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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Wicht" data-source="post: 5661536" data-attributes="member: 221">I must apologize to both contestants for the delay in posting this judgment. There was something of an emergency which kept me from home for three days, and while I had internet access for part of that time, it was not convenient to typing up a lengthy judgment.  Using the same scoring I have used throughout, I begin with following the rules. Both entries get full marks for being on time and under the word count.For ingredients, I shall focus on the main ingredients first, not scoring the optional ingredients unless the score is close enough to warrant it. If the ingredient is used at all 1 point, if it is used very well indeed, I will give 2. Devilish Smile: “A Song...” has a true devilish smile, full of magical prowess. I give a full 2 points here. I am assuming the wax-poetic is meant to be a devilish smile, and so will give 1 point, though its is not entirely clear this is the case and I may be being generous here.Illuminated History: “A Song...” uses a book which conveys the adventurers from place to place. While I am not too keen on the linearity of this method, it is an ingredient used well, so 2 points. The illuminated histories of “Blood,” seem more like a piece of window-dressing, and I think they could have been worked better into being integral to the adventure. 1 point here for “Blood...”Misplaced Vendetta: I'm not too sure about the vendetta in “A Song.” It is not so much misplaced as misdirected. 1 point for “A Song...” The vendetta in “Blood...” suffers from the same problem, so 1 point there as well. Elven Champion: The champion of “A Song...” is elvish, and he is a champion of song. As he is also the one to get the adventure moving, so to speak, I'll give 2 points.  The elven champion in “Blood...” is also used well, this time as an antagonist, so 2 points there as well. Grave Robber: The Grave Robber is present in “A Song...” but I find the use a bit weak, as it is background information and not so much a part of the PCs adventure. 1 point for “A Song...” The grave robber in Blood is a stronger use, as it forms the beginning of the adventure, and it is likewise good that the party might, if they make the wrong choices themsevles be the grave robber. 2 points for “Blood...” Paving Stones of Good Intentions: This was a tricky ingredient and I think “A Song...” used it about as well as it could be used, so 2 points there. I really do not see paving stones of good intentions as an actual ingredient, in “Blood...” though I suppose the actions of the naïve prince may count as what is meant. However, as I already granted the Devilish Smile, and as this is an even weaker use, I'm going to give 0 points for this ingredient in “Blood...”Judging both ingredients for Useability, I find it a bit of a wash. “A Song...” suffers from one primary problem, as far as I can see, when it comes to being useable as is: the use of orcs as a race to be at peace with elves. In most worlds I have run games in, orcs are irredeemably evil and ultra violent. I would have preferred another race be used here, like dwarves.  Other than that, it could easily be plopped down in a campaign.  “Blood...” has the same sort of problem, requiring a specific historical situation and a specific culture. Still, assuming the assumptions, the adventure is pretty useable. Both adventures get 5 out of 6 for useability.   So what about Style? On the one hand, I like the poetical, time-traveling style of “A Song...” However, I dislike the rigidity of the mechanism used to convey the PCs through the adventure as I suspect some players will chaff at being thrown into such a situation. I'm still going to give “A Song...” 5 points for style, deducting 1 for being a bit railroady. “Blood...” is also pretty good stylewise, containing adventure and intrigue. If I have one complaint it is that the adventure uses a lot of terms, without adequately explaining them. It makes for some thick reading and I had to reread parts of it several times to make sure I understood whether an office or a name was being intended. Its not much, but its enough to deduct a point for style, meaning again, both adventures get  5 out of 6.In the end, both adventures are solid entries, but the ingredient use in “A Song...” was superior and thus “A Song..” is my vote for winner.  I did not, in the end, have to look at the optional ingredients, though if I had, “Blood...” may have had a sleight edge there. Still, I liked both entries and thought they were among the best of the whole contest. WaylanderFollowed Rules    6/6Ingredient Use    10/12Useability    5/6Style        5/6Total:          26/30    PourFollowed Rules    6/6Ingredient Use    7/12Useability    5/6Style        5/6Total        23/30</blockquote>

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