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Tobyrae Interviews Ras Thavas of Barsoom
Tobyrae: I see you are very dedicated to the Outerworlds Universe, what drew you here in the first place?
Ras Thavas: Well I started in AW, as many others here did. I still to on occassion, go there as well. Outerworlds was born in Active worlds. In Imagica in AW, a group of friends decided to move to Outerworlds and when they moved I also did.
Tobyrae: How long ago was this Ras?
Ras Thavas: Well, Outerworlds is about to have its 6th Birthday. I guess I joined Active Worlds around 1998. I was CRZhorse for most of this time.. the reason I’m Ras Thavas now…that was all about starting up the Barsoom role-play idea here in Outerworlds. My role in Barsoom is Jeddak, which is a leader, and my character’s name is Ras Thavas who is a mad scientist.
Tobyrae: Can you elaborate a little more about Barsoom and the inspiration for the RPG world?
Ras Thavas: Barsoom takes some explaining. Where to start… It’s based on the novels of Edgar Rice Burroughs. There are 10 or 11 books in the series of The Martian Tales. Barsoom had been started in Active Worlds and I joined that role-play group. But, as often happens, something went awry and it folded. A lot of the people were keen to continue with Barsoom so we migrated to Outerworlds where I felt more at home.
Tobyrae: Are some of the citizens who came here at that time with you still involved in Barsoom and Outerworlds?
Ras Thavas: PickledBudgie, Rosey and Vor Duck to name a few. As to what it is...well, we TRIED to make a role-play world but that proved elusive. For some reason we ended up chatting about building more than role playing for a long time. Hence the idea of BARSMRPG World
Tobyrae: So, tell me what the Barsoom rpg is about and how that is different?
Ras Thavas: Yes good Question Toby... Well in the last few years in Active Worlds, the concept started a world called AWRPG. The difference is mainly, that it has turned into more of a game setting with role-play via the use of sophisticated bots and a database. To give an example if I may?
Tobyrae: Yes, please do.
Ras Thavas: A player enters the BARSMRPG world and starts with a set of statistics. When first entering all of those statistics are set to zero. The bot will tell you that you are starving or hungry. You need to prevent this. To do this, we fish in the pond to restore our statistics. All of this is bot controlled. Once some fish are caught you can eat and stave off those hunger pangs. Also, there are merchant bots who will buy some of your catch in exchange for goods or money. That is just a glimpse of the kind of thing to expect. In the meantime in the BARSMRPG world everyone is to stay strictly in character. All talk of laundry in Real Life is forbidden by order of the Jeddak. Hehehe
Tobyrae: When do you anticipate it will be open?
Ras Thavas: We hoped to have it open before now but, will certainly have it open before Outerworlds Birthday Celebration.
Tobyrae: How do other citizens get involved?
Ras Thavas: Ah yes, I am glad you brought that up. I think quite a few citizens here have seen Barsoom and this world has a similar feeling to it. One of the basic reasons for having it is the hope of drawing more people to Outerworlds. Which in turn underlines that we’d love everyone to come and enjoy the experience. As for involvement, that could be on several levels. To explain, 1 person might choose to buy a house in one of the cities and move in while another might just come and do a bit of fishing
Tobyrae: Does a person have to be a Barsoomian to play in the RPG world?
Ras Thavas: Well not strictly a Barsoomian but it’s important that when there that people respect what the world is about and that other people are there who are trying to role-play. That is what I meant regarding no talk of real life , laundry and such.
Tobyrae: Are "tourists" going to be able to enter and play in the RPG world?
Ras Thavas: Unfortunately they will not be able to enter the BARSMRPG world. The reasoning is, firstly that the bots use a database which uses the cit number in Outerworlds and secondly any tourist interested is most welcome to visit any of the other Barsoom worlds like Barsoom itself or Toonol and Warhoon. If a tourist is interested to try it, what they can do is, use their credit card to register with Outerworlds via the browser. In effect, they have seven days to cancel theirCitizenship if they are NOT happy with the Outerworlds or rpg experience. If they do not cancel they are billed only after seven days.
Tobyrae: How many citizens of Outerworlds are currently involved in Barsoom?
Ras Thavas: People come and go of course, but judging by the attendance at Friday night meetings the number is up around 20 or so.
Tobyrae: You have worked very hard on this project Ras Thavas can you give us an estimate of the hours you spend daily in Outerworlds working?
Ras Thavas: Easy I cancelled sleep for another month. Hehehe Seriously though, it’s extremely time consuming. I’d estimate around 60 hours a week right now.
Tobyrae: If you could change 1 thing in OW what would it be?
Ras Thavas: Wow, hmmm… let me think. well not change radically I guess, we are what we are, but I can only underline that the rule of Outerworlds to respect others and treat them as they themselves would like to be treated. If we fall short of that then we need to work harder to follow that rule.
Tobyrae: What is your best quality?
Ras Thavas: Me personally you mean Toby?
Tobyrae: Yes Ras Thavas, if you don't mind answering that.
Ras Thavas: Well I like VR, the people, and I hope they bring out whatever is good in me Toby.
Tobyrae: I see you are struggling to answer the last question so, I will tell you what I see if you don’t mind.
Ras Thavas: Sure let’s see what you think Tobyrae :-)
Tobyrae: I see a strong leader, a very dedicated person and commitment beyond compare in you. You set a fine example for any person to follow who has a dream for Virtual Reality.
Ras Thavas: Hummm, *nearly blushes* well I do try that is true.
Tobyrae: What is your worst quality personally Ras Thavas?
Ras Thavas: Haha after such praise ...let me think.... probably I get frustrated with people at times. I am very human in that respect. J
Tobyrae: Do you have a 'pet peeve'?
Ras Thavas: In Outerworlds itself or generally? He he
Tobyrae: Actually both if you don't mind answering.
Ras Thavas: Well in OW some things can’t be helped like world time zones but being an Aussie one can feel a little left out when events are scheduled at my 3 am in Real Life And generally well, where does the time go? I am going to ask for more days in the week for sure.
Tobyrae: I thank you Ras Thavas, for allowing this interview and I know that a lot of citizens are eagerly awaiting the opening of the BRSMRPG world. I wish for you peaceful rest and much success.
Ras Thavas: Thanks very much Tobyrae, it was my pleasure.
Tobyrae: I wonder though if people have questions, can they post them to you on the Outerworlds forums page?
Ras Thavas: Oh sure any questions people have I would be happy to answer them there. Maybe provide the link for any who might not have it Tobyrae.
Tobyrae: Yes Ras Thavas that is a good idea. http://www.outerworlds.com/forums I will see you in Barsoom and in the BRSMRPG World Jeddak Ras Thavas
Ras Thavas: Looking forward to it Tobyrae… Farewell for now then!
Tobyrae: Farewell Jeddak Ras Thavas.
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