TownCrier Interview Sessions with Ardwen

Ardwen Ydwenson Ambassador Ardwen Ydwenson the Officer of Rone Academy Race Human Profession Warrior Affiliation(s) Rone Academy

By Oubar, TownCrier Correspondent
2 Imaerasta 5117 // September 2, 2017 - in Wehnimer's Landing

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Introduction

In the realm of merchants, there's Ardwen, and then there's everyone else. However, this in no way encompasses this legendary warrior. A fierce combatant, a helpful presence, and a willing conversationalist, Ardwen is a singular presence. He recently hosted TownCrier Correspondent Oubar in his lovely garden for a lengthy chat.

"I am also the self styled Ambassador for the one percent." ~ Ambassador Ardwen Ydwenson the Officer of Rone Academy

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The In-Character Interview

You see Ambassador Ardwen Ydwenson the Officer of Rone Academy.
He appears to be a Human from Riverwood.
He appears to be advanced in years.  He has piercing radiant violet eyes and dark skin.  He has short, spiked light brown hair evenly peppered with a hint of grey.  He has an articulated silver nose.  He has deep worry lines marring his weathered face in several places.  He has a small glossy black spider on his right upper arm.
He has a grumpy dwarf empath tattoo on his arm, a regal golden gryphon and a beautiful white dove flying wingtip to wingtip into a crimson sunset tattoo on his arm, and a tattooed symbol of andelas on his ankle.
He is in good shape.
He is holding a cup of cherrywood smoked mead in his right hand.
He is wearing an elegant leather weapon harness slung over his shoulder, a pair of ecru satin socks embroidered with tiny monkeys, a cloak so black that it seems to be fashioned of pure essence, with a faint sparkle of luminous stars deep within, some black plate armor subtly patterned with ashen shadows, a verdant faenor scabbard twined with silvery mithril leaves, a sapphire-set silvery rolaren sheath with a burnished azure throat, a brass-buckled brown suede pack with a braided canvas drawstring, some gold and veniom alloy gauntlets, some soft blue leather boots buttoned up the calf with small gold coins, a blood-soaked bag which writhes violently as if it has something living inside of it, a black plush crow, a soft leather scrip pouch, a carved bone button that reads, "Proud to Live in Sin, Vote for Cruxophim!", some robes so black they seem to be fashioned of purest essence, with the faint luminescence of dying stars deep within them, a steel weapons cache pin, a midnight black hat embroidered with a mystical pattern that seems to resemble the stars of the night sky, a sparkling emerald Andelas high priest symbol, a mechanical human pin, a gold and blue tartan plaid kilt bearing a small cat's head patch, a tiny leather shoulder saddle, and a massive chunk of rust-stained iron with a rope handle strapped to the back slung over his other shoulder.

[Pan's Place, Hidden Garden - 25595]
Candles sparkle off the water of a winding stream.  A stately oak tree surrounded by a collection of exotic plants stands to the west, and toward the east, a somnolent buzz points the way to a hidden apiary.  You also see a hollow tree stump.
Also here: Ambassador Ardwen (sitting)
Obvious paths: down

You bow to Ardwen.

You exclaim, "Good evening!"

Ardwen's dwarf empath tattoo slowly trudges up to his shoulders and makes a few circuits around his neck, his eyes trained on his head.  He pulls out some aloeas stem from his haversack and glances between it and his head before sadly shaking his own head.  With a mournful look, he tucks the remedy away again and walks off.

You feel more refreshed.

Ardwen says, "Howdy."

Ardwen says, "Have a seat."

Ardwen points at a wicker chair.

You bow to Ardwen.

You settle into the wicker chair and lean back, causing the chair to creak.

Ardwen takes a drink from his smoked mead.

You exclaim, "This is a wonderful place you have here!"

Ardwen says, "Thanks."

Ardwen says, "Refreshments on the table."

On the wrought iron table you see a warm honey cake on a tall silver stand, a plate of barbecued cockatrice wings, a crystal decanter, a gold-trimmed porcelain teapot and a clay jug.

You pour yourself a stein of smooth honeyed whiskey.

You raise your honeyed whiskey in a toast!

You take a drink from your honeyed whiskey.  Surprisingly sweet, a smooth taste of honey weaves throughout the bold alcohol flavor, making this whiskey quite palatable.

You close your eyes for a moment.

You say, "Oh that's good."

You grin at Ardwen.

Ardwen says, "All the victuals are made with my own honey."

Ardwen points at a hidden apiary.

A trio of small, white wooden structures holds flats of bees, the winged workers making constant flights among the garden's blooms and into the neighboring brewery's hops.  Each humming hive is painted to eerily resemble Darkstone Castle, even down to the glaes portcullis.

You gawk at a hidden apiary.

You say, "Amazing."

You shake your head.

Ardwen takes a drink from his smoked mead.

Speaking to Ardwen, you exclaim, "Thank you very much for agreeing to be interviewed for the Crier!"

You grin from ear to ear.

Ardwen says, "Of course."

You adopt an agreeable expression.

You say, "Some of these are fairly common knowledge, but just asked for the record... for instance..."

You ask, "What is your profession, for those who might not already be aware?"

Ardwen says, "I am a warrior merchant."

Ardwen chuckles.

Ardwen nods.

You ask, "Are you sure that's the correct order?"

You grin at Ardwen.

Ardwen says, "Well."

Ardwen says, "I am also the self styled Ambassador for the one percent."

Ardwen shrugs.

You ask, "What would you say you spend the majority of your time doing, to ask it another way?  Merchanting, or being a warrior?"

Ardwen says, "Chatting with friends far more then either of those."

You adopt an agreeable expression.

Ardwen says, "I socialize a lot."

You ask, "What would you say is the best thing about your profession?  If you were attempting to convince someone still on the turnip truck to lean towards your profession, what would you tell them?"

You say, "And here, we're asking about the warrior portion... not the 1 percent, or the merchanting."

You grin at Ardwen.

Ardwen says, "A well founded and established guild."

You ask, "Similarly, what would you warn that same person about, if they were intending to become part of your profession?"

Ardwen says, "Expect many bruises."

Ardwen chuckles.

You grin.

You ask, "How many trainings do you have currently, and how long have you been an adventurer in the lands?"

Ardwen says, "I have been capped for several years."

Ardwen says, "I came here from Riverwood a couple of decades ago with my family."

You ask, "You say you came from Riverwood with your family... can you tell us that story?  What prompted the move?"

Ardwen says, "Greater market access."

Ardwen chuckles.

Ardwen says, "And better loot."

You ask, "Your family were merchants, I take it?"

Ardwen says, "Indeed."

You ask, "Of what sort, if I can ask?"

Ardwen says, "Relics and antiquitiesd."

You adopt an agreeable expression.

You say, "Given your status as a merchant, it seems as if you learned those skills from an early age, then."

Ardwen says, "Indeed,  I had excellent tutors."

You ask, "What is your preferred method of hunting, and why?"

Ardwen says, "I use an axe and shield,  but I have hunted every manner possible at times."

You ask, "What makes the axe and shield preferable for you?"

Ardwen says, "I hunt where theres a fair number of archers and watching them shoot themself is amusing."

You try hard not to grin.

Ardwen says, "And I own a really nice axe."

You say, "Indeed you do.  We'll circle back to that..."

You ask, "What town do you currently call home, if any?"

Ardwen says, "Landing has been my home for two decades or so."

Ardwen says, "I've owned this place for more then a decade."

You ask, "What about Landing drew you initially?"

Ardwen asks, "It was the only option?"

Ardwen chuckles.

You adopt an agreeable expression.

You say, "Point."

You ask, "What area do you typically hunt?"

Ardwen says, "Nelemar generally."

You ask, "Why there as opposed to the other options?"

Ardwen says, "But I hunt anywhere theres things to kill when I am in the mood."

Ardwen asks, "Easiest to walk to?"

You adopt an agreeable expression.

Ardwen says, "As long as ya can swim Nelemar is simple and quick to access."

You ask, "Is there any hunting area currently accessible that you don't hunt?"

Ardwen says, "Never been to the sea of fire."

You ask, "Never got around to it, or do you avoid it for any particular reason?"

Ardwen says, "Just haven't wandered there."

You adopt an agreeable expression.

You ask, "Are you married?"

You grin at Ardwen.

Ardwen says, "I was."

You ask, "To whom, if I can ask?"

Ardwen says, "Myshel wandered off a long while ago."

Ardwen removes a miniature Myshel portrait from in his veniom alloy gauntlets.

Ardwen taps a miniature Myshel portrait, which is in his right hand.

You nod slowly.

Ardwen shows you a miniature Myshel portrait, which he is holding in his right hand.  Framed in gold, Myshel stands proudly, hazel eyes staring at something just out of sight.  One corner of her mouth is turned up, giving her a mysterious all-knowing look.  Lustrous golden blond hair has been pulled back from her face and adorned with many silver butterfly hairpins.  A stunning black satin gown provides a dramatic backdrop for the beautiful opal dove pendant which lies in the hollow of her throat.  The entire effect is of mystery and elegance.

Ardwen put a miniature Myshel portrait in his veniom alloy gauntlets.

You ask, "She looks beautiful.  She just wandered away?"

Ardwen says, "Sadly."

You say, "My sincere condolences for that."

Ardwen says, "My thanks."

You ask, "Do you belong to a Great House, or a Meeting Hall Organization?  Possibly more than one of the latter?"

Ardwen says, "I am the Co-Chair at Rone Academy."

You ask, "Who's the other Co-Chair there?"

Ardwen says, "Xanith."

You ask, "What about Rone drew you initially?"

Ardwen's dwarf empath tattoo raises a thin glass syringe to eye level and squints at the liquid within.  He raps the tip of one finger against the glass once, twice, three times.  Squinting again, he nods in satisfaction and returns it to his haversack.

Ardwen says, "When I joined the membership was all friends."

Ardwen chuckles.

Ardwen says, "But we used to teach the youth how to live here."

Ardwen says, "Before there were Mentors."

You ask, "These days not so much, I take it?"

Ardwen says, "Well a lack of new folks and less members have reduced it."

You nod understandingly.

Ardwen says, "I try to help where I can."

You ask, "What is the focus of the Academy these days, would you say?"

Ardwen says, "In theory its the same,  mostly we just chat with each other."

Ardwen chuckles.

Ardwen says, "I think Beldannon is going to teach people to fish soon."

You grin.

You say, "Nothing wrong with that."

You ask, "Are you a member of one of the societies in Elanthia?  The Order of Voln, or the Guardians of Sunfist, for example?"

You say, "Or the other, which shall not be named for a variety of reasons..."

You grin at Ardwen.

Ardwen says, "I am involved elsewhere yes."

You adopt an agreeable expression.

You say, "Moving on, then."

You cough.

Ardwen taps a sparkling emerald Andelas high priest symbol that he is wearing.

Ardwen says, "It suits me."

You agree with Ardwen.

You ask, "What would you say is your most prized possession?"

Ardwen says, "My memories."

You say, "Very nice answer."

You nod appreciatively.

Ardwen says, "Many friends come and gone and a few long passed."

You ask, "To come at it from another direction, what would you say is your most valuable possession?"

Ardwen pours himself a stein of smooth honeyed whiskey.

Ardwen takes a drink from his honeyed whiskey.

Ardwen says, "Likely my axe."

You ask, "Can you tell us about it?"

Ardwen removes a short-hafted lochaber axe from in his leather weapon harness.

Ardwen says, "Had it a long time, and had lots of things done to it."

Ardwen says, "Is as enchanted as is possible,  is quite effectively weighted to injure things."

Ardwen says, "Enchanted to harm the undead, and to cause disease to the living."

You nod appreciatively.

Ardwen put a short-hafted lochaber axe in his leather weapon harness.

You ask, "Where did it come from initially?"

Ardwen says, "I bought it from Ciston years ago."

You adopt an agreeable expression.

You say, "What would you say your most memorable moment from your time in Elanthia is?  Not an overall experience... just a singular moment that is burned into your memories."

Ardwen says, "Discussing the facets of the pillars on the Shrine of Kai late into the night with Lady Wanton and Hyoko."

You grin slowly.

You ask, "How long ago would you say that was?"

Ardwen asks, "Seventeen or eighteen years?"

You nod understandingly.

Ardwen says, "Ages."

Ardwen says, "Wanton had an amazing presence."

You say, "I never had the pleasure, unfortunately."

You ask, "What was the most enjoyable time of your life as you navigated through your trainings?"

Ardwen says, "Lots of events,  meeting many friends,  and enemies too."

Ardwen chuckles.

You grin.

Ardwen says, "Weddings, parties and a few funerals."

Ardwen says, "The way Kali lit up a room when she was there,  or how Bleeds intimindated it."

Ardwen says, "I have had the honor to know many of the old legends in my time."

You say, "What would you say was your most embarrassing moment?  And yes, we'd like details please..."

You grin wickedly.

Ardwen says, "I am rarely embarassed so hard to say."

You say, "That's an admirable trait."

Ardwen says, "The whole airship debacle was moderately embarrassing I suppose."

You furrow up your face and wince.

You ask, "Would you be willing to give a short recap of that experience for us?"

Ardwen shrugs.

Ardwen says, "I bought it,  they refused to keep me in the loop,  I demanded a refund,  they gave it away later."

You nod in agreement.

Ardwen says, "The details are fairly well known."

Ardwen says, "It was still broken years later when they did give it to Nuadjha."

Ardwen snickers.

You try hard not to grin.

You ask, "Would you be willing to give us a rough estimate of your current bank account balance?"

Ardwen says, "Ten digits."

Ardwen says, "Though only a fool trusts banks."

You nod appreciatively.

Ardwen says, "Diversify."

You ask, "And I assume you diversify by investing in resalable items of value?"

Ardwen says, "Well yes and by having silvers in other places."

Ardwen says, "Shops for instance."

You nod understandingly.

You say, "Ah, I see."

Ardwen says, "Loans work too."

Ardwen shrugs.

You adopt an agreeable expression.

Ardwen says, "But yes new toys work too."

You say, "New toys always work."

You ask, "How many items would you say you currently own that are the only one of their kind?"

Ardwen says, "Well, that's a hard one."

Ardwen asks, "Intentionally unqiue or unique because its the last of its kind?"

Ardwen says, "But hundreds easily."

You say, "For instance, it's fairly well known that you recently sold Thailor's Eye.  That would be a singular sort of item."

Ardwen asks, "Ahh true relics?"

You nod at Ardwen.

You say, "Relics, that's a much better word."

Ardwen asks, "A few dozen?"

You say, "Very impressive, indeed."

Ardwen says, "Most aren't as valuable as the eye or diamond after all."

Ardwen's dwarf empath tattoo pulls out a serrated steel bone saw and eyes its sharp edges.  With a semi-clean rag he brushes a few bits of sinew and cartilage from between the saw's jagged teeth before replacing it in his haversack.

You say, "But still, for someone who appreciates history, they're practically priceless."

You ask, "Forgive me, I must ask... can you tell us the story of your tattoo?  Where did it come from, and what does it do?"

Ardwen asks, "Which one?"

Ardwen asks, "The dwarf?"

You say, "The dwarven empath."

You nod at Ardwen.

Ardwen says, "Mostly it drinks."

Ardwen says, "Its rude too."

Ardwen says, "But it also stores herbs and heals me as needed."

Ardwen removes some ephlox moss from in his blood-soaked bag.

Ardwen drops some ephlox moss on the dwarf empath tattoo.
The dwarf carefully adds a bit of the ephlox moss to his stores, then hands the remainder back to Ardwen.

Ardwen put some ephlox moss in his blood-soaked bag.

You ask, "Does it do so of it's own volition, or on command?"

Ardwen says, "Heals by severity."

Ardwen says, "And at its own pace."

You ask, "Incredible.  Where did you acquire it, and is it unique, or are there others like it?"

Ardwen says, "There are a pair that I know of."

Ardwen says, "Riend got one as well."

You nod appreciatively.

You ask, "Where did they come from?"

Ardwen says, "And at the last auction."

You say, "Ah, I see."

Ardwen says, "I am one of the rarer folks that doesn't mind spending coins on things they can't sell."

You say, "Would you be willing to share a peek inside one of your lockers?  There'd be no need to elaborate on any of the items, just offer a peek."

Ardwen says, "Sure I have lots of lockers after all."

Ardwen snickers.

You grin at Ardwen.

Ardwen exclaims, "One hundred small statues on demand!"

You say, "Whichever you'd prefer.  I fear I'd be lynched if I didn't ask... your lockers have quite a reputation."

[Editor's Note - Ardwen indicated he'd prefer we use a partial inventory of his shop, transcribed below]
a Ta'gurr figurine
a bloodstained grey laen broadsword
a dark green ring
a green laen ring
a heather grey fitted shirt with the words Raging Thrak Inn emblazoned boldly across the chest in large blue letters
a miran quarterstaff
a roasted torkaan leg
a rularon-edged laen shield
a shaalk helm
a thin black eog wand
a well-crafted dwarven slecge
a xenium hafted shaalk bladed cabis
an ithloss greatsword
an ithloss shield
some xenium-studded armguards
a black laen three-bladed dagger
a brutally spiked laen mace
a double-edged xenium alloy warblade
a horrid black eog greataxe
a miraculously beautiful eog rose
a ruby inset golden shaalk clasp
a small Orhan shrine statue
a thick laen mini shield
a well balanced ithloss jo staff

Ardwen chuckles.

Ardwen says, "I also have large pockets as it were."

Ardwen says, "I can carry tons of junk."

Ardwen starts chortling.

You say, "You and Roblar both."

You gaze up into the heavens.

Ardwen says, "He's a rank amatuer."

You try hard not to grin.

Ardwen says, "I own somewhere north of ten thousand items."

You feel the blood drain from your face.

You ask, "Have the two of you ever dueled?"

Ardwen says, "He'd win."

You say, "That's... a lot of items."

Ardwen says, "His axe is nastier then mine."

Ardwen exclaims, "Though,  I sold him his axe!"

You say, "It is pretty vicious, though yours is no slouch."

You grin.

Ardwen says, "A lot of years ago."

You say, "He did mention that, in fact, when I interviewed him."

Ardwen says, "He's done a bit to it."

You say, "Just a bit, yes."

Ardwen says, "But I bought it off the shelf."

You ask, "What other adventurer would you say had the most significant impact on your life?"

Ardwen says, "Too many to list."

Ardwen says, "I have had many hunting partners thru the ages."

You nod understandingly.

You ask, "Do you have someone that you identify in your mind as your mentor?"

Ardwen asks, "Mentor?"

You ask, "Someone who helped you along, showed you the ropes, as it were?"

Ardwen says, "Me, Wadsworth and Hakonne were co-merchants for a long spell, that was fun, equal compition as it were."

You nod.

Ardwen says, "Ciston too but in a different manner."

You ask, "How so?  What made that one different?"

Ardwen says, "And well like I said so many old friends it'd be hard to mention them all."

Ardwen says, "I sold gear for him,  quite a lot of it very valuable back then."

You nod understandingly.

Ardwen says, "He gave me a leg up as it were."

You ask, "What would you say the largest single item sale you've made to this point is?"

Ardwen says, "Sold an elemental bow for sevenhundred and fifty million silvers or so."

You say, "Quite respectable."

You chuckle.

Ardwen says, "Several package deals were higher though."

You nod understandingly.

You ask, "And my final question for the evening:  What would you say drives you to continue on your path through Elanthia?  What is the goal that you feel you're driving towards?"

Ardwen says, "There is always another new toy around the corner that I haven't owned."

You chuckle to yourself.

Ardwen says, "That and I never did find the rock of doom."

You ask, "The rock... of doom?"

Ardwen says, "Indeed."

You ask, "What is or was that, pray tell?"

Ardwen says, "It was a boulder of sorts that one could hurl at people."

You blink.

You say, "Sounds... painful."

Ardwen says, "Seventy five pound rocks are likely to hurt."

You grimace.

You dryly say, "Indeed."

You ask, "Well, I believe that's all I had on my notes.  Was there anything you'd like to add for the record?"

You grin at Ardwen.

Unwinding part of a used bandage, Ardwen's dwarf empath tattoo spits on the blood-stained cloth.  He rubs it repeatedly with his thumb, smearing more of it than he removes.

Ardwen says, "Not that I can think of."

You adopt an agreeable expression.

You say, "Thank you once again for agreeing to do this.  I truly appreciate you taking the time to meet with me.  I'll be writing this up for the Crier, and will send you a copy to peruse before we publish."

Ardwen says, "Excellent."

Interlocking your fingers, you slowly extend your arms up over your head in a long, satisfying stretch.

You say, "Truly a gorgeous garden."

Ardwen says, "And thanks for the opporunity."

Ardwen says, "My secret vault is under the tree."

You give your eyebrow a little workout.

Large enough to be a younger sibling to the towering tree in Town Square, the oak's spreading branches bear candles in punched tin holders clustered above a simple wrought iron table and a set of wicker chairs.

Under the oak tree you see an opening.

You give a short little hum of surprise.

Ardwen says, "I have to swim in my silver somewhere."

You chortle at Ardwen.

You say, "Yes, finding locations that can manage that is probably a hardship."

You stand back up.

Ardwen says, "Quite."

Raising your arms slightly, you arch your back and gently let your head rock back in a relaxing stretch.

Ardwen says, "Feel free to steal booze whenever ya like,  the door is usually open."

You grin.

You say, "I will likely take you up on that, and thank you."

Speaking to Ardwen, you say, "Thank you once more, and have a wonderful rest of your evening."

You bow to Ardwen.

---

"...learn the lands, especially the oldest parts, the stories and histories are amazing." ~ Ambassador Ardwen Ydwenson the Officer of Rone Academy

The Out-of-Character Interview

What’s your real name? (First name only please)

Dennis

Where are you located, geographically?

New Hampshire

What do you do for a living?

Freightflow Management

How long have you played Gemstone?

22 or so years

Have you taken any breaks, or played straight through?

Not significantly so

How many different ‘main’ characters have you had over the years?

1

Who are/were your most notable characters

Ardwen

Do you have multiple accounts that you play at the same time?

I have them but don't use them in concert other then to hand off items and the like.

Do you have a Premium subscription?

Yes

What front-end do you use? (Stormfront, Wizard, Profanity, other)?

Stormfront

Why?

PC with wizard died so had to start anew and chose SF

Do you use lich?

Yep

Why or why not?

Ease of communications

What are your ‘must-have’ scripts?

I only use things like go2

Have you ever bought or sold characters or items for real money?

Yes

Do you now, or have you ever roleplayed a character that was very different from your real personality?

Yes

Why or why not?

Boring to alwys be the same dontcha know

What would you say is your most memorable Gemstone ‘moment’ (as a player) , and why?

Way too many to count, Meeting Wanton, being rescued by and befriending Kali, etc, etc

What, in your mind, is the best thing about Gemstone?

Use of your imagination

Have you ever attended Simucon, or otherwise met up with a person from Gemstone?

Yes

If so, describe the experience (PG-13, please)

Have met lots of folks thru the years, for events, parties etc

Imagine you're Wyrom for a day and can 'do' one thing. What are you changing/removing/adding/replacing, and why?

Bring back the Ice Age! I think big

What do you feel is the biggest mistake that most GS players make?

Listen to the wrong people when asking for advice, either on training, items etc etc, a lot of variations

Why?

Entirely too many know-it-alls that think they know the only path that works, or folks that are out to crew or grief people

What’s something that you feel every GS player should do at least once?

Complete all the societies, without cheats and scripts, learn the lands, especially the oldest parts, the stories and histories are amazing

Why?

Know the story and backstory adds so much to the game, makes it more then just numbers.

What advice would you offer to a new player?

Avoid the open channels of LNet, they are, as it were, a cesspit