Sunday Sit down: Come meet Pyra!

“The passion of art burns!”

Hello Exiles and Dominion of the planet Nexus and beyond! My name is Zilvis. This is my end of the week community spotlight that I’ll be doing each and every week to delve a little more into who a certain member of the WildStar community is, learn the what and why of their choice to migrate to Nexus, and maybe some surprises along the way. The way I looked at it we're all community bound like brothers and sisters in this game of WildStar. Why not get to know someone a bit better? Once again welcome, sit back, and prepare to meet this week's community member. Her art inspires and is praised continually, expressing herself thoroughly in it and quite the role-player, PYRA. Welcome to Sunday Sit down.

 I’ll let you write a little introduction. 
If you have other monikers some may know you by, feel free to throw them out there. Mainly just tell where people can find you online and any background you'd like to share we might not know.

Hiya, Zilvis! I'm really excited to be a part of this! My name is Pyra, and I'm a freelance artist. Obviously I'm a big WildStar fan, so you can find me poking at other #WildStar buddies on Twitter (@PyraMugetsu). I have my own site for showcasing and hosting my art: www.art-by-pyra.com. And yea, totally excited for WildStar! C:

Question 1:As this is a WildStar themed project, we'll get those underway first. As most of us at one time or another have asked ourselves, what is WildStar?

To me, WildStar is a new experience down a familiar road. I've been playing a variety of MMORPGs for almost a decade. Each one brings something unique to the table which leaves a memorable experience. I find that WildStar seems to bring together all those elements that I really enjoyed from other games, and mashed it together into this great sci-fi themed adventure that I'm waiting to embark on.

The art style and design is something that really caught my eye when I watched the original trailer about two years ago, so I spent some time watching the development to see what direction the game would go in. Each DevSpeak and Flick video has gotten me even more excited. I can't wait!

Question 2: What is one thing in the game you’re most hoping to be perfectly done, whether because it's needed or just something for your experience specifically?

Character customization is a pretty big deal to me because I like the idea that I can create a unique looking character and not just a carbon copy of another another player or a bland face in the crowd. I think that such customization is important to other players because they want to imprint a part of themselves into the game or just make something that appeals to them.

As a roleplayer, character customization is also important to me because I want my own characters to look just as unique and interesting as their personal stories. Obviously, I spend a lot of time drawing these characters and while I know they won't be a perfect match to what's available in game, I know I can be close enough and satisfied with the results. With the current start of the game (based on the press videos), I think the character design could use a bit more customization and options. If that becomes available later on, great! If not, I think I'll be perfectly okay with what we've seen thus far.

Question 3: I did a blog post discussing maybe why someone might pick one race over another in WildStar. What race do you think you identify with and why, even if it won't necessarily be your main?

Oh man. This is like, my favorite question. Personally, my favorite race is the Mechari. Have you seen their big, metal bad assness? Look at them! They're just so cool! (It could also be because I like robots, androids, and cyborgs because they're awesome, too.) Even though a Mechari won't be my main, I'm still pretty stoked to play one. C:

Question 4: I'm sure everyone has their WildStar moment, as I call it, that quintessential thing that cinched in your decision on the game.

Any game that can make me laugh has a good chance of getting my attention. So when I first saw the original trailer, I was rolling on the floor. It wasn't until I saw the design and concept artwork for Mechari that I gasped and said, “I need this game because of reasons.”

When the “Meet the Dominion/Exile” videos were released, I nearly died from laughter. They are utterly brilliant. That's when I knew I had to give WildStar a chance for sure.

Question 5: What aspect of WildStar are you most excited about and feel you'll spend the most time on such as Questing-Housing-PVP?

All the things. When I say I'm a PVE'r, I mean I'm a Player-Versus-EVERYTHING type person. I want to dip my hands into all aspects of the game because everything looks pretty darn amazing, from the actual PVE content to the challenge of PVP with telegraphs, questing with friends – you name, I will try it.

(But really, I think my favorite-favorite-favorite thing will be housing. I'm a sucker for decoration. Don't judge me. <.<)

Question 6: Out of everyone from Carbine that you've interacted with, who has surprised you the most for one thing or another by what you have seen that they have said or done so far?

Honestly, I have to hand it to the whole Carbine team for their continued efforts to make WildStar one of the best games I've seen thus far. But if I had to name names: to Frost and Pappy for their awesome PVP streams. Also to Anlath and Caydiem for visiting us at WildStar-Roleplay.com. Jeff K. for all his glorious music and sharing his original pieces on Soundcloud. And though he's no longer with the team, Troy (Aether) for being equally awesome – we miss you, sir!

Question 7: If you were given the power to either alter the game in some way or add something to it that has not been mentioned or rumored, what would it be and why?

Definitely an interesting question. If I had the power to change something in the game, it would be … probably synchronized emotes like Guild Wars/Guild Wars 2 had. Or buddy emotes where two players could sync emotes together and do something like a high-five or fist-bump, you know? That'd be cool.

Question 8: What is the one thing you want Carbine on a personal level or business level to know that you yourself have enjoyed from them?

Dear Carbine, keep being awesome. Thank you for making me laugh. Love, Pyra ♥

OK, that's it for the cross section on WildStar Q's. Next is a few Q's to get to know Pyra a bit better besides her amazing exploits across Nexus!

Question 9: Being so talented, how long have you done your art and what pulled you into WildStar's style?

Bah! Flattery! Hee-hee! Um, let's see. I've been drawing for yeeeears. I spent a good portion of my schooling in art classes and did some art camps during the summer between the years. I don't have a formal Degree in Art Bad-Assery, but I'm pretty satisfied with what I've accomplished thus far.

WildStar has given me a chance to look back on my own style, and after thoroughly studying different Western influences, I've decided to switch my style overall. I can safely say it's been a real reawakening in how I look at other works including my own stuff. I believe I've finally found my niche.

Question 10: How long have you been gaming and what are your top 3 moments you'd say you remember in your own personal gaming history?

I've been casually gaming for quite a long time – I remember when my parents got our first Nintendo! I used to play Burger Time all the time. (That says something about my age, doesn't it...) I remember when I got my first black and white Gameboy and it was the size of a brick. Does anyone else remember that?

I was pretty wrapped into gaming as a kid. I remember my favorite game being Mortal Kombat 2 (even though my parents greatly disapproved of violent video games.) Fast forward a bit to the days of Xbox and Halo which I spent more time playing Burnout 3 and Halo 2 online than doing my college homework. (Kids, stay in school and do your homework.) Around that time, I was working at Gamestop, so that was a blessing for me. I met super cool people and got more into gaming. And then I got pulled into MMORPGs...

I think the biggest impact/moment gaming has had on me is meeting my husband in (vanilla) World of Warcraft. As friends, we clicked really well and after a year, we moved in together. We've been together for almost nine years. We both retired from the game, but he's still my favorite Paladin/Warrior. C;

I have too many other good experiences to list, so I'll just say that the journey has been absolutely crazy and I love every bit of it.

Question 11: Besides Gaming and art do you have any other interests or hobbies you find fun?

I'm getting into the hobby of creating videos for games I like to play. It's a big learning experience and it's been a lot of fun so far. I think once I get better, I'll definitely be rolling out with some WildStar videos.

Question 12: Your heavy into the role play Community, a very nice and tight knit group I've learned. What started you becoming a role player?

I think it started when I was a young child because I liked to draw stories and little comics about characters I saw on television, and then later on I started creating stories for my own characters in my head. I think that creative process started leaking into my gaming as I picked up on roleplay forums and chat rooms, meanwhile playing table-top PnP RPGs. When I started playing WoW, I took the chance of rolling on an RP server. That's when I started getting more involved as a MMO roleplayer.

Question 13: Pyra, is there any hidden talents or trade skills you'd like to share? Is there something new you'd like to learn?

Ah yes, this question! I hear it a lot! While I don't have any secrets to share, I will say to any inspiring artists out there: don't give up. Keep practicing every day. There are so many free resources and references on the Internet – there's so much to learn!

Also, understand that every artist started somewhere and has only worked their way up. Put in the effort and make it worth your while. As Macklemore sang, “A life lived for art is never a life wasted.” If you can see the potential in yourself, you will find your artistic fulfillment.

Question 14: Simple one now I promise. Do you have any pets? If you could have any real or made up pet, what would it be?

We have three cats and a dog; Pixie, Leben, Himmel, and Biscuit.

If I could have an imaginary pet, I'd want an enormous white rat named Socrates – I would ride it into battle!

Question 15: Finally, If there were one person living or dead, real or fake that you could sit down and have a long discussion with, who would it be and why?

SO MANY PEOPLE. I WOULD TALK WITH SO MANY PEOPLE. Yeah, the list I have would probably take up the Internet. But number one on that list would probably be my late father so I could thank him for everything. C:

OK, Pyra, I hope that wasn't too painful for you. I appreciate you being a guest for the Sunday Sit down. Now, I’ll let you have free reign. If there's anything else not asked here that you'd like to get out there that you think would be interesting for us to know, feel free to share. Things like plugs for your twitter or anything, and of course feel free to give shout outs of any kind!

Awesome! Well, I already linked my stuff, so I'll just do some shout-outs. Ready? Here goes! *Deeeeep breath!*

To my favorite Black Templar, Sargeoff/Axebite, for his undying love and support! To my fellow WildStar Art and Tumblr buddies: Evion (@EvionFox), John & Lond (@BrennerHawkens), Silas (@MyrandaAldridge), and Zilvis (@Zilvis78) – hey, that's you, Z! To the awesome folks at Wildstar-Roleplay.com (@WildStarRP)! To Sylvan and the WildStar Core people! (@WildStarCore)! And a big shout out to Carbine (@Team_WildStar) and the whole #WildStar community!

You guys are the biggest, brightest, and wildest stars in the whole galaxy! Stay classy! ♥

That's it Folks. Everything you'd want to know about Pyra and hopefully more! I thank her again for putting up with me as well as you the reader. Each and every week we will have a new and fascinating community member to learn about and see what really does make the WildStar community tick inside and out. Feel free to contact me anytime on twitter @zilvis78, comment below, or if you bump into me on the inter-webs say hi!