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Chiaku
Captain

PostPosted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 2:15 pm


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DO NOT POST IN THIS THREAD. THIS THREAD WAS CREATED ONLY TO HOST ENTRIES SO ALL WRITING CONTEST JUDGES HAVE ACCESS TO THEM.

Judging will take place after the contest concludes at 7:00 p.m. CST on Sunday, April 24.

RULE CHANGE: FOR JUDGES, PLEASE PM ALL OF THE SCORES YOU ASSIGN TO CHIAKU.





Notes/Information for Judges:
- Entries will be listed by ID number, not the name of the contestant.
- Do not share the scores you've given until after the contest. Especially do not share these scores with the other judges.
- Scores, identities, etc. are STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL in this contest. We are trying to ensure the most objective judging methods possible.
- When taking Creativity into consideration, remember that "evil" or "corrupt" contestants should not be detracted; we aren't necessarily looking for the most loving or caring individuals, but the ones who will present the most interesting RP environment.
- Also, in regards to Creativity, let's look for someone truly unique...and who would fit into our village setting.


Judging Guidelines:
- An example for how entries will appear in this thread is listed at the bottom of this message (refer to it as you read through the rules).
- When you judge an entry, you are allowed to award a certain number of points according to how well you feel that entry meets the criteria.
- Point values for each criterion: 8 Points for Creativity, 4 Points for Proper Grammar/Spelling/Style/Etc., 6 points for Overall Impression.
- You should only assign all points to an entry if you feel it is the one entry that best exemplifies that criterion. For example, an entry with a score of 8 for Creativity should be the most creative of the entries you read. A score of 4 should be assigned to entries that are average.
- You are allowed to give half-points (0.5) in scores.
- The total number of points an entry can receive is 18.
- You are not required to assign a score of 18 points to any entry. (That means your top scorer could have a score of 17 or less)
- On the top of some entries, you may see text such as, "+1 Point for Participation." Automatically add this to the score you've calculated for that particular entry (it's like extra credit on homework...This also means an entry can score above 18 points).

- If at any point you feel that you would not be able to judge the contest objectively or have the time to do it well, please PM Chiaku and let her know that you will no longer be judging.


How to Submit Your Choices:
- PM the scores you have assigned to all entries to Chiaku. You should have a total of twelve scores sent because there are twelve contestants.
- When you PM scores, please use the following format:

Chiaku's Scores for Writing Contest


My Judging Scores:
1. ID #4093 (Score: 19 points)
2. ID #1852 (Score: 17.5 points)
3. ID #0871 (Score: 16 points)
4. ...etc.




Example Format for How Entries Appear:

ID #2152

+1 Point for RP Participation

ID #2152
Question 1: Blah blah
Question 2: Blah blah

PostPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 6:56 am


ID #4736

+1 Bonus Point for Participation

Name of In-Game RP Character: Rose
Job: Herbalist
Physical Description of Character: Rose has black waist length colored hair and she has red highlights. Her eyes are a light purple color. On her working days as she walks off too pick some plants. she would wear a brown-ish colored working dress with a white apron tied around that could get dirty when she really goes out digging in the dirt. On her days when she doesnt work, she would wear a diffrent color T-shirt that would always express her mood and a dark colored skirt. She always wears a smile on her tan skin unless she is in a bad mood. She is thin and short. She looks like the age of 18, though she is really 20.
Personality of Character: She is a cheerful and a polite young woman. But sometimes, she might have some anger management of plants and a old picture of her mother. She nodded as she took the picture and held it close to her.issues and sometimes she is EXTREMELY sensative and even the tiniest little thing might hurt her feelings. SHe isn't really the type to have a sense of humor. But mostly, her feelings are expressed through her clothes. If she was feeling peaceful, it would be green. If she was feeling sad, she would wear blue. If she was feeling angry, she would wear a dark red which is a rare sight.

Prompt #1: She sighed slightly as she held her bundle of herbs she picked out. She slightly patted her aching back. "Ahh...The memories of my not long forgotten childhood.." She says with a small, pleasent smile. She loved the plants and her work as a herbalist. She had learned alot from her mother. She slowly brought her bundle into her house as she sipped some of her Green Tea and letted out a relaxing sigh. Rose took a quick moment to gather some memories. When she was a little girl, she had always watched her mother, being so curiouse as she pulled out weeds working in her garden and making her own medicine. When Rose was sick, her mother would be out, finding herbs that would treat the sickness. Then when Rose was old enough, her mother would teach her, which herbs to pick out or plants that shouldn't be touched at all. Now that she was experiance enough, she too became a herbalist. Rose smiled as she ended her small quick flashback. She slowly looked at her bundle

Prompt #2: My mother would always tell me how 'Spoiled' I was or how she was 'Sooo Happy' to have a child like me. But now, I want to know what it is like as well to have a child. Could he or she be spoiled like I was when I was a little girl? Would I tell him that I was very happy to have him as a child? Maybe I would. If I had a child, I would name that child Kin. If Kin understood what I was telling him, I wouldn't say I was happy that he was mine or how grateful it is to have him as MY child. I would tell him, I was BLESSED. Absolutely, even if he were a rotten apple, or a abolutely perfect child...But I doubt either of these would ever be him. I could experiance the joys..and possible even the pain ((hehe)) of having a child of my very own and when I think back of what mom used to tell how difficult it was to make me do work, or how much work it was to take care of me, I might beleive her some day!

Elemental Spirits


Elemental Spirits

PostPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:00 am


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PostPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:04 am


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Elemental Spirits


Elemental Spirits

PostPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:09 am


ID #5417

+1 Bonus Points for Participation

Name of In-Game RP Character: Loreli Silentsong
Job: Gardener
Physical Description of Character: Her crimson locks are normally held back by a bit of leather, and are threaded with natural golden highlights. It would be much prettier if she ever took the time to take care of it, but it is normally mussed with neglect. Her bright blue eyes are hidden behind black-rimmed spectacles. She has taken to wearing big, long brightly colored shirts and dark colored cutoffs, so they don't get so dirty. Loreli almost never wears shoes, as she hates them with a passion.

Personality of Character: She acts like a little kid half the time, amazed by everything in the world. Her normal attitude is much like this. This is when she's easily distracted or absorbed by the smallest things, like a pretty flower or a bright star. Her attention span depends entirely upon how interesting the thing is she's inspecting. In this state, her emotions are also wild. She is normally happy and excited about something or other, but the smallest remark can be taken in the most wrong way. At her home is a large garden, mostly filled with strawberries that she takes care of herself.


The other half of the time she is almost an adult, taking responsibility for her pets. This side doesn't come out too often, only when her darlings are in danger or she is. She steps up and does her part when she has to, but this reminds her too much of what she doesn't want to become: an adult. She does tend to take off on random trips, however, but when she does she takes her pets and children with her. This side also comes out when she's out traveling and she has to do something important.

Prompt #1:
Loreli Silentsong, only nine years old, watched the coffin as it slowly sunk into the dark grave it was being lowered into. Inside laid the corpse of her foster brother, Kris, who she had worshipped in every way possible. They were closer than any siblings related by blood could be, even though they were nine years apart. So when he was suddenly found dead in his room, the little girl was devastated. She hadn't spoken a word since her foster parents had told her he wasn't coming back. Somehow, she wondered why they wouldn't let her see Kris's body.

Then a thought dawned in her young mind as her foster mother rubbed her back, murmuring soothing things into her ear. Maybe Kris hadn't been crying at night because he was sad...maybe he was hurt. Maybe he was sick. Then everything clicked. Maybe that was why he always wore long shirts and pants, maybe that was why he winced every time Loreli touched him. But who could have made him sick like that?

Her gaze moved up to her foster mother on her right, and her foster father on her left and she froze. They had made him sick. They were the reason he wasn't coming back. Why? They always said how cute Kris used to be, and how fast he was growing up. How cute she was, so tiny in every way. Maybe they didn't want him to grow up.

That was why he wasn't coming back.

"I'm never growing up," the little girl whispered, and her foster mother leaned in to hear her.

"What's that, honey?" Her foster mother asked sweetly, brushing a lock of muted red hair from Loreli's face.

Loreli didn't answer, her eyes locked on the dirt they were piling on top of Kris's grave.


Prompt #2:
To tell the truth, I've never really thought of myself as a good parent for any child. Not that I wouldn't care for them and make sure their every need was looked after, it was always that I was more of a child than any kid I had ever met. Children always seemed better playmates than babies to be scolded for getting dirty, because most of the time, it was me out there getting dirty. My imagination ran as wild as any of my brothers and sisters when I was growing up, but as they aged, their imaginations seemed to fade as the years passed. While I was out still making mud pies to provide dinner for some gruesome beast who would eat me if I didn't feed him properly, my siblings were inside with my foster parents learning what was expected of them.

As I grew older, I wanted a child to share this wonderful world with, a world which had become all shades of grey to my brothers and sisters. A child who wouldn't laugh at the things I came up with, wild creatures with flaming violet fur and gnashing yellow teeth, or silly princesses who would create flowers in the middle of winter to keep her company. Children always accepted my words as the truth, for I was older than they, and their parents always came down upon them scolding, glaring at me for putting such foolish thoughts into their minds. Then they would steal away their children, leaving me alone with only my strange stories. To have my own child, to be able to raise them to see the fascinating world of color that I did, that was the dream I kept close to my heart always.
PostPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 7:10 am


ID #2188

+2 Bonus Points for Participation

Name of In-Game RP Character: Camryn

Job: Musician

Physical Description of Character: A tall, slender 19 year-old woman with tanned skin and an athletic build. Her hair is a few inches above shoulder-length, spiked and navy with black streaks. Piercing, yet playful eyes. The right is navy with a burst of silver from the pupil. The left is the opposite ... silver with a burst of navy erupting from the pupil. A few small freckles dot across her nose, which draws you to something between her eyes. A scar ... pink-ish red, with a silver line down the center of it ... odd.

As for cloths, they are usually a red complex shirt, which shows a small portion of her black strapless bra, but not so much that it's in an inappropriate matter! There be children running around, after all! She usually wears baggy black jeans, with a chain wallet dangling from the black leather spiked belt around her waist. For shoes, she just wears her red 'freakstyle' sneakers, with black and gray toe socks under them. Finally, around her neck she wears a leather collar with spikes and dangling from the spikes, are the letters of her name in silver, crested with diamonds. The final attribute about this choker, is the cross hanging from the middle 'M' and 'R' in her name. This too, is silver and diamond crested.

Not to much more about the appearance of this young woman. All that's left is her tattoos and piercings ... oh yes. On her back, there is a tattoo of demonic looking angel wings. On her stomach, around the belly button area, there is a tattoo of twin white roses, entwined and surrounded by stars. As for piercings, she only has her ears pierced three times each. Two studs at the bottom, and one at the top of her ears. She also has her nose, eyebrow and belly button pierced, but you can't really see her belly button ring and the nose ring is small. Her eyebrow ring, she rarely wears ... so really her only piercings are her ears.

Personality of Character:

Despite the tattoos and piercings, Camryn is a very sweet person. She is kind, caring ... takes the needs of others before her own. She will protect loved ones or even complete strangers, no matter what it costs. She takes in abandoned animals, or hurt animals and nurses them back to health, then finds them good homes. So, she's basically your ideal citizen ... except ...

Camryn is very tough, independent and mischievous. She'll be the first to crack a joke, and she's fast with come backs. So ... she basically has split personalities! An angel and a devil. The devil tends to appear more, unless someone is in trouble or hurt. Of course, she can sometimes let her ego get the better of her ... and she can be very territorial as well.

Although she has her angel and demonic side, she also has another side. A happy-go-luck, wild, crazy girl. Exactly like a playful little puppy, and that's exactly what most describe her as when she's having a good day. Whenever you're around Camryn, you'll always smile, plus she is the perfect person to go to when you're in a bad mood. If her happy-go-lucky, always grinning, personality doesn't get you grinning ... then her musical talent is always the trick! Request a song, or ask her to make one up for you and she will. She is always there for everyone.

Prompt #1:

It was a quiet night ... clear, and a perfect night for star gazing. It was beautiful and perfect.

Suddenly, a small voice broke the silence, 'Robeyh ... can you play our song?'

'Of course.'

The sound a guitar began to play. A soft melody that you could dance to, yet also fall asleep to as well. Romantic, and sweet ... it was a song to treasure.

A small girl and an older boy sat under the giant oak in a clearing ... the oak however had no leaves, which was odd for this time of year. The older boy was play guitar for the little girl. The boy's name was Robeyh, and the little girl, was his younger sister, Camryn.

Camryn was cuddled up to Robeyh, as he played their song. The small child was worn out as it was way past her 'bedtime'.

But something spectacular began to happen. As Robeyh played, the oak began to blossom. However ... it was not an oak, but a Sakura ... a Cherry Blossom. The moon was full, the pink pedals began to softly fall in the gentle breeze and the song played.

Black-ness ...

A flash of a knife, a scream ...

Camryn awoke, covered in a cold sweat ... screaming out the name of her oldest brother ... her best friend ... 'Robeyh ...'

A single tear drop ... landed upon the guitar beside the bed of Camryn at the Inn of Astora. The guitar ... was her brother, Robeyh's.

Prompt #2:

It was a quiet night in the Inn, and I couldn't sleep. I couldn't stop thinking about the ... children of the village ... they were so unique ... I had always wanted a child, but these were ... extraordinary!

I was tired ... but sleep was not an option. I guess there was something I had to do before I went to sleep ... so I decided to write in the journal my oldest brother, Robeyh, had gotten me. Yes, Robeyh had gotten me a lot of nice things, and I had always wondered how or where he got the money. But that doesn't matter now ... all I know is I miss him so much.

I opened the journal and turned to a fresh page. Finding my quill, I began to write ...

Dear Journal,

I feel like a twelve year old, when I write that.

I have been feeling sort of lonely lately ... and my mind keeps wandering back to those fae children ... or just children in general. I have always wanted a child of my own, and yes ... I had thought of many names, and other various things for the child, but I also wonder ... would I make a good mother?

Blehg! What am I saying?! Of course, I'd make a good mother. I'd raise the child to be the ultimate guitar god/goddess from hell! Okay ... maybe not hell ... but you know what I mean.

Wow ... that kid'll be one messed up kid, having a mother like me! Heh ... well maybe not ... you know, I'm not so sure about any of this. I mean, how great of a mother I'd be and stuff ... but one thing is for sure. I do want a child ... and one day, this will hopefully come true.

Pfft! What am I saying?! Of course it'll come true. Whoa ... deja vu much ... Oh, haha! I already said 'What am I saying?! Of course' ... Haha ... my bad. Alright ... well I'm going to hit the sack ... whatever that means. I think it means I'm going to bed ... because that's what I'm doing. Okay ... I'll stop writing now.


Elemental Spirits


Elemental Spirits

PostPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 8:48 am


ID #2740

+2 Bonus Points for Participation

Name of In-Game RP Character: Anneil Runsun
Job: Doctor / Nurse
Physical Description of Character: Anneil is a very slim and not very athletic woman in general. This circumstance doesn't disturb her beautiful features though and she's quite picky about her looks. The young woman's skin is pale which is a result of her indoor hobbies. Anneil likes to dress casually when at home, but is also able to dress up when necessary. Most of the time you'll find her walking around in her doctor clothing anyway. Her dark brown hair is very curly and wild and matches her green shaded eyes with a hint of yellow. The only remarkable feature is a small tattoo on her ankle showing the hermetic staff ( sign for medicine ).
Personality of Character: Anneil is the most introverted person you can imagine. She likes to be lonely and reads and studies most of the day. Company scares her because she didn't have many good experiences with the human race so far.
An just isn't able to react spontaneously and has to think about every single word she says before her mouth volunteers to speak it. She has never learned to be more than polite and friendly, because friendship seems to distract her from work.
But she wants to make a good impression on people anyway, because of her duties as a doctor. She's dreaming of being the perfect village nurse adored by everyone. That's why she likes to dress up and cares about her looks at all. Anneil literally lightens up when she's doing her work. She's able to make decisions and take care of people in dangerous situation without even thinking about it.

If someone is able to dig through to her heart, he would find a lot of love and despair inside, which have been hidden from the world since her childhood. Anneil is able to be loving and caring, but it would contain too much emotions for her to cope with. It's still unknown if it's possible, but miracles may occur.

Prompt #1:
Not so long ago, just before a decision and a village changed a young woman's life?

"Astora village looking for a doctor." Anneil mumbled and her green eyes were making their way through the paths of letters on the paper before her. A notice, just a small one, which made her mind confused and excited. Being one of the calmest during exams this feeling was quite new for the fresh medicine student.

Indeed she had just performed great in her final exam and was someone who may be called doctor now. After all she was still looking for a place to stay and an acquaintance had passed this paper on to her. She wasn't sure what to think about it.

"Mom, I've made my decision. I want to be a doctor later on." The young girl probably at the age of thirteen smiled as she came back home from school. "We heard this man talking about his profession today and I was astonished. I want to help people. I want to study medicine." Her mouth had problems to cope with her own swirling thoughts as her bright green eyes tried to meet the ones of her mother. The particular one was standing in front of the oven and was cooking for the family. She didn't even glance at her daughter and just sighed. "We don't have enough money for making you study. You'll take responsibility for the farm later on. You won't study, get those dreams out of your silly little head."

Anneil blinked several times and tears were forming in her eyes. She had parted with her parents for this dream. A young girl had covered herself with books and science to forget about her problems. But those problems would never vanish and Anneil knew that. She was afraid of people's reactions, their way of talking and chatting so carefree. She had always been different.

"You're pretty, Anneil." The young man said and looked at the woman who was seated in front of him. "Thanks, but I don't think this will help us with our presentation." It was a romantic evening inside the young man's small apartment and the sun was just making her way towards the horizon as two students were working on a medical subject.
She knew what he was talking about, but deep inside her heart a strange pressure arose. He wanted to force her into something she didn't want. Duties Anneil wasn't ready to take. She would never be someone's pretty girlfriend, not at all. She loved her studies and her books and there was nothing above them. She had given up home for them?he wouldn't be able to catch her and put her into a golden cage. But the presentation?she needed a good grade.


Awaking from another dip into her past, Anneil just shook her head and sighed. She would make her way no matter what would try to make her struggle. She needed no one, she needed nothing. Just?a bit of being herself.

Prompt #2:
I saw children being born lately. People laughing with their small companions. It was quite strange and confusing indeed. The parents seem to blossom and turn to their sun called child like idiots. I mean, they obey to them totally. Most of them. My parents were different. My parents hated me of some sort, which probably resulted my disability to be nice. I can be polite of course, but not for a long time span. If I should ever ( which is not very likely ) have children on my own, I would treat them differently. I wouldn't talk to them like they don't understand a single word. I'd explain and take care and write down every single step they do. Don't believe I sound too emotional, it's just what makes a young child grow responsible. I wouldn't want a child, who isn't able to make up his own mind. Obedient little brats are the worst thing ever appearing on the world's surface. It's their parent's fault, exactly.

I never wished for children though. There would be a man involved and I don't want to have a family. Family no, children probably. It would be so difficult for myself to adjust. I like to dip into another world by reading books and it would be quite a change to look after someone else. I like difficulties though, if they don't tend to ruin my life. Probably I could need an assistant for my researches.

Talking about researches, I'm really longing to get to know more about these Fae children. I'm astonished to mention that a deep desire inside of me began to grow since today. My head is longing for analysing one, deepening my studies. My heart instead wants to take care and wants to be able to help, when one of the other children is ill. It's a strange mixture of feelings inside of my belly and I hope they won't form any knots. Knots inside the stomach are awful, if your feelings can't decide.

So what if someone would ask me about taking care of such a Fae child ? I would be scared, but I would take my duty. I never ran away and I won't start doing so now. I can't say that I would love it, because I don't want to lie. Let's say : I would care.

- Anneil
PostPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 8:50 am


ID #8431


Name of In-Game RP Character: Moki

Job: Hot Springs Attendant

Physical Description of Character: Moki is a 19 year old female of about 5 feet 3 inches. Weighing in at approximately 130 pounds, she has a nice, average look to her build. Large, shining gray eyes peek out from behind always-unkempt navy blue bangs that are attached to a cropped haircut. Her skin is darkened from spending many long days at work as a hot springs attendant.

Personality of Character: "Pleasant" is the first word that one thinks of when considering Moki. Her demeanor is a soft-spoken, friendly one that is difficult to rile. However, if she sees anyone or anything being mistreated, she becomes instantly passionate. She loves spending time diverged in nature, and may often be found, when not working, sitting alone in a natural surrounding and staring into the sky. Sometimes she appears to have a slight lack of common sense; because of this, many people make every effort to stay away from her. She takes her work very seriously, however, and has yet to disturb any of the hot springs patrons with her somewhat off-kilter behavior. Her greatest fear is of storms; she is commonly very comforting and kind to those around her, but when a storm rolls in, she is the first to panic and the last to return to life as usual.

Prompt #1:

It was a very typical day for Moki; the sun was shining merrily on the newly opened flower buds, and the breeze softly caressed the fuzzy grass. Barefooted, the happy hot springs attendant was busy stringing up used towels on a line to dry in the spring sunlight. She was humming distractedly to herself when the first strains of a problem reached her ears, in the form of two adolescent male voices.

"...think it will scream much?"
"We'll find out! Pass me the flint."

Something did not sound right at all to Moki about this situation. She hung up a final towel before setting off in the direction of the conversation, intent on stopping whatever mischief was about to take place. When she arrived at the scene, she was appalled by what she saw--two boys of about fourteen years each were tormenting a helpless rabbit, which was tied to a makeshift stake. The boys were in the process of trying to strike flint together to set the rabbit on fire.

"What is going on here?" Moki asked shrilly.

Neither of the boys seemed to put much stock into what she had to say, and kept at their terrible game. It was not until Moki dashed forward and, in one fluid motion, freed the rabbit and knocked over the "stake" that they gave her their attention.

"We were using that!" they chorused.

Moki was outraged. "Using it to harm an innocent creature! Rabbits don't hurt anyone! How would you like it if I tied the two of you up and set you aflame, just because I wanted to hear you scream?"

With a huff and a glare at the two of them, she stormed back to her towel drying, catching a glimpse of the rabbit in question as it scurried to safety in its cozy rabbit hole.


Prompt #2:

I sat on my favorite tree stump, deep in the comfortable forest, and gazed at the sky through the leaves above. Although my body was there amidst the animals and the trees, my mind was far away, elsewhere, contemplating one of the most important topics it could think of.

"Children," I thought to myself. "I love all of the children in the village. Every child I have ever met, I have grown attached to in one way or another. Why, then, do they all seem to dislike me? I know I'm strange...I know that I tend to scare off most of the villagers with my odd ideas and strange ways of acting. But aren't children supposed to be tolerant of all? Don't they trust and care for everyone they meet?

"Do I really give off such a bad feeling to all of them? There must be a child somewhere in the world that could love me. I love them all so much. When they visit the hot springs, I am careful to watch them and keep them from harm. I always give them a small treat of some kind...be it candy or a toy. Sometimes I tell them stories...that is the only time that they truthfully seem to like me.

"Perhaps I missed my calling. Maybe I should have been a storyteller. Then, at least, the sweet little children would feel as close to me as I do to them." With a sigh, I shifted in my position and allowed my mind to wander elsewhere, ignoring my twinge of sadness from the lack of love from a child.

Elemental Spirits


Elemental Spirits

PostPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 8:57 am


ID #0368

+1 Bonus Points for Participation

Name of In-Game RP Character: Simon Barbair

Job: Blacksmith

Physical Description of Character: Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing roughly 250 pounds, Simon's head carries about itself a mop of brown curls, his eyes shinning a dark color to match. His shirt is tied at the waist with a thick brown rope, the sleeves being ripped off and the total length just reaching to the middle of his thigh. His breeches are a hard leather, his boots reaching to the center of his shins. The brown coloring of his clothes was first intended to compliment the desert landscape of his origins.

Personality of Character: He was a family man once, spending rousing days playing with his siblings and sitting around the fire for a good night of folklore. Presently he's more likely to speak when spoken to, save for introducing himself when the situation demands, and enjoys quiet evenings alone with his forge and an unworked piece of metal. Along with his love of his forge, he takes kindly to gardening and the practice of archery, escaping to these past times when the chance presents itself and his work seems the least pressing. Although muscular and not lacking the possibility of an intimidating first impression, his warm smile, soft chuckle, and genuine demeanor helps to diminish his rough appearance. Simon isn't the most comfortable in social situations, often feeling awkward and self conscious.

Prompt #1: She drew in a shaky breath before she spoke, her voice hushed and reluctant. "My son, you know very well the superstitious nature of our village, therefore my following words should not cause you confusion nor doubt. This region was not always barren and lacking of green. In the days following your birth, the clouds that had always supplied us our nourishment passed from the skies and the harsh sun would not relent from her shining. The land dried and animals began to die. The others were quick to blame you, but agreed to spare your life provided you were banished once reaching adulthood." Simon's mother paused here, forcing tears back from her eyes and allowing her head to hang. His nineteenth birthday passed only days before. He had been a true working man of the village for that span, and now he had to leave?
Simon opened his mouth to try and respond, but his mother interrupted him. "I've tried with all the power I have, your brothers too, to convince the Elders that this famine is not your causing, but they will not listen!" Her face raised in fury, her eyes gleaming maddly. "You have to run Simon!" She rose from her seat and fled through the hut, her wails still audible from where he now stood. Footsteps could be heard as his older brother descended the stairs, a leather pack in his hands. Turning, eyes cast downward, he shoved the pack in Simon's direction. "Take Millie. She's young, but will serve you well as a pack horse." Simon almost lept for his older but smaller brother, embracing him in a tight squeeze. "I'm too surprised to say anything sane for the moment, but one thing I know well, I can't take Millie. She's your sweet, if I have to leave, I cannot take all that is yours with me!" His mind whirled in confusion and shock, his whole life being turned upside down within an instant. Maybe it all was one big joke, a baddly planned and terribly mean joke, but what if it was a joke nonetheless? His brother wriggled from his grasp, placing the pack in Simon's hands. "She's packed and ready to go. Travel east, to Astora. It'll be quiet there. Rumors are it's deserted, on the edge of the Falsin Forest." Roughly turning Simon 'round, he pushed him out the door. "If you stay any longer, you'll only cause more pain, and they'll kill you. Go. It's the best you can do for anyone."
The pack grasped in his hands, the wind ruffling the straw roof, Simon managed to turn around a moment to lock eyes with his brother before watching him disappear back inside, his mother's continous babbling echoing throughout the stone streets. Millie stood tied up with the other villager's horses, the youngest of 5 months. She was already loaded with the hammers, clamps, rods, and pokers of Simon's forge. In dumb silence and confusion, he slipped the other pack containing God-knows-what over his shoulder, grasping Millie's reins, and led her away. Her freckled rump shone in sunshine, her otherwise brown coat, packs, and Simon himself blending in with the dry earth.

Prompt #2: 'Someday... I'm going to have a family. Settle down with a couple kids, a beautiful wife, and a hut to fit us all. We could play games together, go hunting... the oldest might even follow in my footsteps.' Simon's thoughts played around the idea of children as he held his niece in his arms, another niece pulling him down to her eye level. "Lemme see her! Can I hold 'er? I'm bigger now!" The girl groped for her sister, until giving up and running upstairs, shouting something about sharing toys. 'They're so cute and innocent! If I had a child, I'd really actually be needed by someone! The love that goes to a child can be matched by no other, and the love received can light up the darkest of minds...' He mused for a moment over the difference between a child's love and a spouse's, tickling the infants tummy and yearning for his next birthdays to pass so he might take a stab at his dream of a family. 'For now, I'm happy to have nieces and nephews.'
PostPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:00 am


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Elemental Spirits


Elemental Spirits

PostPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:03 am


ID #3792

+1 Bonus Points for Participation

Name of In-Game RP Character: Roselle
Job: Writer/Calligrapher

Physical Description of Character: Roselle is a young woman of 24, with hazel eyes, long, unruly purple hair and an almost hourglass figure. She typically wears floor-length, flowing skirts, neat shirts, and a black jacket or cloak. Most of her clothes are purple or black, though she sometimes chooses other colours. Her favourite clothing item is a soft lavender skirt. She wears glasses to compensate for short-sightedness brought on by too much time writing by candlelight. She also wears a silver arrowhead-shaped pendant on a piece of black cord around her neck. There are often ink stains on her hands.

Personality of Character: Roselle is generally warm and friendly, with an overactive imagination and far too many books. She tends to be a little shy when meeting new people, but once the conversation turns to something she likes, it's hard to get her to stop talking. Frequently caught up in the imaginary world of her stories, she can appear naive in the ways of the real world, but her innocence is sometimes merely an act to avoid unpleasant topics. Playing dumb has gotten her out of many difficult situations in the past. It takes a lot to get her angry, but her temper is fierce, often surprising even those who think they know her well. Her greatest assets are her words, both written and spoken. She much prefers written, because written words can be perfected before they are sent out, while spoken words are uncontrollable.

Prompt #1:

The pen slipped. Roselle stared down at the resulting inkblot and groaned. She'd been working on this page half the night, and she really needed to finish it. She needed the money, with the landlady already breathing down her neck. Still, the damage was done; there was nothing else for it. Roselle carefully lifted up one edge of the paper, folded it across the centre of the inkblot, and squished. After a moment, she unfolded the paper and gazed at the inky butterfly now decorating the ruined page. She smiled and pushed it away, reaching for a fresh sheet of paper.

A bang at the door startled her, and she just managed to catch the inkpot before it toppled. Grumbling, she got up to let her landlady in.

The gaunt little woman at the door peered up at Roselle with an expression of concentrated irritation. "Miss Rose, your rent is late."

"I know. I'll have it by this afternoon-" Roselle began, but the old woman cut her off.

"This is a serious business, Miss Rose. There's no place in my building for someone who can't pay on time."

"I'm a writer, you can't rush literature!"

But sympathy for late rent was not in the landlady's repertoire. "I want you out of my house this instant!" she proclaimed. Pushing her way into the room, she snatched up a box of inks and made to throw them out into the hallway.

Roselle caught her wrist, sudden fury in normally friendly hazel eyes. "You will not touch my things!" she yelled. "How dare you!"

The landlady backed away, caught off-guard by the unexpected temper from her usually docile tenant.

Roselle glared. "Fine. I'll be gone in an hour."

"And what about my overdue rent?"

Roselle slammed the door.

The room seemed overcrowded, but mostly with paper. Roselle dragged her small travelling trunk into the centre of the room, piling in clothes, books, pens and carefully-wrapped trinkets. Last was the quilt off the bed, a beautiful patchwork of stars in a deep indigo sky, a gift from her mother. The trunk shut with some difficulty. It was too heavy to carry, but Roselle was running on red-hot anger, and she dragged it roughly down the stairs, throwing her key at the landlady when the old woman came to check on the noise.

Outside, Roselle took a deep breath. She had no home, no money... Best to be practical. She manoeuvred her bag into a nearby inn, ordered breakfast, and began a fresh page of writing. This time there was no slip. The calligraphy was perfect.

By lunchtime, it was done and she had her pay, enough to last a month or more. She jiggled the pouch of gold reflectively. The innkeeper had been talking about a growing town called Astora, out near the forest. It sounded nice. Maybe she'd find something to finally inspire her novel.

Roselle bought a ride on the next cart out of town.

Prompt #2:

The cart's stopped again. I guess the horses need a rest. I hop down from my seat, stretching my legs, and see three young children crouched around a bush at the side of the road, apparently fascinated by something. They've found a caterpillar. Cute. One of them picks up a stick to prod it with, while the others watch. Little devils, I wonder if they know how cruel that is? Or that what they're looking at is a baby butterfly? They may never know how short a butterfly's life can be.

I'm almost tempted to go over there, to sit down in the mud with them and tell them a story about the patterns on the caterpillar's back, pick it up on a leaf and let it walk across their hands. Children are magic - when you're with them you can do childish things, nobody thinks it's strange. So you can climb trees and run through fields and turn cartwheels. Anything at all. They give you a bit of their magic, and you can be young again, playing with them.

Growing up is a strange business, unfair. You lose so much, the magic goes away. But there's the chance... to make your own magic. It must be magic. Because who would go through all that pain, years of heartache looking for the perfect someone to help you create your child, months of agony as it grows inside you, if it was anything short of magic? I don't understand how mothers deal with so much pain. But you see them in the streets, and they're smiling, as if they can see the moment when they can sit down and show their child how to make a daisy chain, and watch them splash in the rain. I don't know if I could do it, but it must be worth it, to have a child to call you mother.

I want to go over there, talk to the children, tell them about the butterflies who fly too high, and live forever as bright stars, golden in the night. Just as my mother told me... I'd nearly forgotten.

I pull out my journal, running my finger over the battered leather cover, one corner stained dark with spilt ink. I think I finally have an idea for my book.
PostPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:06 am


ID #0491

+1 Bonus Points for Participation

Name of In-Game RP Character: Kilara
Job: Gardener
Physical Description of Character: Relatively average in height and wiry in build. Delicate features: high set cheekbones and gentle, warm honey colored eyes. Her skin is heavily tanned due to constant exposure to the sun. Her hands are calloused and rough. Her auburn hair tumbles down to her mid-back in curls.
Personality of Character: Kilara often is open-minded and cheerful. She intensely enjoys it when others prosper and flourish. But, when confronted with difficult or cynical situations, she can be distant and quiet. Her preference is to be left alone at times like this.

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Prompt #1: Describe a particular event, scene, or memory that involves your character (it should be written in third-person perspective). This "short story" should reveal some specific traits or background of your character. It should be just a clip and not necessarily a fleshed-out story.

Five years ago, Kilara received a visit from her guardian angel. Both beautiful and kind in mind and appearance; the angel's likeness is forever etched into her heart. She changed Kilara and for that, she owes her eternal gratitude. For that angel, a little girl, alone taught her to smile.
She had been blessed to Kilara in odd circumstances. However, she was still a gift. Kilara strongly believed that it was fate that caused her parents to abandon their child; and it was fate that brought her crawling up Kilara's porch and into her life.
The stranger came on a solemn note. She was scarred, both mentally and physically. Kilara listened to her story: intrigued, never pitying. She introduced herself as Helen- the girl without a home.
Helen had been borne to a family of purists. Imperfections were considered a sin and treated severely. A spoken foul word would consequence in a whipping. Even uncontrollable elements as diseases and sickness were to be treated with lashings. Helen's desertion was a result of this. She was a beautiful child: her features were fragile, her skin was lustrously pale; but her family discovered she had inherited a rare disease, its name never mentioned. The disease granted a spontaneous death. It would never be foreseen. Because of this, she faced imprisonment. Helen was abused brutally in attempt to punish her for something that never her fault. But attempts were futile. The disease was labeled as incurable. So Helen was abandoned.
She was left in the woods to die, but she had the will to live. Her determination to find refuge never wavered. She accomplished that goal, finding her way to Kilara's doorstep.
Kilara treated Helen coldly, only relenting her harsh antics to allow Helen to relieve her story. And though touched by her impressive character even as a child, she remained distant. But Helen did not concede. She treated Kilara with friendliness, constantly attempting to disarm her hard shell.
Her charm was irresistible. Kilara soon found herself being swayed by Helen's compassion and apprehensively offered Helen her own place to stay. The offer was accepted in great delight.
Helens skill in nearly everything was revealed to Kilara after she received her into her household. Enticed by the opportunity for laziness, Kilara assigned Helen all the housework, leaving only gardening and financial support on her mind.
This tactic worked very well in the beginning. They lived together in quiet harmony. But Kilara, her chilly personality unfazed by their close proximity, treated Helen with indifference. Still, Helen progressed her way into Kilara's affections with her openness and sociability. But Kilara was unaware of Helen's extreme importance in her life.
Life remained as so until two years later. During which Helen's disease took its toll and her life candle blew out.
Kilara was shocked. Until Helen's death, she never realized how significant she was to her. Then Kilara mourned. She cried in agony, sobbed in strife. Her anger overwhelmed.
But things grew quiet- and Kilara smiled. It was that day that Kilara learned to be pleasant. Her character altered because, truly, that was all Helen wanted. If anyone would ask Kilara why her personality suddenly changed, she would respond, 'It was all because of Helen- my angel, who alone taught me to smile.'

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Prompt #2: Write a short piece that is a first-person perspective regarding children in general (not necessarily fae children or a particular fae child). This should be your character contemplating their thoughts regarding children within themselves (i.e., "I always wanted a child...and I wanted to name him Vic. Children are so happy. Etc.").

When I think of children, I am reminded of Helen. Helen was a joy, a child prodigy. I was naﶥ and brainless to never realize that until it was too late.
I'd like a second chance. I'd like to have someone to treasure, someone to love. My heart aches to be dubbed as unique and of some importance by somebody who means the world to me.
Whether female or male, I treat gender with indifference. If it were a she, I'd name her Eurydice. If a he, his name would be Satyr. Either would be loved deeply.
I believe in profound intellect for a child, a polite mannerism, but a stubborn will. If the child is nothing like what I believe they should be, I can only pray that they have the most important quality an individual should have: a free will. I would not stand by and allow them to be manipulated by others. Life is short and a life controlled completely is no life at all.
I think children are troublesome things. I believe they present many a nuisance. They cause dilemmas and problems for their caretakers. But I still regard them with compassion and consideration. If that's wrong, I'm not sure I want to be right.
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Elemental Spirits


Elemental Spirits

PostPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:11 am


ID #7025

+1 Bonus Points for Participation

Name of In-Game RP Character: Maren

Job: Gardener

Physical Description of Character: At age 20, Maren hardly stands out with her petit size and her dark attributes. Almost every day, she keeps her hair out of the way in a messy bun, stuffing the long raven locks up and away from her neck. Into her deep eyes, her choppy bangs are quite messy and uncontrolled, causing her to always push them away. Her face is quite plain, her skin tan from her work in the sun with freckles dancing across her nose and cheeks, and usually she has small lightweight glasses on for when she needs to read. Her body is once again small and petit, her curves also small making her seem a bit childish at her height of 5'3", though her posture alone shows that people should not judge the way she looks. With her back always being straight and her movements always are speedy and skillful from her years of serving time in the gardens. Her hands, though as dainty as her form, are quite strong and calloused from working with gardening tools, though her fingertips are soft with a touch that is special to her.

Usually, her body is covered in a lightweight top, sleeveless and with a high collar. The top is dark blue with white trimmings, and is easy for her to move in when she needs to work. She just has regular black pants, loose for ease of movement and flowing down to her feet, where she has thin black wooden sandals. Usually, she has black gloves on for when she needs to work with the gardens. Overall, her attire reveals her relaxed state as well as her need to work and be ready to work at any moment.

Personality of Character: Maren has a personality that is two sided. Her first side is the outer one; the one others see her as when they look at her when she walks by. Seemingly cold and indifferent, she is always distracted with what is going on in her mind to pay attention to other things. It is this personality that she shows to the people who she first gets a chance to meet with, though usually she is polite and social, it is more as if she is holding back the warmth and just doing the bear minimum to meet and greet others. In fact, she would rather spend her time in the gardens than go to a party and meet the town, and so that is what she usually does. Hired just lately, she has only just had time to get to know the gardens, so she does not bother with meeting the townsfolk just yet.

However, in her long forgotten past in her hometown, Maren was known to be a sweet, loving teenage who would always smile and socialize with her friends and townsfolk. This is her inner personality, one that is covered by the shell that makes her look unemotional. This personality is one that takes weeks to find, for she hides it well. In her mind, she believes that a person should take the time to know all of her, and it is quite hard for her to warm up. However, once she does, she cant help but smile at everything, strike up a conversation that could last hours, and shine with a bright blush when she is caught showing too much of her sweet side. Maren's rough past has caused her to think twice about showing warmth and kindness right away and leaving her heart for the breaking. Instead, she is nice though not as outgoing, and waits for the friendship to build before she slowly reveals her true sweet side.



Prompt #1 Entry:

As she wandered slowly into the town, she could feel the soft spring winds playing with her long raven hair. She had left it down that day, knowing in her heart that she would most likely not be working. Right away, her eyes scanned the town as she looked over the land, studied the dirt and the plant life, and as she took a step towards the main houses her eyes still were glancing all around. In her gloved hand, a small rolled up letter sat, and her dark eyes finally rested upon it as she slowly opened it with her dainty fingers. She remembered not to long ago when she got the request to come work in the town as a gardener, and right away, she had to say yes. Her heart would not let her choose otherwise, the gentle tug pushing her to take the job. However, something deep in her mind cried out, causing a sort of weight to rest upon her shoulders. Her mind wandered to the ideas of what might happen, who might hate her, and if she would once again become a loner in the town that would soon be her new home.

Her hand clenched into a tight fist around the letter, her chin rising from when she bowed her head and her mouth being set in a firm line. She would not let anything get to her, for in her mind she told herself she had worked to hard to cower away in the shadows like before. Using her free hand to brush away her long bangs, she took a long, deep breath, her eyes closing. Ears catching the sounds around her, joyous laughter filled her mind as her eyes slowly opened, and she caught sight of children running around and laughing. As she watched the children she felt a strange tug in her heart, and slowly her eyes softened from their dark stormy blue color to a lighter, clearer shade. Her lips twitched, before the ends rose, and slowly, she pushed her hair behind her ears, her outlook on the town becoming much brighter as she made her way towards the place she would soon call home.

Prompt #2 Entry:

Ever since I could remember, I have always loved the earth and world around me. As a child, I would spend time playing in my garden than with the other children, my hands always covered in dirt by the end of the day. It was just an amazing feeling, to have the soft soil slip between my fingers, and when I walked in with my best white dress caked with dirt and grass stains, I could always remember my mother's reaction. It was her soft smile, the shin in her eyes, and the slow shake of her head that stuck with me all these years. She just seemed too serene to punish me, and always, she would help me clean up before sending me out once again, where she knew I would just go back to my heaven in which were my gardens.

Childhood was always such a sweet time, pure and blissful as every day was just a new adventure or a joyful game. Nothing seemed wrong when I was young; in my eyes, the world was as perfect as I was naïve. I guess you could say all children are like that, their minds pure and clean as they just laugh and play. They have no idea what goes on in the world, and are incased in a protected shell until they break free when they grow to adolescence. Their parents protect them from harm with a wall of love, such love and kindness that cannot be matched by others around them. A type of love I am very familiar with, and I strive to contain in myself. Every day, I strive to gain the ability to care and spread kindness like my mother gave to me, like my father used to protect me, yet it seems as if every day I get farther and farther away from that goal. As I see children around me, I wonder in my mind if I will ever be able to care for my child as my parents cared for me.

It is a dream that is only hazy, like a memory, and I only wish I could clearly reach it, touch it. My hand only slips through it, and I can only wonder why. Why can I not love like I was, why can I not find a child to care for, to protect, like they need to be. They are pure and naïve, defenseless and lost, souls needing guidance and protection that I cannot yet find in myself to give. I urn to find a way to protect them, as they need to be, for creatures so pure cannot be tainted so when they are so young, and I will work to let them grow the way they wish to be, with me keeping them safe and loved.
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Elemental Spirits Fae

 
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