mdk

RPGC#5 -- FEAR is live!

Find it here!

Entries are due by October 4th at the witching hour.

RPGC #5 -- FEAR

Changes!

This run of RPGC is taken directly from the Theme Suggestion Thread. Joining our staff is the suggester, @KeyGuyPerson. We’ve made significant changes to the Bonus system this time, so make sure you pay close attention to those guidelines. We’re also returning to vote-how-you-like – you may choose to pick the scariest entry, or your favorite, or whatever other criteria you choose. You’ll also notice a lot less artwork – that was my mistake! If you feel inspired to make some FEAR-based artwork, we’ll conduct an informal survey among the staff and feature the best stuff in the voting/discussion thread later.

Prompt:

Fear is a constant companion. One day it lurks behind you, hiding in your shadow, silent and waiting. Sometimes it crystalizes around a certain figure. It is with you wherever you are – in the darkness and in the light, while you wake and while you sleep. This month, you will confront FEAR, and put it on display for everyone to see. What happens next is up to you.

Awards:

• People's Choice - The main prize goes to the winner of the popular vote. Depending on participation, runners-up may get prizes as well.
• Puzzle Solvers – This time, each ‘Bonus Category’ is a puzzle or riddle. Solve one, and your entry could win a prize.

Bonus Puzzles:

To win a bonus category this contest, you’ll have to solve one of the following riddles. Include your solution to the riddle in your submission PM. The solution will be specific -- like, "Fear of dying in a watermelon eating contest," or "Fear of electric guitars," or "Fear of MDK," etc. All solutions are specific fears, based on actual clinical diagnoses or well-known folklore. If you incorporate that solution into your story -- and you got the solution right -- you'll be awarded a trophy. Solutions will be posted at the start of the voting period. The creator of each riddle or puzzle will have the final say in whether or not you got the solution right.

Note: it probably goes without saying, but refrain from solving/hinting/discussing solutions to the riddles. That would defeat the purpose! We’ll keep an eye on the thread. If you spill the beans, your post may get moderated out just to be safe. Better to just refrain from talking about the solutions until later -- that's what Fonz would do.

What Are Bonus Puzzles?

A new twist on ‘Bonus Categories.’ Bonus Categories are optional endeavors that add another level of challenge to the contest. You may tackle as many (or as few) as you like in your entry. At the end of the contest, the judges will declare winners in each category, separately from the popular vote. Bonus Challenges are not required to be eligible for the main prize.

Why Bonus Categories? Because they're fun, challenging, and who doesn't like more prizes?

Why bonus PUZZLES? We think they’re an exciting new twist on a proven feature. If you love them, or hate them, feel free to let us know so we can serve the community better in the future.

THE RIDDLES

All Alone

from @KeyGuyPerson
Two people in the harsh snow.
Two legs for both to share.
Two hands intertwined,
Afraid to get go.

Four days, four nights.
Four legs for both to share.
Four hands,
Two intertwined.

Glory

from @RomanAria
A symbol of freedom am I,
A symbol for which people die.
I am defiance, a rallying cry,
And I mark where fallen men lie.

Seek

from @RomanAria
18 Sep 2015 01:54

Nyx

from @RomanAria
A kiss of death
On frozen breath
I shine.
Dreams of white…
Eternal night…
You’re mine.

A Children's Fear

from @mdk

Entry Rules:

• Follow all general contest rules.
• Send your entry to @RPGC Entry with the title of your entry in the subject line by Midnight, October 4th
• If you solved a puzzle, make sure to type out your solution in the submission PM. In order to be awarded a prize, you must incorporate that fear into your entry.
• You MAY win more than one puzzle prize! To be eligible, you must include the solution to the riddle, AND incorporate it into your story. If you can do that for multiple puzzles, you can win multiple awards. These are VOLUNTARY as always – no riddling is required to enter or win the public vote.
• All entries will be posted after the submission period ends on October 4th, after which everyone can read, discuss, and of course vote for a winner!
• To streamline our process, we will assume you want your name on your entry, UNLESS you specify ‘anonymous!’ Anonymous entries are absolutely welcome – make sure you mention it in your PM if you prefer to enter that way. If you don’t specify, we will credit you in the voting thread.

brought to you by

Forum mods, @Mahz, and support from @Terminal, who runs The Twelve Labors (check them out, it’s an amazing contest). The RPGC staff for this contest is made up of @RomanAria, @KeyGuyPerson, @Darcs, @Keyblade87, [@KuraiAssassin], and @mdk. Special thanks to everyone who left ideas and feedback in the theme ideas thread. If you’d like to help, you can pitch in there, or volunteer to join the staff in the ‘get involved’ thread here.

Remember:

send entries to @RPGC Entry by Midnight, October 4th

What If? [A story] DON'T TAKE OFFENSIVE

I would say no. I don't understand the point -- Disney goes away and then Warner Bros gets Disney and they all come back to......? The events don't make sense -- studios don't 'stop' because they're getting dissed, certainly not supermassive studios like Disney (which owns basically everything now). American-only isn't racist, it's jingoist. If it WERE racist, the government doesn't have the power to shut it down anyway, nor would they likely see any reason to do so. Further, they don't get to decide what characters get "scrapped." Mickey is so pervasive that he could not possibly BE "scrapped." The government also cannot (and never has) order any subject to 'not even' be 'mentioned.' "What a relief" is a completely unrealistic public reaction to any of these events.

In short, no. Sorry -- kinda brutal analysis but hopefully comes across respectful. If you want to try a story like this, it might be easier to invent a fake studio. Gives you much more control -- if you made up Plastic Spoon Guy the 'popular cartoon character' and wrote a story about the rise and fall of his cartoon, no one could poke holes in that. Plus, I mean..... if you go too far with stuff like this (which you're in ABSOLUTELY NO DANGER OF, whatsoever), like, millions of readers or whatever, it's pretty illegal to use licensed characters or corporations as the basis.

Shorter-in-short: No.

From Oscar to Raspberry - Humorous Movie Synopsis Thread

Nightcrawler (2014) -- Jake Gyllenhaal isn't acting, he's just being himself for two hours.

Backhand Compliment above user.

If at first you don't succeed... I guess it must still be 'at first.' Change nothing, Broby -- you never have.

Backhand Compliment above user.

Your threads really prove that you belong here after all. Kudos.

From Oscar to Raspberry - Humorous Movie Synopsis Thread

Avengers 2 (/Marvel): Robert Downey Jr. takes Artificial Ingenuity, or "AI" for short, to a bold new level, and the world is bombarded by numerous copies of the same roplot (variations and improvements based on resources available during production), voiced by forgettable villain...... uh....... whichever one wasn't Tom Hiddleston.

Yes. Avengers 2 is actually an interpretive history of the Marvel film franchise. YOU CANNOT UNSEE THE CONNECTION FROM NOW ON.

mock people against gay marriage

ha ha, you believe in shit. What a loser!

Backhand Compliment above user.

You're so brave. I could never stick around as long as you have, knowing people talk about me like that.

The Twelve Labours: General Discussion

We got lucky with some great people. I'd love to share -- seems like a busy time for most people with school taking off again (we're a little behind on RPGC #5, for instance, though we should be ready in the next day or two, if anyone's curious -- new twists on the structure this month, should be real interesting). FWIW, if anybody IS looking to pitch in with the contests in the near future, RPGC's needs are pretty well met in the foreseeable future, so consider offering @Terminal a hand instead -- that seems to be where the need is greatest ATM.