[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/1Fmbw5e.jpg[/img][/center]

Welcome one and all to the very first edition of the Monthly Adaptive Storytelling Contest! Check out the [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/178854-masc-rules-and-info/ooc]Rules and Info thread[/url] for a general overview of how the contest works and to see all the rules and prizes. Without further ado, let's get right to the prompt. The prompt for the inaugural run of MASC is...

[center][h2]WOTM Throwback[/h2][/center]

Is it weird to do a nostalgic tribute to an old contest for the very first run of a new contest? Yeah, probably, but sometimes life is strange like that. This prompt is in the exact same format as the old Writer of the Month contest that I used to help run in years past on the Guild. All you've got to do is write a story that fits the overarching theme and uses at least two of the listed components. You can take on the extra challenges listed below the components, but those are completely optional. Send your entries in via a PM to [@Jorick] before 2 AM Eastern Time on [b]August 9th[/b]. See the Submission Rules below for full details, and ask questions in this thread or via PM if you have any.

[h3]Theme: Mythology[/h3]
Write a story involving a myth. Myths cover a WIDE variety of things, usually explaining traditions, historical events, or natural phenomenon. Check out Greek, Norse, Egyptian, etc. myths if you aren't familiar with what sorts of topics myths cover.

[b][u]Components:[/u][/b] [i]Use at least two of these in your story.[/i]
[list][*]The protagonist of the story is a villain.
[*]The story involves one character trying to trick or deceive another character.
[*]The myth does not involve gods.
[*]The myth explains a technological advancement as the result of supernatural events rather than mortal ingenuity. (Note: things like the invention of the wheel to the creation of the first spaceship both count as technological advancements.)
[*]The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic setting.[/list]

[b][u]Extra Challenges:[/u][/b] [i]These are optional. The entry that best fulfills each extra challenge (as decided by [@Jorick]) will be highlighted after the voting period ends.[/i]
[list][*][b]Overachiever:[/b] Use all five components in your entry.
[*][b]Mic Drop:[/b] Have a character deliver a devastating insult to another character.
[*][b]Artist:[/b] Use your words to paint a mental picture of a vividly detailed setting.[/list]

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[h3]Submission Rules:[/h3]
	1. Send your entry in a PM to @Jorick before the deadline: 2 AM on [b]August 9th[/b] in the Eastern Time Zone.
	2. Submissions may have no more than 5000 words.
	3. One entry per person. Entries are gathered for posting after the deadline, so feel free to edit, tweak, or entirely replace your entry with something new in the PM before the deadline arrives.
	4. Submissions will be posted anonymously in the voting thread.
	5. No poetry entries allowed.
	6. Characters and settings used for this contest must be original works. No fanfiction or non-fiction entries allowed.
	7. All [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/163267-fundamental-rules-of-the-guild/ooc#post-4291608]site[/url] and [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/85368-moderation-policy-for-forum-contests/ooc]contest moderation[/url] rules are of course in effect.
	8. I can and will disqualify entries that violate the above rules or fail to fulfill the prompt. The extra challenges are not required, they're just there for fun.