It’s great to see other Exploration blogs out there and Motoko Rei of “Into the Ether” is a great one to visit. What I like about Motoko’s blog is the wandering nature of a solo explorer from interesting High Sec sites to Low Sec, Null Sec, and Wormholes. He’s captured some fantastic images along the way and has certainly developed a piloting skill to be admired in order to navigate all that New Eden has to offer. Motoko has been flying the cluster since July of 2013, just a little over a year now, and through his blog he’s shared his experiences so far. Be sure to check out “Into the Ether” if you’re someone who’s interested in seeing New Eden. You’ll learn, as I’ve learned doing my own exploration, fear is no reason to deny your explorer’s heart.

Motoko Rei

What attracted you to EVE Online and how long have you played?

I read that Eve Online was complicated, which first peaked my interest. I like the idea that there needs to be some investment in order to fully experience the game. I next discovered the player community (bloggers at first) and thought that a game which can inspire such dynamic player creativity in terms of blogger output (stories, articles, critique, player experience) must have something special about it. I have been playing for over a year.

How would you describe your characters career path?

I started out running missions and mining in high security space for 2 or 3 months. It seemed like that gameplay was going nowhere fast so I decided to seek out a corporation that could accommodate my play schedule and help me get more out of the game. At the time, Touring New Eden was being advertised as a pacifist corporation – which did not especially draw me in, but it was something I didn’t mind trying out if there were other selling features. I joined Touring because it was also geared for solo pilots and it could teach people how to travel safely through hostile territory.

This is where the game opened up for me. Another corporation declared war and rather than having the newer pilots dock up – we were encouraged to head out into null-sec with our T1 frigates (after first reading up on how to do so, safely). I took a Magnate and headed out to an NPC station way out in Null-sec – completely prepared to have that ship destroyed – and to my surprise I made it.

What attracted you to explore New Eden? What is your goal and have you achieved it? If not, are you still working towards your goal, do plan to continue, or what are you currently doing?

After I found myself pretty far into Null-security space I first started to explore. I was checking out some local sites, then scanning down exploration sites and then scanning down wormholes. I really liked the feeling of discovering new places in the game for myself. Once I started I kept going. Wormholes are the most fascinating for me.
My goal is to continue exploring New Eden to its fullest. More specifically, that means learning more about wormholes first hand, seeing some of the notable sites out there, mining exotic ores and fullerenes. I hope to do all this with some pvp added to the mix.

Anathema

While doing all this exploring I found that I was severely lacking in the PVP aspect of the game. I was having trouble dealing with Sleepers and also wanted to be able to engage other capuleers in combat. So I left Touring New Eden and joined Open University of Celestial Hardship (OUCH). Here I was quickly taught the basics of pvp combat. I decided to join their Operations Department in order to continue to learn and enhance the pvp aspect of my game as well as teach others the introductory modules in the OUCH training program.

Lately my exploring has been making excursions to some of the interesting sites I have read about. I hope to visit Titanomachy next and some more wormholes.

What is the name of your favorite ship that you enjoy flying the most while exploring? Why is it your favorite? Would you mind sharing your fit?

It really depends on what my intent of the journey is. If I am site running or wanting to fly cloaked it’s the Anathema (for aesthetics). If I am going for a quick visit somewhere it’s usually the Ares (for the 4 low slots). Mining or gas excursions into wormholes was the Venture (I’m so excited for the ORE Expedition Frigate, the Prospect, to come out soon). I am working my way up to T3 Cruisers as well. I kind of feel like I have not found my favorite yet.

During your research and travels, what has been the most interesting fact, amazing sight, or other aspect of New Eden that surprised you?
The most amazing sites for me have been the wormhole nebula. They are varied and look absolutely incredible. I also really enjoy seeing Sleepers and Rogue Drones up close.

What have you learned or what advice would you give to someone interested in exploring New Eden?

I would advise anyone who was interested in exploring New Eden to learn some basic null-sec traveling from another capsuleer or corporation and then jump in. The basics are very easy to learn and then the whole of New Eden is yours to discover.

Do you have a favorite image that you wouldn’t mind me posting and sharing from your explorations?

I have many images I have taken that are favorites. If I have to pick one I’ll go with the cloaked Anathema floating before a wormhole nebula. It’s peaceful.

Cloaked Anathema floating before a wormhole nebula

“Take me away, I don’t mind. You better promise me, I’ll be back in time.” – “Back In Time”, Huey Lewis & the News

10.08.yc116 L-YMYU < XOV7-5 Constellation < Period Basis

OOC: Short on time this week, I’m afraid, but I did want to quickly mention a few things. First up, just finished my fourth Null Sec region completely explored. The journey is going slow and steady with this last region, Period Basis, being one of the busier ones so far. I found myself hunted again, evading a couple of bubble gate camps, and chased down one pipe until I was finally able to out warp them and they lost me at a crossroads system. That was entertaining to say the least. This upcoming week, unfortunately, I’ll be traveling most of the week on a business trip, so my exploration will take a pause. It’s nice to take a break, but also, I’m on a good roll and it’s hard to stop too. Either way, I’ll be back at it next weekend.

Contest Promotion

Tas Exile

Tas Exile, of the blog Pilgrim in Exile, is hosting a contest for newer exploration oriented players. It’s a fantastic idea and I wanted to help promote and get the word out about it. Be sure to check out the character, ship, and registration requirements in this blog post, Newbie Treasure Hunt. In a nutshell, characters less than 12 months old, ship/skills capable of cargo scanning and combat probes (expanded probe launcher), MWD highly recommended. All locations will be in High Sec and there will be prizes. Be sure to check it out and if you participate, let me know. I’d love to hear about the experience.

That’s all the time I have this week. Here’s some of my favorite images from Period Basis. Fly smart, fly safe!

1-NJLK II

F-M1FU X, VR-YIQ Gate

GR-J8B VI, CSM Barret Station

RYQC-I VIII

“Just remember that you’ll never be that far from home” – “Far From Home”, The Doobie Brothers

03.08.yc116 ZDYA-G < D9DM-O Constellation < Paragon Soul

3PPT-9 VIII, TMA 03 PPT-9 Station

This week has been an interesting one. Having finished the Esoteria Region, I moved into Paragon Soul. It started off to be very, very quiet, then when I started down the I-CCEI Constellation pipe, things began to pick up. At one point I was asked in local to investigate a Relic site which normally I would have been interested in, but time was short and it felt very much like a trap. Jumping to the next system, which contained about 10 capsuleers, I was followed by the Relic/Trap seeker and he proudly announced he was going to have a Katia Sae sandwich. Now I’m not sure if he meant he was going to make me a sandwich or if he was expecting me to make him a sandwich, but obviously it couldn’t have been some sexual innuendo as we were the only two in conversation, unless there was some third party I was not aware of, which was entirely possible. Either way, I didn’t take the obvious bait and went

Parthannun Solette

about my exploration of the system. I was pleasantly surprised as I finished up that another local spoke up, Parthannun Solette, saying for me to be sure and not miss taking a picture of their station in system, as it was their home. How could I pass up a request? Setting up a warp for station, I made my way and tried to get the best shot I could of TMA 03 PPT-9 Station. The lighting was difficult, so the image is not one of my best, but I think it came out well enough, I hope.

Continuing down the pipe, I knew I was approaching another dead end and one that was more than likely going to have some traffic since there were 3 systems that had stations. Sure enough, the local population was heavy enough and I was not surprised as I jumped into O-N589 to find a bubble camp waiting for me. Safely escaping that one I continued on with the knowledge that I was being tracked and hunted. Stopping in the last explored system of ZDYA-G, I pulled up the map and saw just how far away from home I was. I learned this was the furthest I’ve been out, at 72 jumps away, from Saisio. With a scout parked on one gate and the other gate clear of a 3 system triangle dead end, I decided it was a good place to find a safe spot and take some time for some much needed rest. Let the locals go back to their usual business instead of being focused on me. I’ll attempt an escape later.

MP5-KR VIII

((Looking at the featured image of the map above, I’m not sure why my systems visited indication hasn’t updated for the Paragon Soul Region. Hopefully, it’s just a temporary thing and it’ll update, but it’s a little frustrating as those stats help me to visually show my progress as I go. I’m certainly not going back to increase the stat counts!))

O-MCZR III