Curse

StarrTheInsane · Jun 05, 2009, 08:24 AM // 08:24

And now the Short Story Contest Results! (Repost from the contest site)

First, let me say this was a really hard contest to judge. Every author brought something fantastic to the contest and I fought with myself at every decision until I committed myself to these results.

1st: "The Raven's Egg" by Aquabeard (100k, 10 vault points and advancement to Part 2)

I've had my eye on this one for a while. Hekets seemed to be terribly popular in this contest (see Reflection and Fish). Rib was quite comical, I really enjoyed her personality. The characters were well-developed and their interaction was very organic. One could tell these characters have a long familiar history just from this story and I'm not at all disappointed that the final fight wasn't an all-or-nothing situation. It's a story, we're not killing for XP. It's okay to live and let live, right?

To the other extreme, this story put me in an interesting situation reading the scenario for my quest. You paid very close attention to the bio, I can tell, because you forced the decision about the Dusk Raven. Knowing that Grim is a collector of birds and cares a great deal for them, you made his relationship with his charr son that much more solid by having Grim commit essentially genocide on a rare species of bird to save Roan. The concept for the toxin itself was very cool. Charr better be careful now. There's no dusk raven eggs left to save them.

I laughed, I cried, I really loved this story.

2nd: "Reflection" by Peter Gallant (75k, 10 vault points and advancement to Part 2)

Title with more than one meaning. The first paragraph of your story deserves to be quoted and the use of quotes at the end leave the reader with personal reflection. You grasped Grim's thought process very well and I was pleased that it took every direction that it did. A cautious approach, followed by a protector frenzy, abruptly shifting to shock and disgust that soon turns introspective. The fight was as graphic as it needed to be to get the point across that they were both guilty if either. It may have been the common "kidnapping Roan" theme that people were fond of telling (my poor baby, he's had a rough life), but it managed to create a very special, very real father-son connection. It made Roan even more real, because very much like a child, you can't dictate the kind of person he will grow up to be. In the same way, these stories allow the characters to become separate entities from myself and do things that I would not have had them do from my own imagination alone.

Well done!

3rd: "Epilogue" by Tzu (50k, 10 vault points and advancement to Part 2)

Sooo...I got chills. It was cool to see Grim living with his mom, as I find she is an aspect of his life that is all too often overlooked. It's always a pleasure seeing Nick the Traveler, but giving him a moment outside the cheerful "Saint Nick" demeanor to reflect on his past troubles made his short scene highly emotional. The journey into the Mists was quite an experience for Grim. The idea that every man, woman, child, charr...in Tyria could be completing their own rites to please the gods, I find appealing, and I hope it inspires more people to seek these moments for their own characters. WWBGMLD&KD? (What would Balthazar, Grenth, Melandru, Lyssa, Dwayna and Kormir do?) And as the gods are timeless and see all of us from seed to mists, you are correct that only Dwayna would continue to bless the decision to return for someone who values life as surely as she does.

Very nice!

4th: "Grim Fireside Story" by theflatline (25k and 10 vault points)

It was short, but very complete. Proof that you can fit a whole story into so few words. The character you introduced had attitude, and the fact it was told from first-person perspective was very intriguing to me. I enjoy the concept of music having destructive power and the use of ley lines for delivery. I think you did a fine job of explaining the problem while maintaining the atmosphere created during the dialog.

Good work!

5th: "Six Chimes of the Swan Song" by Crystal (10k and 10 vault points)

Felt like Indiana Jones coping with a frustratingly curious sidekick. Having scenes out of sequence leading to the middle of the timeline, revealing only at the end the purpose for the expedition, worked out very well for this story. It was a very kind sentiment to try to find Roan's mother, and it's about time we got to return to the catacombs.

Neat idea!

Honorable Mention (alphabetically by title) Each receive 10 vault points.

"Corruption" by Zarak the Fireraga: Mutation/evolution horror, large cast of familiar faces, the good guys aren't invincible. Very cool.

"Fish" by SmartBomb: Fish is PEOPLE! Evil heket (what's with the hekets?) Should be in Tales from the Darkside. Sorry, I found the fish amusing.

"Given Enough Time" by S.S. Kelowna: Memory loss, PTSD, heart-wrenching discovery. Quite emotional.

"The Late Tale of Grim" by Dove: Nick the Traveler, baby white moa and a dragon fight. Awesome.

"The Untolled Story" by Konig Des Todes: Dimension hopping and origins of the Forgotten. Again, about time.

It was really tough to decide. The stories were all really cool. I've enjoyed seeing so many people take an interest in Roan's personality as he grows up in human society, the problems a Charr faces and his rites of passage. Other awesome features of the stories included narratives of side quests and skills from the game. You guys took Grim all over the place. Teaming up with Charr to battle undead, seeking bloodstones, sacrificing himself for a twin soul, saving society from itself, meeting new people, meeting his son (?!?!), battling would-be immortals, and preparing the world for GW2. Romantic, friendly, and familial bonds were explored. You certainly can't say Grim didn't lead a full life.

Did you get vault points?
First through fifth will get to choose in order of placement. You don't have to pick your prizes up right away, but please let me know so I may update the list. Then I will let the honorable mentions know the vault is open and it is first-come, first-serve.

So I'm a Top 3, now what?
The top 3 stories now become the scenario for Part 2 of the contest. Are you an artist? Grab your pencil, pen, stylus, whatever you prefer. Illustrate a scene from one of the Top 3 stories (sketch only, you may color your drawing for Part 3 if it is among the top 3). There will be Top 3 for the Sketches, and for each of those 3 that uses your story, you gain an additional 10k. Plus, Top 3 stories are Mortbane cannon. That's right, folks, in the biography of Grim Mortbane, your story really happened!

Congrats to winners, honorable mentions and everyone who entered. These were all awesome and I've enjoyed all the adventures, and new friends Grim has found over the last month. Thank you all so much for your hard work!

FengShuiDove · Jun 05, 2009, 12:23 PM // 12:23

Very cool, thanks for the Honorable Mention and congratulations to the winners! Now that the results are posted I can feel free to read all of the entries =P. Thanks again Starr for a great contest.

Tzu · Jun 05, 2009, 04:09 PM // 16:09

Thanks so much for the win, I'm happy you think it was worth the delay!

I didn't think I had a chance considering the skill level of the other authors, I must say; I didn't know we had such pro authors on guru! If any of you have deviantart-accounts, blogsites or the likes through which you share your other writing projects (I'm sure you have some) please post a link! I would love to see more of what you guys write on your free time!

StarrTheInsane · Jun 07, 2009, 12:22 AM // 00:22

Hey everybody, just updating here, the Prize Vault is updated. Honorable Mentions please get in touch with me about what you would like.

Aquabeard has requested fireworks or tonics, but is away right now. I think there should be enough party stuff to go around.

Peter chose an Elite Dervish Tome and Mini Heket

Tzu has requested a set of creme brulee and a set of blue rock candies. (Those have already been taken off the list and reserved).

theflatline chose the Forgotten Fan and a pair of Disco Balls

Crystal chose 10 green rock candies and 5 red rock candies.

Honorable Mention is first-come, first-serve, so get those requests in. Zarak has already snagged 5 mysterious tonics and the mini burning titan. That means, I need requests from Konig, SmartBomb, Dove, and S.S. Kelowna.

Konig Des Todes · Jun 07, 2009, 01:03 AM // 01:03

Where can I find the list of items to choose from? >_>

Edit: Nevermind, found it.

I'll take a set of honeycombs and the rest of the points on Mysterious Summoning Stones

FengShuiDove · Jun 07, 2009, 01:06 AM // 01:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Konig Des Todes

Where can I find the list of items to choose from? >_>

Wondering the same ^_^

StarrTheInsane · Jun 07, 2009, 01:11 AM // 01:11

Oops, sorry: http://mortbane1079ae.wordpress.com/special/

*makes notes*

Random Gaki spawn ftw!

FengShuiDove · Jun 07, 2009, 01:17 AM // 01:17

Oh, I suppose I'll have the set of Creme Brulees and a set of Jars of Honey, if said items are still available.

Thanks much! Contact name should be... pretty obvious

. I'll be checking back in for the art as well... good luck to all entrants!

pumpkin pie · Jun 08, 2009, 02:44 AM // 02:44

Well Done everyone! and congratulation.

to Aquabeard: i love your story. its as Starr says.