Author Topic: Short fiction challenge (Read 10054 times)

Grey · « **on:** September 27, 2008, 11:30:15 PM »

As we all know, the citadel here is a repository of ideas for use in role-playing games. As such, they are all rife with plot ideas, and many of them tell a story by themselves. My challenge to any who would take it is this: write a good short story using only submissions from this site or staple fantasy archetypes (or sci-fi if you go that route) such as elves, dragons or the generic pub. At any rate, the characters, setting and plot must all be from this site. The specific elements need not be in that category- you could take an npc that was casually mentioned in a location sub and turn him in to a pivotal character. At any rate, all the elements must be from the citadel and linked to.

Any takers?

Scrasamax · « **Reply #1 on:** September 28, 2008, 12:34:39 AM »

An interesting challenge, but I would suggest adding some basic guidelines, such as using 3 submissions, or that the subs should be someone else's, or at least two of them should be.

I'm in for a challenge

Grey · « **Reply #2 on:** September 28, 2008, 01:20:28 PM »

okay, let's try to sum up some basic guidelines!

1) No using your own subs!

2) Taking advice from Scrasamax, you must use elements from at least three submissions, though using more is great.

3) Story must follow the basic story structure, that is to say it has a beginning, a middle and an end. No cliffhangers, thanks.

4) All elements that the story contains MUST be from submissions, unless it is an absolute staple of the genre (i.e. laser guns or generic spacecraft for sci-fi, dragons and taverns for fantasy)

5) Just so that we know what you're talking about, please give us a link to the subs you used!

Scrasamax · « **Reply #3 on:** September 28, 2008, 04:57:20 PM »

Good basis for a challenge, now lets see if we can get a prize for the winner, perhaps an XP bonus from Strolen?

valadaar · « **Reply #4 on:** September 28, 2008, 08:21:08 PM »

Excellent challenge!

MoonHunter · « **Reply #5 on:** October 01, 2008, 11:52:40 AM »

I really hate not being able to use our own subs. All my settings are in my subs, thus leaving hack fantasy out there.

manfred · « **Reply #6 on:** October 02, 2008, 07:43:48 AM »

We could always try to revive the Five in One Quest.

M: but that is a part of the challenge, and of the fun - to create based on something different than your own stuff. It can be very refreshing once in a while.

Grey · « **Reply #7 on:** October 02, 2008, 10:30:31 PM »

The thing about using your own submissions is that it would likely lead to "This is what I want my main character to be, time to write up an NPC."
Of course, we could fix that. Here's an idea:

1) No using your own subs unless they were submitted before the challenge began.

Just a thought.

MoonHunter · « **Reply #8 on:** October 07, 2008, 01:24:56 AM »

Quote from: manfred on October 02, 2008, 07:43:48 AM

M: but that is a part of the challenge, and of the fun - to create based on something different than your own stuff. It can be very refreshing once in a while.

I don't need a challange as much as I want to put out something really worth putting out.

Besides I own a big chunk of the sites subs. (I am down to a touch under 15% from my old 20%), it reduces options.

manfred · « **Reply #9 on:** October 07, 2008, 06:56:05 AM »

Oh, come on, admit that you like your own stuff best. You are not alone in that.

---

So: will anyone try it?

Dragonlordmax · « **Reply #10 on:** October 07, 2008, 11:58:27 AM »

The Lands Beyond are kind of like this.

There weren't enough contributions to really start in-depth linking, but the idea was there.

Scrasamax · « **Reply #11 on:** October 07, 2008, 12:13:09 PM »

Quote

I don't need a challange as much as I want to put out something really worth putting out.

Besides I own a big chunk of the sites subs. (I am down to a touch under 15% from my old 20%), it reduces options.

O rly?

Chaosmark · « **Reply #12 on:** October 07, 2008, 06:31:45 PM »

Being a contributing member of the community always reduces your options with that restriction in place. And it makes sense, because quite frankly, if you've got a large number of subs, you should be more than capable of bending other subs to your creative will. Consider it a challenge to move outside of your general workzone and into fresh territory, while still putting out something worth putting out.

Pariah · « **Reply #13 on:** October 07, 2008, 11:22:56 PM »

Besides Moon, no offense or anything, but are you really gonna miss using the rebec? Really?

Kassy · « **Reply #14 on:** November 07, 2008, 11:35:42 AM »

Sounds like an excellent idea, count me in.

(has it started yet?)

Chaosmark · « **Reply #15 on:** November 07, 2008, 12:46:23 PM »

It started the instant Grey happened to suggest it. At this point, no XP bonus for doing it, but not everything is based around XP. This is simply a challenge to you as a writer.

Sidenote: Are we wanting a minimum or maximum word count? Obviously a short story won't break 10^6 words, but we've got more than a few who could probably push the limit.

Grey · « **Reply #16 on:** November 12, 2008, 12:44:31 AM »

I think as long as the story is engaging, it doesn't matter if it goes long. I'd rather read an detailed epic than a hypercondensed couple of paragraphs.