[Awen Moonshine]

The thing I love the most about winter/the holiday season is that it normally means I am curled up somewhere warm, in baggy comfortable clothing reading (with the occasional cup of something hot) Once all the presents have been dropped off at my families places it means I have plenty of free time (after frantically shopping for everyones gifts), although I don't normally get to rest much until after the 19th of December (my baby brothers birthday)... ^_^;; I have a large family so organizing presents and drop offs for said presents is difficult, but can usually be done in one day as they all live close together ^_^ After that I tend to have lots of free time to catch up on things (like finishing old books and starting new ones!)

[Lucid:]

Congratulations on the last round, Awen! <3 Your avi really was super awesome.

[Lawtan]

I Have An Entry!

Username: Lawtan
Round (1, 2, or 3): 3
Embedded Image or Image Link:


The holidays for me have changed a good bit over the last few years. Whereas the time of year used to mean giving, and helping, and charity, the last few years have been uncertain at best. I've been ill the last 3 years during December, and so unable to do as much.
On a positive note, the winter season, by some old traditions, is supposed to be the time of telling old folklore. This, I have taken to heart, and I have shared stories I learned with people from October 31 to February 2. It is very beautiful to me, and to only tell such tales during that timespan keeps them somewhat special and memorable. It has developed my love of storytelling, and is one of the initial things that has helped me move out of depression.
As such, my avatar reflects the old Crone of Winter, Cailleach, carrying a book of lore and a fairy-dragon on her arm. Beneath her robes is a bundle of wood, collected for February 2 - where, if she collects enough firewood, she will keep Brigid locked away for a longer winter. A short winter would mean Cailleach overslept, and is unable to gather more firewood.

A poem I wrote, featuring Cailleach and Nanabhozo, the Ojibwe spring trickster.

"'O’ mighty crone of ancient lore,
Shall I sing you a tune?
For my people wished to honor,
One as fierce as you.'

A-huum, huu-huum

'O, Cailleach, what grand old strength,
You bear within your form,
You embrace all the graces of winter,
So pretty is your frostbitten hair
So nice it is, would you sit down,
I’d love to sing you some more.'

A-roar, ro-roar

'O, Cailleach, what’s this you say,
Your lids droop wth sleep,
Then allow me, fair crone,
To take you to your home,
A cave alone which could be warm,
In the face of eternal winter,
There, you may rest,
And collect your wood in an hour.'

A-oor, oo-oor

'What’s this, dear Cailleach,
You look far too pale and wan,
My people would not forgive me,
If you I let to stray,
Stay and rest and grow well again,
The wood will not move,
Let me play a lullaby for you-
I think it may sound similar,
So let me soothe you into sleep,
And make your worries for today be forgotten…'

So, the Trickster packed his flute,
And left the slumbering Crone,
And he, sun-child, headed west,
Back to his Long-house People."

[Awen Moonshine]

Thank you Lucid! Your avi is really stunning! When I saw yours I thought you were going to win ^_^

Awesome entry Lawtan!

[Lawtan]

:) Thank you, Awen. You did very good with the clothing, I think.

[Maro]

Oh I thought they meant stuff from the river game too... Uhhh..

[Tiva]

You can get those, but the river game has four items. Three are recolors, the moon, the spirits, and the boat. One is new and that is a flaming pumpkin head.

[Espy]

Ooh, jeez, I'm drawing a huge blank for the winter avi.

[ml1201]

I Have An Entry!

Username: ml1201
Round : 3
Imbedded Image or Image Link:
For me the holidays is about spending time with family and not really about what I got for Christmas. There was a time in my life that I was happy to get clothing from my family because we had lost our home, most of our clothing, and at times couldn't eat or bath properly. That's why people going crazy with shopping on days like Black Friday and last minute shopping before Christmas to get all the deals has never settled well with me, even more so when at times people were trampled to death because of them. The holiday becomes more and more about money and not appreciating the little things in life that makes us happy, which is what I plan to teach my children in the future if I ever have any.

[Espy]

I Have An Entry!

Username: Espy
Round (1, 2, or 3): 3
Embedded Image or Image Link:


Despite hailing from California, I really love the snow and cold, and have a sort of self-imposed tradition to have ice cream or some other frozen treat at first snow. It's a time where, while a lot of things are asleep or perhaps dead, I feel very much alive.

EDIT: Sorry, might be a few minutes too late.

[Lesallia Surish]

Round three voting going on here.

[ml1201]

*goes and votes*
:D

[Witchchylde]

Oh. I thought the voting was going on until eleven tonight, I guess I misread. The poll says it's closed when I go to the vote thread.

[ml1201]

It might have something to do with the time zone noted in the thread. I ahve no idea what it is in relation to UniTime though. ^^; (UniTime is an hour behind for me)

[Lesallia Surish]

Alright, alright! I am here to give you all the answers you seek! The winners for the third round are as follows:

Users' Choice: ml1201 & Lawtan
Staff Choice: Awen Moonshine & Espy

ml1201 & Lawtan, you have two days to PM me and let me know which past monthly donation item you would like. You can choose any of them.

Awen Moonshine & Espy, you have two days to PM me and let me know which past event item you would like.

[top]FINAL ROUND

The final theme is all about using your creativity. Your task is to make an avatar that would win the contest while only using commons. Not only that, but the commons must total under 10,000 Au. When submitting an avatar, please list all items used and their shop prices. There will be prizes both for the winner, and the one that uses less Aurum to do more.

You have TWO days to submit entries (until 11/25 at 11:59 PM CST). Since this is the finals, this round will only have a staff vote, and the results will be released by the 26th.

[ml1201]

When you say 'common' does that exclude the 'free' event items from things like the stream and/or purchasable event items with the event currency?