Competition of the Month - January

Avron the S'wit · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:01 am

Welcome one and all to the Competition of the Month!

These monthly competitions are a chance for you to demonstrate your creativity and talents while getting a chance to know your fellow members and have a little fun. Each month is going to have a different theme and a different talent – and maybe a surprise or two!

The basic rules are as follows:

Spoiler:

To start off the new year, this month’s CotM is a theme inspired by one of our members: Postcards from Tamriel. We’ve been Heroes in High Rock and Morrowind, Cyrodiil and Skyrim, and we all have tales to tell. Your job is to create a postcard that best captures what you love about the world of The Elder Scrolls. It can be a screenshot, a collage, a piece of original artwork for our artists, or the back of the postcard (that is, it’s message) for our writers, so long as it’s original and created by you! (Note: Does not necessarily extend toward screenshots for our console players. Just be smart: i.e., if you are using a fellow member's screenshot, please credit them/ask permission!)

As an extra surprise, and to celebrate our winners going forward, I am proud to announce that we will now be offering prizes to the winner of the CotM! The idea came from the UESP’s site founder Daveh himself and has been approved by the moderator team. This month our winner will receive a gift certificate to Amazon.com to spend as they choose, so don’t be too shy to participate!

Our schedule for the January event is as follows:
January 1 – January 26: Competition begins! Start planning and send in those submissions!
January 27 – January 30: Voting period – vote for your favorites!
January 31: Our winner is announced!
Please note that all times are determined by me, Avron the S’wit, and therefore will run according to GMT -5/Eastern Standard Time. (Click here if you’re unsure when, exactly, that is!)

Remember that the CotM is not possible without you, so please participate, contribute, discuss, and vote!

(This fun event is hosted by yours truly. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them within this thread or by sending me a PM by selecting the appropriate button below my signature. Have some suggestions on what you'd like to see? Head over to the ideas thread and join in on the discussion!)

OblivionDuruza · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:06 am

Question Mother Avron, would a postcard, as in an image/screenie, and a message be allowed as one entry?

Avron the S'wit · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:08 am

I would say to choose one or the other. If I can coax enough artists to join and we have an even split, I may elect to have two winners: one for the arts, and one for writing. But we shall see how it goes!

Edit: Changed my mind. Do as you please!

Frost Mage · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:17 am

Does the screenshot in question have to be yours also? I'm on Xbox so that's virtually impossible for me :lol:

.

Avron the S'wit · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:19 am

Hmmm, good point... Well, no, I suppose that for console users that would be impossible, wouldn't it? Screenshots are technically not "owned," and since no one is really laying claim to them, it ought to be good. If it's a screenshot someone took for a story or something, just remember your source.

Frost Mage · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:22 am

Okay, that should work. Even so, I'll try to be original and go for Bethy's pre-release screenshots before I go looking for user-made ones. Anyway, we better stop posting and let the real competition begin! If i have any more questions I'll just PM you, mmm'kay?

Avron the S'wit · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:24 am

Sure! And you can always use the thread as well.

To clarify, the "originality" clause was really for artwork and writing...I'm going to consider screenshots safe territory for console users. PC users are more than welcome to take their own though!

Sav · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:25 am

Awesome. I too, will have to borrow screenshots...

videogmer314 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:37 am

This can be from any game, right?

Avron the S'wit · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:38 am

Absolutely - Arena to Redguard to Skyrim, and everything in between!

Sloady · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:45 am

image found here

Dear Mother and Papa,

I write to you from the top of the Throat of the World - the highest mountain in Skyrim. What began as a business venture has turned all so surreal - first being kidnapped by Imperial Forces, then attacked by a dragon... no doubt, you must have heard of their return, even back home in High Rock.

I miss you all dearly. I have not spent so long away from home since that trip to the Summerset Isles I made so long ago. I cannot remember who cried more - me, mother, or father after he found out how much debt I was in from those Redguard swindlers. I miss Daggerfall, and the roads I knew like the back of my hand. I miss the dew on the grass in the morning, and the sounds of the forest as our caravans travelled from city to city. I remember it like it was yesterday. I miss everything about home... except for your cooking mother!

I do not wish to worry you, so I will not tell you of what I have experienced in these frozen wastes. Only know that Skyrim has embraced me as one of her own - with a warm fire, and a flagon of mead. For reasons I shouldn't disclose, I cannot return home. Just know that I am safe, and that I will make you all proud.

One last thing... it is with a sad heart I ask you to tell Helena I cannot marry her. It would be cruel to lead her on, when I do not know when or if I will ever return. Just let her know that I truly loved her.

Your loving son,
Montierre

Sav · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 5:09 am

I shall try this for once, it sounds like fun!
This
I found the picture in Pre-release content on this site, under Skyrim.
I hope my writing isn't too bad!

Also, i really like your postcard, Sloady.

Entry:

Spoiler:

Dear Mother and Father,
I apologize for not writing to you earlier. My experiences around Skyrim have been amazing, but somewhat shocking. Remember how i decided to travel through the pass over by Bruma? Well, it turns out that because of a civil war, the borders seem to be closed. I sadly, was captured. I met a man named Ralof while in a wagon bound for a town i think was named Helgen. When we reached, a dragon attacked. Can you believe it? A dragon! And we thought the legends were false. Anyways, as i was about to be executed, it attacked, and Ralof accompanied me through the keep, allowing us both to escape. On the way, he mentioned to me about the war between the Legion and the Stormcloaks. I do not know if i should get involved, as Skyrim's safety seems to be at stake. I purchased a house in a city named "Whiterun". But this is where the bad news comes in, i am afraid. Another dragon had attacked a nearby watchtower, and when i had killed it, i absorbed it's soul. A while later i found myself climbing the 7,000 steps to High Hrothgar, where i learned i am the last of the "Dovahkiin", or "Dragonborn"! I have the soul of a dragon, and can use their powers to aid myself. Also, before i finish this, i met a lovely girl named Ysolda, who plans on making money off Khajiit caravans, and then purchasing a nearby inn. But even better, she seems to also like me. I miss being at home back on Cyrodiil, but from the looks of things, will not be returning soon. Oh so i miss Cyrodiil, specifically The Great Forest. Haha, i miss hunting in those forests. Remember when Matthias confused that farmer for a man, and nearly killed him? Or the time i accidently fell off the docks in Anvil? Ah, i miss those times. Tell Matthias not to get into too much trouble while i'm gone. Oh, and the Horkers here are vicious! I found myself being attacked by a pack of them a while ago. Anyways, i must go, as my housecarl is pestering me to hurry up, we have a busy day tomorrow. I hope to hear from you more soon.
Love,
Your son, Ormis

The-Shadow-One · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:14 pm

Spoiler:

Avron the S'wit · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:03 pm

Wow, two days in and three great entries! You guys sure are lovin' Skyrim! :wink:

Kerr · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:15 pm

Right here is my one.

Spoiler:

Avron the S'wit · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:19 pm

I love that one. Hooray, I love the Adoring Fan! :mrgreen:

Frost Mage · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 4:29 am

Spoiler:

Dear Vinion,
As you know, I have been planning the sabotage of Solitude for some time now. My plan was simple: simply dismantle society bit, by bit. However, it has come to my attention that the townsfolk have taken a disliking towards me, and I am hurriedly beginning to get paranoid. I have been checked by guards for no reason whatsoever on numerous occasions. I think they might be on to me.

In fact, just the other night I heard the click of boots and the murmuring of a restless soul just outside my door. Needless to say, I was petrified, and quickly made sure to lock all doors, and go to the upper floor of my residence. There, there was a window that overlooked all of the town, but for what was important right now was right in front of me as I gazed out into the night. A man, in a black hood and brown robe appeared at my door, but did not do anything. Instead, he slipped a paper note under my door. Distraught as I was, I decided to go to bed and reserve such worries for the morning, after a good night's sleep

The next morning I awoke to a nock at the door. It was the head of the guards, come to ask me if I knew anything about the man that had come to my door the night before. I lied, and told him I knew nothing of it, and to report to me if anything of the like every happened again. As soon as he left, I let out a sigh of relief, and picked up the letter off of the ground. I slowly opened it, and saw it to be a letter of fine Dwemer quality, and even handwriting. It read:

"We understand your quest for authority in this town, and it disturbs us. This town belongs to us, not you. Make any further acts and we will make sure that you will be taken care of. Do not alert the authorities, as they are on our side, and will most likely question you of your knowledge on this matter. I will be back tomorrow night at precisely one o'clock, and I expect you by that time to have left the city. This is our territory, and we need no help. This city will be thrown to the dogs, and you have nothing to say about it."

I stood there, stunned and quite frightened. I wondered who this person was, what he wanted, and how he knew what I was doing in town. Not wanting any trouble, I left town, but not before the head of the guard stopped me just as I was leaving. He pressed me on if I knew anything about the Jarl's private room key. I declined, this time without thought, and he gave me a glance. "Anymore news on the man dressed in black?" I asked him, inquisitively. He said he hadn't, but he disclosed to me what was going on with the Jarl's keys. He told me that a few nights ago a man appeared at the front of the palace, wondering where the entrance to the sewers were located. "I couldn't make sense of his question, so I simply told him where it was, and he moved along." That next morning, the guard said, the keys to the Jarl's private quarters were gone. "In absolute fear for the Jarl, I alerted the entire guard, but mentioned nothing of it to the Jarl himself, as it would have caused uncalled for worrying, no doubt."

I wondered if this man he was talking about had anything to do with the man that had slipped the note under my door just the other night. I said goodbye to him, and walked off hurriedly to the stables where my horse was being held. I rode into the cloudless night. Just before the city went out of my site behind the mountains that surround the city, I noticed a few lights going up, towards the top of the tower, where the Jarl's private quarters were. As the lights got higher, they began to fade, and eventually went out completely. Just at that moment, I heard a blood-curling scream, that seemed to come from the tower. I gazed solemnly back, knowing just what had happened, and knowing that I couldn't have done anything about it. I am writing from a small town west of Cheydinhal, in Cyrodiil. Might I be able to stay with you for a while? I am scared out of my wits, and I have the feeling that they are following me, whoever "they" may be. Please, I beg of you to give shelter to an old friend. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Marlathal

Hope this one isn't too long :oops:

.

Deandra · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 7:44 am

Here is my post card!

Spoiler:

Credit: I took the screenshot in-game myself, and I Photoshopped the reverse.

OblivionDuruza · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:09 am

That is incredible Deandra! Puts my little stamp and postcard to shame, lucky I have a bit longer to work on it :mrgreen:

Entries close on my birthday incidentally.

Avron the S'wit · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 1:55 pm

Those are awesome entries, FrostMage and Deandra! And I do love the stamp, too - it's a nice touch! Very creative! :wink:

Gideon Dragontongue · **Posted:** Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:09 pm

Here's my entry.

Spoiler:

Avron the S'wit · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2012 1:24 am

Wonderful entry, Dragontongue. I love to see new members participate!

So, safe to say the couriers will have lots of things from Skyrim, eh?

Frost Mage · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2012 1:40 am

I feel ashamed for making another Skyrim entry :lol:

. Thing is, Skyrim is so much more immersive than other TES games, so it's easier to make one from Skyrim.

Arch-Mage Matt · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2012 2:37 am

This is my entry, different from what I PM'd Ron.

Picture:

Spoiler:

Story:

Spoiler:

Avron the S'wit · **Posted:** Wed Jan 11, 2012 5:32 pm

We have eight amazing entries so far, but there's still plenty of time to submit your own! Don't forget to compete for the prize of an Amazon.com gift card! Just think of what you could put it toward.

And because I want to shamelessly keep my own thread active, I shall give you a fun fact: I collect postcards in real life. I have quite a budding collection. But if you could have someone send you a postcard from anywhere in Tamriel, where would it be? I'd love one either from Cheydinhal or anywhere in the Ascadian Isles.

Competition of the Month - January Moderator: Tea Party Mods
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