This is the second year in which I've largely stepped back from taking part in the day-to-day posting and scoring and I have to say it has allowed me to enjoy the event all the more. Of course, this meant that I had to rely on a full roster of friends to help keep the whole circus rattling along. So I give my heartfelt thanks to Sylvain, Martijn, Greg, Teemu, Millsy, Dallas and Kyle for their excellent work as our intrepid minions. You guys were magnificent in leading your individual crews, while also promoting the Challenge's open and welcoming nature. Also, a big thank you to Paul for keeping track of the Duels, Barks for his ever-entertaining 'Skull Challenge', and to Miles for making sure the Spreadsheet of Doom worked as it should (and was suitably appeased).
As per custom, I close out the Challenge with the final submission.
Ever since I was a kid I've been fascinated by the story of the Trojan Horse and Odysseus' ruse which saw the fall of Troy and the end of the 10-year siege. With this in mind, I started to sketch out a semi-cooperative game where the Horse has been brought into the city and the players, who control the Greeks hiding inside, emerge from the Horse to try to secure victory and gain fame under the gods' eyes. There will be various missions for them to complete and compete for. Things like 'Light the Signal Fire'; 'Open the Main Gate'; 'Secure Helen', 'Raid the Treasury'; etc. I'm envisioning lots of characterful 'Screw Cards' with Gods intervening and a general mayhem.
Several of the sources say that 40 Greeks were hiding in the Horse, so I decided that each of the four players would control a hero along with 9 companions. The leading heroes would be Odysseus, Diomedes, Menelaus and Neoptolemus. In the rules I imagine that their companions will serve to assist in side task as well as serve as their bodyguards in critical fights.
Now, first to find a suitable Horse. I did a good bit of investigating trying to source a suitable model for the Horse. In a bout of pique I even entertained making one out of foam core, but I knew with my OCD nature that way lay madness and too much strife. Finally I came across a 3d design based on the 2004 movie set model. Perfect!
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In closing I want to thank all our participants for their amazing industry, support and kindness throughout the Challenge. As I often like to say, the Challenge is not characterized by me, nor the minions, but rather by all who participate in it. So again, thank you for the great experience. I really can't think of a better way to spend the winter months.
In a week or so I'll post a poll for 'Challenger's Choice', so please email me your top three nominations for thta. Also, we'll have an update from Skully McSkullface (Barks) and our Duels Wallah (Paul) on their respective tallies. We'll also have an awards wrap up which will include the Challenger's Choice, the Minions' Choice, my SnowLord's Choice and Sarah's Choice. Stay tuned for those announcements.
In the meantime, if you will indulge me, I ask that everyone submit a post featuring a picture of themselves along with their Challenge efforts this season.
Thanks again, and I hope to see you all next winter for Challenge XV!
- Curt