is proud to present

(number 12 overall, if you are keeping track):

The Challenge is to take as many of the items listed below and use them in a story.

There are two categories of competition.

Category 1: Most items Used (all entries submitted will be included in this category automatically–in case of a tie, random draw will determine the winner)

Category 2: Best Story (see Roool #3)

ROOOL #1: Entries may be classic X&G, Uber or Original. The choice is yours.

However, mention a few amazons and get yourself a three vote bonus head start (OZ’s Prerogative).

ROOOL #2: Participants are limited to only one entry. Participants may write with a partner or solo, the choice is yours.

ROOOL #3: The writing entries will be posted anonymously and voted upon by the readers at large. If you wish to participate without actually competing...let us know. We can do that. Your entry will be posted with your identifying info on it and will not have a voting link attached. The choice to compete or not to compete is yours. <.g.>

Of course, the prize packets in the Academy Challenges are always really, really nice. :o).

ROOOL #4: Story length is a maximum of 50 pages, normal margins and minimum of 11 font. (I promised Steph)

ROOOL #5a: Please do not reveal your participation to anyone who has the potential for being a voter…the only exception being…

ROOOL #5b: You may use a beta reader, but please keep the number of beta readers to a reasonable limit…anything more than three will be considered a violation of…

ROOOL #5c: Posting any entry on any other sites or lists (private or public) before the end of the contest is a BIG NO NO.

ROOOL #6: There is no number six.

ROOOL #7: Please do not stuff the ballot box or lobby for votes...we at the Academy have gotten very good at identifying this behavior. We won't publicly embarrass you but we will quietly eliminate you from the contest. The Academy folks are everywhere and know everything…we will find out.

ROOOL #8a:

The "Roools Committee":

Steph (Ms Mighty Munchkin),

Cadryn, Ruth, and I, the great OZ™

reserve the final say on everything and anything concerning this challenge.

It's our sandbox <.Nyah.>

Now unfortunately Roools #8b and #8c had to be added recently because of a

nasty trend that seemed to be developing. Granted it only really applied to a couple of bad bardie types...not you...I mean, most people don't do this to us...but...

ROOOL #8b:

The entries become the property of the Academy and will live forever on the contest page. They become ours…Ours…OURS! Got it? Good.

Do not ask that they be taken down. If you want your contact info removed, we can do that…but the story entry stays. Don't like this Roool…don't enter.

Your submitted entry means that you understand the Academy's position and agree to abide by it. This in no way means we are claiming your characters or rights to your story. They are yours. We are just refusing to remove it from the Academy. Steph really, really, really hates putting up those "removed from the web" messages on the Challenge pages.

And if da Boss ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. Got it? <.g.>

ROOOL #8c:

Please turn in your best copy of your story. In past challenges, as a courtesy, we have allowed revisions so long as they were sent before the deadline. But please don’t expect these overachieving Munchkins to recode your story 10 times. You will be allowed ONE revision; however the revised file will not be posted until the end of the voting period when the identifying information is added back. Please turn in your best copy of your story the first time. If you want a beta, we can help find you one.

Winners (top in each category) will get a special prize package from the Academy Treasure Chest of Goodies.

Now, you will notice that many of these words have meanings other than the context in which they are listed. Use them any way you like. IE: sleepy or bashful can refer to someone’s disposition, not necessarily a dwarf; a triangle can be an instrument but it can also be used to refer to a geometric figure. How you use the words are up to you. The only major NO NO is that you may NOT use more than two words from the same list in the same sentence. That’s why it’s called a challenge. <.beg.>

PLEASE UNDERLINE THE WORDS USED IN YOUR STORY AND PROVIDE US WITH THE RESULTING TOTAL AT THE END.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE and HAVE FUN WITH IT.