Hello, Water Vikings! As part of our month-long anniversary celebration, we’re launching a limited edition column that looks back at the currents that shaped the Water Vikings across the years. Each piece will spotlight someone who helped steer the army during a different era, letting us trace how their decisions pushed the tide forward. While this series continues, I’m interviewing King Hazard and Adden, pioneers of the Water Vikings’ greatest generations in the 2014-2016 era of the community. While the original Club Penguin came to a dawn, these names, along with others, cement themselves within the strongest, weather in major tournament runs or even war.
When did you join WV? And how did you enter WV?
King Hazard: I first joined the Water Vikings back in spring 2015, as a moderator as it was known then. I had a few friends in WV at the time so it just made sense for me to join, I didn’t really even care what rank.
Adden: I joined Water Vikings in October of 2014. Golden Troops had just closed after being #1 and as a new person in CPA I was looking for a smaller army that I could make more of an impact in. I remember joining the WV xat for the first time and it was quite literally Bep and Dash in there talking. Just chatted with them and ended up joining for the highest member rank.
What was your highest rank in WV? This can include honnors outside of the common ranks (i.e. legend status).
King Hazard:I lead twice in the original era and very briefly during the SWAT war in 2020. I’m proud to have been given legend status within the army.
Adden: I was leader and I guess the highest role I’ve held was during my time as a member of HCOV.
What would you say were your highest achivements?
King Hazard: I was only a 2ic at the time but taking part in the war against the New Dawn Alliance, helping to support the leaders, Change in particular, and coming out on top was pretty cool. When I eventually led the army we finished top of CPAC a bunch of times, but the war sticks out because it was us against the world basically.
Adden:Looking back to OG times, probably our 2015 LC, to this day I’ll say we won that 😁. More recently in CPPS, my favorite memories were probably defeating SWAT and TCP in 2020 and early 2021.
Is there anything specific you hope people remember you for, including your previous WV troops?
King Hazard: I hope I’m remembered for being fair and kind as a leader. That was always the main thing for me. Revan is my oldest friend in armies, we’ve known each other for nearly 14 years, but I’m also still in touch with some of the guys that were in the army when I got my chance to lead. It was a great group, I’m lucky to still know them.
Adden: I hope people just remember me as a friend. I know it sounds cliche but what I remember most are the fun moments I had with the friends I made along the way. Even though I’m long past my leading days I still come back to talk baseball with Dino or UFC with Pot and Jack. I just recently got engaged and Bep texted me congratulations after seeing the pictures. I’ve made some lifelong friends here and I’m truly grateful.
When did you feel like your interest in Club Penguin armies “click”?
King Hazard: I’d been in a few armies before, namely Pirates and a small/medium army called the Night Divers. The first time it ‘clicked’ was when I first joined WV. We had so many influential leaders around that time like Bep, Funks and Change, so it was incredible to watch them work. I learned a lot from them and hope I carried some of their qualities into my time leading.
Adden: Probably after years of running around as an ACP rogue and finally making the obvious decision of looking ACP up haha. It was like discovering Atlantis for me I was hooked from the start.
For you, what made 2014-2016 Water Vikings special?
King Hazard: That was a pretty volatile time in armies but we tried to be an open and welcoming place, and I think we did that. We had so many interesting characters back then so it was never boring.
Adden: I’m reading Jacks and I’d have to say he sums it up pretty well. WV was a very welcoming place that was built around having a good time and not taking things too seriously. And I agree, a lot of interesting characters were always popping in to keep us entertained.
Outside of the Legends Cup Finals, what crosses your mind when you think about this era?
King Hazard: I’ve already mentioned it, but it has to be the war against the New Dawn Alliance. It was five (big) armies against just us, and we beat them. They’d schedule invasions during early hours, and even at the same time as each other on different servers and we still won out. That for me is more impressive than any tournament win. We created an incredible siege mentality and just wouldn’t accept losing.
Adden: Probably getting first for the first time. I was 2ic at the time, and I can remember how excited everyone was, it was a celebration that whole week following and I think we all felt like we were on top of the world.
Did you get any community-wide awards for your contributions in WV?
King Hazard: I didn’t but that’s never really bothered me. I’m grateful to be recognised amongst my Water Vikings peers, their opinions mean the most to me.
Adden: I did not, although to have gone from being recruited as a member to being able to be on the same level as WV legend with guys I’ve always admired coming up is pretty sweet.
What is some advice that you’d say to someone 10 years ago that aged perfectly into modern day?
King Hazard: Water Vikings is home, you don’t need anywhere else.
Adden: “Bro you’re in college? You need to get a life!” I had said this about guys like Elm back in OG and yet I had multiple stints in WV myself in college. Like fine wine lol.
With Christmas Chaos starting soon, what are some tips you give for WV to prepare for major tournaments?
King Hazard: Work hard and have fun, you’re in the right place.
Adden: For the love of God don’t do an I formation. Jk lol, have fun with it but if you truly want to win you gotta dig deep for a few weeks and really lock in because I guarantee you the other guys are.
In a time where Club Penguin armies seemed to go the way of the dinosaur, both Jack283 and Adden worked against that current. Remembering the good, the bad, and sometimes funny times in the process, both viking legends have left their mark in the world. Being able to talk with people about times turning over a decade old is an interesting feeling, but it does feel great knowing that a lot of moments that would’ve been lost to time have now been kept to us. While CPA continued to develop in this time, sadly, the Water Vikings would close their doors around the closure of Club Penguin itself, meaning in the next interview, we’ll be seeing a new generation in a new era of the community. Will they improve on the achivements of Jack283 and Adden? Stick around, and we’ll see together.
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