Portraits : an Intimate Look at liquid Evil

[Finduilas Ancalimon]

Portraits: an Intimate Look at Liquid Evil
**** Liquid Evil Home page : realmoftherings.f2o.org/ ****

Hail to all my fellow community members. This is Finduilas Ancalimom aka Fernelf of the SHoA. I have been reading about this week’s Kinship for quite some time. I was presented with a nice surprise once I began my interview. Two of Liquid Evil’s High Councilors were kind enough to participate. I have been fortunate in that both Hiriadur and Rainmoon gave me a glimpse inside their Fine Kinship. So without further delay,I bring you…..Portraits: An Intimate look at Liquid Evil.

~~ My first set of questions were presented to Hiriadur~~


1) I am honored to have you share your time with me. Before we get started could you please tell the community about the name Hiriadur?


The name Híriádûr is just a name I came up with. I'll likely be playing an Evil elf (yes, you heard me) and picked a bastardized Sindarin translation that means roughly "Lord of the Dark Abyss" (Hîr-lord, iâ-abyss, and dûr-dark) to be my character's name.


2) Take a moment and explain your position with Liquid Evil. While you are at it..could you introduce some of the other members and explain their position within the Kinship?


I am one of the five members of the Dark Council that serve as guides for the rest of the guild. As for introductions, I will name the rest of the Council and a few of the higher ranking members: The other four Councilors are Rainmoon, Blackmoon, Amon Ereb, and Kemyel. The other members of particular note would be Gilthanor, Grishnagh, Kierrkian, CaptainofDespair, Larik, and Ulaire Attea.


3) The name itself.."Liquid Evil"..has a story behind it and is symbolic...can you share that with our viewers?


Some of us were members of the Neverwinter Nights community for the past couple of years. Only two of us, myself and Drathir, were actually members of the old Liquid, but Rainmoon was around in the community for a long time and got permission to start up a Liquid Evil MEO chapter. While alot of the symbols, the name, and the structure remains the same, it's basically a different guild, but the spirit lives on now that the NWN LE has been disbanded.

The name of the guild, when it was created, was meant to symbolize all the blood that the founder (Dranis who has been gone a long time) had spilled in his youth before he realized the things that led him to create our guild. Realistically though, the name has come to symbolize how we choose to operate in-game...we're not a visible force, we fluidly move, hide, and strike when the moment is in our favor. It was realized early on that selfish, all-consuming evil will never bring power...only an organized guild that was loyal to it's members and it's ideals would bring the desired results. We are as fiercely loyal to each other as any good kinship could hope to be....the backstabbing, betrayal, and double-dealing that many come to associate with any evil organization has no home in our ranks. Our thirst for power and vengeance binds us together in the quest to forever destroy the pitiful light of "good" and crush Middle-Earth under the boots of the Black Hordes of Mordor.

[Finduilas Ancalimon]

4) It would seem as if many of your members have prior experience with online role-play games. How will this be an advantage to your Kinship and also what may be some disadvantages?

The advantages would be numerous. Many of our members are experienced gamers and that should make us powerful in the character level sense. This will save us lots of time getting familiar with the RPG genre since we are already well acquainted with it. It also allows us to show a bit of intellect on the forums so that people don't underestimate our abilities.
The disadvantage is that many of our players, having been playing online, have developed their own style and are not as adaptable as someone who is just beginning.

5) You have touched upon something in one of your prior answers I would like to delve further into if I may. From the moment I met members of Liquid Evil I could tell that your Kinship was very well organized. Throughout your history here on MEO, you have had to deal with ridicule and insults from various persons. Some even think that an evil character or an evil Kinship equals an unintelligent character or group. Please take a moment and explain how Liquid Evil has with patience enlightened the community.

It does seem so at times. People have a tendency to assume that we are just a bunch of mindless orcs that are bent on simple pillage and plunder. Though we are not adverse to pillaging and plundering, we have a well formulated set of goals and rules. We do not act like mindless drones and encourage members to flex a little mental muscle whenever the opportunity presents itself.

6) In that same vein...I have on many occasions stated that one can be evil and also honorable. Do you agree with this statement and if so tell our viewers what they can expect from LE and its members regarding honor.

Yes, it is quite so and also is one of our major policies. You can expect us to accept honor and return it in kind. We do not enjoy having to stoop to the level of likes of MEO members such as Nazgul, but it is a necessary evil. We will show honor as any other guild would, regardless of alignment. You reap what you sow.

7)So far, I can tell your members must be honorable, intelligent and evil...with those three requirements...I do not think you will have to worry about any "mindless orcs". Tell the viewers what other skills, talents, etc the high council looks for when reviewing a potential candidate for membership?

Normally, there are a few main points we look for. Those are: activity in both forums and IRC, intelligence, and the ability to be respectable. Aside from that, getting to know the other members helps a great deal. We have recently begun a policy whereby the members of the guild have a large part to play in the deciding of who passes the trial phase.

8) I have been visiting the homesite of Liquid Evil for some time now. If you can take a moment and explain the application process for those that may be interested in joining.

The first step on the process is simple reading the forums and getting to know the guild and whether or not it is the right one for you. Once you have come to that conclusion, you fill out an application form and await your response. If your answers and reasoning are agreeable to the Council, you will be taken into the trial phase. At that point, your movements and activity are monitored. Once a certain time passes (between three and ten days normally) the guild as a whole will decide if you have earned promotion to a full member.

9) If one becomes a member of Liquid Evil...what is a big NO NO for a member? How do you deal with infractions and such? Is there a system in place and is there any infraction that would cause immediate dismissal?

Currently, the punishments are dealt with by the Council. We have tossed around the idea of having member trials, but it still may not be implemented.

Punishments can range from a verbal warning for minor infractions to suspension of member privileges for moderate issues all the way up to removal from the guild if the situation warrants it.

As for infractions that would cause immediate dismissal, there really aren't any. Every issue is decided on a case by case basis so as to better take into account all the details of the circumstances.

10)Could you take a moment and explain whom in LE is responsible for specific positions within the Kinship. For example..is there a certain individual that is responsible for recruitment, one for Security, etc?

The "jobs" as you have described aren't something doled out to one or two persons. The idea behind our guild is one of equality and responsibility. All members are equal and have an equal say in what goes on. The only members that aren't entirely equal are the Council who act as guides for the guild as a whole. There are positions that are given the responsibility of dictating directives to the lower-ranking members, but those positions have yet to be filled. Such "ranks" deal mostly with the two different Branches (combat and crafting) and are concerned solely with the topics affecting that branch.

[Finduilas Ancalimon]

~~The next part of the interview are questions presented to Rainmoon~~


12) I want to thank you for taking time out of Real life to answer some questions. I have been talking to Hiriadur and would like to ask you about yourself. Could you tell me the history behind the name Rainmoon?

Well, I'm prone to create character names that are easy to ridicule, however the name Rainmoon dates back to 1999 during my time on Vampire: The Masquerade Redemption. When I came to MEO, I simply decided to go with a name that I had answered to in the past.


13) Take a moment and explain your position within Liquid Evil.

My position in Liquid Evil is on the Dark Council. I'm the founder of the MEO chapter for Liquid Evil, which brings with it the traditional title of Dark Lord.


14) I do understand that the soul of Liquid Evil has been around for quite some time in other online role-play games. For the purpose of Meo could you explain the history of your kinship within Middle Earth?
Liquid is a collection of men, elves and dwarves who have chosen the path of darkness. We scour the lands of Middle-earth seeking to spread the influence of the Sauron, and to bind all evil hearts of middle-earth together. The guild strives to become a powerful force within the realm of Middle-earth, and is more than willing to confront those who would attempt to stop us.
Some members choose the path of merciless, ruthless killers, some choose to play the criminal mastermind and constantly scheme against there enemies, and some wish to empower the forces of murder through crafts and empowered weaponry.


15) What will the goals of your kinship be ...in other words if there were an actual ending to the game...how would Liquid Evil shape that ending?

Well, if the game were to end, it would be with Frodo destroying the ring, therefore we would ultimately fail our goal of domination over middle-earth, however even with the destruction of the ruling ring and Sauron, Liquid would never cease to be. In fact, I'd imagine with the lord of Mordor removed, Liquid would be a leading contender for a replacement. Though I would imagine that Liquid's mark upon Middle-earth would be made with the blood of many of the so called free peoples.

16) Without divulging any secrets...(chuckles as Rainmoon raises his eyebrows)...tell us how you plan to accomplish some of your Kinships goals.

*Rainmoon begins to think this interview has turned into an interrogation*
Our goals will quite easily be achieved through dedicated and loyal members. Liquid is first and foremost a group of like-minded gamers who simply want to have a good time in Middle-earth, and as I look upon our guild roster, I can't imagine how we could fail that goal.
However as for our in-character goals, assuming we find worthy adversaries willing to try and stop us, we would accomplish our goals for domination over Middle-earth through immeasurable amounts of blood-shed, among many other methods.

17) I have noted on your Homesite that Liquid Evil may decide on alliances and pacts of non aggression when the game is due for release or shortly thereafter. What qualities do you look for when considering a possible alliance or pact of non aggression with another Kinship?

Basically the most honest way to put this is that we consider an alliance as an investment. I personally would not vote to ally with someone who can't do for us what we could do for them. This is simply my view on what an alliance should be about. This is not to say we are unwilling to form friendships with other kinships, as any who have visited our forums and IRC channel will most likely have noticed that we are more than willing to have friendly chats with whoever decides to stop by.

18) On that same line....how sociable do you see Liquid Evil? Will your kinship be an independent Kinship, rarely calling for social interaction, or will Liquid Evil members intermingle with other kinships and players?

Each member does as little or as much as they please in the way of social interaction with other kinships. Many members make it a habit to interact with other kinships on there forums/MEO boards, and some simply feel they have no time/want to do so.
However liquid as a guild is a rather sociable one and we will most likely be on fairly sociable terms with many of the kinships we come in contact with.

[Finduilas Ancalimon]

19) Communication will play a big part in game. What is the ideal way of communication in your opinion? Since you have previous experience, I am sure you have come across some games that make communicating very easy...and of course I am sure you have had very frustrating experiences. What type of communication tools are you hoping to see in MEO?
As of right now, IRC is the ideal way to communicate, and I urge any guilds not already doing so, to open up a chat channel there and encourage there members to use. With that being said however, I think my ideal chat system would be very much similar to IRC and the method used in Dark Age of Camelot. I think have different chat tabs for various types of chat (i.e. Guild Chat, Alliance Chat, Group/Fellowship chat, surrounding area chat) would prove best. The only problem is getting the members to make full use of the chat


20) I have enjoyed talking to both of you about Liquid Evil. Before I open this discussion up to our viewers is there anything you would like to add?
Nothing that I'm not sure I've already said on the boards throughout our 7 months on MEO, however I suppose I'd just like the thank all the posters who've given us there support, as well as I'd like to thank all our members who have made this guild possible.



As I end my interview with liquid Evil, I can not help but to admire this group of deliciously evil folk. With charm and charisma, they spin their web making it impossible not to like them. I find myself drawn to their doors, much like my occasional visit with that charming and irresistible Hannibal Lecter; I knowingly put myself at arms length of danger just to get the chance to be beguiled by their conversation. I do hope dear reader you have enjoyed our talks this day. Go visit Liquid Evil and you too will be like that moth drawn towards their light…..

[Nevnarial]

Fantastic interview! Kind of makes me want to defect! HAHAHA Just kidding!

[Finduilas Ancalimon]

Gets rope and ties Nev to the chair>>>>

[Morg Stormhammer]

*applauds the interviewer and the interviewees* Great questions and intelligent, well thought out answers.

[Finduilas Ancalimon]

Thank you kindly Sirrah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D

[Loar]

Great interview, I even learned a thing or two about my own kinship.

[Nevnarial]

Well met, Loar! I, too, learned much about LE in this interview. IMO, it is an honor that the SHoA is associated with this fine kinship. Great to have you visit our boards!