[center][color=black][h1][u]The Twelve Labours[/u][/h1][/color][/center]
The Third Labour begins. For those of you who are just dropping in and have no idea what this is, take a peek at [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/79563-the-twelve-labours-an-introduction/ooc]The Twelve Labours Introduction Thread[/url] (it's a quick read, I promise).

Recent developments: With the return of [@Mahz], the trophy and titles systems are now working (for a given definition of the word), and will continue being developed over the course of the Challenge. Prizes in the form of trophies, challenge accolades, and unique titles will  actually be handed out once winners are announced. Additionally, [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3UvYG8yhOk]the forum sidebar is working[/url], so hopefully more people will be aware that the [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/forums/45-writing-contests]Writing Contest[/url] subforum even exists.

As a general reminder after what happened in the Second Labour: The Twelve Labours renews its panel of judges for each individual challenge, and so is always hiring. If you are interested in becoming a Judge for The Twelve Labours, send an inquiry to [@Terminal] for more information. You can also find more information at [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/79560-the-twelve-labours-general-discussion/ooc]The Twelve Labours: General Discussion[/url].

Let the Third Labour commence. [u][b]Submission ends at Objective Midnight, August First.[/b][/u]
[h2]Entry Rules:[/h2]
	1. Jaffar's (left) thumb.
	2. Follow the [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/531-fundamental-rules-of-the-guild/ooc]standard guild rules[/url].
	3. Obey the Dark Lord Sauron's [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/77197-moderation-policy-in-the-rp-sections/ooc]rules[/url] as well (just to cover all the bases).
	4. Follow MY [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/79559-the-twelve-labours-rules-standards-and-conditions/ooc]rules[/url] too. Let it never be said we did not warn you.
	5. Send your entry to [@Terminal] by August 1st.
	6. Be sure to include whether or not you want your story to remain anonymous! I will add your name only if I am given your permission!
	7. Any explicit/mature material must be kept off-site. I will only post links to them with NSFW notices.
	8. I reserve the right to simply toss out any story if it doesn't possess a basic modicum of good sense and taste. Don't make me.
	9. All stories must adhere to a certain standard of quality expected of good storytelling.
	10. You must use your own characters. Preexisting characters from franchise settings may only be alluded to.
	11. If your setting is borrowed from a franchise, make sure to include a disclaimer and credit the original inventor of the setting used. 
[h2]Prizes:[/h2]
All winning entries will receive a forum trophy as well as a unique, custom forum title which they can activate and deactivate at their leisure. Additionally, winning entries of particularly exceptional quality will be awarded Challenge Accolades.

All winning entries will also be saved to a public archive, a link to which will be permanently available in my signature! I personally post in the [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/forums/1-news]News[/url] and [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/forums/41-roleplaying-discussion]Discussion[/url] subforums of the guild to congratulate and announce the winners as well. As a reminder, unless you specifically give me permission to include authorship of an entry, every posted story will remain anonymous (awarded trophies can also be hidden in your user profile, so you will not show up if people are examining the trophy groups).
[center][color=black][h2]The Third Labour[/h2][/color] [img]http://img13.deviantart.net/4846/i/2010/050/7/a/ceryneian_hind_by_mrconceptual.jpg[/img]
[quote=Ancient Aesop]"Though all that gleams shines the more brightly along darkened paths than lighter; its substance is no more the less."[/quote][/center]
[hider=The Third Labour][center][color=black][h3]The Third Labour[/h3][/color]
[b]This [color=black]labour[/color] will require you to make use of a [color=DarkGray]character[/color] whose [color=Gold]inherent nature[/color] is one of [color=DarkOrchid]ambivalence[/color]. Neither the [color=DarkSlateGray]Blackguard[/color] nor the [color=Blue]Paragon[/color] shall lead in the [color=LightSkyBlue]story[/color] that will be told. Think upon the [color=FireBrick]drives[/color], [color=IndianRed]motives[/color], and [color=OrangeRed]impetus[/color] underlying the [color=MediumPurple]facade[/color] of the chosen [color=Yellow]individual[/color], and how the [color=CadetBlue]equilibrium[/color] of their [color=DarkGray]being[/color] is [color=DarkKhaki]maintained[/color].[/b]
[hider=The Challenge]
[color=black][b]Write about your character attempting to acquire that which is precious and dear to them. Obtaining their goal shall not be easy, nor merely difficult. Its attainment must entail legendary effort and toil. If your character cannot unfetter themselves and pursue means and paths they might normally envision unacceptable or impossible, their objective shall elude them forevermore - which shall serve as sufficient punishment for their indolence.[/b][/color][/hider][/center][/hider][hider=Clarification of the Challenge Parameters]This section exists specifically to ensure there is no ambiguity or ambivalence in what, precisely, the challenge requires of each participant. If you have any specific questions which are not addressed here, please send them to [@Terminal] for resolution.

For [color=black]The Third Labour[/color], I have asked you to write about a character of ambivalent nature going to great and perhaps questionable lengths to retrieve something valuable to them.

Q. My character has to obtain something of value? Like what?
A. Nearly anything. A physical objective, like treasure or wealth. More abstract, along the lines of prestige or knowledge. More personal - perhaps a lost love? A surrendered facet of the soul? Whatever the objective might be, it must be of great value to the character - great enough that they might do everything within their power to obtain it.

Q. Not easy or merely difficult?
A. The intent is that the character will not be able to obtain the objective through their normal means and approaches. If they do not pursue different or alternative methods of pursuing the objective, they will be unable to reach it.

Q. What kind of alternative methods or routes do you mean?
A. Use your imagination. A mode of thinking, expressed behavior, certain brands of tactics - perhaps simply making different choices than they might otherwise make.

Q. Can my character find what they are looking for without having to sacrifice their values, ideals, modes of thinking, etcetera?
A. No. This shall not be a story of prevailing mores. If the character cannot change, then they must fail. The character failing to obtain their objective does not invalidate the parameters of the challenge.

Q. So they CAN obtain whatever they are looking for if they do that junk?
A. Yes. Ensure that it is well earned.

Q. You said I can't use Blackguards or Paragons, and that my character had to possess ambivalence?
A. Yes. This story shall not be about the virtuous struggling to stay true to their path or the damned trying to evade salvation. This is a story for the common person, possessing neither great virtue or malice in excess. Entries detailing the efforts of the virtuous knight or the devious scoundrel will not clear the challenge.

Q. Can I still use those kinds of characters in my story though?
A. Absolutely, they just can't be the central, focal character/s. Not on-point, as it were.

Q. How long can my story be?
A. As long as you feel is necessary. I will read any and everything submitted, irregardless of length, and write a review on it. Do not let the short three-day judging period dissuade you. If you have a 800,000 word brick for me, I will take it. Similarly, extremely short stories are also welcome. It is entirely possible for segues as short as three paragraphs long to clear the challenge.[/hider]

[hider=Credits]Thanks again to [@mdk], and the entire RPGC crew for helping with scheduling for The Twelve Labours!

Great thanks to [@mahz] and the other members of the [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/staff]guild staff [/url] for helping to rennovate the guild and enabling the features that allow us to reward contestants and to advertise our presence.

The distant image of the Ceryneian Hind up above was made by [b]mrConceptual[/b] on DeviantArt, whose profile can be viewed [url=http://mrconceptual.deviantart.com/]here[/url].[/hider]