Sitrep: The so-called ancient Selenian gods have struck again, and this time, their efforts to free another one of their own have taken Arcona into the depths of the frozen tundra that makes up Selen's northernmost continent. As the old gods race to reach their brethren, the Clan must race to stop them before the damage they have inflicted to the city of Zainab's energy-producing structures can cause an irreversible catastrophe for Selen's power supply and plunge the planet back into dark ages.

Objectives:

Choose one (1) of the three (3) Objectives, and write a story featuring any of your characters with an active character sheet on file. You are free to include as many NPCs or additional characters you want, so long as your narrative centers or features one of your Main, Alternative, or Slotted NPC characters.

Objective I: Survival

As one of the members of the vanguard venturing to Zainab itself, your character is forced to contend with not only the enemy forces of cultists of the old gods as well as their monsters, but, even more critically, the environment. There is no power in Zainab, nor in any of her research stations or energy farms. At the northernmost point of Selen and at this point in the planet's revolution, all of Tunca is in a perpetual twilight; only the occasional aurora borealis and few moments of faint light from below the horizon ever breach the constant darkness. Storms, winds, snow, and ice surround everyone and everything, and the terrain is perilous with crags and drops into the arctic ocean that may be hidden to the eye. Natives and residents know better how easy it is to be snowblinded; either due to complete obscurity during a blizzard, or from harsh light refraction off the burningly, frigidly white landscape. Hypothermia is a serious threat not only to those entering the blizzard to fight, but to the citizens trapped in the dark, stalked by invaders, waiting for help.

Write your story centering on the theme of survival in the elements, whether your character has gotten lost by themselves, is struggling with a team, or is attempting to rescue others. The focus should be on player versus nature, rather than strictly foes.

Objective II: Exploration

As dangerous as Tunca is, it can also be beautiful. Ice caverns and deep fissures hold fossils and mysteries explored only by the tribes that have lived in these tundras for thousands of years. While many researchers and scientists from all over the planet have found a haven in Zainab as a research base, especially those interested in energy, climate, and history, there is still much to be found. Perhaps even more information about these gods. And your character may not be the only one searching. The cultists and the gods themselves came to Zainab to find something— someone. Something is buried here. What may be buried with it? Could you reach it before them? Or perhaps would you find yourself merely falling into a cave and managing a souvenir of a pretty crystal?

Write your story centering on the theme of exploration and discovery in the tundras. This could be a love letter to wintery wilds, an exploration of lore, or a daring action adventure for mysterious artifacts.

Objective III: Support

Not everyone has gone to Zainab. Not all is well at home just because it isn't freezing in Estle's more equatorial clime. There are still rolling blackouts all through the city, and other major urban centers on Selen, including Celeste and Korda, are experiencing critical power failures and panic. While hospitals may have backup generators, and people may not be shivering to death, not all is well. Children may still sit scared in the night. Crime abounds. Communications falter. Help is needed, and the Clan is still the largest and strongest power on the planet. Who will answer?

Prompt: Write your story of at least 500 words, with no maximum, depicting your character aiding the citizens of Selen in some way. This could be anything from bringing a lantern run on a power pack to one of Estle's food halls to venturing to Celeste to help with evacuations to joining the police force in Korda repressing mayhem. It could even be comforting another Clan member, afraid of the dark or for their loved one gone into danger. Any other method of supporting the efforts of the Clan and those on Zainab is valid. Your story may be centered on your Main or Alternative character or any slotted NPCs. Wikipedia NPCs or other characters that you create or invent to tell your story are not only allowed but encouraged. A snapshot of the characters used is preferred but not required.

Grading:

Grading will be done in accordance with the Voice Fiction Rubric. Preferred formats are .pdf and .doc. Google Doc links are NOT accepted.

All participants will earn points for participation in the comp as well as Clusters of Ice. Top three placements will earn additional points towards the overall competition. Points earned will be as follows:

• 1st place will receive 3 points
• 2nd place will receive 2 points
• 3rd place will receive 1 point
• Participation will earn 1 point.

Resources:

• Previous Fiction Updates
• Selen Wiki - Under Construction
• Alla'su
• Eulauti