Froline el-Vasper is author of several fan fictions based on both videogames and theatrical films. Ortega: Legacy of Darkness is Froline's first Castlevania fan fiction.

1.For starters, would you please talk about which Castlevania games are your favorite and why?

Well, not too many would agree with me when I say this, but it would have to be Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness. I love this game only because of the memories that in unearths whenever I play it. It has a "bubble gum" action plot line that is surrounded by classic cut scenes and memorable characters, with an addictive BGM. It also gives more depth to the "crash-test" Castlevania 64. I loved playing as all the characters (except Henry...Konami could have done a slightly better job on his part), and how their levels linked together. Probably now, the graphics are blindingly hideous compared to Lament of Innocence, but, at the time, they were wonderful. The only thing that I wish that the game had expanded on were voice talents. It somewhat evolved like the Final Fantasy series (from IX to X and so on...). I know everyone's favorite was Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, but I haven't played SotN yet. I've only seen Ayami Kojima's art (which is absolutely beautiful), and I hope to play it soon...

2.Your story takes place in the Casltevania: Legacy of Darkness "universe" and focuses specifically on the character of Ortega. Talk about why you chose Ortega as the subject for your story?

Ortega has always seemed an intriguing character. I would always wonder why he had betrayed Cornell, even though they were the greatest of friends, and why he would join Dracula. I also thought that he had always had watched over Ada, and eventually had some form of relationship (thus the angst which will be revealed in later chapters of my fic...sorry for the spoilers, kids). Ortega has always reminded me of the kind of character that never backs down to anything that he is wont to do. Even though he seems to know something is not right, and is naively blinded by Dracula's powers that were given to him, there's something within him that almost seems to know that he will eventually have to sacrifice his life, but he doesn't care, and still lets the idea of fighting Cornell fuel him.

3.What other secondary characters from Castlevania do you think would make interesting subjects for fan fiction stories and why?

Very good question. Despite the fact that I (alas) haven't played too many Castlevania games, there are some characters that could have interesting stories. Consider LoI. Mathias' crusading with Leon could provide an interesting story, and why he joins Walter after Elesibetha dies (although, I believe I have already read a fic on that one). Also about Rinaldo, a very interesting character to go in depth with. One might ask how exactly got into the forest in the first place, and his connections with Walter (going on with why his wife and daughter were killed). Even Walter, and how he managed to get the castle in the forest in the first place. And maybe even Sara...*shrugs*. Secondary characters have much potential in fan fictions when their stories have been created properly.

4.Games many times offer little insight into the personality of characters that we encounter. How did you tackle the job of giving character to Ortega?

I just asked questions about him, and wondered why he would do some things more than others. It wouldn't seem in his character to immediately to love what he was doing, because, even though he still hated Cornell with a passion for betraying him with siding with the humans, he hated the fact that he was going against his kind. And I think it's when he's dying on top of the entrance to the clock tower, he realizes how much of a fool he was.

5.Dracula has traditionally been portrayed as a villainous character; however he has also been known to be portrayed as a tragic one. How do you see Dracula in your story, in the game, and which interpretation do you prefer?

Well, honestly after all the children Dracula has fathered (don't make me count them all...please), I think of him as just a male whore *laughs*. But in all seriousness, I believe he is both, but more tragic than villainous. Out of his selfishness, he has betrayed human kind and God, and wanted to destroy all of God's followers. Thus, the tragic side of him: He was once a human himself, and he lost everything he loved, so his rage took over, and he couldn't bow down to God anymore, because he believed that he was a hypocritical fool.

6.As a writer, what do you consider your biggest obstacle?

Motivation to write a story. Sometimes, it just runs out on me. As you can see, I haven't updated Ortega's story in quite some time (but I hope to soon). Sometimes, I just begin to write, and not even plan out a concrete plotline, which is also another problem with me (but I'm getting over that...at least I think I am...x.x;;)

7.What helps inspire you to write? Movies, music, other?

Everything. When I usually am going somewhere, and listening to music, something pops in my head and I write. Games are also another form of inspiration; I just love the characters in them. Films as well. Anything can give me a certain amount of inspiration and I just go with it. Sometimes research can be a pain, but it just makes the story better and I feel that I have a nice, solid foundation in order to continue the story itself.

8.You have also written fan fictions based on movies. Dracula gained his prominence as a horror icon more through the success of the movies based on Bram Stoker’s novel than the novel itself. How do you think that the various film interpretations have influenced his treatment in Casltevania and/or your own interpretation in your story?

Well, I think that they've certainly added some of the classic themes in. Konami even considered Dracula having a son that was D'Hampir (Alucard). They also made some werewolf references in the games as well, being aides, or protectors to Dracula (Ortega). And of course, we mustn't forget his tragic history of his life (his wife killed/dead, therefore he disowns God and becomes the Prince of Darkness). Thus, Castlevania has been greatly influenced by films and novels alike.

9.Just out of curiosity, what is your favorite Dracula movie and why?

Oh jeez...there are so many of them. I might have to go with Nosferatu, just because of it's classic aura of telling Dracula's story, and how everything is handled in the actual making of the film.

10.Videogames have a mixed record when it comes to being adapted into movies. How do you think a Casltevania movie should be handled?

Firstly, it SHOULD NOT be like Street Fighters, or even Super Mario (even though I kind of liked that one). All that aside, it should be in the 19th century at the latest, or even the early EARLY 20th century, just before the Belmonts are transferred over to the Snider line. It will become too clichéd if it's put into present times (or we'll have another Blade trilogy or Buffy on our hands). Previous characters from the games should make an appearance, if not, it's an entirely different thing (as we have learned from the Tomb Raider films). Perhaps Alucard should? What I'm trying to say is, basically, some things that gamers will see in the film and say "Oh wow! I remember fighting death! He was such a bitch to kill...'specially in LoI when you were Joachim...". There should always be an element of something that somehow relates back to the game (and we also don’t want another Jar Jar Binks on our hands as well x.x;;)

11.Recently we have also seen videogames turned into full length novels e.g. Resident Evil novels by SD Perry, the WarHammer series, Halo, etc. How do you think Konami should approach a series of novels based on Castlevania? Direct novelizations or original stories?

It would be interesting if they took on original fiction, but using the same characters from the games (e.g. just like fan fiction x.x;;). Although, it would also be interesting if someone took on a completely different take on Castlevania. Perhaps the Nazis were trying to hide Dracula? Okay...that was weird...but you get the general idea.

12.What do you consider to be the biggest problem (s) plaguing Fan-Fiction?

Too many people are making Mary-Sues; these perfect people who have these perfect relationships with the "attractive" characters, and such (I mean, there is a HUGE problem with that in the Lord of the Rings section). It almost seems like people aren’t really taking on enough responsibility of fully fleshing out characters and plots enough, so it isn’t enjoyable enough to read. If someone’s going to do another "girl-that-has-an-IQ-over-one-thousand-and-can-fight-with-martial-arts-and-swords-who-is-extremely-beautiful-and-falls-in-love-with-the-attractive-male-character" fic, I will die...unless someone can either flesh out the character, or do an entirely different take on it. Authors have to remember that everyone is not without a flaw, whether it be physical or mental or personal. They need to apply these rules to the characters themselves. What I find that helps is reading...LOTS AND LOTS of reading, and RPGing, because of the traits and stats that will help form characters themselves, in which creates a story.

13.Where do you stand on the 2D/3D controversy? Also, being a big supporter of both Castlevania 64 and Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness, what are your thoughts on the recent Lament of Innocence?

I know many a hard-core gamer is affected by the change in 2D to 3D games, and many people hate it, and have always seen Castlevania as a traditionally 2D game. I for one just like Castlevania for what it is, and it really doesn’t matter to me what graphics the games are in. As for Lament of Innocence (which I do own), I do like that game very much. It, obviously, is quite different than that of many previous games. The one main problem I have with it, though, is some of the standard BGM. Some of them are absolutely wonderful, such as the BGM for The Pagoda of the Misty Moon, but I thought the battle music wasn’t so great, not like some of the sound snippets that I have heard from SotN or even some of the BGM from Castlevania 64/ LoD. The graphics in LoI were shockingly beautiful, and quite well done. Additional characters in LoI, such as Joachim and the Jack’ O Lantern were interesting. As of late, I haven’t quite beat it with Jack, but the ending for Joachim was terrible. He was sitting on a throne and he just cackled. That was one of the most random endings I think I have seen in the entirety of the games I have played...that and Quest 64. Konami did a great job, but some of the additional characters needed a bit more plot line (or a better ending x.x;;).

14.Do you think that the relative unpopularity of the 3D Castlevanias’ give Fan Fictions based on their characters a disadvantage as opposed to works starring characters like Alucard, Juste, Richter, etc.?

Well, SotN is a classic game, and by far the most talked about. I think it does a slight injustice to the 3D games, but, then again, there haven’t been a lot of 3D Castlevania games. Perhaps there will be more games that are 3D, and it will raise the amount of readers in 3D games.

15.If Konami would let you write any Castlevania story, what story would you write?

I’d love to continue the Castlevania: Resurrection plot line (since it was canceled!!). Other than that, I’d perhaps like to actually set a game around WWI or WWII (Yeah...sorry kids, I also am an Indiana Jones nerd too...), and perhaps, even though every single game has a Belmont in it, perhaps focus more on a Fernandez...perhaps the daughter/grand-daughter of Carrie?

16.Any words of wisdom for future Fan Fiction writers?

Remember well my rant about Mary-Sues. Keep trying to find new ways to express cliché's. Secondary characters actually have very interesting stories, and they make good templates leading to good plots. Just have fun with writing, and see where it takes you, and, just to be safe, you also might want a Beta-reader to check everything out for you.

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