Interview Publication Date: 26 January 2014
Interviewee: the Imperial Crown (AKA Raven)
Interviewer: Kris Kringle

Our interviewee today, the Imperial Crown (AKA Raven) is the newly elected Pharaoh of Osiris, longtime Minister of Foreign Affairs of Osiris, a citizen of TSP, and the one who asked two scenario-related questions to Escade and Kris Kringle during the latest election. He may initially look intimidating, but he's a great NSer and has tons of interesting things to tell us.

1. How did you learn about NationStates? What enticed you to join?

I think that I might have seen an advert for it on Fanfiction.net, the same way that Escade found it ironically enough.

Really? What a coincidence. And why did you stay in NS?

Well I drifted about, joined a few regions which declined originally, such as the Land of Kings and Emperors, but when I came properly in 2012, the reason I stayed? I found somewhere enjoyable, Osiris, and it's then Pharaoh, Lyanna Stark (aka Earth22).

2. What's the story behind Raven/LordRavenclaw? It it just being a fan of Ravenclaw, or is there some interesting story we might enjoy?

Well, that's a lengthy tale. I've been using Lord Ravenclaw since I was 13, so for about 8 years now, and it was originally a persona that I thought up when I got into Roleplaying Harry Potter, and it just stuck with me.
Overtime, I then the persona into Travian, a browser game which has a good more military in it than NationStates and it became known over their UK domain, US site (where I'm currently staff under another name), and some of their Asian domains...
I started in NationStates in 2008, and used the persona but not seriously as I wasn't a Lord and LKE frowned non normal citizens using the title Lord, it wasn't until Osiris that I started using it properly... now a days though, I normally use Raven for less formal events, but in Osiris I am still Lord Ravenclaw.

Wow, that's a great story! Is Travian similar to Ikariam? (off-topic)

Yes it is, although Travian is older I think, and may make more money ahaha

3. You have a very successful career in Osiris. What made you want to become as well a citizen of TSP?

I first came to The South Pacific as Minister of Foreign Affairs from Osiirs. Later I would return as part of the Medjai Guard's deployment (then Osiran Military) as part of our efforts to assist with the liberation from Socialist Chairman Milograd and I decided to stay around and keep an eye on things.

And intimidate us with those FA scenarios.

4. Cake or Pie? Why?

Cake and I prefer cake to pie, unless it is a dinner pie, then the situation is reversed as you're asking me to choose dinner or dessert.

In that case you are safe sir.

6. Favourite book, movie or game?

The Elder Scrolls Online is awesome (I've beta tested it recently), but Dragon Age: Origins is probably my favorite modern RPG. Final Fantasy IX is my all time favourite.

7. You are now the very popular, newly-elected Pharaoh of Osiris. What should we expect from Osiris in the next few months?

They should expect to see Osiris continue working on the foundations of the new government and structure. Osiris needs a strong regional identity that fits with the Egyptian theme and gives the residents a reason to be involved and be part of keeping the region stable.

8. You wrote a funny description of the TSP Assembly and I think we all enjoyed it. Can you share some thoughts about that?

The South Pacific Assembly has an ego larger than the moon. It needs to understand that everything that happens there needs to be fun, but there are people forgetting that NationStates is meant to be fun. Rebeltopia is clearly not happy with the situation, and yes, it does get heated, but everyone needs to calm down. If something isn't fun then I ask why you're doing it. Hopefully, what I posted allowed people to laugh at themselves a bit and enjoy everything a little more.

Oh trust me. I think most of us really enjoyed it. And yes, we need a reminder every now and then that NS is above all still a game.
It's easy for us to forget.
Thankfully you made it fun for us to remember.

Thanks a lot for answering these questions Raven. Any final thoughts you'd like to share?

The South Pacific will need loyal citizens in the coming months. There appears to be a storm approaching NationStates and the Government will need to be united with its citizens in order to survive it... the region has become dangerously unstable recently and several of us in Osiris have noticed that... we are worried but do not know what else we can do.

Well I'm sure despite everything we will remain a great and welcoming region. Thanks again for agreeing to this interview, and best of luck in Osiris.

Not a problem

Raven's later post:
I believe that some clarification is needed as to my last point, as I know it's drawn some confusion from both Kris and Escade who are now putting their heads together to compare the answers they got from me.
From what I said to Escade whilst looking at the past events in the last month or two: "TSP needs to remember what exactly they've got, how much they've fought to get there and learn to get the hell along before they damage their own community and drive good people, such as you and Kris out of the game."
Another, would be the utter mess in the Assembly. When we see the Chair of the Assembly actually having to create a thread like the one Rebel had to, then there is a problem.
I drew a parallel to Osiris, which will insult a lot of you. Yes, I am seeing actual splits in the community here for whatever reason, and it is reminding me of how Osiris split apart over a period of 12 months, which is sad, but Osiris is healing now and stronger than any point in its history so far. But TSP needs to get along, and there are signs that healing is beginning. As for the storm? I'm expecting something to hit, but what exactly? I have no clue.
Stagnation is in most places across the GCRs, and we vastly need to find new ways of bringing fresh people to NationStates and hoping that they stay.
Hopefully this clarification helps to understand my comments a little better.