River Twine Holt Forums

To everyone in the Holt:

As you've likely noticed, the Council of Five has been in long and deep discussion about what to do now that the hiatus is over. We've taken a second look at the Holt's activity leading up to the hiatus, at our activity as council members, and at our current situations in real life. After much contemplation we're sad to say we've come to the decision to close River Twine Holt.

Before explaining why, we'd like to make clear that no one is to blame for River Twine closing down! River Twine has been going for many, many years, longer than most holts, and we feel it's come to its natural conclusion. We've all had a great time working with all of you and we're grateful for all the time and energy you've put into this club!

The reasons we've decided to close the holt are as follows:

1) The number of active members has fallen and kept falling in the last couple of years, as has the number of new people joining. Elfquest as a fandom is changing and Final Quest hasn't brought in the new fans we hoped for. While a roleplay holt might survive with lower membership, we feel that it isn't realistic anymore to keep up the critical number of members needed for River Twine's style.

2) We current council members simply no longer have the free time and energy to shoulder the admin job that River Twine requires. It's a sad fact that real life has to come first, and in our current RL situations, we've all found that we are not able to maintain the level of activity and commitment that the holt requires to keep functioning in the way it has - certainly not while also being creatively involved. We've thought of trying to advertise for council members again, or making some changes that would spread the admin work out more, but here the first point comes in - we don't feel that this would be possible with dropping membership numbers.

3) Another reason is that River Twine Holt has been active for so very long, there is a huge amount of backstory to keep track of. This is starting to seem like an insurmountable obstacle for new members, which also reduces the chances of finding a new council member who can process all this material and continuity. Unfortunately, huge amounts of material are great for fans, but challenging for new creators, and very difficult for administrators.

4) Eventually, we really don't want River Twine to slowly shut down piece by piece. It would feel much better, especially for those council members who've been around since the start, if the Holt got a clear ending now. 10+ years is a long run and we should all be proud of that! But all good things come to an end, even the really fun ones. We all feel that it's better to move on with good memories, than spend however long stressing over a natural end.

Again, we've all had a wonderful time here at River Twine and we don't think it's anyone's "fault" that the time has come to close up shop! It's been a ton of fun to work with everyone on this huge project and we hope to see you all around the internet, even if this particular waterhole closes down.

This said, we're very much hoping to keep the forum and website online! We don't want anyone's hard work to be deleted. We'll also set up a "where you can find me" post here on the forum, so we all can figure out where else we might run across one another – if we're not active in other Elfquest things, maybe there are other fandoms we have in common? We'll find out more about this soon, but we hope to keep up the forum for a year, so that folks can keep in touch here.

Last but not least: If you've enjoyed River Twine's writing-and-art zine club style, and feel you still have the time and energy to contribute to this kind of holt, absolutely feel free to talk about starting a new club. River Twine itself is a legacy club started by former members after the closure of Rushwater Holt. Even those of us who don't have the time and energy to participate anymore would be happy and honoured to see another holt grow from its seed. We'd be happy to have a thread set up here for folks to start that discussion, if you want.

Best regards
The Council of Five

I'd just like to say thanks for the years of sketching, art, writing, collabs, and chats - it was really fun to interact with you all here. <3 A part of me really can't believe it's been 10+ years, even if that was on and off for me.

I'd love the "where can you find me" thread to follow what other fandoms people are involved in to see if we can still catch up and say hi in various internet circles, or even recommendations for other EQ places to lurk around in.

Best!
-Beth/Copper

Thanks for all the hard work everyone put into this Holt. This community and this platform were very dear to me for a long time. I will always look back fondly.

But you are right, its time is over. Sadly.


Off to new adventures!

_________________
Peg(gy)
owner of Rainpace, Starskimmer and Deeproot (troll)

As one of the "original" River Twine members, I'm sad to see it go -- yet at the same time I'm glad it's going out like this rather than dying a slow death, fading away into obscurity. 10+ years is a good run for a fannish endeavor like this! I think we can all be proud of what we accomplished here, and I for one will have many fond memories of River Twine, its characters, and all the players.

I too like the idea of a "where you can find us" thread! There's a few of you I've known for many many years in fandom that I lost touch with for awhile -- don't want that to happen again! XD

Onward! <3

_________________
Stacy Lucas (and Notch and Moss XD)

I can understand completely what the council went through to come to this decision. You guys have done an amazing job handling the club administration, and all of the members are wonderfully talented and I'm so glad I could be a part of this group. The closure is part grief and part relief, and I think it's the right choice even though I'm going to miss it.

_________________

Artist, writer, creator and Mom.
- a science fantasy shared world

It all makes sense. I still have a super fond place in my heart for RTH and everyone involved. It was by far the most superior fandom experience I've ever had. Thanks everyone!

As for someone who's been there from the start: It was a great ride. I loved the setting, the dedication, and wow -- I can't even imagine how much work the council has put into it over the years.

Thanks for everything, all! <3

_________________
Linda a.k.a Fadestar

I'm really brokenhearted that River Twine is closing it was a part of my life for so long.
But I can understand the Council's reasoning.

I'm late to this... Life got in the way and I'm furious for it.
I completely understand the council's reasoning, doesn't make me any less sad though.