II's RPer of 2013: New Azura vs. Kylarnatia

[Jenrak]

International Incidents' RPer of 2013: New Azura versus Kylarnatia

Welcome to International Incidents' Roleplayer of the year, 2013 edition! This is a friendly competition for the purpose of recognizing and supporting stellar roleplayers throughout the year of 2013. The aim of the competition is to have some fun, build some competitive spirit, and to provide some extra exposure for helpful and interesting RPers!

The rules are simple: each player gets one vote. You are free to provide your own reasoning as to why, but you are not required to. You do not need to provide your own reasoning if someone asks. However, you are encouraged to provide reasons why you voted for that particular RPer. Please, please, PLEASE vote with your mains. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, let me know. If there is a reasonable number of puppets (reasonable left up to myself to decide) or low-post accounts voting in a fashion that I would be concerned, I may close the match for review. Remember, this is all in good fun, so let's have some fun!

This year we've got a great run and a very interesting matchup. We've got relative newcomer Kylarnatia up against older RPer New Azura. Kylarnatia has proven to be resourceful and capable, and based upon his match against Crystal Spires, one of his major strengths that got him through the tournament was his OOC helpfulness. Though Kylarnatia and Crystal Spires were both stellar writers, Kylarnatia's more notable public profile won in the end.

Against Ganos Lao, Kylarnatia proved that the older guard of roleplaying were quickly shifting gears. Ganos Lao, being one of the few remaining old guard RPers who are active in International Incidents, seemed to be a major obstacle for a mid-aged RPer such as Kylarnatia. However, in that matchup, he proved to be successful once again.

This matchup seems to be a penultimate summary of a new versus old divide. New Azura had his own share of battles, defeating Mentor Lamoni in a heated first match. New Azura proved that considerable dedication to a particular craft seemed to give one the edge, no matter how good Lamoni was. This was not to say that Lamoni was not a good RPer, but rather New Azura's hyperspecialisation in his writing style proved to be enough to eke out a win.

From there, New Azura fought against Marquesan and Tuthina, both players with considerable support. For all intents and purposes, New Azura was the lone wolf in both matchups, as he was not tied to any considerable type or number of groups. New Azura's strength, once again, was in winning over those on the fence with his considerable attention to detail, which proved to be the successful strategy today.

Now, New Azura and Kylarnatia face off against each other, both with strengths of their own. In a special finals matchup, we've got a single thread showdown. Kylarnatia and New Azura have worked on a roleplay together, and using this roleplay, we've decided to use this as the battleground for the last match of II's RPer of 2013!

[Jenrak]

New Azura

From Inamorata Velum:

The doorway that led into the study of the Kozhukhina was open for the first time in a week. As Oleg Korzakhov approached, he knew that the simple gesture of leaving the door open allowed him to access the inner sanctum of his tormented Empress, and he began to prepare accordingly for what was sure to be a most uncomfortable meeting. He could only imagine what Calixte was going through right now, isolated from everyone in the midst of a fast by necessity, rather than a fast by choice. For no one in their right mind would ever choose to accept the burdens that had yet again been levied upon her unfairly by the wanton recklessness of those who were supposed to love her more than any other.

It was a case study in tragedy, to say the least. Not seven days before, the sordid details of a very personal and very meaningful betrayal had begun to be broadcast in the inner-most circles of Legnica's powerful elite. The husband-to-be of the Kozhukhina and her matron had become entangled in a delicate web of sex, lies, and seduction that had brought a dangerous new twist into the already-complicated hierarchy of the first family. From the moment Suren Nazaryan and Darya Marin had entertained the notion of betraying the woman they had once both loved, they were doomed. Caught in the midst of some flight of fancy—or temporary bout of insanity, Oleg couldn't say which—had led the pair of lovers to undertake a desperate gambit. That gambit changed the face of the Evenguard in ways they couldn't have imagined.

Oleg shook his head as he approached the doorway, carrying a bowl of soup for Calixte. Suren and Darya had apparently gotten pregnant, and were prepared to break off the engagement with Calixte so as to hide their sin. That in and of itself would have been a monumental betrayal of trust, considering all that the three had been through in the past few years. If it had been left at that though, things might have simmered down over time, were it not for the Arrajina's probing. From the moment Isandra Garin managed to badger a distraught Darya over the truth, it was all over. Suren's violent reaction led to a heated argument, which led to the physical altercation that had rendered Isandra incapacitated for the foreseeable future. In their panic, the two lovers attempted to flee, but they didn't get very far.

And neither will you if you don't get your ass moving and get in there!

Despite his self-chastisement, Oleg couldn't help it. It was a distressing, painfully recent memory that plagued him deeply as he took his first step inside Calixte's sanctuary. Inside the study, things were strewn about in a disturbing mess; clothes and books left lying where they may without any consideration for organization or tidiness. The windows were closed, something that was rare for this time of year, and Oleg could feel an uneasy chill hanging in the stale air. The Kozhukhina was staring off into nothingness, slouched low in a sitting chair that had been forcibly drug across the floor towards the corner window that overlooked the bay off in the distance. Her nightgown was splayed open, and her pale white skin shone underneath the flickering of candlelight. The sun was just beginning to set over the water, casting deep shadows across the room.

[Jenrak]

Kylarnatia

From Inamorata Velum:

With the news that the people of the Azur in Pardes wished to come into more contact with the Imperium by sending their own leader, the Kozhukhina herself, the Fangthane Palace of the Caesar burst into a new rhythm from it's daily routine. Yet, it was also a familiar one in it's own way, for whenever the palace was to receive a visitor there was little or even nothing at all which wasn't checked over almost three times to ensure that it was spot on perfect, and there were usually many diplomatic visits to the Fangthane; this one was especially unique in its own way. Far from being invited, the Kozhukhina insisted on visiting herself, which wasn't a regular occurrence due to the assumption that the Caesar would be too busy for such things.

After all, it was the role of lower ministers to deal with this sort of thing, right?

A group of almost ten maids and assistants in particular seemed to be moving back and forth from one room in particular - the Caesar's private chambers - running errands and collecting items of worth, moving through the many purple, red and golden corridors of the palace and up and down the many wide and spiralling stairs. Hyperion, the Caesar's personal bodyguard and one of her most prized commanders and general 'plaything', could not make sense of any of this. He never had. All it was, in his mind, was a diplomatic meeting between two parties, nothing more. He didn't feel the need for this obsessive attention to the most minor of detail, or the need for there to be so much effort put into one of the most mundane and general practices of the empire. Then again, he was a military man, and had never been into much pomp and ceremony, unless it was a march of triumph. Rumoured as one of the ten warlord sons of the Imperium's deity, he had soon grown tired of all the splendour, even from the very early years of his almost immortal existence on earth.

With his ancient but never fading red eyes, which pierced into the very soul of those who looked deep into them, he observed the Caesar as she too moved back and forth between the many classical pieces of oak and marble top furniture in the room, as well as having to move around her frankly stupendous (what some would call 'super-super-king sized') bed which had full posters and drapes, which in turn featured fine carvings in the wood which told ancient tales of a time all but forgotten in Kylarnatia. Silvier was adding the final touches to her attire: a cleanly pressed stripe shirt with blue skinny jeans and a black belt with golden buckle, which was fashioned with the imperial phoenix which was also bore on the flag and many other national symbols, ever rising from the ashes and becoming something new. To compliment this contrast of light and dark colours, she wore cherry red heels which went on to match her simple choice of make-up; cherry lip stick and a hint of eye liner and mascara. All of this was to give the look and impression of a very relaxed and down-to-earth monarch, for although she was no stranger to wearing the most elaborate of dresses, she didn't want to overdo it.

"I don't get it." Hyperion eventually commented, seeing as though there was no possible harm in making the comment. Although she didn't look at him directly and continued to focus on other things such as applying her luxurious perfume and finishing the retro waves in her short, shimmering and much adored blonde hair, Silvier did give Hyperion to attention he sought as she always did. To those looking from the outside, the two had a very complex and quite frankly confusing relationship, but the two knew where they stood internally. They just didn't bother to share that detail with anyone else.

"Go on Hyperion, humour me. Why don't you 'get it'?" Silvier responded with the slight hint of a smile appearing with the glimmer of her pearl white teeth.

[Jenrak]

Voting will end 3 PM Friday, October 18 EST. Best of luck to both contestants!

[Crystal Spires]

I give my full confidence vote to Kylarnatia, because I do think his World-building is quite impressive. I do not wish to say New Azura's isn't however but Kylarnatia has an edge in his portrayal of working people in ordinary circumstances from what I can see with his writing. This is actually really important in creating a world, with this I can say that I consider New Azura's writing style to be incredible. This year's II RPer Contest was awesome, and I totally think that of everyone in this contest New Azura and Kylarnatia totally deserved to be in the height of the competition, they are both great writers.

[Maltropia]

I suppose it makes sense that the decisions have been getting harder and harder, given what this competition is all about. Both of the finalists have earned the very highest of respect from me, and though I have little to no prior IC interaction with either I have seen far more than enough of both to know that this is a tough call. I've been voting with both of these contestants throughout the competition, so to make this final call as to who I consider the RPer of the year is... tough. It's probably the closest call of the whole thing, but my vote is going to Kylarnatia, whose name I will spell correctly this time.

[Rich and Corporations]

I vote for the underdog, New Azura, in the hopes of tieing the vote, on the grounds that RPing is not something you can win.

[Tuthina]

I stand by my vote for New Azura.

[Ceni]

Kylarnatia is newer- go new RPers!

This win will help encourage more people to get into the RP game.

[Heirosoloa]

Kylarnatia is newer- go new RPers!

Kyle's new-er. He still predates this decade >>

That being said, I suppose this is as good a time as any to start voting.
As tough as a decision as it was, I'm going to lean towards New Azura on this one.

A pair of fantastic posters, though. All my congratulations are belong to you.

[Lamoni]

I have to vote for Kylarnatia on this one. His world building is more impressive than that of New Azura.

[Fijorondland]

Azura

[Free Hellenia]

New Azura

[LOVE DOG]

Now this looks like a fun match, so little old me will be flipping a coin. Heads be NA & tails be Kylarnatia. Two rpers whom ran with the Darkness ic & ooc.

*Flips a penny for that is all I could find*

TAILS BE DA WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!!!

Kylarnatia is vote casted into the sands of time and these are the days of our lives.

[Ganos Lao]

Hey yo.

Gonna have to vote for Kylarnatia on this one, chicos.

[Aquilinia]

Being the founder of Sondria, a region in which both finalists have puppets and where both are active and valued members, I would first of all express my appreciation for both, and wish them luck for this final. No matter who wins, both are absolutely stellar writers.

That being said, this still is a vote for only one of them. A RPer whom I have been RPing with since pretty much the day I started RPing. A RPer who is OOCly one of my closest friends on NS and ICly one of the closest allies of my nations. A RPer who has been with Sondria and its predecessor, Guanxi, since the very beginning.

My vote goes to the one and only - Kylarnatia.

[Quirina]

He opened himself for me beyond my diversity, though I was a tough one to please. He was a good guy, a brilliant writer and a has a heart that appreciates and cares. I am very privilege, although limited, to be part of your Imperium Antiquum.

I now carry your banner as I wear my self-made armor. You made me proud of being part of Sondria and I'm happy to be with your nation. Thanks to your fellow Tiami who never left me all along.

Go Kylarnatia! You have my vote!

[Tehraan]

Having interracted with both and read the work of both I've come to the decision to vote for New Azura. Out of the two I simply found New Azura's writing easier to get drawn into which is something I personally rate of significant value besides attitude towards other RPers.

[Kylarnatia]

Kylarnatia is newer- go new RPers!

The irony of this statement is that I've actually been roleplaying on NationStates longer than Azura.

...Yeah, I'm an old man. What, you got a problem with that? Stupid kids.

:P

[New Azura]

Kylarnatia is newer- go new RPers!

The irony of this statement is that I've actually been roleplaying on NationStates longer than Azura.

...Yeah, I'm an old man. What, you got a problem with that? Stupid kids.

You're my huckleberry, what can I say?

[Kylarnatia]

The irony of this statement is that I've actually been roleplaying on NationStates longer than Azura.

...Yeah, I'm an old man. What, you got a problem with that? Stupid kids.

You're my huckleberry, what can I say?

[Ceni]

Kylarnatia is newer- go new RPers!

The irony of this statement is that I've actually been roleplaying on NationStates longer than Azura.

...Yeah, I'm an old man. What, you got a problem with that? Stupid kids.

NS, stop being so misleading!

My vote still goes to you...

[The Red Star Union]

New Azura!

[Castille de Italia]

This is tough. I enjoy both writers creative work, and they're both exceptionally skilled at writing.

This vote has won by just an inch, but Kylarnartia has won my vote.

[Sylvanea]

New Azura, hands down the greatest writer I've ever seen on these forums.