[color=darkgray][CENTER][h3][b]E P I S O D E   T W O   A W A R D S:[/b][/h3][/CENTER][table][row][/row][row][cell][center][b]Best Character Development:[/b]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/ELC2m1L.png[/img]
[sub][color=gray][b]GM's Choice[/b][/color][/sub]
[color=silver][sup][h3][b]H A V E N[/b][/h3][/sup][/color]
[sup][@Skai][/sup]

[sub][color=gray][b]Player's Choice[/b][/color][/sub]
[color=silver][sup][h3][b]A M M A[/b][/h3][/sup][/color]
[sup][@Rockette][/sup]
[color=2c2c2c]__________________________[/color][/center][/cell][cell][color=gray][sub][b]GM's Choice:[/b] [color=white]Haven Barnes - [@Skai][/color][/sub]
[sub][b]Player's Choice:[/b] [color=white]Amma Cahors - [@Rockette][/color][/sub]

[indent][quote][i]The 'Best Character Development Award' is given to the character who has been constantly improving and developing from the moment they first appeared in the IC. This doesn't mean the most improved, nor does it have to be positive changes in the slightest, this is the character journey you're enjoying the most whether it's a slippery slope or an uphill battle.

In Episode 1, we struggled to figure out who Haven was as a person. She bounced off several characters and on one, but we never really got to know a lot about her. This drastically changed in Episode 2 once Haven was isolated from the other characters, we started to learn what makes her tick, her fears and how they came to be. We got to see some of Haven's backstory play out in action and then as a bonus, we even got to see Haven develop a rather enjoyable dynamic with a character she was previously too nervous to interact with, more on that below. Overall, of all the characters we really enjoyed seeing the growth in Haven through Episode 2.[/i][/quote][/indent][/color]
[b]Honorable Mentions:[/b]
[color=gray][sub][b]Wraith's Choice:[/b] [color=white]Amma Cahors - [@Rockette][/color][/sub]

[indent][quote][i]Amma has been an enigma since she stepped onto the scene. Rockette made the intentional choice to forgo the optional sections of the character sheet leaving players more in the dark with Amma, her motivations and who she was than a lot of the other characters. This has worked incredibly well so that when 'Amma Lore' drops in the IC, I eat it up. Amma is a fascinating character to watch grow and develop. Throughout Episode 2 she was forced into a lot more collaborative moments and she was pivotal in several plots if only through lending her powers out. But for every step forward, we see Amma's self-destructive streak come out and pull her two back as she ends the chapter after attacking Rory. Can't wait to see the next steps in her journey.[/i][/quote][/indent][sub][b]Roman's Choice:[/b] [color=white]Lorcán Roth - [@Lord Wraith][/color][/sub]

[indent][quote][i]Episode 2 wrapped with more revelations for Lorcán and further exploration into his feelings about PRCU, Blackjack, Aurora, even his own family; Wraith continues to push Lorcán in bold directions and isn't afraid to put the character in uncomfortable situations. The Aurora/Lorcán slow-burn remains meticulously paced and well-crafted; the way Raze shook Lorcán's principles opened up potentials I'm very keen to see; and early into Episode 3 his worldviews are being challenged yet again. It's a delight to read.[/i][/quote][/indent][/color][/cell][/row][row][cell][center][b]Best Character Dynamic/Ship:[/b]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/M0mz3XF.png[/img]
[sub][color=gray][b]GM's Choice[/b][/color][/sub]
[color=silver][sup][h3][b]A M M A[/b][/h3][/sup]
[sup][h3][b]&[/b][/h3][/sup]
[sup][h3][b]H A V E N[/b][/h3][/sup][/color]
[sup][@Rockette] & [@Skai][/sup]

[sub][color=gray][b]Player's Choice[/b][/color][/sub]
[color=silver][sup][h3][b]A U R O R A[/b][/h3][/sup]
[sup][h3][b]x[/b][/h3][/sup]
[sup][h3][b]L O R C Á N[/b][/h3][/sup][/color]
[sup][@Melissa] & [@Lord Wraith][/sup]

[color=silver][sup][h3][b]A M M A[/b][/h3][/sup]
[sup][h3][b]&[/b][/h3][/sup]
[sup][h3][b]H A V E N[/b][/h3][/sup][/color]
[sup][@Rockette] & [@Skai][/sup]
[color=2c2c2c]__________________________[/color][/center][/cell][cell][color=gray][sub][b]GM's Choice:[/b] [color=white]Haven Barnes & Amma Cahors - [@Skai] & [@Rockette][/color][/sub]
[sub][b]Player's Choice:[/b] [color=white]Aurora Mitchell x Lorcán Roth - [@Melissa] & [@Lord Wraith][/color][/sub]
[sub][color=2c2c2c][b]Player's Choice:[/b][/color] [color=white]Haven Barnes & Amma Cahors - [@Skai] & [@Rockette][/color][/sub]

[indent][quote][i]The 'Best Character Dynamic/Ship Award' is given to a pair or group of characters who display exceptional chemistry, and compatibility. They are who you genuinely sit there and cheer whenever they're on the page together. These two characters are each other's endgame, they're ride or die and you can't get enough of their highs, lows and otherwise cutesy antics. This is not limited exclusively to romance but extends to rivalries, platonic friendships and even a sibling-like relationship. 

Unlikely friendships are often the best to watch unfold and while the closing moments of the chapter may have left this blossoming friendship on thin ice, seeing Amma and Haven bond, if only briefly was truly a treat. You can't help but wonder who Haven reminds Amma of? And Amma warning Haven to stop asking so many questions was a great moment in and of itself. Haven may not let just anyone touch her wings, but seeing her allow for Amma to course her powers through them makes you wonder just what sort of a bond these two will continue to form. Provided of course Haven can look past the scratches left on Rory's arm.[/i][/quote][/indent][/color]
[b]Honorable Mentions:[/b]
[color=gray][sub][b]Wraith's Choice:[/b] [color=white]Amma Cahors & Rory Tyler - [@Rockette] & [@webboysurf][/color][/sub]

[indent][quote][i]Rory being his usual self while interacting with Amma was a fun read. Metaphors never go over Rory's head, they most slap him in the face and leave him dumbfounded much like when he asked Amma if she was a literal dragon. The idea of a guy dressed as one of the world's more notorious terrorists while coming to Amma's aid and promising he wasn't there to kill her only for Amma to end up attacking him instead was certainly amusing, if not unintentionally comedic leading to some of the best character dynamics this episode.[/i][/quote][/indent][sub][b]Roman's Choice:[/b] [color=white]Aurora Mitchell x Lorcán Roth - [@Melissa] & [@Lord Wraith][/color][/sub]

[indent][quote][i]Honestly I've never really gotten the hang of 'will-they-won't-they' romantic see-saws, despite its staple across so much mainstream media (Sitcoms, romance novels, dramas, triple-A games). However I find Mel and Wraith's portrayal of their respective character's dance around each other so pitch-perfect that I'm hooked, even able to overlook how utterly saccharine it is. It's no small feat to break through my usual cynicism - I'm looking forward to seeing this egg finally crack.[/i][/quote][/indent][/color][/cell][/row][row][cell][center][b]Best Post:[/b]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/jpoM5vy.png[/img]
[sub][color=gray][b]GM's Choice[/b][/color][/sub]
[color=silver][sup][h3][b]2 . 0 4 6[/b][/h3][/sup][/color]
[sup][@Melissa][/sup]

[sub][color=gray][b]Player's Choice[/b][/color][/sub]
[color=silver][sup][h3][b]2 . 0 2 7[/b][/h3][/sup][/color]
[sup][@Rockette][/sup]
[color=2c2c2c]__________________________[/color][/center][/cell][cell][color=gray][sub][b]GM's Choice:[/b] [color=white]2.046 Trainwreck - [@Melissa][/color][/sub]
[sub][b]Player's Choice:[/b] [color=white]2.027 asunder - [@Rockette][/color][/sub]

[indent][quote][i]The 'Best Post' is given to the player and post that was found to be overall the pinnacle of the current episode. Did it break the tension with its humourous antics at the right time? Did it bring the characters closer together? Was it full of insightful reflection or did it extrapolate on previously unknown elements of that character's backstory and how it ties to the greater overarching narrative?

Melissa had a lot of fun writing a simpler time between Lorcán and Aurora in the flashback of this post. But then compare that fun flashback to the latter half of the post where Aurora comes face to face with her mother and then is abandoned by her friends. Emotion is expertly conveyed throughout this post that you just can't help smiling along with Aurora when she's laughing and having fun while also feeling the gut punch that comes with her abandonment and the futile attempts to move through the invisible barrier. The feeling of utter dispair by the end leaves the post on such a defeated note perfect for where it falls in the episode.[/i][/quote][/indent][/color]
[b]Honorable Mentions:[/b]
[color=gray][sub][b]Wraith's Choice:[/b] [color=white]2.049 the offering - [@Rockette][/color][/sub]

[indent][quote][i]A masterful wordsmith, Rockette wonderful weaving of prose leaves one wanting more with each post and 2.049 is no exception. Following up on one of my favourite hooks in the entire episode, we jump back into Amma strapped down to a gurney, now again faced with her doppelgängers. This post ultimately ends on a sombre note with Amma being injected full of needles, harkening right back to one of her earlier posts in this chapter. Any post that gives a glimpse into how Amma views herself, and her shattered identities is always a treat and while Chapter 2 is full of them, I think this is the best of the bunch.[/i][/quote][/indent][sub][b]Roman's Choice:[/b] [color=white]2.050 Wake Me Up Before You Dodo - [@Skai][/color][/sub]

[indent][quote][i]Opening with a gorgeous flashback into Haven's sometimes-referenced but often-unvisited childhood was a brilliant insight into the character's history, her unique struggles with the manifestation of her hype-gene, and why she ultimately decided to abandon 'civilised' society entirely prior to her capture (and now I'm even more interested in Haven's experiences at the Foundation). Other-Haven was also delightfully vicious, and then we capped it off with the mother of all cliffhangers - even if it was ultimately a last-second-save fake out. Great stuff. Keep it up. [/i][/quote][/indent][/color][/cell][/row][row][cell][center][b]Best Flashback:[/b]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/YE97oOV.png[/img]
[sub][color=gray][b]GM's Choice[/b][/color][/sub]
[color=silver][sup][h3][b]2 . 0 5 0[/b][/h3][/sup][/color]
[sup][@Skai][/sup]

[sub][color=gray][b]Player's Choice[/b][/color][/sub]
[color=silver][sup][h3][b]2 . 0 0 4[/b][/h3][/sup][/color]
[sup][@Rockette][/sup]
[color=2c2c2c]__________________________[/color][/center][/cell][cell][color=gray][sub][b]GM's Choice:[/b] [color=white]2.050 Wake Me Up Before You Dodo - [@Skai][/color][/sub]
[sub][b]Player's Choice:[/b] [color=white]2.004 void - [@Rockette][/color][/sub]

[indent][quote][i]The 'Best Flashback Award' is given to the post and player that contains an insightful or impactful flashback to a previous time outside of the current happenings of the IC. Maybe this flashback shed light on why the character has a deep-rooted fear of rejection, maybe it illuminated why that character has a verbal tic or perhaps it was the meet-cute of two budding lovers. Whatever the contents, this flashback found its way into the hearts or minds of the readers and continues to leave a lasting impact.

We touched earlier on getting to know Haven in this chapter and this was the post that did it. The flashback with Haven at the foster home, the development of her wings and subsequent bullying were all beautifully written but ultimately heart-wrenching. Easily a stand-out flashback of this chapter and one that illuminated a lot about a character in such a simple way. Of course, there are still more questions about Haven and the journey that brought her to P.R.C.U., but we can all comfortably look forward to those being answered in the subsequent chapters.[/i][/quote][/indent][/color]
[b]Honorable Mentions:[/b]
[color=gray][sub][b]Wraith's Choice:[/b] [color=white]2.003 I Want to Run and Hide - [@webboysurf][/color][/sub]

[indent][quote][i]It isn't often we get to see Rory's dynamic with his whole family and even just knowing how Rory sees the world through other posts and the way he interrupts words and gestures around himself make this entire flashback so interesting. On the surface, we have a look at Rory's home life before the death of his parents and what we see is not pretty. It also tracks with the treatment we're used to seeing from his siblings. But, once you realize that Rory might not be the most reliable narrator, the whole flashback starts to drift into the uncanny, making you question if this is just Rory's interpretation of how he was treated, or if his parents truly were awful. It opens a lot of interesting faucets that I'm looking forward to seeing Web explore.[/i][/quote][/indent][sub][b]Roman's Choice:[/b] [color=white]2.047 Lose Yourself - [@Lord Wraith][/color][/sub]

[indent][quote][i]Jonas' continued time-desynchronisation shenanigans continue to charm me and the character is an absolute highlight every time he shows up. Add on top some of Lorcán's unique Dundas Island-based childhood/adolescence, some family interaction, and some father-son bonding over blowing up scarecrows with eye lasers, and you've got a recipe for 'yeah, Roman will like this'.[/i][/quote][/indent][/color][/cell][/row][row][cell][center][b]Best Collaboration:[/b]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/CQoR5x1.png[/img]
[sub][color=gray][b]GM's Choice[/b][/color][/sub]
[color=silver][sup][h3][b]2 . 0 3 3[/b][/h3][/sup][/color]
[sup][@Rockette] & [@Skai][/sup]

[sub][color=gray][b]Player's Choice[/b][/color][/sub]
[color=silver][sup][h3][b]2 . 0 3 8[/b][/h3][/sup][/color]
[sup][@Melissa], [@Rockette] & [@Skai][/sup]

[color=silver][sup][h3][b]2 . 0 5 8 // 2 . 0 5 9[/b][/h3][/sup][/color]
[sup][@Rockette] & [@webboysurf][/sup]
[color=2c2c2c]__________________________[/color][/center][/cell][cell][color=gray][sub][b]GM's Choice:[/b] [color=white]2.033 Feathering the Storm - [@Rockette] & [@Skai][/color][/sub]
[sub][b]Player's Choice:[/b] [color=white]2.038 A Name Unspoken - [@Melissa], [@Rockette] & [@Skai][/color][/sub]
[sub][color=2c2c2c][b]Player's Choice:[/b][/color] [color=white]2.058 Dragon // 2.059 Devour - [@Rockette] & [@webboysurf][/color][/sub]

[indent][quote][i]The 'Best Collaboration Award' is given to the post and players involved in crafting a collaborative narrative that goes beyond the regular back-and-forth posting of forum RPing. A well-crafted collaborative post should read as though it has a single author but artfully capture the interaction between two player characters and enhance both of their direct narratives, developments and the long-term relationships between those involved in the collaboration. 

Rockette and Skai both had a great run of posts this Episode, both in quality and quantity, but as with the dynamic between their characters, Skai and Rockette also proved they have great chemistry as writers, knocking out multiple collaborative posts together including 2.033 Feathering the Storm. 'Feathering the Storm' gave us the Amma and Haven dynamic but so many subsequent posts into play, including the threeway post between the aforementioned writers and Melissa, and ultimately the great crossover with webboysurf. 'Feathering the Storm' is a cornerstone of Episode 2 and we are more than happy to award it Best Collaboration.[/i][/quote][/indent][/color]
[b]Honorable Mentions:[/b]
[color=gray][sub][b]Wraith's Choice:[/b] [color=white][color=white]2.038 A Name Unspoken - [@Melissa], [@Rockette] & [@Skai][/color][/color][/sub]

[indent][quote][i]Building right off of 'Feathering the Storm', 2.038 A Name Unspoken is easily my favourite collaboration in Episode 2. The character dynamics are fantastic, you see multiple plot threads and nightmare sequences come together and you have the wonderful tension and chemistry between Amma with both Haven and Aurora. Anytime we get Amma and Aurora in the same room, there's always something interesting bound to happen and we got to see the two girls form at least a temporary alliance and Amma even lent her powers out to Aurora who subsequently was able to use her powers in a way she hadn't previously been able to. I think 'A Name Unspoken' will have a lot of plot candy carrying forward.[/i][/quote][/indent][sub][b]Roman's Choice:[/b] [color=white]2.058 Dragon // 2.059 Devour - [@Rockette] & [@webboysurf][/color][/sub]

[indent][quote][i]Amma continues to be a...difficult character, one I'm grappling with more and more. However that's not to say she by any means a bad character - far from it - and this collaboration features a pair we've not seen much (if any) of prior to this episode, delivering a unique dynamic, fresh perspective on both involved, and yet more tense scenarios fraught with danger - even better that that danger continues to come from within the team as our cast struggle with their trials. Rory/Amma wasn't a pair I was expecting much interaction between, looking at the cliques within Blackjack both characters run in, but the surprise was delightful to read when it came. [/i][/quote][/indent][/color][/cell][/row][row][cell][center][b]Most Memorable Moment:[/b]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/0yTgxe7.png[/img]
[sub][color=gray][b]GM's Choice[/b][/color][/sub]
[color=silver][sup][h3][b]2 . 0 4 2[/b][/h3][/sup][/color]
[sup][@webboysurf][/sup]

[sub][color=gray][b]Player's Choice[/b][/color][/sub]
[color=silver][sup][h3][b]2 . 0 5 0[/b][/h3][/sup][/color]
[sup][@Skai][/sup]
[color=2c2c2c]__________________________[/color][/center][/cell][cell][color=gray][sub][b]GM's Choice:[/b] [color=white]Rory putting on Hyperion's Mask from 2.042 You're No Good - [@webboysurf][/color][/sub]
[sub][b]Player's Choice:[/b] [color=white]Haven's Nightmare Sequence from 2.050 Wake Me Up Before You Dodo - [@Skai][/color][/sub]

[indent][quote][i]The 'Most Memorable Moment Award' is given to the post and players who set a fire in the social server with conversation, reactions and just generally put the dominos in motion with a post that did something so well, horrific or even just meme-worthy that it inspired numerous posts after it. This is a moment that stood out, when you think of this roleplay, this is the moment you keep coming back to. When share the game with your friends, this is the post you wait eagerly for them to read.

Perhaps the hardest award to choose of Episode 2, we were not short in supply of great and impactful moments that will be remembered as the RP moves forward. Numerous fakeouts, tragic memories and torturous scenarios filled the posts of Episode 2, but the moment that Rory put on Hyperion's Mask, a plot thread was born that we're going to see continue into Episode 3 and who knows how far beyond. It's for this reason that 'You're No Good' manages to stand just ever so slightly above the other stellar options.[/i][/quote][/indent][/color]
[b]Honorable Mentions:[/b]
[color=gray][sub][b]Wraith's Choice:[/b] [color=white]"Thank you for bringing Tiamat home." - 2.038 A Name Unspoken - [@Melissa], [@Rockette] & [@Skai][/color][/sub]

[indent][quote][i]Personally, 'Thank you for bringing Tiamat home." from 2.038 A Name Unspoken is easily one of the most haunting lines in the entire episode. The utter despair of Amma being dragged back to a less than rosy version of where it all began, where the needles were injected, where she suffered and was experimented on, was the kind of dark and twisted I wanted to see in the Trial. That moment just was like a diminished fifth in the midst of a minor fall. It hit just right and is another great example of the gravitas that Rockette brings to her posts and her continuing threads with the Foundation.[/i][/quote][/indent][sub][b]Roman's Choice:[/b] [color=white]Calli losing her leg from 2.039 Monkey Wrench - [@Lord Wraith] & [@PatientBean][/color][/sub]

[indent][quote][i]We all know Wraith loves curveballs, and also loves keeping us (yes, myself included at times) guessing in the dark about what quite is going on up in that peculiar, wonderful brain of his. So to say Calliope's attack by a simulated Butler was a dark surprise would be an understatement; however, Bean took it well in stride (teehee), and while it was ultimately revealed as another trick of the simulation, it kept us on our toes and reminded that our characters - loved as they may be - are still well at risk of actual mortal danger, and we should remember that this is the case. [/i][/quote][/indent][/color][/cell][/row][/table][/COLOR]