[center][color=black][h1][u]The Twelve Labours[/u][/h1][/color][/center]
The Fourth Labour ascends. 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).

A brief announcement. After the [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/85069-plagiarism/ooc]unpleasant revelations[/url] surrounding RPGC#2, 3, and 4, there is now a new set of [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/85368-moderation-policy-for-forum-contests/ooc]Moderator Policies[/url]. The new policy post has been appended to rule #3, so read that one extra carefully. This is why we cannot have nice things. As a front-up warning, all accounts which submit an entry will be checked to ensure none of them are alternate accounts which have been blacklisted.

Regarding the Third Labour: The Contest Mod toolkit is unfortunately still undergoing development, and [@Mahz] is taking a break to catch up with real life for a bit. So rewards are going to be delayed in their issue, though all winners of TTL#3 will receive them retroactively eventually. All winning entries have been added to the victory archive however, so there is that at least.

A special call-out to [@Holmishire], [@Psyga315], and [@WiseDragonGirl]. All three of you have won each of the proceeding Labours. I [i]dare[/i] you to lose this one. If you can just endure another paltry eight Labours after this one (and let me tell you, I am really looking forward to TTL#8), there may even be something special waiting at the end for those who are Twelve Times the Victor.

Let the Fourth Labour commence. [u][b]Submission ends at Objective Midnight, September Twelfth.[/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] [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/85368-moderation-policy-for-forum-contests/ooc]as well[/url] (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 September 12th.
	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 Fourth Labour[/h2][/color] [img]http://i.imgur.com/Zf8iuvP.png[/img]
[quote=Anonymous]Gratitude cannot be sent across burnt bridges.[/quote][/center]
[hider=The Fourth Labour][center][color=black][h3]The Fourth Labour[/h3][/color]
[b]This [color=black]labour[/color] must entail the [color=black]trial[/color] of a [color=A9A9A9]character[/color] free of all [color=9400D3]vices[/color] save [color=Brown]ambition[/color]. Envision their [color=9ACD32]shortcomings[/color] and [color=808000]weaknesses[/color], their [color=purple]failings[/color] and their [color=2F4F4F]flaws[/color]. Dwell upon what [color=DDA0DD]measures[/color] and [color=FFE4B5]means[/color] they [color=BC8F8F]brace[/color] and [color=8FBC8F]reinforce[/color] themselves for their [color=5F9EA0]faults[/color].[/b]
[hider=The Challenge]
[color=black][b]Write about your character leaving their allies behind. Presented with an opportunity they feel they must pursue, they must be unable to chase it alone but also incapable of claiming it alongside any others or of repaying the favor. There is only room for one at the top. If they cannot leave behind what they cannot take with them, then their allies must claim the prize instead, leaving them behind - which shall serve as apt punishment for their reluctance.[/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 Fourth Labour[/color], I have asked you to write about a character being forced to leave their allies behind.

Q. My character must be free of vice save for ambition?
A. Your character need not be a saint nor even particularly nice, but they must not be ruthlessly amoral in nature. The only great failing your character might have should be a hunger for greatness.

Q. My character has to be presented with an opportunity they feel they must pursue?
A. The opportunity may be anything of an appropriate nature. A chance occurence, an offer they can't refuse, a secret burning amongst cinders. Whatever it is, your character must be compelled to seek their objective or goal.

Q. They must be unable to chase it alone?
A. Unlike the previous labour, if the character acts alone they will be unable to succeed. They must be assisted by another, or other individuals. 

Q. They must be incapable of claiming it alongside others or repaying the favor?
A. They may need help to get what they want, but for reasons which I leave up to your telling they cannot share it with those who helped them - and neither can they offer any form of gratitude for doing so. A thankless task.

Q. What was that about a punishment?
A. If your character cannot claim their prize and leave their allies behind with nothing, then their roles must be reversed. Their allies must claim the prize and leave the character behind with nothing instead.

Q. Can I have it so that both my character and their allies fail?
A. No. While complete and abject failure is always amusing, here it violates the spirit of the challenge. One must succeed at the cost of the other. However, I will permit for one or the other to be victorious and still meet with an unfortunate accident if that's what you want.

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 renovate the guild and enabling the features that allow us to reward contestants and to advertise our presence.[/hider]