Vulpine Eldrich and King Angel Cordoso
Angel Cordoso: Greetings Vulpine, and welcome to Amber castle :)
Vulpine Eldrich: Thank you for having me!
Angel Cordoso: Have a seat :)
Vulpine Eldrich: Oh, thanks again. So, to our readers, I'm in a gray stone castle, sitting in a dark red couch, next to a very handsome and muscular King... the King of Amber. If I might start my questions, why the name of Amber? What does it mean to you and the others in your kingdom?
Angel Cordoso: The name Amber comes from a fantasy series written by Roger Zelazny, which I find is very relevant to Second Life. In the series, Amber is the 'real world', and all other worlds (like our Earth) are 'shadows' of Amber. The Princes and Princesses of Amber 'walk through shadow', manipulating reality as they go, very much like Second Life itself! In addition, it is also just a nice name. I wanted something simple and pretty.
Vulpine Eldrich: And you definitely chose one. So who from the series is your role model, as King of Amber?
Angel Cordoso: Actually, they are all fairly dreadful individuals :) They are in some sense my counter-role models, as they are solely interested in power at any cost. The main character, Corwin, is slightly better than the rest but not much ... it was more the concept of the place that I liked.
Vulpine Eldrich: So what sort of positive traits and role models do you follow as King?
Angel Cordoso: I have ideals for how to act. My first principal is that I believe diplomacy is the key to solving all problems. It doesn't always work, but it is always worth it to try to get people to fix their problems through mutual understanding.
Vulpine Eldrich: Has that failed for you, and if so, how did you handle it then?
Angel Cordoso: No it doesn't always work. Sometimes people just aren't getting along and there is nothing to be done about it. I don't banish in my Kingdom, so in the past, techniques I've used have included spending my vacation time trying to amicably split a line into two, and when absolutely necessary, pruning people who just can't play nicely in the Kingdom.
Vulpine Eldrich: Always a painful job, I'm sure. And what other principals have you followed?
Angel Cordoso: My second principal is to try to be as honest and straightforward as possible. I have found that many of the so-called 'dramas' in the game happen when people got caught in lies or underhanded deals.
Vulpine Eldrich: So how do you find new people for Amber? What sort of personality, or place, or thing, do you use as a guide?
Angel Cordoso: At this point, I don't actively recruit as much as manage who is around. That said, a lot of people have heard of Amber, or have been in Amber at some point, and I get more than the occasional IM asking if I'd be interested in having a line in my kingdom. At that point, depending on the size of the line, the requirements, the personalities, etc., I'll work with my directs to find the person a proper home. I used to be more 'they are acres, just take them', but now I am much more interested in getting to know the people a little better first to get an idea of whether they'd be a good fit or not.
Vulpine Eldrich: Why the change in attitude?
Angel Cordoso: Short term gains in acres at any cost invariably cause big troubles later on. Too many conflicting personalities can only co-exist for so long before you get some sort of breakdown.
Vulpine Eldrich: That sounds like the voice of experience to me. Speaking of experience, how did you get started in Tiny Empires?
Angel Cordoso: Ah, the way most people who get highly obsessed do, I think. :) My girlfriend at the time mentioned it to me in passing one day, and I expressed an interest. I instantly got addicted to it and have been playing ever since, even if at perhaps a less fevered pitch. I got my HUD February 18th of last year, so it has been a year and 10 days now.
Vulpine Eldrich: And how long did it take for you to decide you wanted to be a King?
Angel Cordoso: Not for several months. I initially wanted to support my liege and my liege's liege; I had no intention of ascending. Eventually circumstances changed and I thought I'd give it a shot myself. I ascended on the 28th of July of last year.
Vulpine Eldrich: What in particular happened to change your mind, and when you did, did you have enough to ascend immediately, or did you have to work at it?
Angel Cordoso: When I changed my mind, I don't remember if I had enough to ascend or not, but in any case I wanted to make sure I ascended with more than the bare minimum. I ascended with 37,000 acres, which was #35 at the time (there were half as many kingdoms then, of course). I think it was a gradual progress, and I had some dissatisfaction with Kingdom at the time, and no one else was ascending, so I figured it would have to be me!
Vulpine Eldrich: So did you have a group of people- friends- under you who were encouraging you to ascend?
Angel Cordoso: I did yes, a couple in particular, that were very supportive. Also, when I made my plans public, it turned out that most of the people under me were loyal and wanted to come along. We made a stop on the way to becoming Amber in Devonshire for 3 weeks, and in that time there was very little movement away. It was very rewarding to see that people were really excited about this new Kingdom.
Vulpine Eldrich: I can imagine! So you ascended, became King, and found out by experience what it was all about. Did you have any particular real life or second life talents, skills, or experience that proved useful?
Angel Cordoso: I think my strongest suits are diplomacy and an even temper. I try to understand all sides of a story when there is a conflict, and to try to resolve it as best I can that way. I also try to show my appreciation as much as possible without being an acre slave driver. These are things I try to bring from how I am in RL into the game. Aside from that, I am not royalty in RL, nor even a politician!
Vulpine Eldrich: Yes, I did notice your commitment to honesty earlier... but be that as it may. I assume this Palace we're in is Amber's central meeting point in Second Life? What sort of facilities do you have for subjects in Amber?
Angel Cordoso: Anyone is welcome to come here at any time, although this location is still fairly new. There is a Greedy table upstairs, and the Sim is free for exploration. Most of the services I provide are virtual, though - I put together an Amber Business Directory, for advertising SL builders/clubs/shops/etc., and am about to put together a RL directory for people looking for RL jobs in these hard economic times. Also, I've created a Helper that you can wear that provides answers to riddles and a welcome pack, amongst other things.
Vulpine Eldrich: An impressive list! How busy does all of this keep you? How many hours a week go into managing Amber, in one form or another?
Angel Cordoso: Many! Most of the time I am online, I am doing something related to Amber, even if I am no longer actively recruiting. Warning to anyone wanting to ascend: being a Monarch is a full-time job (on top of your other full time jobs...) So yes, it is a busy schedule of several hours a day doing something Amber-related, most days of the week.
Vulpine Eldrich: A good warning! Have you ever found yourself wishing you could relinquish the responsibilities and go back to being a Prince?
Angel Cordoso: Anyone who tells you otherwise is probably lying :) Yes, but then I think of all the people I would disappoint if I did (although I'd probably make a lot of other people very happy! But I am not as interested in pleasing them.) Also, there is still a lot of fun to be had, so I should be around for a bit longer I'd say!
Vulpine Eldrich: Are there any particular plans in your TE and Amber's future, besides keeping things going and active?
Angel Cordoso: Well, getting back in the top 10 would be nice. It means absolutely nothing, but it's a nice goal to have. We are at #11 right now, which is a great place to be because it keeps the excitement level high and gives a great goal to achieve. But other than that, just keep on playing is all that's on the agenda :)
Vulpine Eldrich: And playing usually means having fun, which I suspect is also on the agenda! What about game development in general- any new features or changes that you'd like to see in the rules?
Angel Cordoso: One thing I'd like to see is a way to have proper treaties between Kingdoms. Many kingdoms have no bribe/no sabo treaties with other Kingdoms, but there's no way to enforce them and they cause drama when some subject breaks the treaty, willingly or by accident. It would be nice if you could have a set number of Kingdoms where their names wouldn’t show up for bribes or sabotage, similar to the way that you can't bribe in-Kingdom any more.
Vulpine Eldrich: So more ways and options to form inter-kingdom alliances.
Angel Cordoso: Yes, exactly. From there you can imagine interesting concepts of merging Kingdoms and such, but I'd be happy with that to start.
Vulpine Eldrich: A good idea, and it could open a new level of play. But before getting to the lofty peak of monarch options, you have to start at the bottom. What would your first piece of advice be to someone just starting Tiny Empires- or maybe just considering whether or not they should?
Angel Cordoso: Well, first thing is to get your friends playing early on. Getting subjects early is a real key to becoming a good player.
Angel Cordoso: Once you have your base, go out and hit the friends list! You never know who is out there. But very important - let people know exactly what the game is about. Otherwise, you are just going to get a lot of 7 acre subjects that aren't going to play anyway. So yes, tell everyone about it, but be upfront and clear too, about just what you are getting them into :)
Vulpine Eldrich: A very good idea! Well, I suppose that's most of the questions I wanted to ask. Was there anything else that I missed that you think needs to be added?
Angel Cordoso: No, you were very thorough I think ... it was a pleasure meeting you and I hope you got a good feel of what Amber is about!
Vulpine Eldrich: Thank you... one more question, though perhaps it's slightly personal... am I imagining it, or are your eyes truly colored Amber?
Angel Cordoso: They are indeed, and it is on purpose :)
Vulpine Eldrich: Very good indeed! Well thank you so much for your time, and have a great evening :)
Angel Cordoso: You too
9 comments:
More smoke and mirrors Angel Cordoso. It's too bad that people have to find out the hard way what kind of a person you really are and in what way you run your Kingdom. Nice try on the * I'm a nice guy and care about people * thing. Your main goal is to get the most acres and you ( and your cronies ) will do whatever you have to do to achieve that goal, and you know it. You use people, and when you feel threatened, or they don't play along, you make them go away, in one way or the other. Beware people!!
"Angel Cordoso: My second principal is to try to be as honest and straightforward as possible. I have found that many of the so-called 'dramas' in the game happen when people got caught in lies or underhanded deals."
Are you kidding me? Angel, you are the King of lies and underhanded deals!! "LAUGHS OUT LOUD"
Well really what did ya excpect him to come on here sayin he was a liar and lets some chick run his bizness for him cuz he aint got the balls to do it himself ey?hehe
imma just readin this an laughin cuz everythng he said on here is about himself and hes knowin it.
Angel, a member of Amber, who is Group Officer and so a "moderator" for the chat, called another member of Amber a bitch and a cuntface. You know this story. This guy now is still a "moderator". How strange. This is an example of your diplomacy? You think this guy has the right character for such a role? Or hasn't he just a lot of acres and a lot of friends with acres?
I wonder if any of Cordoso's supporters will defend him? Must be lonely at the top.
Once there was a time I would have, full of righteous indignation at such slander... I'm sad that is no longer the case.
Good for you Angel, I know you don't loose any sleep over it. Nor the people that no longer call you a friend. After all I guess you will always have Skye.
As a non-subject but someone who is blessed to call Angel one of my closest friends I have to wonder at the motivations of people who hide behind anonymity while making these kinds of comments. If you have a gripe with Angel I suggest the mature approach of speaking to him directly and having your say, which will also allow him to reply. Angel is a caring person who is attacked by all number of people - ignore idle gossip and instead perhaps seek the motivating factors of the source. I am not hiding behind anonymity, my user name is there for all to see. I am not a member of Angel's kingdom, and if you want to contact me feel free to any time. I would love to have a chance to share my insights with you. Do all try to have a drama free Secondlife - and step out from behind "anonymous" why don't you?
I don't mind the anonymous comments directed to me (not that they are too hard to figure out who they are from, except for the unintelligible one), but the one directed to the moderator is well out of line. As the commentor knows quite well, the "victim" was quite acerbic herself and hardly innocent. As far as the acres go, I gave up plenty choosing the side that I know I can live siding with. In the end, you always have to make choices, and they aren't all going to be correct, but in this case I have no regrets.
Hello, well it’s great to see that Mr., Mrs. or Miss A Nonymous has something to say. So Ill start out by saying who I am, Stan Eracktor Prince of Amber, a direct to King Angel Cordoso and Ambers Grand Viceroy. I would say that the hours (averaging about 5 a day) over the past year or so spent having fun, chatting and working with Angel, on the building of Amber, give me quite a lot of insight to our gracious and benevolent King. He is a very good person works diligently to help work out issues between people, however some people just cant get along and a few have been encouraged to move along and find a better fit for their personalities. In fact, many have moved on to play their game, their way, in another kingdom and they remain very good friends with many of us in Amber. Others, it seem, just cant get past the fact that people are people and might possibly make a mistake along the way. To those people, I’d just like to say I’m sorry your life is such that you find it necessary to bad mouth people anonymously, because anyone who knows who you are would realize you have nothing to say that is worth listening to.
Your Friend
Stan
I came to Amber happily after being in a kingdom that was covered with drama and underhanded means. Does Amber have drama? You bet it does! How boring if everyone was just alike. Are their conflicts that get out of hand? You bet! We are all human and forget ourselves sometimes. Is there more than one side to the above mentioned story? LOL You bet!!!!! The moderator mentioned is a gentleman that was pushed beyond all boundaries, by a self righteous prima donna Marquise that didn’t know when to hush. The words used were unfortunate, because they were indeed ugly, but who hasn’t said something out of pure anger when PUSHED! Do we have some people who wish they could run their own kingdom and instead try to run Amber? LOL...we did, and good riddance with a smile to all of you as you leave! Is Angel Cordoso an upright kind of guy? Damn right he is!!!!! I would have him to my home RL in a second, unlike many of his critics. He rules with an even temper and listens to all sides. Shame on you that trash talk a man because he didn't see it the way you wanted him to. Get a life...go play in another kingdom. We're here because we love being here and we love having Angel guide us! So for those of you talk ugly and don’t have the maturity to sign your name…so happy you took your acres somewhere else, and if you didn’t……don’t let the castle gate hit you in your bum! Kaki Kesten!!!!!
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