You have received an invitation to a spooktacular Halloween party on the planet Arx, but something seems off about it. When you land on the planet’s surface, you can tell immediately that the area is plagued with haunted spirits, ghouls, and beasts. There are many places to go as you attempt to navigate your way to the festivities...but will you make it to the party in one piece?

Objectives

Participants must choose one of the three locations to start their journey to the Arx Halloween party.

Objective 1: The Dark Mountains of Elos Vrai

You decide that the safest option is to travel across the mountain range of the continent Elos Vrai. However, strange demon beasts and goblins await you both along the peaks and within the caverns built into the mountains. Some may desire treasure; others, your costumed flesh. Write at least 500 words from the perspective of your Main Character or Alt detailing how you will make it to the Halloween party via the Elos Vrai mountain range; your goal is to survive.

Objective 2: The Eerie Bogs of Uskil

Ugh! Way to choose traveling through a swamp to get to the party! Not only are the marshes being ravaged by kyber crystal-powered tropical storms, but there are plenty of creepy water creatures and monsters to fend off. Write at least 500 words from the perspective of your Main Character or Alt detailing how you will make it to the Halloween party via the Uskil Marshes; your goal is to survive.

Objective 3: The Sorasu Desert

Perhaps making your way to the Iron Garage is the safest way to get working technology to arrive at the party. But the desert is cold and dark at night, and the lone oasis is plagued with evil Force spirits. Not only that, but you detect rumblings within the Sepulchrum, where the living prisoners are more like the living dead. Write at least 500 words from the perspective of your Main Character or Alt detailing how you will make it to the Halloween party via the Sorasu Desert; your goal is to survive.

Rules

Participants must submit entries in .pdf, .doc, or .docx format, or use the submission text field (markdown capable). Entries must be a minimum of 500 words. Any entries that are under 500 words will be Disqualified and ineligible for participation or placement. There is no maximum word cap.

Your story should be centered on your Main or Alternative character as allowed by the Objective you choose. Slotted NPCs, Wikipedia NPCs, or other characters that you create or invent to tell your story are allowed and encouraged; however, your narrative should focus around either your Main or Alternative character. A snapshot of your Main or Alternative character loadout must be selected and submitted with your entry. Failure to attach a snapshot will prevent you from placing.

More information on the planet Arx and the three marked locations can be found here. The fictions shall be graded using the Fiction Rubric.