Jilitse is June's Featured Character!

[Tarot]

Hello Mizaharians, we are happy to announce that Jilitse is June's Featured Character. A long-time player on our boards, she is both a great writer and an exemplary member of our community. I have enjoyed her interview very much, and I hope you will appreciate it, as well. Congratulations! Tarot: So, let's start from the good, old beginning. Rumor has it that your roleplaying background is a bit different from most of your fellow award-winners. How did the player behind Jilitse get into roleplaying and Mizahar in particular? Jilitse: To start from the very beginning would be somewhat unbelievable, but it was way back when I was in gradeschool and I didn't even know what LARP means, but me and my own gang roleplayed Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon. I kid. No really (I was Sailor Mercury). Anime introduced roleplaying to me, written or otherwise. I guess you have our Japanese cartoons to blame. After that I eventually started writing fan fiction based on the first MMORPG that hit our country, *waves Philippine flag*, Ragnarok Online. That brought out a whole new concept of roleplay for me, written or otherwise. Then I had a few small roleplay groups here in there and we did chatRPGs. Like Maid RPGs and Strike Witches and... wait for it... NarutoRPGs. This first question has otaku written all over it. But yeah, I had a life (roleplay-wise) before I met all of you and that's what it is. And I am not ashamed of it. This actually gives me the opportunity to say "Anime ga Sukidesu!!!" and Goss and Gillar can just skip to question number two. Please don't love me less for this. Who came up with this question anyway? But to answer the last part, I was introduced to the site by one of my friends in another roleplay game. I checked Mizahar... and here I am now! Tarot: Jilitse is the second Nuit to win the award (after Malia) and the first true Sahovan mage PC. Both are widely considered tough to roleplay, so what drew you towards this race and background? Jilitse: Nuits are the exact opposites from the personalities, characters and races I've roleplayed before. You can say that I needed a breath of fresh air (tired of being an android loli), and a new theme (tired of wonderland and chocolates and world war 2). Mizahar had was a good selection of races to choose from, but I didn't get to decide until after reading a few lore pages. What ultimately made me choose a Sahovan Nuit was Sahova's Archwizard, Zarik Mashaen. I have a thing for underdogs, see. That, and I found Sahova itself very appealing. Its theme wrapped around on Alahea's history and magic was a plus. It's like having part of my character's history immediately embedded in Mizahar. To put it simply, I wasn't just looking at the race itself, or making a particular character I had in mind or using a recycled character (which was my original plan). Jilitse came to be because I looked at Mizahar and took a part of it and decided to give it a shot. Tarot: Your race goes through periodical body shifts, meaning you get to change your appearance almost on a whim. At the same time, a Nuit tends to be more conscious of his or her body than pretty much anyone else. What's Jilitse's relationship with her bodies? I hear she's even used one as a plot device! Jilitse: Jil, ICly, wouldn't really bother what kind of body she is using. But if you ask me, I'll be really weirded out if I'd have to play an undead dude. She is in love with the Archwizard, a fact that I expressly narrate or occasionally hint at. And if she was using a male body... Bah! I won't even let the idea grace your eyes. So I prefer female bodies, though humor has allowed me to be an Akalak in a flashback once. That one time when I spinned off a story about some little girl "recognizing" Jil came from the question that crossed my mind: "Where do the dead bodies come from?" Surely they must have had their own life, own families. "Who were they when they were still alive, and what would a Nuit do if an old relative claims the body?" Answering those riddling questions presented itself as an opportunity when I had to meet with Stitch for our let's-be-members-of-the-Order-of-Radiance in-game eyeball. I seriously did not want to randomly walk into Syliras and make "friends" with Stitch. So we decided to come up with the idea of Clarissa, a young orphan who lost her mother, whose body later reappeared under the possession of a Nuit. That was some drama. I enjoyed writing about it because it let me explore my Nuit's morality and ethics and emotions, and I'm grateful Stitch let me do it. Tarot: Jil's never struck me as a religious person until recently. Maybe I always thought her total devotion to her leader and love would eclipse any other force in her life. Does Jilitse really have "faith" in Priskil, so to speak? And if so, would it withstand a hard choice? Jilitse: Let me start by saying that if there was one PC who influenced Jil the most, it would be Stitch (and if there was one mod who, I swear, is trying to kill my PC...). We only had a few threads together but the character development, especially our infamous Priskil thread, is really, for the lack of a better word(s), fat and delicious. Those opportunities let me cut her up into tiny pieces until I determine the little particles that make up her personality. You know how people are sometimes hit with some really big event in their lives, and I mean big as in something significant that it changes your life? Jil went through that. I would like to refer to that moment, when Stitch and Jilitse had to face Drainira's lesser minions, that same moment when at the brink of defeat Jil kind of just let go and surrendered to Priskil, as that tipping point. It kind of made me realize that with her great love mirroring Priskil's own love for Aquiras, her strength of spirit will burn brighter for the goddess. "Always Darkest Before the Dawn" gave Jil a goddess that she could relate to, and I'd prefer to call it a spiritual awakening rather than religious zeal. I expect to see the faith deepen, the moment Jil stops thinking narrowly about her quest. I'm waiting for her to transition from "fighting for her loved one" to "fighting for love". How its going to come to that is something I'll try to work on in the next few seasons. And at that point, yes, it will withstand a hard choice. (This is a trick question! I can feel it.) Tarot: How does a Nuit make friends, exactly? They are a rare commodity for the undead but Jilitse could probably count a few to her name. Jilitse: Let's see... the first few names I can think right off the bat would be Malia, whose offer of alliance she denied, Stitch, who, to be blunt about it, she used and betrayed, and Jaeden, who plays a vague "older brother" role in her life. I noticed that she kind of isolates herself after a while - I'm just trying to stay true to her Nuitness - and then it gets really tedious because making friends is twice as hard and socializing requires three times the effort. This also creates a problem for when I want to thread with other people. I usually have to come up with a specific plot just to meet up, as with the case with Stitch (mentioned above). This includes, but is not limited to, agreeing to mentor Animation, having a misfortune that requires the intervention of some other being or creature, getting lost, or talking to curious strangers. It's not easy. I run out of reasons sometimes. Tarot: Let's talk magic for a moment. You chose Animation over other, much flashier disciplines for Jilitse. You didn't even put the full complement of XPs into it at the start. Some probably think Sahovan mages are entitled to a little more badassery. Can you elaborate on why you made these choices? Jilitse: One word, robots. Or, in the Mizaharian colloquial term, golems. Sahova mentions itself as the golem capital of the world, and I guess it fits right into what I wanted for Jilitse. Choosing animation was more of a plot-related choice. Jil, ever the loyal admirer, probably learned it just so she could get closer to Mashaen, maker of Drainira. Being a half-baked mage, as you(Tarot) have often insulted her (RP-wise, of course) gives her the edge on being that ugly duckling. It downplays her abilities combat-wise, which is perfect because, though I have refered to her as a heroine, my Nuit's psyche isn't the kind to become the lead. I see her more as a support character to the Archwizard than anything. She doesn't have illusions of grandeur, doesn't have that ambitious hero attitude. Yet. Let's talk again when she builds her own Armored Core... I mean, Drainira. Tarot: Jilitse's vulnerability stands out even more when you consider she's made a mortal enemy of Sagallius' champion and greatest golem in the world. Is it difficult to roleplay a character who routinely goes against all odds and is pretty much on a suicide mission? Does it force you to consider her motivations harder and deeper? Jilitse: She is a mortal enemy of Drainira? You flatter me, I thought my Nuit's existence was merely a statistical error. To be considered an enemy is an honor. And satisfying, knowing that they acknowledge her bid for Mashaen's freedom. I think the correct question is, "Is it difficult to roleplay when Tarot is the mod? Do you find it challenging when he constantly threatens to kill of your PC by having a child stick a sword into your PC's guts, among other things?" But, kidding aside, yes, it's tough to roleplay a Nuit as unique as Jilitse, but the challenge makes me a better writer altogether, or so I believe. I have never developed a roleplay character as much as I have done for Jil, see. If I reduce Jil into one word, which, mind you, is not a very easy thing to do, she will turn out to be made of love. Her strength and motivation, her will to live, is derived from her love of one man, hence her entire being is wrapped around loyalty and compassion to the Archwizard. Knowing the core of her being lets me easily determine the things that she would be propelled to do. I often picture her to be resolute. Knowing how much she is willing to sacrifice is a bizaare thing, her convictions even more so. If you think roleplaying an unstable mind is easy to do, try for once being perpetually chill and relax and laid back. Unmoved by transient emotions, with the longest thread for patience. And being loyal to one man who puts you in the friend zone. It drives me insane, having to write like that. Interestingly, it's the same thing that got me riveted. Tarot: Storytelling is one of Jilitse's secret quirks, one that comes out every now and then - and goes up one point at a time. How did you end up giving her that Mizaharian Scheherazade trait? Would you encourage other PCs to take this vastly underrated skill? Jilitse: I am not aware of this secret quirk, but now that you mention it I think it might actually exist! Look, she has one-digit skill points in Storytelling! This is the most difficult question so far, and I would like to invent some profound explanation. But there is none. I think it's not storytelling per se, but rather talking. It must be the way I make Jil communicate with other people, since she could not come outright friendly and accommodating. I think the main reason for this quirk would be a tide of emotions packed up inside her, all willing to burst out. A treasure trove of memories, questions, curiosities... come on, try living five centuries. If you ask me, it's probably my method of unearthing my PC's thoughts and reflections. It's like hearing her voice, what she's saying, what's in her mind, her own experiences echoed in those stories - something that other roleplayers should pay attention and listen to in their own characters. But hey, different people different eccentricities! Tarot: I have always wanted to title a thread "Do Nuits dream of undead sheep?" Which brings me to Jil's open-eyed dreams. Can she ever be happy? What will she do if and when she fulfills her mission? Will she find another reason to walk on or will she crumble to dust without her purpose? Jilitse: Let's title our next thread together exactly like that, no? At this point in time, where Drainira's defeat is a shady dream and Jil's success, altogether, is an uncertain future... I can smartly say that my Nuit is content, simply because she is finally doing something that gives her purpose and her quest is providing her an avenue to prove her love and worth to that one significant person. If - When - she manages to build a golem to match and defeat Drainira, and then, after all that, she manages to kill Sagallius... and at the end of it all, save the Archwizard from his boredom and Grand Oath... I am prepared to retire Jilitse. There isn't really any plan beyond that, except, maybe, helping Priskil restore the man she loves. Or maybe I can rebirth Jil. Tarot: As most of the non-student population of Mizahar, you don't have a lot of time to write anymore. Can you give some logistic advice to folks on how to juggle Mizahar with a job and a full life while still coming back for more as time permits? Jilitse: You say "I don't have a lot of time to write anymore" like I use to have a lot of time to write before! Hahaha. But yeah there was a point in time when I could manage to write posts once every other day. In between that day and today, I had to write my thesis, graduate, find a job, land a job, you know, real life and the works. I expected my output to diminish by a great margin, and I told myself I shouldn't feel a douchebag for not being able to reply to threads on time. At first it was really a guilt trip, seeing people I'm threading with disinterested with me, the thread, and Mizahar altogether probably because I was too slow or too boring. Then I just decided that I will let the people know I roleplay with my own pace. If they acknowledge that and accept it and be patient, I am very grateful. I add them on my friend list. I like it when people tell you "I'm a very busy person, so do not expect instantaneous replies", because it doesn't set your expectations too high. I try to be honest as well and just say "I've been playing Hello Kitty Online" or "I go out with my friends on Saturdays and my family on Sundays" so that my availability is on the table. I have a life outside of Mizahar, so I also understand when someone advises me that they need to be away for a vacation, exams, or what-have-you. The key to enjoying is to not let the enjoyable thing become a chore. I don't let the turtle speed bother me anymore, and I respect other players if they require time off the site. When one transitions into the much-awaited-until-it's-there adulthood, priorities need to be rearranged. As a general rule, I put my well being on top of everything else. This includes finding time to spend with my friends, family and devoting time to myself. Playing the NDS and the PS3. I find it harder to write for Mizahar when I have unfulfilled wants - not everything's on the internet anyway. So my advice for those who feel inadequate... don't. Everything should roll smoothly if you don't overthink. Thanks for the opportunity! I am very happy and honored and grateful. Should anyone be interested in joining the quest of Priskil against Sagallius or restoring Aquiras, please drop by this thread. We'll be happy to have you in Team Priskil

[Gossamer]

Grats Jillybean! You deserve this. And I'd love to thread with you sometime, snails pace or not.

[Kelpie]

YAY!!! Congrats my Jilibabe! I love you so much and you deserve this SO MUCH! *dance*

[Stitch]

Darnit, she beat me to it!

You DO deserve this award, and I am really glad you got it. I love you and your PC, and I love everything we have ever written together.

I also love how you advertised Team Priskil.

I'll be your Tuxedo Mask anytime. <333

EDIT: DARNIT PAO BEAT ME TO IT TOO

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

An interesting interview. I find out that I learn more about the community through these interviews than almost anything else.

CONGRATS!

[Mizuriel]

From the start of my stay here, i always considered you one of the best writers i came across. I didn't know much about the place then, but it was a fairly long read on many stories and i still feel like i'm looking over your character's shoulder every time i read your posts. It's people like you that keep me wanting to get better at this; it's people like you that i admire. Congratulations, i really thought you already had one of these.

[Ophelia]

Congratulations Jilibean! You are a fantastic writer and so deserve this. I second Jen's statement, I would love to thread with you. <333

[Cheshire]

Congrats Jili! I have never gotten to thread with you but I know for sure that you are a good writer Keep up the great work!

[Caelum]

Love your writing, Jil. Well deserved!

[Ulric]

Congrats, very much deserved! Nuits are hot.