The interview took place on November 1st, 2000 in the home of Applaedesia. She is currently an Avatar and a member of the Dark Syndicate Clan (Clan 98). Applaedesia is 25 years of age and works for a well-known car insurance company. She claims her biggest life accomplishment was not staying in a marriage she would be unhappy in forever, and raising her daughter, who is five, alone.
I asked Applaedesia some questions about Medievia and her life, and here is what she told me.
Nykaul: How long have you been playing Med and what initially got you started?
Applaedesia: Since November 1996 and my ex-husband got me into playing. He said he found this really cool text game I'd like because we were major mud addicts before. For the first two years I played I didn't do much. I was kind of confused on what was going on so I just chatted a bit. I didn't get into it until 1999 really. There's alot more help for newbies now than back then so I just kinda floated around.
Nykaul: What finally made you decide to 'get into it' in 1999?
Applaedesia: I met Silverion at the end of 1998 and he showed me alot of the ropes. He helped me and enrolled me in his clan (CoP) and from there I learned alot more and had more reason to play.
Nykaul: Who would you say were your influences/heroes as you progressed through Med?
Applaedesia: Silverion, Core, Icnan, Greed. They basically were in CoP at the time and helped me with everything. Cadran also helped me learn alot later on once I hero'd and moved on. I've met so many different people it's hard to pinpoint just a couple people.
Nykaul: Because so many people helped you, did that aid your decision to become an avatar?
Applaedesia: Yes, I like to help other newbies especially when they sit at level one awhile, you know they are clueless so you want them to stay. More people that come to mind are Buckore, Gai, Leticia. I always got lucky finding really nice people who helped you in the game so I want to give it back to them.
Nykaul: Before becoming an avatar you needed to reach hero. Did achieving that status be everything you thought it would be?
Applaedesia: Actually it was hell at first. Well, I made Avatar around the second crop being hired. Cadran, Varth, me and a lot of people in Fate made it. I got to deal with people in my current clan degrading it. Maybe Varth was before, but there was a new crop of us every one had opinions on.
Nykaul: How did that make you feel?
Applaedesia: Well, I listened to a couple higher level Gods who just said ignore them, and I did. Those people just couldnt see how 'big characters' I guess like Cadran and them could be Avatars. They were known for CPK, PK, etc but really those guys know the most about the game. I dont know so much in that regard so I got a lot of bashing. It almost made me quit.
Nykaul: Have you ever regretted your decision to become an avatar?
Applaedesia: Sometimes, but the goal is to help newbies and keep them here and growing. So I concentrate on that goal and ignore whatever snide comments come in from it. It took awhile to do that but I've mastered it now.
Nykaul: Some people claim that avatars are the 'good guy' heroes and that normal heroes shouldn't have to be nice to lower level players. Any opinions on that statement?
Applaedesia: Well, it is a game basically and in a certain element role playing. If you don't want to help players and you're a 'normal' Hero, you shouldn't be forced to. It's whatever persona you want to create. I dont think Heros should prey on single classers and CPK them, but if that's their style, so be it.
Nykaul: So do you think that lower level players look up to heroes and that they should set a good example because of the 'influence' they can have?
Applaedesia: I think some of them do. I have newbies ask me what happened to players like Daedalus and Amarock. It shows you they watch them basically and miss them being gone. All newbies dont want to grow up to be Avatars so they look up to different people and find their niche. If its CPK/PK they are looking for it, there's all types of Heros here without making them conform. I think they should be however they want though ultimately, it's their character as long as they follow the rules.
Nykaul: I'm sure you have lots of new players asking you questions constantly, no doubt it is often the same question. How do you deal with that?
Applaedesia: Luckily I'm a quick typist so I usually have a standard response on things, as all the Avatars do. I just take each problem as it comes.
Nykaul: So how much more different would you say being an Avatar is from being a 'normal' hero?
Applaedesia: Well, we have a different set of rules basically but it's not hard, it's not hard to be nice and helpful, I think it's harder to break the rules, requires more planning.
Nykaul: How would you describe one of your average days playing Med?
Applaedesia: Combing, approving names, researching names, helping newbies on prayer, ressing them, helping my clan when they need me.
Nykaul: Do you have any humorous stories since being an avatar?
Applaedesia: One time, Trideth's newbie was stalking me in Vanlarra while I was getting staves in CPK. He was a single so of course I couldnt kill him but he kept bsing me. I asked on Avatar if I could ice him. I got permission to ice him but I couldn't loot him. It was tempting! And since it was Trideth/Blake they let me keel him, he's a little pain!
Nykaul: What has been one of the most memorable events in your Med history?
Applaedesia: Most memorable was Gamina mudmarrying Silverion and me on May 4, 1999.
Nykaul: What would you say your worst newbie moment has been?
Applaedesia: I was in clan 69 and a clannie had multied. I didnt know all Heros see the pray channel so I prayed, 'Can you echo a congrats for ..... he just multied! 'You feel Krondar say, 'oh god you didnt'. I don't think he could multi that night. I felt so stupid! There's another one. I could prolly list too many! I was in clan 15 under Buckore. He said if you sent him 1 mil and a bag of holding he would make you a clanitem (Keeper of Dark Tidings). I remember thinking, I'm not paying 1 mil to have some stupid BoH renamed. I couldnt figure out what was point was, even when I joined 53, I kept thinking its the SAME thing, whats the difference? Wish I had made them now. If embarrassment is good for the soul, my soul is healthy!
Nykaul: What would you say your biggest Med accomplishment has been?
Applaedesia: Heroing then becoming an Avatar in Aug of 1999, creating a clan with Alina and watching that grow. I've had a lot of accomplishments really.
Nykaul: Would you say females have any more of a disadvantage/advantage in this realm than say, in the real world?
Applaedesia: Hrm, it works both ways. Disadvantage: You get up there, get Avatar, make a clan and help it thrive. People accuse you of getting your money in unethical ways. The other day I was in a formation in Medlink on my newbie. This female clanleader was going, 'I hope I'm never compared to Applaedesia ... and listed some other female names.. ''Because all they do for their money is.. and kinda went on a rant I cant repeat here..
Nykaul: How does that make you feel?
Applaedesia: Imagine her surprise when she found out who I was. I squashed that and defended myself and the other Heros she mentioned (and I dont even know them..) I was pissed off. It's hard enough getting someplace anywhere, real life or med without someone one of your 'own' spreading lies. Advantages: Of course you're female, guys like helping them more for some reason. Or pity them, I'm not sure which. I hear a lot of my male Hero friends have girl characters because they get more help in forms/eq/etc.
Nykaul: Do you think that makes it harder for females in the long run? Such as when some people claim some females are guys because they can pk or the like?
Applaedesia: Yea, I have a good friend here who people think is a guy because she can run every zone in the game just like the 'big boys'. There's not many women who can run Bloodstone, Ely, you name it and the few who do get picked on. It's hard because I'm an Avatar I cant just be like 'shut up!' on immortal channel. It shows their jealously I guess or envy.
Nykaul: What aspect of the game is the most important to you? Helping, pk'ing, running zones, social etc.
Applaedesia: I like being Avatar the best currently and I like helping out on zones, thats why I've been a Cleric for so long.
Nykaul: Would you say Med has changed a lot since you started playing?
Applaedesia: Yep, immensely. I see a lot of old players quitting. I could list names but the older Heros know who I mean. They kinda feel out of the realm I guess, it's changing too fast for them. EXP has changed, Heroing has changed. So many new clans, you cant keep up with them all. Tons of things have changed it's hard to list: CPK, EXP, MLR, Bloodline, tons of different things changing everyday.
Nykaul: What has been some of your favorite changes to have happened over the years?
Applaedesia: I like the new clanitem rules, I love MLR, makes it more interesting if you're a 'real' newbie. I think the new locate features are better, old heros just have to give it a chance. I love clantowns and the idea you can make your own little zone, makes everyone a builder or get a taste of it.
Nykaul: What has been some of your least favorite changes to have happened over the years?
Applaedesia: I miss Kingdoms terribly. I remember watching the vote and the day they were taken out, I almost quit. It was the most fun I had in the game. Scrolls detting... wish it was 2 weeks like keys and not just a week. Usually not much I don't like I tend to find the good things in it and move on.
Nykaul: What sort of changes do you think Med should make?
Applaedesia: I think single classers should only get one DC per class not three in one.. give them more reason to keep building their character.. same with gold. I think immortal should be like town.. taking 500 gold - 1k to talk on it.
Nykaul: You mentioned your daughter earlier. If she grew up wanting to play Med, as a parent what would you say to her?
Applaedesia: Hmm, she doesnt know about Med. I don't think I'd want her playing it until she was older, over 18 if then. I use it to pass time quickly because I dont have a lot of real life money to go out and spend so it's an outlet she might not even need.
Nykaul: Your name has always been an 'interesting' and oft humorous aspect of scrapple, for instance. Where did you get the name from and what made you choose it?
Applaedesia: Well, I was originally Asheba and changed my name after I got divorced because my ex-husband would haunt me. Lena said she wanted to think of a new name. And I found out years later her and Ikuska made it up. I think they had someone like applesauce that day and it derived from there, it's a lot of fun though!
Nykaul: If you could ask anyone on Med a question, who would it be
and why?
Applaedesia: I think I'm pretty forward, if I want a question answered I just ask it or email the God. So none in the lurk at the moment.
Nykaul: If you were forced to quit Med this very second, what would you want people to remember about you?
Applaedesia: That I helped anyone I could even if it meant leaving me with nothing afterwards.
Nykaul: And what do you think people WILL remember about you?
Applaedesia: Hrm, not sure I can print that! Prolly being headstrong for lack of a better word and stubborn. But in the end I help anyone I can, period. Regardless of their clan, etc.
Nykaul: If you had to describe yourself in only three words, what would they be?
Applaedesia: motherly determined comedic
Nykaul: Do you have any ritualistic habits while you play Med? some people have certain music they play while cpk or hb'ing etc.
Applaedesia: I finally mastered Napster and put up a collection, depends on my mood what I listen to. But I have certain groups for certain events. I listen to DMB, Papa Roach, TOOL, KMFDM, I have a weird variety. Creed, etc.
Nykaul: If you could have any one of Med's skills/spells in real life, which would you want and why?
Applaedesia: Shockwave, I'd shockwave all the creditors who call my house asking for money.
Nykaul: If you could interview anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
Applaedesia: My grandmother, Concetta Congiunti, I'd want to see what she did to keep her marriage so long, her family so strong and what'd she think about us all today. She died when I was 5 so I only have one memory of her and I've always wished that!
Nykaul: List 5 things that most people do not know about you!
Applaedesia:
I work 3 12 hour days per week. (People think I dont work).
I was a hero for a very short time and basically have kept Avatar ever since Heroing.
Silverion and I have been together on Med for almost 2 years (Since Dec 98)
My daughter doesnt live with me half of the week due to my job.
I live alone, no roomates/parents/etc. I support me and my daughter with very little help!
Nykaul: Any further comments, suggestions, opinions or advice?
Applaedesia: Basically if you're playing and your school work suffers, you RL suffers, your mood changes, tis time to step back and take a break. You can get very involved in this game (Yes, I know from personal experience, putting myself on the line is going to pay off I'm sure) but if it's not FUN, dont play for a week or two. You can always ask a God or Avatar for help if you need it.
I would like to thank Applaedesia for her honesty and time, it was a fun, informative interview to conduct.
If you believe you are a 'special' person that should be interviewed then email me at nykaul@medievia.com with the reasons why. Also, if you have a question you have always wanted to ask someone, feel free to email that question and if I ever interview that person I may include your question.
