UO Stratics - Great Lakes

Lady Lava's Questionnaire

Todays guest is a girl after my own heart ... witty, charming, dedicated and a caffeine lover (a girl has to have a least one vice).*takes a sip of my Starbucks non fat no foam venti latte*
I am proud to present to you Tanda of Minoc.

(note: OCC means " out of character", IC means " In Character")

Tanda is the Minister of Public Affairs for the High Council of Brittannia but she is also a witch from Minoc. Was she born in Minoc? Give a brief background on this character.
Aye, I was born in Minoc� well more exactly outside the actually city up in the horseshoe or box canyon to the north. I am the second born daughter of Sol and Stargazer Kristensen, born late February in the year three hundred and twenty nine. I grew up in a household that was divided, my mother witchborn, my father a lumberman and furniture maker from an old family very devout to the teachings of a Savior in Britannia. My mother�s line and coven hailed from between Minoc and Yew. Followers of earth religion they lived quite well hidden amongst the tree spirits of the woods. Twas her that taught me skills of using bits of plants to mix elixirs to cure or heal the ill, grant special abilities to folks. She also taught me much of the arcane world of magic and the ability to write. I studied in Magincia and Moonglow before I put the bands on for the first time. After becoming a widow at an early age, I met up with Cain McLeod, again. Fate was kind and I share my life with him in this great land. Warriors through and through our worlds provide endless hours of sharing unknown elements. Twas while Cain was away in the lands of Felucca on another crusade to guard Magincia I met up with High Justicar Lifestar in Skara Brae. There was some commotion over a slave trader and I followed through the gate and watched a trial of a man who broke the law. I came to be Lifestar�s adjutant filling in for him at times he had to be away. Later when he retired I came to be High Justicar of the High Council of Britannia. I served that post for some fourteen years. I retired from that calling and was recently elected to the position of Minister of Public Affairs.

What does a Minister of Public Affairs actually do?
The Minister of Public Affairs is a non-voting position on the High Council. My duties are to keep the presses within Britannia up to date on activities of the Council. I also must maintain records of the meetings and activities in written form for the Council. Thus I am a historian of sorts. Maintaining a copy of the Royal Constitution and any decrees ratified. I will be aiding the Chancellor by chairing debates, keeping records of the questions asked and answered. I will be organizing some events and trying to help in keeping the calendars up to date in the public office and ethereal tome.

How long have you been playing UO and how long have you been role playing?
Out of Character: Tanda�s player has been playing for 65 months now. I have done some Role-playing in one version or another since I was about a year old.. took an old woman that long to learn how to walk and get around . *laughs* I began in venturing out of my circle of friends, guild mates with it about April of 2003.

Many role players live their lives in Tram and others Fel. Then there are those that play both. Where do you fall?
Again OOC, I began life in Felucca beginning my UO days just before the birth of trammel. As soon as there was the choice of a � safer� place I left for Trammel� being fortunate enough to place my first house the night trammel was born and allowed housing. Now with some time under my belt if the scenario takes us to felucca, I will venture back to the dark dead lands.

Though several of the members of the Society of Shadows have been kind to me, in the past month I have been, to put it nicely "nagged" by several members for no apparent reason. They were recently a vital part of the RP community. My understanding is they have broken away from the RP community. At this point in time what guilds do you feel are the main RP guilds on Great Lakes?
OOC I regret to hear that you have any difficulties with anyone in game. It makes it so much less enjoyable. I have known many members of Society of Shadows, and try to take each player who crosses my path as an individual, trying not to consider them representative of the whole of UO or of their guild. It is my understanding too, that they have ventured away to find role-play which is more in keeping with their line of fiction and play style. Which I would pat anyone on the back for doing. The wonderful thing about UO is it allows you the freedom to �be� whomever or whatever you wish to be.

As far as guilds within the RP on Great Lakes, there are far to many to list. Each interacting within themselves and other groups of guilds to build play styles they enjoy.

Within the High Council we see both guild and individual. I for example belong to The Grateful Dead, a guild that has been within UO for 5 years now. I role-play and some of my dear friends will if asked come and join me for bits of plot lines. The council is made up of members of many guilds� but not all have the entire membership actively involved in the RP of the Council. You will see �tags� from �. so many guilds. At the risk of sounding ever the politician if I list them and miss a guild, I may offend some one. The High Council has existed in Great Lakes for nearly 3 years, beginning with just a few players in Britannia in the year 2002. The Council now meets in Compassion Grove in the Civic Center. The grove is a heart shaped clearing out between the �Hag� and the lich forest. In that clearing you will find the Civic Center, the Court house and the Military outpost as well as an outpost to another Militia group. There is a library within the courthouse of laws that have history to certain cities.

Each Crown City of Britannia with a virtue attached, will have a representative elected to sit upon the Council. Along with a seat representing the Philosophies of Order, Chaos and Balance. There are members of the Judicial Branch, the executive and legislative branches. Political role-play allows for a diversity of spins. Ambassadors to other non-crown cities can exist, as well as to other guilds or organizations. We try to maintain ongoing activities interacting with those who come to plead for help, or offer aid� a variety of different plotlines run through the Council at any given time.

For readers that are not familiar with the RP community could you briefly explain the "Empire of Armageddon".
OOC: I regret there is little I can tell you about the EoA, I was not partly to this scenario in it�s first run which would have been a few years ago. The one that is in the works now is the Second Council of the Empire of Armageddon. That much I do know. There are several guilds and players participating last I knew. In Character: For a better answer you could try reaching a Drow female by the name of Talistra. She seems to have her attention focused on many goings on in the realm.

Recently I did a story on a group of role players that re-enact events in history. For Easter they did the Resurrection of Jesus and they plan on doing Noah's Arc next. What do you think about this type of RP?
OOC *claps* If they are enjoying themselves with in the game, and holding to whatever is within their hearts to bring fun that�s wonderful. As long as they are not causing anyone else any distress in their actions. (Such as would be deemed harassment)

On an average how many hours a week do you play UO?
OOC I spend� hmm on average I�d say 30 hours a week in game� some weeks more some weeks less. Often sit with ICQ open even while I�m working in my home office. So if someone calls in need of something and I can help. I�ll pop in to do so.

Do you play any other computer games?
OOC No, I am a UO purist. This is the first and only video game other than Pong I have played in my life. I am old enough to remember the first Atari coming out.

Have you been hunting in Tokuno to get " relics" at all and if so have you turned any of them in yet?
IC Aye, I have been to the new lands� such a wonderful and grand place. The smell of all the blossoms is quite intoxicating. With my husband and friends we have saved many �relics� and �heirlooms� and returned them to the Empire. History is a precious part of all of us.. to lose such treasures would be a tragedy.

What is your favorite color?
Aye, both IC and OOC my favorite color is Green. The color of life and renewal and beer on St. Pat�s day. (Though I don�t consume beer)

What do you admire most in a friend, in game and out?
Trust, I would say is the primary thing I most admire. Integrity, honesty and loyalty. I have friends in game who have been so for my whole UO life. In RL it is much the same�I look for that inner strength of character.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
hmm, I don�t think perfection exists. hehe However, I would say ideal, would be time with friends, time to write and paint, sprinkled with a few vices with no consequences. Caffeine being primary.

What was the last book you read?
An old tome written by my ancestors on the gift of �seeing� such as Tassomancy, use of a crystal ball I�m currently working on �Lake Wobegon Days� by Garrison Keillor Prior to that.. hmm� was believe it or not a Harry Potter book.

What is your motto?
So long as it harm none do, as you will. That applies pretty much both in and out of character. Ultimately I am responsible for the choices I make, and life gives you back what you give away