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Annihilation The Valiens & Srina Cut - Full Tython Judgements

Alright, well since you guys asked for the Valiens and Srina cut both full drafts are below.

Bear in mind that the result is slightly different from the final because Tef did a final pass and consideration of both Admin and RPJ thoughts.

Participation: DEFENDER
As the largest public RP thread in SWRP history, participation was widespread and general from 212 different accounts. As can also be expected in such a long running and large thread activity declined as time went on as people came and went. However, we felt that by and large both sides maintained a consistent activity level for duels and personal battles. For ground and space battles we noticed a greater decline in activity as the thread continued specifically for the attackers. This dip was noticeable and does give the defenders an advantage here.

In the area of teamwork and cooperation, which is part of the Participation judgement, the Defenders have a clear edge. Though the Attackers did on occasion work together such as The Mongrel and Keilara Kala'myr and Teresa Pellas with Carnifex, these were relatively few and far between. Most Attackers operated singly and engaged their enemies alone rather than working together.

In contrast the Defenders formed teams and groups to interact and achieve their goals together; such as the prequel diplomacy meeting, the pilots of Revenant Squadron and other fliers, and the co-operation to avert disasters like the moon falling or volcano eruption. It was in the smaller groups though that the Defenders really shone. They worked together to take on their enemies such as Amani Serys & Kai Bamarri, Caltin Vanagor & Thurion Heavenshield, Koda Fett & Ryan Korr, Ryv, Rurik Fel & Heinrich Faust and Valery & Kahlil Noble. There were even more examples of good teamwork and cooperation but suffice to say that the Defenders were better coordinated, organised and worked together better, and so claim this category.



Tension: DEFENDER
Shatterpoint was a truly epic thread encompassing over 1,220 posts and contained many memorable and interesting battles. These ranged from 1vs1 duels to massive fleet and ground battles for Tython.

The Attackers started off strong and throughout the thread set the pace of the narrative. They were responsible for several of the big set pieces of the thread as well. Several of the Attackers were fought fairly, made appropriate responses and worked to build on their enemy's actions. Some notable highlights were Surea, Project Uriel, Kralmus Orr, Darth Libertas, Darth Mori and Chassella. All of these and others fought their battles in entertaining and fair ways, which enhanced the general story.

The Defenders were initially on the back foot and took a while to properly get organised and fighting back against the onslaught. When the Attackers broke a moon, moved a moon, tried to initiate a supervolcano or break reality they readily responded appropriately and fairly to these developments. There were many of the Defenders who fought and responded to each other fairly and appropriately, and a full roll would be too much to list. However, some great examples on the Defenders side are; Heinrich Faust, Ryv, Corin Trenor & Rurik Fel vs Solipsis, Ryan Korr & Koda Fett vs Carnifex, Amani Serys & Kai Bamarri vs Surea, and Valery & Kahlil Noble vs Kyrel Ren. On that note, Rurik Fel was involved in a second highly effective duel at the beginning with Halketh which deserves special praise. Further, special note should be given to the Defender pilot writers who orchestrated an entertaining series of posts reacting to each other and their enemy equally.

For both the ground and fleet battles the Attackers and Defenders both operated well against each other and for the most part fairly. Such struggles with NPCs are often difficult to properly judge, and there were good writers on both sides reacting positively to the changing conditions. For the Attackers, Tu'teggacha and their other characters fought well to hold back heavy odds in space and on the ground. For the Defenders meanwhile fleet commanders like Aculia Voland and Liram Angellus and ground commanders like Zark San Tekka and Erskine Barran worked well to craft their stories in reaction to events and each other as the thread continued. Both sides were reasonably fair about taking appropriate hits despite some occasional blips. Overall these theatres of war were evenly poised when it came the area of tension.

When it came to the big events of the thread such as the movement and destruction of the moons, what is most notable is how well the Defenders stepped up and were prepared to roll with the punches and take hits when their opponents would not. When Ashla was destroyed multiple Jedi and allies worked together to form a barrier against the falling moon. When Scylla AI threatened to unleash a supervolcano, Thurion Heavenshield and Caltin Vanagor reacted and worked to stop the threat. When reality itself was broken the Defenders incorporated this into their story like Errik Nimdok in his fight with Vector Monk.

In many cases such as Silas Westgard vs Erion Justeene the Defender was badly outmatched and severely hurt or killed but fought on and took hits to create a better story. Siv Dragr fought a relentless enemy who seemed impervious to his attacks but fought on regardless. The same can be said for Simon Meinrad whose battles with Danika Leventis seemed hopeless until he managed to draw level at the end. Finally, despite the unbelievable power of Carnifex and Solipsis, Koda Fett and Rurik Fel fought on despite the personal cost, reacting in turn, even if it led to the Emperor's death.

There were unfortunately some cases where writers would either ignore attacks or not react in a fair or balanced way to them. Whilst this did happen amongst the Defenders, it did happen more frequently and more noticeably amongst the Attackers.

Overall then, the Defenders recovered from the early onslaught and reacted well to the Attackers, forming fair and balanced replies more often. This combined with a generally better coordination allowed them to react better to circumstances and take a clear win in this category.


Story: DEFENDER
The Annihilation of Tython thread was not only the biggest on SWRP it featured the most accounts and the most interlinked stories. Some of these were small and personal affairs like Errik Nimdok and Vector Monk's 'peer review' of each other. On the other some plots caused moons to break and reality to splinter.

The Attackers were united almost entirely behind a single cause and purpose; destroy Tython and purge its defenders. To this end they started by crashing a massive starship into the ground as a forward base, then devising a ritual capable of breaking the planet. Further, by having a massive fleet in orbit and ground forces they made a powerful opening play.

The Defenders meanwhile were initially not as united. As their diplomatic prelude showed they were divided even as they realised the need to oppose the Maw onslaught. Further it was never certain whether the NIO might turn on their old enemies at an opportune moment. At Tython the Defenders very much had to play catchup to the Attacker's onslaught and as a result had to try to coordinate on the fly.

The Attackers were responsible for most of the big plot points of the Annihilation. From the crashed starship, to the broken moon, warped reality or supervolcano, they pushed their grand narrative forward. In this way they were able to control the flow of the story and make the Defenders react to their actions. However, these big plot points at times seemed a little forced, like the Attackers were trying to outdo each other in attempts to make an even bigger disaster and an even larger catastrophe. Further, though united in purpose the Sith did not work together well, mostly pursuing their own designs with limited coordination with others.

This is not to say that the Attackers had no good stories. The Mongrel and Keilara Kala'myr's story was very interesting, Zachariel Steelblood's confrontation with Ingrid was also noteworthy.

Both Attackers and Defenders had many great united plots where together they built compelling stories together. It would be impossible to list all the great stories in this thread, but there are some highlights. Amani Serys and Kai Bamarri vs Surea and then their own escape from danger was a very good read with both sides reacting fairly and building a narrative. Rurik Fel fighting first Halketh and then falling before Darth Solipsis was a memorable end for the character. Project Uriel's fight and then discussion with Alessandra Io was very compelling to read. Darth Mori and Allyson Locke's confrontation brought together a lot of interpersonal history and built on it for this. Kralmus Orr's confrontation with Romul Saxon typified the clash of Enclave and Maw aligned Mandalorians and set a great series of battles in motion. Finally Laoth and Ishida Ashina's confrontation was a great culmination of a long-running story.

However, the Defenders rallied, especially in the mid to late thread and advanced the story in notable ways. The diplomatic prelude was a great way to involve characters who were not on the frontlines of the war or gave those that were an extra facet to their characters. The interplay and banter between the Defender pilots such as Revenant Squadron allowed a closely knit story which allowed them to react and build off each other. The way many Jedi and allies banded together in the face of the supervolano, the falling moon and fracturing reality was a great way to build story. Asha Vynea and Cotan Sar'andor aiding the Jedi like Thurion Heavenshield, Celeste Rigel and Caltin Vanagor in preventing catastrophe allowed them to properly unite and build a collective story in reaction. Koda Fett's battle with Carnifex was important character development for the Mandalorian and his struggle against his old patron was nice to read. Finally, the way the NIO writers operated and formed an uneasy alliance with the rest of the Defenders was very interesting to follow, as typified by Aerys Fortan and Kirie's interactions. This showed that they were willing to put aside their judges to fight the Maw…for now.

In the end the Defenders were able to unify their efforts to effectively respond to the Attacker's efforts. They built their story through mostly fair and balanced actions, worked together better and had some great interpersonal moments even when not trying to avert disaster. Many of the Attacker's biggest actions were certainly flashy and attention grabbing, but they often seemed desperate to outdo each other in an attempt to make the most dramatic and most noticeable statements. And whilst they did push the story along new paths the Defenders more than answered by building unified plots in reply and expanding the lore and development of their characters. It is for this reason that this is a very narrow victory to the Defenders.



Drama: [TIE]
For such a massive thread, it was remarkably free of visible OOC animosity. Issues which came up seem to have been discussed between writers privately and edits made. We were made aware of two issues where writers had disagreements, and these were resolved by asking their writers to disengage. Otherwise, we encountered no further issues, and so we are comfortable ruling this a tie.



Final Result: DEFENDER WIN

And here's Srina's full judgement, posted with her permission.

Participation: [DEFENDER VICTORY]


Considering how very many members were doubling and tripling up on accounts during this Annilihation, the depth of the posts, and the sheer length of the thread—Everyone should feel very proud of doing their very best to keep the momentum going. It's natural for some fights and events to trail off after a little while, but, by and large, it was nice to a good chunk of them carry on and hit notable high points.
That being said—In the last third of the thread, the presence of the Brotherhood did seem to lessen as the Ritual came into fruition. By itself, though noticeable, that difference may not be enough to call it for one side or the other. However, participation isn't only about consistent activity. It also takes "teamwork" and "cooperation" between members of each faction into account. While the Attackers try to keep common "themes" within their posts and frequently call back to the Great Correction there is far less cooperation between faction members.
Often, it seems that the Maw writers are independent islands. On the side of the Defenders (despite IC differences) we can see them coordinating far more often, building, and supporting one another. This is especially evident during many of the Fleeting posts where the Enclave, EE, and NIO have to be mindful of friendly fire and try not to blow each other up (too much). It is also evident in the way the Jedi chain Battle Meditation together throughout the thread, plus, in the way they collapse as a unit on new problems that arrive. When it came time to depart, even then, the Defenders make calculated, specific, almost organized posts to withdraw.
It can be difficult to get one faction to work together let alone a fistful. For these reasons, the Defenders have been awarded Participation.

Tension: [ATTACKER VICTORY]


The first notable bout of true tension (outside of introductory posts) was depicted by Halketh and Rurik Fel. The dialogue there is almost as poignant as the actual fight itself. They weave a story with just enough background to show that this has been a clash that has been a long time coming. There is no way to truly choose who was the "victor" of this duel. Both writers carried one another beautifully without sacrificing a bit of content. The apology of Rurik Fel for his perceived "failure" was haunting and the passing of Halketh was just as equally moving. This fight was utilized almost like a "first splash" and was instrumental in setting expectations of what was to come. There are so many, many moments that ought to be recognized for their contributions to the thread but listing them all isn't possible.
Below are several instances that most definitely factored in for the decision in this category.

  • The debate between Zachariel Steelblood and Ingrid L'lerim is a clever bandying of words that begin as a disagreement of "truths" about how this day will end. The fight starts in earnest, with force-related flair, and a bit of a twist with their allegiances. Talk about a complicated relationship. It slowly starts to make sense why Ingrid, for all her ability, doesn't simply run through Zachariel to get to Solipsis. He's more than a lover, but a friend she wishes she could save. The true conflict comes into play when he makes it very clear that he doesn't need or want to be saved.
  • What started off as a rather mundane moment an off-world summit on Naboo (a week prior to Tython) actually provided a lot of context to the way in which the Galactic Alliance views her allies (Example Post: Aerarii Tithe). The smooth-talking Chancellor made some quick and fast demands that held all the charm of a snake-oil salesman. He asked for an awful lot while at the same time "letting" the Mandalorians do all the heavy lifting. The strain on the Tython Accords was palpable with the rebuttal, although, the summit was saved by cooler heads.


  • Youth clashed with age as Danika Leventis and Simon Meinrad fought on the steps of the ruined Jedi Temple. The moonfall dropped around them, reality bent, but they kept at it, fueled, by personal gain or zealotry. This wasn't an elegant duel where a poetic exchange of blades or powers allowed either combatant to truly show off their skillset—But was instead a no-holds-barred brawl. Both fighters ended up on the floor, bruised and bloodied, while they tossed blows at one another. They took an impressive amount of damage while both fighters tried to drag the other kicking and screaming to the Netherworld. The willingness of both writers to take damage as the fight degenerated into a savage slugfest made for an interesting read as it was never quite clear who the victor might be.


  • Koda Fett and Ryan Korr seem well-matched to fight the former Emperor of the Sith Empire. The way they work together to take on Carnifex-Demiurge is notable, especially, with the way his abilities allow him to creatively deflect, evade, or nullify attacks. It seems an impossible fight from every angle. A two versus one battle could be considered unfair, but, Teresa Pelles returns to temporarily even the numerical odds. Most of the hillside they fought on would likely have been destroyed were it not for Carnifex being present when Ashla fell.

    This fight held a different "feel" than some of the others that started thus far. It truly paints the Dark Lord as a monstrous titan, however, it also allowed Fett and Korr to bring a variety of tactics to the table. Fett is at a distinct disadvantage once Korr is down for obvious reasons and the presence of Pelles makes that all the more apparent. The way Fett relies on technology against Force Users of such magnitude and manages not to lose his head (mentally, or otherwise) is impressive. The sheer history between some of these characters is exceedingly popcorn worthy.
  • Alessandra Io and Project Uriel have a somewhat unorthodox encounter as it seems to involve two automatons that fight for vastly different reasons. The idea that Project Uriel was actually a "sister" or "daughter" of sorts that was "enslaved" by the Maw was entirely unique to this storyline. They fire back and forth with incredible weaponry, though the depth of empathy of Alessandra Io made the moment feel like true hardship. Even if Tython was fated to become a lost world, Alessandra was still determined to try and save something.

    Project Uriel brought a new level of awareness by entering a mindscape in which she eventually "shuts down" after a tragic burst of truth. This story devolves into a private, quiet, emotional moment while the sky is falling. It's surprisingly well-done and carried by the ability of both writers to emote while utilizing HRD units. Two thumbs way, way up.

  • The space battle surrounding the Avatar of War was a chaotic swirl of missiles and turbolasers as ships from all over the galaxy filled Tython's orbit. The Brotherhood Fleets were faced with the massive combined fleets of the major powers gathered against them. It was a truly terrifying prospect (as noted by Tu'teggacha) for the Mawite commanders to face. Fleeters on both sides sought to use every trick and tactic imaginable to destroy and or trap their opponents. This back and forth brought an additional layer of tension and suspense to the conflict that raged across the system, a notoriously difficult affair, as leaders (like Verin Oldo and Liram Angellus) were left mourning their losses and wondering if they'd done the right thing. These writers had a lot to keep track of and a lot to respond to. They should all be commended for looking outside the box.

  • The cannibal soldiers of Kyrel Ren were received as they were seemingly intended to be. Disturbing. The writer seemed to seek savage imagery in their depiction and he definitely landed that from the jump. This set the tone for a clash with Valery and Khalil Noble who, despite a lengthy setup, found themselves embroiled in a fierce encounter. There is a lot to be said about knowing when to retreat or defend, especially, when the sky starts falling. Khalil executed that fluidly when Asha fell without breaking character or losing hope.

    In the meantime—Valery and Kyrel manage to keep fairly fluid chemistry throughout the fight. They say opposites attract, and here, they do. He writes as the Wrath, driven by bloodlust, while Valery acts with insight and empathy. Kahlil rejoins the fray rather seamlessly and the balance between opposing sides is never more apparent. They continue to hurl more than a few force-based attacks between some fancy footwork but somehow they all manage to survive, to quote, "to fight another day". It's a good example of truly unequivocal "darkness" versus unshakable "light" and lent to a very "Star Wars" aesthetic.

  • It can be hard to stand out as a truly callous and evil villain in a thread like this, mostly, because there are so very, very many. Somehow, Nyaeli manages to pull it off. This is expressed near the start of the engagement when she kills one of the Flesh Raider leaders to instill fear into her troops, making them a mindless horde for Aoki Mira and Raina Demici to try to survive. Yet as reality warps around them—Nyaeli reveals her most devilish act yet, capturing Aoki, and subjecting the squire to mental torture with the intent of breaking the bond she shares with Raina.

    The fight, unfortunately, does not come to a definitive conclusion, but, we can say for certain that it definitely getting interesting.

  • The Defending team at the Temple Ruins starts by pulling out all the stops early on. They choose to hearken back to the actions of Rey Skywalker at the end of "Rise of Skywalker" by calling on Jedi that came before for strength. Conflict does take a moment to build but once it does it seems there's no stopping it. From starting off by fighting primarily Mawite NPC's Thurion Heavenshield and Ardana Vorco set the initial tone. It gets heated, quickly, and we're here for it. Coren Starchaser acts creatively by redirecting an attack from Darth Libertas amongst the chaos, but, the Sith is not one to go down without a fight. Madison Starr and The Mongrel (NPC) added some much-appreciated levity to the chaos, but even in those exchanges, there were very heavy losses acquired.

  • In Khamul Kyze and Geiseric we have two enemies who have clashed before, which, is always a treat. The history between them from previous threads became more and more apparent as the Ritual reached its pinnacle. It adds a layer of tension, of substance, because they aren't just two nameless foes meeting across a crowded battlefield. We had high hopes that this would be an epic showdown between two natural enemies, however, despite his resolve, Geiseric proved to be no match for the power of the Mand'alor as he fell beneath a brutal assault. It was a tough turn of events.

  • Siv Dragr finds himself outclassed at every turn during the fight between himself and Dimitri Voltura. This isn't necessarily a bad thing for either side as both parties have their allure and maintain individuality. Dragr with grit and Voltura with flair. At its core—This duel definitely reads like a mortal trying to stand tall against a creature of myth. The Mandalorian must accept that he is facing a foe who is superior to him in almost every way, using only the most basic weapons and elements of his armor. Dragr manages to fight the Sith to a standstill until circumstances force them both to retreat. The fight against an opponent who is so much more powerful provides a near-constant source of tension. We're never quite sure if he'll survive or if the new powers the SIth throws at him will be the final straw.

  • This fight was massive. Aside from the battle at the Ritual Site, it's one of the more eye-catching stories told. Onboard the Avatar of War there are Mandalorians from both sides that clash in a bloody struggle. It's important because we have two very different kinds of bucket-head willing and ready to gun the other down. The introduction of wanton cannibalism never fails to provide shock value, however, Romul Saxon takes it in stride when coming face to face with Kralmus Orr. There's a particular flavor to this fight (no pun intended) where it almost seems that Kralmus is fighting with words almost as much as his gear. Even wheezing, and battered, his verbal assault never takes a holiday. The slick banter carries the battle just as much as the actual slugthrowers do.

    The Enclave swiftly tears a swathe of destruction through the Avatar of War (as shown by Romul Saxon), however, the Brotherhood 100% isn't having it. There is something both disturbingly sinister and hilarious about the cannibalistic (yet humorous) Kralmus Orr as he brings his troops to face the Enclave. There's a surprising twist from the status quo. In the majority of the Annihilation, the Attackers are portrayed as larger than life and virtually unstoppable, however, the Enclave takes that role in this situation. The Maw throws basically everything and the kitchen sink at them, including, but not limited to a gigantic insect ridden by Tor'r Tal'Verda. Vorm Ren finds himself caught in a life and death struggle as he uses the Force to hold off an assault by Javik Sudant and Kaz Kryt.

    The two sides trade blows until the arrival of Dodhorn Harert forces both sides to step back and retreat. This clash of two behemoths throwing so much at one another leaves us unsure if the Maw-Mandalorians will be able to stand against the advances of the Enclave. There is a distinct sense of discord brought on by the competing Mandalorian beliefs that leaves us with at least one eyebrow raised sky-high. It was explosive, creative, cheeky, and oh-so-slick. You know what you did, you know who you are. :)

  • A brutal piece of combat between Kimiko Taiyou and Chassella found its way to the very steps of the Ritual. The Sakuran Empress managed to find an opportunity to strike at Solipsis, however, with the heavy presence of Sith guarding the area she was intercepted by the Sith assassin, Chassella. Although the fight was brief, both combatants threw everything they had into it in an energetic contest of skill and ability. Despite proving the superior fighter, the Empress had her victory pulled from her grasp. This, very sadly, left her noble intent as just one more sacrifice to the Ritual.

  • Allyson Locke and Darth Mori are two characters with an incredibly rich history that has spanned several threads, invasions, and eras. This undeniable connection of tumultuous discord soaks into every minute of the fight. It drives Allyson's anger and desperation in confronting the Sith, while in turn, it fuels Darth Mori for her impassioned response to the arrival of the Jedi. The emotional tension becomes incredibly high when Allyson comes to think that she'd failed a padawan whom she'd started to think of family, driven on by Darth Mori's deceptions. Darth Mori plays the emotional angle perfectly, sending the Jedi Shadow down into the dark side, while at the same time playing a larger game with Darth Solopsis, the Maw, and perhaps, something we're not even aware of.
  • There is some kind of connection between Amani Serys and Surea that was propelled, perhaps inevitably, into a fight by the presence of Kai Bamarri. Amani appears to be a reluctant opponent at first, though, Surea seems to be all in. Kai goes against the surrender that Amani offers but eventually they all seem to be on the same page. There is a sense of exhaustion from battling morality over what seems to be common sense. Amani could have killed Surea, in the end, but chose the Jedi way. Even with cataclysmic events happening around her the pair decided to take Surea prisoner versus ending her life. This story is…Sad with a little touch of hope. There are a lot of little nuances at play that spill out, bit by bit, while their unique writing style remains engaging throughout. If this really is the end for our Frog Princess…Damn. Sleep well, you deserve it.


The initial scene for this thread was evocative, which, was introduced artfully (if violently) by the Brotherhood of Maw. From beginning to end there was a sense of being pulled back and forth like a game of tug-of-war in regards to whether the Defenders or the Attackers were leading the pack. Building tension, maintaining it, and following through with it is no easy feat for a singular author writing alone. Holding onto it in a competitive, cooperative, writing environment is even more difficult. We see members of the Maw clashing with Jedi, Mandalorians, Imperials, and all manner of man and creature aligned with the Tython Accords. This is written in such a way that the overall presence of the Brotherhood cannot be denied. They have truly become that which must be feared and defeated. So much so, that the entirety of the galaxy has dropped their own petty squabbles to band together and say: No More.
Nearly every major thread-shaking event that took place was enacted by the Brotherhood of the Maw. From the breaking of Ashla, to the Ritual, even, the Warping of Reality. These events only flourished as well as they did because every writer in the thread was mindful of the efforts that were made by one another to make this Annihilation, essentially, Endgame. We can see Defenders rising swiftly on these occasions, however, it is the Attackers that keep raising the stakes to give the Defenders something to rise against.
There are, however, a few points buried within some of the PVP encounters that shatter some of the immersion. There comes a point in which power-playing becomes less of a story-telling mechanic and more of a crutch. As powerful as some of these duels were on the whole; there are moments when they individually lose their efficacy due to the presentation of an abundance of top-tier Force Powers and NFU Abilities. There were several instances of pure handwavium to escape any and all damage from the opposition. When everything is consistently over the top, brutal, or, nearing a God-Like quality they become far less fantastical and impressive. Both sides are guilty of falling into this habit (as we all are) in order to meet one another, however, there are quite a few times where these moments served to highlight the plight of the Defenders. That being said—Individual duels are not the deciding factor of an Annihilation and neither side was always completely fair to the other. The overall picture, from beginning to end, is what must be measured.
There are a few instances in which the Defenders manage to wrest control of tension from the Attackers. Alessandra Io, Koda Fett, Ryan Korr, Thurion Heavenshield, Coren Starchaser, and Siv Dragr are just a few examples of this. Conversely, the Maw would often take it right back with contributions by Kalmus Orr, Darth Mori, Tu'teggacha, Nyaeli, and The Mongrel. Every other page of this thread seemed to cause the victor of this category to change hands but there was one encounter that seemed to throw everything out the window:
The final battle at Akar Kesh.
Featuring characters like Darth Solipsis, Dagon Kaze, Corin Trenor, Rurik Fel, Heinrich Faust, Jem Fossk, Auteme, Ryv, and Cotan Sar'andor—There was a never-ending shift in tension that was almost dizzying. A final culmination of events for this thread was an essential mechanism that allowed writers some level of closure while developing a solid connection with the characters involved. This was the moment in which the very heart of the Annihilation became clear. The tension that had been building finally reached its zenith. Solipsis is a terror. We can all agree on that. He broke reality. No metaphor, no pun.
While this was happening there were plenty throughout the thread who acknowledged it and had to work their way through the chaos. Amani Serys and Kai Bamarri, who were distant from this particular conflict, still followed along. Dodhorn Haret knew the moment it happened and this only added to the depth and importance of the completion of the Ritual. The Defenders that surrounded Solipsis all responded to this, excellently. But even with the way they were able to capture the terrible severity of their endeavor, there were still moments in which the Maw managed to steal back the crown. The surprising betrayal of Jem Fossk is very worthy of note.
Even with several characters losing their lives throughout the thread, including but not limited to, Solipsis, Ryv, and Rurik Fel—Tension does not become immediately clear. Character deaths are always shocking. Especially, when they have a breadth of history on the forum. It's always more jarring than an NPC or a PC that was created, specifically, to die. Both sides of the playing field gave it their all and there were moments in which a character's dying post was almost painful to read. This leads back to reviewing the overall perspective.
When reviewing this, we keep finding ourselves coming back to one, clear, inescapable fact. The overall air of doom, despair, and tragedy that the Maw upheld throughout the entirety of the thread never left. It flowed continually from beginning to end. Even with the unexpected death of Solipsis, there was little relief to be found.
It was a close call but the skillful, lingering foreshadowing can't be overlooked.
The Brotherhood has it.

Story: [DEFENDER VICTORY]


The Maw and their Allies/Supporters began this annihilation with a bang. There's no other way to put it. The arrival of the Sith and the way their goals were clearly defined with scripture and gospel backing their actions and belief structure created an atmosphere that hearkened to the aspirations of Darth Sidious. (Example Post: Darth Solipsis) While there are obvious differences the overarching sense of dark ambition coupled with a disturbing edge of patience that only a true antagonist may hold gives the reader a specific sense of dread. They've waited for this moment, a decade of war, scheming, and planning. They refuse to fail.
Despite their obvious propensity for monstrous acts (Example Post: Kyrel Ren), they do twine moments of empathy into their writing that drives the narrative with an even deeper need to succeed. There are moments when a barely visible edge of humanity makes it almost heart-wrenching to read. It creates sympathy for the devil, which, is the hallmark of something very well-written. (Example Posts: Keilara Kala'myr x The Mongrel).
In contrast—The Galactic Alliance, NIO, EE, Enclave, SJC, Ashlan Crusade, and the rest of the Defenders have the rather difficult task of rising to the occasion and reacting to such a strong beginning. Things unfold for the members of the Tython Accords at a much more moderate pace than the Maw, though, they do steadily pick up momentum whilst they find their footing. There are Jedi that bring that iconic sense of determination, and unlikely allies, even hired help, that show how ominous the situation has become.
The summit introduced on Naboo is an interesting addition to the story. It's pleasing to see an inclusive objective other than "medical/refugee" related that is non-combat oriented. Several of the nations involved don't particularly like each other, but they manage their distaste for what seems to be the "common good" of everyone. Even some of the more "neutral" agents like those that belong to the NIO display a willingness to set aside their differences long enough to see the crisis through. Those inherent incongruities in philosophy and ideals make it all the more impressive to see the Defenders collapsing on a problem, coming together, and coordinating on multiple different fronts. It makes for a complicated, however, intriguing "unified" platform.
The flow of sentiment and intent presented is multifaceted from such a LARGE group of factions on one side. Think of herding a slew of angry cats into a wet bag. The Mawites have the benefit of being unified by one banner and they certainly use it well. However, the Defenders do not have that privilege. The story becomes something new. It isn't merely the age-old trope of "idealistic hope" winning out against the darkness but the depiction of the beginning and end of a grim and violent era of conflict. (Example Post: Rurik Fel/Fenn Stag) This begs us to accept certain truths early on. There are shades of gray that must be observed as not all of the Defenders or Attackers are strictly "good" or "evil" in the traditional sense. There is something fascinatingly ironic about a layer of mildness observed within some of the "villains" versus the militant and hardened perspective of some of the "protagonists".
The Ritual taking place in Akar Kesh seems to carry ripples in the force that affect Tython directly and indirectly—That cannot be ignored and the writers on both sides are deliberate in noting that. The creation of a force network of support by the New Jedi Order in direct opposition to this is an example of two opposites rising to meet one another.
There is a point in which both sides seem to flounder for a little while. Not for a lack of well-written posts, but seeming to have trouble "finding" one another to engage in such an expansive staging area. During this time we can see the Defenders cooperating with one another and slowly adding to the building blocks that they've been presented with. They acknowledge pivotal events that are happening distantly, such as, the passing of Halketh (Example Post: Cortan Cotan Sar'andor). We can see the Mawites trying to support the Avatar of War (Example Post: Tu'teggacha), while, worrying over the safety of the Dark Voice but the holding pattern continued for quite some time.
A few sub-plots appeared from Attacker Allies in which they have their own grand plans. Respectable, as they are Sith, but it does not hold to the correction of the "Great Error" narrative that the Maw presents. The same thing can be observed with a few of the more militant NIO/Enclave members, though, in both instances, these events seem to be outliers to the central story.
Some battles are on a grand scale, full of fleeting and explosions, while others are smaller skirmishes though no less impactful. They range from brutal, to the bitterest of enemies, to lovers that simply stand on opposite sides of a great chasm. Some are occasionally just a little…Odd. Even with everything at stake, there are some parties that think they might be able to "cure" or "save" some of the Maw. A few of the Defenders even toy with the idea of trying to turn Maw Raiders against the Brotherhood, even though, most of the fanatic Mawites are only focused on proving their loyalty to the cause. They are unrelenting in that endeavor.
There is also a very humanizing struggle with some of the Jedi. The notion of doing so much harm in order to protect Tython is a shared theme on several levels, mostly, because it is unsettling. The oppressive darkness brought on by the Brotherhood Ritual is only enhanced by watching the moon break and fall from the sky. The implementation of "Battle Meditation" was the perfect way to bolster the ranks and help alleviate self-doubt. It's very similar to the way that the Mawites use "Hâsk jiaasen" as a sort of binding cry that brought about a connection pivotal to the Ritual. Both of these events serve to link posts together, creating a common thread on both sides that flows throughout the story.
If only the beginning of the story were read for this Annihilation this category would likely have also been awarded to the Brotherhood of the Maw. They began in the lead by leaps and bounds over the Defenders with looming dark designs and purposeful goals. They set the scene and gave the opposition the setting in which to write. Toward the middle of the thread, the Defenders really came into their own and stepped up through complex individual micro-narratives that supported and built off one another. Even the more antagonistic members of the Tython Accords fed the story by highlighting the depth of restraint it took to maintain a cease-fire. The Defenders went on to accept intense and volatile events, such as the destruction of the moon, planetary force storms, reality-warping, cannibalism, killer robots, and gates to the nether with surprising flexibility. Rather than become buried beneath the weight of such heavy content, they pushed through and ran with it.
The Attackers weren't slouching either, though. They pressed onward with their assigned expectations no matter what cataclysmic event transpired, although, they had the benefit of partially being "aware" of the situation. In that respect, as the thread went on, the story seemed to lend more and more room for the Defenders to grow and evolve. They went from merely "existing" in immediate horror and brimstone to leading the resolution, fighting from the front, with everything they had and more. The Mawites came into the thread more than willing to die for their cause and take everyone with them if need be. They knew, on some level, the monstrous deeds that would be required to see the Great Correction through because this is what the Maw is known for. This is what they do. They entered the thread in their chosen swansong, at their epilogue, whereas the Defenders arrived with the gift of possibility. Of choice, and opportunity. They accepted that gift, the tension the opposition provided, and throughout the Annihilation used it to make the story their own as they attempted to turn the tide. Not for some fated prophecy or scripture—But for the simple right to live.
It is for this reason, toward the end, that the Defenders managed to inch ever-so-slightly past the Brotherhood of the Maw.

Drama: [TIE]


Neither side had any level of difficulty that was exceedingly detrimental, however, there were several instances of passive-aggressive snark referring to other participants of the thread. It's one thing for characters to be snarky. It's another when OOC bleeds through. It's not enough to call it out in a way that affects the judgment but it does toe the line and should be avoided in the future. For the most part, the Attackers and Defenders should be commended for working together and cooperating without significant Staff Intervention. Only three writers asked for or needed help. In a thread this large with so much at stake in character—That's small potatoes.

Final Result: DEFENDER WIN
 
My favourite part was seeing how Srina gave tension to the attackers whereas Valiens gave all three categories to defenders.

And where Srina talked about how characters on the good guy side really had to deal with the shades of grey, using battle meditation to bolster each other like how the Maw used Hask Jiaatsen or w/e as a rallying cry, and that bit about how "this would've gone to the attackers if we only looked at the beginning of the thread, but the defense really came together around the middle after starting hard on the back foot.

Okay, okay, I lied, I really skimmed Valiens's summary. He'd already told me he mentioned me I didn't have to read through his.
 
The validation is real.

But jokes aside, Valiens Nantaris Valiens Nantaris Srina Talon Srina Talon these are really well-written and detailed judgments and I really appreciate being able to look deeper into the deliberations that led to the final decision. And it's gratifying to see that equal hard work was put into judging this thread as much as there was work put into planning and writing it. It's cheesy but it's hard to describe how super-grateful I feel towards you and the RPJs who worked very hard as well.

Would've been cool to see Tython blow up though, but oh well. Save it for next time.
 

Vesta

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Being that this is my either first or second favorite experience/thread on Chaos in the nearly 8 years I've been here (still 4 months away) thus far I have zero complaints. No matter which of the "cuts" for the judgment were used I am satisfied, though I will say that I do like being able to see all three takes for how it was seen through different perspectives. I personally find myself agreeing with the results in the final judgment but the Valiens/Srina cuts do provide some more insight in how each side (defenders/attackers) performed than it did at the same time.
 
Would've been cool to see Tython blow up though, but oh well. Save it for next time.

Told MAW’s discord, I’ll say it again here, when Valiens and I began our voice call about the final judgement my opening line was “I don’t care what they wrote, lets blow it up.”

Regardless of how much hate the forum ever gives me for how I reach decisions, I follow the rule of cool. But, I did also say that I thought a successful defense was the more unexpected outcome, as I believed the majority of the forum would also believe the thread worthy of destruction given the monumental effort. And I do like surprises…

But ultimately I felt it disrespectful to the stories, the writers, the judges, and the Admins to exercise a veto so I caved to the mainstream, as one should in my position.
 

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