This week's "Power User Profile" features long-time Friend of HeroMachine, Mark, who is responsible for a big chunk of artwork in HeroMachine 2, and a number of fantastic items already in HeroMachine 3. Mark's been a key supporter of the program almost since the beginning, and has continued to produce not only great ideas and artwork for everyone, but also ideas that have substantially improved the program as a whole.
- A photo (or drawing) of you in "real life":
- Online name used in HeroMachine environs: Usually 'Mark' for comments and talk talk about functionality and artwork and my collaborations with Jeff, but I like to change up my pseudonyms for entering contests. I'd like to think it's because I want Jeff to judge my submissions impartially, but really, I just like messing with him.
- Real name: Mark Shute
- Real city/state/country: Washington, DC
- Real job: Federal IT Contractor
- Real age: 38
- Gender: Male
- Married/single:Married
- Online archive of your creations (if any): Here's the repository of all the group pics I've done for my table-top RPG group. Some of the characters are by others in my group, but most of them are mine. It's also where I upload my contest submissions.
- The best piece of HeroMachine art you've created: Ooo. Tough one. I always think the last thing I did was my best. But I'm really quite proud of Gorvak, my half-orc cleric of Torag, from the Pathfinders game I'm currently playing.
- Favorite all-time geeky movie if any: The Empire Strikes Back
- Favorite all-time geeky book if any: "Good Omens" by Niel Gaiman and Terry Pratchet
- Favorite all-time geeky TV show if any: Mythbusters
- Favorite all-time comic book character: Nightcrawler
- If you could have one super-heroic power in real life, you'd choose: The ability to arrive on the Metro platform just seconds before my train. Ok, so maybe you can't "fight crime" with that, but it would make my life so much more pleasant.
- In your leisure time you like to: What is this "Lee-zhur-tyme" you speak of? Table-top RPGing is the only hobby I really have time for.
- Character design turn-ons (things you love to see that make for a good design): Unique poses and attention to detail.
- Character design turn-offs (things you hate to see that make for a bad design): Characters standing with their arms at their sides.
- Best tip for a HeroMachine newbie: Nothing has to be what it was drawn to be. Just because an item is in the Belts section does not mean it has to be a belt. If HM does not have an item you are looking for, think about how you can make it out of other pieces. Insignia shapes in particular are incredibly flexible.
- Any personal message you'd like to share with the HeroMachine community about Geek Life: Thank you all for pushing Jeff so hard to push this project farther and farther. It is amazing to see how far it has come since I designed my first D&D3 sorcerer in HM1 and immediately emailed Jeff to ask if I could contribute artwork. I am so proud to be a part of this project and it wouldn't be here if it wasn't for all of you keeping the whip on Jeff's back. Don't ever let up on him!
