An Interview with Frank Reinart (aka 'Frank and Elly', aka The Wanderer, aka Astinus)
Greetings! This month, I present you, on time no less, an interview with the esteemed Frank Reinart! And if you don't know who Frank is... well, you're on your own!
First, however, Frank has a few words to say by way of introduction (I think).
Frank: To preface this interview, I'd like to address the reputation that I'm one of the most notorious fence-sitters among online Dragonlance fans when it comes to topics people regard as "issues".
Raistlehoff: It's true, you know.
Frank: I suppose that, from certain points of view, that reputation might be well-deserved.
Raistlehoff: Don't make me be sarcastic here, Frank!
Frank: What, you were expecting denial? Absolute confirmation? *chuckles*
That said, I'll hop off my cushioned fence-rail with its built-in computer and bookshelf, and try and be as candid as possible for this interview.
Raistlehoff: That would be ... well, appropriate! :)
Now, on to the ever important questions!
First off, why are you called "the Wanderer"?
Frank: That is an online appellation that I selected for myself several years ago for use on the Internet. It's gone through a couple iterations over the years, before attaining its present form as "Frank the Wanderer". More than likely, it won't change in the foreseeable future.
As for why? Well, first I'll state why not. It has absolutely nothing to do with the Dragonlance character by the same name, as some people have speculated. I was using the term before that character appeared, and so no relation is either implied nor intended (at least until someone does something interesting with him, he's not even on the list of my favorite characters).
I selected the appellation for a couple reasons. One, I tend to play wanderer-type characters in most RPGs I play. Two, I have had a tendency to "wander" from online forum to online forum for much of the ten-plus years I've maintained an active online presence, coming and going from each forum as the mood (and the general tone and interest level of the given forum) suits me.
Possibly an interesting bit of related trivia on the subject: I try not to use my online name in real life settings, and vice versa for my real name in online settings (except in introductions where someone is only going to known one or the other). There are actually a couple differences between the "personalities" of Frank the Wanderer and Frank D. Reinart that a number of online people have noticed when meeting me in person. And yes, those are differences I deliberately maintain. As this interview will probably demonstrate, Frank D. Reinart is quite a bit more openly opinionated than Frank the Wanderer is.
Raistlehoff: And a bit more long-winded! Haha!
Are you a kender in disguise? Do you have a kender-impersonation complex?
Frank: No on both counts. In fact, I'm probably about the most anti-kender person one could imagine, at least in a general sense. Of course that's "anti-kender" in the sense of having personal qualities that are mostly the opposite of stereotypical kender personal qualities. I'm not racist against kender; in fact, and probably unsurprisingly, I'm rather neutral in opinion about kender in general.
Raistlehoff: I'm part kender you know. Does that disturb you at all?
Frank: No, that just means I was half-neutral in my initial impression of you.
Raistlehoff: What about the fact that my father is Raistlin from an alternative future?
Frank: I would have to wonder whether or not the Dragonlance fandom in that alternate reality are any more accepting of the idea than the Dragonlance fandom in this reality.
Raistlehoff: You seem to know all. Are you really Astinus in disguise?
Frank: There's been some debate on that subject. Personally, I find that debate to be remarkably similar to the debate on whether Astinus is Gilean or not.
And yes, by not explicitly answering the question, I think that I have adequately answered the question.
Raistlehoff: So, we all know that you're a dino. Do you consider yourself to be bitter? Are you bitter about not being bitter?
Frank: I am not a bitter dino, and am certainly not bitter about lacking that particular...."honorific". Some have observed that I'm too neutral to be bitter. While I might disagree with that conclusion, at least on principle, those people might not be too far off, all things considered.
Raistlehoff: Where do you store your sense of humour when you're not using it?
Frank: Since I'm American, rather than British, I have a sense of humor, not a sense of humour.
Raistlehoff: Ha! See what happens when I go wandering around some worlds, looking for interesting people to interview? I start spelling things all funny.
Frank: That having been said, my sense of humor is generally kept on chargers found next to my cell phone chargers both at home and at work when not in use. It's reasonably inert when not connected directly to me, and so has never caused any harm in my absence (at least that I'm aware of). Whether it has ever caused harm while connected with me has been a matter of some debate, in the past.
Raistlehoff: Have you ever been to GenCon?
Frank: Yes. In 2001 and 2002.
Raistlehoff: Have you got any good stories to tell about your trips there?
Frank: Yes.
Raistlehoff: And?
Frank: Oh, you mean now? There are quite a few I could choose from and I seriously doubt that Dragonlance Underground really wants to devote the required resources to put them all up. Stories are the sort of thing one needs to ask me directly about.
Raistlehoff: Well, you'd be surprised at the kinds of things we are willing to devote our attention to!
Frank: Based on what I’ve seen on the site, I kind of doubt that.
Hmmm. Perhaps something a bit relevant. Ah yes; the first Dragonlance Reception I ever attended, which was in 2001.
I knew that the Dragonlance Reception was going to be interesting, because I had heard stories told of it for a couple years prior. I knew that there was going to be interesting people there for me to watch and observe (I'm generally much more of an observer than a participant, when it comes to your average social setting). And so, that's pretty much what I came prepared to do.
What I was not prepared for was to be something of a center of attention. The very idea that my name might be at all well known, let alone that I might have been a little famous, didn't even occur to me (if it had, I honestly might have acted differently as subsequent events unfolded).
Raistlehoff: Yeah, it sucks being famous, doesn't it?
Frank: You would know.
Raistlehoff: Well, just don't tell anybody, ok? :)
Frank: To continue, prior to the Reception, I had already met a number of people related in some manner to Dragonlance (mostly authors and members of the Whitestone Council). However, one of the noteworthy people that I hadn't met yet was a gentleman by the name of Kevin Kage. I had developed a fairly solid respect for Mr. Kage due to his online contributions to various Dragonlance forums. And though he had been pointed out to me earlier, circumstances had prevented me from actually meeting him prior to the Reception. After the formal presentation portion of the Reception was concluded, I took advantage of the opportunity presented by the meet-and-greet portion of the Reception to make his acquaintance.
Apparently, soon after meeting Mr. Kage, the news of my presence, including what I looked like (I was wearing a fairly distinctive hat that evening), started to spread. The reality was, the seed of this started with maybe only one or two people getting told, which actually proved helpful for me. After all, I had the honor of making the acquaintance of another long-time Dragonlance forum participant who I had built a great deal of respect for: Cassandra (most famously known as "forever darkness", though that isn't the only pseudonym she's been known to employ online).
The challenge of this growing vine of information about my presence developed when those first couple people told a couple of others. Who told a couple of others. And so on, and so forth. Within a shockingly short period of time, I was a bit more involved in this social setting than I was really prepared for. I was making the acquaintance of A LOT of people; many of whom I didn't actually know anything about. I'm not horrible at small talk, but I do like it better if I know who I'm talking with. And, between the full day and the social setting that evening I was more than a little tired (what can one say; social settings can be very draining on introverts).
Anyway, about that time, I caught sight of Shivam Bhatt in the crowd (well-known online in Dragonlance circles as Talinthas). I had observed what he looked like earlier in the evening, when he had asked Tracy Hickman a couple questions (rather direct ones, as I recall) during the formal presentation portion of the Reception, but had never met him. I decided hey, what the heck. I had ended up meeting a lot of people this evening. In for a penny, in for a pound, right? So I went up to him, and introduced myself.
Raistlehoff: *snores*
Frank: Ahem.
Raistlehoff: Ahh, huh? what? Oh. Please, continue.
Frank: Anyone who has met Shivam in person has learned that he is generally a very energetic and enthusiastic person. VERY energetic and enthusiastic. Which can actually be a lot of fun when a quieter person like me is braced for the impact (or if the energy is directed elsewhere). Needless to say, as tired as I was by that time, I was most assuredly not braced for impact. My biggest worry became, as tired as I was at that point, trying not to insult this gentleman who was very, very pleased to meet me. While, simultaneously, still trying to excuse myself from the Reception for the evening for some much-needed rest. I did finally succeed on both counts, though I was confronted with one further challenge to my escape that night; which can remain a story for another time and place.
Raistlehoff: Well, that's probably good, else if you told it now, I'd probably have to cut this interview short!
Next question! If you could be any DL character for a day, who would you be and why?
Frank: I'm probably asking for it with this answer, but I'd have to admit Astinus. In many respects, he's the ultimate observer of people, and the ultimate listener. Those are qualities that I admire, and aspire to develop in myself.
Moreover, Astinus has seen and experienced more of the world of Krynn than any other individual (possibly barring one of the gods anyway), and so I can get a better overall taste of the world being him than any other given individual with a more limited point of view.
Raistlehoff: Neat.
If you could be any DL editor or author for a day, who would you be and why?
Frank: *laughs* Having listened to a number of Dragonlance authors, editors, and game designers talk over the last few years, I have built a solid amount of respect for all of them and the work that they do (and I can promise I don't ever grant that respect unearned). I've also heard enough "horror stories" to be somewhat less than enthusiastic about walking in their shoes, even for just a day.
That said, I have been given the privilege of some insight into Sovereign Press' work on the forthcoming Dragonlance Campaign Sourcebook. While that insight was far from being a "DL editor or author for a day" in the truest sense of those words, I think I can say that I've already gotten a fascinating look into what it might be like during the day in the life of a DL writer.
Raistlehoff: If you had the opportunity, which DL story would you write?
Frank: Dragonlance needs more gnome stories, particularly ones that aren't substantially over-the-top comedies. While I'm as much of a fan of gnomeic comedies as thenextguywhoworksasanengineerforaliving, I wouldn't mind seeing some stories featuring gnomes that went in a few more...dignified directions. If that meant writing them myself, well, who knows...
Raistlehoff: Which DL story would you re-write your own way?
Frank: Since I finished reading Dragons of a Vanished Moon, I confess I viewed the time travel aspects of the War of Souls story arc and, indeed, in general throughout the entire Dragonlance series, in a somewhat different light than that of the authors. Could I re-write the entire story my own way to bring my own views into the picture? Probably not; that level of writing is well beyond my capabilities and likely always be. Plus my desire would be more a reworking of the existing story (since there is a substantial amount of the actual plot itself that I would not change), rather than a re-write in the truest sense of the term. Would I if I could (implying the storytelling and writing skills necessary)? Sure.
Raistlehoff: I don't know about you, but time travel just hurts my brain too much.
Frank: *smiles* Step one, don't think so hard about it.
Raistlehoff: If you had the opportunity to play Apocalyptic War Games with Krynn, where would you start?
Frank: Apocalyptic War Games? Since you are talking to a past (and sometimes present, when I have the time and inclination) tabletop war gamer, I tend to view any opportunities to play an "Apocalyptic War Game" in that light. That being the case, there really is only one good option, in my opinion: The Summer of Chaos. That would make for a really enjoyable three-way campaign of tabletop war games, where some strategic elements could be mixed in on a campaign-building level; and then all the more conventional tactical aspects could be actually played out on a table with one or two other players (or more!).
Raistlehoff: What would you do?
Frank: *grins* I would play the Knights of Takhisis side.
Raistlehoff: Which HotL would return from the dead to do it for you?
Frank: I don't know about returning from the dead. I certainly could foresee sending some of those geezers TO their deaths over the course of the campaign...
Raistlehoff: If you had to cast Rocky Horror Picture Show using characters from Krynn, who would play what roles?
Frank: This will undoubtedly scandalize more than a few people, but I have never watched a single production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show in any format. Therefore, I'm not qualified to answer this question.
Raistlehoff: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! It sounds like you have a DVD to rent tonight, Frank! :)
Frank: Pass. There's a few more important things on my agenda.
Raistlehoff: What unknown story of the DL saga do you wish you'd had the time/opportunity to write about?
Frank: *laughs* Unfortunately, this is a hard question to answer for a person who has run Dragonlance roleplaying game sessions off and on for the last several years. Many stories that I feel haven't been told have a tendency to end up inspiration for one of my own games, which gives me the opportunity to "fill in" places where I see gaps. That's one of the genuinely beneficial luxuries of roleplaying games for those people who run them or play in them.
Raistlehoff: If you could put something completely outrageous and funny into DL and have it be official/canon/generally accepted without fear of the consequences, what would it be?
Frank: Hmm. Well, some observations on choices of wording first. I wouldn't be me if I didn't indulge in this aside.
Raistlehoff: Hmm.
Frank: "Official": Official material is interesting and often very enjoyable reading; but it doesn't require any greater level of regard from me than that, in my own opinion.
"Canon": I don't mix religion and fantasy settings. I think the various "Dragonlance Catechisms" I've run across over the years are some of the most goofy bits of nonsense I've ever seen other people take absolutely seriously.
"Generally accepted without fear of the consequences": In my experience, stuff that fits into that category just isn't ever funny (or, in best cases, isn't consistently funny). Any comedian will tell you that following established conventions are the worst ways to have a career in comedy. Quite the opposite, humor is intended to defy convention; and that's what makes it both valuable and entertaining.
*grins* Now I'll answer the question in the spirit in which it was asked. I think Dragonlance needs stories that depict some degree of scientific and technological development as a more significant element of the setting (and, particularly, stories within the setting).
How would that be funny/outrageous? It doesn't mean that development has to be totally factual or accurate science; anyone familiar with the historical development of science and technology in our own world likely should recognize the fallacy of that idea. In fact, some truly goofy, off-the-wall, mad scientist/scholar types would do the setting good. Yes, gnomes have fallen into that slot to a certain extent already; but I think it needs to be a bit broader than that. The different perspectives that different races have on their world should lend itself to some interesting (and differing; not to mention odd and crazy) perspectives.
In general, Dragonlance, like many other fantasy settings, tends to hide too much behind magic and active, obvious interference of gods as setting concepts. Occasions where authors have tried to be innovative in this area tend not to be well-embraced by a number of people in the Dragonlance online community, which is something of a shame (as it discourages that sort of innovation in the future). One of the most interesting (and humorous) ongoing story lines (in novels, short stories, and RPG campaigns alike) one can work with, in my opinion, centers around a traveling scholar-scientist "studying" the world. I could expound more on this concept in detail, but I fear only a few would really be interested in the subject.
Raistlehoff: Well, if we find any of those few, we'll send them your way!
What would Krynn have been like if instead of "Dragonlance" it was "Turkeylance"?
Frank: Well, if it's anything like most Thanksgiving turkey dinners I've enjoyed, there probably wouldn't be any Dragonlance novels. Instead, there would be one grand, climactic chapter that would swell to great proportions, satiating all hunger and desire.
And then everyone would fall asleep.
Raistlehoff: What would you choose as a theme song for the DL saga?
Frank: A specific song? Impossible for me to easily choose. There's a number of composers who I think could do the Dragonlance saga justice, including modern soundtrack composers such as John Willams, James Horner, and Howard Shore.
At various points in time, I've been reading a Dragonlance book with background music playing and a certain song came on that just happened to "fit" with what I was reading at the time. But that is usually more happenstance than anything one could consider a pattern.
Raistlehoff: What do you think of us, the Raistlins?
Frank: Remember what I said earlier about the intention and value of humor resting mainly in its defiance of convention? I'm of the opinion that the Raistlins fit that observation nicely. Please continue to do so.
Raistlehoff: Of DLU?
Frank: There's been a couple times I've found that Dragonlance Underground has strayed too far "over the line", in a manner of speaking, for my own tastes. But that's only a couple occasions in the overall time that the site has been online.
Raistlehoff: Well, let us know who's been "over the line" and we'll go flog them for you! :)
Frank: At all other times, it's been a near-daily source of entertainment for me. The mixture of seriousness (yes, the site has bits of that, here and there) and humor (granted, quite a bit more of this) makes for an entertaining perspective on Dragonlance. And running across the occasional gem that makes me laugh until I'm literally in tears (even after a couple re-reads) continues to make the site one of my favorites.
Raistlehoff: Do you want to send us money and pay our wages?
Frank: As I've expressed to a number of people in the past who have asked me similar questions, all I have to say to that is I need my engineer's salary to support my gaming habit.
However, I believe I support you all monetarily nonetheless. After all, if I didn't continue spending money on Dragonlance, people wouldn't publish any more Dragonlance stuff. If they didn't publish any more Dragonlance stuff, there would be less interest in Dragonlance. If there was less interest in Dragonlance, than there would be less ready-made interest and material for your site to use and poke fun at, and you all would have to work a lot longer and harder to create material. If you all had to work a lot longer and harder to create material, that would require much more of your time. Since time has value for all of us, and value can be measured in money for pretty much all of us, I think one can conclude, using my circuitous (and possibly torturous) route of logic, that I already send you all money and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
Raistlehoff: Hmm. I think that answer hurts my head too.
Frank: *chuckles* Circuitous logic is rarely useful for any other purpose besides making someone’s head hurt.
Raistlehoff: If the Raistlins came to visit your home en masse, what would you offer as refreshments?
Frank: If you all are as finicky as your namesake as far as food and drink goes, then I probably would end up having to make certain which one-quarter of my home's offerings wouldn't result in death or incapacitation due to lung trauma or excessive surliness.
But, I wouldn't be a Reinart if there wasn't at least something alcoholic to be served to guests lying about the premises.
Raistlehoff: Pick a dragon, any dragon.
Frank: *rolls a d20* Aurumnus.
Raistlehoff: Is he/she bodaciously sexy?
Frank: No.
Raistlehoff: What's your opinion on Lord Soth?
Frank: A guy with some rather screwed up priorities.
Raistlehoff: Where is he?
Frank: Last time I checked, dead. Permanently so, even, which is a pretty significant distinction for Soth.
Raistlehoff: Do you think he was given the respect he deserved, or is he still growing mold?
Frank: To be quite honest, yes, I think he was. While Soth was certainly an interesting character, I never personally found him as interesting as I believe a lot of other people did. He was one of those characters that, for me, would have contributed little to the story with a more active role, simply because he, as mentioned earlier, epitomized screwed-up priorities. Characters like that have an annoying tendency to hamstring storylines.
Given that perspective, I think people can understand why I found a lot more meaning in his death...well, permanent cession of existence anyway...than the other fans who wanted something else from the character.
That said though, I can't dispute the reasoning that originally lay behind labeling Soth a potted plant. It's one thing for a character to be underused or not underused. It's quite another for a character to frequently get used, but only for landscaping purposes.
Raistlehoff: Well, I think that is about all the questions we have this time around. It was nice of you to let me summon you to this little purgatory of mine.
Frank: Thanks for taking the time to interview me. I am returning to my cushioned fence rail now.
Raistlehoff: Hey! Thanks for the interview. It was... enlightening. I think.
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