Meet the Team, Vol. VI

Hello and well met Dev-Log Readers,

It's been a bit tricky to match up but we finally managed to meet up with our interviewee this for this (last) week! Minerva took time from her hectic real life schedule to get in touch. She's been a bit elusive lately due to the real life thing (boo, hiss, I know I keep swearing using the 'rl' word!) but she has been a pretty constant presence behind the scenes all the same. What follows is her interview with a few tidbits of information that some may find pretty interesting!

rowana: First and foremost, to get the business end out of the way: How old are you? And vagary is fine.

Minerva: 41 and feeling it :)

rowana: Aww! Heh. Where abouts do you live? General being fine here too, hehe.

Minerva: Northern Ontario, Canada for those geographically challenged.

rowana: Alright, and now for something a little more fun: Who do you play on NWN Layonara and do you have a favorite memory from your time spent there?

Minerva: I have several characters, Katrien Hommel was my first and is my dearest, Jacee was my second followed by Tia Sar'ru then Sophia my second most favorite and Eve (since deleted), Kat's daughter Lisse and brat called Marie. Favorite memories - so many good ones it would be very hard to pick one, but I have to say my favorite experience was the entire Ancients quest run by Leanthar. My first real Dungeon Dive that was a mix of solid role play and edge of your seat action.

rowana: I have heard quite a few good things about that series, it certainly sounds like it was a blast. Now to get to another aspect folks are hoping to hear about... Can you tell us about what you are working on for the MMO team presently?

Minerva: My work for the MMO is mainly in the background. You won't immediately see the Minerva touch when you enter the world, that is the realm of the artists and coders. I primarily am a writer. Along with the other writers I help t define the world you are playing in. Everything from the shape of the leaves of plant, to the demeanor of monster foe to the culture of the city you enter. Writing for Layonara is like defining the entire history of the world. Walk into any library and there are walls and walls of history texts. Every thing from political, cultural, religious and even natural history.

Minerva: When not defining the elements of the game, I am working on the history of areas to be added at later dates and hopefully when things get going I would love to write one or a series of fantasy novels set in the various realms of Layonara.

Minerva: My pet projects are the entire continent of Alindor and to switch gears the deities of Xeen and Shindaleria. Putting a unique spin on the underwater world of Layo I think will enrich the playing experience. I envision a entire game play that if desired one would never set foot on land. Xeen is my attempt at adding a woman's perspective to a male dominated genre. Its been an uphill battle to have her lose the sex kitten label and have her seen a complex woman goddess but I keep trying. Shindaleria I just find fascinating and it goes with my under water themes as well.

rowana: Would you like the free time or super powers question?

Minerva: Hehe - Layo IS my free time.. So IF I could have a super power-ish... Tough one... Toss up between invisibility at a whim - I am a natural introvert and would love to just be able to disappear but then Professor Xavier like mind control could be a less confrontational way of bringing people around to my way of thinking *winks*

rowana: Hehe! Well thank you for setting aside the time for this interview, and thanks for all you are doing.

We do thank her for her time and very soon we hope to release the next random interviewee. MMO Team look out!

~row, on behalf of the writing team