Terrouge E-zine Archives

Terrouge:
Hi, Coggs, thanks for coming.

Coggs:
My pleasure!

When did the idea for The Island first enter your head?

Well, I first just had a Redwall website, and somebody e-mailed me and said I should make a club. I didn't do it right away because there were so many other clubs out there; I wanted mine to be a really good club if I did make it, so that it wouldn't be just one of the 'other' clubs. So I just thought for a while about a place in Redwall to base my club, The Island came up so I started it.

The Island is a location in The Bellmaker, right?

No, The Island was in Salamandastron first, and then later in Marlfox.

So is this club modeled after the Island in the Great Inland Lake, or Shipwreck Island?

The one in the Great Inland Lake.

When did the club open?

On July 6th, 1998.

And when did it become affiliated with Visions of Redwall?

On September 1st, 1999.

How would you say this switch has benefited the club?

Well, my club has always just been a club; I never had any real info about the Redwall books, or Brain Jacques. By merging with VoR I got a great Redwall info site, plus I got to keep my club the way it was.

How many members usually join your club per month?

Per month, it depends on the month of course, around 3-5 I'd say, but anywhere up to 10 is not unexpected.

Do most of them participate often?

Well, I do have quite a few people who have 0 points and haven't done anything for months, but I would say close to half of them do.

::We will now include a high-ranking member of the club, Starblade the Strong, in this interview::

Terrouge:
Hi, Starblade!

Starblade:
Hello!!

What would you say is the best thing about The Island?

The best thing would have to be the management of the club, the ways to participate in the club and gain points, and the overall enjoyment of gaining ranks in it. Another thing I like about the club is the excitement of seeing what rank you will be in next time the page is updated; for me at least. I take ranks seriously!!

Coggs, could you explain the ranking system to us?

Coggs:
Well the ranking system now is about to be changed, but you get points for everything you do in the club. I decide the points by the quality and originality of the stuff submitted. And for every 10 points you get, its worth one star. But like I said, it will be changed soon. The ranking system goes: Star General, General, Colonel, Major, Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant, and Warrior.

Starblade, what is the most enjoyable point-gaining activity in the club?

Well, for me, I love doing the poems. I like making stories and stuff because you ARE the author, you can do whatever you want. You can do the same thing with poems. You can be as creative as you want and you get points for it...to me THAT'S art!

And how close are you to 'the top' in ranks?

Well, right now I'm a Colonel but Coggs says when he updates I'll be a General, or even a Star General, which is the highest rank. This is because of the ranking system change. But I've had my eye on it for a LONG time (Star General). I try to get as many points in as possible. I knew I would be there soon , and here I am! So I am literally "at the top", Josh!

Great! Well, good luck. What are the advantages of being a Star General? Are the any extra activities you can do, or is the reward simply being known as a Star General?

Well, about the advantages you'll have to ask Coggs, but for me personally, I think the greatest advantage is the rank and being able to have that as a title! :-) Of course, in the books there is the advantage of having the last say in stuff if you are in a high rank. I have to admit I would like that too, lol!!

Well, thanks for your time, Starblade!

::Starblade Exits::

Coggs, what is your main goal for The Island?

Just to have the best club possible, so that members will never get bored, coming up with the best and newest things for people to do as members.

Great goal! In closing, are there any sites or people that have inspired you in the creation of The Island?

Well, for sites, mainly the old Camp Willow that Grath ran, and for people, there's Brawnoak of Redwall.net, Bobtail/David, Grath, Jarron has helped me a bit, and that's about it.

Great! Thanks for your time, Coggs! Bye!

The Island Can Be Found At:
- http://members.dencity.com/coggs