Ceramic DM -- Fall '06 ** yangnome wins! **

[Hellefire]

signups

Note that the competitor field is full, but there are occasionally issues that come up requiring people to drop out before round 1. If anyone else interested wants to sign-up as an alternative in that eventuality, it may help in such a case. Of course, Rodrigo is the arbitrator of this, I am just offering a suggestion.

Aaron

 

[Hellefire]

judges

By the way, I've been pushing and prodding this because I want to compete. However. In the event that we are one judge short as of 12-24 hours before game time, switch me to a judge position (if I am worthy, of course). I would rather be a judge than it not happen at all. But please consider this as a last alternative.

Aaron

p.s. as per my last post, there would certainly have to be at least one alternative competitor for this to be possible.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

Good catch, Hellefire. Thread title amended to welcome alternates. Although, with 16, I'm not sure anyone judging would mind a break

 

[maxfieldjadenfox]

And they're off... Probably in more ways than one. Just guessing.

Welcome to the jungle, RPJunkie and Mazlo!

(And, like Hellefire, I'm willing to make the supreme sacrifice to judge if nobody more qualified shows up...)

 

[Hellefire]

bump

So, one day to show time - contestant slots full, but we still need (2?) judges.
We have 4 people competing who have offered to judge is necessary.
So, as far as I can tell we need 2 more people to sign up - as contestants, or judges, or 1 of each, or whatever.

Strange alternatives -

1. Two of the current contestants who volunteered get converted to judges. That leaves 14 contestants. Then there are a couple options -
1.a. 7x2 first round (7 contests with 2 competitors each), second round roll a die and give 1 person a bye and others 3x2, 3rd round 2x2, 4th round 1x2.
1.b. Change two random contestants or last two sign-ups to alternatives, and run a 12-person competition (first round 4x3 - 4 contests with 3 competitors each, second round 2x2, 3rd round 1x2).

2. Convert all four of the contestants who volunteered to judges and have a 5-judge competition, with a 12-person contest (4x3, 2x2, 1x2).

I'd rather see two more people sign up and, if necessary, tap a couple contestants to be judges. Even powers of 2 make for a much for normal contest .

Aaron

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

Let's see. I think my preference would be to tap maxfieldjadenfox (since she's still competing in Alsih2o's interrupted competition, and she's gotten to compete in the past couple Ceramic DMs here) to judge with Herreman the Wise, with me breaking ties as necessary. Based on past Ceramic DMs, there usually aren't too many split decisions. That would give us 15, with a week to find another contestant to fill the slot, and if we don't, one person would get a 'bye'. Not the ideal solution, but not unbearable. How's that sound?

I really dislike 3-person rounds. I found it far harder to write useful judgements, and I think it stacks the deck against those competitors with less experience, often knocking out two in the first match and not giving people as many opportunities to hone their skills for this type of event.

 

[Hellefire]

sounds good

That sounds like a good suggestion. I don't like 3-person rounds either, turth be told, but I was looking for ways to make sure the competition hapens. Your suggestion is better than any of mine I think. Glad you're doing the organization thing .

Aaron

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

First round rules and guidelines:

1. I'll try to post the pictures for the first 8 competitors tomorrow as close to 12:00pm Eastern as I can. That should give everyone a reasonable fair shake time-wise. That means stories will be due by 12:00pm Eastern (give or take) Sunday. If in doubt, check the timestamp of the post with the pictures -- it's 72 hours from that point. If we have overseas participants that are seriously off from me time-wise, chime up now and we'll see what we can do to accomodate you.

2. First round will be three pictures, 5000 word max (no minimum).

3. Judges are free to use their own criteria, but IME things generally boil down to ideas, execution, and picture use. Obviously, this is a creative writing competition, so go as wild as you want. Spelling and grammar matter, as does puncutation. Given the nature of the boards, formatting won't count against you, but please make some effort to keep it readable (breaks between paragraphs especially). For picture use, you *cannot* use a picture as a picture (eg, "Dave wandered through the haunted mansion, and gasped when he saw the painting of the monster in the study"). Other than that, you're free to treat each picture as literally or as metaphorically as you think you can get away with

4. ALL POSTS ARE FINAL! No editing -- once you post your story, you're done. If you are unsure about how your stuff will cut and paste from Word or whatever, do a test post before we start. Please don't post Word documents or .PDFs in the thread.

5. If the boards are unavailable at the time the stories are due, or for some reason you will be unable to post by the deadline, you can email stories to me at jckline at gmail dot com. So long as I get the story before the deadline, you're good. (Judges, please email me your preferred email address so I can forward stories on to you as necessary).

6. No peeking at your competitor's story before you've posted yours. We're on the honor system here, folks.

Did I forget anything?

 

[maxfieldjadenfox]

Maxfield Jaden Fox, still stinging a bit from his defeat at the hands of Rodrigo Istalindir last year, looks up at the balcony. Rodrigo leans forward, and Max feels the judge's steely glance rest on him for a moment, sending a chill down his spine. Rodrigo turns and whispers something to Herreman, who sits silently, Lady Death resting nearby. Herreman looks toward the competitors in the arena and makes a dismissive gesture with his meaty hand. Rodrigo, somewhat agitated, points at Max. A short, but intense argument ensues. After long minutes, Rodrigo stands and walks to the edge of the balcony. He locks eyes with Max, and motions for him to come forward. Max takes a few halting steps and bows. What could the judges possibly want with him?

"You have been chosen. It is our hope that you are up to the task."

The steps to the balcony, cold grey stone, are steep and winding, worn by the tread of many feet. Max reaches the top, just a bit out of breath. Chosen for what? He bows again, first to Rodrigo and then to Herreman the Wise, who stands now with Lady Death thrumming insistently in his hand. For a moment, Max remembers the last time he met Lady Death. The swift stroke to his throat, the merciful blackness that followed, erasing the pain of his defeat. Were it not for the return of resurrection magick, and the good will of a cleric, he wouldn't be here now. But here he is. Herreman slaps him hard on the shoulder, and Max tries to remain standing.

"Welcome, boy. Try to keep up."

Rodrigo rises. Graceful, catlike, he comes toward Max, holding robes that are perhaps a touch too large.

"Well, put them on. The contest is about to begin."

 

[Hellefire]

times n stuff

1. I am on Euro-time (GMT +1)

2. Noon EST is 6pm my time is just fine .

3. For any spectators watching, the elevation of Max to judge means we need another competitor. Feel free to step up .

Aaron