me going. <3
Oh, conversations throughout the weekend with Vincent! The difference in pace between these two characters is palpable. I love it. Alda will just listen and nod and be in awe that this is how rashly someone functions. Always good fun!
Izer RP was absurdly perfect, for the reasons listed above to help me get in-character, as well as because of the history the characters share. Thanks to Larien as well, and for a wonderful walk down to the circle while singing.
Backpacking Udo is a GOOD choice!!! He matches her pace and listens to her soooo well. It is just a good blend, and his shield is strong and consistent such that she can keep her awareness for an entire line, work to fill gaps and rotate refits. I adore helping to facilitate that stuff, even if she is meek, insecure, and scared about it IG. Udo did a lot to lessen her battlefield stress, though. Just a great blend. Thanks so much, Todd!
Jade Skeletonnnnnnnn aaaahhhh my feeeeelinnnnngs! Alda is not okay. She has so many beliefs and opinions and ideas, and her heart is so big and open and willing, so WHY MUST HE DO EVERYTHING JUST WRONG ENOUGH TO BE THE WORST MOST FRUSTRATING DUDE EVERRRRR, AHHHHH. She is writing a book. Seriously. Or at least a scholarly essay. Not only to try to share her insight and advocate for reeducation and redemption, but also because she therapeutically HAS TO. She is gonna be eaten alive by all the frustrations and "what if"s, and she has to prove that she maintains consistency and can indeed make choices if GIVEN SOME TIME!! Off-season character development project is a go, here! Thank you, Collin and Tom, for making all that happen.
Thank you, Mike and Erika, for playing Ket and Kai as skelebros and for having the best blend of interpretations for exciting and challenging RP. Dudes. Skelebros 5ever.
Yes, I did hate the cold rain, and I did want nothing more than to sleep in a dry place, but that is not what I will remember about that mod in the spirit realm for Icen. I will remember the desperate feeling and drive, knowing I was tapped but going with potions. I will remember the panic and focus of being the only one up, burning through potions to buy us mere seconds, and being in disbelief when we broke our cauldron. I will remember her internal battle of hope vs. hopelessness as I watched friends die, my sister stuck in a prison, and Amaranthus fight ceaselessly with no end in sight. Those are forever sorts of memories, my friends. What an epic night.
You know, the existence of Charlie was pretty striking and meaningful to Alda. Gave her food for thought and lots of hope. Hanging with him on the porch and then listening to Otho speak about how he is able to deal with and process life's challenges... I loved that whole morning. Alda will always take the opportunity to listen and hear about experiences and reflect on growth. Thank you, Sean and Evan, for providing such fun thoughts for my character!
OH, HEY, MUSIC PARTY TIME. ALWAYS BEST EVER. YES PLEASE MORE DRUMS AND RHYTHM AND SINGING AND DANCING. Nothing resets Alda's ability to cope with painful drama while maintaining ceaseless compassion and interest like a good music session. Always takes her back to the peace before the sleep. Always refreshing. Always a good time. <3