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ROC Traveling Companion
By: Faith
If you live in the northern hemisphere like me, the springtime is quickly approaching. One of the most recognized characteristics of spring is change. The winter season turns its bleak grey face to the pink sunrises that mark a growing world. Flowers blossom and small creatures scamper into a brand new season. Trees bud and the earth stretches its long stiff arms with a great yawn that awakens us like a melodic CD in our Sony boombox. But in the Redwall Online Community, every day can be characterized by the things that make spring fresh, new and exciting.
One characteristic about the ROC (Redwall Online Community) that never ceases to amaze me is its growth and expansion! While Redwall itself expands at the average pace of one book per year, the online community sees new sites emerge at an average rate of two per week. These include clubs, role play games, publications and fansites. Some of the sites which have emerged in the past month are Gather, Forbind Crossroads, and Lagomorphia. Gather is a review site run by Ringet Loris and a committee of five people. The ultimate goal of Gather is to review every site in the ROC. Similarly, Forbind Crossroads is a small, well laid-out site run by Rawnie Elvhale. Elvhale hopes to host the largest collection of links and plans on keeping up-to-date notices about clubs and other Redwall fansites.
Lagormorphia, in collaboration with Starfire's Redwall Abbey (and also run by the same person) is a new online magazine with a totally new purpose. Lagomorphia is designed to amuse and entertain. The first edition of 'Lag' appeared online in February of 2002. Lagormophia articles are entertaining, humorous and downright silly!
The newest Redwall clubs and RPGs include NorthShores by Swiftstream and The Rowan RPG. Fort Lokken, a new club run by Moontouch, is also an interesting addition to the ROC. Two of the most outlandish (and hopefully successful) ideas generated by creative minds this month are the Quanshire Mercenary Patrol and the Redwall Stock Exchange. The QMP (Quanshire Mercenary Patrol) has the following to say about itself:
"...We can be hired by any club in the ROC to help boost their fighting force if they are attacked or wish to attack another club." This is a wonderful role-play service idea worth more than a glance! Alike, the Redwall Stock Exchange, which went live on January 7th, 2002, has a unique touch. Run by Pikkle Woodsorrel, the RSE focuses on a relatively unmentioned aspect of Redwall-- economy. Although it shifts away from the traditional Redwall focus, it can be a fun way to learn about stock exchanges and money handling. It is Redwall with a double-twist!
Just as the springtime is slow to melt the earth, some things take longer to be uncovered than others. Daffodils will bloom in late March while a marigold will take as late as July to blossom. Such is the same with some Redwall sites. Some "late bloomer" sites which have been planted for several months now but have gone relatively unnoticed are Holt Purple Sunset by Splash Shellseeker and The Encartium Isle, run by Jaren Castonelle. Both of these sites were begun in 2001 and are currently seeking more active participants.
Another thing about the ROC which is especially inviting to newcomers is the fact that there is so much unity. Despite the newbie/oldbie arguments and the occasional wars, the ROC is one of the closest-knit fantasy communities online. Some of the great alliances and sites that keep it together are the Corsair Alliance, The Redwalliance, and Sword and Paw (affiliated with Fort Lokken, which is currently being reconstructed). Besides the webrings that bind the ROC together are great ideas like the Redwall Banner Exchange, which is simply an exchange of random banners from one site to another.
Even as the caterpillar in spring morphs into a beautiful butterfly in secret, Redwall sites tend to morph and change design and structure overnight. The latest changes in the ROC include the new php scripting design of Fort Ruddler and the acclaimed return of both The Golden Leaf Inn and The Redwall Awards. The Golden Leaf Inn is now accepting new members again through a crossword puzzle application. The puzzle is for Martin the Warrior and can be accessed through Retto's site!
In February, Terrouge reviewed a site by Snowspine called the Redwall Compendium. This month we have followed up on Snowspine's future plans for the Compendium. In a brief interview with Snowspine, she revealed that she is currently working on something called the "Redwall Troupe" which she described as the Clothing section of the Compendium. According to Snowspine, it will host information and pictures that educate the ROC about the styles, music, instruments, and related performing arts central to Redwall culture. Snowspine hopes to have the Troupe finished by mid-April, but acknowledges a lack of time due to homework.
So as winter releases its grip of death to the sweet songs of spring, keep in mind how you can become involved in this fertile community! Some other sites of interest this month might be Sarahine Fortress by Artemis Danceblood, Assassin's Lair by Areso, Greenfern Mountain by Longlegs, Holt Ratheting by Rellian and Swordblaze, and a relatively new vermin site, Fort Nightshade. Just as spring is a time of cleaning, restoration and rejoicing,go forth this season and cleanse your past, renew your vigor, and breathe free as all Redwallers do!
If anybody would like to contact me about upcoming events, I can be reached at casino_swifttail@hotmail.com.