Vulpine Eldrich, Soon to be King TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn, and Lady of the Bay Charm March
Vulpine Eldrich: Good evening, everyone. I'm here with Prince TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn, and his SL (and TE) partner, Charm March. They've graciously consented to tell me about the big plans that are set to occur for tomorrow, August 27th. TeuffelHunde, would you tell everyone just what you two are planning to do?
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: I will be ascending and we will be starting the Kingdom of Music. This kingdom will be to support Music in Second Life.
Vulpine Eldrich: And how will it do that?
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: Many of our members are Live Musicians, Singers, DJ's, Venue Owners and Music Lovers. We will do it through promotion of music and different events in Second Life.
Charm March: We have many friends in the music community, and we are both passionate about supporting live music in SL. We have yet to work out exactly how we will help, but that is our main goal.
Vulpine Eldrich: So would I be correct in saying that the music career came first, and then the Tiny Empires career?
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: It is more of a passion for the music. Yes we had that before TE. Charm ran a Venue for 2 years called Bay Vista Live Music Scene.
Vulpine Eldrich: Thus, Charm, your Tiny Empires title, "Lady of the Bay"?
Charm March: Yes, exactly.
Vulpine Eldrich: And how did you two become involved in Tiny Empires?
Charm March: I started TE about 2 years ago, and kind of floundered around in it. Then, through some convincing by friends, I decided to form the Kingdom of Music. Teuff joined me a little before that time, and we have been working on this goal together for several months now.
Vulpine Eldrich: So Teuff, you found Charm already with this idea?
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: I started in TE this past January when Charm and I started hanging out.
Charm March: The idea came about after he joined me, and since we both enjoy the music scene so much, it seemed like a perfect idea.
Vulpine Eldrich: So he joins you, but now that your kingdom is imminent, you're his subject and he'll be King. Is there something I'm missing about this apparent role reversal?
Charm March: Oh well. Yeah, I guess so. I decided that I preferred for him to be the King. I would rather take a supporting role in the kingdom. I actually think it will give me more time to do the things that I want to without having to take on the duties of Monarch day to day.
Vulpine Eldrich: So you make the Kingdom, and Teuff is the one that will actually administer it?
Charm March: Well, Teuff made the kingdom as much as I did. It really has been a joint effort.
Vulpine Eldrich: And how did the two of you decide on the Kingdom of Home to nurture your growing group?
Charm March: BackHome is a long time friend of mine. I asked him if we could come here and grow our line and asked for his support and guidance to help us along.
Vulpine Eldrich: Was he the one that introduced you to Tiny Empires?
Charm March: No he wasn't. It was another friend.
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: He has been very supportive and helpful to us as we have grown our line.
Vulpine Eldrich: And now you're within twenty four hours of Music being born. What sort of coronation party does the Kingdom of Music have?
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: We will start it off at 7:00pm SL with a Live Music Show, followed by a DJ for another hour.
Charm March: One of our Princes, Onehempcat Oldrich, will be performing.
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: We have set up a Music Stage across the sim.
Vulpine Eldrich: And I assume everyone who is interested is invited...
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: Yes :-)
Charm March: Yes! We hope to have a good crowd :)
Vulpine Eldrich: I'm sure you will! So have you been discussing your new kingdom with other venue owners and music performers? What sort of feedback have you gotten?
Charm March: So far the feedback is minimal. There is not as broad an understanding of TE as one might think.
Vulpine Eldrich: Have there been any common misconceptions or problems that you have in explaining it?
Charm March: Well, some people assume it is a role play. And the game itself is not easy to explain. So it takes someone just getting in there and playing it to understand.
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: That’s the challenge sometimes, just getting them to try it.
Charm March: But the relationships that are built within the kingdom are what have become really important. We will continue to spread the word, with the help of our members and hopefully we will become what we are aiming for.
Vulpine Eldrich: And what are you aiming for?
Charm March: Well, in the big picture-- I would like to have a kingdom that is a place where musicians, venue owners etc. can come to find and recruit talent. Provide support and suggestions for new musicians. Become well known as a resource for that sort of thing.
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: And have the fellowship and camaraderie of common goals.
Charm March: Or we may just hang out and enjoy music :) Who knows!
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: And a place to come have fun. We are a fun loving bunch.
Vulpine Eldrich: So I see! Do DJ's and live performers find it easy to play TE while they go about their business?
Charm March: Well, they usually don't have the hud running while they are playing. But otherwise they do. They are here a lot of time other than performing.
Vulpine Eldrich: Which is where the "hang out and have fun" part comes in, no doubt. But as you look at tomorrow's plans, does the fact that Music will be joining a list of Kingdoms with over two hundred entries in it make any difference?
Charm March: It is challenge of course. We have a lot of contacts in the music biz here. So that helps. We have a stage here, and will have shows. We will promote the Kingdom that way. It will be baby steps.
Vulpine Eldrich: And I'm sure there will be lots of those. How easy do you think it is to form a Kingdom in Tiny Empires?
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: It has not been easy so far :-) Recruiting takes a lot of time. But I think it’s about building relationships, and that takes time
Vulpine Eldrich: And will Music stay a major kingdom after your ascension? That is, is it planned to. I know some ascend with the deliberate plans of not being a major kingdom for any length of time.
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: Our plans are to stay a major kingdom. I want to be able to give the Kingdom all the benefits that a Major Kingdom can.
Vulpine Eldrich: And Charm, will you become the Grand Vicereine?
Charm March: Yes that is the plan. We also plan to share that role in the future, to help others learn the monarch duties.
Vulpine Eldrich: It sounds as if things have all been planned out. Are there any last minute butterflies or worries about anything in particular?
Charm March: Oh yeah, lol. We will be on our own !!! YIKES
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: :-)
Vulpine Eldrich: And everyone will be looking at you, Teuff, and saying "you're the monarch, what's your decision on this bit of drama-laden spat"?
Charm March: Teuff is very patient. He will be a good King. He thinks things through before he speaks. He listens well, too.
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: I have come to like the Kingdom of Home's "Drama Free" approach. It works well. I think I will adopt that policy, too.
Vulpine Eldrich: What rules are involved in that policy?
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: Take your drama to IM and solve it with the person. Respect others feelings, we are all adults here. We are here to have fun and support each other, and to encourage communication with myself or Charm to resolve problems, if necessary.
Vulpine Eldrich: Have you had to resolve many problems in your group so far?
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: Yes, a couple of times.
Vulpine Eldrich: And even after that, you're ready to take on more! But speaking of taking on more, there are more than two hundred kingdoms to compete with. There are also ten guilds in Tiny Empires 3000. How does TE3K factor into your plans and enthusiasms?
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: Yes I am ready :-) I enjoy trying to make a difference. As far as TE3K goes, I play but it will be secondary to the Kingdom of Music. I realize that more of my time will be spent with members of the kingdom but that is all good. We are trying to build something worthwhile here.
Vulpine Eldrich: Do you have a group in Tiny Empires 3000 that corresponds to the Kingdom of Music? Or is TE3K something that your group does with others, if anyone, and you aren't directly involved in it.
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: I do not. TE3K is something that I started when it came out. I am just part of a guild. I have met some great people in that guild. They have been helpful. But my main desire is to help make the Kingdom of Music a success, a place where people want to be.
Vulpine Eldrich: Do you ever find it a factor when introducing TE to new people? "Wait, there's this other version of the game..."
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: Not yet, actually I see quite a few familiar names on the 3K hud from the original game.
Vulpine Eldrich: Yes, I imagine so. But, laying aside TE3K, what sort of real life experiences do you think have helped qualify you for this project? What sort of things in your past will make you a good King (and Grand Vicereine)?
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: I’ve been a supervisor at a boat manufacturer for a number of years. My experience has been with groups of up to twenty five people.
Charm March: In RL, I have had experience working with and leading teams. I have also been a counselor. I have spent a good deal of time in problem solving as well as in project development. So I think using that experience will be most helpful. Also, my experience running a music business in SL and working with one of the major music management groups here has taught me a lot.
Vulpine Eldrich: And made a lot of contacts, no doubt. Quite impressive, I must say! So, what else is there that we need to know about the Kingdom of Music and its people?
Charm March: We will be allies with the Kingdom of Home. That bond will always be there.
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: We want to thank BackHome Soon and Lodi McMillan for their gracious support.
Vulpine Eldrich: And I'm sure you'll prove that support well-founded. Well, thanks so much for your time, and may the Kingdom of Music stay in perfect harmony!
Charm March: Yayyy
TeuffelHunde Mandelkorn: Thank you Vulpine! We appreciate your interest in our Kingdom.
The party and ascension happened precisely on schedule, with the new kingdom being formed in the middle of the party. For those of you who missed it... it was fun!
