The CHALLENGE continues!

[Tyndmyr]

Certainly, here's the stuff for this past week(could have sworn I posted it last night, but meh.)

Auramancy. A new 3.5 subsystem. The rules alone clear 900 words, and thus, complete the challenge. It'll probably continue to grow and change with feedback, but it's in a completish state currently and in fact, is being tested out as is, so I feel it's time to count it as done. First post only, rest is discussion and feedback.


Story Chunks for a video game. Count this as insurance in case you have any quibbles with bits of the former. Another 225 words or so. This is one part of a larger whole. With luck, I'll post the whole game this next week. Last post in the thread has the stuff.

[Glass Mouse]

Back from summer vacation stuff and ready to make status! Tyndmyr, see below.


IncoherentEssay passes with assorted fighter/evil clown/scavenger figurines, plus a... pi-rate.

Glass Mouse passes with assorted drawings, mostly character-stuff.

Lazy Genius uploaded nothing. Still in?

GrlumpTheElder is on standby until ultimo September.

Tyndmyr uploaded a D&D subsystem and video game stuff.

Mad Mask passes with a bunch of drawings, half of which is dinosaur stuff.

Lil Shiro didn't upload anything.


Thus, Lazy Genius, Tyndmyr and Lil Shiro FAIL this round.

IncoherentEssay, Glass Mouse and Mad Mask PASS this round.


Current standing:

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IncoherentEssay
Current run: 44 weeks
Longest run: -

Glass Mouse
Current run: 44 weeks
Longest run: -

Lazy Genius
Current run: -
Longest run: 3 weeks

GrlumpTheElder
Current run: (on standby)
Longest run: 5 weeks

Tyndmyr
Current run: -
Longest run: 1 week

Mad Mask
Current run: 3 weeks
Longest run: -

Lil Shiro
Current run: -
Longest run: 1 week

It's Mad Mask's turn to choose a theme


@Tyndmyr:

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Thanks a lot for making your works clear in the thread. That's a great help
However, your math is off. One piece is 250 words. Your 1125 (900 + 225) words for this week only add up to 4.5 pieces. To meet the quota, you need at least 1500 words.

Hope that's clearer.

[Viera Champion]

I'm getting there! I need a break before I start arts-ing again.

Maybe I'll start again this week.

[Tyndmyr]

Dammit, I fail at basic multiplication yet again.

[Mad Mask]

For the theme I choose vehicles. Cars, limos, tanks, batmobiles; anything with wheels.

[Lazy Genius]

I'm still in, and I'm thinking of new things to do, sorry for the lack of heads-up before, but I've been busy with some stuff preparing for university and everything. I'm earnestly thinking of writing a novel, and have been since somewhere in the summer vacation, but I simply don't know what to write it about, so if anyone has any suggestions on how to come up with an idea, I'll hear them and follow the advice, so far I'm thinking Fantasy, Sci-Fi or Historical Fiction, with a preference for the former two, if that helps at all.

[Viera Champion]

Oh god! It's Thursday already?!

[Glass Mouse]

ARGH! I've got a headache, and my retarded phone just deleted the third post in a row, so I'll make this short.

I'm without internet. I've been without internet since wednesday, and I want to kick the first internet-responsible person I see by now (seriously, who leaves 60 students without internet for SIX days?). Both status and my stuff from last week WILL show up tomorrow when I have to go to school, but I'm really, really, really sorry about the delay on both.

[Glass Mouse]

Sweet, sweet school internet! I'm SO sorry about the lateness, guys, especially considering it's the second week in a row. I won't believe internet people's promises ever again.


IncoherentEssay passes with a fighting scene, a mecha, a tank (fitting the theme) and a full Touhou figurine.

Glass Mouse passes with restarted comics, plus assorted character, and other, drawings.

Lazy Genius didn't upload anything.

GrlumpTheElder is on standby until ultimo September.

Tyndmyr uploaded writings for an oldschool-style video game.

Mad Mask passes with a six-panel comic... of Germanness and derp.

Lil Shiro didn't upload anything.


Thus, Lazy Genius, Tyndmyr and Lil Shiro FAIL this round.

IncoherentEssay, Glass Mouse and Mad Mask PASS this round.


Current standing:

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IncoherentEssay
Current run: 45 weeks
Longest run: -

Glass Mouse
Current run: 45 weeks
Longest run: -

Lazy Genius
Current run: -
Longest run: 3 weeks

GrlumpTheElder
Current run: (on standby)
Longest run: 5 weeks

Tyndmyr
Current run: -
Longest run: 1 week

Mad Mask
Current run: 4 weeks
Longest run: -

Lil Shiro
Current run: -
Longest run: 1 week

It's Lil Shiro's turn to choose a theme


@Lazy Genius, on novel writing:

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One thing seems to work for me at times, and that's themes. Is there anything that's on your mind a lot? It could be anything from life at sea to evil to the reproduction of flowers. Anything that you find makes you stop and ponder from time to time, or that you seem to always get back to reading about. Now make a novel from that!
It seems like vague advice, I know, but that strategy has always been immensely helpful to me.

If you're curious, my current themes seem to be mortality and salvation. Interesting stuff.

Alternatively, if you're the character-driven sort, make an interesting character, write in free-mode about hir for a while and see if something comes up.
Or, if you're more plot-driven, take a look at the seven basic plots and see if one is more appealing right now than the others. If yes, make an original spin and get writing.

[Viera Champion]

I uploaded one thing... My motivation is running low...

But um... theme... um... I just asked my friend for a random theme.

He said Sleep.

I promise I will complete the Challenge this week.

[Glass Mouse]

Oh hey, a status update on time! What has the world come to?


IncoherentEssay passes with a bunch of Persona-themed figurines.

Glass Mouse passes with comics and assorted drawings, including a sleeping character.

Lazy Genius didn't upload anything. How's the novel coming along?

GrlumpTheElder is on standby until ultimo September.

Tyndmyr didn't upload anything. Still in?

Mad Mask passes with a seeecret six-panel comic, sent to me.

Lil Shiro passes with three drawings and some writings, including a poem about sleep.


Thus, Lazy Genius and Tyndmyr FAIL this round.

IncoherentEssay, Glass Mouse, Mad Mask and Lil Shiro PASS this round.


Also, my last two CHALLENGE prizes combined into one, made by IE, and they are here. Thanks, IE!
And remember, everyone can get a prize at 8 weeks (no, I'm not using IE's cool prizes to pimp the CHALLENGE, why do you ask? *whistles*)


Current standing:

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IncoherentEssay
Current run: 46 weeks
Longest run: -

Glass Mouse
Current run: 46 weeks
Longest run: -

Lazy Genius
Current run: -
Longest run: 3 weeks

GrlumpTheElder
Current run: (on standby)
Longest run: 5 weeks

Tyndmyr
Current run: -
Longest run: 1 week

Mad Mask
Current run: 5 weeks
Longest run: -

Lil Shiro
Current run: 1 week
Longest run: 1 week

It's IncoherentEssay's turn to choose a theme

[GrlumpTheElder]

Heya, I'm back now!
I've got a lot of things to upload.
Would you like me to upload about 7 weeks worth of stuff?

[Glass Mouse]

Heya, I'm back now!
I've got a lot of things to upload.
Would you like me to upload about 7 weeks worth of stuff?

Wow. If you've been working all seven weeks you've been away, awesome! Upload away, and I'll edit it into your streak next week

[IncoherentEssay]

This week's theme is: Aberrations.

[Tyndmyr]

Yeah, Ima have to drop out for a minute, life is just crazy and projects keep ending up unfinished. I'll pop back in when I have a bit more time to polish things off.

[Lazy Genius]

Sorry that I haven't posted here in a while, but I'm pretty busy with the first few weeks of university, and I have no topic for the book yet. However, the help you've given me will come in handy, I feel, so thanks a lot.

[GrlumpTheElder]

I am really sorry, I won't be able to update this week - we haven't got internet in my student house yet, this is having to be sent from someone's phone, however, I have created 6 pieces of art - can I please go on standby until the 25th please...

Thanks
Grlump

[Glass Mouse]

'tis a fine, but sad day for status.

Incoherent Essay passes with assorted aberration figurines, but is opting out of the CHALLENGE.

Glass Mouse passes with regular comics and an extra comic, plus writings*.

Lazy Genius is on standby for now, I guess?

GrlumpTheElder will upload a ton of stuff next week.

Tyndmyr is out for now. See ya, Tynd.

Mad Mask passes with a bunch of black&white drawings, including a weird aberration. You're on a roll!

Lil Shiro didn't upload anything.


Thus, Lil Shiro FAILS this round!

Glass Mouse and Mad Mask (and technically IncoherentEssay) PASS this round!


Current standing:

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Glass Mouse
Current run: 47 weeks
Longest run: -

Lazy Genius
Current run: -
Longest run: 3 weeks

GrlumpTheElder
Current run: (on standby)
Longest run: 5 weeks

Mad Mask
Current run: 6 weeks
Longest run: -

Lil Shiro
Current run: -
Longest run: 1 week

It's my turn to choose a theme, and I say Hubris. Nice and dramatic


Stuff:

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* I didn't upload those writings anywhere, since it's part of a novel that I'm kinda... hesitant about making public (I'm weird like that). But it adds up to ~2000 words, and if you want proof, I'm happy to send a PM to anyone who asks. You probably won't understand a word, though, haha.
And in any case, the extra comic adds up to five minor drawings, so I guess that could cheaply cover it on its own.

@Tyndmyr: Aww, that's a shame. I hope life cools down soon.

@GrlumpTheElder: I know how that goes, haha. Hope your net returns soon, so we can see your stuff

@IncoherentEssay: I'm really sad that you decided to leave, even if I understand your reasoning. It's been good having you in the CHALLENGE as the steadiest and second longest-running participant, and I'm really impressed that you managed 46 weeks (especially considering how you've gotten better and better in that time). I know I'm pretty much a lurker who hasn't written much to anything, but still... it's been great having you here.

[IncoherentEssay]

Creative fatigue was starting to set in, started running out of subjects that hadn't been done in one form or another.

That said, on the subject of prize-craft the 8-week one is on hold until i can get fresh materials for it as the current supply is way too brittle.
The full figurine prize remains available effectively indefinitely and the bar for it will be lowered from 24 to 18 weeks.
For reference, here's Glassmouse's 24-week figurine, see here for the reference used:

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[Viera Champion]

Did I say I was gonna get at least a two week streak under my belt?

That's gonna start THIS week.

[Glass Mouse]

Oh my, it's yet another status. Who would've thought?

Glass Mouse passes with regular comics and assorted drawings of a generally hubris-themed character.

Lazy Genius, you in? Out?

GrlumpTheElder uploaded 15 (+3 broken) photos. I am confuz *.

Mad Mask passes with a six-panel comic sent to me.

Lil Shiro didn't upload anything.


Thus, Lil Shiro (and GrlumpTheElder?) FAIL this round!

Glass Mouse and Mad Mask PASS this round!

One week from a prize, Mad Mask....

Current standing:

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Glass Mouse
Current run: 48 weeks
Longest run: -

Lazy Genius
Current run: -
Longest run: 3 weeks

GrlumpTheElder
Current run: (on standby)
Longest run: 5 weeks

Mad Mask
Current run: 7 weeks
Longest run: -

Lil Shiro
Current run: -
Longest run: 1 week

It's Lazy Genius' turn to choose a theme


Stuff:

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@IncoherentEssay: Creative fatigue, I can understand. Something that helps for me is to have a bigger framework - a story or a setting that you can wrap your works around. It's a little difficult to keep the effort levels from growing stale, but it's very satisfying overall.
Or maybe I'm just a huge geek

Really cool that you're still offering a 18-week prize, that's big of you

@Lil Shiro: That's a mighty invisible streak start. What happened?

@GrlumpTheElder: You have a list, as if there's updates for 7 weeks, but you only have three week's worth of stuff. Is there an error somewhere, or did I go blind?
Good to have you back, in any case. Looks like an incredibly pretty vacation.

[Lazy Genius]

Last night in the train I had a revelation, that I wanted to write a fantasy novel about a man who speaks with wolves. So in light of this, the nest theme is wolves, and I'm probably in starting next week or the week after, once I finish my brainstorm on some basic stuff for the book. Sorry that I haven't shown up in a while.

[GrlumpTheElder]

Sorted out the offending images - photobucket doesn't like me at the moment for some reason, so I'm now using picasa...
Sorry about this.

[Viera Champion]

Okay, so I just have to upload everything and I'm almost done this week.

[Glass Mouse]

What hath the world wrought, but another status!

Glass Mouse passes with regular comics and assorted drawings of characters.

Lazy Genius, throw a link when you've got your wolf-novel up and running, okay?

GrlumpTheElder passes with a bunch of B/W pictures, and I've added the standby streak into your previous count. See below.

Mad Mask passes with drawings en masse, of different sorts.

Lil Shiro passes with poems of various (school-related) themes.


Thus, no one FAILS this round!

However, EVERYONE PASSES this round!

Since Mad Mask has reached 8 weeks, you qualify for a prize. So does Grlump, with that 12-week streak. Did you know you're the 4th and 5th to get to prize levels, respectively - two months is quite an accomplishment. Congrats to you both!
Since I'm the only prize-crafter left, I'm taking this to the PMs, guys


Current standing:

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Glass Mouse
Current run: 48 weeks
Longest run: -

Lazy Genius
Current run: -
Longest run: 3 weeks

GrlumpTheElder
Current run: 1 week
Longest run: 12 weeks

Mad Mask
Current run: 8 weeks
Longest run: -

Lil Shiro
Current run: 1 week
Longest run: 1 week

It's GrlumpTheElder's turn to choose a theme


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@GrlumpTheElder: I've sat down and counted by now, and it seems like you managed to continue through your first standby from July 25th(ish) to September 12, giving you a 12 week streak. But then two weeks disappear, breaking your streak, right before this latest update.
Is this correctly understood?

@Lazy Genius: I wish I could've drawn a wolf... Life, time and other obligations snuck up on me :smallsad:
Hope the novel's coming along nicely.

@Lil Shiro: All right! Now just one more week, and you'll almost be in the habit

[Viera Champion]

Good news! My request to the dean of students to use the CHALLENGE as an optional thing called a mastery project where you master a very specific skill.

[GrlumpTheElder]

Bad news! I'm afraid I'm going to have to pull out of the challenge after only 12 weeks - I unfortunately don't have the time to keep this up on top of university studies. Thank you for the great time and providing me with a medium to develop my photographic and artistic skills...

I may occasionally re-appear with an odd week here and there if I have a particularly empty and creative one, but I imagine they will be quite far and few between...

Sorry.

[Viera Champion]

Hello two week streak.

[Glass Mouse]

Once again, time for status!

Glass Mouse passes with regular comics, some character drawings and a small extra-comic.

Lazy Genius is still on standby.

GrlumpTheElder is out. Thanks for a good run.

Mad Mask passes with six different character drawings (including one of Grlump).

Lil Shiro passes with various poems of very different themes (including fantasy, personal, philosophical, etc.)


Thus, no one FAILS this round!

However, EVERYONE PASSES this round! We're all awesome


Current standing:

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Glass Mouse
Current run: 50 weeks
Longest run: -

Lazy Genius
Current run: -
Longest run: 3 weeks

Mad Mask
Current run: 9 weeks
Longest run: -

Lil Shiro
Current run: 2 week
Longest run: 1 week

It's Mad Mask's turn to choose a theme


@GrlumpTheElder: A pox on the university time monster, I tell you. It's been good having you in the CHALLENGE; and you can even boast of a third place run-wise I'm really glad you felt like the CHALLENGE gave you something back. That makes it all worth it! Looking forward to seeing you in the odd week here and there.

@Lil Shiro: Go two week streak! What do they say? 23 days make a habit? In that case, you just need one more week before you're running forever!

What's this about making the CHALLENGE a school project? Does that mean you can use school time writing? If so, awesome!

[Viera Champion]

No, it does not mean I can use school time to write, though I do anyways. It means I get to use the Challenge to do something that looks damn good on my college application.