Showing You the Love!

Ya'll have showed me your love for some of Bioware's memorable games by entering my contest and showcasing your favorite moment from them.  In appreciation to the awesome writers and artists who entered pieces that took a lot of work, time, and thought, I decided that the prizes to be awarded will be a little more than I originally stated to show you how much the effort you put into these entries really meant to me.  The moments showcased in your works brought back some great memories and made me appreciate them and their respective games even more.  So, without further delay here are the winners and their reward:

FIRST PLACE:

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This piece, from its title to the art itself, is a story on the cusp of being told.  No matter which origin you chose, this moment was shared by us all.  Looking at this picture I could hear Alistair speaking the words, "Since the first, these words have been spoken at the ceremony:  Join us brothers and sisters.  Join us in the shadows where we stand vigilant.  Join us as we carry the duty that can not be forsworn.  And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten.  And that, one day, we shall join you."  It is telling, from the blood splattered on the Warden recruit, to that in the cup that her fate is now intertwined with creatures that lurk in the darkness and spread terror and decay wherever they go.  It is her solemn duty to stand and fight for all, be they dwarf, man, or elf, beggar, king, or mage without thanks and without acknowledgement for they are simply, The Warden.

AND

Contest Entry: 'It Starts'"It Starts..."
"And so is the Golden City blackened
With each step you take in my Hall.
Marvel at perfection, for it is fleeting.
You have brought Sin to Heaven
And doom upon all the world."
A sudden breeze blew through our camp as one of the logs in the fire cracked in half, sending smoke and some of the embers from the fire toward me.
"And here I thought I'd escaped the recitations of the Chant when I left the Chantry."
I looked over at the other Junior Grey Warden who'd spoken.  He'd been at my Joining... one of the four of us who'd made it through.  "It seemed appropriate," I said, apologetically.  "I didn't mean to offend, Alistair."
He waved this away.  "I'm not offended, Daylen.  Just all that time in the Chantry... sometimes I'm glad to be away from it."
"Sorry."
"Oh, stop apologizing.  You're a mage... you could turn me into a frog if you wanted."
This made me smile.  After being in t by

In each video game, we are given a story, something to give us the ability to grasp the events that shape the world that we are about to step in to and become a part of.  The way Duncan narrated the history of Ferelden, with the stylized drawings depicting events from long ago, and the horrors of what was unfolding as it caught up to present events towards the end was chilling to me.  One of the lasting images from the opening sequence for me was of a dwarf being dragged by his ankle by laughing darkspawn, dragging him deeper into the darkness of the Deep Roads as he clawed desperately for purchase passing between the fallen bodies of his brothers in arms and probably wishing he had met a similar fate.  As I read "It Starts" I was surprised at how once again I was immediately brought into Ferelden, sitting by the fire's side and hearing a tale unfold as the words started to form images in my own mind and that of a certain newly made Warden mage.  I love the way this was visualized and written.  I could once again see the opening sequence of Dragon Age and was amazed at how the writer was able to capture such a simplistic moment that we all take for granted as we embark on our journeys to our own unique origin.  As with the game, this piece drew me into the story.  I felt as though I could see those battle hardened wardens all gathered around the fire, its light the only thing keeping them from the darkness as they listen to their leader regale legends that aren't being told for coin or applause, but as a reminder as to why the burden they bear must be endured.  If you haven't taken the time to read it, I highly suggest you take the opportunity right now to do it because you are missing some wonderful work.

Both of these entries placed first and they each won a three month premium membership and 800 deviantART points.

SECOND PLACE:

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When I posed the question asking for memorable moments, I have to say this one is mixed depending on the male or female perspective.  If you are a guy, it wasn't nearly as heart wrenching as if you are a woman playing out this same scene.  I can not tell you how many women confessed to replaying tens of hours of game play to get the conclusion to be more satisfactory (yes, romancing Alistair is not for the faint of heart).  I admit I am one of them and I felt the same moment of "Oh my God!  I am a horrible person!" after the consequences of my decision played out.  I found myself reloading at the appropriate point in the game and went through it to get a more pleasant ending (yes, I am a horrible person, but not twice).  I really like how the detail and focus of "Choices" is on the OC rather than Alistair and Morrigan (because, really Bioware?  You HAD to add that cut scene?) in the background about to get it on.  It was heartbreaking and in the end, you honestly didn't know if you had indeed made the right choice, or made a disastrous one for well intentioned reasons.  Love makes a girl do crazy things, like letting her adorably quirky LI bed a witch.

won 1200 deviantART points.

THIRD PLACE:

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Now here is the end battle of Mass Effect that was awesome!  A showdown between the oldest alien in the known galaxy known as *making air quotes* "Reapers" and the most recently acknowledge civilization-humanity.   I mean, humanity's timing on finding the mass relay in the Sol system sucked, we should've waited a few more decades to have secured our spot as the dominant species (I guess their NASA didn't run out of funding).  How do you defeat something that no established Council species believes in and that has the power to bend the wills of all organic and inorganic beings?  You defeat them by being Commander Shepard with Joker at the helm and your crew at your back, that's how.  I loved the fact that you had the choice of how humanity would be remembered after the final battle played out, that Shepard went toe to toe with a foe you ended up feeling sorry for, and then got to tell Earth's snooty ambassador that he should start looking for a new job.  The scale shown in "Final Battle" shows just how massive and terrifying the ancient race of the Reapers truly are.  They are superior in intellect and they held the element of surprise (none more surprised than the Council I bet!), and they had been wiping out more evolved civilizations for at least 50,000 years.  Seeing that giant towering over the galaxy's last defense, the Normandy looks small comparatively.  You would think that Sovereign would live up to its name, somehow calling to its brethren just beyond in Dark Space before Shepard can shut down the hidden mass relay.  The Reaper is arming its weapons and the spirited Normandy charges ahead anyway knowing that they can not fall, ALL life depends on them.  

won 800 deviantART points.

OTHER PLACEMENTS:

did a beautiful job in picking a wonderful moment to share.  I really love the way Flemmeth is portrayed with a bemused smile, as if everything that has happening in the opening sequence of Dragon Age 2 was according to her design.  And maybe it was!  I loved seeing Flemmeth's entrance in DA2, "swooping" in and devastating the horde about to overrun Hawke and her companions, nearly putting an end to their story before it had rightly begun.  I think the fact that whatever your decision your Warden made makes a difference on how surprised you are to see her.  Also, the fact that she intervened to help a group of seemingly nobodies was even more puzzling and you wondered if the deal she made you wasn't something you would regret later on.  The title, "Entrance" is exactly that.  Who else made a more awe inspiring entrance in DA2 than the Witch of the Wilds herself?  Swooping in the case was good!  For her beautiful art, I am giving her 200 deviantART points to show my gratitude for her sharing such an awesome Dragon Age 2 moment with me.



Lastly, the life of an Orlesian bard isn't an easy one.  Maybe that is why Leliana had found comfort and a higher purpose at the Chantry she escaped to after being persecuted as a traitor.  Of course, Marjolaine thought it all a rouse once she joined the Warden's quest and assassins were sent to take care of her once and for all.  I really like the way Marjolaine holds both the blade and a bloodied Leliana in "Broken Doll" by .  It is as if Marjolaine is a puppet master controlling Leliana, but once those ties were severed, Leliana dared to find a new life and more satisfying pursuits than petty intrigue and politics.  Too bad for Marjolaine that she had to involve the Warden in her personal affairs…in my case it ended poorly for her.  The stylized way this was drawn, the body language, and the muted colors came together beautifully in the piece.  The blood splatter reminds you what a deadly pair these ladies are.  I felt that this piece should be recognized for a prize as well which is 200 deviantART points and my appreciation for participating in this contest.



I am honored by the beautiful art and writing that you all shared with me, thank you so much for your entries!  I absolutely love them all and I am in awe of your talents.  You have gained a new watcher and I can't wait to see some of your future works!  Thank you so much for your participation and a round of well deserved congratulations to you all!