Love at first sight isn't only for fairy tales.
By Macillus, for The TownCrier's Sweetheart's Week 2018.
Try to make sure the other person is having fun and you will probably find that you are, too. ~Elysia
Q |
How long have you been playing? |
@EREKI first started in GemStone II beta in late 1987, then took a break only to come back to GemStone III in 1991, and played as well as worked on the product until late 2001. I returned again and have been playing since summer 2017.
|
@ELYSIAEarly 1995... maybe late 1994? I restarted a few times before I settled on the bardess. I left in December 2003 and we returned together Summer 2017.
|
Q |
How did you meet? Tell us your story! |
@EREK
Being on staff when the game population was much smaller, I was aware of Elysia but we never interacted in the game. We first met in person at Simucon in 1997. It was a classic deer in the headlights scenario for me when this enchanting young lady introduced herself. I was smitten in seconds.
@ELYSIA
GemStone was a pretty small community prior to AOL opening so I knew his character's name in an "I've seen him around" way, but we had never played together or even shared a conversation that I recall. Although we had friends in common, we just never really met. He joined staff years before Elonka and Suz recruited me, and so I don't think he was playing as much in 1995-96 as I was.
So we actually met at Simucon '97. The first day of the event everyone was hanging out in a large lobby area of the hotel where the con's check-in tables were arranged. He and I kept peeking at each other across the room. After some hours of this, I somehow mustered the courage to cross the room and introduce myself. Moth to a flame. I was so nervous. I had no idea who he was, but he was there, and I couldn't *not* talk to him.
So we actually met at Simucon '97. The first day of the event everyone was hanging out in a large lobby area of the hotel where the con's check-in tables were arranged. He and I kept peeking at each other across the room. After some hours of this, I somehow mustered the courage to cross the room and introduce myself. Moth to a flame. I was so nervous. I had no idea who he was, but he was there, and I couldn't *not* talk to him.
Q |
How did you hit it off? What was it that attracted you to him/her? |
@EREK
Honestly it was right out of the storybooks as a classic love at first sight scenario. We ended up orbiting around the hotel, each keeping the other in sight when finally she approached and introduced herself. We spent the next day and evening getting to know each other, ultimately sitting next to each other at the theme dinner (where I wound up in the stocks getting pelted by bread, but that's a whole other story). I plied her with margaritas and tried my best to impress her with my charming wit. It was an enchanting weekend that turned into dating long distance. I persuaded her to marry me and moved to Atlanta to start our lives together.
When I think about what attracts me to Elysia I immediately dial in to her intelligence, and her ability to think on her feet in a crisis. I have always been the sort to stumble over myself, but she's able to sort out a given situation and break it down into its constituent parts. She became my best friend at the same time we fell in love and decided to get married, and that's quite an accomplishment. She's able to keep me smiling if I feel down, and knows when I need to rant about some situation at work so just lets me vent all I need to without ever thinking that it's in any way directed at her. She's exceedingly supportive, and I owe all my professional success to her, as she's been the one to always encourage me to achieve my next goal.
When I think about what attracts me to Elysia I immediately dial in to her intelligence, and her ability to think on her feet in a crisis. I have always been the sort to stumble over myself, but she's able to sort out a given situation and break it down into its constituent parts. She became my best friend at the same time we fell in love and decided to get married, and that's quite an accomplishment. She's able to keep me smiling if I feel down, and knows when I need to rant about some situation at work so just lets me vent all I need to without ever thinking that it's in any way directed at her. She's exceedingly supportive, and I owe all my professional success to her, as she's been the one to always encourage me to achieve my next goal.
@ELYSIA
We spent much of that Simucon chatting and discovering how much we had in common. I went home thinking I would never see him again. But then he sought me out in GemStone, which turned into long-distance dating, which turned into an engagement (a whole 'nother story, that). We we married 19 years ago and have a 17 year old son.
I was, and am, attracted to his intellect and wicked sense of humor! And his analytical ability. And his confidence. And his silliness. Also, he's crazy adorable. Honestly- he just gave me a Rainbow Ralphing Cat plushie for Christmas, so he couldn't be much more perfect, right?
I was, and am, attracted to his intellect and wicked sense of humor! And his analytical ability. And his confidence. And his silliness. Also, he's crazy adorable. Honestly- he just gave me a Rainbow Ralphing Cat plushie for Christmas, so he couldn't be much more perfect, right?
Q |
How has GemStone brought you closer together? |
@EREK
Well apart from being a vehicle in which we could spend time together, GemStone was also an outlet for our creative collaborations. Together we built quite a bit of what is contained in modern GemStone today. Class abilities, creatures, quests, the Elanthia maps, histories, events and major expansions such as the Elven Nations all started with notes and sketches in our living room, and then became reality with hard work from our various GM teams.
@ELYSIA
We met because of GemStone and worked together on it for many years. We spent our evenings and weekends planning and building. We rarely played Erek and Elysia then, since virtually all our ingame time was spent working. We did create married couples to roleplay when we worked at events, which was a hoot. Eventually our family and career obligations became too great and we had to leave GemStone. Last summer, he spent a month persuading me to return after 14 years away, and I'm glad we did. We have always tried to put significant effort into shared hobbies as a way of staying close, and GemStone is certainly one of the best, regardless of whether we are working or playing.
Q |
Does your romance carry into the game? |
@EREK
Yep, Erek and Elysia have been married around 19 years in-game, though we never really did have a ceremony.
@ELYSIA
Yes. Erek and Elysia got married early into their mysterious two decade "round the world trip" so we never had an actual ingame wedding. I'm pretty sure they just said some impromptu words under a tree somewhere on a whim. (They are quite impulsive, him even more so than her...) They woke up on Teras Isle late last Koaratos, bought some rings at the Gift Shop, and went on their merry way. Erek is over 2000 years older than Elysia, and that creates a lot of roleplay hilarity for us. Elysia's currently trying to persuade Erek that they should, instead of revisiting a formal wedding, throw a twentieth anniversary party next year and invite *everyone*. He's not convinced... yet, anyway!
Q |
What's your favorite thing to do in game together? |
@EREK
It varies based on what's going on at the time, but I really enjoy just sitting with Elysia and roleplaying with whomever tends to be there. Erek is the stereotypical woodland pixie, and he's thousands of years old. He has such a long history in Elanthia that he has a story for nearly every occasion (think the Forest Gump of GemStone but not nearly so simpleton). Elysia keeps Erek grounded but at the same time is the quintessential bard with a quick wit and a twinkle in her eye.
@ELYSIA
Socialize. We do occasionally drag ourselves out to hunt, but mostly we enjoy visiting with old friends and making new ones, and participating in activities we couldn't go to when we had responsibilities. So to pretty much everyone whose paths we have crossed, thank you for welcoming us back and spending time with us! You have meant so much to us, then and now. (And sorry I keep butchering all the changed verb usage! Elysia didn't mean to lick your face, really. Mostly.)
Q |
How do you enjoy time together outside of Elanthia? |
@EREK
We've been married 19 years now, and enjoy playing games together, watching movies or TV, and just generally being a couple. I try my best to keep her laughing and she does her best to keep me from bouncing off the face of the planet. People who know me tend to wonder why I am happy all the time, and I tell them it's my beautiful wife's fault.
@ELYSIA
He's not just my husband, but my best friend too, so we are generally inseparable. We share similar tastes in most things, and thoroughly enjoy bickering endlessly about the rest. We parent and we tinker with our house. We are a pretty typical geek couple, I think. We've played all kinds of games together over the years, and enjoy many of the same SFF books and shows. Last year Erek got me into watching Critical Role, so now we're plotting to launch some sort of "Middle Aged Tyranny" D&D group after the manchild leaves for college.
As parents of a teenager, though, much of our free time these days is consumed supporting our son's activities. Life may get calmer when they're finally out of diapers, but it gets crazy again when they get into all manner of teams, clubs and charity work. We do as much volunteer work as we can, and try never to miss our son's events.
As parents of a teenager, though, much of our free time these days is consumed supporting our son's activities. Life may get calmer when they're finally out of diapers, but it gets crazy again when they get into all manner of teams, clubs and charity work. We do as much volunteer work as we can, and try never to miss our son's events.
The best partnership is all give and no take. ~Erek
Q |
How do you compliment one another? |
@EREK
She keeps me grounded, and I do my best to push her up into the air. :)
@ELYSIA
We are opposites in so many ways. He's more outgoing, and I'm extremely shy. I'm more apt to save, he's more likely to spend. He's fearless and lives for the moment, and I'm a planner and anxious about everything. In the end, we temper each others' extremes: I keep him from accidentally running over cliffs, and he encourages me to try things I'd never do own my own.
Q |
What's the key to a set of successful characters (on and off screen)? |
@EREK
I always try to remember, "If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong." The best partnership is all give and no take. We've learned over the years that the more we give each other the less we want for ourselves, and happiness flows through the relationship in all that we do.
@ELYSIA
I think it's the same advice I'd give anyone trying to maintain a good relationship. Listen. Be patient. Compromise lovingly. And above all, appreciate one another, and communicate that appreciation daily.
Q |
What advice do you have for anyone interested in pursuing a GS romance? |
@EREK
Stick out your hand and simply say "Hello". That's the hardest part, and after that it's all gravy. Romance doesn't have to happen outside the game to be fun and enjoyable for all parties involved. Keep making each other smile and everything will turn out fine.
@ELYSIA
See above! I think communicating online is more difficult. So listening and patience take on extra importance in and around a text environment. Try to make sure the other person is having fun and you will probably find that you are, too.
Q |
Do you have any plans for Valentine's Day? |
@EREK |
@ELYSIA |
|
Roses, chocolates, and some GemStone sounds like fun.
|
Weeknights in our home are kind of crazy and time-crunched. We will usually go out a nice restaurant the weekend before, and then have dinner at home on the day. I will put treats and decorations out and we make that weeknight meal a family celebration.
|
