Today’s Featured Player is Adam aka Parvo! He was nominated by several guildmates and members of the permadeath community, and this is what one of them had to say: “Many a forumite thinks that no permadeath thread can be taken into serious consideration without a reply from Parvo.” A big thanks to the pd community for the nominations and to Parvo for agreeing to our interview!

Where are you from?

Always a funny question for me with no short answer.  My father had an odd kind of job that took us all over the states.  While I was born in Seattle, I don’t remember it.  I was a resident of fourteen different states before turning 21.  As an adult, I’ve been in Texas for a good while though.  If I didn’t live in Texas, I’d say I was “from” Texas.

What do you do for a living?

I work for a large consumer products company in Research and Development.  It’s not the kind of job you dream of as a kid, but since I didn’t have much of a plan, I’m thankful for it.  If I could do it all over again, I would choose something like game design.

What do you like to do when you are not playing DDO? Any interesting hobbies?

Well, I play a lot of DDO.  Outside the game, I’m pretty boring.  Unless you want to have a conversation about the weather, politics or how to build a cool multiclass rogue intimi-tumbler, I’m not the guy you invite to parties.  I do, however, enjoy the outdoors.  I coach my son’s soccer team and I take university courses in engineering.  I spend a lot of time studying too.

What is the last book you read? What is your favorite?

I seriously can’t remember the last book I finished for fun.  Two summers ago, I broke out The Lord of the Rings.  I got about three or four chapters in before the summer ended.  If I’m reading, it’s for study.  Like I said, I’m kinda boring.

What was the last movie you saw? What is your favorite?

I watch movies pretty regularly with my wife and son.  I’m rarely impressed by anything at the theatre because of the cost.  I shelled out huge bucks to see Avatar in 3D.  Something like $16 a ticket.  At that cost, I expected to be blown away.  Meh…I could have waited for the DVD.  I enjoyed Four Christmas’ more.

What kind of music do you like to listen to?

Jerry from DDO Cast turned me on to Creed.  He’s a huge fan.  If you ever get to talk with him, and you want to impress, talk about how awesome Creed is.  I have a video on my guilds website and I wanted to use music from some local garage band, but he insisted I use Creed.  He said if I didn’t, he would never let me back on the cast.  Because of Jerry’s insistence, that’s all I listen to now.

Did you ever play the Pen and Paper version of D&D? Which editions?

Oh yea.  When I was about ten, I wandered unto my brother excitedly talking to his buddy about how his character, Korak the Killer, was going to take some Purple Worm eggs and start a Purple Worm farm.  His plan was raise them to adulthood and slay them for the XP.  He was also going to use their poison to outfit his Orc army and take over Greyhawk.  This is where I get my strong moral compass, role models like that.  I begged and begged for him to teach me to play.  He finally did, but said we had to make new characters and have a character fight first.  I planned for two weeks and started reading the players handbook (orange statue with gemeyes version).  When the time came, we rolled our characters, and I kid you not, I rolled three 18’s.  I put 18 strength, dexterity and constitution and rolled like a 78 for exceptional strength.  We rolled initiative and I won.  I took a swing and rolled a twenty.  I lopped his head clean off before he had a chance to move.  Been a fan ever since.  Come to think of it, that might explain why he was such a mean DM all those years…

How did you get interested in DDO?

I saw the boxed set at the computer store.  The back-panel sell story said “Real Combat.  Real Danger.  Real D&D.”  I’ll leave it at that.  Don’t get me started.

How did you choose your character’s name?

I used to have a friend who adopted a dog.  He missed a few days of work and when he returned he told a heartbreaking story about how his dog got a virus called parvo.  Being the kind, soft-hearted types we were, from that day on, we called him parvoboy (in honor of his dog, of course).  I liked the name so much, I stole it for my forum name.

What race/class is your favorite?

Wow, now that’s a tough question….I’m a permadeath player and very prolific one.  I’d be willing to bet no one has played as many characters as I have.  No exaggeration,  see here and here. And those are only the documented ones…So, I can honestly say, I have no favorite, I’m thankful for the variety and would like even more.

What server do you play on?

I founded Mortal Voyage Permadeath Guild on Argo over two years ago.  Prior to that I played with Sublime of Thelanis and a bit with Extreme Explorers on Sarlona.  I also visit The Core on Khyber sometimes.  Mortal Voyage is my baby, so that’s where I’m usually found.

Are you a member of a guild? Which one?

There’s this really awesome permadeath guild on Argo.  Who ever thought of it must be a genius.  Word on the street is Mortal Voyage Permadeath Guild is the best PD guild in all of MMOdom. You should check it out!

Do you like to raid?

Of course I love to raid.  All three times my PD guild raided, it was awesome.

What do you think is the coolest looking place in DDO?

I’ve always liked Searing Heights but the new artwork for update three is outstanding.  House P at night is my current favorite.

Do you quest with people you know, a pick up group, or brave it alone? All of the above?

My job allows me to travel a bit so I’ve had the great honor of meeting some outstanding players I group with.  I like to solo a bit too but my favorite groups are duos.  As a long-time PD player, I’ve had the privledge of douing with some amazing folks.

Do you use any clickie items? What kind are must-haves in your inventory?

Sadly,  Turbine has eliminated the fun of collecting what used to be must haves for PD play.  In my guild, we don’t buy magic items so a find like Proof Against Poison, Remove Curse Clicky, Blindness Immunity.  Those were great finds.  Now, none of those effects matter much as they go away in short order.  Deathblock is still a nice find and nowadays Underwater Action is a nice too.

Do you have a favorite snack to eat when you are playing DDO?

Thankfully my wife brings me food.  Otherwise I’d have to get a Vork-like setup.

Ever had an embarrassing party wipe?

Oh yea.  Quite a few.  As you can imagine in permadeath play, it’s not always funny at the time.  The rules of my guild are pretty strict and some of us are trying to get through VoN.  We’ve lost seven of our top characters in there recently and the last five was a preventable situation.  We were all embarrassed because each of us could have done something better.  I’ve pounded the desk, broken headphones and screamed profanities at groupmates, but I love permadeath.  All that passion is what makes victories so much sweeter.

If you could hang out in real-life with any of the NPC’s from the game who would you choose? Why?

I’d like to know why Goldscuttle has such an apparent hatred for his own kind.  I’d also like a word with guard Tember(sp?).  I got run out of waterworks one time and escaped only to have rage wear off.  I landed right at his feet incapacitated and he didn’t help me.

What’s your favorite Adventure Pack or quest chain?

I really like the second necropolis Shadow Crypt Series.  With MV rules, it’s quite a challenge to get a party through it and the rewards are outstanding.  But I have to say, I’ve always had a thing for the underground city settings.  There were some old AD&D series with underground cities and they really captured my imagination.  Turbine does an amazing job with the geometry in those places.  So, quests like Shan-To-Kor and Tear of Dhakaan are good ole favorites of mine.

Adam, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer our questions. See you in game!

***If you’d like nominate yourself (or someone else!) to be a featured player, send us a quick email at ddo@turbine.com. Make us laugh, make us cry, and tell us why you (or they) should be in the spotlight!