Frequently Asked Questions about Amber

You have some questions for me? Here are the answers, I hope you're not squeamish.

Where did the name Amber come from?

Well, I originally wanted the name Ember - to reflect the passionate, hot-headed, and unpredictable nature of my alter-ego - but it was already taken; the name Amber was the next best thing.

Why does your description mention "unmarred skin", and yet you're all covered in warts?

Here is a reminder of my character's description for everyone:

You see Amber the Witch.
She is a strapping young human lass.
She is strong, slender, noble of bearing and carries herself with grace and
assurance.  Red hair, fine features and fair, unmarred skin combine with
sparkling eyes to give her an enchanted aura.
She is in good shape.
You can't help but notice eight warts upon her face.
Holding : a witches' broomstick (left hand and right hand).
Wearing : an old black cloak, a pointy black hat, an antique black
          dress and a pair of red and white hooped fishnet stockings.
Carrying: a tea strainer, two handfuls of cat fur, a privy key and
          a spider.
Her purse is tinkling with coins.

Oh, come on, eight isn't exactly "covered in warts", now, is it? I'd like to think that Amber can still be regarded as having unmarred skin, while at the same time be a wart-factor eight witch. Don't you think?

Hmm... yes and no to those questions.

Grr, don't be so contumacious!

Haven't I met you on another MUD?

That's quite possible; we Ambers do get around.

Is it true you're a guy in real life?

Yes, it's true. Did you work that out all by yourself?

What made you choose to play a female?

Let me first say a few words to dispel any myths. I didn't choose to play a female to deceive anyone, get in touch with my feminine side, or act out some kind of sexual fantasy - but now I mention it, what an interesting idea...

Perhaps the main reason I started playing Discworld as a female is my interest in the values our society attaches to gender, and the different ways we communicate, depending on who we are speaking to. For further information, a paper by Amy S. Bruckman entitled Gender Swapping on the Internet is worth reading.

And what made you choose to become a witch?

Just as women are unfairly represented on the Internet, witches are (were?) unfairly represented on Discworld; my aim was to redress that balance and create a guild on Discworld that centres on role-playing and helping other players, rather than the kill-maim-disfigure undercurrents of the other guilds.

Another good reason is my fascination with the witches in Shakespeare's Scottish play, Macbeth; it is their capricious malice which pulls the strings throughout.

What's this obsession with weenies all about?

Oh, this is just a bit of fun on my part, and isn't intended to be taken too seriously. Still, there is no greater fear for the stereotypical male - world centred on his weenie - than to have an assertive woman come along and threaten to lop said appendage off and use it as a mantelpiece ornament.

Back to Amber's Coven.