Videric: Welcome to the Tales of a Traveller interview, Fenris.
Fenris: Thank you, I've been looking forward to it. *smiles*
Videric: Alright, let us start with the first question then.
When did you start role-playing, what games have you played prior or besides to Ultima Online?
Fenris: I started with aD&D almost 11 years ago. That game took the most space on
the shelves, so I thought I'd start with that. I mostly played in the Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms settings.
Videric: You started with Ad&D straigt, no D&D first?
Fenris: The only D&D there was left on that shelve, was second-hand material.
I'm not old enough *smiles*
After aD&D I played Call of Cthulu, OdM and DL 5th Age. And now I'm into Vampire; Both the Masquerade and the Dark Ages.
I've hardly been a player in any of these games. I was usually the DM or GM or ST.
Videric: Well you are a busy role-player, any LARP as well?
Fenris: No LARP for me so far. I have witnessed others do it though and it
looks like fun.
Videric: Back to Ultima then, how long have you played UO and what got you hooked up?
Fenris: I've played UO for 2.5 years I think. It was the first online game I ever
played and I didn't roleplay back then either. But I did visit taverns and events.
I let everything happen to me *grins*
I felt very differently about the game back then. It was a game to me, just like any other computer game. I can't
remember what kept me playing during that time, but it must have been the fact that there was much to see in UO.
Videric: About Taverns then. You are currently running one of the most successful
and known tavern on whole Europa -shard. Could you tell me how it all got started?
Fenris: I certainly could *grins*
One of the things I had seen in UO before was a player run tavern. I always tried to be involved in quests and
that tavern was where we all talked about the quests afterwards. I liked that.
Videric: What shard did you adventure before Europa to see them in function?
Fenris: I was on Atlantic before. And the tavern is the SCT.
The Serpent's Cross Tavern.
Videric: My ex-shard as well it is a familiar place. Periwyrn Stormcrow was the keeper.
Fenris: Aye, I still remember him *smiles*
Fenris: When I came to Europa I wanted a place to go talk to people after a quest.
Or after a dungeon trip. And why shouldn't I be the one serving the drinks?
So I spent a lot of time in the Ice Dungeon, gathering gold to buy the building. And finally I build it *smiles*
Videric: How did you end up in Spiritwood?
Fenris: Of course a tavern wasn't enough *grins* I wanted a whole town. But that's
kinda hard to do by yourself.
Videric: Indeed, did you know the Spiritwood builders then?
Fenris: Pad and myself were the builders (that are still around). The CF tower
was build first. Then my tavern.
Videric: And it was a tavern from beginning then?
Fenris: Aye it was. An empty one though *smiles*
Videric: So how did the Tavern get started, any initial troubles?
Fenris: The first troubles involved lack of patrons *smiles* I didn't do weekly
events back then. But there were a few festivals that attracted attention.
In the first few months we didn't have alot of horsekillers yet. No PKs or no people that tried to ruins events.
We were lucky *smiles*
A little while ago horsekillers and PKs did start showing up though. But in general everything went smoothly *grins*
Videric: So when would you say your tavern really hit it, when did oyu start to have
reqular visitors in numbers?
Fenris: I started having weekly events, and people stuck around afterwards.
I saw familiar faces at the Meet Markets. This was almost a year ago I think. Suddenly people just started coming
when there were no events as well.
Videric: How did you get the ideas for the events, and do you all the arranging alone?
Fenris: I was asking around from behind the bar if people had ideas. One idea
was a bachelor's auction. I played a little with it and now that's the Meet Market. It was a success from the start
*smiles*
The Lottery started as a Raffle. But giving away a full set of armour to a mage wasn't really good *grins* So I
decided to give the winner gold instead. So he or she could buy whatever he or she wanted *smiles*
I still organise and run both events alone.
Videric: Must be a lot of work
Fenris: Once the advertising is done, it's just waiting for the day to come *grins*
On the actual day of the event it's harder though since you have to concentrate on those bids. I would like to use
this opportunity to ask everyone to turn UNICODE off! *chuckles*
The Lottery I find harder even though it is a lot shorter. Everyone always wants their ticket the last minute,
so usually my wrists hurt afterwards from writing everything down. *smiles*
Videric: So what advice would you give all those starting barkeepers to make a
successful tavern, or is it a secret? *grins*
Fenris: The secret ingredient is work *smiles*
Try to be behind the bar every hour of every day. The easiest is having regular opening hours. Also when a person
enters your tavern and it is empty, that person will leave.
After an hour there might have been 20 patrons, but they all left. If there is someone behind the bar when that
first person comes in, he might stay. And after an hour, you'll still have 20 people in your tavern.
So make sure people know you exist and then be prepared to entertain them at any time of any day. *smiles*
Videric: So what are the opening hours of your tavern currently?
Fenris: I didn't have the luxury of having bartenders back then *grins*
And I still do not have regular opening hours, although you can find me there almost daily after 22.00 CET.
I am working on a schedule, but the other bartenders are almost all on vacation now so it will have to wait
untill they get back.
Videric: So was this a hint, if your interested of being bartender there
is a place open? And what is the best way to apply?
Fenris: There are still places open. I am always looking for bartenders.
I will want your ICQ number and I need to know the person.
So the best way to apply is ask me in the game AND mail or ICQ me. My email address is
spiritwoodtavern@crosswinds.net. The first ten writers
might get a free job at the tavern! *grins*
Videric: A lot taverns wish to be blessed, If your tavern would
get a change to be blessed what would you wish?
Fenris: A stablemaster without a doubt. And perhaps NPC vendors if
that's possible, so I wouldn't have to spend a lot of time restocking Molly with ale and food. And free ale
isn't cheap if you know what I mean *smiles*
Videric: Your bed room is covered by horse dung, eh?
Fenris: Oh, when you email me, please mention if it's for the position as
stableboy or bartender. *grins
Videric: I think the interview is starting to be at it's end... but one
final question. What is your most remarkable or memorable moment(s) in Ultima Online?
Fenris: I enjoyed the FoA quest on Atlantic. Every night we went guarding
chests with about 100 people. Of course nothing happened there, but I liked being part of a big group of people *smiles*
I like most things, which involve a lot of people. And when I'm the one bringing them together, it's even
more wonderful *smiles*
Videric: Well I am all out of questions, unless you have something to add I
think we are done.
Fenris: I love it when a player builds something. So I'd like to ask everyone
out there not to give up if your new Moonglow Council or your new Tavern or whatever is not doing well. Keep at
it and you'll see UO isn't just a game *smiles*
Videric: I would like to than you for coming to the interview, it was great
to have you here.
Fenris: It was a pleasure being here *smiles*
Interviews
