By Joy Naomi

ReVolutionary Theory is the magazine that’s all about you – whether you’re a chatter, a player, or even a character! This month, Joy Naomi explores the mind behind Ryan O’Connell.

How did Ryan come into creation?

Well, it was odd. Ryan was created for another SoA room entirely. That one closed so when it came about that I needed another character for Anarchy Vegas, that is who I used. Worked on a backstory and there he is.

What are his dreams and goals in life?

He’s had a lot of dreams and goals. Some never made it past the planning stage in his life. He threw away an opportunity when he was very young to stay and become a member of the club. This was to honor the man that raised him, and he never told anyone about the opportunity back then. A couple others found out about it through roleplay. One goal accomplished was opening his own garage with Dominic. It was never his goal to become president of the MC – that was dropped in his lap and he puts all he is into trying to keep everyone safe (which is impossible and takes its toll on the character).

What is one of the scariest moments that you recall?

One of the scariest moments for Ryan as a character was a scene recently done while he was detoxing. He carries a heavy burden of the lifes lost and in his head always thinks in some way they come back on him: that he couldn’t keep people safe, that he somehow let them down, so the visits he got in these hallucinations, telling him in the most brutal ways of his failings for them, was probably the worst thing for the character. And because this is all happening in his head, no one else can see whats going on and no one can truly help him. The scariest thing for Ryan is to lose someone he cares about, so when all those moments collide it is pretty frightening for the character.

What is one of the funniest moments?

Again recently, on a road trip (and we all know how travel posts suck and we try to avoid them), but on a road trip hundreds of miles it can be pretty hilarious to see what happens to these guys during long times of just driving: getting punchy and basically getting on the nerves of fellow passengers, demanding pit stops, fun times to be had in that. Also breaking that fourth wall between the character and model can be fun at times, and we had a night where Mutt burst into Ryans office and yelled “Hey, guys! There’s walkers in the barn and Lori’s pregnant!”

What is one of the saddest moments?

There are a lot, but I think the one that still stands out (and is still at work in the background) is within the Dominic coma story line – and it’s a toss up on those, but I think the defining moment in that was the downward spiral Ryan took after the beat down and subsequent coma of his best friend. Ryan probably loves Dominic more than anyone would ever understand, so to see him fall like that and not come out of it, to be told that he has to make the decision rather to leave him on life support or take him off, it was a real struggle for the character, knowing his brother wouldn’t want to live like that on machines, but also not wanting to give up on him. There were a lot of flashbacks to an earlier, simpler time between these scenes, showing different periods of their relationship as they grew up together as well, so there was a build up that brought other people who had come in later, some not even having experienced the character of Dominic to become invested in what was happening and would he or wouldnt he make it through.

What three character traits would Ryan’s friends use to describe him?

Loyal. I have seen several say that Ryan has too much heart, so passionate, dependable.

List five words that describe him:

He’s loyal, brave, stubborn, reckless at times, and generous with the ones he cares about.

What has impacted him the most and how?

I think actually getting the club presidency and having to step up, to right wrongs that had happened, to take on this club without losing what he is to it has taken a lot for the character. He has taken the mantle and not only everything that is in it but everything he thinks should be in it as well.

What is his greatest fear?

Ryan’s greatest fear is losing the people he cares most about (which happens a lot).

What is his biggest regret and why?

Ryan’s biggest regret will always be not telling those closest to him how he feels about them, because a few times he has lost the opportunity to do so.

Do you think a leader should be liked or feared?

I think a bit of both. I mean you aren’t going to follow someone you can’t stand, but on the other hand there has to be that inkling of intimidation there, especially in the life he is in, so that no one thinks they can step up and take it from him without a fight.

Who are his heroes?

Bill. The man who raised him is a hero to him – a flawed one, but a hero none the less. He never knew Bill was his father until he was older, but the man always took care of him. Dominic was/is one of his heroes because when they were growing up Dom always helped him and stuck up for him, and Ryan’s always viewed him as the “strong” one. Also now that Dom is in a coma, Ryan’s view of his heroism has grown more idealized. Tank, because Tank has what Ryan can only dream of – a normal loving relationship outside and separate from the club, but still manages to do what needs to be done – and Random, because Random is fiercely loyal to the club, and to him, no matter what way it manifests itself in. Pretty much all the guys in the club have some presence about them or have something in them that he admires them for.

What does he do for fun?

Oh, there are a lot of things to do for fun in Vegas. Strip clubs, Chick N Tits (topless wing joint – really great garlic wings). Sometimes he just hangs with the guys at the club house playing poker and drinking beer and smoking whatever is available. There are occasional trips to the Den of Sin out in the desert, and now and then he just spends time at his family’s cabin outside Vegas to relax. Oh, and the fight club. He has fun at the fight club, but we can’t talk about it.

If he was an animal what would he be and why?

A wolf, I think, because sometimes he has the need to do things on his own, but his pack is always there to back him up when he needs it. In roleplay once he was told “You’re not a lone wolf anymore. We have your back,” which he carries with him and tries to remember.

Is Ryan a nice person?

No. He can be nice, but everything he is is about the club and those close to him, and any threat to that is something he would kill over. He’s not in this world to make friends outside of his lifestyle. If he does that’s great, but he doesn’t have time for people that dont get that his first interest is the club and those in it.

Is he competitive?

Of course he’s competitive. He’s in a club with a bunch of dick swinging bikers!

What are his pet peeve?

Weak and stupid people really get on his nerves. Also those that perceive themselves to be above any others. And mouthy chicks.

What kind of goals (if any) do you have for the character?

Ryan’s goal is always to have the club in a good place where people in the club can be kept safe. Sometimes he longs for a “normal” life, but he knows that will never happen. Not with what he is and the life that he has chosen.

Is he ever hard to write?

Sure. I think every character has that time when they are hard to write. Ryan is very complex, so sometimes there are days when I’m just not feeling him because there is the buried poetic aspect about him that is sometimes hard to reach. Many times in the roleplays I do with Ryan, other literature is vaguely referenced and is a slight theme throughout the play so that can be hard to carry through as well.

Have you ever written something then wondered “wtf”?

All the time, and I hope I get that reaction from others as well. It is always shocking to people when Ryan hits a woman (it’s happened twice – out of all the times everyone says that bitch needs smacked, he’s done it twice, so it’s not his go to), but generally when I get myself immersed in Ryan’s head space, anything can happen and I have looked back on roleplays and went, “Well, shit, I never would have done that.” I mean you just don’t whip it out and piss on someone’s face, right? Not without asking first.

If you the writer were ever to meet the character what do you think that would be like?

I think it would be ok. I mean I’m a pretty laid back guy and would likely get along with most of my characters. I think if I ever met Ryan I would probably buy pot from him or something, but it wouldn’t be a long term friendship. I would ask him where he got his tattoos done.

What other things would you like us to know about him?

Ryan is one of my most real and complicated characters. His background has been built through roleplay and there are many dimensions to him, not just the surface biker bad ass guy. He does have a kind heart that manifests itself sometimes in roleplay, but he will never put it off as a kindness and buffer such with a quip or slight insult, because he thinks it is a weakness to show that side of himself.

What made you decide to try online roleplaying?

A friend I was gaming with several years back suggested it. I tried it and was hooked.

How long have you been roleplaying?

I have been roleplaying online for 7 years in May.

What are your favorite and least favorite genres?

My favorite genre has always been medieval fantasy, though I have had a hard time playing it lately. Just the imagery you can get like no other. As a typist it’s a challenge to convey that in text, what is taking up room in your head. I won’t say my least favorite as I have pretty much tried everything and some just ring more true and are easier for me to get into than others.

What advice would you give to someone new to online role-play?

I would tell them to be friendly. To observe and to ask questions of the people leading the room or the ones that have been there long term. Most people are friendly and will help you as much as they can. Get an idea of playing in and may even offer to be a counterpart. Also research. Know at least a bit of something about the genre you are going into.