Nice going everyone :)

I thought we were missing too until I realized our whole name was there! Those points aren't too bad considering we thought we'd be trailing everyone!

Scores for Chapter 3 are being updated, but critique is below:

Everyone got the puzzle, and it really was one of your favorites! So, a full 500 for every team!

Now, as to the challenge, what the judges looked for was: Did the Bard (or Vagabond if no bard) do the mission solo except for his or her companion? Was it Bardic by nature? Quality of the presentation?

They decided on this scoring table: Choose not to turn in challenge: 0 Challenge did not meet any requirements: 100 Challenge did not meet both of first two requirements: 200 Challenge met requirements, but was minimally executed. or made presentational errors: 300 Challenge met requirements, and was very well done: 400 Challenge met requirements, and was exceptionally well done: 500

Seeing the judges' scores below, it may well be time to point out that they are very objective, do not make decisions lightly, and consider all decisions, often arguing among themselves.

AS SEVERAL VETERAN PLAYERS HAVE POINTED OUT, YOU ALL WIN IN THE END!!

Catnip Thieves: The understanding of the power of music as well as words was perfectly designed for the man she had to convince. The character's bravery in holding, but not using, the flute told of the need for trust by restraint. One of our favorite entries. Score: 500

Chimeriad: Confrontational Bards were all right with us, but this presentation was more about everyone doing everything that a solo challenge, including one member of the team being completely in another location! basically, regardless of the high quality of the entry, the first rule was simply not followed. Score: 200

Couple of Disasters: This was an example of the character who was thrust into the unwelcome role choking it down and playing it with true bard style. Entry was in character, go the job done, and was creative. Thought process was an added plus. Score: 500

Dazed Jalapenos: In fitting with her character, this little bard relied on nothing more that cuteness to be perfectly charming, and guileless enough to engender trust. Her quality as a bard may be questionable, but the Shishin would love her. We did, too! Score: 500

Diamonds in the Rough: Wonderful idea to combine song and story, and good use of character traits, but much too short in presentation. Score: 300

Fallen Angels: Here we had another entry that was very well done, but was a great deal of "all of us," including every companion moving, instead of a single character, Once more, the presentation, which we finally arrived at that portion, was perfectly done, but we walked over broken requirements to get there. Score: 300

Farseeing Fables: Another really good entry that just missed on the little details. The thing with WS is that competition levels tend to be high from the beginning, simply because there is an overall excellence among the participants. This teams need a bit more polish to up their game. Score: 400

Han Solo: In this case, the Vagabond balked at adapting any form of the Bard's signature charm, and was confrontational in approach. Still, the entry was in bardic form, was cleverly done, and met the key points. Traveling into Sinhae, however, we suggest the character learn to wear "the mask for the task." Score: 400

Mischievous Misfits: Lovely and lyrical entry, impaired only by the fact that some others were more detailed, which in a competition level this high, was a deciding factor. We hope to see more of the little polishing details from this team in future entries. Lovely none the less! Score: 400

Nightowls: Here was a sensational entry perfect in depiction of character and talent, with wonderful content. However, the instrument was conjured mage style, and other members of the party became involved, no matter how slight the involvement. It upsets over half of us to give this entry its final score, but the requirements were clear. Score: 300

Organized Chaos: Here we had a promising use of story, but also the use of all companions, not just the characters own, and even an interaction with another team, which muddies possible scoring, although in this case it was not problematic. Also, the story itself was not given or presented, only the action of the animals, which compounded the error of their use. Score: 300

Reaver: This entry had the most entertaining, and annoying, Bard companion of all time. This was the most off-beat entry, but it set the mood and kept to it, right through the song. Off-beat, yes, but it worked! Score: 500

Rougish Companions: Another extremely well done presentation that flirted with involvement of other members. Still it was in a grey area, since only voices were used and very briefly. The rest of the entry deserved every merit. Score: 400

Travelers: Excellent presentation! The song form was very vivid, and introduced each character in the hopes of winning trust. Use of chorus and repeats swept us into her performance, as Bard should do! Score: 500

Wayfarers: Possibly the most brilliant of the presentations, this entry combined bardic form with a history of the adventurers successes, proving their attachment. Her insight into the nature of the flute--player showed her depth, while her "can't resist" ruffling pointed out her playfulness, All in all , the perfect Bard to take on any journey. Score: 500

I would like to say that I was confused by how this mission had to be completed and I thought that as long as the bard sang the verse and performed that part alone, the rest of the team was supposed to help. I actually read/thought that it was required that the rest of the team participate in some way (other than standing off to the side lines and watching).

[] Therefore, I apologize to my entire team for ruining this round for us because I created a mage harp to play along under our Bard singing. Please forgive me. I am not angry or upset at anyone(judges/GR <3 you guys are amazing) just sad that I did not understand the rules clearly enough. In the future I'll just ask for superb detailed clarification before taking any action.

Wow. I really, truly, appreciate the thorough explanations of what the judges thought of each entry along with the breakdown of what criteria earned which score. That is so helpful! (I really hope/can't wait to see the same for Chapter 4!) And it's interesting to read as well. ^_^ Hopefully it has the added bonus of quelling any grumblings that might come along. But we'll see. XD

Great work everybody!!! :D

[edit] HUGS <3 I know I'm not on your team, but you didn't ruin ANYTHING! We all misunderstand sometimes. You guys will make up the points in no time! I find sometimes it helps to run your initial thought process by your team (the earlier the better - I'm bad at this part) and ask them to double check that you're following the prompt. Often someone will catch something you missed. Anyway, don't be hard on yourself, you got this!

The scoring table is A+, especially for those who might want to know exactly why they got the score they did. <3 Thank you judges!

Great job everyone! As long as you're having fun, you're winning! n.n

I am sorry, maybe I'm just over-sensitive right now; but I'm like so sad(I'm crying). I feel so great about WS all the time and I love it soooo much! I just feel like I let my team down. I will take your advice though, I really should do that all the time. I just get superbly excited about writing the RP that I can't contain myself. :P XD

I do like the scoring table and the judge remarks. Everything is so wonderful in WS. ❤️

What!? Coconuts!! I has some bard skills, enough for some great points. Think of that the next time anyone wants to push me off a cliff!!!

Hm. Interesting that the targeted character is supposed to do things alone. That's only sorta the impression I got for a variety of reasons -- and the same for the next chapter with the mage-oriented challenge. I think characters being sensible may cost us some points there, but that's just how it goes, and is nobody's fault. I will certainly keep this in mind for future targeted challenges...though I'm a little worried what will happen when Jean is forced to play warrior, because that's one thing she's not. =P hugs

Scores are up, guys, and we passed chapter three with flying colors! hugs all round

And way to go everyone. Thanks to the judges as well for solid feedback, as always -- I definitely appreciate knowing what was liked and what could be done better. ^.^

Awwww <3 <3 <3 <3 NO CRYING!!!!! hugglesquishtackleglomp

Because... because..

HERE! BUNNY! AND PUPPIES! And KITTIES!

Those are the cutest little animals, thank you so much for them - they really helped cheer me up. hugs tightinthegolmpsquish I love the kitties hugging. And that cute tiny tiny bunny! ❤️

Yea, I try hard to contain my excitement and push it int my RP, but then I forget to communicate with my team!

^^ yay for cute fuzzies helping ^^ Onward and Yonward, yeah? We got this next chapter. nodnod

@ Ambition I replied on our topic hugs :D

Thank you for cheering up! :D hugs both

Yes, hopefully the chapter 5 will be ok.

Please don't cry, dear. Kellijuana is right about everything. You will make it up in no time, and you didn't let anybody down! This adventure has had a number of "misreadings or not reading carefully enough" attached to it. This is early on too. You're doing just fine!!

Thank you so much! I asked for those critiques with the scores to help make things crystal clear for folks and ease their anxieties. I appreciate your support.

Yes, you DO have skills, and the Shishin will love you.

Hmmm--I not sure how I could have made it any clearer than "you're all frozen in place except for your bard." And then when asked about companions, said that only the bard's companion was allowed to move.

How can you interpret that for anything but what it is?

Thanks, I know I just take it to seriously (I'm super competitive and a perfectionist in RL).

Sorry to cause a fuss.

Thanks (I want your wig ;) ).. again for giving us all this fun!

Congratulations with a wonderful bard that sung her heart out !

And thanks to the judges whoever you are, I know it is hard to judge fairly which I think you do, but your explanations have also been very succinct and understandable (even when we don't make top points snickers)

Yay we did great! :D

Fantastic job from all of the teams and I really enjoy reading everyones entries. To see different perspectives or how you would deal with a scenario to the same situation amazes me time after time. I'm not the best writer, but I enjoy participating with all of you in this event.

hugs you You wrote up a great rp and you shouldn't blame yourself. I know this event is a learning experience for me and there will be bumps in the road, but we can only get better. :) After all no matter how many points each team gets we're all still winners and survivors for making it through the torture chamber that Rowan puts us through. :P

Mhm. I don't know how spoken contributions would affect scoring, and the next chapter is where I'm worried. Don't mind me, you should know that I'm like this. =P It's nothing wrong with you! And I'm still blushing that the blank verse was so well-received. #^.^#