Meet the Team, Vol. XII

Hello again Dev-Log Readers,

It has been a while and we've been busy worker-bees. We thought we'd just let you know we're still alive (and working!) with another interview from another of our team members.

We interviewed Aragon a few days ago about his part on the MMO team. Another of the MMO artists (and a little more) tells us about what he's been working on. All you aspiring evils out there take note, however, there may be some subtle directions from one of the server's original "Evils."

rowana: So first we'd like to know how old you are, and I'd offer you a shot at being vague but no one else has taken me up on that so far....!
Aragon: Well no shame here ... 33 years old. Plus I wouldn't want to be the first one to take you up on your offer. I mean if I was as old as Rasterick then I might ;)
rowana: **laughs* Ah, I'll make sure he takes a peek at this interview then!
Aragon: Jolly good show!
rowana: So he'll know where to send the mail, or you know... scarier things: Where are you currently living?
Aragon: I am currently residing in the small community of Rota, Spain. For those not familiar with Spain, my house overlooks the Bay of Cadiz about 2.5 hrs west of Gibraltar along the Costa del Sol. Good luck finding parking in the summer when all the Northerners come for holiday.
rowana: Heh! Sounds interesting!
Aragon: Nice place to live for now.
rowana: It sounds like it would be inspiring. Speaking of inspiring, I happen to know that your character, Chanda is one of Layo's original Queen of Mean. Can you tell us a little about your Layonaran history?
Aragon: Sure thing ... Once upon a time ... **goes to look at his Layonara account to see when he joined*
rowana: Oh, glad I'm not the only one who has to look that up. Hehe.
Aragon: Oh wow ... 05 Nov 2004 ... dang has it really been that long?!
rowana: That's a while! Must have been having fun, hey?
Aragon: Well my Layonaran history started when I was playing on another server and this other guy I was gaming with mentioned some server called Layonara. Previously I wasn't a big fan of having to submit a resume to play a game. Especially since the few other resumes I submitted either weren't accepted or the game turned out to be a flop.
Aragon: So I did a bit of research into Layonara, I was very much impressed with the depth of the world and the concept of multiple GMs adding flavor to the gaming experience. On the other server I was playing a "Bad Guy" ... I think he was a vampire so I wanted something along the lines.
rowana: Heh, fun!
Aragon: I put together the Bio for Chanda and chose Corath as her patron deity. Within a few hours I get an email back from the big man ... L. He warns me that "Corath is by far the most hated deity of the server and will prove a challenge to roleplay with this character." I accepted the challenge and have loved being the one everyone hates.
rowana: And you do such a good job at it. Heh.
Aragon: :)
Aragon: When I joined Layonara, Corath wasn't fleshed out too much and it has allowed me to share in the development of the pantheon
rowana: Have you tried any other characters or is Chanda your one and only love?
Aragon: Well my second character was another Corathite mainly used to prevent Chanda from Perming out, but my third submission was a elven wizard that follows Ilsare ... a complete 180 if you will.
Aragon: All in all Chanda is my favorite ... she has so much ... what's the word for it … Sauciness? Is that even a word?
rowana: If not it is now! Meat, character, development.... I'm sure it all contributes, Hehe.
Aragon: She's a spicy meatball **said with a bit of a fake Italian accent*
rowana: Hehe! Do you have a favorite Layonaran memory to share? I'll guess it involves Chanda.
Aragon: Geez ... I still think my favorite one (and you will have to forgive me if the details are a bit furry) there was a huge group of us that went to the Dragon Realm ... Leanthar was running the quest I think ...
Aragon: So we get up to the front doorstep of where the dragons live and for whatever reason we start having a debate. Anyways Chanda and .... what's his name ... arrogant Dwarven Toranite eventually perm'd ... start bickering back and forth and one thing leads to another and he spits of Chanda's Boot
rowana: Ach, dwarf spit...
Aragon: I don't know what I liked that memory .. but man I was so wanting to kill him right then and there, but Chanda showed some restraint and was later rewarded due to a miss count of dragon eggs ;)
rowana: Dwarf spit and egg stealing? What's not to love. Hehe.
Aragon: Another good memory was helping Rufus Coldfinger with the Bloodpool and all of us almost going up in smoke ... ahh the good old days ... lol I remember Plen and Pan talking about the old days when the server went from Version 1 to 2
rowana: See, when you talk like that you sound like you have a few years...
Aragon: lol yah don't try and calculate the actual age of Chanda ... in game years
rowana: She's a Corathite, she's supposed to look like that!
Aragon: Ever see that movie "Death becomes her"?
rowana: Ah yeah, hehe.
Aragon: Gnomish cosmetics and elven plastic surgeons
rowana: Poor gnomes and elves, turned into cosmetics and plastic~
Aragon: At least Corathites are Eco-friendly ... we use every last part of you when you are dead
rowana: **laughs* Anyway! At some point you were asked onto the MMO team, of course. Could you tell us a little about what projects you have or are currently working on?
Aragon: Well it took a bit of time to find my role in the team, but with a lot of patience and help from Thak-won Kenobi. I work with Thak on the Art Team. I am one of the modelers. So that ranges from Wizard Staffs to chairs to Ballistas to Castles. If it needs a model in game then I generally get to work on it. I just recently completed a batch of quarterstaves and wizard staffs and have been dabbling with tinkering devices.
Aragon: I have really learned a lot working with Thak. When I am not working on models then I peruse your spreadsheets and point out typos ;p
rowana: Heh. Yes... I should insert a smart Alec comment here but I'll be good!
Aragon: lol

rowana: So with all this going on, do you have much spare time between Layowork and RL? If so, what do you do in that time?
Aragon: I referee soccer and try to get in some "nerd time" with some friends (Twilight Imperium, Settlers of Catan, etc...).Not to mention spending time with the family.
rowana: Well speaking of them, I will let you get back to the family. Thank you very much for taking this time to visit with us at the late hour!
Aragon: Anytime .. **yawns* I think I will head to bed myself
rowana: Have a good night, rest well!
Aragon: Row .. one last parting shot ...
rowana: Heh **braces*
Aragon: Just wanted to say that it has been a great experience working with such a talented and dedicated team on this project. I think that the community will be impressed by the end product. Thanks to Leanthar and the rest of the team for giving me the opportunity! :)
rowana: Oh! Definitely. I know I'm glad to have you around and I'm sure the MMO Team and Community will be glad for your words!
Aragon: Thanks Row
rowana: Have a good night!
Aragon: I am off to bed .. G'nite.

Thanks to Aragon for sharing his time with us. We hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into the background works going on at Layonara.

Eraperp live!

~row, on behalf of the writing team