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This month I decided to do something a little bit different. Instead of a standard one-on-one interview, I decided to be ambitious and go for a double interview! For my experiment, I chose Dan and Sola, who we all know merged their clans, KOTR and Crusaders, into one clan, Knights of the Crusade! Let's dive deep into their minds and see why they went with this project.

Sachi: To start, what brought you both to TTA?

Dan: Well, about 3 years ago, I was a total Final Fantasy Freak, but ironically not into FF8 as much, but on a few sites I talked about it a lot. On these sites I met with Rinny, Cife, and RLS, and one day Cife gave us all a link to TTA and I thought I'd give it a try. I've been here since that day, and not regretting a single moment.

Sola: I started playing at school with 3 other friends, I played on FF8, but the AI was so predictable. At first I didn't understand the rules, and I'd get owned every game. So I found myself to be more of a collector rather than a player first off. I had 9 Wins and over 300 Losses back when I was ID 5074.

Sachi: How long have you two been kicking around here?

Dan: Hmm. About 2 - 3 years I suppose. I don't know the exact date but around 3 years.

Sola: Quite some time now. I know I didn't use the forums for a good few months; I was just playing TT, game in game out. In total, it's been about 4 years now.

Sachi: What are your favorite rulesets to use?

Dan: I actually have a lot of favorite rulesets, but I guess the good old level 10 S, P, PW, SW, and C would be number one.

Sola: I'm open to any rulesets really, although I hate level 1 though, it annoys me. I fluctuate between my favorite levels, which used to be 2 and 8. Level 2 is great, and I've played it ever since I starting playing TTA. Lately though I've made a couple of level 9 hands, so it tends to be one of my most played levels.

Sachi: Alright, now to get down to business, whose idea was it originally to merge Crusaders and KotR?

Dan: Well, me and Zero were thinking a lot about merging, as the Crusaders clan was doomed to die. We thought a lot about it, and some day Starscream came up to me and asked about a merge. Of course I went to Zero and told him everything to it. He and Chocobo absolutely agreed 100%. We both had the idea just they asked us.

Sola: It was Starscream's idea originally as far as I'm aware. He asked what I thought of a potential merger with LH or Crusaders, so I said Crusaders sounds good. He spoke with Crose and Zero and the rest is history.

Sachi: What brought this change?

Dan: KotR and Crusaders were nearly about to die, so we both needed a solution and both came up with the idea of merging. So a last minute idea before both clans died I guess.

Sola: I'm not sure to be honest. Starscream proposed the change and well I'm not around as much, and neither is Starscream, so to have more leaders on board kind of seems a good idea.

Sachi: Not to sound critical at all, but was there something wrong at the time with KotR and crusaders that brought on the merger?

Dan: Well, like I said both of our clans were on the verge of dying out from lack of activity. Other than that, we were OK I guess.

Sola: For me KOTR hit the stagnant period. Most clans hit this with the older established players losing interest in playing TTA, and with KOTR predominantly having older established names on board we weren't having many clan vs. clan activities unless it was official tournaments, and I know Crusaders were looking for members and their clan was made up with new TTA blood and fresh enthusiastic talent, so to mix both set ups seemed like a good idea in general, and hopefully it will continue to be a good setup for new and old members.

Sachi: What about the clan members? Were most of them in support of, or against the merger?

Dan: Hmm. Good Question, Crusaders were kind of in a hurry as we all were busy, even with no activity, there was nothing. In chat there always deadly silence. I think our members liked the merge and I have to apologize that we have not brought up the opinion of our Members to the idea of merging.

Sola: I know a few members were skeptical about the merger but you can't have 100% of the people backing you 100% of the time, so we had casualties with the change. Most stuck with us and welcomed the change.

Sachi: What does the future hold for KotC?

Dan: Hehe, TOTAL VICTORY!!! But to be honest, I don't know. Myself as a leader is mostly busy with school, and I can come rarely into chat to look into what going on. I do hope we will do well in the league; I don't care if we get first or last, I just want the people playing for us to have fun, which is the whole point of this site.

Sola: Well the main thing is keeping the members happy, really if you're not doing that then you’re not running a clan properly. So a couple of unique tournaments to play and our ranking system is underway with continuously updated website.

Sachi: What will you miss about KotR and Crusaders?

Dan: About KotR?? I never was in KotR, but I know they were a very good clan, just the lack of activity I guess. And I'll miss nothing in Crusaders, as we had a good start but terrible finish. I hope we can change that with kotc, and I'm sure that will happen

Sola: Well I will miss the Stone System, as we had 16 recruiters, which was a good thing in my opinion, as we had recruiters around the clock ready to give tryouts. But most of all, I will miss the days when we were underground, and nobody had the slightest idea about us. 12 respected Community members working together and having great fun with it also, but times change and the clan scene is a forever changing event.

Sachi: Each of you please name 3 words that sum up Kotc.

Dan: Generous, Friendly, and the most important Funny.

Sola: Spunky, Innovative and Retro

Sachi: About leadership in the clan, would you rather be a feared or a liked leader? What do you think your clan members will like?

Dan: I don't want my members to fear me. It gives me lack of respect. I like to be friendly and helpful, but strict. For example: If people sign up for tournaments, I'll get on there nerves until they play their games, and I don’t take any lame excuses.

Sola: Well I know I'd like to be a liked leader, but I don't if I am, but I hope I have enough 'Razz' to drive fear into my members, but not enough to have bad repercussions. So I try to treat them all good, and to remain friendly is the way forward in my book. I'd say the other leaders have a similar outlook. I know Crose has a very positive outlook and looks to encourage people, like a fatherly figure, and I think that's awesome.

Sachi: Would you say there is any downside to being Leaders?

Dan: Oh for sure. You are the one who has to make the Website, Forums, Chat Channel, etc., and take the 'heat' if anything bad happens, such as Official Clan Tournaments, if a member doesn't play his or her game and we get disqualified; you have to be the one to give an explanation why.

Sola: Well as a leader you have to be prepared to be the main point of contact in the clan, and forever keep the ideas flowing. I would like to see more member input for new ideas and suggestions, as most members believe their ideas won't stand up to a leaders ideas. But all ideas are good ideas, and if they can be worked on, then they become great ideas.

Sachi: What about positive aspects? What are a few of the best things about leading a clan?

Dan: If I can be honest, I never was the type that can lead a clan. If someone asks me to co-lead or to be the second leader, then I don't mind saying yes. I just want to help, and if someone asks me, I want to do it properly and respectful. But in my kotc career, I'd say being there for members when they need you. If they need help with stuff you can help them, and I'm glad if I can help. Another super aspect on being a leader, you can kick people out of chat rooms!

Sola: Seeing all the members enjoying themselves and having fun, be it having a good tournament run or crazy conversations in chat. To see them and be a part of it makes it all satisfying. I used to love seeing all the clan tags on the "View Games" screen before the names were removed. To see all the tags felt good, especially if there were multiple members all waiting for games.

Sachi: Would you two consider each other good leaders? Why or why not? (Guest Question asked by Kona)

Dan: Sola? No, he's quite terrible, kidding. Sola is one of the best leaders I know. I'm not saying this because he's a good friend; I'm saying this because it’s the truth. He's a good hearted person, who understands the problems of the members, and that makes him a good leader. I look up to him like the big brother I never had.

Sola: I think as leaders we are doing a decent job, but with everything there is room for improvement. The main thing would be time. I wish myself and the others could be online more providing for the clan, but the real world isn’t always that simple.

Sachi: Which other clan would you say you’re most competitive with?

Dan: Well, all other clans are very competitive. I don't even think we have something similar like a rival. For me personally, I would like to beat in a clan war is Zodiac Braves. That would be my TTA dream, beating Zodiac Braves.

Sola: I don't like to focus too much on other clans now, as most are just inbred with members of 2/3 different clans. Whatever clan is put in front of us we will strive to win.

Sachi: Was there any differences between KotR and Crusaders that you all had to work on, or come to an agreement with?

Dan: I was friends and comrades with Starscream before as were both in Brotherhood of Seed. So for me it was all cool, actually fun meeting new players you never talked too. I guess it was weird for our members, but we all love each other like a big family now

Sola: Well the ranking system was the main thing. We had two separate systems, we had KotR's exp/missions which we (myself, Vid and Lampard) created back in the days of Soldier, and is proven to work as many clans are using it now, and the system the crusaders had, which was a mission based system too, but you gained items to rank up. We ended up sticking with the crusaders and made it bigger to play host for the bigger clan numbers and breed some healthy competition amongst the members.

Sachi: Has either of you been dumped for TTA?

Dan: No never. Which I'm pretty glad as it would be very embarrassing getting dumped for playing TTA. I love TTA and sometimes it can be addicting, but my personal life goes first. My mum always gets pissed for being on the computer too long playing TTA.

Sola: Dumped for TTA how do you mean? Ditched? Not to what I know of.

Sachi: OK, enough about TTA for a moment, what do you two do during the day? School, work, etc...

Dan: Oh many things. If you want my full day, I get up, wash, head to school, get "smarter" at school, head home, eat a big lunch, and do homework, sometimes. If it's nice weather I go Skateboarding in the evening, eat my dinner, study/learn html, study for school, clean my teeth, and then go to bed.

Sola: I currently left work to try and find myself a new career path and prospects so I'll be looking for a job and money *NOTE* I'll be starting the fund Sola campaign soon

Sachi: And finally, what are your guys favorite songs at the moment?

Dan: Billy Talent- The Navy Song
Muse- Sing for Absolution
Sum 41- Pieces

Sola: That's a toughie, there is so many. Enter Shikari - Sorry you’re not a winner is a personal favorite or The Gossip - Standing in the way of control too but anything from Skindred or some bouncy Skamusic always goes down well with me.