Member Spotlight: Sotek

  • Prolific wordsmith. Argonian enthusiast. Die-hard werewolf fan. Aela's devotee. If you've spent any time around the Vault you'll have no doubt made the acquaintance of the Tamriel Tales host, Sotek. With over 200 chapters written on his namesake character, it's a wonder he hasn't had his moment in the spotlight yet. Today we intend to remedy just that.

    The scaly host of Tamriel Tales we’ve come to know as "Sotek" is known as Derek Britton in the world outside the Tamriel Vault. He and his wife, known as Aela in our community, live in the large coastal city of Southampton, UK. Derek makes his living as a security guard for a large security group. He works both day and night shifts, and has various responsibilities. His day to day activities range from maintaining a security presence, patrolling the offices, assisting the office staff as needed, and administering first aid when necessary.

    When he's not working, spending time on the site, or writing his blog, Union of the Wolf, he and his wife go bowling, visit the local zoo, garden in the summer, binge-watch TV box sets during the colder months, and take drives across the New Forest Animal Park. Before you even ask, the park boasts a large enclosed area which houses several wolves, which for obvious reasons, is a spot they often frequent.

    Derek found our community by looking for other folks who were sharing their stories and accounts of their travels through Skyrim. He used to search the internet and read other people's stories about Skyrim during the quiet times at work to help tide him over until he could get home and game again. Though it wasn't long before the writer in him fully emerged. Unfortunately, one of the catalysts for this was his wife's cancer diagnosis. While he waited at the hospital one day, Derek 'acquired' a pen and a piece of paper and started writing about an Argonian. His only intention was to try to occupy his mind and to be able to read it to his wife while she lay in recovery. That was when the character we know as Sotek was truly born. In truth, Derek had just intended it to be a short story.

    I'm sure we can all agree, this is one question we're all very glad she asked, as the adventures of Sotek and Aela have now become a mainstay in our community and occupies a special place in our hearts.

     
    But before that time, when the Tamriel Vault was known as the Skyrim Blog and Tamriel Tales group was referred to as "The Story Corner," is when Derek joined and posted his first chapter in Sotek's story and took to writing like a werewolf to the plains. Being a member of the blog and giving him a space to write more of Sotek's adventures is what helped him discover his talent and sharpen his writing skills. In fact he considers joining the site and posting Chapter One to be the first step on the path to becoming the writer he is today, and attributes his success mainly to those who have helped him along the way.

    Derek was eager for feedback and asked Okan to point out any and all mistakes, and admits that even now he keeps a print out of Okan's corrections as a guide. He points out that even after hundreds of chapters written, oversights and typos are an inevitable part of the process. He takes criticism in stride, and always makes it a point to learn from any mistakes.

    Today he's host of the group that brought him here in the first place. Many of us feel like the community has provided not only a creative outlet, but also serves as a TES haven, and Derek feels no differently. For him, the best thing about hosting Tamriel Tales is having the means to further the blog which has become a second home to many of us. Derek makes it a point to read as many of the other blogs as possible, and to support others in their creative writing endeavors. Some of his favorite blogs on the site are Lissette's Straag Rod and Idesto's Journal of a Survivor. Derek also enjoys being able to work with and provide feedback for other writers.

    But our favorite Argonian werewolf isn't just a talented writer and friendly, helpful host; in case you haven't carefully combed through his profile yet, you may be interested to know that Derek is also a very talented artist as well, with a unique, tribal style of illustration. Not only has he drawn pictures of Sotek and Aela (spirit wolves shown here) and submitted pieces to both Art Group Bonanza Contests, but he's also taken to drawing the avatars of various members of the blog including Tae-Rai, Okan, and Exuro just to name a few. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend checking out the rest of his gallery in the Art Group.

    When we asked Derek why he loved The Elder Scrolls, he cited the open world experience as his favorite aspect of the games. He has deep appreciation for the level of choices the player can make and what the numbers and types of skills that can be developed. He also cites the unique aspects between the cities as a point of interest. Variations on culture and settings aside, as anyone can tell, there are four things Derek is quite partial to when it comes to The Elder Scrolls: Argonians, Aela, Hircine, and WEREWOLVES. Why werewolves? Derek cites the primal, bestial power as the basis for their draw.

    A very astute observation, right from the wolf's mouth.

    In terms of games outside the realm of TES, Derek says he was always big on adventure games and used to spend hours playing World of Warcraft. He's also deep into XCOM: Enemy Within and has Fallout 4 and ESO on his list of games to play next.

    He's currently playing through Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim to help flesh out Sotek's story a bit more. A fact I'm sure we're all glad to hear. So it should come as no surprise that the big release he's waiting for is TES VI. One guess as to where he hopes it's set. 

    I could go on about all Sotek has accomplished on the blog. From the depth of his writings, artistic talent, Character Build and RP Profile for his namesake character, let alone his friendly presence on the site, Sotek has been nothing but a windfall for our little community. But I think to harp on and on about it all may end up embarrassing our gracious and modest host of Tamriel Tales. So be sure to drop a comment and let Sotek know how he's influenced you during your time here.

     

Comments

34 Comments
  • EpicGamer
    EpicGamer   ·  March 7, 2016
    Sotek is a amazing friend.
  • Ben W
    Ben W   ·  January 18, 2016
    Very well deserved Wolf Brother. Very well indeed. Keep doing what you are doing and don't you dare stop. Bravo once again 
  • Lyall
    Lyall   ·  January 16, 2016
    You mean Sotek, the metaphorical Wolf of the blog?
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  January 16, 2016
    *Curse
    Thanks and a big thanks for all the support you've given me in the Art group. You and others made me so welcome there.
    * Aela
    Hells I wouldn't be here on the blog at all if it wasn't for you. The only reason U.O.T.W. grew was beca...  more
  • Idesto
    Idesto   ·  January 16, 2016
    Aela! 
    It's too early to get all emotional: you nearly had me blubbing into my coffee!
    Seriously, that's a beautiful tribute: you 2 are such an amazing couple xx
  • Aela The Huntress
    Aela The Huntress   ·  January 16, 2016
    Wow, this is hard...
    A big thank you to you all for all the support you’ve given Sotek during his time here on the blog. Especially those who have helped shape U.O.T.W. I know Sotek harps on about the story but it has helped us in so many ways.more
  • Curse Never Dying
    Curse Never Dying   ·  January 15, 2016
    Hard to imagine a more well deserved spotlight. Congrats friend. 
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  January 14, 2016
    Okan you honor me, you truly do.
    Thank you for these kind words but don’t take what you do in Tamriel Tales lightly. You push forwards weekly discussions to get the community of writers together, you lay out the ground work for AMOST and other event...  more
  • Okan-Zeeus
    Okan-Zeeus   ·  January 13, 2016
    Sotek, you've become such a big pillar of this community. All the comments here speak to this, and I'll agree with them. You've done much more for the writing community here than I ever have. I've always found you easy to approach and your willingness to ...  more
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  January 13, 2016
    I would love to respond to everyone individually but that would be a…
    Ok I admit it; I really don’t know what to say to everyone here. All these comments and the admiration you have shown has left me feeling stunned.
    Ok….
    I would like to...  more