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?

Katja has been through it the last two episodes and this post really drives home the amount of inner turmoil that the usually cheery woman is dealing with. Mirror Mirror is a real treat into the inner workings of Katja's mind, her struggles, her personal philosophies and general outlook on the hand that she's been dealt. Zoldyck has done an excellent job of rolling with the punches as Katja has been put in a predicament that no one else can relate with and we're all looking forward to seeing how this particular plot thread continues to unravel.

If it's not apparent by now, I really enjoy Amma's character and her fleeting grasp on her humanity. Episode 3 in particular has been a lot of fun to watch as Amma comes to terms with feelings she previously thought banished to the deepest recesses of her mind. Amma Cahors cares about people. In 'sugar' we get the wonderful, and detailed inner workings of Amma's mind with Rockette reminding us why she's a consistent winner in these awards. Her grasp on prose and use of imagery leads to posts you can't help but re-read and seeing the budding romance with Gil constructed with fleeting feelings for Lorcán is a lot of fun.

Rory's got a lot on his plate in Episode 3. Still reeling from the Trials and the revelation that there are malicious forces with odorous designs upon him, he's tasked by the Chancellor himself to root out the suspected Orcinus agent within Blackjack's midst, pushing him into a leadership position he's not quite comfortable with in Lorcán and Tad's shared absence, and then Haven gets abducted. 3.035 shows the weight of these troubles and the new responsibilities on Rory, as he begins his investigation in earnest, and traumatizes himself by proxy through willing exposure to the Trials footage. It's a strong emotional pivot for Rory, and locks him into a darker path for the rest of the episode to come.

This being my first, official, award, it only felt right to decide on a post that started a chain of many heartfelt responses through the entire episode. Some that are not limited to just Aurora and Lorcán, or even my own character that is caught up in the very end of it. It also provides a glimpse into a world that I have been excitedly ready for ever since Wraith first brought it about to my attention. To read about the potential creatures such as a Wendigo was exciting, only for the post to end on a cliff hanger as Lorcán collapses.

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.

Whenever you have two strong writers opt to work together, you know you're in for a treat. Melissa and Qia both have exemplary mastery over the voices of their characters and seeing Aurora and Harper come together in this very emotional and heartfelt post was a treat. Both characters get an opportunity to shine, with the weight of the situation bearing down on them. Harper has proven over and over to be a cornerstone for the Team and Episode 3 really gave her a few chances to shine in that regard. She was Aurora's shoulder to cry on, she was the one to lead the charge to save Haven, all while dealing with her own struggles. Aurora brings the emotional aspect and Melissa is no stranger to wonderful weaving words in such a way to pull at heartstrings and warm cockles. A beautiful post build on the foundation and characterization established thus far through the RP.

'Blue' was probably the most unexpected collaboration for me, but by far one of the most impactful both how it connected into the plots and themes I was working with but also the intimate relations to my own character. As a stand-alone post, you can't get any better than 'Blue', both Melissa and Rockette are stellar writers that I've gotten to know throughout the game and can't imagine not going on to do other RPs with. The post itself is full of character nuances as you see the two women come together and compare perspectives while also challenging the other. It's rich and content and characterization that makes me look forward to the next interaction, or better confrontation between Amma and Aurora.

Harper and Calliope both are in a strange spot post-Trials, haunted by their experiences and some core relationships shaken at their foundations; Harper struggling with her feelings about her family and notably her estranged sister, and Calliope's previously-stable relationship with Banjo buffeted against rocky shores. This two-parter collab features a pairing we haven't seen before, both girls coming together to try and retake some sense of control against the storms they're currently being swallowed by. It's an extraordinary exploration of both characters individually and their dynamic as a duo, showcasing that while both women are (were? will be again?) stoic, determined, and emotionally unflappable, that energy comes from very different places for the pair, and means very different things for them.

It's more so the ending that really captured this for me, the promise that Rory makes, only for the very next post to be Haven's kidnapping. It was a heartfelt moment that is the epitome of Raven as a whole that established the disbelief in following the next series of posts as everyone struggles to find and save her. When Doves Cry paves the way of desperation as they run against the clock unknown, with the establishment of Rory and Haven opening up to one another to further develop their unwavering trust, entirely captured in the chemistry that Skai and webboysurf have as writers.

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.

Haven and Rory have officially defined their relationship and taken the lead as the roleplay's current alpha couple. Still a relatively new couple, they're exploring what that means and it has been fun to watch the pair face trauma after trauma and successfully bond themselves to overcome the adversity they're facing. It'll be interesting to see how that dynamic affects both the team moving forward as well as they're friendships with the other characters and if Haven and Rory growing closer puts any distance between them and the others.

Shipping is a lot of fun and as much fun as it is to start an RP with a pre-established dynamic, those often fall flat because there's no chemistry. Watching a dynamic develop out of a single small interaction is a lot like watching a fire grow from a spark. That's 'Gamma' for me, the emerging relationship between Gil and Amma as expertly depicted by Roman and Rockette. In a world of 'Lorora' and 'Raven', Gamma is notably different and since it contains one of the most sought-after romance partners, I don't expect this ship to have an easy time getting out to sea, but smooth sailing rarely makes for a good story and we're all here for the drama.

I'm just simply in love with the sheer purity of love portrayed in the found-family dynamic between Aurora and Lorcán's extended family, showcased throughout this episode as 'Rora grapples with Lorcán's volatile mortality and grieves alongside Aiden, Tori, Cassander and Ripley. It's something that continues into Episode 4 through the wholesome and heartbreaking surrogate mother/daughter moment between Tori and Aurora, but this is a payoff that wouldn't have felt so organic or emotionally resonant if it weren't for the work put in during Episode 3.

A dynamic I believe that has been named before, but where I acknowledge it is in the easy friendship found between the two characters, where Haven reaches out to Harper who, struggling with her own trauma, doesn't hesitate to help her find out more about her past and the mysterious girl that Haven wants to find. For it all to end with an emotional embrace as Harper continues to struggle with control over her own emotions. With an episode that had plenty of collaborations and plenty of developments, this one stuck out to me the most and that I kept thinking back to for this award, and I eagerly await the result to find out who Anabel is.

The 'Took A Level in Badass Award' is given to the character who has displayed the most development in this episode and bonus points if they had a particular scene that put that growth on display. 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.

Harper really stepped up in Episode 3 putting aside her own personal struggles coming fresh off the trials and immediately jumping to the rescue of her friend. I feel like Harper often gets overlooked due to having less flashy abilities, but she's arguably one of the smartest characters on the team and often acts as the Team Heart. In Episode 3 alone you saw Haven, Aurora and Rory all confide in Harper which puts her in a much better position as a leader moving forward. Will be very interested in watching Harper's continued growth.

While I still don't personally know where I actually sit on Miss Haven 'Questions' Barnes, reading how Skai had Haven handle and navigate her torture at the hands of Daedalus cinches this category for me. I think Haven proved herself to be a very resilient young woman and I look forward to seeing how this experience continues to grow her moving forward and the effects it has on her both good and bad. Even while spending half the episode chained to a gurney, Haven proved she's no slouch earning her 'Level in Badass'.

Following the Trials and the fallout of House Orcinus' exposure, Katja's been understandably torn, her previous well-intentioned (if extreme) membership with the so-called 'traitor house' now thrown into new light as she re-evaluates her beliefs and principles, and the ways she might have accidentally betrayed not only her teammates and friends, but also herself and the memories of those she fights for. Naturally, it's probably something she wants to keep under wraps - but then Haven's life is in danger, and Katja has a choice to make: keep quiet, keep her secret, but risk Haven's death, or give up what she knows, potentially expose herself, but help rescue her friend? Katja doesn't think twice. A character like Katja, we can expect a hundred 'holding up a collapsing building' moments - it's a different kind of strength you've got to look for, and Katja showed she can step up.

Really, maybe I'm biased, but Gil is an enigma through episodes 1 and 2, the ending of the latter revealing more layers to his character than initially given. Through episode 3 we witness more and more of that mask crumble away into nothing, the fallen star, as it were, that realizes that he doesn't want to be Mr. Hollywood and sheds the persona that he puts forth every day just to get by. From his abrasive visits with Calli and Harper, to the developing tension with Amma, to the back and forth with Banjo during physical therapy. I'll admit, I'm a sucker for Gil and with the beginning of episode 4, I'm waiting for the next post to drop even more.

The 'Love Triangle Award' is given to the players and characters who are entangled in romantic tension with multiple people and whose relationship could be redefined in a single post. This is the classic Archie Andrews with both a Betty and a Veronica. Bonus points if the love triangle is actually a love pentagon or even a dodecahedron. Multiple sides, multiple ships, all with their own fans and supporters.

Probably one of the most memed on love triangles, the dynamics between Rory, Haven and Andrew are rather bizarre in and of themselves with Rory and Haven being a clearly established ship, while Andrew despite belonging to another ship has shown far more emotion over Haven than he has his own partner. Their somewhat established closeness and the way they've interacted leave the relationship just ambiguous enough to argue there's more than meets the eye and it will be interesting to see if any of that changes moving forward.

Keeping with my best ship, this is the next evolution with another leg added to make up an Eiffel Tower. However, if Gil starts using his powers again, it's all over. That said, this triangle has everything from two damaged people who naturally gravitate towards one another, to another who wants so desperately to find a kindred soul she's willing to bear hers to an unconscious body. The tragedy of this triple pairing is what keeps you invested and while there are numerous outcomes to cheer for her, I'm still cheering on Gamma to win out in the end.

Looking at romantic connections between the members of Blackjack right now has me ending up feeling like Always Sunny's Charlie Day mapping out Pepe Silvia, but Rory and Katja's combined optimism and warm-heartedness are such a powerful tonic to Amma's volatile nature that it's a compelling criss-cross of threads when the three weave paths around each other - whether that's Rory and Katja's lingering 'what-if', or Katja's struggles to express herself to Amma.

This has arguably been a hook for me long before this episode, which we see a glimpse of throughout the scattering of posts as Rory leads an investigation that has him on the edge of who he can trust. You have your Raven moments with small glimpses of once upon a time feelings for Katja and the implications that she could be the traitor, to where Rory can't even look at her and Katja hesitating to approach him, her own feelings a chaotic mess. Though it has been made clear where the ship lies, and Katja is supportive of Haven, there are still so many 'what-ifs' and 'could-have-beens' that linger between them that I eagerly read every time.

The 'Friends Who Never Hang' is given to the players and characters whose characters' friendship is an informed attribute but who have never actually spent a lot of time together in the IC, or perhaps have not interacted even once but in their own posts have referred to the other as a friend. This is the award where you finally get to voice who you want to see more IC interaction between.

Despite being established as having shared a team for five years now, we haven't seen any true interaction between Rory and Andrew in the IC, which given Haven's connections to both, is somewhat odd and really fuels the above love triangle theory. Andrew plays for his House's intramural league as does Rory and yet we've not seen any semblance of the rivalry displayed akin to that between Rory and Katja, nor the fleeting displays of camaraderie as displayed between Rory and the other boys. It will be interesting to see if this dynamic is explored moving forward.

Outside of an early post where I had Lorcán simultaneously smack both of their butts, I don't think I've seen Gil and Rory come even close to interacting. While Lorcán has a relationship with both, perhaps slightly strained after the events of the last two episodes, Gil and Rory have yet to have any semblance of a relationship with one another and given Gil's growing closeness with Amma, I can't see that changing anytime soon as Amma is quite the polarizing point for most of Blackjack.

Episode 3 has had a lot of pairings and even a couple trio collabs between the women of Blackjack, but the elusive Girl's Night has evaded us thusfar, initial plans for some retail therapy ahead of the dance interrupted by Haven's unfortunately-timed abduction. What we've seen between duos and trios so far has been promising and compelling - here's hoping Episode 4 and the dance gives us the opportunity for the full squad to gather and gossip.

The three are supposed to be close friends, but you don't witness any of that, other than a tense argument between Lorcán and Rory before the Trials when the former is accused of abandoning his friend with all the work. Given the recent developments with each character mentioned, I look forward to a potential exchange of 'guy talk', so to speak, about how they've each been dealing with the recent events with the school year just having started. Each have changed gradually in their own ways and the friendship established in the last year may not be the same as certain things comes to light.

The 'Deadpan Snarker Award' is given to the players and characters who has the most sass, the snappiest comebacks, the wittiest dialogue. The Deadpan Snarker is someone whose dialogue gives you a visceral reaction with how clever or cutting they are. A character prone to gnomic, sarcastic, sometimes bitter, occasionally whimsical asides. Alternatively, they may also play the straight man to the more zany antics of the other cast members.

Of the true main cast, there's little argument when it comes to the character who is the most sarcastic, bitter and insufferable bastard. That honour is awarded solely to Andrew Olyphant as written by the talented Hound55 who pours as much of himself as he possibly can into Banjo to bring the colourful and divisive character to life. Banjo almost is never without a comment and when you can understand what he's actually saying, the content is generally quite snark-laden and we don't foresee that changing anytime soon.

Of the player characters, Gil is easily one of the snarkiest and certainly so post his experiences in the trial. This is best on display whenever he's paired with Andrew as you can see Roman having Gil play off of Andrew's own cynical nature. It's fun seeing Gil with a chip on his shoulder and his teeth bared, so I look forward to more of him playing the straight man against the likes of Lorcán or even Amma in their blossoming relationship.

It feels a bit cheeky submitting an obstensibly NPC character for my mention, but Wraith's not writing these characters in a bubble and Cass' dialogue - the patter, the back-and-forth, flirting with Qia, his sharp critiques of Lorcán - deserves its recognition. Definitely one of the driest members of the extended cast, his sardonic witticisms continue to entertain, and I'm personally particularly looking forward to some more snark-to-snark combat between him and Harper.

This one was difficult, but easy, as I eat it up every time he refers to Amma as Elvira or some other outlandish nickname. Call him an NPC, sure, but he's established enough into the IC from the talent Wraith possesses in seamlessly blending the character into the cast. Of which could be said for all of the non-player characters within his roster that help Blackjack through their own developments through the narrative.

The 'Out of Character is Serious Award' is given to the players and characters whose character had a moment that while it seems out of character for them, it was critical in the instance and was a serious moment. Many the zany character was suddenly the straight man, maybe the stoic had an emotional outburst? Whatever it was, this moment caught your attention at first because it was different from that character's usual depiction.

Katja's declaration of her feelings towards Amma caught us GMs off guard and while many interpreted the moment as sweet, the three of us had a very different interpretation of the moment and took it as more of an admission of an obsession that is building within Katja. She's now without a mission, without an objection due to the dissolution of House Orcinus and so Amma has seemingly become that goal. What this means for Amma's fledgling relationship with Gil has yet to be seen, but it'll be very interesting to see what happens as more layers of Katja's facade are peeled away and Rory's investigation closes in on her.

Seeing the usually in control and on top of things Harper trying to work through her issues on her own was one of the best examples of 'OOC is Serious'. You had her missing classes, having to swallow some humble pie, lie about hating her hair all while trying to work through what happened to her in the trials and the best way forward after that. Sometimes I worry I'm sleeping on Qia as a talented writer, but I'm grateful for moments like this where I do get to draw attention to the expertise she has in depicting her character and the slow-burn narrative she's telling with Harper. I suspect by the end of the RP Harper will be a character that is referenced for years to come.

3.055 gave me what I've been desperate to see: Banjo finally peeling back the layers. With such a carefully constructed anti-authority persona, Banjo's brand of blasé deflection and trouble-making has been consistent since the start of the game, but this comes to Banjo's own detriment as much as it does his protection. Therapy then is the perfect setting to show how ridiculous his default 'fuck you just because you're in a position of seniority and no other reason' stance can really be, as Lillian really is just trying to help him, and rebuffing her is as frustrating for Lillian as it is deleterious for Banjo. How refreshing then, and important, that something finally breaks through to Banjo, and he takes someone else's advice on board. Here's hoping that we get more of this Banjo, who maybe begins to consider that some authority figures are actually qualified professionals with nothing but good intentions, and might actually be able to help him when he needs it.

Rory has been through it with this episode, being handed reigns to an investigation that he is arguably not prepared to undertake, to having to deal with his own doubts as he struggles with the aftermath with the Trials. When we see Haven kidnapped, Rory suddenly goes from the boy who asked Amma if she was a literal dragon, to a man that steps up to rally the team to save the girl he loves. In Say Your Prayer, we see Rory attempt to step up to Amma, threatening the same woman who left scars on his arms, and though (sorry man, stay your lane) she brings him down, the two mutually agree to save Haven in their own ways. Rory is often seen as the 'golden retriever' character who cannot take anything seriously, so to see him adapt and overcome - as well as he can - in this episode was a side to him that I enjoyed reading.