Contest July-August Short Story Contest (September 4th)

Discussion in 'Fluff and Stories' started by Scalenex, Aug 14, 2025.

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Which story did you like best? (you only get ONE vote!)

This poll will close on Sep 4, 2025 at 7:06 AM.

  1. Story One: "Administer"

  2. Story Two: "Food for Thought"

  3. Story Three: "The Quest!"

  4. Story Four: "Oaxtep"

Results are only viewable after voting.
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  1. Scalenex
    Slann

    Scalenex Keeper of the Indexes Staff Member

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    [​IMG]

    It's a Xanatos Gambit. No matter what you do, I win. There are situations where we both win. And there are degrees of winning.

    If you enter a short story in the contest and you end up winning. I also win.

    If you enter a short story in the contest and don't win. I still win.

    Your Chaos Dwarf obsession is currently driving engagement on the short story contest. Which is a form of me winning.

    Anyway, I'll try to get my reviews up soon(ish)
     
    Scalenex, Aug 27, 2025 at 6:45 PM
    #61
    Imrahil, NIGHTBRINGER, thedarkfourth and 1 other person like this.
  2. NIGHTBRINGER
    Slann

    NIGHTBRINGER Second Spawning

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    Hmmmm... well, this is one of the rare times where I find myself in agreement with you. You have correctly read the battlefield. I cannot refute your observation.


    Let's break it down:

    Scenario #1 - I enter the contest and my entry manages to win
    • Scalenex [Victory] ⟹ you broke me and got me to join an SS contest! Increased SS engagement
    • NIGHTBRINGER [Victory] ⟹ you broke my resolve to abstain from the contest, but I won and go on a Chaos Dwarf self-congratulating tour ;)

    Scenario #2 - I enter the contest and my entry loses
    • Scalenex [MAJOR VICTORY] ⟹ your best case scenario! You got me to join an SS contest. Increased SS engagement. You get to enjoy watching me crash and burn. It's a good day to be Scalenex!
    • NIGHTBRINGER [MAJOR DEFEAT] ⟹ my worst case scenario. Everything from above... but against me.

    Scenario #3 - I do not submit a SS contest entry. No Chaos Dwarf story is submitted.
    • Scalenex [Neutral] ⟹ Status Quo. You have peace and quiet, not having to listen to me prattle on about Chaos Dwarfs, but SS engagement remains limited.
    • NIGHTBRINGER [Neutral] ⟹ I have no interest in the contest and go about my merry little way.

    Scenario #4 - I do not submit a SS contest entry. A Chaos Dwarf story is submitted, and it wins!
    • Scalenex [Minor Victory] ⟹ Increased SS engagement, but you must listen to my Chaos Dwarf proclamations.
    • NIGHTBRINGER [MAJOR VICTORY] ⟹ my best case scenario! Chaos Dwarfs are the greatest, let's celebrate. There is no escape from Chaos, it marks us all.

    Scenario #5 - I do not submit a SS contest entry. A Chaos Dwarf story is submitted, and it loses. (a rare but not an impossible event)
    • Scalenex [Victory] ⟹ Your second best scenario. SS engagement is increased. You are supplied with evidence to combat my promotion of the Chaos Dwarfs
    • NIGHTBRINGER [Defeat] ⟹ I hate to see my Chaos Dwarfs take an "L". Counter evidence has been built against my beloved Dawi-Zharr.



    Taken together, if we throw out the neutral result, from my perspective it is in my best interest not to submit an entry.
    • No NIGHTBRINGER submission = MAJOR VICTORY or Defeat
    • NIGHTBRINGER submission= Victory or MAJOR DEFEAT
     
    NIGHTBRINGER, Aug 28, 2025 at 12:08 AM
    #62
    Scalenex and Imrahil like this.
  3. Scalenex
    Slann

    Scalenex Keeper of the Indexes Staff Member

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    Yes.

    And you posting your lengthy analysis is a victory for me as well.

    My victory grows ever more complete.

    But your view on winning and losing a contest is a false binary. You could respectable second place or be in dead last place.

    Actually, my best case scenario would be your piece TIES with someone else and we have an exciting run-off election.
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2025 at 7:23 AM
    Scalenex, Aug 28, 2025 at 6:55 AM
    #63
  4. NIGHTBRINGER
    Slann

    NIGHTBRINGER Second Spawning

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    Now you are just being silly.

    For a Chaos Dwarf, anything other than winning is losing. Hashut does not reward second best. ;)

    Your best case scenario would be a tie with an exciting run-off election but my piece was not among those that tied and instead finished dead last. With zero votes, in a scenario where even myself and @Mrs. NIGHTBRINGER did not vote for my piece.
     
    NIGHTBRINGER, Aug 28, 2025 at 7:16 AM
    #64
  5. Killer Angel
    Slann

    Killer Angel Prophet of the Stars Staff Member

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    well, any constructive contribution to the thread is a victory for the competition and, by extension, for its curator
     
    Killer Angel, Aug 28, 2025 at 11:44 AM
    #65
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