Creating Adventure - December 2015: Difference between revisions
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== Words of Wyrom == |
== Words of Wyrom == |
||
We made it to the end of the year! It was a big year for us. We launched F2P, brought back an acclaimed release schedule, and went through massive staffing changes! We've had our ups and downs. We've talked, laughed, argued, and debated. We've grown as a community. We've continued to improve our communication between staff and the players. Overall, we've had a hell of a year. It got busy, oh man did it get so busy, but we trudged through it together and made it to the |
[[File:Wyrom.png|thumb|left|100px|<center>The Wyrom</center>]]We made it to the end of the year! It was a big year for us. We launched [[F2P]], brought back an acclaimed release schedule, and went through massive staffing changes! We've had our ups and downs. We've talked, laughed, argued, and debated. We've grown as a community. We've continued to improve our communication between staff and the players. Overall, we've had a hell of a year. It got busy, oh man did it get so busy, but we trudged through it together and made it to the finish line (for now)! We have some great projects in the works for 2016, and I'm already excited about one of them to the point I want to spill the beans! Because we're going to update how... Oh wait, can't talk about it yet! Seriously though, 2016 has a lot planned already and I hope it lives up to what we did in 2015. Between events, storylines, and releases to come, be ready for an adventure! |
||
The year has flown by, and it was a very busy year for the staff working on GemStone IV. I'd like to reflect some on the list of accomplishments (below) and take a moment to appreciate all the dedication from the GameMasters that spend their time in Elanthia. We truly have an amazing team working for the game right now. I know it may not be clear all the time, but everything we do is for you, the players. We strive to put out an excellent product that is both engaging and exciting! We truly are grateful for the time you spend with us. |
|||
Thank you all for being part of my GemStone IV family. |
Thank you all for being part of my GemStone IV family. |
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~Wyrom |
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== ROLEPLAY in 2016 == |
== ROLEPLAY in 2016 == |
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== Briarmoon Cove == |
== Briarmoon Cove == |
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At the frigid and blustery mouth of the Olbin River lies the port city of Briarmoon Cove, cozily nestled among snow-covered craggy cliffs and deep caverns. While easily reached by traders and merchants arriving from the sea, those arriving via alternate methods are met with unforgiving environmental hazards and nearly inaccessible terrain, making travel to this area largely unpleasant. Briarmoon Cove has remained a mostly secluded sanctuary for its residents because of such limited access... until now. See you in February! |
At the frigid and blustery mouth of the Olbin River lies the port city of [[Briarmoon Cove]], cozily nestled among snow-covered craggy cliffs and deep caverns. While easily reached by traders and merchants arriving from the sea, those arriving via alternate methods are met with unforgiving environmental hazards and nearly inaccessible terrain, making travel to this area largely unpleasant. Briarmoon Cove has remained a mostly secluded sanctuary for its residents because of such limited access... until now. See you in February! |
||
== The Return of Hot Summer Nights == |
== The Return of Hot Summer Nights == |
||
This summer, we brought back Hot Summer Nights (HSN) for the first time in over 10 years! The GameMasters of GemStone IV pushed really hard in 2015 to live up to the namesake of the summer spectacular. Many projects that were languishing for years finally were completed and released for everyone to enjoy! We learned a lot on what we can do with a tight release schedule, and it was an experience we'll grow from. While some projects didn't quite make it out in time, we felt HSN was a success and hope to revisit it sometime in the future! |
This summer, we brought back [[Hot Summer Nights 2015|Hot Summer Nights]] (HSN) for the first time in over 10 years! The GameMasters of GemStone IV pushed really hard in 2015 to live up to the namesake of the summer spectacular. Many projects that were languishing for years finally were completed and released for everyone to enjoy! We learned a lot on what we can do with a tight release schedule, and it was an experience we'll grow from. While some projects didn't quite make it out in time, we felt HSN was a success and hope to revisit it sometime in the future! |
||
== Year in Review == |
== Year in Review == |
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<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2"> |
<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2"> |
||
* '''Combat and Magic Updates''' |
* '''Combat and Magic Updates''' |
||
** The Elemental Confluence Hunting Ground |
** The [[Elemental Confluence]] Hunting Ground |
||
** Treasure Updates |
** [[Treasure_system_(saved_posts)#2015_Posts|Treasure Updates]] |
||
** Pet Movement Updates |
** [[Pet_spells_(saved_posts)#General_Updates_.282.2F2015.29|Pet Movement Updates]] |
||
** CMAN: Unarmed Specialist |
** CMAN: [[Unarmed Specialist]] |
||
** CMAN: Ki Focus |
** CMAN: [[Ki Focus]] |
||
** CMAN Immunities Update |
** [[Combat_maneuvers_(saved_posts)#CMAN_Creature_Immunity_Adjustments|CMAN Immunities Update]] |
||
** Presence (402) |
** [[Presence (402)]] |
||
** Lock Pick Enhancement (403) |
** [[Lock Pick Enhancement (403)]] |
||
** Disarm Enhancement (404) |
** [[Disarm Enhancement (404)]] |
||
** Elemental Detection (405) |
** [[Elemental Detection (405)]] |
||
** Unlock (407) |
** [[Unlock (407)]] |
||
** Disarm (408) |
** [[Disarm (408)]] |
||
** Elemental Wave (410 & 435) |
** Elemental Wave ([[410]] & [[435]]) |
||
** Weapon Deflection (412) |
** [[Weapon Deflection (412)]] |
||
** Elemental Saturation (413) |
** [[Elemental Saturation (413)]] |
||
** Elemental Defense III (414) |
** [[Elemental Defense III (414)]] |
||
** Elemental Strike (415) |
** [[Elemental Strike (415)]] |
||
** Piercing Gaze (416) |
** [[Piercing Gaze (416)]] |
||
** Elemental Dispel (417) |
** [[Elemental Dispel (417)]] |
||
** Mana Focus (418) |
** [[Mana Focus (418)]] |
||
** Elemental Targeting (425) |
** [[Elemental Targeting (425)]] |
||
** Elemental Barrier (430) |
** [[Elemental Barrier (430)]] |
||
** Sleep (501) |
** [[Sleep (501)]] |
||
** Chromatic Circle (502) |
** [[Chromatic Circle (502)]] |
||
** |
** [[Thurfel's Ward (503)]] |
||
** Slow (504) |
** [[Slow (504)]] |
||
** Elemental Deflection (507) |
** [[Elemental Deflection (507)]] |
||
** Elemental Bias (508) |
** [[Elemental Bias (508)]] |
||
** Ice Patch (512) |
** [[Ice Patch (512)]] |
||
** Elemental Focus (513) |
** [[Elemental Focus (513)]] |
||
** Mana Leech (516) |
** [[Mana Leech (516)]] |
||
** Charge Item (517) |
** [[Charge Item (517)]] |
||
** Cone of Elements (518) |
** [[Cone of Elements (518)]] |
||
** Stone Skin (520) |
** [[Stone Skin (520)]] |
||
** Mana Disruption (702) |
** [[Mana Disruption (702)]] |
||
** Corrupt Essence (703) |
** [[Corrupt Essence (703)]] |
||
** Disintegrate (705) |
** [[Disintegrate (705)]] |
||
** |
** [[Mind Jolt (706)]] |
||
** Eye Spy (707) |
** [[Eye Spy (707)]] |
||
** Grasp of the Grave (709) |
** [[Grasp of the Grave (709)]] |
||
** Energy Maelstrom (710) |
** [[Energy Maelstrom (710)]] |
||
** Pain (711) |
** [[Pain (711)]] |
||
** Scroll Infusion (714) |
** [[Scroll Infusion (714)]] |
||
** Pestilence (716) |
** [[Pestilence (716)]] |
||
** Minor Summoning (725) |
** [[Minor Summoning (725)]] |
||
** Animate Dead (730) |
** [[Animate Dead (730)]] |
||
** Planar Shift (740) |
** [[Planar Shift (740)]] |
||
** Minor Shock (901) |
** [[Minor Shock (901)]] |
||
** Minor Water (903) |
** [[Minor Water (903)]] |
||
** Minor Acid (904) |
** [[Minor Acid (904)]] |
||
** Prismatic Guard (905) |
** [[Prismatic Guard (905)]] |
||
** Minor Fire (906) |
** [[Minor Fire (906)]] |
||
** Tremors (909) |
** [[Tremors (909)]] |
||
** Major Shock (910) |
** [[Major Shock (910)]] |
||
** Mass Blur (911) |
** [[Mass Blur (911)]] |
||
** Sandstorm (914) |
** [[Sandstorm (914)]] |
||
** Invisibility (916) |
** [[Invisibility (916)]] |
||
** Call Familiar (920) |
** [[Call Familiar (920)]] |
||
** Arcane Blast (1700) |
** [[Arcane Blast (1700)]] |
||
** Martial Prowess (1705) |
** [[Martial Prowess (1705)]] |
||
** Quake (1714) |
** [[Quake (1714)]] |
||
** Damage Factor Updates on (Magical) |
** Damage Factor Updates on (Magical) [[Bolt]]s |
||
** Divine Vengeance Ability |
** [[Divine Vengeance]] Ability |
||
** Updated Death Messaging |
** Updated [[death messaging|Death Messaging]] |
||
** Unarmed Combat Updates |
** [[Unarmed combat system|Unarmed Combat]] Updates |
||
** Monk Meditation |
** [[MEDITATE_(verb)#Damage_Resistance|Monk Meditation]] |
||
** SACRIFICE Updates |
** [[sacrifice|SACRIFICE]] Updates |
||
** STAMINA Abilities |
** [[Stamina#STAMINA_.28verb.29|STAMINA]] Abilities |
||
** Mana Spellup Updates |
** [[mana spellup|Mana Spellup]] Updates |
||
** MSTRIKE Updates |
** [[MSTRIKE_(verb)#Unarmed_Combat|MSTRIKE]] Updates |
||
** INCANT Updates |
** [[INCANT]] Updates |
||
** TWC Weapons Updates |
** [[TWC]] Weapons Updates |
||
| Line 116: | Line 123: | ||
* '''General Development''' |
* '''General Development''' |
||
** Login Rewards |
** [[Login Rewards]] |
||
** Gift of Lumnis Updates |
** [[Gift of Lumnis]] Updates |
||
** Spirit |
** [[Spirit Beast]]s 2.0 and 2.1 |
||
** Elanthian Map Updates |
** [[Elanith|Elanthian Map]] Updates |
||
** Prep Phrases Expansion |
** [[PREPARE_(verb)#Custom_Spell_Prep|Prep Phrases]] Expansion |
||
** Thanatoph Ledge Updates |
** Thanatoph Ledge Updates |
||
** New Weapon Nouns |
** [[List of alternative weapon names|New Weapon Nouns]] |
||
** New Armor Nouns |
** [[List of alternative armor names|New Armor Nouns]] |
||
** Half-Krolvin Weapon and Armor Nouns |
** [[List of half-krolvin weapon and armor names|Half-Krolvin Weapon and Armor Nouns]] |
||
** Artwork: Lorminstra |
** Artwork: [[Lorminstra]] |
||
** Artwork: Imaera |
** Artwork: [[Imaera]] |
||
** Artwork: Jastev |
** Artwork: [[Jastev]] |
||
** Artwork: Koar |
** Artwork: [[Koar]] |
||
** Artwork: Lumnis |
** Artwork: [[Lumnis]] |
||
** Artwork: Oleani |
** Artwork: [[Oleani]] |
||
** Artwork: Kai |
** Artwork: [[Kai]] |
||
** Artwork: Charl |
** Artwork: [[Charl]] |
||
** Artwork: Ronan |
** Artwork: [[Ronan]] |
||
** Artwork: Phoen |
** Artwork: [[Phoen]] |
||
* '''Verb Additions and Improvements''' |
* '''Verb Additions and Improvements''' |
||
** Adventure Guild Badges Concealer Update |
** [[Adventurer%27s_Guild_Badge#Concealing_the_Badge|Adventure Guild Badges Concealer Update]] |
||
** SIMUCOIN DURATIONS Verb |
** [[SIMUCOIN (verb)|SIMUCOIN DURATIONS]] Verb |
||
** Sorted View |
** [[Sorted view|Sorted View]] |
||
** SEND |
** [[SEND]] |
||
** SORT ALPHABETIC |
** [[SORT]] ALPHABETIC |
||
** STRIDE |
** [[STRIDE]] |
||
** CHORTLE |
** [[CHORTLE]] |
||
** LAUGH |
** [[LAUGH]] |
||
** TONE |
** [[SAY_(verb)#Tones|TONE]] |
||
** [[SAY_(verb)#Speech_Verbiage_List|SPEECH]] |
|||
** SPEECH |
|||
** STOP |
** [[STOP]] |
||
** GRIN |
** [[GRIN]] |
||
** APPLAUD |
** [[APPLAUD]] |
||
** BUNDLE |
** [[BUNDLE]] |
||
** BEG |
** [[BEG]] |
||
** WHIMPER |
** [[WHIMPER]] |
||
** SNAP |
** [[SNAP]] |
||
** BEAM |
** [[BEAM]] |
||
** BANK |
** [[BANK]] |
||
** EVOKE |
** [[EVOKE]] |
||
** DAYDREAM |
** [[DAYDREAM]] |
||
* '''Documentation''' |
* '''Documentation''' |
||
** Customs of the Elves of House Vaalor |
** [[Customs of the Elves of House Vaalor]] |
||
** The Story of the Volnath Dai |
** [[The Story of the Volnath Dai]] |
||
** |
** [[Sylvankind Gemology Guide]] |
||
** Prestige and Prejudice in the Empire |
** [[Prestige and Prejudice in the Empire - On Imperial Rank and Titles|Prestige and Prejudice in the Empire]] |
||
** The Colonies of the Half-Krolvin |
** [[The Colonies of the Half-Krolvin]] |
||
** Orders of the Turamzzyrian Empire |
** [[Orders of the Turamzzyrian Empire]] |
||
** [[The Theory of Governance and Social Order]] |
|||
** |
** [[Wehnimer's Landing: Frontier Politics]] |
||
** Sins in Shadow |
|||
** |
** [[Sins in Shadow]] |
||
** [[Origin of Mularos]] |
|||
** Teras Asylum |
** [[Teras Asylum]] |
||
** Burghal |
** [[Burghal Gnome Enclave]] |
||
| ⚫ | |||
** New Material: |
** New Material: [[Aqilorn]] |
||
** New Material: |
** New Material: [[Plumille]] |
||
** New Material: |
** New Material: [[Iron Boar Hide]] |
||
** New Material: |
** New Material: [[Zydris]] |
||
** New Material: |
** New Material: [[Klysmar]] |
||
** New Material: |
** New Material: [[Ur-barath]] |
||
** New Material: |
** New Material: [[Balenite]] |
||
| ⚫ | |||
* '''Events and Quests''' |
* '''Events and Quests''' |
||
** Albatross |
** [[The Albatross]] |
||
** |
** [[Sylinar's Spire]] |
||
** Summit Expression Faire |
** [[Summit Expression Faire]] |
||
** Duskruin Arena |
** [[Duskruin Arena]] |
||
** Festival of the Fallen |
** [[Festival of the Fallen]] |
||
** Return of |
** Return of [[A Midsummer Night's Festival]] |
||
** Ebon Gate |
** [[Ebon Gate 2015|Ebon Gate]] |
||
* ''' |
* '''[[SimuCoin]]s Items''' |
||
** Enhancive Pauses |
** [[Enhancive_item#Enhancive_Pauses|Enhancive Pauses]] |
||
** Private Properties |
** [[private property|Private Properties]] |
||
** Spellup Pills |
** Spellup Pills |
||
** Lumnis Schedule |
** [[LUMNIS (verb)|Lumnis Schedule]] |
||
** Login Bridges |
** [[Login bridge|Login Bridges]] |
||
* '''Community Improvements''' |
* '''Community Improvements''' |
||
** Free-to-Play (F2P) |
** Free-to-Play (F2P) |
||
** The GemStone IV Wiki |
** The GemStone IV Wiki |
||
** REAL Gems Added |
** [[Real gem|REAL Gems]] Added |
||
** Hot Summer Nights Returned |
** Hot Summer Nights Returned |
||
** SimuCon |
** [[SimuCon]] |
||
** Server Upgrades |
** Server Upgrades |
||
</div> |
</div> |
||
{{Staffprofile |
|||
| name = GameMaster Haliste |
|||
| image = [[File:Haliste.jpg|200px]] |
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| caption = "I'll take a Venti" |
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| rank = ASGM |
|||
| team = World Development |
|||
| guru = Mentors and Forest Gnomes |
|||
}} |
|||
==Spotlight on Staff== |
==Spotlight on Staff== |
||
'''GameMaster Haliste''' |
'''GameMaster Haliste''' |
||
'''''Assistant Senior GameMaster on World Development |
'''''Assistant Senior GameMaster on World Development''''' |
||
I've been playing Gemstone since the late 90s - my first character was created on November 12, 1997. (Yes, I started in the days of exorbitant credit card bills thanks to the hourly game fee...) It had always been a dream of mine to become a GM, and after some encouragement from GM Kenstrom, I applied and was hired as a GameMaster in March 2013. Soon thereafter, I took over MHOs and then Mentors, shortly after that. I also wanted to give some love to the forest gnomes, so I took up residence with them in August 2014. Currently, I am ASGM on the World Development Team, working directly with GM Galene and loving every minute of it. |
I've been playing Gemstone since the late 90s - my first character was created on November 12, 1997. (Yes, I started in the days of exorbitant credit card bills thanks to the hourly game fee...) It had always been a dream of mine to become a GM, and after some encouragement from GM Kenstrom, I applied and was hired as a GameMaster in March 2013. Soon thereafter, I took over MHOs and then Mentors, shortly after that. I also wanted to give some love to the forest gnomes, so I took up residence with them in August 2014. Currently, I am ASGM on the World Development Team, working directly with GM Galene and loving every minute of it. |
||
Latest revision as of 16:53, 14 September 2016
Words of Wyrom
We made it to the end of the year! It was a big year for us. We launched F2P, brought back an acclaimed release schedule, and went through massive staffing changes! We've had our ups and downs. We've talked, laughed, argued, and debated. We've grown as a community. We've continued to improve our communication between staff and the players. Overall, we've had a hell of a year. It got busy, oh man did it get so busy, but we trudged through it together and made it to the finish line (for now)! We have some great projects in the works for 2016, and I'm already excited about one of them to the point I want to spill the beans! Because we're going to update how... Oh wait, can't talk about it yet! Seriously though, 2016 has a lot planned already and I hope it lives up to what we did in 2015. Between events, storylines, and releases to come, be ready for an adventure!
The year has flown by, and it was a very busy year for the staff working on GemStone IV. I'd like to reflect some on the list of accomplishments (below) and take a moment to appreciate all the dedication from the GameMasters that spend their time in Elanthia. We truly have an amazing team working for the game right now. I know it may not be clear all the time, but everything we do is for you, the players. We strive to put out an excellent product that is both engaging and exciting! We truly are grateful for the time you spend with us.
Thank you all for being part of my GemStone IV family.
~Wyrom
ROLEPLAY in 2016
Coming in Q1 of 2016, we'll be releasing updates on how roleplaying awards work. The exacts will be talked about as we get closer to the release date, but the way you receive and activate RPAs will be getting a major face lift! Players will have more control over how RPAs are used and when to use them!
Briarmoon Cove
At the frigid and blustery mouth of the Olbin River lies the port city of Briarmoon Cove, cozily nestled among snow-covered craggy cliffs and deep caverns. While easily reached by traders and merchants arriving from the sea, those arriving via alternate methods are met with unforgiving environmental hazards and nearly inaccessible terrain, making travel to this area largely unpleasant. Briarmoon Cove has remained a mostly secluded sanctuary for its residents because of such limited access... until now. See you in February!
The Return of Hot Summer Nights
This summer, we brought back Hot Summer Nights (HSN) for the first time in over 10 years! The GameMasters of GemStone IV pushed really hard in 2015 to live up to the namesake of the summer spectacular. Many projects that were languishing for years finally were completed and released for everyone to enjoy! We learned a lot on what we can do with a tight release schedule, and it was an experience we'll grow from. While some projects didn't quite make it out in time, we felt HSN was a success and hope to revisit it sometime in the future!
Year in Review
Last year, we mentioned a lot of ongoing support to specific areas, storylines, and generalized updates for areas like bugs and item tweaks. We'll skip all that and stick strictly to the updates this time. Not to disregard the blood, sweat, and tears that goes into all of that ongoing work, we just want to keep a focus this year. It's an impressive list!
- Combat and Magic Updates
- The Elemental Confluence Hunting Ground
- Treasure Updates
- Pet Movement Updates
- CMAN: Unarmed Specialist
- CMAN: Ki Focus
- CMAN Immunities Update
- Presence (402)
- Lock Pick Enhancement (403)
- Disarm Enhancement (404)
- Elemental Detection (405)
- Unlock (407)
- Disarm (408)
- Elemental Wave (410 & 435)
- Weapon Deflection (412)
- Elemental Saturation (413)
- Elemental Defense III (414)
- Elemental Strike (415)
- Piercing Gaze (416)
- Elemental Dispel (417)
- Mana Focus (418)
- Elemental Targeting (425)
- Elemental Barrier (430)
- Sleep (501)
- Chromatic Circle (502)
- Thurfel's Ward (503)
- Slow (504)
- Elemental Deflection (507)
- Elemental Bias (508)
- Ice Patch (512)
- Elemental Focus (513)
- Mana Leech (516)
- Charge Item (517)
- Cone of Elements (518)
- Stone Skin (520)
- Mana Disruption (702)
- Corrupt Essence (703)
- Disintegrate (705)
- Mind Jolt (706)
- Eye Spy (707)
- Grasp of the Grave (709)
- Energy Maelstrom (710)
- Pain (711)
- Scroll Infusion (714)
- Pestilence (716)
- Minor Summoning (725)
- Animate Dead (730)
- Planar Shift (740)
- Minor Shock (901)
- Minor Water (903)
- Minor Acid (904)
- Prismatic Guard (905)
- Minor Fire (906)
- Tremors (909)
- Major Shock (910)
- Mass Blur (911)
- Sandstorm (914)
- Invisibility (916)
- Call Familiar (920)
- Arcane Blast (1700)
- Martial Prowess (1705)
- Quake (1714)
- Damage Factor Updates on (Magical) Bolts
- Divine Vengeance Ability
- Updated Death Messaging
- Unarmed Combat Updates
- Monk Meditation
- SACRIFICE Updates
- STAMINA Abilities
- Mana Spellup Updates
- MSTRIKE Updates
- INCANT Updates
- TWC Weapons Updates
- General Development
- Login Rewards
- Gift of Lumnis Updates
- Spirit Beasts 2.0 and 2.1
- Elanthian Map Updates
- Prep Phrases Expansion
- Thanatoph Ledge Updates
- New Weapon Nouns
- New Armor Nouns
- Half-Krolvin Weapon and Armor Nouns
- Artwork: Lorminstra
- Artwork: Imaera
- Artwork: Jastev
- Artwork: Koar
- Artwork: Lumnis
- Artwork: Oleani
- Artwork: Kai
- Artwork: Charl
- Artwork: Ronan
- Artwork: Phoen
- Verb Additions and Improvements
- Documentation
- Customs of the Elves of House Vaalor
- The Story of the Volnath Dai
- Sylvankind Gemology Guide
- Prestige and Prejudice in the Empire
- The Colonies of the Half-Krolvin
- Orders of the Turamzzyrian Empire
- The Theory of Governance and Social Order
- Wehnimer's Landing: Frontier Politics
- Sins in Shadow
- Origin of Mularos
- Teras Asylum
- Burghal Gnome Enclave
- New Material: Aqilorn
- New Material: Plumille
- New Material: Iron Boar Hide
- New Material: Zydris
- New Material: Klysmar
- New Material: Ur-barath
- New Material: Balenite
- New Material: Wrotwood
- Events and Quests
- SimuCoins Items
- Enhancive Pauses
- Private Properties
- Spellup Pills
- Lumnis Schedule
- Login Bridges
- Community Improvements
| ||||||||||||
Spotlight on Staff
GameMaster Haliste
Assistant Senior GameMaster on World Development
I've been playing Gemstone since the late 90s - my first character was created on November 12, 1997. (Yes, I started in the days of exorbitant credit card bills thanks to the hourly game fee...) It had always been a dream of mine to become a GM, and after some encouragement from GM Kenstrom, I applied and was hired as a GameMaster in March 2013. Soon thereafter, I took over MHOs and then Mentors, shortly after that. I also wanted to give some love to the forest gnomes, so I took up residence with them in August 2014. Currently, I am ASGM on the World Development Team, working directly with GM Galene and loving every minute of it.
Where were you born?
Birmingham, Alabama
Where do you currently live?
In the beautiful mountains of North Carolina
Do you have any pets/kids/both?
Both! I have three children, ages 27, 21 and 20, (and two grandchildren, 6 and 4) and one crazy silly Beagle named Zoi.
What is your current occupation?
I am the manager of ticketing and box office for a summer music festival here in North Carolina. I've been with my current job for 21 years and love every minute of it. On the side of the side, I do a small bit of web development, though that has not been as front-sided since I've been GMing. Who has the time, right?
What did you want to be while you were growing up?
When I was very young, I wanted to be an archaeologist. When I got a little older, I wanted to be a lawyer. Now, I just want to be happy - and maybe win the lottery.
Favorite TV shows?
Any kind of survivor/wilderness show - except for Survivor.
Favorite actors/actresses?
Anyone in Game of Thrones - and Meryl Streep
Favorite musicians/bands?
I don't enjoy the bands of today as much as the ones when I was growing up - I still have great respect for musicians/bands like the Police, Elton John, Kate Bush, and Earth, Wind, and Fire. Music has been a part of my life for a very long time, and I listen to all kinds of music.
Favorite books/authors?
Interestingly enough, I'm not a huge reader of books, but I never refused the opportunity to read Stephen King or Dean Koontz.
Where did you go to school and/or what did you study?
I started at a community college in Rockville, Maryland - but I hated it and dropped out after about a year. It's my biggest regret. Maybe someday...
Favorite/least favorite job you've ever had?
I worked for an accounting firm when I first moved to North Carolina. I worked for one for 6 years before moving from Maryland and decided that would be the best way to adjust to the new home. It was the most miserable work experience I've ever had! I think I worked there only a couple months. My favorite job is my current job - it's incredibly diverse, and my employers are wonderful. I hope I never have to work anywhere else.
Favorite hobbies?
Gaming has been one of my most enjoyed hobbies over the years, and I've played a lot of them. I adore photography and take lots of pictures for my friends and family. I also love to gamble...slot machines with lots of lights, pretty pictures, and cool bonus rounds are my favorite!
Favorite foods?
Mexican food. Is there anything else?
Favorite board games or computer games?
I enjoy most board games that I can play with the family, like Pictionary. An oldie but goodie! My children are old enough now that I might be able to play CAH with them. I might have to have wine first, though.
Favorite sports/sports teams?
What's that?
What would you do with a million dollars?
Invest half of it, and travel with my family with the other half. I've always wanted to see other parts of the world but have never had the opportunity to do so.
What three people past or present would you invite to dinner?
Oh goodness. I would invite my father, who is a master conversationalist, Marilyn Monroe, and Bill Gates.
What is your favorite quote?
"You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes." --Winnie-the-Pooh
Name something you'd like to do before you die.
Visit the labyrinths on Crete, and see the pyramids in Egypt.
What's your favorite acronym?
UJF. 'Nuff said.
Who is your hero or heroine?
My grandmother - a most graceful and wonderful woman who was full of life and energy. I miss her daily.
If you could have any musical group or artist, past or present, play at your birthday party, who would it be?
Tori Amos
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
To fly. I often have dreams that I can, and the idea of soaring over the ground and moving from one point to the next without walking or riding in a vehicle is just extremely cool to me. I'm slightly afraid of heights and I don't like flying, oddly enough.
If you were lost in the wilderness, what one item would you want to have with you?
A genie lantern with three wishes. :)