[center][color=black][h1][u]The Twelve Labours[/u][/h1][/color][/center]
The Tenth Labour, slumbering in the foothills of Erytheia, awakens. 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).

Let the Tenth Labour commence. [u][b]Submission ends at Objective Midnight, July 11th.[/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 July 11th.
	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 Tenth Labour[/h2][/color] [img]http://i.imgur.com/OQaxjoM.png[/img]
[quote=Want]"I am father of Hope and Civilization, I am mother of Despair and Destruction. I take upon and embody the nature of man; wielded as a spear my power is great and terrible - I Am Want, ruler and slave of mortal minds, savior and destroyer of all."[/quote][/center]
[hider=The Tenth Labour][center][color=black][h3]The Tenth Labour[/h3][/color]This [color=black]Labour[/color] requires a [color=A9A9A9]character[/color] who is the [color=B22222]object[/color] of [color=2F4F4F]Want[/color] - one whose mere [color=black]existence[/color] is the [color=8B0000]impetus[/color], [color=FFA07A]drive[/color], and [color=E6E6FA]source[/color] of others' [color=FF4500]power[/color] and [color=BC8F8F]actions[/color]. A singular [color=A9A9A9]entity[/color], they must be the [color=708090]world[/color] and [color=B0E0E6]all[/color] other things, for what else might be the [color=FF6347]cause[/color] of such [color=B22222]great[/color] and [color=DC143C]terrible[/color] things?[hider=The Challenge]
[color=black][b]Write about your character inadvertently causing the destruction of their entire world - everything of import to them - by means of those who would fight because of them. Regardless of their own personal power, they should be helpless to stop those who would draw strength from their semblance. They must live beyond the death of all they know, but may otherwise be afflicted and set upon.[/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 Tenth Labour[/color], I have asked you to write about a character inadvertently causing others to destroy everything they hold dear.

Q. The Labour requires a character who is the object of want?
A. More specifically, an object of either infatuation or idolization. Somebody whose existence, ideals, acts, or history are potential sources of inspiration, awe, and adoration - or terror. They need not be powerful in and of themselves, but they must be of sufficient note to serve as the center of your tragedy.

Q. They have to inadvertently cause the destruction of their entire world?
A. Their history, actions, or ideals - as elaborated upon above - should serve directly as causal factors that lead to everything they value being destroyed, against their own wishes.

Q. It has to be by means of those who would fight because of them?
A. Admiration and fear alike envisions shadows cast - perhaps your character has inspired a crusade of sorts? A revolution, a war, or maybe something more mundane like a chain of serial murders? Your character, because of who or what they are, or what they have done or what ideas they espouse, must be the causal force which drives other people to destroy everything.

Q. Regardless of their own personal power, they should be helpless to stop those fighting because of them?
A. History has an inexorable way of things. Ideas are conventionally indestructible. The power of Want grinds akin to a mill, unstoppable and blind. Whether your character is a mere mortal or a transcendent power, they should be incapable of stopping the events that transpire - either due to inability or unwillingness.

Q. They must live?
A. Everything else must be drawn down to ashes, but your character must live on - which shall serve as an ample lesson in complacency.

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]