Character name: Sesketh Ekalibis
Character class and level: Bruiser, Level 80
Real life occupation: Instructional Technology Resource Teacher
How did you get started gaming?
My first computer game was Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? and I've been gaming ever since. From text-based RPGs to flight simulators to Wolfenstein 3D and Doom, I was hooked on the interactivity of simulation and gaming. I got into MMORPGs through my next door neighbor, Daniel, who was a Star Wars: Galaxies player. I was playing soon after, and we made the switch together to EverQuest II, and I've never looked back. I love the community, the story line, and the play style. The more games I try, the more I like EQII!
What’s your favourite part of EQII, the thing that keeps you in game?
The people. My guild is a group of truly terrific people, and while we're a family-style guild, we keep discovering these terrific new folk who share our values of cooperation and community. I admired the character of Grobb and think the server merge brought out the best in the united Grobb and Everfrost. I genuinely enjoy spending time, as a hobby, with people from all over the world. I now have friends in the UK, in Poland, in the Middle East, all because of playing EQII. It's a place of tremendous diversity that I can't find in many of my other hobbies.
Sesky with guild hall guard |
Sesky in the TFL guild hall rooftop |
What is your funniest EQII moment?
I laugh so much when I play it's hard to pick just one! I seem to recall accidentally falling off a cloud platform not long after Kingdom of Sky was released and screaming (in guild chat) all the way down, and given the length of time it took to fall all that way, there was plenty of opportunity for me to make a complete idiot of myself as I waxed less-than-poetic on my lack of coordination as I plummeted towards the Kindgom of Splattering Flat Earth...
Any words of wisdom for fellow gamers?
I think my words of wisdom are the same for anybody who has played games for their entire lives: "It's just a game." Yes, it's a marvelous hobby, and we all love the time we spend working, fighting, adventuring, and achieving together, but nothing in EQII or any other game is worth losing sleep over, worth causing pain for others, or worth getting upset about. Frustrated? Sure! We've all been there. But don't lose perspective of what's really important. In the end, an update, a plat, even a mythical weapon... it's all just pixels and electrons. Relax. Have fun playing, because it's just that: Play! Oh, and of course, FEAR THE IKSAR. That's just as important.
 Sesky in dress uniform, |  Practicing the Dreadnaught Kata |
Geek credentials?
I hold a Master's degree in Instructional Technology, and include research and curriculum development in gaming and simulation as part of my day job. I'm literally bringing gaming into American public school classrooms as a data-driven efficacious teaching method. Dude, if that's not nerd city, I don't know what is.
Something about you that people wouldn’t usually guess?
I'm a classically trained musician. Seriously. I'm also terrified of fast-flying insects. Even musical ones.
If you could acquire one of your character's spells or abilities in real life, what would it be and why?
Intercept. I might go my entire life without one-shotting a single living thing, because I'm basically a pacifist, but if I could have the ability to step in the way and take a hit for someone I care about and survive, that would be a nobility even an Iksar would smile at!
Studying with the Whistling Fists Clan |
Napping with Tarasque, |
What's your favorite zone in the game and why?
Right now, I'd have to say Timorous Deep. I recently played a new berserker alt all the way through the storyline, and was really impressed with the writing and the scaling of the zone areas. I had a wonderful time playing it, and it was an entirely fresh and engaging EQ2 experience, which I had missed immediately after Kunark's launch... I was too busy throwing wild homecoming parties for my beloved Chiksar! HA!
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