Challenge of Beauty 2024
Written by: Avechna, the Avenger
Date: Sunday, August 18th, 2024
Addressed to: Everyone
With the sweet return of dreams and the banishment of nightmares still fresh in the minds of the visionaries of the Basin of Life, the artists channelled their skills into capturing the essence of this theme for the Challenge of Beauty. Amazing creations both large and small have been crafted and sent forth for judging. The process was neither simple nor swift for many an amazing design have been submitted.
In the end, it was the design of Tikki of Hallifax that won - a dress of the oneiric veil. This lovely design captured tranquil dreamers beneath the great oak at the pilgrim camp set against the darkness and manipulations of Panaxra, the Dreamshade.
Second place was awarded to Kailanna n'Kylbar of Magnagora, for a glass lantern of unwaking duality.
Third place was awarded to Esei Shee-Slaugh of Glomdoring, for an oil-slicked amphitheater-styled fighting ring drenched in nightmarish imagery.
Fourth place was awarded to Mellori Stormcrow of Glomdoring, for a brooch of subdued sunlight.
Fifth place was awarded to Tridemon Regalis of New Celest, for a lake bed of dream.
These five designs can be found at the Cave of Beauty for all to admire. Though these five designs rose to conquer all others, the following designs merit honourable mention for their craftsmanship and interpretation of the Avenger's theme, in alphabetical order:
o Alysi Diluculo of Glomdoring (surreptitiously spicy seafood spring rolls)
o Eiselle Mes'ard of Gaudiguch (a wind-singing lotus dreamcatcher earring)
o Exeryte Stormcrow of Glomdoring (a fanciful swing graced with gold-dusted wings)
o Qoivhae Vivalde of Celest (a wedding cake of dreaming dawn)
o Sapphira d'Vanecu of Magnagora (a silken tapestry of a twilit promenade)
o Teladahi D'Varden of Celest (a richly-embroidered arcanum of shimmering tides)
o Xiran Stormcrow of Serenwilde (a saddle blanket of Serenwilde past and prophecy)
Penned by my hand on the 7th of Shanthin, in the year 685 CE.