< 33> Mon Aug 4 04:47:02 2008
From : Neltouda
To : all
Subject: Role Contest!

Therans!

The time has come for yet another role contest! You have seventy-two hours from the time of this note to submit your entry for the August role contest. Please send all submissions to Neltouda not Immortal. Former winners will be excluded (including honorable mentions). Only role chapters entered prior to this missive will be judged.

Good luck!

Neltouda

Stats:

ALIGNMENT:
Good 11
Evil 22
Neutral 12

ETHOS:
Chaotic 19
Neutral 13
Orderly 13



SPHERES:

Earth (1) Air (0) Fire (0) Water (0)
Spirit (2) Para-elements (0) Storms (0) Seasons (0)
Death (1) Fertility (0) Magic (2) Reason (0)
Truth (0) Vivimancy (0) Revelation (4) Music (0)
Healing (1) Protection (1) Creation (1) Mercy (0)
Strength (3) Poetry (0) Deception (1) Necromancy (0)
Concealment (0) Courage (2) Victory (1) Destruction (2)
Rage (1) Combat (4) Order (2) Peace (0)
Chaos (2) War (0) Balance (0) Fate (0)
Honor (1) Dedication (2) Wisdom (0) Knowledge (1)
Purity (2) Greed (1) Justice (0) Judgment (1)
Love (0) Vanity (0) Beauty (4) Passion (1)
Anger (0) Covetousness (0) Envy (0) Gluttony (0)
Lust (0) Pride (1) Sloth (0) Honesty (0)



CLASS:

Anti-Paladin 1
Assassin 3
Bard 3
Conjurer 2
Druid 1
Healer 1
Invoker 2
Necromancer 2
Paladin 3
Ranger 1
Shaman 6
Shapeshifter 7
Thief 5
Transmuter 1
Warrior 7



RACE:

Arial 3
Cloud Giant 1
Dark-elf 4
Duergar 2
Dwarf 3
Elf 1
Felar 5
Fire Giant 2
Gnome 1
Half-Drow 3
Half-Elf 1
Human 15
Minotaur 1
Orc 0
Storm Giant 2
Svirfnebli 0
Wood-Elf 1

CABAL:

Battle 4
Empire 0
Fortress 9
Herald 1
Nexus 0
None 24
Outlander 1
Scion 2
Tribunal 4

Entries Total 45

In alphabetical order:

Agar - (60) While this role isn't a great display of the english language,
the author does get his point clearly across. The unique (if not
unbelieveable) story is very detailed explaining the character's entire
life from spec choice to cabal, well done.

Agraet - (65) The author lays out a nice story explaining fire giant society
and his character's background in this society. While this is a well written
role, after reading it I'm left to wonder what the character is going to do
now.

Breln - (90) This role shows and excellent use of role updates. The entire
piece is well written, and each chapter flows together nicely without being
too wordy. The role highlights all the right points from class choice to
little character quirks that really kick up roleplaying. Very well done.

Bruntaur - (75) While both chapters were on the long side, they were both
well written. The author clearly explains his path in life, and how his
role connects to his religion choice. Well done.

Chiami - (70) The author presents a nice little story about his upbringing.
While I enjoyed the take on chaos and war, after reading the most recent
entry, I'm left feeling a little empty. It seemed like there were a lot
of explanations of the character's recent life, but not a lot of their
self realizations.

Dhaath - (73) The author presents a long but enjoyable story that gives
great insight into minotaur society. Extra points given for including
various areas in Thera.

Dughaid - (30) While the author puts out some acceptable entries, the
injection of various OOC ramblings really ruins the total package.

Eostri - (60) This role highlights all the right points, but it just
doesn't stand out to me as a winner.

Faistir - (70) The author paints a nice story about his gruesome upbringing
in several chapters that flow nicely together. While everything is well
done, I'm still left with an emptiness, and wondering where the character is
going to go next. There's no mention of a cabal or lack of cabal, and for
such a well planned out character, I think there should have been.

Feadyha - Disqualified - role entry entered after time of note.

Gruffil - (90) I had to look up the theme song so I could sing along with
your lyrics in the first chapter. It's always nice to have a little humor
put into a role when you're reading through so many, and that's what really
makes this one stand out. If you ever feel like coming over to the stormy
side, I'm in need of some sea shanties. The rest of the role was also of
good quality, and gives some nice insight into the character. Very well
done.

Jeod - (70) A nicely written role that gives a lot of insight into the
personality of the character. That being said, bringing terror seems like
an empty goal, and I'm left wanting something more from this role.

Jesoeh - (60) The author presents a nice story that gives a nice take on
the character's fall from magic. This seemed like a nice start to me,
rather than a complete tale.

Kaihan - (65) The role was light, and easy to read and keep reading. It's
a very nice start, but at the end of it I'm still left with several basic
questions about the character. With maybe even just one more chapter, this
role would feel complete.

Khazvhak - (85) The author cleanly points out all the right things that
should be in a role. After reading it I understand all of the ambitions of
the character, and that's not something a lot of people can easily portray.
While it is well written, it just doesn't have that flash for me to make it
a first place winner. Still, very well done.

Kreo - (70) While this role shows several nice updates that all build upon
each other, the initial character makeup seems lacking. After reading it,
I'm not seeing any of those fun little quirks that really make roleplaying
pop. That being said, it's a good standard role for class and sphere choice.

Illyria - (80) Cleanly written and easy to read, I enjoyed looking over this
role even with all the darkness in it. The important points of the character
are presented nicely, but I'm still left with a few questions.

Iltanthal - (75) This was a nice light read, that kept me reading on. Its an
interesting background, and I enjoyed how the character evolved to get
through certain emotional issues. Still, the entire role speaks so much
about one race, and how the character's sphere choice interacts with that one
race. It would be nice to see the character developed just a little more
from so much focus on one thing. Overall, well done.

Izuhral - (70) This is a great start to a role, it really shows some unique
character quirks that could potentially foster some spectacular role play.
That being said, I'm left with many questions as to where this character is
going. It's definitely something the author should build upon, and I'd look
forward to some more easy reading.

Laraiyin - (50) Something that can really ruin reading a role for me, is a
pointless role entry. In the case of this total role, there's more than one.
I assume you were trying to convey your knowledge of the various races and
classes in Thera, but it came across as more of mini help files in your role.
Now if you had taken this a step further, and discussed how your character
feels about the subjects then it would have enhanced the entire read.

Lerzion - (85) After reading all the other roles, this one definitely has a
different take on life in general. I haven't personally been able to watch
you much, but this role really gives a lot of opportunity to make your
character shine. Having some humor injected into it didn't hurt either.

Lorzs - (65) The role sets up most everything for the character, but the
unbelievable timeline irked me somewhat. Yes, giants live a long time,
but a giant still alive from the time of Arbs is just a bit much. Other
than that it's a nice role. I'd like to see if the character has found
anyone in his current state to attach himself too.

Magrath - (60) There were so many proper nouns in this role, I had trouble
keeping up with all of the characters and places introduced so quickly.
While it's an acceptable role, I'm still left with several questions about
the character.

Maltriane - (70) I particularly enjoyed why the child choices to follow his
God. This is a very interesting start to a role, and I'd expect to see some
nice roleplaying out of this character. That being said, I'm still left
with several questions, so not a winner this time.

Maelann - (85) This is a very vivid and well written role, making for quick
light reading. While the colorfulness of the role cannot be ignored, after
reading it I'm still left with questions about the character. Well done,
but simply not a first place role right now.

Minvil - (85) The author covers all of the needed point, and clearly
explains his character's custom religion. I happen to enjoy roles that
incorporate things and places already in CF. Not that other roles are bad,
simply it shows the player has taken time to enjoy a certain area or areas.
Well done.

Myn - (65) The role is fine and it displays a nice little tale of how the
character got from A to B, but it just doesn't stand out to me. Also, the
role updates just sound too similar to the initial role, it would be nice to
read something new that's exciting and might change the character. Rather
that recapping the same stuff. Nice effort, not a winner this time.

Naukhtun - (90) This is a very interesting role with some unique twists.
It made for quick light reading, which I happen to like. With a role like
this there should defiantly be high expectations for the character. Well
done. Disqualified due to rage delete.

Neleai - (70) This role fits the standard for cabal choice, sphere etc.
I like that the entire philosophy of the character is cleanly laid out, my
only complaint would be using an "accent" in all the chapters with the
exception of the first. I don't really see the need for accents in roles or
writing for that matter, unless you're doing dialog.

Nellius - (50) While this is an acceptable role, I personally like to see a
little more depth than just I'm going to kill everyone. From reading it, I
assume the character is going to have a lot of little quirks that can
really make the roleplay stand out (at least I hope so, rather than bland
kill everyone).

Padwei - (95) I got to the finally chapter, and was so disappointed that
I couldn't read the rest (yet). It's a nice light story, and very well put
together. Excellent job.

Purrtis - (65) The role covers all the right points, but the actual story
doesn't stand out among the other entries. Well done just the same.

Relm - (60) This is a nice start to a role that gives the character some
pretty big shoes to fill. After reading it, I'm still left with some
questions about the character's makeup and future goals. Nice job
overall.

Rheddac - (70) A very nice start to a role, and it also points out some
things learned from exploration. While it's easy to assume the
characters next steps, it still seems like there's some quality updates
waiting to be entered. Not a winner in this contest, but well done just
the same.

Ryldagh - (70) This is a well written and concise role, which is always nice
when a reader is looking at over forty of them. That being said, it's
basicness leaves it a bit lost in the crowd among the other entries. Well
done just the same.

Seliona - (75) While the character map is displayed nicely in the role, it's
a little on the bland side for my tastes. It's definitely an acceptable
role deserving of the points it's received, but not a contest winner.

Shaikar - (75) The author gives a nice unique tale that's easy to read, but
once again I'm left with several questions about the character. This
character is still pretty fresh, so perhaps with some more insight this
role could stand out from the rest.

Sharricci - (80) This was a nice light read with some humor thrown in for
good measure. While the author explains lots of little details about
the character, it seems like it's about time she the character had some
revelations about herself rather than a continuous theme of confusion.

Taasarin - (50) While this is a neat concept, it really doesn't tell me a
whole lot about where the character is going (or since the role chapters
are a little late in "life" - has gone?).

Tlingit - (50) A perfectly acceptable role for the character's position and
goals, yet it's a little on the bland side compared to the other entries.
Based on the character quirks mentioned, this seems like the character would
be fun to watch even if the role wasn't exciting to read.

Tonilt - (50) A short, but perfectly acceptable role that highlights a lot
of the right points. Another one that simply pales in comparison to some
other entries.

Tulkaul - (70) This is an interesting take on fire giant society. This role
is easy to read, but after reading both entries it seems like a lot of the
messages are repeated needlessly. Overall it's still a nice role, but lack
of future ambitions for the character make it not a winner.

Volubryotr - (60) An acceptable role given the character's class and race
choice, but it still fits into the level of average. It's definitely
deserving of the points already awarded to it, but not a winner here.

Xia - (65) The author write a nice twisted tail, and this role seems like
it would be fun to play. That being said, after reading it, I'm left to
questions the character's ambitions.

Xullahni - (80) The author sets up a nice line of entries that cleanly
explain the character map. The background entry didn't really pop out
to me. The last two entries were not scored as they were entered passed
the deadline.

Padwei - (95) I got to the finally chapter, and was so disappointed that
I couldn't read the rest (yet). It's a nice light story, and very well put
together. Excellent job.


Question:

Are we writing roles to explain character traits and choices or are we writing roles to entertain Immortals with a hope of getting a nice prize?

>Are we writing roles to explain character traits and choices
>or are we writing roles to entertain Immortals with a hope of
>getting a nice prize?

I'd say the former, because it's always of help to you; conversely, whether or not an imm will pick your role as a winner is highly subjective and based on the judge -- they may like long story roles, they may hate long story roles, etc.

(Which is one of the reasons we try really hard to rotate who judges these days -- lots of different kinds of roles have a chance to shine.)

In addition, no one has ever been *forced* to enter a role contest. It's an option a player can choose, so if you enter, it's only common sense to know you're risking not winning. I think the role contests are a great attempt by the imms to give some character recognition. If you're going to spend time writing something good, I sort of assume you're going to want to play it well, too. Whether or not you're recognized in a contest should have no impact on that.

This character also explained all the right things, I simply left it out of the comments. Remember it's a contest, so something has to make a role shine other than explaining all the right things (and after reading and writing so many roles it's still a hard job to clearly explain all the right things). In this case, it was a nice light story that used updates to move the character along very well. There was so much momentum in moving the character along, I really wanted to read the next chapters. All of that made this one my top pick. Don't read too deeply into a small blurb of a comment. If you had entered and didn't win, you're more than welcome to e-mail me for more information.

neltouda@carrionfields.com

Hooray for average. :) That beats what I figured people would think
of it. Hehe. Thanks for the feedback.

I love the format of the feedback up there, anyone who does future
role contests should lay it out kinda like that, with thier own
personal twists of course. (imho)

As a player who likes to get to know other peoples' characters and a player that hasn't played a character in a while, it was refreshing to read so many roles and get to know so many characters. I rated every role on a 100 point scale: 0 being crap, 50 being average and 100 the best role ever. I didn't give anyone a 100, and I didn't give anyone a 0. Comments and stats to follow.

Winners:

1st Padwei

2nd Gruffil (had to tie break)

3rd Breln

Honorable Mentions:

Khazvhak, Lerzion, Maelann, Minvil

Congratulations to all of you! Prizes have already been awarded, and you'll find a note explaining them.