Amongst students hustling to class surrounding Oregon State University’s Student Experience Center Plaza and Memorial Union Quad, typically a place where students or organizations gather for various activities, there’s a mystical individual offering a unique twist to the norm. Kilogram, a second-year computer science major at OSU, has titled herself as a “Quest Merchant.” She invites students to participate in a daily quest where they can complete a quick task for rewards, providing students with a spontaneous sense of accomplishment throughout potentially long days of studying.
Kilogram’s inspiration for this began as a first-year student when she was consistently seeing people outside engaging in different activities and saw “people trying to get you to buy stuff or talk to them, or donate or do organizational things.”
“I thought it might be fun to just give people rewards for doing whatever … give people a fun experience, tell some stories,” Kilogram said.
An example would include a quest where she had students come up with adjectives she could use to describe a recent monster called an “adjective amalgam,” getting stronger with each word that students provided for them. Once a student gives an adjective that no one else has given, they can select one of the rewards she has available and complete the quest.
With motivation and revolving stories all depending on what she decides is humorous at the time, she aims to be in alternating locations surrounding the MU and the SEC between 2-4 p.m. as often as her schedule allows.
Beyond what she does, the real aspect that casts a spell on her audience is her wardrobe and how it plays into her mystique. With comfortable, neutral-toned layers, considering colder weather for pants, a long sleeve button-up, and sneakers for easy movement, Kilogram takes into consideration the potential for weather changes and the potential for relocation. The key to what Kilogram refers to as the “Questing Fit” lies in the coat that she hand-sewed herself — a velvety, navy outer lining with an internal lining of a similar color and texture, incorporating constellations of various kinds throughout its entirety.
Alongside an appealing exterior, Kilogram has included a variety of disguised pockets of different sizes throughout the inside of the coat so she has quick access to things such as her quest information board, trinkets, candy and her mystery rewards. Plus, the coat is just the perfect size to conceal her bag behind her back, allowing her to reach for additional items as needed throughout her day.
Besides the coat, she also created a headband with a very prominent yellow exclamation mark to demonstrate that they have something to say and simply need to be interacted with. This is made reminiscent of video games where specific characters with requests, tasks or comments for the players are indicated by a large exclamation point of a similar font or style.
Kilogram’s passion for storytelling, community and using crafts to tie it all together through her role as a Quest Merchant make her a memorable figure on campus with worthwhile experiences. By connecting the dots between fashion and fantasy, she invokes her creative spirit and invites others to join her in a realm of creativity. If you find yourself near the SEC or the MU, keep an eye out for Kilogram for not only a glimpse of her iconic outfit but also for an opportunity to complete her quest and hear her send off: “That is all, scholars — safe travels.”
