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Post by Serene on Jul 29, 2022 18:21:27 GMT -5
ArticlesThe Tri-Kingdom Games by Duke Pikachu Nightline ACN by love_check Op-Ed: King Skarl Did Nothing Wrong by Moni Meri Acres Merrymakers Inn: Bowl of Yuck or Yum? by sarah_jackie The Merits of Meridell’s Stinkiest Attraction by _brainchild_ Restocking at Kayla's Potion Shop in Y24 by Mostly Harmless (flufflepuff) Meridell versus Darigan: Where are they now? by alien_1155 Meridell vs Darigan: Where are they now? by marcthegr8est1 Recounting the Battle for Meridell by therainbowsheep Crop Guide for the Novice Meridell Farmer by _reyah_ Meridell vs. Darigan: A Retrospective Through Stamps by dottie27a XxD: Meridell v Darigan Lists by shellshocks Brightvale: true winner of Meridell vs Darigan? by helpfuldan Meridell Travel Guide by theguy2020 Most Liveable Neopian City: Meridell or DC? by swordlilly Top 10 Meridell vs Darigan Stamps by smeehoo27126043 This Month in the News by RielCZ Make the Most of Meridell: A Tourist's Guide by pesibodles Short StoriesImages of Vullards by jaudaran A Meridell Celebration by sleepiestkitty Ruby Road by Carolyn The Coming Out Ball by Herdy Un día en Darigan//One day in Darigan by clari_hikari Robbie And The Rubbish Dump by tallydepp Bygones by alphachicky An Old Friend by therock4678 Making (and Remaking) Darigan History by homsareggplant The Reawakening by kat212121 Conversations with Xandra by Geo 🇺🇦 🌻 Hearth of the Realm by Liou A Castle Cries by by rosemmary , indiigoe Darigan by Birdy Neither Here Nor There by Nut ComicsMeridell-usional by andypopo NeoPizza - Brotherly Bonds - Page 2 by abby568 Darkest Corner: Our King!~ by dark_elfa, rowdy420 The King of Meridell by Serene 20 Years Later /a] by alien_1155 A War Over the Plague - Two Decades of Peace! [Puzzle] by dollsuki, aninha_morango,iam_puma_master Darigan vs Meridell Crossword [Puzzle] by dendeus_271, d4nielgr, brookexashleyy Lord Darigan and the Orb - Word Search [Puzzle] by carolina_021, marinamilford, hasse_li_37 Time heals all wounds... or does it? by crazy_allstar, 49_g_a_b_r_i_e_l_49, iam_puma_master Darigan Citadel's final victory against Meridell by serebii251 Lord Darigans mishaps by safemoon New Family, Old Rivals by kuroneko_kitty Meridell vs Darigan The STAMP battle isn't over yet by neschulz Lisha Fired First by draikinator36 Life Improvised (Part 1) by Kengplant Meridell vs Darigan: hay paz entre ellos? by romina_r, Starki_Stal The Redeemed Lord by spinellihoopla Burying The Hatchet by javascripter, darkobsession, hasse_li_37 Darigan vs Meridell - A Colouring Page by marshclan13_, suzerz New Anniversary Limited Time Skin!! by black_kisa , Flaiyper Trouble in Paradise: One Man's Treasure... by Rabbit ♠ I Heart Meridell by antonia22301 Meridell vs Darigan Word Search [Puzzle] by riparu Discovery of Meridell Pop Quiz! [Puzzle] by heroically New SeriesA Hero's Journey: It Takes Two by Kat , illustrated by Twillie The Knight’s Club by ferretboy85 Armistice by crazyboutcute A Ghosts of the Past by fallingdaybreak Ancient Home by kebicorn La rivière empoisonnée by petitehirondelline A Meridell Mysteries Part 1: The Sus Faerie by tttxyv Continued SeriesThe Return of Destiny by venused, sportsagain, and noelia_pets Valrigard's Travels: Freedom by mutagens Farewell, Faerieland by 77thbigby And don't forget The Editorial. All reviews of all pieces are welcome! However, if you would really like your piece to be reviewed, post and let others know! If I made a mistake in compiling this list, let me know - this issue was quite large!
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Post by Serene on Jul 29, 2022 18:25:13 GMT -5
Meridell-usional by andypopo Only one comic in and I am already starting to feel ancient! While I missed the second war unfortunately, I took part in the first and this helped really hit home how long ago this era was. NeoPizza - Brotherly Bonds - Page 2 by abby568 I love, love, LOVE the artwork in this comic! So much is conveyed through it. I went back to check out the first page, and I am excited to see where this develops. The cliffhanger at the end though! Darkest Corner: Our King!~ by dark_elfa More outstanding artwork in this one! I really love the Acara and Draik in panel 1, they are so detailed and expressive. The shading on Skarl was really well done too! 20 Years Later by alien_1155 Another spectacular job of making me feel my age. Luckily no gray hairs for me, yet. Lisha looks like she's grown up here too. Like she's just done with dealing with the sort lunacy that Jeran is dealing out here. Time heals all wounds... or does it? by crazy_allstar Great artwork, with fantastic backgrounds. And ALL too true! Meridell would be so boring without Darigan. The background in panel 2 really stands out to me for some reason. It could be because I focused on it a bit longer due to really loving the character of the Castle Defender. Underrated in my opinion. The Dargian Elementals smug face as he blocks the attack though is too perfect. Darigan Citadel's final victory against Meridell by serebii251 Admittedly, this one broke my heart to read. The cut is still fresh. But I absolutely loved the art, the shading. My favorite was everyone's facial expressions! Darigan looks particularly evil/schemey in panel 3. New Family, Old Rivals by kuroneko_kitty Wow! Just wow! I loved this comic so much! Ralvy's personality is all too perfect Not too mention the artwork is fantastic. I am so glad you were able to muster up the inspiration to put this together for the Collab! Lisha Fired First by draikinator36 I loved the lineart in this comic. I am jealous really. I also love the idea that Lisha is a shoot first, ask questions later kind of sister. Life Improvised - Part 1 by KengplantAbsolutely loved the artwork and detail in this comic. It reminds me of a cartoon classic. I almost feel like I could be watching a movie from my childhood here. Really looking forward to seeing how it plays out. Burying The Hatchet by javascripter I really love the use of soft colors here. It really adds to the atmosphere of the two getting along and reminiscing of the old days. Maybe not the "good old days" thought! New Anniversary Limited Time Skin!! by black_kisa I love the idea of Darigan playing Kass Basher! He looks so happy too!! You can tell he's new because he has that breadstick. I loved the art here. I just noticed the expression of the Kass Plushie too! Perfect. Trouble in Paradise: One Man's Treasure... by Rabbit ♠I loved the clean artwork with simple backgrounds. Your joke landed really well, and the Turmac was super cute! I Heart Meridell by antonia22301 What a nostalgia trip! This brought back such frustrating, and yet exciting memories of struggling through fighting Drackonack. I joined Neo just after the fighting began and took the whole War just to beat him 6 measely times. And yet, I felt like I was a part of it still. I loved the artwork, and thought the joke was really well placed!
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Post by Carolyn on Jul 30, 2022 10:17:35 GMT -5
Thanks so much for making the thread, Serene! Happy Collab, everyone! Looking forward to working through your stories. If you're willing to give mine a little read, I'd love to know what you think. Cheers to 20 years of Meridell (and of course, Darigan Citadel!) Y'all are so talented and amazing and I'm floored by the incredible response here.
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Post by Stephanie (swordlilly) on Jul 30, 2022 16:50:14 GMT -5
This Month in the News by RielCZ A great sum-up and parody of recent events. xD It's been an emotional month for a lot of Neopians; you somehow managed to cover the AC fiasco, security breach, and controversy over the Thunder Sticks in a way that's both informative and amusing. Your satire is very needed after two disappointing editorials. The fact it got published gives me hope that TNT is listening. :') Thank you for your research and humour. Hearth of the Realm by Liou This story is really sweet! ❤ You have a cinematic way of imagining and writing scenes. I like how the first bit is so zoomed-in / up close, and how it then zooms out to reveal this enormous, aromatic room of undercooks and bakers bustling around. The use of different references is really smart as well - "the little Skeith" v.s. "Your Highness" at the end. It really shows how much Skarl has changed over time. Ruby Road by Carolyn A sweet glimpse into Rohane's life after he's done adventuring. I like the idea of him being idolized by someone who is in so many ways his opposite - Darigan, female, and young. This part is really moving: Simple and moving. ❤ A Hero's Journey: It Takes Two - Part 1 by Kat , illustrated by Twillie I like the idea of Meridell and Brightvale having war games. xD I did sometimes wonder what the NQII heroes would do in peacetime. It's funny to imagine Jeran and Rohane behaving like rowdy boys, and Velm being "hopping mad."
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Post by Stephanie (swordlilly) on Jul 30, 2022 22:10:25 GMT -5
The Coming Out Ball by Herdy I liked the many meanings of "coming out" in this story: Brigid getting introduced as a Lady, sharing furtive plans with her brother Hagan, talking to her father, and of course beginning a deep friendship - possibly a relationship! - with the "closeted" Kirsten. Brigid is a finely crafted, realistic character. I liked how every supporting character, from the Poogle servant to the tutor Seradar, brings out dimensions of Brigid's character, showing her as someone who is rather spoiled and selfish, but also curious and loyal to the people who care about her. A Castle Cries by rosemmary and indiigoe This story kinda reminds me of how I used to be bored by Remembrance Day formalities until it finally "hit me" what they were all about. There's a lot of good attention to detail here, including the booths, puppet play, and Sparkleberry juice. The ceremony feels big and bustling. And when the two main characters stumble upon the Baron's old room, the silence and hidden sorrow there forms a neat contrast. The only critique I have is that signing off a letter to one's parents with "White River Knight" is probably too formal. The knight would have had a name. Other than that, it's a nice story; I hope you write more! Darigan by Birdy A sequence of thought-snippets in Lord Darigan's mind. Very poetic; I liked it a lot. The writing is musical, flowing from one idea to the next based on sound, and conveying emotion through succinct, well-chosen words. Great work.
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Post by Nut on Jul 31, 2022 11:12:11 GMT -5
Hurrah, congratulations to everyone in the issue!! Thank you so much for making this thread, Serene! I'm really happy to see that after all these years, we're still compiling the list of entries for each issue! A Hero's Journey - It Takes Two: Part One by Kat , illustrated by Twillie "jostling for position on the floor" ROFL those poor knights, having to battle over their own territory in the strategy room! XD I'm imagining Jeran standing in front of his map like that meme of the guy explaining things with lines drawn across like 20 sheets of paper on the wall XDD I'm totally imagining the map as parchment with all these red lines and circles drawn over rows and rows of faded mountains and trees, like a cartographer's version of Neoquest maps.
I can tell Jeran's having trouble keeping everyone's attention! Jaco making a show of tossing the coin one last time makes me think of the unruly kid at the back of the class who decides to go along with the teacher just this once. Omg the Striped Kougra drooping from the eyes down totally gives me the image of him just swaying to the side as if he's about to knock them all over like dominoes XD
Oh, Danner is leaning forward with interest! At least Jeran hasn't lost everyone! XD Ohhh, so this is a game and not actual battle--that explains why they aren't taking it too seriously (whether they should or not).
I like how Rohane's keen interest and inventiveness come across in contrast with the rest of the group's boredom, and how his introduction gives us a rundown of his history and current standing among the knights. I can see how his take on strategy conflicts with Jeran's, and how Jeran doesn't enjoy having his authority questioned, especially in front of everyone--as well as how Rohane's insight could be really useful to the group. Jeran's more in favor of playing it safe, and Rohane is going for a more offensive approach.
Ah, I see--if this strategy brings them victory every year, all the knights probably already know it well, so no wonder they're so bored hearing it all again. Jeran trying to assert authority over Rohane by telling him to sit down, but Rohane's not taking that! It would definitely be frustrating that Jeran's not even listening to him or considering his perspective. ...Omg they actually took it to the duelling grounds oh nooo XD
HI MIPSY 8DD Yay she's involved with televising--uh, crystallizing (?)--the war games! "Doesn't he usually get along with everyone else?" uh-oh, famous last words, I can tell Rohane and Velm have had a clash or two XD And... yes, of course just that moment they hear metal clashing "interspersed with a lot of enraged yelling" (love that comedic timing), suure they're getting along just fiiiine XD (Maybe by Rohane's standards?)
I'm glad Mipsy wants to make peace! But of course they've already tried--looks like Cuthbert really did unwittingly save them. Come on, they both need to be in good shape for the war games, not fighting between themselves! ...Anddd looks like Velm is very aware of that. I like how he asks if they're okay before he clouts them XD I love his irritable personality contrasting with his role as a healer, I can totally see him that way!
Omg the last line from Velm XD he can express himself with violence in good conscience knowing he can just heal them back up again XDD
I'm definitely feeling the conflict between Jeran's and Rohane's personalities--I'm guessing from the title that they'll somehow learn to work together for the games. From the looks of things, I definitely feel like this group could use a change from the usual, especially if it's meant to prepare them for the unpredictableness of real battle!
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Post by Kengplant on Jul 31, 2022 14:09:34 GMT -5
Thank you for putting this list together! Hope to get to reviewing later tonight
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Post by Serene on Aug 1, 2022 11:59:59 GMT -5
I failed to manage my time this weekend as well as I had hoped, but still plan to devour as much of this issue as possible. I did manage to read the following this weekend though: This Month in the News by RielCZ I knew this article was going to be a must read, as soon as I saw it. Not only did it not disappoint, it blew my expectations out of the water. Out of the gate, I loved the blend of current events and satire to create such a wonderful parody of the current landscape of the community. However, when I reached the section about Thunder Sticks, I couldn't stop laughing. Especially once we were provided with the visual of an Altador Comittee member getting in the face of a participant and yelling, "OOPS!" This elicited genuine laughter from me. Images of Vullards by jaudaran by jaudaran I am not sure if Beeky is a member of NTWF or not, but just in case- I found this story absolutely wonderful. I am in awe at how well this story delivers it's emotional impact in such a concise way. I loved the way this story managed to explore mature themes through the lens of child. It also had it's own great use of imagery. The scene where the little girl mentions she wants to turn into a block of cheese to roll down a hill perfectly captures the innocence of youth.
I am hoping to read more this afternoon since the weather is looking fairly gloomy today.
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Post by charming thievery on Aug 1, 2022 21:46:28 GMT -5
The new Meridell Darigan Collab Cake is adorable and perfect for this! I’m hoping they maybe delayed giving the NT prize so all of you could get this item for contributing? (Sorry I haven’t got any reviews in this post. ^^; Hope this comment is still okay to have here. This definitely seemed like a huge collab effort, so congrats to everyone who got in! And I hope you got that cake, haha.) Edit: Nevermind, just saw the other thread and it seems this cake was released too late. D:
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Post by Serene on Aug 2, 2022 11:36:38 GMT -5
So, I ended up far more exhausted after work yesterday than I had hoped, so I went to bed early. I did manage to read one story before bed though. Still have quite a few more on my list as must reads. Ruby Road by CarolynI really enjoyed reading this story. The attention to detail when putting together world building moments in a post-war Meridell/Darigan Citadel were really well done. I have always enjoyed the concept of a story about a hero's life post adventure, and thought this story really hit that nail on the head. The character/relationship building was really well done with a family presence that felt real between Rohane and everyone else. I thought the dialogue felt real, and was paced really well! The Tri-Kingdom Games by Duke PikachuI really enjoyed the clear amount of thought that went into this article. The games themselves were well thought out, and I felt like each game fit thematically for each kingdom. I also enjoyed the way the games ebbed and flowed, and the leads changed during the event. Obviously, my personal bias was upset Meridell came in third overall, but I am glad every kingdom got their chance in the sun. Op-Ed: King Skarl Did Nothing Wrong by MoniI thought this article had some cogent arguments as to why King Skarl is misunderstood among the general Neopian populace. As a long time Meridell supporter who has not always looked favorably on the choices made by Meridell's king, I found myself agreeing with the thesis of the article because of how well articulated the supporting statements were. Statements were made that I had never really thought about. Like Skarl's seemingly unending forgiveness. I really enjoyed the use of strong, classic argumentative paper techniques, such as bringing up a counterpoint and then explaning the flaws in it.
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Post by RielCZ on Aug 3, 2022 0:51:53 GMT -5
Thanks for the reviews Serene and Stephanie (swordlilly) ! When my STC starter worldbuilding the fallout of the AC fiasco didn't place, I thought about turning parts of it into a satirical piece, but didn't think it had enough content to stand on its own. When the breach happened, though... I knew I had to talk about that and realized I could feature multiple topics in the article. I'm glad you both found it amusing/humorous! Speaking out, pushing boundaries, and trying to make the heavier a little lighter is why I like writing these articles. And ahaha, yes, the OOPS line came from experience. I would have had around 2000 more SoSd scores submitted had that error not consistently prevented me from playing that game in the latter half of the cup. And another thing: my article had a few missing words in some places because square brackets ate them, but they've since been restored. (Thanks be to Mac!)
I did peruse some stories/comics, too! Maybe I'll get to more later, who knows!Stephanie (swordlilly) : an excellent topic for an article, and very well executed. I really enjoy when articles feel real, and you did a great job of the worldbuilding and making parallels to real life. I also enjoyed that you linked to the places you referenced -- it was like a guided tour! The statements by the interviewees were very believable, as were some of the political musings: That is some sound possible scandal right there. I want to know more about the nightlife in DC. (Maybe that can be your next article? ) Birdy : I may have learned more about the wars between Meridell and DC in this story than I would have had I read a lengthy article on the history. It was very interesting to hear Darigan's perspectives and the way his mood changes throughout the conflicts; it was very poignant. Serene : I thought the MSPaint-esque art style looked pretty cool. You did a great job with character expressions, especially the clearly pained Windelle in the last panel. Rabbit ♠ : Hey look, it's us! It's always nice to be featured in a comic. That turmac is adorably derpy and the expressions are great. The punchline lands super well, too. Mostly Harmless (flufflepuff) (and kalzorn): I'm not really a RSer, so I actually learned a fair bit about RSing terminology in general in the article. It was also nice that you went through some of the common pitfalls... I may have to try RSing at Kayla's! In general, it was a fun read -- lots of puns! The " handy elixir" joke made me smile, so you can imagine how I chuckled at some of the other lines. Finally, the series by tttxyv is also by me! (I had to ask Mac to take my name off it so I could have my article published, heh.) Anyway, I enjoyed writing with her and we were both super happy with the way it turned out. The story has way more emotional depth than I usually put into things.
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Post by Nut on Aug 3, 2022 8:47:07 GMT -5
Ruby Road by Carolyn I love how the description of the village vibrating like a leaf from the window of his carriage immediately gives me the impression of how the carriage is jostling and bouncing over the roads! I like how I get an impression of the history and current standing of the three lands and Rohane's role on their council, how they all want peace but it's a struggle to find solutions everyone is happy with. It can certainly be easier to brute force a single solution than to get people to agree, and I'm not surprised Jeran and Rohane feel a bit wistful for simpler days of adventuring. I immediately get the impression of Ruby as a kind of rough-and-tumble teen, with a lot of energy and not much caring if she gets bruised or dirty, probably not quite used to growing up. I like how her missing tooth makes her sound like a Hissi. It's heartwarming to hear the backstory between Deborah and Rohane--the way they greet each other really makes the Darigans feel like his family. I can feel Ruby's determination as she strikes the metal to shape the sword, pushing forward even with her shaking hands. She definitely seems like a go-getter, and I love how Rohane and Reuben share their expertise and support her. It IS nice of Rohane to offer to help with dinner. The descriptions of the laundry being washed separately, checking his level of cleanliness, and the two Zafaras towering over him make me feel like I'm part of a domestic scene, seeing how a family does things and how a sword is made. The Meridell plates are in front of the Darigans and vice versa--cute, and shows how well they're getting along if they're happy with that. Lol Rohane's mother mixing up the slang and Reuben and Rohane reacting appropriately, poor kids xD; Of course Ruby wants to cut her food herself, she's definitely the independent type. Omg I can feel her nervousness as her tail wraps around her chair leg so much she falls over--that's a charming mental image but I do feel bad for Ruby agvhsf (and Rohane when they brought up his singing earlier, which he clearly doesn't want to talk about). Decorative swords! That's definitely a creative idea and one that would leave her mark, plus it could be a sign of peace in these times to use them for decoration and not for battle. Especially if she'd be working alongside Meridellians to make them. Ohh, the illusion magic is a smart idea! Sad that it's necessary, but sensible given the still lingering tensions. Rohane remembering how she looked like a kitten and thinking back on the scrapes he got into in his own younger days make me feel that wish to protect her, while also rooting for her to go out on her own. "I wonder if this is how it feels to let someone fly?" ... I can feel Rohane's difficulty with letting go, the wistfulness and poignancy of wanting things to stay the way they were (even as he's trying to make a positive change), but also Ruby's excitement to be out in the world, pursuing her dreams. I'm happy for her, and glad that Rohane also seems at peace with it, as he finishes the quote with a sense that this is another step towards peace for everyone. Also sorry for not tagging Twillie in my last post, I didn't realize the series was a collab! (I'm a little unclear whether it's a writing collab as well as the illustration?) I honestly thought your thumbnail was official art and TNT just had a picture lying around of Rohane and Jeran fighting for some reason?? You totally nailed the style, and Jeran and Rohane crossing swords with their hard-set faces suit the series perfectly!
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Post by Twillie on Aug 3, 2022 11:40:16 GMT -5
Nut It was just the thumbnail that I worked on, so no worries on not tagging me before! I’m actually not too sure about the trophy I received for this issue, as I don’t feel like my thumbnail is enough to count as collab credit. I may reach out to the editors about that this week lol. But thank you for the kind words! I’m really happy with how the thumbnail turned out, and I’m glad others like it and that it captures the Neopets art style
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Post by Nut on Aug 3, 2022 17:22:00 GMT -5
Most Liveable Neopian City: Meridell or DC? by Stephanie (swordlilly) Firstly, the title makes me very interested to read about which area is more comfortable to live in, and why! I like how it's structured to feel like a researched academic report and names the measures used to come to its conclusion.
"Kiko Lake came in last place" EXCUSE ME I live there XDD It's very peaceful and relaxing! But okay yeah, infrastructure might not be so great for pets who can't swim. XD
Okay, with all of these links included in the text, I'm definitely feeling like going to visit Meridell right now XD It makes sense that Meridell would be a big supplier of Neopia's food due to its fertile farmland. I can imagine tourists coming to pick berries or play Cheeseroller, and I enjoy the idea of potato counting and marrow weight-guessing being a part of their culture!
I like the list of industries that all fit in with Meridell, and how potion-brewing is one of them! I like the idea that setting tiles at Shapeshifter is a job there; peaceful and comfortable, though maybe sometimes a little boring, definitely seem like fitting descriptions for Meridell.
Brightvale University certainly seems like a place where scholars would come up with a report like this! And promoting their trading partners certainly seems in their interests. I like how Master Vex comments on Meridell's security measures; he would know, wouldn't he? Darigan does seem to have more of a distinct style and fighting savvy; I can't help but feel that the interviewees make good points, although the silver-collared Aisha seems a tad biased to her own fashion tastes.
I can also believe that other Neopian lands import more from Meridell than Darigan, since I also ran into the issue of how Darigan Toys seems to be the only canon shop XD;
I like how the interviewees all come across with their own different personalities, from the loudly opinionated Darigan Aisha to the Pink Usul ski instructor's somewhat laid-back speaking style. I'm not surprised an exciting life in Darigan would translate to being more adventurous on the ski slopes!
The article title had kind of made me think I'd be seeing a list of pros and cons for both Darigan and Meridell--I feel like I want to look up the source report now so I can see a comparison between Meridell and Darigan on each of the five points mentioned in the beginning. XD
I like how the article mentions so many of the canon locations in each area with links included, and I'm left feeling that both places have their perks, and the real winner is determined by personality and preference! -- The King of Meridell by Serene The sports announcer's voice at the beginning as Windelle holds up the ball with that cocky look in his eye put me right in the middle of the game's excitement! I love how excited Skarl looks and how his face mirrors the Techo Fanatic's--they even have the same eyes! XD He's clearly having a great time watching the game! XD
Ohh that bounce-off-the-wall shot, I know that so well XD Skarl looks so smug and self-satisfied as he razzes Lord Darigan, OMG King Hagan's completely flat deadpan expression as he delivers his analysis absolutely MAKES this!! XDD And Lord Darigan is just silently irritated and doing his best to ignore the loudmouth XD
But at least Skarl and the Techo Fanatic seem to be having an amazing time with their arms around each other singing in the last panel?? They really are two peas in a pod with those gigantic smiles! XD I love the contrast in expression between them, the deadpan silence of Hagan and Darigan, and poor Windelle with tears in his eyes as he examines his smoking glove--confirming what Hagan said! But hey, a goal is a goal--they DID score, and that's got to be even more frustrating for Darigan! XD Thank you very much for adding me to the list! Btw if you're not sure whether someone is on the NTWF, I'm sure they'd love to hear your review in a Neomail! -- Trouble in Paradise: One Man's Treasure... by Rabbit ♠ "RABBIT" omg Riel popping in with his ears all sticking up like excited hair in the distance XD And Rabbit turning around with an almost exasperated look like this has happened before XD (Also omg, it's nice to see people's neosonas in the Times! I don't remember if we were allowed to draw owners as neopets before? but I guess no one has to know.... actually, I think I did this in a comic once too XD Juuust blend in with the other pets!)
Riel looks so happy and excited with his four ears sticking up like swaying tufts of grass, his face is so round! The way he just holds out the Turmac and Rabbit stares a bit taken aback XD ...then leans closer to inspect it with a look of cautious curiosity... OMG the baby turmac with its little dot eye is SO CUTE XDD Riel looks so guilelessly happy holding it up like a baby XD
THAT BEAT PANEL OF RABBIT'S REACTION, drawing back with one leg up, turning away from the turmac with that barely-restrained look of disgust spreading across her face, as Riel just keeps standing there innocently smiling XD
Riel still just so happy and excited to start talking about his avatar, the contrast with Rabbit so deadpan announcing she's going after the disinfectant lands so hard! XD I love how Rabbit's reactions in this comic come across as so understated and yet so loud! XD -- Twillie Oh thank you, I'm glad it was okay! Congratulations on your trophy! Though hmm yeah I'd also feel weird about a thumbnail being treated as collab credit. Though it occurred to me that if trophies were given for thumbnails, it'd probably encourage people to do them for each other (which would be good now there are no longer custom pics), and it does represent a certain amount of work/time investment... But I feel like it gets complicated for people who do their own thumbnails, which I've always treated as just kind of a bonus even though it is some extra work--like it's bundled in with the entry. On the other hand, if we consider it as "bundled with the entry", then that would count as two people working on the entry if one draws the thumbnail (while, for example, if I draw my own thumbnail it's still just one person doing the whole entry). Though in that case, it would probably be quite fast for artists or picture editors to rack up NT trophies by doing thumbnails for a lot of people... and there are already art-focused contests; I like the NT being focused on writing/storytelling and sequential work. ...I'd say do whatever feels most comfortable to you, ahah. It is a special issue and you do have your name in it! (Edit: Btw sorry, I feel awkward about saying congratulations and then going off musing about whether thumbnails should be awarded trophies or not ^^;;;; I couldn't help thinking about whether, if this were standard practice, I'd want to try to earn trophies that way. It would be work, for sure, but I think I'd be able to do it a lot faster than a standard submission... however I don't think I'd want to because I wouldn't feel like it were a "full" publication either. But I also want as many people to be counted in the collab issue as possible ^^; )
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Post by Carolyn on Aug 9, 2022 14:15:43 GMT -5
I need to go back and do more reviews, but I felt like this one should come first. I love the collabs and love how they encourage the community to come together! And even more so, it makes me happiest to see new friends or old friends joining in the fray. That's the best feeling. A huge thank you to the reviewers! I'll try to reply back as I can! Nut Neither Here Nor ThereSomething I always loved about the Citadel was that it had sympathetic characters. That there was this grey morality in the first war especially that drew me to the plot and its characters. And your story captures the complexity of a people that have dealt with the consequences of another nation's actions, and how slowly things change if left to the status quo. But how one action--one meant with honest sincerity--can make a difference to a community. Your MC is really interesting--I was invested in her. I liked that because she was purple-furred, she could chameleon in Darigan society. Her anxiety is really well written here--you can see full well how hard standing up and speaking up is for her. And when your family, friends, society has told you one thing but you have seen the "other side" so intimately, it can definitely lead to internal conflict. I like how her kindness changed the heart of her employer, or that her desire to bring fresh vegetables to the Citadel made her have the courage to speak up. Her grandfather's off-handed "why do they just take care of their own" comment is so reminiscent of real world conflicts. Where those who have no idea how to fix the problem apply their own logic and resources as if every box could fit a circular peg. Loved your way of narrating the MC's voice and the message of the story. I look forward to seeing your future entries in the Times! Welcome back!
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