If you would, could you give a brief synopsis of the writing process?
Nili - First off, we're working on the starting items for each class of each race. So Ailashaar, the Nanjari (manager) over this process, assigns me a project, perhaps the Mervin Dwarves, and outlines for me the classes that a starting Mervin Dwarf player is able to choose from. Then I get to write the starting objects for each class. We have some very strict guidelines as to what can and cannot be given as starting items. To summarize briefly, no jewelry, special items, expensive or rare items. Also, players must get certain things, such as a light source and basic weapon. I then go to the Tildruin website and read everything I can about the race in question, and write the object descriptions to fit the information there.
Caldorn - The only thing I might have to add is that after writing the descriptions the other writers as well as Ailashaar help critique the descriptions. Helping to find errors and make sure the descriptions are of high quality and substance.
As you've mentioned, you've been working on item descriptions for a specific race/class. Was there any race/class that you found most enjoyable writing for?
Caldorn - It has probably been easiest to write for the dwarves, especially the fighters as this is what I am most accustomed to playing. The gnomes were probably the hardest to write for because I have little to no knowledge or time playing this race. I have not tried to write for the orcs or trolls as this is way outside of my area of expertise and others have been happy to write in these areas.
Nili - A good point Caldorn, experience in other online environments certainly adds to the ease of writing here. But Tildruin is so unique from the ground up, and the races described here have such sparkling depth as compared to most other sites I've seen, I have taken great delight in writing for as many varied races as I can. Personally speaking, it also forces me to get accustomed to the different aspects and races that this game is offering. So far I've chosen the Mervin dwarves, Sarmoor trolls and Arwondel halflings. I think the halflings were the most fun, because as a race they take such delight in the simple things around them, allowing me as a writer of such simple objects to really have fun with the details.
Zorlen - Since I was writing descriptions exclusively for the orcs, by now it's not hard to guess the race. As for the subrace, the Ograkk orcs are my favourite, though the cold climate they live in gives few fashion options to choose from. And the favourite class is fighter - it fits with the orcs quite well. But the favourite subrace/class combo is Arwondel orc rogue - I can't tell why.
You've already alluded to this somewhat, but what do you find most challenging, personally, when writing?
Nili - The most challenging aspect for me is coming up with initial ideas of a strong theme for each race and class. We like to theme objects as much as possible, so that each starting character has their own 'feel' and uniqueness. It's a wonderful idea, but a challenge to do well.
Caldorn - I agree with Nili but for me probably the biggest problem is trying to avoid getting into a rut and having all the description feel the same and read the same. This causes the writing to spread out a little bit and also requires me to do some additional research to learn about new things to describe and detail for each race so that the items are unique. In Tildruin, unlike many other games, there is not going to be one standard set of leather armor to start with. Each race and class has unique items for the most part so there are over 400 entry level items of clothing to explore and find. It boggles the mind to think of the content that will be in the game as it advances.
Zorlen - Aside from English not being my first language, the most challenging part was describing the female attire. I'll never be a fashion designer, you know.
(Cyria) For clarification, do the "entry level items" refer to the different basic starting items a character could start with, or do they also include basic items you will find with a relatively new character?
Nili - At this point, starting items refer specifically to the items a new player will receive. Other basic items found on low-level monsters or in shops will be added later.
Caldorn - The 400 items actually refers to some of both. These items are just the armor starting items that a player will get. When I write for a class items there are 10 items, 5 or 6 of these items will most likely be starting items and the others will be items that are readily available to the newbie. There will be many other non-clothing items that have already been described and will be described in the future.
Nili, could you elaborate on what you mean by themes?
Nili - By themes, I refer to the way in which a set of starting items for a specific class and races are written to give consistency. For instance, they might all be of a similar style, or made from the same material type.
Could you give some examples of themes that you've used, and if possible what race they were for?
Nili - My Mervin Dwarf fighter's starting equipment is all based around a goat-hide idea: a faded leather shirt, a pair of worn leather trousers, a pair of goat-hide boots, a loose woolen surcoat, a goat-hide belt strap, a beaten leather buckler and a hard-worn pickaxe. All are described to make sense together.
Caldorn - I have used tahr hide for the Dar'Kolbur dwarves which is also a type of goat, a dark woolen material for some of the Jharlsbor gnomes and I have just started up the Emerald humans who will have clothing based on nets that have been intertwined with cloth to create clothing. This idea was thanks to another writer who initially started this subrace.
Zorlen - There is a dog skin theme for the Ograkk orcs. Some people wondered how it would smell when it rains, hehe. Not the sort of garments the elves would don.
What inspirations do you draw upon for your descriptions?
Caldorn - I guess I started by creating a list of types of clothing and materials and others have helped add to the list over time. Then when I need to write items that I am not readily familiar with I do a lot of searching through pictures I find on Google or other search engines. Combining ideas from many items that I find I then try to create a unique item so that I am not copying things others have done.
Nili - I try to keep my previous experiences and preconceptions from other fantasy worlds to a minimum. Rather, I also do what Caldorn does and research extensively on the web for new ideas. For instance, the honey-crispels I wrote for the halflings are an actual mediaeval recipe, not a made-up item. This way it helps to keep Tildruin as realistic as possible.
Zorlen - The costumes of real-world cultures mostly. A little bit from Africans, Native Americans, Mongols, northern folks. Except for the Arwondel ones - here the slightly modified 'medieval town' theme prevails. The vividness with which the races are described by the game authors help very much.
It's well known that Tildruin is being developed as a spare time project, such is also true of writing descriptions. Could you briefly describe how you go about your writing? Do you have a set time? Or do you scribble down notes and ideas and then put them together?
Nili - I have to write when I'm in the mood! That way I know I'll have the best chance of good inspiration and quality. Thankfully, Tildruin is so fun to write for that being in the mood for writing regularly is not a problem.
Caldorn - I try to write 1 or 2 descriptions daily and sometimes I get inspired and do a lot more, usually when I am in just the right mood. I think about it a lot though and make mental notes about what I want to do and hope that I don't forget them before I write them down. I figure that I spend probably 10 to 15 minutes per description writing and reworking each one to make sure that they are high quality and worthy of being included. So it does take time and commitment and it is definitely a spare time project. Hopefully we are moving fast enough.
Zorlen - There's little planning, I write when I have time to - in the evenings mostly. Therefore, the rate is rather irregular.
What have you enjoyed most about your experiences so far? On a similar note, what haven't you, if anything, enjoyed so far?
Caldorn - I have enjoyed the writing and getting a sneak peak at Tildruin but what I have really enjoyed the most is how the writers work together to help each other. The least enjoyable thing is when I get writer's block and I don't seem to be writing enough. I think I just got over that again so hopefully we are ready to go.
Nili - I couldn't agree more with Caldorn. I really appreciate the artistic license and freedom granted us writers by Ailashaar and the other Nanjari. But the teamwork is the most wonderful part. It really helps out when inspiration is lacking or when I miss something in my own personal 'quality control' of my writing. I'm finding it hard to think of anything I don't like. It's such an exciting venture.
Zorlen - The good thing, to my mind, is that the team members are helping each other. There's nothing I have to say on the second question.
As you glance back at what you've accomplished so far, what are your feelings/reflections?
Nili - I am amazed at the quality of work (and quantity) that has gone into the game so far. We're blessed by a good creative bunch, and the different writers all bring their own elements and styles to the written items. I'm very excited about the future of Tildruin, with the standards reached so far. It's also a pleasure to be able to actively participate in the more mechanical game development side. We regularly give comments and bug reports to Shailejron. The future looks very bright!
Caldorn - As I reflect I can see that my writing has improved and keeps improving as I work with the other writers. When I was just a part of the forums, Tildruin seemed really inspirational and looked like it was pushing the boundaries of anything I had seen or been a part of. But now that I am a writer and seeing thing from a closer point this feeling becomes even stronger. Tilduin is going to be a unique place that is very detailed and interesting to role play in with others. It will be worth the wait.
Zorlen - I'm always having a critical eye for my own works - sometimes they seem too formal, sometimes too vague, but I'm trying to learn from my mistakes and the fellow writers are really helpful there. As for the team in general - the work done is great, tons of items are described, and the quality is good. I'm taking the chance to say ourselves "Well done!"
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