Tag Archives: april 2016

A Look Forward

By Qristal

The ReVolution marches on! Looking Forward is always a favorite segment of mine to write because it gets me all excited in thinking about how far we’ve come, but more importantly, how far we’re going to go. At its foundation, ReVo was brought to life to bring evolution into the roleplay world that we have all come to love. Our aim and our focus remains steadfast through our opening years and the past couple of months have seen a lot of improvements in our journey – a journey that is never-ending, always open to change, and forever evolving.

We are tremendously grateful for the support of the ReVo community as we go through some of these very changes. Our latest site-wide upgrade for security was a monster hurdle and while we were right there with everyone, experiencing the yo-yo effect, you were all kept in the loop and stood behind our endeavors with unbelievable faith in us. We have now become very familiar with the added software and layers of protection and have been able to work out most kinks that any of you have encountered. We have now set the stage for the long-term existence of our home and given ourselves plenty of room for continued growth.

ReVo has some incredibly gifted talent, and everywhere a person looks onsite, that is clear. There are many artists that not only assist in welcoming everyone into the neighborhood, but who continuously offer their services to help make individual roleplaying experiences extra classy. We have been very lucky to accept the applications of numerous volunteers – some for designs, others for creativity, and still others for organizational skills – that wish to help shape our future and be a part of the history of our community, and to each one, you deserve the merits of knowing all of your contributions are appreciated.

Looking ahead, we look forward to offering new features being released into the room editors and also into your personal membership space, and to letting everyone know that no area of our online home is ever going to reach a point of completion. We want to hear your thoughts and ideas, coupled with many we are buzzing about and tossing around behind the scenes, because part of the fun of eVolution is never knowing what surprises might be around the next corner.

ReVo will be there, though. Setting new standards. Lifting the bar. Challenging your minds. Sparking creativity. Unleashing our fantasies onto the world. Extolling the beauty of the written word.

“The pen is mightier than the sword.”
– Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton

Be powerful in your writing. Live through the dreams you bring to life within them. Enjoy their temptations, their seductions, share in their strength to bond us together. Be part of the ReVolution.

-Qristal.
Your humble SoVereign

The Letter Opener

By Stabz

Greetings, salutations, and welcome to ReVolutionary Theory, ReVo’s chatter-oriented in-house magazine!

Spring is in the air, and just like the changing seasons breathe new life into the world, we’re bringing it into the office, too (and not just because we changed the air freshener). For the magazine’s initial run, ReVo was lucky enough to have Miss Mickie on board as editor, and she did a fantastic job – if you haven’t already seen the amazing layouts she put together for the previous issues, really, do make a point of checking them out. She’s stepping back for personal reasons, but we wouldn’t have gotten this far without her, so if you see her around, take a moment to say “Thanks!” for all the hard work she put in for us!

I’m Stabz, and I’ll be taking over the role of editor from here on probably until I fall off a horse and break my neck (so, really, any day now).

But, seriously, I’m very happy to be here with all of you, and I hope you’re going to be as happy with what we’ve got for you!

I’m not the only new set of hands on board – we’ve brought on an entire team of freelance writers to tackle the topics that are hottest for you. Let’s all say hello to Christian, Gabby, Geenky, and Halcyon! They’re already hard at work populating our pages not only with the columns you’ve come to know and love, but some brand-new viewpoints suggested by our readers.

And while it’s always fun to shake things up, a strong foundation is important for landing safely, and to that end, we’re keeping as many members of the original team as we could lasso before they got too far away, too! Being staff members with responsibilities outside the magazine, they may not be able to contribute to every issue, but you can be sure they’re waiting in the wings for their chance to jump back in!

Sadly, we are saying goodbye to Mouth/The Bastard’s Bitch for the moment as well – like Mickie, she’s taking some time to concentrate on herself, but her previous contributions are greatly appreciated, and we’ll be missing her and wishing her the best.

Did I mention that we’re featuring articles that were suggested and requested by the ReVo chatter base? In fact, I did, and in fact, it’s true! And we don’t intend to stop there – we’d love for those ideas to keep coming in! Is there something you’d like us to cover in an upcoming issue? You can drop us a note on ReVo’s Periodical Forum. We welcome feedback in general, too! Got a comment on what we’ve published already? A question? Even a complaint? We’re here for you, and the more you give us, the more we can give back!

That’s all for now! Remember to read – respond – and most importantly, R/Evolve here with us at Roleplay Evolution!

Rooms to Stay

By Gabby

Here at ReVolutionary Theory, our number one goal is to address the needs and concerns of our readers. We received a request asking for tips on how to run a successful room, and Gabby’s going to give us exactly that! However, let’s remember that everyone’s opinion of what constitutes a successful room is different, and as Gabby’s writing from her own experiences, her views may differ from yours, your room leader’s, or even ReVo’s. With that in mind, Gabby, take it away!

When assignments were handed out, it seemed that this was the only one left unclaimed. Stands to reason, right? It’s a touchy subject, and frankly, no two rooms are going to be alike. Once upon a time, you could actually get into the mechanics of keeping players interested and a room full and running smoothly. But, that is a bygone era that no one really wants to talk about besides the old timers like myself.

This was a requested subject, which suggests that others do want it to be written about. Hopefully, this doesn’t disappoint. Just remember that disclaimer above!

First things, first:

What is a successful room in your mind? Is it having a room where you can roleplay what you want to roleplay, without anyone else telling you that you’re doing it wrong? Does traffic make the room successful to you, or does the roleplay itself? Those are important things to consider. You have to decide what makes a room successful in your mind, not in the minds of others.

The world of chat roleplay has changed in the past two decades. It used to be that all the rooms that were open would have busy periods. It didn’t matter who the room leader was – everyone played there anyway. Over the years, that evolved. The storylines didn’t carry with characters from one room to another, but rather stayed within the room itself. Less and less was it acceptable to take one character to any and every room.

Introduce: Character sheets.

We could argue about character sheets all day long, but that’s not what this article is supposed to be about. However, allow me to point to a few rooms up in the creative area of our whochat: the SOA rooms. Perfect opportunity for successful cross roleplay that could pull in a lot of interest. Having a character sheet in one SOA room means you have one in all. After all, if your character is a Son in one chapter, shouldn’t he be accepted when he visits another?

The problem with it is that there are less players than there were in, say, 2000. You don’t see the mass of players that you saw back when players would go from room to room – together. There are many reasons for such, but one is the fact that it doesn’t stay in character as it once did. There are more and more tiny groups of core players, and some don’t play well with others. This can kill roleplay, or the potential for such, when you have bans.

There are some rooms that have been opened that should be among the most successful to date, that offer complete freedom for the player to intermix with others without hassle. But it seems the day has waned that even that is widely wanted.

Therefore, we come back to our original question: As a room leader, what is success, to you?

If it’s all about attendance, and the amount of minds filling the room with bodies, then we need to approach it as such. This means you have to wear many different hats, yet not that many sets of clothes – read, characters.

1. You must actually be able to play with and hand-hold the newbies that are new to the genre you have, as well as actively include them in storylines every time they are in the room. You will need to actively set them up in such every time they want to come into the room, keep the posts smaller so they aren’t overwhelmed. Actively do board posts to keep them invested and interested, and allow them to become integral to storylines and in-character leadership as you can.

2. Even as you do this, you will also need to be entertaining those with a medium level of experience. Do bigger posts that will actively engage and interest that level of roleplayer, yet still do some hand holding for when they are unable to find storylines that will hold their interest. Depending on the individual player, it’s also possible that they may not be able to contribute their own content to your storyline, and are more likely to simply go along with what you create.

3. Then, you have the more experienced, yet problematic, player. This will be the player that you won’t have to hand-hold, but you may have clean up their messes. They will be able to entertain themselves; however, this entertainment just as often creates its own brand of trouble due to players not paying attention to what else is going on in the room. You can either be a hall monitor type of room leader who steps in to prevent their storylines from being damaged, or just let it lie and leaves those players to themselves.

4. Next are the players that are only there for the hookups. This may actually cover a larger amount of players than some realize. They want only to play this, they don’t want to play with others, and they generally feel imposed upon if they are asked to play when there’s little to no chance that sex will be involved.

5. Last, but not least, are usually your best players, those that you want to bring into your room: The players that can help you with the creation and management of storylines. These are usually your in-character leaders. Unfortunately, they come with both the good and the bad as well. They can be great in pulling in other players and keeping the play going, but they can also be something of elitists and will at times end up turning off some other types, whether intentionally or not.

Most don’t want admit there are these types of players. Which makes this a great place to refer again to that disclaimer up top!

Now, if you are the type of room leader that is about having your own room just because you want that place to play out your own stories and have a core group of players, guess what? Your room is already a success! Honestly, why change what already works for you?

Just remember, sitting in a room day after day doesn’t cut it. You have to actively seek to play. Get in character, run a story by yourself. Sometimes, they will pull a player in just due to curiosity. Allow the OOC. The days of old where OOC wasn’t acceptable are long gone. Tell others to cut the OOC out, and you may lose players. Most want the OOC conversations. They want to chit chat. Roleplay among that, and sooner or later, they will join in just because of what’s going on.

It’s the running of dynamic storylines mixed with intriguing characters that will make you successful in drawing in players. It is making the storylines easy to follow along that will keep those players going. Don’t make it all too complicated. KISS is the best way here.

Also, keep it fun. After that, everything else will fall into order.

Do you have your own opinion on what makes a successful room? We’d love to hear from you! Start a thread on the ReVolutionary Theory Forum, or contact us about contributing an article for our next issue!

Featured Room: Ruins of Aetheria

By Joy Naomi

While our chatters are the heart and soul of roleplay, rooms are what give their characters a place to become incarnate. Managing rooms can be a difficult but ultimately rewarding task, and each leader has taken their own road to the “top”. In this issue, Joy Naomi gives us a look into the world of Ruins of Aetheria.

What is your name?

Psychobarbie, or Holly, either way.

What is the name of your room and what section is it in?

Ruins of Aetheria in Fantasy Envisioned

How did your room come about?

I really like Skyrim?

What kind of things do you think sets your room apart from the others like it?

Well, we’ve got the random events pulldown which gives you a start off point into r/p if you’re not sure what to do.

What kind of things have you done to make it more fun?

Well, the room is pretty much open to anything, so any character is playable in the world due to how it’s set up. It tends to put people more at ease to at least know their character even if they aren’t familiar with the room setting.

What kind of scenes can we see within your room?

The world is obviously fantasy so there are dragons, trolls, mages, elves, and different races like the cat or reptile races, so you can really see about anything going on.

What is your favorite thing about the style of play done in your room?

I just love the “anything can happen” idea of the room.

What is your favorite character that has ever been in the room?

Well, Kysa Lundgren (Joy’s character) is an example of anything can happen.

Has your room ever had events? If so, what?

Not yet.

What is the funniest thing you can recall ever happening in play?

A character that has a pet dragon that was in the palace of the high king of Skyrim and ate the tapestries.

What would you like people to know about your room? Give it a chance?

You really can play anything in the room – just because it’s set in a certain room and theme doesn’t mean you can’t play other characters. It’s just a matter of diving in.

Debunking the Myth of Canon Characters

By Christian

Have you ever considered playing a character straight out of fandom, but feared you wouldn’t be able to do them justice? Or, perhaps, do you find it difficult to understand why a player might choose to portray someone else’s creation? In this issue, comic guru Christian discusses the fun of fandom-based roleplay and why you don’t need to be afraid of it!

Online roleplaying can be fun. It can be a wonderful creative outlet which allows us to explore and express ideas as well as feelings. This is why you can find a roleplay room for just about everything – just name the subject matter or setting and a room probably exists. They all make for wonderful approaches, but as with anything else, some come with misnomers and/or bad reputations. One such avenue is comic book-themed roleplay. Over the span of time, a lot of misconceptions have cropped up regarding comic-based rooms and no one has ever bothered to step up and address them.

Now, comic books aren’t for everyone. Not everyone wants to run around in tights or suits of armor and beat up bad guys. However, it works for some, and others are curious what goes on in what are to them completely mysterious rooms. Listening to onlookers and observers in comic rooms, you will hear the same things again and again:

“I don’t know anything about comic books.”
“I don’t know anything about [Insert Character Name].”
“I don’t like combat roleplay.”
“Comics vs Reality vs God Modding”

While comments are not limited to these four, they are the most common. The thing is, comic book roleplay is no different than anything else. The only exception is you’re playing characters who in most cases have been around longer than you’ve been alive. That can be a bit intimidating, but keep in mind when you roleplay, you roleplay for yourself and no one else.

“I don’t know anything about comic books.”

First, no one ever has to know anything about comics to roleplay them. You always learn what you need along the way, and you probably have more exposure than you realize. We see these characters every day now in social media, movies, television, cartoons. If you have children, ten to one you’ve hunted down various action figures or tie-in merchandise regarding these characters. Thanks to films like Avengers and Batman vs Superman these characters are now in our faces. So right there, you already have an understanding of most characters – even those who are less well-known.

Take for example Felicity Smoak from Arrow and Sico Ramone from The Flash: Those two characters are real, everyday characters torn from the pages of comics – albeit obscure pages, but from the comics none the less. So right there you’re ahead of most people. Then there are the basics:
Batman watched his parents be gunned down as a child.
Superman was sent to Earth from a planet that exploded.
Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider and became Spider-Man.

Until a few years ago, those would have been the top three. Now we have Tony Stark having to build a suit to live. Bruce Banner was exposed to gamma rays. Hal Jordan was given his power ring by a dying alien. Oliver Queen learned right and wrong by spending forever and a day on an island. Right there is more than you probably ever realized.

Now it gets easier!

“I don’t know anything about [Insert Character Name].”

Usually when we roleplay, we play characters who speak to us. Let’s say for the sake of argument you like Moon Knight. Okay, Moon Knight is cool. He looks like he could be the Marvel version of Batman. So we found a character, but now you know nothing more about them. This is where sites like Wikipedia become your best friend.

If we look at the Moon Knight wiki page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_Knight), we see everything from his Publication History to Origin, which is laid out by various series over the years, his appearances, and even his powers and abilities as well as a list of enemies. What also comes in handy is there are sections which have quotes from writers and creators who have worked on Moon Knight, giving some inside insight on the character.

Now comes the kicker – we’ve assembled all this information. We have an idea who Moon Knight is now and are even given various sources to continue our reading and investigation, but in all honesty this is more than enough. You don’t have to do extensive homework; you don’t have to read every issue or appearance. This wiki page is enough; however, there is no rule that says you have to use any of this!

There is a belief in comic RP rooms that comes largely from outsiders that you have to play a character the way they are portrayed in the comics. Sadly, more often some people find that if they come in and play a character how they know them, be it through movies, TV, or animated series, they won’t be welcome. Well, fuck that noise; I ain’t got time for that and neither do you! For example, as the player of Moon Knight, you have now become the writer of that comic. What you say goes! Not enough people realize this. When we roleplay in these rooms, we become writers and we are penning the story for the characters we play! So let’s say you don’t like the last few arcs Moon Knight has been in? Ignore them! Let’s say you really do appreciate his first series from the early 1980s, then play from that aspect. The thing is, when you take up a canon character you’re in control, and no one can tell you what’s right or wrong because at that point there is no right or wrong.

“I don’t like combat RP.”

This is usually the necessary evil with comic book roleplay. At some point your hero or villain is going to come to blows with others. This is when the beatdowns happen. Now, some people are skittish of this. Why? Who the hell knows, but the thing is, it’s easier than you think. Unlike Gor, there aren’t a lot of rules that need to be known, and there is no set method for superhero comic book combat. This what they call Free Form online. It’s whatever works for the group at the time. Some rooms have used dice, be it a form of complex rules systems to something as simple as whose roll beats who. The only thing is know what your character can do. Powers and abilities can enhance a roleplay greatly.

Let’s look at Moon Knight again. He has no real superpowers, but he does possess peak human potential. This means that all his physical abilities are the best and highest achievements reached before being more than human. In theory, Moon Knight is up there with Olympic athletes. He also has a plethora of martial arts combat training and knowledge. With the added edge of gadgets, Moon Knight really does rock! So now you have someone who can theoretically throw down with Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine. Bet no one saw that coming?

“Comics vs Reality vs God Modding”

Superhero combat can get messy with a lot of people. Some people who are more creative than others are always going to be thinking outside of the box, but others don’t fully think their idea through. While they don’t mean to come across as God Mods, they may become irksome. There are characters such as Batman, which over the years, the comics have turned into a know-it-all God with a plan for everything (and we mean everything). As a player of Batman for over 10 years online, this writer has learned to temper that part of the character in a checks and balances of what works and what doesn’t work at the time. This character trait becomes a tool to help any storyteller in a room. There are other things you want to look out for. For example, someone could show you a comic page where Spider-Man swings down and picks up a car that is speeding down the street. What they won’t show you is on the following page, Spider-Man saying, “Wow, remind me never to do that again!” Another example is Electro. While it would be possible for Electro to carbonize the atmosphere around a character, the feat would drain and take so much out of him he wouldn’t be doing much of anything else for a while. Same can be said for when Magneto liquefied and ripped all the Adamantium out of Wolverine’s body. That weakened Magneto to the point where Xavier could slip into his mind and shut it off, unhindered by any of Magneto’s psychic defenses. The thing to remember is that these over-the-top cool feats aren’t done everyday.

Superheroes can do amazing things! This is what makes them superheroes. However, it has to be kept fair and grounded. This is where the room staff comes into play with knowing who they are allowing to play the bigger characters. The God Modding isn’t as bad as one might think. Usually a good storyteller will punish a player who takes over extended liberties and tries to God Mod without approval from anyone involved. When in doubt, always stop and ask the Storyteller or the Room Owner.

“What Did We Learn (& Shameless Plugs)”

These are just a few of the misconceptions people have about comic based roleplay rooms. These don’t speak for everyone, as everyone has their own misgivings, and while I can’t speak for other rooms, I can speak for mine which have been around for a very long time. Marvel United and DC Noir have evolved with the times. We started allowing people to play villains, which was a huge taboo for most rooms unless the room staff knew you! We dropped pesky character sheets, and it was one of our best decisions ever! We tend to be player friendly in the sense you sign up, claim a character, and then show up in codes. No approval time, no wait, no cliques to deal with. Our character registration is simple, easy, and geared for people with no knowledge of a damn thing when they click on ‘Enter Room’. With a system this simple, we just have to show people how easy and far from complicated everything can be in comic book rooms.

So the next time you watch a superhero or comic book movie, TV show, or animated series, or even just read a comic and think, “Hey, that would be cool!” come check us out!

Featured Character: Ryan O’Connell

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.

Secret Squirrel Presents: The Marvelous Mutants

Breaking news, readers! This very morning, your editor received an anonymous message containing an interview between the always-mysterious “ReVo Squirrel” and what the Squirrel claims are two of the mutants rumoured to be lurking within our own community! Unfortunately, we seem to have a mole in our ranks – someone who doesn’t want this getting out destroyed the video before it went live, but we were able to save a hasty transcript for your “viewing” pleasure!

For this issue, ReVo Squirrel had the pleasure of sitting down with two of Marvel United’s own. That’s right, I stepped into the world of Marvel and came out unscathed! How awesome is that? It was an interesting one, as I got to speak with Fayth Neva, a human ice machine, and Electro, a human conductor.

ReVo Squirrel: Oh, two for one! Yes. ~smirks and pulls out the pad and paper~ So let me ask you, since I know we are in Marvel United, and all, what are you two?

Fayth Neva: You mean aside from insane? Well, I am a mutant – or as Pyro would put it, Elsa the Disney Princess. ~laughs~

Electro: And I am – well, I guess it would be classified as a Meta-Human, but I’m not really sure.

ReVo Squirrel: ~Glancing between the two of you and making notes~ So, you, Fayth are a frozen thing? And you, Electro are what, exactly? A Meta Human? For some of us that don’t know what that is, could we clarify?

Electro: Well, Christian could probably answer that question better than I could, to be honest. I mean, I have a mutated central nervous system which makes me a living electrical capacitor. Basically, I’m able to control electricity in all its forms.

Fayth Neva I am not a frozen thing – you sound like Pyro! I am a mutant who has the ability to, well, basically control the cold. I can do a fair bit within that, since I can generate cold and manipulate it, but heat, it’s not a good thing. Trying to make lasagna in the oven one night caused me to pass out on the floor in the kitchen. Heat, not a good thing.

Christian: Electro is pretty spot on with his explanation of himself; an electrical accident super charged his nervous system to conduct electricity. He is what is referred to as a Human Mutate – that’s the Marvel classification for anything not mutant or alien. I know – broad spectrum, but they were never big on classification outside of mutants. Unlike DC, that uses Meta Human as a broad spectrum for everything including aliens.

ReVo Squirrel: So, OK, I’m sorry – you control the cold, so like you could build a snowman if you wanted to? ~chuckles~ And you, Electro, can be plugged in and made to work electronics? Interesting. So tell me, what do you two do on an given day?

Fayth Neva: Yes, I can create a snowman if I want, but usually out of ice, and it would be called a construct. I can make you a massive ice acorn if you’d like.

Electro: See, I wasn’t sure if I was a Meta or a Mutate, so I basically just used Meta as the catch-all term.

No, I don’t have any ports or outlets to plug into. I’m not a machine. But, yes, I can charge electronic devices and make them work. I can override and control machines, but my control is limited. As for what we do, well, we do what any normal person does, except I don’t think either of us has an actual day job.

Fayth Neva: On a given day? Well, right now, I am being hunted by Serbians. I have a mark on me, so if I get killed some very not nice people get a lot of money. So a given day involves a lot of training, practice, honing mutant skills and powers, and trying to not get shot -whispers- again.

ReVo Squirrel: Oh, interesting! Fayth, you are hunted, and Electro, you are just, um, I don’t know. So, what are some interesting facts about you? Something you would share with readers?

Electro: Well, I once had cancer, but was able to absorb enough electricity to literally burn it out of my system. I also once drained the entire Niagara Power Station of power and caused a blackout along the entire Eastern Seaboard, a sizable chunk of the Midwest, and parts of Southern Canada. I also initiated a mass breakout from Ryker’s Island Prison, aka The Raft.

Fayth Neva: ~taps chin and considers~ Aside from having a massive heat allergy, I am not really all that interesting. I can fly on ice generated wings. I can move faster on ice then on land. I can generate such amounts of cold, I can cause a cold snap which, well, I don’t think Max here likes when I do that. ~laughs~

ReVo Squirrel: So, in this Marvel Universe would that make you, Fayth, a Hero or Villain? And you, Electro, feel more like a Villain than aHero, would that be accurate?

Fayth Neva: Um. I am, yeah, I am a good person trying to not do bad things. However, when it comes to defending my family, the Brotherhood, or Max here, of course, well, gloves off. I will hurt you if you hurt my family or if you try to hurt me.

Electro: Well, it’s true that crime is really all I know, but I’ve often wondered what it would be like to be one of the good guys

ReVo Squirrel: Fayth, tell us what attracts you to Electro. The readers will notice that within the story, you seem like you enjoy him, and so what plays with the attraction? Is it because he’s a bad guy, or his personality, or … ?

Fayth Neva: To be honest, I come from Norway. I have a mark on my back. I was out, about; I ran into Max here. We both thought these undercover cops were after us. We wound up in a store room most of the night. He and I got to talking. He found out about the mark and never took a shot. He had every opportunity and still does, but he doesn’t. I got no friends outside of my Brotherhood family, save for Max here, and while I am sure the fact Magneto is involved plays a part in that, he could have left me to get shot at. He could have left me to be attacked on more then one occasion and he did not. You don’t forget that kind of thing. In a world where you’re an endangered species, any kindness is valued – good, bad, indifferent; plus, he’s cute!

ReVo Squirrel: Oh, so he saved you and helped you. So what about you, Electro? What is there between you and Fayth here? And what is this brotherhood that she speaks of?

Electro: Well, even criminals have a code they won’t violate. I’ve always tried to go out of my way to avoid hurting women and children. I might use them for ransom, but I never intend to hurt them. As for Fayth, she was basically an innocent tossed into hell in a handbasket. When a few Serbians tried attacking her, that pissed me off. Then they tried attacking me, and it annoyed me even more. As for the Brotherhood, I don’t know much about it myself. Magneto once approached me about joining, but I turned him down. Fayth could probably answer that question better than I could.

ReVo Squirrel: ~glances to you~ So this brotherhood – what exactly is that? And can anyone join, or is it strictly ruled?

Fayth Neva: Magneto’s the boss. He is very protective of his family. He decides who’s in and who is not. In fact, he recruited me. He wants to help mutants. Magneto will do anything to protect the brotherhood if one of us is in danger. ~yeah nice safe answer that won’t get her killed~

ReVo Squirrel: So in otherwords, if I’m catching this, it’s a secret society that is ran by this Magneto, within this world. Interesting. OK, I’m going to cut this short. Any words you would want to tell our readers?

Electro: There’s nothing secret about the Brotherhood of Mutants. They’re very publicly known.

Fayth Neva: Just the things we do in the Brotherhood aren’t as advertised *nods lots*

If you are curious about Mutants, Mutates and everything else above, below, and in between, come check us out! We’re a lot of fun, and you don’t have to be an expert to jump in on the fun. ~you did say any words!~ If you don’t, I’ll turn you into an ice cube *wink*

The Birth of a Gamer Girl

By Joy Naomi

Just as there are many styles of roleplay, there are many different types of player. Some were born to the “geek” life and follow in their family’s footsteps, while others discovered it on their own (and some would never consider themselves geeks at all!). It’s no surprise that roleplaying and video gaming often go hand in hand as well, whether the two are long-term companions or a case of one leading to the other, and in this issue, Joy Naomi takes a walk down memory lane to show us her journey from roleplay to gamer girl.

Growing up I had a Nintendo, then a Super Nintendo, and finally a Play Station 2, with a few games to go with each. Though I had these consoles, I really wouldn’t have considered myself a gamer back then for the sole reason that I just played every now and then when I got bored or wasn’t out with my friends. Sure, I had the classics like Super Mario Brothers, Zelda, and Mortal Kombat, and who could forget Donkey Kong? Yes, I had the games that were good back then, but instead of playing a lot to try and beat the games, or goals, or whatnot, they just sat there looking sad and lonely. It wasn’t until quite recently that I entered the world of gamers and can finally call myself a gamer girl.

It started innocently enough – a friend of mine opened a new room with a setting that I have never heard of: the name of the room, Ruins of Aetheria; the setting, Skyrim. As I write this, I can start to hear the gasps and the “Oh my God, you didn’t know what Skyrim was?!” through my screen, but no, I did not know what this thing called Skyrim was at the time. Once I figured out what the setting for the room was, I did what I usually do when starting a new roleplay room – I researched it. From asking questions of the room owner to Googling my little heart out, I did it all, and the more I found out about this game, the more interested I became in it. After figuring out what was what in the room I made a character and thought I had enough of a grip on things to do her justice, and for the most part, I did, but there was just something missing. Things would be said in roleplay about items or beings, and I had no clue what was being talked about. It felt like I knew a lot, but not enough. The more I played in the room, the more I wanted to know about the game, but there was one problem: I didn’t have an Xbox to play the game on. The solution? Get an Xbox. It just wasn’t that easy because I didn’t have the funds at the moment. Fast forward to that year’s Black Friday, and it was like a sign from the gamer gods! I got an Xbox on sale and low and behold, Skyrim was on sale. Of course, I had to wait in line for five hours just to get them, but hey, it was well worth it in the end because I finally got to play Skyrim! Needless to say, I was hooked from the very start.

After playing Skyrim for a while I wanted to get more games, so eventually, I did. Now I have upgraded to an Xbox One, but I still play games on both the One and the 360. My game collection continues to grow and I find myself playing for longer and actually trying to beat games rather than just have something to do to pass the time.

The moral of my story? Never underestimate the power of roleplay. For me, what started out as simple research for a new room turned into something much more. The worlds of roleplay and gaming can go hand in hand as well. I find myself getting character ideas all of the time from a game I’m playing, whether it’s a back story or a character concept. So go forth, explore new rooms, and explore new games – whatever you do, don’t stop searching for that one new and exciting thing, because you never know where you may find it.

Whole Beauty: A Holistic Journey

By Halcyon

In response to another chatter request, we’re launching a series that’s all about helping you be the best you that you can be, and to start us off right, Halcyon is going to talk with us about approaching health and beauty from a holistic perspective! Please remember that it’s always advised to discuss changes in your regimen with your doctor or other health care provider, as he or she will be in the best position to address your personal needs and special concerns – however, if you’re interested in holistic care, we hope this article will provide you with some opening discussion points!

ho•lis•tic:

ho’listik
adjective
Philosophy
adjective:
1. characterized by comprehension of the parts of something as intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole.

In recent years, I have seen a jump in the awareness of the mind/body connection. Being an avid yogi, homeopath, wild herbalist, and Wiccan, it has been heartwarming to witness. I have tried a lot of “natural” and “organic” products with both positive and negative results. I think for the most part, this wave towards products that are less chemically toxic and better for the environment is a step in the right direction, but often the cost of these “greener” and “better for you” products come with a steep price tag. So because of my background, I decided to embark on a DIY journey, with the end goal being less expensive, but still good-for-you ways to maintain happy skin, happy hair, a peaceful mind, and a healthy body. Maybe some of these ideas will help spur your own journey into the sometimes murky waters of homeopathic/holistic care.

I decided to cover four parts of a holistic integrated lifestyle, which includes skin, hair, mind and body. The ideas encompassed within the scope of this article are meant to touch the surface of what I think could be a long journey into discovering ways to be good to yourself. Who doesn’t want to feel better, be healthier and have more peace in their lives? The rewards are too good to pass up, and when you feel better, there is a domino effect that spills over into the lives of those around you. So let’s take the plunge!

Five Secrets to Great Skin

The first step to Holistic Beauty starts with the skin. Here are six ways to start you on the right path.

• Beauty Sleep

This is not just for Sleeping Beauty, girls. We are busy woman, between work and play, families, or whatever you have going on in your life. So late nights and early mornings will reflect in your skin, and you’ll notice a tired appearance, dark circles under eyes, and that you might experience more break outs that are difficult to banish. This is important.

If any of these apply to you, sleep therapy may be something to consider:

* You get 8hrs of sleep but it’s not near the magic hours of 10pm – 6am.
* You get less then 8hrs on a regular basis and you try to make it up on the weekends.
* You sleep more than 8hrs because you feel you need more.

According to Ayurvedic Principles:

* The most healing effects of sleep occurs between the hours of 10pm – 2am. So getting beauty sleep truly improves the health and beauty of your skin.

• Get Your Sweat On!

So many possibilities! But seriously speaking, exercise is excellent for your skin because of the sweating. You have extra blood flow and oxygenation going on during vigorous exercise, increasing circulation throughout the entire body, which improves the shape of skin cells and keeps them at optimal functioning level. Sweating will not only improve your skin but you’ll feel better and have more energy.

• Your Skin Is Your Temple!

Keeping this in mind, treat your body with respect and be mindful of what you use. Using a cleanser made primarily of chemicals is a disservice. Most of these over the counter agents will use different acids and chemicals to trick you into thinking you have clean skin, but you end up causing breakouts and damaging your skin in the process. By using an all natural cleanser, whether store bought or homemade, you’re getting rid of one problem without causing another.

The second part to this regime is toner. As toner helps soothe skin, you don’t want to use a store bought toner that is not made from natural ingredients. The best end results come from products made with natural fruit and vegetable extracts that will nourish your skin instead of wearing it out. Stay away from toners with harsh chemicals meant to be used as an astringent. They will often leave your skin red, dry, and uncomfortable!

• Oooh, the Moisture!

Have you ever taken a look at the vast amounts of moisturizing products lining the shelves of your local drugstore? Most of these have a ton of ingredients that you can’t even pronounce. A good rule of thumb, girls: If you can’t pronounce an ingredient, it’s most likely a chemical and does not belong on your face. Look for natural ingredients, the sorts that you’d like to eat. Skin is super absorbent, so when you’re slathering on a moisturizer, you want something that won’t be harmful to you. Remember – your skin is the largest organ and it’s important to take care of it.

• Hail Hydration!

While keeping hydrated has a number of excellent benefits, from making you more energetic to giving you a slimmer appearance, it will also provide your skin with the moisture it needs to look and feel its best. Though there’s a bit of controversy, the best calculation thus far to determine how much water you should be drinking is to take your weight and divide it in half, and that number is what you should be consuming in ounces.1,2 It may seem like a lot of water, but the benefits will astound you.

Note: If you’ve been dehydrated for a long time, increase your water intake gradually to give your body time to adjust, or you will feel bloated and uncomfortable.

This is just the beginning of the journey into holistic beauty and health! There is so much to share and I am hoping that there might be a way to embark on a few experiments together, chronicling our progress and sharing things that worked and things that did not. I haven’t worked out the details yet, so stay tuned, because there’s more to come! For now, I hope this has been a helpful start into what could be a whole new way of taking care of you.

(1) Chek, P. (2004). How to eat, move and be healthy!. San Diego, CA: C.H.E.K. Institute

(2) Editor’s note: While proper hydration is a must no matter your care regimen, many people aren’t aware that too much water can be as dangerous as too little. “Water intoxication” is a medical emergency caused by the intake of excessive amounts of water in a short period of time. It alters the natural balance of electrolytes in the body and can result in cellular swelling, damage to the central nervous system, and even death. The calculation suggested in this article is meant to correspond with what you’ll drink over the course of an entire day, and not the amount that should be consumed in one or two sittings. We can’t stress enough that the best way to determine what’s right for you is to consult with your physician!

New Releases

By Joy Naomi
April 2016

1979 Revolution: Black Friday (PC, Mac) – April 5th
Dead Star (PS4, PC) – April 5th
Dirt Rally (XBox One, PS4) – April 5th
Enter the Gungeon (PS4, PC) – April 5th
Dark Souls III (XBox One, PS4, PC) – April 12th
Ratchet & Clank (PS4) – April 12th
Stories: The Path of Destinies (PS4, PC) – April 12th
Masquerade: The Baubles of Doom (Xbox One, 360, PS4, PS3,PC) – April 20th
Alienation (PS4) – April 26th
Dungeons 2 (PS4) – April 26th

May 2016

Battleborn (XBox One, PS4, PC) – May 3rd
The Magic Circle: Gold Edition (PS4) – May 10th
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (PS4) – May 10th
Doom (Xbox One, PS3, PC) – May 13th
Homefront: The Revolution (XBox One, PS4, PC) – May 17th
Valkyria Chronicles Remastered (PS4) – May 17th
Mirror’s Edge Catalyst (XBox One, PS4, PC) – May 24th
Overwatch (XBox One, PS4, PC) – May 24th
Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter (XBox One, PS4, PC) – May 27th
Dead Island: Definitive Edition (XBox One, PS4) – May 31st
One Piece: Burning Blood (XBox One, PS4, Vista) – May 31st

June 2016

Carmageddon: Max Damage (Xbox One, PS4) – June 3
Assetto Corsa (Xbox One, PS4) – June 7
Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir (PS4, PS3, Vita) – June 7
Grand Kingdom (PS4, Vita) – June 21
No Man’s Sky (PS4, PC) – June 21
Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Xbox One, 360, PS4, PS3, Wii U, Vita, 3DS, PC) – June 28

*Please note that the dates of releases are subject to be changed by the company. These are the dates as they stand now.*