Guide of the Month - Norika of Guk

Recently we received the nomination of NORIKA for Guide of the Month. When notified, Norika responded:

I was stunned and delighted beyond belief to find this in my email box! My grin could have lit up Los Angeles, no problem.

[...]

I am thrilled to be a member of the Guide Program and hope to serve for many more years.


1. Why did you become a Guide?
I watched the Guides on my play server provide unique opportunities for the players to come together, have fun, and feel part of a community. I wanted to offer my own energy, creativity, and optimism to players and hoped to show them that they are a valued part of the Everquest2 community.

2. How long have you been in the Guide Program?
I ecstatically joined the Guide Program in February of 2012. I was literally on Cloud 9.

3. What games do you guide on?
I guide on Everquest2.

4. What is your guide race and class?
My guide race and profession is Wood Elf Warden.

5. What is your favorite land (zone)?
Truly, my favorite zone is each and every home and guild hall that has been graciously offered by the players for viewing. To see players become confident in their decorating abilities, to see them blossom, to see their nervousness give way to joy and pride, to see their excitement in sharing a labor of creativity and ingenuity, to watch others compliment and encourage the host/hostess, thrill me beyond measure. Such unbelievable works of art and love are on display, and to view these is a privilege that I hold very dear. When I receive /tells that the host/hostess are elated, that they are beaming, that this has made their day, I get choked up. I feel so grateful to be part of the Guide Program, as it is unique in the MMO genre. I feel enormously proud to be a part of such a wonderful gaming experience and extremely privileged to be part of the community of Everquest2.

6. What was your best or favorite moment as a Guide?
Guide Muji and I were running Erollisi Messenger in New Halas. About 15 players worked tirelessly and persistently to bring Kreoun and Brycea back together through all the requests and plot twists. In the end, the players joyfully, solicitously escorted my character, Brycea, back to Kreoun. The care, affection and concern evidenced by all the players surrounding me, walking slowly or running up ahead to tell Kreoun that I was on my way, was heartbreakingly touching. I witnessed pure magic that day.

7. What is your favorite quest, event, or knowledge circle?
Oh dear. Just one? Well, if I must pick one absolute favorite activity, it is sitting around the campfire telling a story for the players. I encourage them to volunteer details, such as a race, profession and name, and away we go on an incredible spontaneous storytelling adventure. To watch them reading the development of the story with interest and experiencing their eagerness to contribute helpful details when I get stumped, is energizing, fuels my ingenuity, and I do hope gives them a sense of pride in creating something memorable and entertaining.

8. What has been your worst or least favorite moment during your time as a Guide?
Any time I have goofed up and made a serious mistake, my heart hurts and I feel incredibly bad about it. I know that each of us is completely human and will make mistakes. I try to not make the same mistake again, and let others know how to avoid it if possible!

9. As a player do you ever run into Guides, quests or events?
Yes, I see Quest Characters when I am playing. I try my best to go do the Quests and encourage others to participate. I love the rewards, especially house items.

10. What is your favorite thing about Everquest/EverquestII?
The opportunity to interact with so many people in so many ways! As a Guide: sitting around the campfire for story time; saying hello in the channel and catching up with everyone; chatting around the campfire; viewing so many stunning homes with the host/hostess present showing off their home to everyone; running Quests and watching the players have fun; showing my deep and abiding interest in the players; and assisting and caring for my fellow guides in any way I can. As a player: contributing to the fun and resources of the guild; grouping with a wide diversity of people for varying amounts of time for different purposes; and listening if anyone has a concern to share.

11. What do you plan to do in the future as a Guide?
Any goals? Run every quest in the Quest Pool; memorize the P&P and all other manuals that are available to me; mentor apprentices so that they feel confident, enthusiastic, uniquely qualified to be the amazing Guides that they are capable of being; develop a framework for mentoring that I can easily refer to and utilize with any Apprentice while keeping the spontaneity and nurturing that I try to bring to each session; submit some of the stories that the players hear to the Gazette; create a Reporter Character some day; and since I do love to decorate, a really nice dream is to convince the SMT that a server home in New Halas would be a great role play hub with the SMT's approval.

Congratulations, Norika. Well done!

Congrats!

WOOT! ... there's my Norika! ... Congratulations Nor! ... you work hard as a Guide and are truly loved by many.

<<hugs>> ... Muji!

Congratulations Norika!

Cheers Keep up the excellent work