Tipharette Q&A Jelan took the time to do an IRC interview a well known NSI community member, Tipharette. She is a moderator for the NSI message boards and a regular in #nihilistic on StarChat. Jelan: How did you first start playing vampire? Tipharette: Well, it was 1993. I met a new group of friends, and they introduced me to "Vampire" the 1st edition. Jelan: How did you find out about redemption? Tipharette: in the early moth of 1999, I read a preview in a German gaming magazine, and since I love Computer games, too... loved the idea Jelan: How did you end up being of the revered board mods? Tipharette: By just being there all the time, when the game was released, we had a rush of new users and we needed people to handle it. Ferret and Banshee couldn't do it alone anymore, and Trail had more important things to do, so they grabbed some of us and shoved us into the Mod-Status Jelan: Do you ever feel cheated that you didn't get an Easter egg, while Banshee and Sandman did? Tipharette: No, why should I? I mean, Sandman and Banshee are great people, and even though we have masses of nice guys around, not everyone was able to get an Easter egg. I mean, it is a favor of the team, not a duty Jelan: How long do you spend on the boards every day? Tipharette: Not as much as in the early, troubled, days, nowadays, I'm done with them in an hour, a half in the morning, a half in the evening Jelan: Why is Banshee so mean when moderating the boards? Tipharette: Is she? I think Banshee is formal, not mean. I like her for her grumpy way. Jelan: Are you a goth? Tipharette: I wouldn't describe myself as a "goth", though I always wear black and listen to some Dark Wave stuff. I'm more the Role-playing Nerdette than the typical Goth. Besides, I normally listen to Metal ;) Jelan: In what ways do you think Nihilistic failed with vampire? Tipharette: They failed, if at all, to meet the expectation of the people, which where to high. Realistically seen, you can't make a 1 to1 copy of the P&P Mood. I admit that the game is very combat oriented, and I disliked the Cainite mass slaughter, but, taken on it's own, it was ok Jelan: In what ways do you think they excelled? Tipharette: They wrote a nice story, and I love the outcome of the graphics and the intuitive handling of the game. The Network Code is also really good for low bandwidth people, but a bit "difficult". I have most of the ambient-songs on my mp3-playlist :) Jelan: What do you think of the situation with the quality of WON? Tipharette: Well, there have been many opinions voiced upon this, and I admit, I dislike the situation. WON has proven to be not capable of being a useful matchmaking service. Jelan: How long do you plan to stay active in the community? Tipharette: I stay here as long as I have fun and as long as people need me. I can't state a day where I will walk out and lave all the friends behind which I made here. Jelan: What's your favorite mod out for redemption? Tipharette: The Mage Mod, definitely. I'd even say that it's the first real Mod, since it added a new aspect. The other Mods, though great, are additional features. Jelan: What's your favorite non White Wolf vampire book, your favorite White Wolf vamp book, and why? Tipharette: Well, the first one is easy. It's "The Vyj,” Slavic sagas about Vampires and other creatures of the Night... My dad read it to me when I was young, and it brings back so many nice memories. My favorite White Wolf book is "Constantinople by Night", because it features great atmosphere and thrilling agendas... although Montreal By Night is a close second, mostly because of the artworks of Christopher Shy. Jelan: What's your favorite clan? Tipharette: Tzimisce, but, want to know a secret? I started as Toreador ;) Jelan: Why? Tipharette: My first Character was a Toreador... mostly because we only had the core book :) The Tzimisce are a great clan, a clan that actually evolved from draconic noblesse to draconic science. I just like them, for their appealing background and for the pleasure they bring into my wretched mind ;) Jelan: Any ideas on Nihilistic's next project? Tipharette: Steve Thoms didn't want to tell me, even after I used the puppy eyes trick... I'd be nice if it's an expansion pack, but I hope for the team that they are able to do something they like, because getting stuffed into on category helps no one. Jelan: What would you like to see them do next? Tipharette: I'd like to see a futuristic role playing game, with some less action and more dialogue/non-linear storyline... and for my taste, there can be some more adult material in it, as long as it's not the ordinary "poor babes who don't have money for clothes". Jelan: What's your favorite game other than vamp and why? Tipharette: At this time, Deus Ex. You can affect your environment with your actions (not totally, but to a good deal), you can chose different ways to succeed and it has a cool storyline. Jelan: What do you do when you're not doing vampire stuff? Tipharette: I play volleyball, do Kendo and swim. That's for the health, to equalize this, I like to party with friends, and I love to draw. Jelan: What's your favorite vampire movie? Tipharette: Hmmm... Bram Stokers Dracula is the second one, my most favorite, ErotiKill, is probably unknown. Are minors reading this? Jelan: What's the best Redemption website? Tipharette: Hey, that's a mean question! I have to be neutral. :) Ok, that might sound a little kissy, but when I first entered the community, Planet Vampire was unbeaten... and now, it gets on the right track again. We had many cool German sites, and there's still a great community (greetings ;)), but in pure information, they are lacking.