Dining room in alpine cottage. This is the dining room of a cosy, alpine cottage. Snow heaped high against the shuttered windows outside only serves to emphasis the warmth and inviting cosiness within. A small cupboard to the northeast looks like the only exit apart from the main doorway to the east. A cheerful fire is burning in the fireplace. Kitty the necromancess is here. Cenedra the matriarch is here. Laura the warlock is here. Rosie the swordswoman is here. Rosie the swordswoman curtseys. Rosie the swordswoman beams. Cenedra the matriarch says "ooo". Laura the warlock says "This place looks familiar.". Cenedra the matriarch glances around. Laura the warlock grins. For your information: Firedemon the mage is worth 20,886 points if killed. Karya the melancholy witch says "The idea of this is to just have an informal chat that'll go into Muddled Times like an interview". Laura the warlock wonders, if we are going to say anything Oberon didn't already cover in his article. Rosie the swordswoman says "OK Karya". Karya the melancholy witch says "but around the subject of female mud players". Kitty the necromancess nods. Laura the warlock says "How long does 'ignore' last? I just said 'IGNORE HIM.' (g)". Karya the melancholy witch grins. Rosie the swordswoman grins. Karya the melancholy witch says "The reason I'm doing this now is because there seems to be far more female players around than there ever was". Kitty the necromancess smiles. Karya the melancholy witch asks "Do you think that's true from what you've seen?". ----*qw Hawumph the onomatopoeic arch-wizard Karya the melancholy witch Firedemon the mage Foz the protector Rosie the swordswoman Silly the warlock Kitty the necromancess Jodrell the superheroine Darknight the slow necromancer Laura the warlock Cenedra the matriarch Pippina the guest Rev the guest Laura the warlock says "I think so.". Rosie the swordswoman says "makes a nice change then - a while back there seemed to be just one or two". Kitty the necromancess nods. Laura the warlock says "Back on MUD2.com there seemed to be an even mix.". Kitty the necromancess nods. Rosie the swordswoman says "when I started playing, it was much more balanced, and I think it showed in the game". Laura the warlock says "I wasn't on Wireplay so you'll have to tell me how it was there.". Rosie the swordswoman says "there seemed to be a substantial core of female players, who played a lot". Rosie the swordswoman says "although thinking back, at least two of them turned out to be men". Karya the melancholy witch asks "Can you mention them?". Rosie the swordswoman grins. Rosie the swordswoman says "Jincks, Ciara, Zordell of course". Rosie the swordswoman says "Blackrose and Vella". Rosie the swordswoman says "mind's going blank now". Karya the melancholy witch asks "Cora, Tilnoom, Serenety?". Laura the warlock says "Back on MUD2.com during its heyday, it seemed there were plenty of both. I didn't really count, though.". Cenedra the matriarch says "Jesstar, Astral". Rosie the swordswoman says "maybe because they were/are all frequent players, and quite vocal, it felt like more". Rosie the swordswoman says "aha". Laura the warlock asks "Are you sure some of the people you mentioned weren't run by the same player, making it SEEM like there were more then there were?". Rosie the swordswoman says "well I know most of them weren't". Cenedra the matriarch says "Out of the list above, all different personas.". Rosie the swordswoman nods. Rosie the swordswoman says "I think we've met most of them at some point". Karya the melancholy witch nods. Rosie the swordswoman says "but I have to admit, I don't know much about the current players - what's the balance been". Karya the melancholy witch says "You mentioned Blackrose and Vella ...". Rosie the swordswoman nods. Karya the melancholy witch asks "do all of you here know them?". Karya the melancholy witch says "or at least of them". Kitty the necromancess shakes her head. Cenedra the matriarch says "I know Vella, not Blackrose.". Rosie the swordswoman says "bless their little hearts". Karya the melancholy witch grins. Laura the warlock says "I've never met Vella or Blackrose...at least not under those names.". Karya the melancholy witch says "Vella was Fruitbat's orginal persona". Kitty the necromancess says "only zordell n jinks". Kitty the necromancess grins, at cenedra Cenedra the matriarch winks. Kitty the necromancess winks. Rosie the swordswoman says "Both worryingly convincing at being female". Kitty the necromancess says "I've meet jinks once". Cenedra the matriarch says "She`s a top lady.". Karya the melancholy witch says "they built complex alter-egos and fictitious lives, but they were both men pretenting to be female". Kitty the necromancess nods. Rosie the swordswoman asks "Blackrose played quite a few female personas as well didn't she? Certainly a couple more?". Cenedra the matriarch asks "Matilda?". Rosie the swordswoman says "er, he even". Karya the melancholy witch says "Blackrose was also Alice and Kooky". Rosie the swordswoman exclaims "oh yeah!". Cenedra the matriarch says "Ah Alice :) He/She was lovely.". Karya the melancholy witch says "We might as well bring Matilda into the equation - he played a famale personae to make wiz with". Karya the melancholy witch asks "How do you feel about men pretending to be female to that extent?". Kitty the necromancess says "well I got 2 male personas now so don't think it matters really". Laura the warlock smiles. Rosie the swordswoman says "It doesn't bother me at all, although I did see it had caused quite a few problems and in some cases had gone too far - but that wasn't about being female, it was about the extent of roleplaying, if you see the difference". Karya the melancholy witch nods. Kitty the necromancess nods. Cenedra the matriarch says "A few people developing crushes. Can see that as being a large problem.". Cenedra the matriarch titters. Rosie the swordswoman says "I think it depends on your relationship to the persona. It can be fun to do at times". Laura the warlock says "Rosie has a point. When people roleplay to that extent, it becomes hard to tell what's real and what isn't real.". A female voice in the distance shouts "kit in hut". A female voice in the distance shouts "aarrggghhhhhhhhhhhh....". Cenedra the matriarch asks "Why do you think they wanted to play as females?". Rosie the swordswoman says "Crowley says it's a power thing". Rosie the swordswoman says "Female personae get treated better". Laura the warlock says "I don't know. Maybe they thought the grass was greener on the other side of the fence.". Laura the warlock grins. Cenedra the matriarch agrees. Laura the warlock asks "I've heard that female personae get treated better a lot of times. Is there any truth to that?". Rosie the swordswoman says "I certainly think you get treated differently as a female persona, don't know about better though - that depends on the individual". Laura the warlock says "I haven't really played many male personae for any long periods of time.". Cenedra the matriarch says "I don`t know. I think PKs go for females more than males due to them thinking they are more easy prey.". Kitty the necromancess nods. Rosie the swordswoman says "I'm sure if you had a female PK who was killing left right and centre, they'd be treated the same way as males". Kitty the necromancess agrees. Rosie the swordswoman says "I dunno Cenedra, I've almost never been PK'd as a female". Laura the warlock says "I met a few female PKs back on NVN. I suspect they were run by the same person, but I don't think I'll ever know.". Cenedra the matriarch says "And I can`t remember far back enough to tell you if I was PKed often in the land". Cenedra the matriarch coughs. Rosie the swordswoman grins. Karya the melancholy witch says "I think when you're new you get more attention if you have an obviously female name or female characteristics". Rosie the swordswoman agrees. Laura the warlock nods. Karya the melancholy witch says "so find it easier to get into the game because you're getting integrated into the game more quickly as people offer to help you". Kitty the necromancess nods. Kitty the necromancess agrees. Laura the warlock says "Yes. The people I met when I first started playing were nice to me. Probably because I came in as Laura.". A male voice in the distance shouts "poor thing dont stand a chance". A female voice in the distance shouts "dont go". Laura the warlock says "If I had used Zalagar, I don't know how they would have treated me. Zalagar's a gender-neutral name.". A female voice in the distance shouts "ur dead mate". Rosie the swordswoman says "I was given masses of help and friendship when I started, don't know if that was because I was female or because it was a friendly bunch at the time". Laura the warlock says "Ditto, Rosie.". In the distance, you hear a bell toll. Cenedra the matriarch winces. Rosie the swordswoman grins. A male voice in the distance shouts "POOR THINGS DONT STAND A CHANCE". ----*obit The following players have died in fights this reset: Darknight the necromancer, killed by the ogre. ----*qw Karya the melancholy witch Darknight the protector Vampnight the necromancess Foz the protector Rosie the swordswoman Silly the warlock Kitty the necromancess Laura the warlock Cenedra the matriarch Karya the melancholy witch asks "how about unsolicited attention?". Rosie the swordswoman grins. Rosie the swordswoman says "Yeah". In the distance, you hear someone whistle. Rosie the swordswoman says "I'd forgotten but Crowley's just reminded me". Cenedra the matriarch says "I ignore it now. If you make a comment they normally carry on. I won`t give an example ;)". Laura the warlock says "Sometimes unsolicited attention can be good...sometimes it can be annoying.". Rosie the swordswoman agrees. Rosie the swordswoman says "It's usually nothing, but it can get a little ... excessive". Rosie the swordswoman says "which I guess is why males roleplaying females can cause such difficulties :)". Kitty the necromancess nods. Laura the warlock says "Though I think sometimes some male players pretend to be sexist pigs just to wind us up sometimes.". Kitty the necromancess nods. Rosie the swordswoman says "Hmm, it's not the sexism - that seems to be the adolescents out there who don't know any better :)". Laura the warlock nods. Laura the warlock says "We do get a few of those here, true.". Rosie the swordswoman says "it's the excessive 'friendliness' that can cross the line". Rosie the swordswoman says "One or two, Laura :)". For your information: Oneandonly the sorcerer is worth 3,680 points if killed. Laura the warlock says "Well, a few DO go overboard...". Kitty the necromancess nods. Rosie the swordswoman says "I guess it's the security/anonymity of the internet as a whole that makes it more acceptable to behave in a way you wouldn't face to face". Kitty the necromancess agrees. Laura the warlock says "But if I can tell they don't mean anything by it, I let it slide usually.". Rosie the swordswoman says "And it's generally well meant, I think". Kitty the necromancess smiles. Laura the warlock says "Kitty, it seems Rosie is making such good points that all we can say is 'what she said'. (g)". Rosie the swordswoman says "You never know though, there might be male players out there that are avoiding playing because of unwanted attention...". Kitty the necromancess nods, at laura Rosie the swordswoman says "No, I just talk too MUCH :)". Kitty the necromancess says "no we agree with you rosie". Rosie the swordswoman says "Although I can't imagine many female players chatting that many people up. Anyone done it? :)". Cenedra the matriarch coughs. Karya the melancholy witch grins. Kitty the necromancess grins. Rosie the swordswoman eyes you. Rosie the swordswoman eyes Laura the warlock. Rosie the swordswoman eyes Cenedra the matriarch. Rosie the swordswoman eyes Kitty the necromancess. Rosie the swordswoman exclaims "shame on you all!". Rosie the swordswoman grins. Cenedra the matriarch laughs. Karya the melancholy witch grins. Hovering before you is Eros, wearing a blindfold. Eros pulls his bow and shoots Kitty the necromancess! Eros gives a satisfied smile, and flies away. Kitty the necromancess says "it's just a bit of fun". Laura the warlock nods. Rosie the swordswoman says "perfect timing from Eros". Karya the melancholy witch grins. Rosie the swordswoman laughs. Laura the warlock laughs. Karya the melancholy witch laughs. Kitty the necromancess says "I dont get me snog now :)". Laura the warlock says "Don't ask. (g)". Kitty the necromancess laughs. Laura the warlock says "Anyway, it was just in fun.". Cenedra the matriarch says "It's all just for laughs.". Rosie the swordswoman asks "A bit of harmless flirting never hurt anyone?". Rosie the swordswoman grins. Kitty the necromancess grins. Kitty the necromancess agrees. Karya the melancholy witch asks "Hmm, have you ever experienced a bit of harmless flirting going a bit too far?". Laura the warlock says "Yes.". Kitty the necromancess nods. Cenedra the matriarch nods, also Rosie the swordswoman grins. Laura the warlock says "Sometimes we have to remind people that a line has to be drawn somewhere.". Rosie the swordswoman asks "But who takes it too far more often - males or females?". Kitty the necromancess says "yeah when they know u got kids and boyfriend then they ask if they can come visit but want more than mates". Laura the warlock says "Males probably take it too far more often.". Rosie the swordswoman says "that's the adolescents again, I reckon Kitty - ever hopeful.". Kitty the necromancess nods. Kitty the necromancess smiles. Karya the melancholy witch says "Have any of you experienced inadvertent sexism from male players who just want to help, but end up helping too much". Cenedra the matriarch shakes her head. Kitty the necromancess shakes her head. Rosie the swordswoman says "No, I don't think so - usually get the extra help due to not knowing what I'm doing :)". Laura the warlock says "Not really.". Karya the melancholy witch ponders. Rosie the swordswoman says "Although people may be more willing to help in the first place because I'm female.". Rosie the swordswoman says "I've never consistently played as a male as a comparison.". Laura the warlock says "Neither have I. My only male personae have been 'fall guys'. Personae I use to test silly things like tickling the dragon.". Laura the warlock asks "But is it really sexist to help a female?". Rosie the swordswoman says "Only if it's done on the assumption that it's more necessary for a girl...". Rosie the swordswoman says "to need help I mean". Karya the melancholy witch says "I just got the feeling sometimes that a male player would take charge and lead me to something, help me get some treasure or fight something, especially if I had just died". Kitty the necromancess nods. Karya the melancholy witch says "and I got the feeling they wouldn't have done that to a male player". Rosie the swordswoman says "Hmm, I know what you mean actually Karya". Cenedra the matriarch agrees, with Karya Cenedra the matriarch says "I see that alot actually.". Laura the warlock nods. Rosie the swordswoman says "But I guess I don't see that as sexism - perhaps just being more sociable to female personas". Kitty the necromancess nods. Laura the warlock says "I don't see that as sexism, either.". Rosie the swordswoman says "Perhaps knowing you'll get a nicer reaction - more polite? :)". Karya the melancholy witch says "It's like they're trying to be chivalrous". Firedemon the mage screams. Laura the warlock nods. Rosie the swordswoman says "Maybe MUD's the only place you can be chivalrous these days? :)". Karya the melancholy witch says "which is nice, but can become problematic when you're trying to learn for yourself". Cenedra the matriarch says "They're being "The Manly Man" <grunts and beats chest>". Rosie the swordswoman agrees. Kitty the necromancess agrees. Laura the warlock asks "So what you're talking about, Karya, is male players being condescending?". Karya the melancholy witch nods. Laura the warlock says "I don't think I've encountered that...at least not often.". Rosie the swordswoman says "Not overtly". Karya the melancholy witch says "I found it problematic when I was wizrunning". Rosie the swordswoman says "No 'here you are, little lady', but perhaps subconsciously". Cenedra the matriarch says "I don`t think any male MUD players at this moment in time are sexist to the point of being rude, or belittling women". Rosie the swordswoman asks "has it been hard being a witch in an almost all male wiz-list?". Karya the melancholy witch says "sometimes, yes". Laura the warlock asks "Can you explain?". Kitty the necromancess smiles. Karya the melancholy witch says "I do miss the company of the other witches". Rosie the swordswoman asks "Is it harder being Arch or does the extra authority help?". Karya the melancholy witch puzzles. Laura the warlock says "Karya's not an arch, but she does so much that she might as well be.". Rosie the swordswoman says "well, boss-witch". Kitty the necromancess nods. Karya the melancholy witch grins. Rosie the swordswoman says "Arch in all but name :)". Kitty the necromancess smiles. Laura the warlock says "On NVN, we had two arch-witches, Satchi and Layla. Both have retired from MUD2...:(". Karya the melancholy witch says "as you can imagine in a male-dominated environment the conversation can get a bit ermmm "masculine" if you know what I mean". Karya the melancholy witch says "but it doesn't happen THAT much". Rosie the swordswoman says "it's rare to see any of the other witches any more - although there's also plenty of wizzes who don't play, there's more so their absence is felt less I guess". Kitty the necromancess says "u dont really see any witches on here apart from karya". Rosie the swordswoman laughs. Laura the warlock nods. Rosie the swordswoman asks "Wiz-room all smelly socks and beer?". Karya the melancholy witch says "but also their perspective is very different at times and you're fighting that corner on your own". Rosie the swordswoman nods. Kitty the necromancess nods. Karya the melancholy witch says "and also if you're at all tetchy out come the sexist comments or presumptions". Karya the melancholy witch says "but if it's one of them being tetchy its different". Rosie the swordswoman asks "Really?". Laura the warlock understands. Kitty the necromancess nods. Rosie the swordswoman says "God you wouldn't think they'd behave like that normally - but I guess some of them are quite young". Laura the warlock says "It's like being the token female anywhere, I guess.". Karya the melancholy witch nods. Cenedra the matriarch asks "And if you`re trying to get a point across do they throw the old "uh oh PMT" comments at you?". Karya the melancholy witch says "I have had that, yes". Rosie the swordswoman says "God, how pathetic". Rosie the swordswoman sighs. Laura the warlock shakes her head. Karya the melancholy witch says "It's not as bad as it seems, it's not like that most of the time". Auto-reset initiated, you have 120 seconds to finish up. No further warnings will be issued! Firedemon the mage cheers. Laura the warlock exclaims "I should HOPE not!". Karya the melancholy witch says "just sometimes I DO miss having another witch for company". Kitty the necromancess nods. Rosie the swordswoman asks "is that supposed to get us to get a move on?". Rosie the swordswoman grins. In the distance, you hear a wolf whistle. Kitty the necromancess laughs. Karya the melancholy witch grins. In the distance, you hear someone whistle. Cenedra the matriarch says "Don`t look at me Karya ;) but Im sure the other ladies present would like to make witch and keep you company". Cenedra the matriarch winks. Laura the warlock smiles. Kitty the necromancess nods. Rosie the swordswoman asks "do any of the other witches ever come on any more?". Laura the warlock asks "Whatever happened to Lexley?". Karya the melancholy witch says "very rarely". Kitty the necromancess sighs. In the distance, you hear someone whistle. Rosie the swordswoman says "Can't say I blame her". Laura the warlock nods. Rosie the swordswoman says "She was treated very badly". ----*reset Time-stamp: 20:40:51 on 11-FEB-2004. This is reset 14665, using slot 0. A reset is due in 8 seconds. Cenedra the matriarch sighs. Something magical is happening. +- The database has started initialising -+ +- The database has finished initialising -+ Dining room in alpine cottage. This is the dining room of a cosy, alpine cottage. Snow heaped high against the shuttered windows outside only serves to emphasis the warmth and inviting cosiness within. A small cupboard to the northeast looks like the only exit apart from the main doorway to the east. A cheerful fire is burning in the fireplace. Rosie the swordswoman is here. Zordell the delirious necromancess is here. Kitty the necromancess is here. Laura the warlock is here. A male voice in the distance shouts "io". Rosie the swordswoman beams. Karya the melancholy witch asks "Lexley was treated badly?". A male voice in the distance shouts "poor dk cant handle us men". ----*qw Karya the melancholy witch Foz the protector Firedemon the mage Zordell the delirious necromancess Rosie the swordswoman Darknight the swordsman Laura the warlock Kitty the necromancess Silly the warlock Zordell the delirious necromancess says "look after me karya this is the first time zors been north for years". Zordell the delirious necromancess laughs. Karya the melancholy witch grins. Kitty the necromancess laughs. Laura the warlock says "I only read her articles and BB postings, but it sure SOUNDED like Lexley was treated badly.". Rosie the swordswoman says "I remember her getting personal attacks about her website - the bits that were her personal website not the Mud bit". Laura the warlock says "She took a lot of verbal abuse for her stand on PKs.". Rosie the swordswoman says "She seemed to get a lot of abuse just for having opinions". Rosie the swordswoman nods. Zordell the delirious necromancess says "Poor luv :(". Kitty the necromancess agrees. Zordell doesnt remember Lexley :( Karya the melancholy witch asks "Do you think that was because she was very vocal about her opinions, or because she was very vocal AND female?". Laura the warlock says "It wouldn't surprise me if she got so fed up she quit the online world altogether.". Kitty the necromancess sighs. Rosie the swordswoman says "Because she was a good female player who had strong opinions I think - all of it". Zordell the delirious necromancess says "I haven`t heard anything about her being abused until just now so I wouldn`t like to say Karya.". Laura the warlock says "A lot of what Lexley said, I agree with. Not all of it, mind you. But a lot of what she said made sense to me.". Kitty the necromancess agrees, with zordell In the distance, you hear a low, reverberating sound. Rosie the swordswoman says "Because there are plenty of male players with strong opinions who might be disliked, but not on such a personal level". Karya the melancholy witch nods. Rosie the swordswoman says "It seemed that it was 'OK' to be unpleasant personally to her on the back of MUD disputes almost". Zordell the delirious necromancess says "Serenety should be here for this really. Shame she couldn`t make it because she is very headstrong about certain issues on MUD". Laura the warlock says "The abuse Lexley got makes me afraid to state my opinions as she did.". Rosie the swordswoman says "whereas you get fewer personal attacks to male personae - it's more confined to the topic". Laura the warlock says "I DID state my opinions like Lexley did on BL. It made me very unpopular there.". Rosie the swordswoman says "I may not be making my point very well". Rosie the swordswoman nods. Laura the warlock says "People kept making fun of me, insulting me, spreading NASTY rumours about me.". Zordell the delirious necromancess says "I`d be scared to speak up too if that was whats happening". Kitty the necromancess sighs. Laura the warlock says "I got so fed up I've rarely been back to BL since.". Rosie the swordswoman asks "were there male players with similar opinions? what happened to them?". Laura the warlock says "I haven't heard of any male players with similiar opinions.". Rosie the swordswoman says "ah". Laura the warlock says "I think if there were, they were probably given more leeway. It's a stereotype that women are bad at keeping the 'stiff upper lip'.". Rosie the swordswoman nods. Rosie the swordswoman says "Although I feel I should add that most male players are very nice :)". Karya the melancholy witch grins. Rosie the swordswoman says "or everyone will say we're just a load of bitter men-bashers". Rosie the swordswoman says "with PMT". Rosie the swordswoman grins. Laura the warlock says "True. A lot of male players are very nice.". Zordell the delirious necromancess says "I suppose its more "fun" to abuse a woman verbally in tearoom, or the land, because many women don`t know how to react to this. I`ve noticed this a few times. Whereas before I`d be vocal about sticking up for people I now keep as quiet as I possibly can". Karya the melancholy witch asks "Are you saying that you feel repressed in the tearoom sometimes simply because youre female, Zordell?". Laura the warlock says "I think you're right, Zordell, to some extent. The jerks in BL who kept abusing me kept doing it because I didn't know how to react a lot of the time.". Zordell the delirious necromancess says "I don`t know Karya. I have had to put up with some total utter <coughs> recently, and in the past, if it be due to being female or if im a tearoomer, I can't say.". Laura the warlock says "It might be both, Zordell.". Zordell the delirious necromancess says "Just saying men can react to this sort of situation better than some women". Karya the melancholy witch nods. Zordell the delirious necromancess says "Women need to get defensive quicker its an instant reaction. Probably cos most women don't, and damn well shouldn't, take no guff from any men.". Laura the warlock asks "I don't know...are there certain behaviors that people 'let slide' if it's a male doing it?". Zordell the delirious necromancess rolls on the floor, laughing. Laura the warlock asks "I think there ARE certain behaviors people let slide if it's a female doing it?". Zordell the delirious necromancess says "sorry :)". Rosie the swordswoman grins. Rosie the swordswoman asks "like what, Laura?". Foz the protector bids everyone later. Vampnight the necromancess bids everyone later. Laura the warlock says "Like asking for help...". Laura the warlock says "I think some stereotypes still persist. Women are allowed to stop and ask directions...". Rosie the swordswoman says "I don't know, I've had plenty of male players asking me for help in fights, with PC, keep etc.". Laura the warlock says "Likewise.". Karya the melancholy witch says "Take little things though, like people shouting for a glow". Laura the warlock says "Most of the inadvertant sexism I've encountered was back when I was a newbie.". Karya the melancholy witch says "people tend to get pretty fed up with that, but if it's a female shouting they get more slack". Zordell the delirious necromancess says "Right I'm off my fellas arrived. I can now take all this feminist angst out on him.". Zordell the delirious necromancess cheers. Laura the warlock laughs. Rosie the swordswoman asks "Do you think? From males or females Karya?". Rosie the swordswoman says "poor man :)". Zordell the delirious necromancess says "Thanks alot Karya, I`ll see you soon.". Rosie the swordswoman has given Zordell the delirious necromancess a great big hug! Zordell the delirious necromancess says "see ya later gals ;)". Zordell the delirious necromancess winks. Karya the melancholy witch says "thanks for joining in Zordell". Kitty the necromancess nods. Kitty the necromancess waves. Karya the melancholy witch waves. Zordell the delirious necromancess says "thanks for having me". In the distance, you hear a loud "MOO". Zordell the delirious necromancess has just passed on. Laura the warlock says "Actually, she wanted to leave before Evilkiller the warlock arrived at the alpine cottage. (g)". Rosie the swordswoman grins. Karya the melancholy witch grins. Laura the warlock says "Can't say I blame her, though.". Laura the warlock says "That's another thing.". Kitty the necromancess nods. Karya the melancholy witch asks "Why do you think there are so few female wizzes?". Rosie the swordswoman asks "I don't know why Karya - are there just fewer female players, or is it a qualitative difference in playing ability or desire to wiz?". Rosie the swordswoman asks "Karya, why do YOU think there are fewer witches?". Laura the warlock asks "Are female players less likely to be PKs than males?". Laura the warlock says "Two questions at once...". Rosie the swordswoman laughs. A male voice in the distance shouts "ggrrrrrrr". Kitty the necromancess says "I think most pks are men". Rosie the swordswoman says "But there are more male players in general so it's hard to tell". Kitty the necromancess nods. Mudmage the warrior shouts "glow mudmage plz". Laura the warlock says "I've been a non-PK all the time. I only attack people who are being mean to other people. (g)". Rosie the swordswoman shouts "I would if you were a girl". Rosie the swordswoman grins. Karya the melancholy witch laughs. A male voice in the distance shouts "thanks". A male voice in the distance shouts "I am a girl I think". Laura the warlock makes some magical gestures. Kitty the necromancess laughs. Rosie the swordswoman giggles. Laura the warlock makes some magical gestures. Karya the melancholy witch says "on this mud which is predominately British (I think it's different on mud2.com) ...". Karya the melancholy witch says "there are rarely any true female pks". Laura the warlock nods. Kitty the necromancess nods. Karya the melancholy witch says "some try it out but drift away from the concept again". Rosie the swordswoman asks "So is that more a British female thing then?". Laura the warlock says "Most of them are wizmorts played by male wizzes? (g)". Karya the melancholy witch says "I think so, I've spoken to someone else about this on mud2.com". Rosie the swordswoman says "I have to admit, I can't PK, but that's ineptness as much as dislike of it". Laura the warlock says "Oops, that's a secret...there's no such thing as wizmorts - forget I said anything. (g)". Karya the melancholy witch grins. Rosie the swordswoman laughs. Kitty the necromancess grins. Karya the melancholy witch exclaims "hmm now I can't say what I was about to say!". Rosie the swordswoman grins. Kitty the necromancess grins. Laura the warlock says "Anyway, Amazons aside, the stereotype is that males tend to be more aggressive.". Laura the warlock says "So it's not surprising that most PKs are male.". Karya the melancholy witch says "I think the only true female pker I've ever come across on this mud was me". Rosie the swordswoman grins. Kitty the necromancess smiles. Rosie the swordswoman whispers "the secret's out!!". Karya the melancholy witch says "and I don't any more btw, I don't play full stop". Laura the warlock says "Innocent the white witch had an alternate persona who was a pk. Or so she claimed.". Kitty the necromancess says "I dont think ive been pked by a female on mud2.com only male". Laura the warlock says "But that was on MUD2.com". Laura the warlock says "I've been attacked by female PKs on NVN and MUD2.com. But I don't think I've encountered any here on co.uk.". Rosie the swordswoman asks "And did you enjoy it as much as non-PK play Karya, or was it more a means to an end?". Kitty the necromancess nods. Karya the melancholy witch says "ummm well that's a hard question". Karya the melancholy witch says "I prefered playing mortal when I was mortal". Karya the melancholy witch says "and when I was mortal I didn't pk". Karya the melancholy witch says "Does that make sense?". Laura the warlock nods. Kitty the necromancess nods. Rosie the swordswoman nods. Laura the warlock says "It makes sense.". Kitty the necromancess nods. Laura the warlock says "To me, anyway.". Kitty the necromancess grins. Karya the melancholy witch says "When I pked there were a lot more players". Rosie the swordswoman says "the assumption is that if a wiz plays as a mortal, it's as a PK". Karya the melancholy witch says "oh I've played nice mortals loads". Rosie the swordswoman says "but when people say 'wizmort' it's usually in the context of someone killing". Laura the warlock nods. Kitty the necromancess nods. Rosie the swordswoman says "people don't even try to spot wizmorts when they're playing non-PK". Laura the warlock says "True, Rosie. The term 'wizmort' means a wiz's mortal persona. Nothing more, nothing less.". Rosie the swordswoman nods. Kitty the necromancess nods. Rosie the swordswoman says "but it's read to mean 'Evil Wiz PK who killed my lovely Mage'". Laura the warlock smiles. Kitty the necromancess smiles. ----*qw Karya the melancholy witch Rosie the swordswoman Laura the warlock Kitty the necromancess Karya the melancholy witch exclaims "oooh it's only us four now!". Laura the warlock nods. Karya the melancholy witch says "we scared the lads off". Rosie the swordswoman exclaims "eek!". Kitty the necromancess laughs. Rosie the swordswoman asks "So do you think the stereotype of female players - socialising as the priority - is true?". Laura the warlock says "I think so.". Laura the warlock says "Though I think most stereotypes are self-perpetuating.". Karya the melancholy witch says "I think that might explain why there aren't many female wizzes". Karya the melancholy witch says "partly explain anyway". Rosie the swordswoman says "I confess, it is in my case, but that's because I'm not particularly into games anyway". Rosie the swordswoman agrees. Kitty the necromancess nods. Kitty the necromancess says "I like playing in land but as soon as i get a mu i get attacked n puts me off when i get another mu up". Rosie the swordswoman asks "That's very depressing though - that the male players really ARE the more agressive ones and the women sit and chat!?". Laura the warlock says "I know, Rosie.". Kitty the necromancess nods. Rosie the swordswoman says "they'll have to introduce knitting wool into the game to complete the picture...". Rosie the swordswoman grins. Kitty the necromancess laughs, nod Laura the warlock smiles. Rosie the swordswoman asks "Karya, why do you think you're the only witch who's still playing?". Karya the melancholy witch thinks. Rosie the swordswoman asks "When the wizzes seem to stick longer - or is that just that there's more of them?". Laura the warlock says "There's just more of them, probably. I count only four witches on the current list, three of them inactive.". Rosie the swordswoman asks "how many wizzes are fairly regular players?". Rosie the swordswoman says "I'm not on often enough to know". Laura the warlock says "And over 30 wizards.". Kitty the necromancess says "we just gonna have 2 roll our socks up girls and keep karya company :)". Rosie the swordswoman says "and Lexley was the last witch - must be a good five years or so ago now, and 16 wizzes since then.". Karya the melancholy witch says "Suzy and Xia got drawn away by Everquest". Rosie the swordswoman tuts. Laura the warlock sighs. Rosie the swordswoman exclaims "wish I could Kitty, but I've got a long way to go!". Kitty the necromancess sighs. Laura the warlock shakes her head. Kitty the necromancess nods, same here Rosie the swordswoman grins. Kitty the necromancess says "I ain't played 4 over 2 years now and gotta learn from start again im a newbie lol". Rosie the swordswoman grins. Laura the warlock says "I've taken breaks from the game that lasted THREE years.". Kitty the necromancess says "only coz I lost my house and had no internet". Laura the warlock says "When NVN shut down in June 1994, I didn't play again until late 1997 on MUD2.com.". Kitty the necromancess says "but now im back". Karya the melancholy witch asks "two of you have mud players as boyfriends/partners, did you start playing mud because of your partners?". Rosie the swordswoman says "yup". Rosie the swordswoman says "it's all his fault". Kitty the necromancess nods. Rosie the swordswoman says "I didn't even really know about computer games until Crowley found wireplay". Rosie the swordswoman says "those innocent days". Rosie the swordswoman grins. Kitty the necromancess says " I only started playing mud coz of sabretooth playing". Kitty the necromancess nods. Karya the melancholy witch says "Do you ever play with your boyfriends, as it were". Karya the melancholy witch coughs. Rosie the swordswoman asks "so Karya and Laura, you both were looking for a game to play?". Rosie the swordswoman laughs, out loud. Laura the warlock says "Yes.". Kitty the necromancess says "belive it or not marmite got sabretooth into mud". Rosie the swordswoman says "I have done, Karya.". Laura the warlock says "At least, I was looking for a game to play. I can't speak for Karya.". Rosie the swordswoman nods. Karya the melancholy witch says "I had played a mud at university (introduced by a boyfriend and male friend), years later I was looking for a mud to play and someone showed me the Wireplay CD which advertised MUD2". Karya the melancholy witch says "and I started playing leading my THEN boyfriend onto the game too". Rosie the swordswoman laughs. Laura the warlock smiles. Karya the melancholy witch says "who some of you may know as Blackrose". Karya the melancholy witch laughs. Rosie the swordswoman grins. Kitty the necromancess smiles. Laura the warlock smiles. Karya the melancholy witch says "needless to say we split up not long after". Rosie the swordswoman laughs. Laura the warlock laughs. Rosie the swordswoman says "when he started wearing dresses :)". Kitty the necromancess grins. Karya the melancholy witch giggles. Kitty the necromancess giggles. Rosie the swordswoman says "so 3 of us were introduce to Mud by a male friend". Kitty the necromancess nods. Karya the melancholy witch nods. Rosie the swordswoman asks "I wonder if that's typical of most computer games/players?". Kitty the necromancess wonders. Rosie the swordswoman says "Crowley says it's true of Everquest too :)". Laura the warlock says "Hmm...". Karya the melancholy witch says "So we need to tap that potential female market out there". Laura the warlock asks "How do we do that, without reinforcing stereotypes?". Kitty the necromancess agrees. Rosie the swordswoman asks "Get all the male players to let their girlfriends/sisters/mothers use their computers?". Kitty the necromancess laughs, out loud. Karya the melancholy witch says "The trouble is, a lot of players (of either sex) play mud to get away from real life relationships". Laura the warlock nods. Rosie the swordswoman nods. Rosie the swordswoman asks "And it's very much a word of mouth thing so it relies on players talking about it to female friends, which maybe doesn't happen?". Kitty the necromancess says "but hate it when rl is brought into the game by other players". Laura the warlock says "I know. I play for the escapism, mostly.". Karya the melancholy witch says "I wondered if it has been hard in any way for either of you Rosie and Kitty, having your partners on here too". Laura the warlock says "I make a few pop culture reference jokes, but I leave RL out of it for the most part.". Rosie the swordswoman says "We rarely played together I think, Karya, so it wasn't a problem". Kitty the necromancess says "my rl has been in mud". Kitty the necromancess says "wasn't nice". Rosie the swordswoman says "and when we were (we have two computers), we have very different styles of play so didn't have much overlap". Rosie the swordswoman says "As in he'd be off getting points, I'd be drinking tea :)". Laura the warlock laughs. Karya the melancholy witch grins. A male voice in the distance shouts "hello people with 5 leter names :)". Kitty the necromancess says "I don't mind playing same time with partner". ----*qw Karya the melancholy witch Folly the swordsman Rosie the swordswoman Laura the warlock Kitty the necromancess Pipns the guest Laura the warlock shouts "This is the five-letter names set. (g)". Rosie the swordswoman shouts "Helloo Both of you too!". Rosie the swordswoman says "No, nor me. Except it means arguing over who makes tea". Kitty the necromancess says "something happened that wasn't very nice when other half attacked someone and coz of this rl was brought into game which was upsetting". Rosie the swordswoman asks "Do you find it hard Karya?". Karya the melancholy witch says "I think it's a bit different as a wiz". Rosie the swordswoman asks "were you always a wiz?". Karya the melancholy witch nods. Kitty the necromancess smiles. Rosie the swordswoman says "no, I mean when you were playing with a partner". Rosie the swordswoman grins. Karya the melancholy witch says "I had been a wiz for a year". Karya the melancholy witch says "oh right I get you". Karya the melancholy witch says "there was Blackrose - that got very complex". Rosie the swordswoman nods. Karya the melancholy witch says "That was very hard, because he was being a she and I couldn't say anything about it. That affected what I told my friends about my life". Kitty the necromancess smiles. Rosie the swordswoman says "but I guess 'playing' is so different now that it's not the same problems". Rosie the swordswoman nods. Laura the warlock understands. Karya the melancholy witch says "and it was hard "playing" together. I kind of progressed quicker than him". Karya the melancholy witch says "and he was a bit proud about that". Rosie the swordswoman says "It did lead to a great air of mystery though". Karya the melancholy witch nods. Kitty the necromancess smiles. Rosie the swordswoman asks "he was proud you were progressing faster?". Karya the melancholy witch says "no, it dented his pride that I was doing better than him". Laura the warlock sighs. Rosie the swordswoman says "ah". Laura the warlock shakes her head. Rosie the swordswoman says "I guess that's the advantage in not 'playing' properly - no competition here". Kitty the necromancess nods. Karya the melancholy witch asks "so, do you any of you have any aspirations for make wiz?". ----*ql Dining room in alpine cottage. A cheerful fire is burning in the fireplace. Rosie the swordswoman is here. Kitty the necromancess is here. Laura the warlock is here. Laura the warlock says "I don't know. Sometimes I think I'd like to, but then I realize I wouldn't know what to do if I ever got there.". Kitty the necromancess says "would like 2 but got along way 2 go". Rosie the swordswoman asks "Hmm.... it would be nice to achieve that much, get that far. BUT I know I can't do it, and many wizzes/witches seem to miss playing mortal, so is it really worth it?". Karya the melancholy witch says "I deeply missed playing mortal, but at the same time it opened up a different game for me too". Kitty the necromancess understands, rosie Rosie the swordswoman says "We should probably all say that's the ultimate goal, but I guess the advantage of MUD is that you don't have to 'win' to play". Kitty the necromancess agrees. Laura the warlock nods. Karya the melancholy witch says "Wiz isn't for a lot of people, the trick is knowing if it's for you". Laura the warlock asks "How DO you know if it's for you?". Rosie the swordswoman says "I guess as a mortal I don't know enough about what a wiz can do to know what it's like - I guess it's not all sitting around twiddling your thumbs". Kitty the necromancess says "would be a goal if i did it before other half but I know thats a laugh". Laura the warlock says "Unless I'm mistaken, your other half already HAS done it on .com under another name.". Laura the warlock says "I won't say which name here, though.". Kitty the necromancess says "if u make wiz or witch what goal is there after that". Rosie the swordswoman says "A new way to play I guess". Kitty the necromancess nods, laura Karya the melancholy witch says "Kitty, there are more goals after that, goals that you make yourself". Karya the melancholy witch says "It depends on how proactive you are". Kitty the necromancess understands. Laura the warlock says "I like proactive wizzes best.". Karya the melancholy witch says "And I think on that note I'll conclude this discussion ...". Rosie the swordswoman grins. Laura the warlock says "Okay.". Karya the melancholy witch asks "unless there was anything else anyone wanted to add?". Rosie the swordswoman says "No...". Kitty the necromancess shakes her head. Kitty the necromancess smiles. Kitty the necromancess says "its been fun". Karya the melancholy witch exclaims "This turned out very well, I hope to do it again sometime!". Laura the warlock says "I just wanted to thank you for Muddled Times and everything. I know it sounds like sucking up...". Rosie the swordswoman exclaims "although I hope reading back this doesn't all come across wrong!". Kitty the necromancess nods. Laura the warlock says "But I think MT and the monthly events help to increase player enthusiasm". Karya the melancholy witch exclaims "Thank YOU all for taking part in this!". Rosie the swordswoman says "Thanks very much Karya - it's been interesting (and MUCH better than doing my work :)". Karya the melancholy witch grins. Kitty the necromancess says "thanks 4 having me karya". Rosie the swordswoman grins. Laura the warlock waves. Rosie the swordswoman curtseys.