An Interview with the Lord Malikith Virtanen by David Itamae
When assigned the interview of Lord Malikith Virtanen, the floodgates opened with ideas of how to approach him and his character. Being that the interview is directly linked to the milestone of the Great Alliance’s ten-year anniversary, it was only fitting to prepare questions regarding inspiration and the continued success of The Great Alliance.
Thinking about Lord Virtanen, what can be said is that no one will always agree with his ideas or rules. Some will leave, and others will stay. People have grown considerably under his tutelage, and his legacy is a part of them. While he is a powerful creator in imagination and cornerstone to the prosperity of the lands we dwell, he is still human.
One of the most gracious things Lord Virtanen has done was give life to those that have passed on. Those people who were dear to him and instrumental in the development of his world are forever a part of it. With each new story and the players that become a piece of that story share the bond, even indirectly, with him making the world that much richer and that much more important. There is hardly any greater flattery than to share love among a crowd and not ask for anything in return.
This is the interview with Lord Malikith Virtenan: Game Master, Architect, and The Magician.
1.David Itamae: You are the architect in the world we live, the Great Alliance. In the beginning, did you feel residents in Second Life would enjoy your style of long-term role play, with how everything is so fast paced?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: I had no clue. I was just helping out Comet at first.
2. David Itamae: I will ask this: Since helping Comet, what made you decide to stay and add a bigger role for yourself?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: Comet became my best friend.
David Itamae: Comet has been a delight, almost everyone has been since I have come back here. I was surprised and relieved, which made me happy.
3. David Itamae: Looking after the long history of roleplays you ever constructed for the Great Alliance what was the one you had the most fun in doing and participating in?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: My favorite storyline is the current one because it was something Gary and I had cooked up.
4. David Itamae: and one question pertaining to the current storyline, "any upcoming surprises you might be able to share with us, a foreshadow of things to come?”
Lord Malikith Virtanen: Foreshadowing? yes. The Villians HAVE a goal. They HAVE a mission. They are NOT just here to "knock heads" AS people begin to SEE what those Goals are… they WILL see that "every man, woman, and child" are Important.
5. David Itamae: What have you found to be the biggest challenges in maintaining entertainment for the players and not burn yourself out with the classes and brainstorming?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: Biggest challenge is that one Must remain flexible in all things because no 2 people are alike. Something I am adept to, but I am not even remotely perfect.
David Itame nods
6. David Itamae: I want to mention your sister, may she continue to rest in peace, because she is still very much a part of your roleplay and as the goddess you serve, how do you think she would have enjoyed the growth of your brainchild these last ten years?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: 4. My sister would be proud I think. I even have her as a Statue in the City of Aluvia. She always HATED Lloth with a passion. Felt her role was TOO important for such a being. SO I Replaced the Old Lloth with my sister, as the New Lloth. She would LOVE that.
David Itamae: that would have been an interesting sight
7. David Itamae: I know you are a drow, but under special rules, how do you overcome the challenges of the other players who come and play drow that say you are not being fair or are not true drow?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: I don’t care how people play their drow. I am Flattered they still like them after 40+ years.
David Itamae: they are a great race and I know how some get so dedicated into their role they almost become to drow like.
8. David Itamae: Speaking of the drow, you stated before you were the original role-player with Mr. Gygax what made you want or decide that a dark elf from under the earth is something you wanted to do or try?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: Yes, Gary was my DM(Dungeon Master). His view of elves was very Celtic and cool, BUT... we often talked about Elves being Linked to an Element. I have a penchant for the Darkness, as they say, and wanted to Explore said Penchant in our game. I had NO clue it was to be a "big thing."
David Itamae: People love evil and conflict.
9. David Itamae How do you think Mr. Gygax would have loved the world you built here?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: I think Gary would have been pleased…especially now. I DID write him a few times about what was going on MANY moons ago. And he was impressed. Said he was going to make an AV and come see for himself. But alas… I never learned if he did.
[14:30] David Itamae: yes, his passing was felt throughout Second Life, the fantasy worlds that knew of him and his connections to DnD. (Dungeons and Dragons)
10. David Itamae: Getting back about the Great Alliance, you had many hardships over the years with SIMs coming and going and large fallouts, what gave you the will to continue moving forward?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: Many of the SIMs that have left the GA were because it had become simply too much for me to manage. So we decided to "downsize", and on that same Token… if someone was Not Happy and Having fun? I was more than happy to let them roll away.
11. David Itamae: If there was a decision you wish you could have taken back what would it have been?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: There is yes. BUT… I do not dwell on Regrets, we ALL have them. No one is perfect. If you dwell on the Past it will consume you. Best to learn from it and move on
David Itamae: I like that.
12. David Itamae: Lastly, I know you try to include as many people as possible, what would you say to new players and older players as we move forward from this milestone?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: What I have to say to new and old alike would be. Have fun. We are HERE to enjoy the world. NO one can MAKE you have fun. No One can MAKE you happy. YOU make that decision. Find what you enjoy and DO it. Do NOT give up just because it doesn’t LOOK like you are included. EVERYONE is welcome in Everything. You just have to Make a Spot.
David Itamae: well, I appreciate your time. I will need to copy these words down and present them to
Lord Dishan and Lady Maeve.
Once departed, there was a new found admiration for the one that creates the bigger picture without ever leaving behind those who desire to be included. With those who know their place and others that seek it, Lord Malikith Virtanen would give his blessing for their efforts. He still remains humble but also a pillar of confidence in who he is and what he is. He might be a big player among many but he will never forget the people that brought his vision to life and made it greater than he ever could alone.
Thinking about Lord Virtanen, what can be said is that no one will always agree with his ideas or rules. Some will leave, and others will stay. People have grown considerably under his tutelage, and his legacy is a part of them. While he is a powerful creator in imagination and cornerstone to the prosperity of the lands we dwell, he is still human.
One of the most gracious things Lord Virtanen has done was give life to those that have passed on. Those people who were dear to him and instrumental in the development of his world are forever a part of it. With each new story and the players that become a piece of that story share the bond, even indirectly, with him making the world that much richer and that much more important. There is hardly any greater flattery than to share love among a crowd and not ask for anything in return.
This is the interview with Lord Malikith Virtenan: Game Master, Architect, and The Magician.
1.David Itamae: You are the architect in the world we live, the Great Alliance. In the beginning, did you feel residents in Second Life would enjoy your style of long-term role play, with how everything is so fast paced?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: I had no clue. I was just helping out Comet at first.
2. David Itamae: I will ask this: Since helping Comet, what made you decide to stay and add a bigger role for yourself?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: Comet became my best friend.
David Itamae: Comet has been a delight, almost everyone has been since I have come back here. I was surprised and relieved, which made me happy.
3. David Itamae: Looking after the long history of roleplays you ever constructed for the Great Alliance what was the one you had the most fun in doing and participating in?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: My favorite storyline is the current one because it was something Gary and I had cooked up.
4. David Itamae: and one question pertaining to the current storyline, "any upcoming surprises you might be able to share with us, a foreshadow of things to come?”
Lord Malikith Virtanen: Foreshadowing? yes. The Villians HAVE a goal. They HAVE a mission. They are NOT just here to "knock heads" AS people begin to SEE what those Goals are… they WILL see that "every man, woman, and child" are Important.
5. David Itamae: What have you found to be the biggest challenges in maintaining entertainment for the players and not burn yourself out with the classes and brainstorming?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: Biggest challenge is that one Must remain flexible in all things because no 2 people are alike. Something I am adept to, but I am not even remotely perfect.
David Itame nods
6. David Itamae: I want to mention your sister, may she continue to rest in peace, because she is still very much a part of your roleplay and as the goddess you serve, how do you think she would have enjoyed the growth of your brainchild these last ten years?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: 4. My sister would be proud I think. I even have her as a Statue in the City of Aluvia. She always HATED Lloth with a passion. Felt her role was TOO important for such a being. SO I Replaced the Old Lloth with my sister, as the New Lloth. She would LOVE that.
David Itamae: that would have been an interesting sight
7. David Itamae: I know you are a drow, but under special rules, how do you overcome the challenges of the other players who come and play drow that say you are not being fair or are not true drow?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: I don’t care how people play their drow. I am Flattered they still like them after 40+ years.
David Itamae: they are a great race and I know how some get so dedicated into their role they almost become to drow like.
8. David Itamae: Speaking of the drow, you stated before you were the original role-player with Mr. Gygax what made you want or decide that a dark elf from under the earth is something you wanted to do or try?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: Yes, Gary was my DM(Dungeon Master). His view of elves was very Celtic and cool, BUT... we often talked about Elves being Linked to an Element. I have a penchant for the Darkness, as they say, and wanted to Explore said Penchant in our game. I had NO clue it was to be a "big thing."
David Itamae: People love evil and conflict.
9. David Itamae How do you think Mr. Gygax would have loved the world you built here?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: I think Gary would have been pleased…especially now. I DID write him a few times about what was going on MANY moons ago. And he was impressed. Said he was going to make an AV and come see for himself. But alas… I never learned if he did.
[14:30] David Itamae: yes, his passing was felt throughout Second Life, the fantasy worlds that knew of him and his connections to DnD. (Dungeons and Dragons)
10. David Itamae: Getting back about the Great Alliance, you had many hardships over the years with SIMs coming and going and large fallouts, what gave you the will to continue moving forward?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: Many of the SIMs that have left the GA were because it had become simply too much for me to manage. So we decided to "downsize", and on that same Token… if someone was Not Happy and Having fun? I was more than happy to let them roll away.
11. David Itamae: If there was a decision you wish you could have taken back what would it have been?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: There is yes. BUT… I do not dwell on Regrets, we ALL have them. No one is perfect. If you dwell on the Past it will consume you. Best to learn from it and move on
David Itamae: I like that.
12. David Itamae: Lastly, I know you try to include as many people as possible, what would you say to new players and older players as we move forward from this milestone?
Lord Malikith Virtanen: What I have to say to new and old alike would be. Have fun. We are HERE to enjoy the world. NO one can MAKE you have fun. No One can MAKE you happy. YOU make that decision. Find what you enjoy and DO it. Do NOT give up just because it doesn’t LOOK like you are included. EVERYONE is welcome in Everything. You just have to Make a Spot.
David Itamae: well, I appreciate your time. I will need to copy these words down and present them to
Lord Dishan and Lady Maeve.
Once departed, there was a new found admiration for the one that creates the bigger picture without ever leaving behind those who desire to be included. With those who know their place and others that seek it, Lord Malikith Virtanen would give his blessing for their efforts. He still remains humble but also a pillar of confidence in who he is and what he is. He might be a big player among many but he will never forget the people that brought his vision to life and made it greater than he ever could alone.