I'm Not Dead Yet/Team Member Spotlight

Tyberiuss

1. How long have you been playing WoW.

Long Answer - I was a console gamer in the 80s (Odessy and Clecco) and quickly moved into PC games on Apple II and Commodore. I mainly stayed with PC games, and my home office desk cabinet was filled with games I was playing or was waiting to play. My co-worker (some of you know him as Jeff) was playing Diablo 2 with me and started WoW at original launch. Every day for a couple of years, he would come by my desk and give me updates of his adventures and even the drama of 40-man raiding. His stories interested me and made me always think back to my hardcore D&D days. Because I had so many games I was or wanted to play, I resisted the urge to pick up WoW. I knew it would be a time sink and the paid account thing was also something I was leery of. During those 2 years I lived WoW vicariously through Jeff's routine updates as he walked over for a visit at my cubical. While I was still resistant, Jeff made the comment to me "if you ever tried WoW, you would not have the desire to play those other games you have." That was a powerful statement, and made me think of what I was missing and also the possible addiction it might bring into my life. Just after BC launch (Jan 2007), Jeff brought in his box copies of WoW, BC, and the trial keys, and laid them on my desk before I arrived at work. Seeing them at arrival, I laid them aside for review during lunch. Jeff and I had some more conversation that day about the use of the trial key and loading the game; and that evening in January 2007 I took my plunge into WoW. I literally played every night during the trial period, and was actually a little stressed about activating my account and playing my character again. My toon was a NE Hunter (no jokes) named Androcles. Jeff played Alliance, so that faction choice was based on him. I rolled the hunter because I enjoyed my Ranger in D&D. I thoroughly fell in love with the game, starting zone (NE zone is awesome), music, and graphics....the game was such a fit for me. By the way, Jeff was right.....since my start day in WoW, I have NEVER played any of my shelved games. I love WoW that much.

2. What is your favorite class to play and why?

Hunters, baby! While some of their tricks are not used as much anymore, the multi-role functions of trapping, kiting, jump shotting, pet tanking, silencing, and misdirects make for some intense play at times that's very enjoyable to me. I have two hunters in Northrend, but my wife has a Gnome Mage that we only play together. She started playing it on her own (with me hovering), until she died too many times around L5 and did not like the stress. I then agreed to control her Mage as she armchairs. We get some WoW time together that way, and she takes a personal stake in the development of her cute little Mage. BTW - her Mage has the Deanna Troi hairdo.

3. Why did you join AIE?

Like many others, I learned of AIE through The Instance podcast. I was a little socially disconnected with my Alliance guild, and the social aspect of AIE appealed to me. I initially rolled a Rogue and was leveling it (L20s) with Darrick and Dave, but decided I liked playing my hunter more. I created Tyberiuss, and power-leveled him up to where my AIE friends were. I have other characters on Earthen Ring, and decided when coming to the realm that all my toon names would have a common theme....obscure Star Trek references, in my case. These are all of them:

Tyberiuss (hunter) -pets: Porthos, StoVoKor, Mudd, Horta, Hirogen, Neelix

Ponfarr (rogue)

Mohrn (warrior - but appropriately hangs out on promenade and AH of Undercity)

Retnox (paladin)

Praxiss (death knight)

4. What do you like best/least about WoW?

Like Least: that holodecks have not been invented yet, as I would totally be in there playing WoW.

Like Best: the friendships. I met Darrick's toon (Dreanor server) at Darkshore. We were both working on the Lurker monsters quest and we were also both skinners. I was still new to the game and its etiquette, but felt guilty when I skinned one of his kills. I noted his toon name, and later sent him some leather in the mail and an apology for taking his skins. We both hit it off very well, and began questing together as much as we could. After months of prodding, I finally got him to install Vent, and that helped the friendship grow even more. I was really bummed when Darrick quit WoW for a time due to personal reasons. I tried to develop other friendships on Dreanor, but some of my attempts just came across to people as creepy rather than friendly, pushing me further into single-player mode. The guild I was in with Jeff was full of raiding L70's and I knew none of them. After thinking Darrick would not return to WoW, I moved to the Runetotem server to join a guild called Titans of Glory, which borrowed the "TOG" acronym from the larger gaming community they were in, called "The Older Gamers". WoW was only one aspect of their gaming interest, but I liked their "25 or older" rule, and began to start some friendships there. That WoW guild later fractured over some raiding drama, and it was shortly after that when I decided to start fresh with AIE......dragging Darrick (returning to WoW), Dave, and Jeff with me. And as expected, with AIE came great new friendships, like those I have here in INDY.

Biography

I was born in Indianapolis and grew up there and the Lancaster, CA, area. After high school, I dabbled with college, with majors changing through Computer Science, Architecture, and Criminology (wanted to be FBI agent). After getting distracted by girls, I got disinterested with college and later joined the Air Force. My 87-91 tour screwed my head on straight, and also allowed me to serve proudly during the first Gulf War; seeing places like Greece, England, Sicily, and Saudi Arabia. During this time I served as a KC-135 maintenance crew chief and solidified a career interest in aviation. I graduated from Purdue in 96 with a BS in Aeronautical Technology, and have worked for Lockheed Martin, Airborne Express, and DHL, and am currently employed as an analyst and technical writer. Examples of my work include writing instructions for installing landing gear assemblies, and analyzing heavy maintenance defects/improvements.

I have been married 20 years (no children) to an artist (Jennifer), who is dual specced as a gun runner (buys/sells antique firearms). Some of our non-working time is spent with our church in crafting and construction projects, and I also enjoy building/flying scale remote controlled (RC) aircraft. Within my RC club (second largest in Ohio), I have served as newsletter editor, webmaster, combat coordinator, and night-fly coordinator.

Asterien

1. How long have you been playing WoW.

So I started playing WoW around 2005. Just after the launch of The Burning Crusade. I had first heard about WoW before that by one of my teachers when I was in school, but I realized that I should finish school before starting it up knowing that I would devote a ton of time to playing.

2. What is your favorite class to play and why?

So far I have played 3 classes total, but only one to level 80. My first toon was a night elf druid on the Draenor server. Not really knowing how to play a druid i got very frustrated since i split all my talent points up to all the different specs. I then played a Shaman which when i got to the level 50 area I lost interest with playing due to the level grind that goes along with that character. Lastly came my tauren Warrior. And I have a really hard time thinking of playing a different type of class after having played a warrior. I like the whole plate wielding juggerenaut. Plus (as many of you have heard) I am looking forward to my duel spec and having two two-handed weapons!

3. Why did you join AIE?

I joined AIE after having a long break from playing WoW and decided to start playing again. I mentioned to this guy named Ed that I was thinking of playing and rolling a horde toon. He told me of this guild named AIE and how large and cool it was... So here I am.

4. What do you like best/least about WoW?

I like the interaction of playing with people in such a massive concept. Having played video games as a kid, it was always single person type games and the only thing missing was the ability to play with my friends. Plus I have always like D&D type games and toys when I was young so it was natural choice for me.

Ravenlight/Stilgahr/Tonq/Terrorne/Ehloran/Oldwolf/Myrrhcy/Eilene/Anjelus

1. How long have you been playing WoW.

I started with a trial account in December of 2007. Shortly after that, I signed up for the real deal and have been playing obsessively ever since. My first toon was a Blood Elf Warlock on Windrunner. I played it to around 17 and started trying other toons. I ran out of space, so deleted that Warlock to make room for a Draenei hunter (I didn't know that you could have toons on more than one server at that time). I have since started, and played significantly, toons on Norgannon and Earthen ring. Though I have started toons on other servers with the intent to level them, none but toons on Windrunner, Norgannon and Earthen Ring have received any serious play time.

2. What is your favorite class to play and why?

The answer to the first question is yes. The answer to the second is because I like variety. I am a full blown altaholic. I have nine 80's (eight on Earthen Ring) and two other 70 plus toons. On two different servers, Earthen Ring and Windrunner, I have 10 toons, one of each class on those servers. On Earthen Ring, I am all Horde. On Windrunner, I am all Alliance. I have most of my slots filled on Norgannon (mostly Horde) and a few toons spread amongst three other servers. Most of my other alts are level 20 or less, but on Windrunner, many are in their mid-30's. For me, each toon is fun for a different reason and I eventually get the urge to switch (either toons or roles). I have a penchant for respecs to try something else out, though, with dual speccing this has lessened quite a bit. I like working in all four roles: tank, healer, melee dps and ranged dps.

I suppose because of all of this, I have found myself drawn to the hybrids more and more, specifically Druid and Paladin. The Druid is the ultimate hybrid. It can tank, heal, melee dps or ranged dps. As many in INDY will attest, I have played at all of these with Tonq. The only thing permanent about Tonq is that he heals. No one can be sure what his other spec will be at given time. I still have a place in my heart for hunters as my two higher level hunters were my first higher level toons for their respective factions. Stonewolff, my dwarf, was my first 70 ever, back when 70 was the limit. Stilgahr was my first Horde toon to Outland.

3. Why did you join AIE?

Well, like many others, I listen to The Instance and joined for a couple of reasons. One, the guild sounded like the kind of place I wanted to be. It allows you to do what you want and supports everything. Two, the hosts are closer to my age and seemed to indicate that a lot of folks in that age range were here. I was a bit tired of being in a guild where I was the "old man" and dealing with the mercurial nature of my guildmates and a lot of the drama that resulted from that. Of course, I was playing Alliance...

Since arriving in AIE, I have found it to be all that I had hoped and more. Here, I have found folks who play like I do, for fun and to strive toward a goal together without the need for elitism. It is very relaxed and I really enjoy it. When Tonq was a 62, I got a forum post from Ed, who I did not know at the time, asking if I would like to run some Outland instances. I agreed and drug Totemmix along with me for the Sethekk Halls run (I ran on Ravenlight that day and Totemmix healed). We continued levelling and instancing together until what is now known as INDY came to fruition. It has been a wonderful time and I am excited to see where we go from here.

4. What do you like best/least about WoW?

Most: Variety. Variety of class, of spec, of focus. Variety of play options be it questing, instancing, raiding, collecting, wandering, pvp, economy, etc.

Least: I would like for those who have gone through the level grind to be allowed to start a toon, if they choose, at a higher level like they can with Deathknights.

Biography

I was born in Muhlenberg Community Hospital in an undisclosed year on my mother's birthday. She asked to return the gift, but the stork, as you know, does not have a return policy. So, she and my father endeavored to instill values and common sense in their new child. It was the only thing that they ever attempted that they completely failed to do. My father spent 24.5 years serving this nation as a member of the United States Air Force. To this day, I am most proud of him for what he did during this time. His retirement ceremony included what was, at that time, a very rare honor. He received a fly by as part of the ceremony. The reason that this was rare is that it was usually reserved for senior officer retirements. My father retired as a Chief Master Sergeant. During my childhood, I lived in several places: Kentucky, Florida, North Dakota, England, Alaska and Texas. I graduated from Burkburnett (Texas) High School and, later, Western Kentucky University with a degree in Mass Communication and pursued a brief career in television and radio. I currently work for a major health insurance company as a Policy Consultant. I write policy and procedures that our employees follow when processing medical claims. I live in Louisville (KY)and have been married for 16 years to Katie and have a 13 year old daughter named Elizabeth. In my non-work, non-WoW time, I listen to a lot of music, watch a lot of sports, play lots of non-electronic games, sing and act at church, bowl, play with my two dogs and one cat and spend time with the family. I like lots of the "nerdy" games: strategy, rpg, colectible card game (CCG), etc. and try to make it to GenCon in Indianapolis every year that I can.

Fluoxx

1. How long have you been playing WoW.

I love games in general and decided to play wow about 3 or 4 years ago, just to check what everyone was talking so much about. I started playing on a hmm “generic” server and fell in love with the game, so then I migrated to blizzard. My first instance was Zul’Farrak and I was invited by Ed and Darrick.

2. What is your favorite class to play and why?

Casters in general, but my favorite is my mage, fluoxx is my main, and the only one I really raid with. Love hunters too, but even though hunters are an easy class to play, it’s hard to be a GOOD hunter.

3. Why did you join AIE?

Was looking around for Wow podcasts, found the instance and joined the guild right after.

4. What do you like best/least about WoW?

Least: same as Totem, not enough time to play all classes and races, and I don’t like paying either =P Best: I don’t know, the fact that for a few hours a week I can hide in my room and forget about everything else and just have fun. And I love all the friendships I’ve made too.

Biography

I was born in Santos, Brazil. I graduated a few years ago with a degree in marine biology, got tired of smelling like fish and went back to school, now I’m a happy designer. I like reading, computers, video games, sleeping, sleeping and I like sleeping too and animals. I’m ADD, get bored easily and my English sucks, that’s why it took me so long to write this! =)

Erythrocyte

1. How long have you been playing WoW.

I started playing WoW in December 2006, a month before The Burning Crusades came out. I had heard about the new expansion, and so purchased the 'vanilla' WoW to get started. BC came out and I bought it a few months later. I've played all the way thru and up to Cataclysm.

2. What is your favorite class to play and why?

I prefer the ranged play style the most. So the Mage is my favorite, but I heal on my Paladin.

3. Why did you join AIE?

To be part of a big guild that allows me to be a casual player. I was / am a big podcast fan even prior to being a WoW player, and discovered the Instance thru other podcasts.

4. What do you like best/least about WoW?

Best: The fact that there is so much to do. Questing, Dungeons, Battlegrounds, Raiding. Questing is easily done casually and solo, I pretty much went from 1-80 without grouping almost at all.

Worst: The fact that there is so much to do. Its hard to compete with the hard core players, and their time commitment to the game. I consider myself more casual. When I look at how much gold it takes to get epic flying, or how many tokens it takes to buy tier gear, and the time comittment, its a bit daunting. I can see some players being really put off.

Biography

I was born in Detroit, and grew in Southeast Michigan. I'm married with two daughters and have been unsucessful in getting my wife to play WoW or even just farm some gold for me. I started golfing reguarly a few years ago and have been addicted ever since. Otherwise, I'm a big gadget geek, and love to play with new technology. I've been a gamer since pong came out in the late 70's, have played most of Blizzard's other games and also enjoy gaming on the Xbox360 where I prefer the FPS type games.

Totemmix/Madcharge

1. How long have you been playing WoW.

Long enough played a druid, shaman, hunter till 70 , warrior, and rogue

2. What is your favorite class to play and why?

Shaman because people tell me I'm good at it

3. Why did you join AIE?

Played in a pve server and i wasn't really having fun so Ravenlight/Stilgahr/Tonq/Terrorne and I decided to lvl an alt here but i kinda ended up sticking here and didn't want to leave.

4. What do you like best/least about WoW?

Best: so much to do Least: Not enough time/alts

Biography

I'm living in McKinney Texas south of Dallas about 30 mins away. i like lots of things and i hate lots of things. I don't really have hobbies but i like playing cricket and i do when ever i get the chance every Saturday.

Naiimtaqr (name-taker)

1. How long have you been playing WoW.

Started about 6 months after launch. Took about 18 months off in late 2005 through 2006 and then picked the game back up.

Be sure to friend Naiimtaqr at: www.facebook.com/Naiimtaqr

2. What is your favorite class to play and why?

Warlock. I like pet classes as a general rule and magic wielders as well. I have an 80 Druid, Phormtaqr, that I play along with my wife's Hunter which is a great leveling team combination, but I don't have the time to play two characters at end game and Naiimtaqr is just a better fit as my alter-ego.

3. Why did you join AIE?

Discovered The Instance podcast and really liked what I was hearing about the guild and their approach. Transferred Naiimtaqr from another server and have never looked back.

4. What do you like best/least about WoW?

Best: The broad spectrum of things to do. I find just about everything a great deal of fun. I really like questing and related storylines that flesh out the world. Being able to both play solo and groups and accomplish something meaningful whether you have 20 minutes or 12 hours.

Least: It has sucked all the air out of my other gaming interests. I still haven't finished Mass Effect or Fallout 3. Gotta get back to those as I enjoy electronic gaming of all types.

Biography

Born in 1964 in the mid-west. Married in 1986 and she hasn't come to her senses yet, so am still married <wink>. My wife is awesome! My wife has newly joined AIE after we moved our Ally toons to the right side. Moved to the southeast in 1999 to get to better weather where I can fish year round which is my other hobby. Two dogs, both labs. No children. Not by choice, just didn't happen. I work in the tech industry, specifically in network security around authentication and identity management. I work from home, but support a national sales force, so lots of travel.

How I WoW

Figure since the podcast of the same name is no more, there'd be no problem me using the name for this heading. Thought I'd let y'all know how I generally play WoW when I'm not hanging with this fine gang or others in AIE.

My wife and I both play WoW as I got her hooked on MMO's back with EverQuest. I've played my main Naiimtaqr pretty much solo over the last few years and you'll often hear me proclaim "newbie alert" when entering dungeons most others in this group consider old hat. I've also leveled another toon to 80 helping my wife get her Hunter to 80 as well. She's just moved that toon to the proper faction and once I get her confident enough to participate in a group, you may get to meet her.

I generally sit down at the end of the day to play focusing first on dailies while keeping an eye out for group opportunities in AIE and now mostly with those in INDY. When not on Vent, I'm usually listening to podcasts on various topics including WoW as dailies and questing don't exactly take that much direct attention. As some have noticed, I also WoW outside on my screened in porch about 95% of the time except when playing from a hotel room on the road. Cigars or one of my tobacco pipes (figured I'd be clear on what I smoke <grin>) are generally involved and I really wish they'd add some type of smoking mechanic into the game. Naiimtaqr is definitely breaking out a pipe at the end of a dungeon run, but apparently some political correctness camouflage spell has been cast over Azeroth so y'all can't see it!

Rammil/Rommill

A little about me: Well, I guess I'll start with how I got to WoW. I came late to WoW. I was a Star Wars Galaxies guy originally. Thats what got me into MMOs. Thats about the only thing that game was good for, haha. After my experience with that game, I heard go things about WoW, so I thought i'd give it a try. I rolled my first toon (Human Warlock) right before BC came out. I was only at about level 25 or so when BC came out. I got to 70 shortly thereafter. I raided with an old group on my old server (US-Thrall) though BC. Saw pretty much every raid minus Sunwell (thats one I'd love to raid at 80 sometime). It was while I was raiding with my warlock that I rolled my Priest. He was on the same server. He didn't hit 80 until shortly after WotLK came out. Once my priest got to 80, I switched mains to him from my warlock. My warlock is still 80, and in mostly Naxx 25 gear, but he's mostly a farming toon right now.

When faction changes were announced, I made the decision that I would transfer my toons to Earthen Ring and join AIE. I've always been a fan of the podcast, but never got around to leveling a horde toon all the way to max level. So I transferred over both toons the first day it was available, and I haven't looked back since. I've loved my time in AIE, and haven't regretted my decision for a minute.

On Earthen Ring I have both my 80 Priest (Rammil), and my 80 Warlock (Ramill), confusing names I know. I'm just not that creative :-) But along with those 2, I'm leveling an Orc Shaman. He's currently at 61, and I'm planning on making him my main once Cataclysm comes out. I like to keep the game fresh by rolling new toons. Its easy to get bored when your playing the same class all the time, which is why i've tried to have a different main for each expansion. When Cataclysm comes out i'm planning on rolling a Goblin Hunter for the next expansion.

My priest is a Alchemist/Herbalist, which is a nice. My warlock is a miner/JC, so I spend part of my time supplying rare gems to my Priest so he can transmute them into Epics. Its a nice moneymaker. My Shaman is a miner/engineer, I wanted him to be an engineer cause I'm one in real life.

Anyway, thats a little about me. I'm so happy to be a new member. Thanks so much.

Nicothalas

1. How long have you been playing WoW.

I've been playing WoW since original beta...

2. What is your favorite class to play and why?

Paladin - I like the versitility - Druid is my second favorite for the same reason.

3. Why did you join AIE?

I got into the Instance podcast and naturally got curious about the Horde and AIE - I joined and eventually converted all my characters over to Horde and most of them are in AIE.

4. What do you like best/least about WoW?

The best part of WoW is meeting new people and making new friends all with a common "geeky" purpose - besting the last boss in the latest dungeon or raid! What I like least is the time suck - this is with MMOs in general.

Biography

I'm 40 years old, married and have 2 kids and 4 dogs. I live on Long Island in New York and work for a technolgoy company as a Senior Director of IT Security Architecture.

Foxglovén

1. How long have you been playing WoW.

(Gets out pipe) Well sonny, I started following WoW about 12 months before release. When it finally hit the shelves I bought my copy and spent most of my uni holidays walking around Sydney and levelling my very first character (a night elf druid) in internet cafes. When my connection finally got up and running I started playing full time and haven’t really stopped since. I’m what you’d probably call a WoW ‘black hole’ as I seem to pull everyone around me into the game. Unfortunately my drive to play WoW at the bleeding edge led to the destruction of several relationships back in 2006 and I ended up working as a snowmaker in New Zealand.

2. What is your favorite class to play and why?

Foxgloven the night elf druid was the very first character I created on that sunny day back in 2004 and I levelled him as a balance druid on Blackrock (a PvP server) just after release. I suffered my way to 60 and began healing in Molten Core and Black Wing Lair. After my ‘monk like’ trip to New Zealand I rolled a hunter Foxtail on Proudmore and actually discovered that I enjoyed playing on a PvE server so much more. She was the toon that I took into Naxxrammas 40 man and levelled up in Burning Crusade. About halfway through BC I switched over to the Druid again and found that playing as a feral druid was actually fun again. Thus, I began tanking as a feral druid and quickly discovered that it was tons easier just to tank instances myself than trying to find someone.

I love the feral druid and I’m growing very fond of the frost DK. Essentially I think that these classes appeal to my nature of ‘getting into the thick of it’. They also let me tank and avoid queues.

3. Why did you join AIE?

I discovered ‘The Instance’ as a very pleasant substitute for mind-numbing morning radio near the start of 2010. After a few months of listening to them I decided to roll a Death Knight and Foxglovén was born. I soon discovered that AIE provides a happy medium between enjoying the game and a censored/controlled environment. Having people behave like idiots in G-chat is just not enjoyable for everyone else as far as I’m concerned. I can join trade chat if I want to listen to stupidity.

4. What do you like best/least about WoW?

I like the challenge of WoW and the presence of so many other players. However, I HATE the fact that there are no Australian servers, most of all when I’m PvPing. I also like the cooperative roots of the game and the non competitive side of the play in dungeons and raids.

Biography

I was born in the Blue Mountains just near Sydney (Australia). I grew up there and went to uni (college) at Sydney University, where I majored in Mathematics and almost failed everything else. While at uni I picked up WoW, which probably had something to do with my almost failing a lot of my subjects. After uni was completed I put my degree to good use and stacked shelves for a few years. I also worked as a waste processing technician (which doesn’t pay nearly as well as everyone seems to think it does).

Around this time I met Pax and we got engaged. She started off playing a blood elf rogue where I would use the action buttons and she would click on things with the mouse and steer us. It was all very romantic. She eventually got her own account and rolled a draenei priest to finish out healer/tank married couple combo. I joined up with the NSW Police Force just after getting married and work in one of the more unpleasant parts of Sydney. Our only child is a 45kg shepard named Baron, who is a real softie/sook of a dog.

Pauzotah

1. How long have you been playing WoW.

I've been playing WOW since the original Vanilla Beta. Got frustrated with the game more times than I can remember and have quit and come back numerous times. So far, the new Cataclysm content has been a fresh change that I feel Blizzard got right but still have some raiding to do to find out if the end game content is good.

2. What is your favorite class to play and why?

I rolled a priest as my second toon after starting a Night Elf Rogue, been playing that class ever since. When I couldn't find a group as a rogue, I checked the Blizzard forums, everyone said groups needs healers, so that's how my priest came to be! At the time, the priest class was the only healer in the game so I grouped and raided a lot. I think because there were so few healers, Blizzard created a bunch of new healing classes to compensate. My personal opinion was that this is where they ruined the priest class. It's gotten better as the expansions have come and gone so I'm glad to see my favorite class get back to being needed again.

3. Why did you join AIE?

Ed made me do it! Was looking for a guild where I could raid and play with friends without too much drama, Ed convinced me that AIE was worth checking out.

4. What do you like best/least about WoW?

I love the challenge of healing and raiding the best. The new achievement system is also a lot of fun. The camaraderie of friends is probably the biggest reason I stay with the game. What I dislike the most? Probably some of the mindless "kill 25 of this Mob" quests, the least survivable healer not having the highest healing output, fighting for matts, and grinding.

Biography

I was born in Northern Kentucky but moved up and down the East coast with family through out my childhood. I spent 12 years in North Carolina and 4 in Florida before moving back to Northern KY. Although I hated moving and saying good bye to my friends, the experience did give me quite a different view on how people live in different areas of the country.

After High School, I joined the Air Force as a Crew Chief and mechanic working on RF4-C Phantoms and F-16 Fighting Falcons. I've been in aviation maintenance ever since! General Electric hired me after my military stint as a technical writer, writing engine maintenance manuals for the F-16's I used to work on. Was laid off after 4 years and went to a major airline to work as an aircraft mechanic which I did for another 4 years before accepting an offer with Airborne Express writing aircraft maintenance manuals for Boeing 767 and older McDonnel Douglas aircraft. I'm now back at General Electric in management and also technical writing after more than 20 years at Airborne.

My gaming experience goes way back to the original Dungeons and Dragons board game that a group of us used to play while I was in the military. Back then we had to roll the dice to get our character and stats and I believe this is where the term "Roll a new Toon" comes from. I'm a die hard MAC fan and always have been so all of the computer gaming I've done has been on the MAC (Myst, Halo, EverQuest, Warcraft, Diablo, Obsidian, Descent, Duke Nukem, and a few others not worth mentioning). My MMORPG experience started with the MAC version of EverQuest which I played for about a year before getting frustrated and quitting. I got back into MMORPGs with the Vanilla Beta of WOW and have played off and on since then.

I'm kind of an Adventure Junkie and some of my other hobbies include snow/water-skiing, hiking, boating, Sky-Skiing, and photography. I also try to get some rappelling in every now and then and visit our National Parks at least every other year for a week of hiking (or more). I am a certified Diver, Licensed Pilot, licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic and like to consider myself a "Jack of All Trades." I built and flew a Gyrocopter for many years which was a blast (ask me if you're not sure what one is) and I'm thinking about getting back in to it, or trying something new like paragliding.

Morgorom

1. How long have you been playing WoW.

I started right around the release of Burning Crusade. I had played Starcraft in 2001, connected to Warcraft the next year, but hadn't ever tried an MMO until I started talking to Scott through ELR, and then listening to the Instance.

2. What is your favorite class to play and why?

LOVE playing a rogue. I like the idea of stealthing in, surgically taking out enemies one at a time. Multiple targets simultaneously? Yeah, not so much.

3. Why did you join AIE?

For the free toaster.

4. What do you like best/least about WoW?

I like how there's always something to do. You finish a game like Portal 2 (which was amazing), and you're left wanting more You can go back and get as many achievements as you can, or try and do it faster, but with WoW, once you've done your levelling, you can move over to PVP, or raiding, building rep, etc. What I don't like is that there's always something to do. Too much like life.

Biography

I'm the producer and host of Coverville, and the co-host of The Morning Stream. I live in Arvada, CO, with my non-WoW-playing wife, and my WoW-playing 14 year-old son.

Adobe

1. How long have you been playing WoW.

2. What is your favorite class to play and why?

3. Why did you join AIE?

4. What do you like best/least about WoW?

Biography

Truckfaced

1. How long have you been playing WoW.
On August 1st, 2005, my friend (who worked for Blizzard) gave me a free game card. I've been hooked, for better or worse, since ;)

2. What is your favorite class to play and why?
I play alot of classes, but I'd have to say I'm most enamored with my ret/prot pally.

3. Why did you join AIE?
I've really enjoyed the podcast and thought it would be interesting to see how such a friendly community might change my WoW experience. It's been incredible.

4. What do you like best/least about WoW?
I love the never-ending projects. I'm goal-oriented, and I love setting my sights on a goal, seeing it to fruition, and starting again.

Least? Hrm. My least favorite aspect of World of Warcraft is the tragic misspelling of "Rogue" over, and over, and over again. I also kinda hate Rogues.

Biography
I'm an English Teacher in Northern Cali... (name withheld!) Like the three guys who started Blizzard Entertainment I went to UCLA (Go Bruins!) and am originally from Surf City, USA. Kudos if you know where that is ;) I love the creativity behind this neverending MMO and more than that, the synergy of the folks I come across in AIE. I'm always looking forward to the next wipe!

Aranika

1. How long have you been playing WoW.

2. What is your favorite class to play and why?

3. Why did you join AIE?

4. What do you like best/least about WoW?

Biography

Froam

1. How long have you been playing WoW.
Hmm... sometime around the end 2005, if i’m remembering correctly. I had been playing Final Fantasy XI when I made the switch to WoW. Sometime near the middle of that timeline, I took one break for about a year.

2. What is your favorite class to play and why?
I’ve tried out every class... some I’ve only take to lvl 12, and some that really stuck with me. I really love playing my DK... before then, mage was probably my favorite. I’m a bit reluctant to answer this question, though. My wife warns me that this is probably a trick question, and that the only logical answer is Hunter.

3. Why did you join AIE?
My wife gave me the suggestion to start listening to “The Instance.” It really got me fired up about playing WoW. We decided to join together sometime earlier in 2011.

4. What do you like best/least about WoW?
For a game to have stuck with me for this long, I must enjoy the heck out of it. I guess the thing I might like least is that I have spent so much darn time playing it.

Biography
My name is Keith, I work in a lab, I married a teacher, We have 2 cats :)