Author Games: Ragnarok

The Results

This is it. The moment you've all been waiting for. Our four wonderful finalists have given their all, and the readers have given their reviews. Twenty tributes entered. Only one can claim victory.

Before we begin, I'd like to that each and every one of you for reading these Games, sending in a tribute, and helping to make my first (and probably only) hosting experience possible. If you're in the top four, thank you for sticking with it and handing in some truly superb entries. If you were eliminated at some point in the competition, thank you for giving it your best shot. Even if you were one of those jerks who wrote a character form and immediately dropped out, thank you for taking a slot and allowing the tributes I love to go on unchallenged. It's something, at least.

Crud. My eyes are actually getting blurry. Best to focus, now.

Our Final Four:

Fourth Place

Bringing a well-respected deity with a twist on the original Chinese notion, The Jade Empress fought tooth and nail for her place in the finals. Despite a rough beginning, Jade improved steadily as the competition progressed, never once going up for votes. The character combined detailed combat scenes and a take-no-crap attitude to excellent effect.

Fourth Place: The Jade Empress- @jacobfulton

Third Place

This was very, very, close, ladies and gentlemen; for a long time, this tribute was tied with our second place winner. Although she had a couple of rough patches in more combat-oriented tasks, Yemeya the moon goddess managed to dig deep to the dark, emotional recesses of her character to write truly touching scenes. It carried through into her entries, making her the only person to earn two twelves. She has easily earned her place in the finals.

Third Place: Yemeya- @Littlefoot98

Second Place

Just managing to edge her way ahead of Yemeya, Persephone Pluton focused on the equal and opposite aspects of her own personality in her entries. Between the lighthearted, simple Springtime and serious, frequently exasperated Queen, Persephone's entries were cleverly written, packed with hilarious internal dialogue, and in general a pleasure to read. When they were combined with an almost eerie ability to avoid ballot kills, it's obvious why Persephone dominated the rankings for the majority of the competition.

Second Place: Persephone Pluton- @RappyTheDinosaur

Now, the one you've all been waiting for...

Only one tribute remains. It shouldn't be surprising that Balder not only made it to the finals, earning consistently high scores all the way. The mild, introspective tone of the entries suited the character very well, as did the recurring device of referencing past dreams and prophecies in Balder's mythos. The gentle, quiet god of light has claimed victory in Ragnarok- a somewhat ironic ending, as that is exactly how the actual story of Ragnarok actually ended, with Balder and Hodor the only survivors.

Victor: Balder Odinsson- @TheDarkHorse

That's it. Blow a fanfare. Bang the drums. The Games have ended. Thank s once again to everyone who has helped make this possible.

-Joe