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A good character

If all is equal, a good premise beats a detailed history

  In the 2025 World ember event, I will be judgeing the character concept article type. As something often mulled upon (but used less than I should), this for me is something that can be a cornerstone in a good myth or prose.
  I value the written word above all else and so the main thrust of the "marking" will be taking the article to a notepad to see how it reads without the fancy. But don't worry if your MO is to add fancy CSS or magnificent art, those are bonus points and will be included later.
 

The text - mark out of 10

The first segment of the marking comes from the words themselves. I'm looking for a verbal description, even if there is art, though this can be a list or collection of visual facts. But I'm also looking for tone and feel of the person. I want to theoretically be able to take this being and describe it to a tabletop and have them fixate on a visual element.
  Personality is here too, we're talking why are they like they are. Backstory is nice, but if you just make your text this happened and this happened and this then I will find that less compelling than 2 facts and a good cause about why
 

The hook - mark out of 3

You can describe every person in a world, but why This effer. What makes this one get a description and not their optometrist? Make it apparent why a reader should care.
 

Images and CSS - up to 2 bonus points

Your world is lovely, but this is about the character and these points are about whether your visuals accentuate the character - I want them to help me be drawn into the language you use, your phrasing and language should carry the article.
 

Readability - a bonus point

Something I struggle with, but this is a site for delivering information and if you manage to succeed in making the flow easy to do then I will mark that down for later.
  So that's how I will do it, a mark out of 13, with 3 extra points for tiebreaking. Let's see what you bring to the table.
Thank you for reading, feel free to give feedback.


Cover image: Swamp Ghoul by Vormoranox

Comments

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Nov 30, 2025 14:28 by Keon Croucher

Oh you are judging one of the article types! (Missed Stream, negative to living that night shift life that's around my bedtime nowadays) That's neat!!! I say this with all the love in the world, I hope this community makes it hair pullingly difficult for you to pick a winner by giving you a plethora of top tier quality options ;)

Keon Croucher, Chronicler of the Age of Revitalization
Nov 30, 2025 16:47 by Asmod

You know they will

Dec 1, 2025 11:59 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

Good luck with judging! :)

Emy x
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