Announcement

[Miskett]

Ladies and gentlebeasts, a message from your admins, Lauren, Lucy and Amber.

At the end of October, all three of us will be retiring from our positions at Terrouge. A number of reasons have made this choice for us, and now we're working on Terrouge's future as we prepare to step down. There are several options open to us at the moment; we will let you know what's happening as soon as we've finalised some details. For the moment, though, we're working on the October/November double issue and looking ahead to Terrouge's next leaders.

It has been an interesting year at Terrouge, and I thank you all for making it so. I've enjoyed my time at Terrouge Ezine and hope that I will have the chance to still collaborate with you all again soon.

Keep an eye on this topic for updates; anyone interested in contributing to Terrouge's future is more than welcome to contact Lauren or me.

Thanks,

Lucy

[Severan]

Do you have anyone in mind? Unless you coax someone out of retirement I must admit I have major doubts as to whether you'll find anyone to fill the positions. Not knowing the ins and outs of the reasons and decisions, could I suggest that staggering your leaving might make it easier to ease people into the roles?

[Miskett]

We do have one person interested in taking over the ezine; but it's likely that there will have to be changes to the ezine format and output; especially with the smaller reader base and so on. We'll be resigning but we'll be sticking around to help transition things for the next leader(s).

[Vlaine]

Awww... this is a real shame. I haven't been around much while you've been in charge, but thanks for your contribution to Terrouge. I hope you'll find somebody able to commit enough time.

Does this have anything to do with the Shorestar mysteriously wandering around over on RV5?

[Brya]

Does this have anything to do with the Shorestar mysteriously wandering around over on RV5?

Not at all. It's all to do with us and this site, and how we felt about what we could contribute here in the future. It's been a great run, but we're done and we're interested in handing this place off to someone who'll keep it going forward.

There are a lot of different aspects to this site, and even if this person for the ezine takes that over, I'd encourage anyone interested in affecting Terrouge's direction to speak up. Now's your chance to contribute in bigger ways.

[Vlaine]

Okay... I wasn't suggesting that you were leaving because Shorestar had turned up, merely wondering whether she was the individual that Miskett mentioned.

Unfortunately, I suspect that the only person capable of really breathing some life into Terrouge is Brian Jacques. I mean, I could probably write a couple of whiny articles, but the problem is that I haven't read a Redwall book in absolute yonks, most Terrougers are, I suspect, the same, and the problem is that they haven't had any reason to. A lot of this community was built around fanfiction, which has pretty much taken on a life of its own (maybe a half-life now), butt once upon a time that was actually based on something. Now the series is so far gone that it really isn't even canon any longer; the books (from the summaries I've read) are progressing steadily towards "Hdai Atufavbiue is the first female wearat to wield the Sword of Martin! How will she defend Sampetra from the invasion of deadly elk and their deranged cannibal leader? (Coming 2021)"

It's pretty difficult to still want to be part of a community that is, ultimately, based around (and needs to draw new members from) that.

[Zian]

Unfortunately, I suspect that the only person capable of really breathing some life into Terrouge is Brian Jacques.

I was thinking about that issue too and realized that actually, it doesn't matter what he writes now.

If we take a step back from all the recent books, it's clear that we originally joined because of the early books. Regardless of what he's written since then, those books are still good books. I'd also wager that most of us in high school didn't visit lots of different little literature sites, even though Terrouge was supposedly just Redwall-focused.

If people picked and chose forums in the past, we wouldn't have had any flamefests. Regardless of what Terrouge may claim to be, it has traditionally been a common area for the many different topics to be discussed.

I still think there's a niche for people who read these types of books, like literature, like writing, and are in the younger age range. I'm old and out of touch so I don't know what's currently filling the niche, if anything.

[Cairn]

I'm old and out of touch so I don't know what's currently filling the niche, if anything.

Like ouch. So what does that say about the old, and I'm emphasizing that word, hedgehog? Makes me feel [ censored ] by just visiting this site. Though I do agree Brian Jacques has slipped quality-wise. He needs to regain his former strength of presenting interesting characters that are well developed.

But that is off topic. It is sad seeing the current leadership slipping off to do whatever and not continuing, but life goes onward. The best of luck to those departing the bridge and may whichever members feel so inclined find the helm both challenging and rewarding.

[Zian]

I'm old and out of touch so I don't know what's currently filling the niche, if anything.

Like ouch. So what does that say about the old, and I'm emphasizing that word, hedgehog? Makes me feel [ censored ] by just visiting this site.

I was comparing myself to T's old demographics of middle schoolers and high schoolers.

[Cairn]

I was comparing myself to T's old demographics of middle schoolers and high schoolers.

So was I. But that's not the focus of this thread.

[Aranta]

Okay, I am really worried about Terrouge's future now. Who will fill these positions?

Will you guys still be a part of the Terrouge forums when you leave?

[Dawnfinder]

I'm afraid I don't plan on sticking around at all. As much as I enjoyed working with Ashen and Randag (two awesome moderators), the heartache I experienced working with Terrougers vastly outweighed any sense of accomplishment.

Best of luck to Terrouge's future, but I'm moving on and don't plan on looking back.

[Agravaine]

I'm truly sorry to see the end of the reform and redirection you guys have brought to this place -- I hope you all decide to stick around the boards because we will certainly miss your presence in addition to all your hard work.

[Randag]

I'm afraid I don't plan on sticking around at all. As much as I enjoyed working with Ashen and Randag (two awesome moderators), the heartache I experienced working with Terrougers vastly outweighed any sense of accomplishment.

Best of luck to Terrouge's future, but I'm moving on and don't plan on looking back.

Aww, I thought you'd at least stick around. I'm really going to miss you (and that coming from someone who isn't as involved with the community as he used to be, so you know I mean it).

Actually.... (*goes off and does something*)

-Ran

[Brya]

Sorry, Vlaine -- I did wonder why you would ask that question, but mystery solved! It's not Shorestar, but to avoid embarrassing anybody, I'm not going to mention who in case the thing falls through.

Don't worry too much, Aranta. We're working on the hand-off and definitely helping with the transition.

I think I'll stay around for a while.

I don't think it's fair to say that Terrouge only has one hope or no hope of becoming lively again. I think it's just that we haven't found the right combination yet. Every leadership group since Jason and Vilu has tried something a little different, with varying success. I've got some optimism about this place still.