Rating wars II: Electric boogaloo (Finals)

[vidius]

That was a bit intense Dusk. I really REALLY liked it. And here I was nervous that you wouldn't bring it after leaving yourself with too little time. You didn't just bring it, you brought EVERYTHING!!!

I'm not a fan of the fairy tale god mother ending with everybody getting everything they want, but then I do write the essence of fear, happy endings don't carry with me

Seriously, everything I'd want from a finale. Who ever wins, I had fun.

[Dusk9]

Heh, yeah, I was rushing a little bit at the end there. You'd think that I'd learn not to leave it so late after the last 4 or 5 times, but nooooope

And I wouldn't really call it a fairytale ending.

► Show Spoiler

Sure, Tibiscu got what he wanted. But, nobody else did. None of the other contestants, besides the finalists, got even close to the Stone. And now they never will. Heck, Mazugord was even killed by the Suit, so it's certainly not a fairytale ending for him.
Speaking of which, the Suit not only didn't get what it wanted, but it was also trapped for what was at least centuries, if not thousands of years.

And while Kane did get god-like power from the Stone, he lost a hell of a lot in the process.
I mean, even if you don't count the massive amount of mental damage which the Suit was able to do to him, frying neurons and memories as it chased him into his subconscious, you've still got the fact that he effectively poured all of his fear and hate into that one attack. And all of that emotion was used up doing so. Those emotions are lost to him now, which affects his personality quite a lot given how important they were to him before.
Yes, he could repair some of the mental damage with the Stone's power, like he repaired the physical damage. But he's basically a completely different person now - a new Kane, born to replace the old one who died during that fight. So even if he does bring back some of it, he'll never be the same person, ever again.

So yeah, not really what I would call a fairytale. At least, that's my take on it.

Seriously, everything I'd want from a finale. Who ever wins, I had fun.

Agreed. I'd very glad now I didn't let myself drop out earlier, when I ran out of time to do the Felix fight

[vidius]

Sure, Tibiscu got what he wanted. But, nobody else did. None of the other contestants, besides the finalists, got even close to the Stone.

Fair point, I did mean of the finalist though, it was very resolution for everyone of some sort. Not a bad thing, just not the climactic ending I had envisaged.

Speaking of which, the Suit not only didn't get what it wanted, but it was also trapped for what was at least centuries, if not thousands of years.

Whats a few thousand years to an entity as old as time? - oh wait, that's right, it wanted to destroy itself. Maybe that is an.. inconvenience.

And while Kane did get god-like power from the Stone, he lost a hell of a lot in the process.
I mean, even if you don't count the massive amount of mental damage which the Suit was able to do to him, frying neurons and memories as it chased him into his subconscious, you've still got the fact that he effectively poured all of his fear and hate into that one attack. And all of that emotion was used up doing so. Those emotions are lost to him now, which affects his personality quite a lot given how important they were to him before.
Yes, he could repair some of the mental damage with the Stone's power, like he repaired the physical damage. But he's basically a completely different person now - a new Kane, born to replace the old one who died during that fight. So even if he does bring back some of it, he'll never be the same person, ever again.

I did like that Kane had a personality shift, however I feel you've explained it better here then you did in the story. Maybe I just missed it. I Will have to read it again. Also, Kane got god like powers, for a person who wanted to (in my interpretation) be a god among men, I fail to see how that is a bad thing. But that is probably just my interpretation. I'm very all or nothing in most aspects of my life.

Now that the dust has settled I do want to say that I was actually dreading going up against you this entire competition. So glad I got the opportunity too, but I was seriously SERIOUSLY worried about this round. I have so much respect for you as a writer.

That final was just epic.

[AccursedBiscuit]

Wow guys, I am blown away. Glad I was able to compete against writers like you. I really like how both of you used Kane's reading of Tibiscu's mind as a foreshadowing to this fight. Very well done, both of you. Bravo!

[lozlo]

... ... ... I have read published books that were not as good as this.

[M0rtimer]

Hey guys, are you excited?

Because I am.

Results up later today.

[vidius]

Hey guys, are you excited?

Because I am.

Results up later today.

excited?.. I'm terrified..

[Dusk9]

Waiting.......

[M0rtimer]

Ladies and gentlemen!

We've come a long way. Many epic battles were had, but in the end only two could arrive here- And now the time has come to find out once and for all, who was the better one.

Now, I briefly considered just simply dragging on the eventual reveal of the winner until the very end as if acting that I forgot to put it in. While no doubt hilarious, I'm sure all of you have been dying to know the winner. So now, without further adue- The winner of RWII, if only by a stretch-

► Show Spoiler

Dusk9's Kane

Congratulations. In the end, the judges favored you, though both of you gained some of the highest scores throughout the whole contest- Which says something about how great both of those entries were.

I'd also like to take this time to extend- And ask- for a big thank you to the judges that have taken the time to provide good feedback to the participants and helping to decide on the scores. All of them have done an admirable job. I have given the judges the option to, if they so wish, reveal their position as judge now. Regardless of whether they do or not they deserve a big thanks- And assuming they do, while I'm sure there will be some questions raised, I'm also sure everything is kept civil.

It has been fun. It's sort of a shame to see who won though- We had this all fancy custom title all ready and polished here, but now we can't give it out due to the fact that the winner is a mod and needs to have his custom title. Second place title, maybe?

Regardless, I'm sure you realizes this means you will have to take the position of host for the third edition of the rating wars- Totally not because I'm not going to risk going up to you twice.

Thanks to all participants for participating- And the readers for reading. I hope you have all enjoyed. And hopefully, until next time...

[vidius]

Congratulations Dusk. I feared you for a reason.

Thank you very much judges who provided thoughtful feedback through this, and sacrificed there time to run it.

Will we get feed back on that last round M0rt?

[M0rtimer]

I hadn't planned for it I'm afraid- I figured this was the last round, and at this point the general consensus seemed to be "Both entries were absolutely great, but if I'd have to pick..." regardless. If you really want though, I can look through the provided scores and quick feedback again, and send you a general consensus from that?

[vidius]

I hadn't planned for it I'm afraid- I figured this was the last round, and at this point the general consensus seemed to be "Both entries were absolutely great, but if I'd have to pick..." regardless. If you really want though, I can look through the provided scores and quick feedback again, and send you a general consensus from that?

Don't put yourself out mate. If something had been provided that could point out flaws I'd appreciate it, however It's no biggie.

[M0rtimer]

On that front your entry was excellent- There was no real criticism on any major aspect of your work. What I can deduce from the feedback however is that, for example, they praised your character usage and Kane turning into the new Rasping suit. (Which was "Brilliant", to quote said judge. )

[LAYF]

Congratulations Dusk and Vidius, those were fantastic entries, and I enjoyed bot reading and judging them (That along with several others)
I Must say, I have been deeply impressed with the development of bot characters and character of the writers.

Dusk, a well earned first place to you and Vidius a well earned 2nd place, and 2nd only by a hair, it was great.

If you both want, I'm more than willing to copy pase my feed back tgo m0rt into here... along with scoring┬┤...

[Dusk9]

► Show Spoiler

Commiserations, Vid. Others have already said it better than I ever could, but your stuff was simply amazing to read

Honestly, I'm surprised I won. Looking at them both from an objective standpoint, I generally preferred yours to mine. Maybe I just didn't make it as good as I wanted to make it, and didn't live up to my own expectations. But still, I was pretty confident that you would win, ever since I saw your first entry. You definitely deserved it, that's for sure.

It is a little disappointing that I can't use the custom title, though - at the very least, someone should be able to use it, and.............I just had an idea.

Can I vote for Vid, pushing her score over mine, and make her the unofficial winner? So she gets to use the custom title?

As for me taking host role for RWIII - it'll be fun to take part in one of these without having a deadline over my head every other week

[M0rtimer]

I think it could be arranged to award a bit of a title to Vid. If she wants it that is.

And great- Well in that case it's up to you when you would wish to start this contest- I'd generally suggest giving several weeks, if not one or two months before starting the next contest. Let those writing hands rest for a bit. (On the other hand I suppose it is now vacation... On the other hand if people leave for a holiday with little to no internet that could be more of a problem than a blessing as well)

[vidius]

I'm not even going to pretend like I wouldn't love a custom title.

Thanks Dusk

But I also understand that I didn't actually win, so I'm not entitled to it.

[AccursedBiscuit]

Honestly, I think both of you should have access to custom titles, considering how well both of your entries were. They were absolutely fantastic and while I didn't make it to the finals, I'm happy I was able to participate with such talented writers. Also a huge thank you to the judges who helped me improve my writing tremendously. I can't wait for the next RW, so count me in!

[PicksUpSticks]

Hey guys don't mind me... Was just randomly stopping by to see what was going on.

Also, on the topic of good ol' M0rt being the Champion of RW...

For those of you that don't know, not only did I beat him, I played him like a damn fiddle when we fought. He was shamed and humiliated by a one armed human with a cat.


Other than that, its great to see this is back up! When I get free time I am going to come back and read through these.

[brandonlawson]

I'm...tired and emotions are a bit....hectic. I'm not finished....but I will submit what I have....I know I won't go to the next round...but it's nearly ...

link removed -RS

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