RPGC #2 -- POWER

[mdk]

artwork contributed by @AeonUmbra

Welcome back to RPGC! This month's theme should be a fun one. Now I promised myself I'd keep this brief, so let me just highlight a few new features we're trying out. First and foremost, we're going to really emphasize hard deadlines this time around -- that's good for multiple contests, sure, but it's also good writing practice, so don't expect any mercy (but if you have, like, absurdly extreme exigent circumstances, you can get in touch with me and we might work something out). Second, pay special attention in the rules, as we're field-testing changes to anonymity. If it works it works -- if not, we'll put that back on the shelf. Last -- and you won't really see much of this one, but behind the scenes, @RomanAria is going to be tackling most of the admin work, so make sure you say thanks!

Have any other ideas for new stuff? Drop by our feedback thread and let us know.

Prompt:

POWER takes many forms. Superheroes, presidents, relationships, even doctors with the POWER over life and death. For this contest, write an entry which examines POWER in any context.

• People's Choice - The main prize goes to the winner of the popular vote. Depending on participation, runners-up may get prizes as well.
• Staff Picks - RPGC staff each select winners from the bonus categories

These optional categories will be tied to special staff pick awards (of the same name) handed out for this month, so take on one (or more!) of the challenges if you want a chance to win another prize!

What Are 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 select 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?

• Captain Planet -- Earth! Fire! Wind! Water! Heart! And any other elemental or natural power.
• King of the Hill -- Rising to power means conquering any challengers that stand in your way to reach the top. RISE!
• Batteries Not Included -- The central conflict revolves around keeping (or restoring) power to a device/area.
• Black Turtles in the Void -- In the unknown, the deep places of the earth and beyond, resides a great power to which mankind has been blind.

• Follow all general contest rules.
• Send your entry to @RomanAria with the title of your entry in the subject line by the end of May 17th
• One entry per contestant
• Be sure to mention any bonus categories you're hoping to win -- we'll consider everyone for everything, but it can't hurt to remind us!
• We are trying a new policy! If you would like your entry to be posted ANONYMOUSLY, please mention this in your PM! We are going to see if allowing 'nonymous' entries adds to the discussion.
• All entries will be posted on the end of May 17th, after which everyone can read, discuss, and of course vote for a winner!

brought to you by

This month's contest is brought to you by @RoflsMazoy, @RomanAria, @Darcs, and the letter A. Would you like to join our team? You can sign up here,, and pitch in for a round or two, or as long as you like. Also please note our fantastic artwork, provided by @AeonUmbra -- loads of gratitude for making our thread look spiffy and possibly dangerous!

Last but not least, a special thank-you to @Terminal for their initiative on 'The Twelve Labors.' We'll keep you posted on developments in that contest, which should be producing winners in a few days here, but make sure you check them out, if you haven't yet.

Remember:

send entries to @RomanAria by May 17th, and let us know if you want to stay anonymous!

[PlatinumSkink]

... Isn't this what I do all the time? Almost? Feels like it, anyway? XD

Alright, there are a hundred and million different things I could do with this. I wonder what I should settle for... This may take some time... Teh-heh...

Nice theme. Should be fun to read these. Haha.

[Ellri]

Certainly an easier theme for us to work with...

[Keyguyperson]

Power?

I've got some power for you. Enough to start a war, control billions of people, and cause a mildly painful cut!

[Loksfjoer]

deadline 17th, that should be plenty of time. Now the hard part begins: figuring out what I'm going to write with this theme...

[Syben]

I'm in it this time!

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to submit a theme set, and for using it ^_^ pretty happy about it.

[Keyguyperson]

I'm in it this time!

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to submit a theme set, and for using it ^_^ pretty happy about it.

@Aeonumbra

Thanks for submitting it! This'll be really fun to write!

Nothing here at all.

[Syben]

@Keyguyperson I only did the art >_> the rest of this was created by our wonderful contest staff.

[Ellri]

Perhaps it is time to get it out on the contests thing up at the front page?

[mdk]

We're pursuing it. The system isn't yet as automated as we want it to be, so there will be delays (it was supposed to broadcast TTL for the last two weeks, but no dice). Anyway we're aware of the problem.

[Ellri]

good. Can't exactly ask more yet.

[Kurai Assassin]

how many entries are we allowed

[mdk]

One entry per person-- I'm gonna add that to the rules, there was some confusion last time as well.

[Kurai Assassin]

ok

[Syben]

@Mdk Does this contest accept entries for poems? They weren't separated out, if so, like the last contest. Also, if accepted, are participants allowed one entry regardless, or one poem and one story if they'd like?

Just wondering about the mechanics on that, not sure which I want to do yet.

[mdk]

@Mdk Does this contest accept entries for poems? They weren't separated out, if so, like the last contest. Also, if accepted, are participants allowed one entry regardless, or one poem and one story if they'd like?

Just wondering about the mechanics on that, not sure which I want to do yet.

@Aeonumbra

Sure do! We sorta wanna drift away from only considering poems for certain bonuses -- like a categorization thing, that's not what we're about. Everyone is eligible for everything. If you'd like to write a poem about Cthulu, then Black Turtles is here for you, and that goes for each category. Or none of them -- you can always write entries that don't conform to any of our ideas about bonuses, and win the popular vote.

[Psyga315]

I find it funny that the last RPGC I sent for had to do with power.

[Syben]

@mdk I mean, I'm going to write an entry that doesn't conform anyways. But you didn't answer the question, or maybe you did?, about submitting a poem AND a story, or if we're hard capped to one or the other.

[mdk]

whoops, missed that part of the question. One entry, one entry only.

[PlatinumSkink]

Hold on. If there's that change to the competition thing about anonymity, does that mean that we can, like, openly discuss with one another in this thread what we're doing with one another? Perhaps even make suggestions or pretty much line out our entire story-line as long as we don't actually show the entry ahead of time? Or could we do that too? How far could one go, if at all? I mean, of course the entry needs to be written by the actual writer, but, yeah?