RESULTS
Are you ready for this? Once again, I failed to adequately make up my mind, and therefore am awarding a joint third place.
1st Place:
The idea behind this story proved a puzzler when Jamie asked if her original character had to be human in the question thread, but boy am I glad Jess said no. This story was fascinating, creating a very distinctive voice for such an intriguing character, as well as characterising the canon character Neville, and the relationship dynamic between them, absolutely perfectly.
Jamie takes 20 shiny points back to Hufflepuff.
and...
2nd Place:
Carole wrote two excellent stories for this challenge, but this one stuck in my mind. The character of Danny is so well created, and the atmosphere of a summer beach holiday also well established, with Danny's sexuality being part of his character rather than dominating the story. His observation of the clash of the Muggle and WIzarding world is excellently shown, and the relationship with Oliver feels incredibly realistic.
She therefore takes 15 points back to Hufflepuff.
3rd Place:
I adored this elegant take on a beautiful fairy tale (which I am also grateful to Minna for introducing me to). The writing is very beautiful, with a very narrative tone taken, which never sounds forced or unnatural, and the characterisation of two very different siblings is very well done.
Minna takes 10 shiny points back to Hufflepuff.
This tale was certainly my favourite of the fairy tale prompts.
As does.....
Neil takes Tom Riddle and creates for him an excellent foil, who within this story is the dominating character. The relationship between these very different murderers is an intriguing one, and the callbacks to vampire lore, particularly that of Dracula, make for a very strong story, with beautiful characterisation of Camelia.
Neil takes 10 points back to Ravenclaw house.
The overall winner, however, is the wonderful:
Equinox Chick
who takes 20 shiny points back to Hufflepuff. She has placed in every round of the challenge, and written vivid, believable characters in interesting plots, that gripped me for the duration and long after I'd finished the story. She is certainly the overall winner of the Character Triathlon 2012.
A further congratulations to iLuna17/iMusic17, majestic ginny, Northumbrian, Equinox Chick, Acacia Carter and Gmariam for completing every round of the Character Triathlon. They all take an extra five points back to their respective houses.
I have also been a sneaky Mod of the Character Clinic and decided to bestow more points on those who have been particularly helpful within these forums. Those people are:
AidaLuthien: 3+3+3
Weasley_Mom: 3 points
Acacia Carter: 3 points
epiphany212: 3 points
The owl: 3 points
(Included in totals below)
In totting up the points for this round, I realised that in previous rounds I had ignored the 'point plan' I set out in the Major Characters' Thread. However, since my unintentionally altered point plan was consistent across Major and Minor Characters, I'll stick with that.
The points therefore are as follows:
SLYTHERIN:
iLuna17/iMusic17: 10 points+bonus 5 points for participation in every round.
Total: 15 points
RAVENCLAW:
Northumbrian: 5 points+10 points (winner)+bonus 5 points for participation in every round.
Gmariam: 5 points+bonus 5 points for participation in every round.
Total: 30 points
GRYFFINDOR:
No challenge entries (:O) but epiphany212: 3 points
Total: 3 points
HUFFLEPUFF:
Ginny Weasley Potter: 10 points
Equinox Chick: 20 points (overall winner)+15 points (winner)+5+bonus 5 points for participation in every round.
minnabird: 10 points (winner)
majestic ginny: 5 points+bonus 5 points for participation in every round.
The owl: 3 points
Acacia Carter: 20 points (winner)+3 points+bonus 5 points for participation in every round.
AidaLuthien: 9 points
Weasley_Mom: 3 points
Total: 117
That, however, is not all! I bring you BANNERS made by the amazingly talented Julia/the_opaleye. The lateness of these is entirely my fault as I did not ask Julia if she could make them until horrifically recently. Look at them and squee, and winners, wear them with pride, but as always, credit and do not hotlink.
Full List of Winners And Banners!
Major Characters:
Minor Characters:
And Natasha and Minna share a lovely Scabior banner for honourable mention:
Original Characters:
And Minna and Neil share a joint third place banner:
And:
Overall Winner:
(No banner but much squeeing and praise!)
Thank you so much for all the stories written for this challenge, and I hope you'll agree that it has been a great success. Thank you all!
Alex