I will be honest. You were selected as a Featured Character because quite a few storytellers felt you were one of the worst writers they’d ever seen when you first joined the site. I say that because several also mentioned that now, since you’ve been writing here, you are one of their favorites and have improved into one of the better writers on the site. How accurate is this and how does it make you feel?In my defense, I didn't know how to write fiction when I came to Mizahar. I had to teach myself how to write fiction during my time in on the site. It was tough and pain staking process of trial and error for me, but I eventually got the hang of it. When I first starting writing on Mizahar, I didn't really had any clue how to write, but I wanted to learn, so I used Mizahar as a stepping stone to improve my writing skills. To be honest, I came to the realization that I was a terrible writer when I first started here, but I knew if I kept up with it. I would eventually be able to write something somewhat coherent even if I am the only one who could understand it. What helped me improve in my writing was reading threads from different people in Wind Reach and around Mizahar. It helped me get familiar with different writing styles around me, so I could devote a writing my own. During my time on Mizahar, I noticed the whole role playing experience helped me as a writer to prepare for the unexpected situations in writing my stories. I learned how to write the simple things like describing how build a fire to the more complicated descriptions of scenes of the environments my characters or the other PCs could be encountering during the course of the thread. In the end, I think I have a better grasp of the story telling process by joining Mizahar because it helped me become a well round writer. I really enjoyed the rules set down by the story-tellers and the founders because it kept my characters honest and believable.
I always considered myself a shy person, so I am really lost for words at the compliment. I am happy people are enjoying my writing because I do put a lot of time and effort into every post. I write because I enjoy writing, and I want my readers to enjoy my threads as much as I enjoy writing them. My goal as a writer is to make my characters come alive in my words, and it is a amazing accomplishment as novice writer to be recognized with this award since I still have a lot to learn as a writer, and I hope to get even better in the future.
Do you find it challenging or exciting to play a rather laid back Konti in a city full of raucous Gingers?Yes, I found it challenging and exciting to play a Konti in Wind Reach because I had to fight my own urges not to let my Konti become to much like the Inarta. When I first started on the site, I fell in love with the Inarta. They were a impulsive and emotional people struggling to survive in a harsh environment like Wind Reach. As a writer I immediately was drawn to the struggle and the passion of the gingers because I enjoy reading and writing strong opinionated people. My first character was a blind Inarta musician, and he struggled with the hardships of Wind Reach from inside their society. When I decided make Iosha, I wanted to experience Wind Reach through the eyes of a outsider. I think it was a enriching experience for me because I saw how the Inarta treated their own people, and I learned how the Inarta treated the outsiders to their mountain home. It was a enlightening experience for me as a writer, and I think I understand them as a people better.
With Iosha the challenging part was learning a whole new race and trying to integrate her into the Inarta society. When I introduced her to the high strung Inarta, I struggled keeping her honest to the Konti race's lore because I had to fight the part of me who wanted her to act like a Inarta. I wanted to make sure she stayed true to her Konti nature, so if I question a action or dialogue of Iosha, I had to constantly referred back to the lore to make sure she was behaving like her people. When she came to Wind Reach, she was shy and unsure of her new home, so she often made a fool of herself around people by hiding her uneasiness through humor. I noticed when I was writing her that other characters tended not to treat her seriously, but the Konti's strange behavior seemed to draw people to her for some odd reason. I still yet to understand. As a writer, I found it exciting to watch her struggle with understanding her roles in both Inarta society and Konti society because when I made her, she considered herself a outsider in Konti society because of her outspoken personality. Now I have a pretty good understanding on her place in Inarta society, but I felt if I could find her place in Konti society through future flashbacks than I will be able to see the struggle between her Konti nature and Inarta society much better.
It has been said that you are willing to RP with anyone. Is this true? What has your experience been being non-selective about your thread partners?When I first started in Mizahar, I had a tough time finding threading partners. It took me about a mouth to fully get started and thread with people. I was nervous and unsure of my role playing during the early days on Mizahar, but I learned over time that if I wanted to role play with people. I needed to be aggressive and put my character out there for people to see, so I joined the match making forum and started private messanging people in Wind Reach to see if they wanted to start a thread with Iosha. When I started to get more experience with role playing under my belt, it was disappointing to watch a people register their characters in Wind Reach, but they never seemed to get a chance to actually role play their new characters or even start a single thread with them. This caused me to start thinking back to my beginning mouths in Mizahar, and I decided take it upon myself to help out the newcomers that are trying to get their foot in the door. I thought if I could get more people to role play their characters in Wind Reach than I would have a easier time developing my own character.
Yes, I do like to role play with everyone because I felt it is a fun experience to watch how different characters interact or react to the actions of my strange Konti. It kind of gave me a since of accomplishment reading their responses because each post they made brought a new challenge to me as a writer. It was especially enjoyable to read responses that take me by surprise because it added a unexpected dynamic to the thread and to Iosha's story as a whole. When I start a thread with new role players, it added sense of mysterious to the thread because I never could predict how certain characters would react to during the course of the thread.
In many of her threads Iosha seems to struggle with the Caste System that is deeply engrained in Wind Reaches society. Is this something that she will ever be able to get used too? What does the Caste System look like for an outsider? It's very clear that the Inarta have no problem whatsoever with it.
I don't think Iosha will ever get used to the caste system of the Inarta because in Ravok, she was a slave. During her short time in Wind Reach, she hated the fact the Endal could basically have free reign over the majority of people in their society. In her mind, they were arrogant bullies who never truly learned to rule fairly. When Iosha came to Wind Reach, she was elevated to Avora for being a healer. She found it difficult coping with power given to her because the Konti didn't have a power structure like the Inarta. I thought one of my most interesting threads involving the system was the time she needed assistance from a Dek, the lowest caste, to carry a patient to the Infirmary. First, Iosha had to deal with the fact that he was slow mentally, so she had to give specific commands for him to follow. Iosha had a hard time emotionally dealing with the Dek because the Dek would have done anything for her if she just commanded him to do it. In her mind, she thought the Inarta gave her to much power over a sentient being. It made her realize that the Deks were basically slaves to the upper castes in society, and she started to question the morality of the caste system as a whole.
As an outsider, Iosha viewed the caste system as a unjust way of governing over their people. She felt there could have been a much better way to lead people without resulting to fear to keep people in line. Often times, Iosha found it difficult to be a healer of Rak'Keli in Wind Reach because the caste system went against everything her goddess stood fore. She was told countless times in the Infirmary that the Endal, Avora, and Chiet took priority over Dek when it came to healing. This immediately put her in odds with the caste system because it is a direct violation of her goddess teachings. Also, Iosha was a konti, and one of their core beliefs was that they cherished life. It will interesting to see what the consequences for her if she started treating the Dek. In the end, Iosha is culturally and morally against the caste system as a whole, and she believes the Inarta are suffering because of it except for those select few. However, she understands the caste system is highly embedded in Inarta society, and being an outsider, she will have to learn how to stomach the cruel system to live and interact with the people in Wind Reach. However, Iosha will rebel against it in her own little way by treating everyone the same even if it get her in trouble with the authority.
What made you select a Konti verses an Inarta to start in Wind Reach. The choice seems a bit unusual?The reason I choose a Konti over a Inarta character was simple. I wanted to play a race other than human. Yes, I know the Inarta are a sub race of humans, but when I look at them, the are just humans with red hair and feisty attitude. Don't get me wrong. I love everything about the gingers and their city! I just wanted to play a race other than human. Also, I wanted to learn how to write a convincing female character since I am guy in real life, so I decided to play a Konti to fulfill both my writing desire to not play a human and to learn how to write female character, and I find the whole race of Konti fascinating from their physical attributes to their culture.
Wind Reach was my first choice for Iosha's starting city because the Inarta seemed to be the most ideal place for my misfit Konti to call home and start her new life. I wanted to her in a society that didn't put to much emphasis on being self-controlled and disciplined as Konti society seemed to be .When I read the Konti lore, I found it interesting that the more out spoken Konti tended to leave Mura to live with people more like themselves. When I made Iosha, I decided immediately to make her outspoken and opinionated because I kind of have a fascination with misfit because I always considered myself a misfit too. When I started thinking of her personality and family history, I started to get the idea of her “inheriting” her opinionated personality from her Inarta father. It made me laugh because during her childhood, Iosha had a magical accident while using her reimancy. The result of the accident caused her to struggle with maintaining her control over her emotions.
Iosha works at the Infirmary, but what is her favorite thing to do outside of work?During her childhood, Iosha loved was swimming in the ocean on Mura, so during the warmer seasons in Wind Reach, Iosha will be spending a lot of time in Thunder Bay swimming in the ocean. Also I want Iosha to learn how to defend herself. I have a inside joke that Wind Reach is trying to kill her, so she will have to learn how to defend against the city, so in the coming seasons, I will be working on hunting, archery, swordsmanship, and unarmed combat in the coming seasons. Healing is Iosha's life passion, but Iosha magic is want defines her soul. During her down time from everyone, she practices her magic. I haven't really got to the whole magical aspect of her life since Iosha been trying to define her place in Wind Reach society as a healer, but now that I am competent in her reimancy, and if I figure out how to role play shield and spiritualism. Iosha start aggressively seeking power in her magical arts. On the other hand, the whole aspect of her “madness” is directly impacted by her use in magic, so overtime, her personality will start to shift from carefree Konti of today to something much darker the more powerful she becomes in her magic.
When creating your character, did you have a firm picture in mind… or did her likes/dislikes and interests develop over time as you played her? Is this true with all your PCs or just with Iosha?When I first developed Iosha, I tended come up with the overall concept of a story for my character first than I flushed out the details of her character later during my role play. When I first started playing Iosha, she had a distinct personality in mind than it will change and grow over time. This personality development strategy is true of all my characters, I come up with a general idea of my characters when I made them; however, they tended grow into their personality as they interact with other PCs during the course of their story. I wanted my characters to develop organically, so they are more believable to the reader. Iosha shy and introverted personality started to fade when I started role playing with other Inarta and other PCs in Wind Reach. In the end, Iosha developed into a strong woman with a carefree out look on life. She doesn't really care if people are turned off by personality because she refuses to change for anyone.
Almost everyone that meets her seems to love the exotic Konti, but does that have anything to do with how you play Iosha in return, IE does she just plain dislike anyone? In the real world, it doesn't always work out that way and we get along with some and not with others. Do you think this is portrayed accurately within Mizahar? Within your own RP?When I role play in Mizahar and noticed my character is generally liked by other PCs in the game, and when I made Iosha, I made her into a likeable character, so when I see other PCs warming up to my Konti, I know I am playing my character how I wanted her to be played. When she starts becoming more powerful in her magic and her personality start to shift. I am sure people will start to choose not to like her, but I figure the people who stick by her even through the tough times will be her close friends the rest of her life.
Honestly, I am looking for a rival or enemy to dislike her! LOL it kind of weird for me to ask for someone to loath my bubbly konti, but I want to role play a thread where she really loses her temper at someone! I figure she will have her share of enemies and rivals in the future, but at the moment, she really hasn't done anything yet to any PC for them to dislike her. Honestly, she will give everyone a chance even if they are a tool. Iosha hasn't really met a real jerk yet in Wind Reach, but I am sure when she does met ideal jerk. She will have some choice words or opinions about that particular PC.
What are some of your favorite aspects of Wind Reach? Why did you decide to start playing there? What are some of your other favorite in-game locations in terms of other cities and other places? Why or why not are you playing there?My favorite aspect of Wind Reach is the Inarta culture, caste system, and the Wind Eagles. When I started playing in Wind Reach, I fell in love with fiery spirit of the Inarta. They seemed to be the people who were truly the most honest with themselves when it comes to their emotions and dreams. I love the fact that they are brave to the point of stupidity because it adds a sort of weakness to such a strong vibrant culture. Also, Iosha loves tease her Endal friends about this aspect of their culture's personality because she finds it hilarious to see such a proud race of people act like fools. Honestly, I love the whole concept of the wind eagle being the main focus and drive of Inarta society. Since I have been playing in Wind Reach, I love the whole concept of flying over the Unforgiving on the back of agiant eagle and having a conversation with the legendary bird at the same time. I touched on the caste system before in a previous question, but I really enjoy the caste system because it adds a dark side to Wind Reach. I think the caste system will lead to the downfall of Inarta society eventually if the Inarta don't don't make it fairer. Honestly Wind Reach is intriguing place to role play even if you are not a hunter PC because of the vibrant culture and the caste system gives a writer much to work with in Wind Reach.
If Iosha wasn't in Wind Reach, I would either have her play in Lhavit or Mura. In my opinion, I like the city of Lhavit because in my opinion, it might be the most visually stunning city in Mizahar to write. I love the concept of having a duel nature to the city involving the goddess Syna and the god Leth because it adds a unique dynamic to the cities culture. It would be a difficult challenge to get used to the sleep schedule of the city, but I figure it would give Iosha more time to practice her magic. I will be bringing Iosha to Lhavit to do flashback in the future, so I will definitely get to experience the city in time. The other city would have to be Mura because it is the home of the Konti. This is a place I will be doing more flashbacks in the future because I want Iosha to devolope a connection to Mura through her family life and her struggles with Konti society. In the end, I choose Wind Reach because the culture, the Unforgiving, and PCs in and around Wind Reach are just amazing!
Do you have any future goals for Iosha? She came to Wind Reach to find out about her Fathers people, but beyond that does she plan to stay? Have the Gingers stolen her soul yet?Yes, I have to fight everyday not to dye Iosha's hair red! Wind Reach will be here home for the duration of my time in Mizahar. She might visit other cities in Kalea when she becomes more powerful in her magic and combat skills, but I want her to become a experience hunter first. Also, I want her to start earning multiple gnosis marks from her goddess Rak'Keli in the near future. It would be interesting to deepen her faith with her goddess. Since her Konti sight deals with the spirits of the dead, I want to start working on becoming a spiritualist. I think her Konti gift is a aspect of her character that should be explored more by me, but I have been neglecting as of late. In the future, Iosha plans on freeing her daughter from slavery this act will probably start a conflict with her and her former slave master. I have been mulling the idea in my head for awhile, but I want her to be at least master in her reimancy and expert in shielding before setting off on her personal quest.
Is there anything else you’d like to add? Now is your time to hop on the soapbox and shine!I noticed when I started in Mizahar. I had no clue how to write fiction. I knew how to write reports for college, but fiction was a challenge for me because I needed to learn how to write a entertaining story for myself and my readers, and I had no clue how to do it. As the first question pointed out, I was considered the worst writer on the site, but in honesty, even if I my writing was atrocious, I still had a hell of fun time writing for Iosha! Ever since I was kid, I had a vivid imagination. However, since I had a hard time expressing myself to other people since I was born with a stutter. It made it much harder for me to put myself out for the world to see. In middle school and high school, the books I enjoyed reading was fantasy, and I expressed my passion for fantasy by playing AD&D. My favorite part about AD&D was world building, so I spent majority of my youth making different fantasy worlds for people to play in, and it was my way of being creative. However, I always looked for other means to express my other than talking, so I figured writing would be the best way to overcome this hurdle for me. I learned how to write in college because my public school system neglected to teach us anything about the written word, so when I came to Mizahar, I taught myself how to write fiction, and I made writing my hobby. I learned to love writing because it was a way to express my imagination for everyone to see. In the end, I think I am made the right choice about joining Mizahar. I want to thank all the people who nominated me because I put a lot of time and effort into Iosha, it is nice to know I have the support from other fellow writers and friends to help me succeed in my future writing endeavors.
I'm sure everyone in Wind Reach is super proud of you!
by Whimsy on June 2nd, 2013, 5:15 am 
