It's been awhile since we've had one of these, but this year the admins are kinda hosting it together, and it'll go a little differently, hopefully to the benefit and inclusion of all!
This year, there will be ONE category/criteria, which everyone's photos must fall under, but will still allow for a very wide range of generated content, which is really the whole point. We loves ourselves some pics!
This year's category is *drumroll*...
Fire.
What this means:
Every photograph entered (ONE entry per forum member, please) is required to contain:
1) Some part of the forum member submitting the entry which is easily identifiable as themself.
2) The part(s) of the forum member in the photograph must clearly be shown in Middle-Earth appropriate garb, race unimportant.
3) There must be some form of fire, [defined as burning material] present in the photo.
This means sparks from hammering on hot metal do not count...flames or embers of consumables must be present.
There will be three prizes this time around, and they are NOT designated as "First, second, and third." Instead, when the community-wide poll ends, the top three entries will be able to SELECT their prize from the three options, all similarly valued at around $25, in the order of their placement in the contest (first place chooses first, second place next, and so on.) This should enable contestants to select what they need most, rather than having folks vying for second place, etc., because the prize for that place suits their needs.
The three prizes are, as follows, in no particular order:
Constructed and donated by Pete Remling, an ingenious belt that incorporates a steel fire striker as the buckle, and carries a piece of flint in the leather of the belt itself. Brings a whole new meaning to "First-line" gear.
Next, I am donating a 48" fiberglass woodgrain recurve bow that pulls at or under 25#, with three 28" youth arrows. This would be a great way to get your young ranger started, or to acquire a bow to carry while you're shopping for something better. The bow doesn't look fiberglass from a few feet back, if you're needing a costume bow. It will come with a paracord string so your young archer needn't worry about maintenance or arrows coming off the string. Great for the learner.
(Photograph forthcoming)
Lastly, I am nearly finished stitching up a leather portmanteau for the final prize. It is shorter end-to-end and larger in diameter than the one I currently carry (I'll get dimensions shortly), so I think it'll be able to carry a bit more variety of goods. I can add belt loops for the belt width of your choice if you'd like, or you can do this yourself.
(Photograph forthcoming)
You have from the first of Spring (yesterday) to the first day of Autumn, September 23rd.
All entries are to be posted in this thread. One, two, ready, go.
-Greg
