WINNER! - Landmarks of Valhalla

[Shurrig]

Originally Posted by Dr.Goomonkey

I'm pretty sure the Grounds of Ashra doesn't qualify for this contest, as it is the landmarks of Valhalla, not Feylund.

Very good batch of maps though. Very hard to choose a top three, but in the end I mostly went with some pretty looking, thematic ones.

Hmmm, you might be right XD

[TREX]

Down to the wire on this one. I really like all these maps that made up this contest. In a way I am glad to not had to judge the top ten on these. As there were so many great looking maps. I like the pick 3 of your favorite format for map choosing. Good stuff guys.

[yamissflash]

Picking one would have been pretty much impossible. Relieved that I can pick 3.

I think Dr. Goomonkey is right on the Grounds of Ashra.

[flameslayer93]

Comically, the rules don’t actually state that the landmark has to be on Valhalla... it is just strongly implied.

[Sir Heroscape]

We're cutting it close on this contest, get those final votes in!!!

[Shurrig]

Originally Posted by flameslayer93

Comically, the rules don’t actually state that the landmark has to be on Valhalla... it is just strongly implied.

Honestly, I think I was so excited to make a map for Feylund that it didn't even occur to me that my map isn't technically located in Valhalla, I just thought it had to be within the realms of Valhalla lol

[Sir Heroscape]

CONGRATULATIONS FLASH_19!!!

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Backstory

Spoiler Alert!

Jandar’s footsteps on the eroding stone pathway threatened to break the serenity that permeated the sacred site.

He was here.

This place had been the focal point of his visions frequently over the previous days and weeks - though it was not all he had seen. He had seen the end of the world. He had watched in horror as the forces of Utgar marched across Valhalla - curling smoke, ash, and ruin in their wake. Being here in person only further impressed upon him the gravity of his situation.

It was time to change the fate of Valhalla.

Bits of stone crumbled under his feet as he climbed the decrepit stairs leading up the rocky hill. Tall columns etched with the swirling patterns typical of the sacred sites of the Archkyrie surrounded the circular hill. Most of the columns were still erect, but some had succumbed to age and element and now lay broken on the ground. He followed the pathway into the innermost ring of columns.

Jandar stretched the spear in his hand towards some overgrown vines sprawled across the ground in front of him. Using the butt of the spear, he pushed aside curling vines until he found what he was looking for. His knees pressed against the hard rock as he knelt down to brush dirt and leaves from the tops of the ancient relics.

His breath caught in his throat. There they were - the two panels - side-by-side, as he had seen. Each of the panels was etched with swirling rocks forming a circle around a single star at the center. His heart pounded as a silver-blue light slowly began to pool in the indentations on the panels. It was time.

He pressed both hands against the cold stone and gasped as he was hit with a wave of power. He could feel it pulsing inside him, surging through his blood. His surroundings faded into nothingness and his visions of destruction returned, coming with a greater intensity than normal. They were so vivid. He could almost taste the smoke, the ash and ruin of Utgar’s armies coursing through Valhalla.

In a flash, the scene changed. A battle raged on a far-off world. He could see the man, the soldier from previous visions, who would change the course of the war on Valhalla forever. Jandar didn’t understand why, but he needed this human. Amid the chaos and destruction of war, he saw the hope of salvation for his own world. As he watched, he understood - somehow - that this particular vision was different. This was real, and it was happening now. Jandar knew what he had to do, but hesitated, watching the battle unfold. Am I being selfish? Taking this man from his own world to defend mine? The sight of the soldier stumbling for cover broke Jandar’s moment of hesitancy. The soldier dived into a trench cut into the ground, enemy soldiers closed in, and Jandar began to pull on the soldier in his mind.

A blinding blue light erupted in front of him, jolting him from his vision and back to actuality.

He squinted against the light, finding the faint outline of a portal in the air above him. The power coursing through him drove him to move, pressed him towards the light. As if by instinct, he launched himself into the air and passed into the portal between worlds. For a moment, time stood still. It almost didn’t seem to exist here. All he could see was a shimmering tunnel of light connecting two doorways to separate worlds. The light wasn’t as bright in here and Jandar could see the soldier through an opening at the opposite end of the tunnel. He was still in the trench, bracing himself against a mound of dirt as enemies continued to advance. One of them pulled a small metal pin from a circular object in his hand and threw it towards the trench.

Jandar pulled on the soldier with everything he had.

The object hit the ground with a thud and exploded, sending out shards of metal with the concussive blast. The wave of energy slammed through the portal, pushing Jandar out of the entrance to the portal and back to Valhalla. Still, he kept pulling. Please don’t be too late. With eyes watering, he tried to watch as a darkened form passed through the portal of light and collapsed onto the ground below. With a deafening crack, the light vanished, and Jandar was left hovering in the air above the rocky hill.

The soldier lay breathing heavily. Dried blood and grime caked his dark green uniform. He groaned loudly and rolled onto his side as Jandar landed a few steps away. Slowly, he lifted his head, eyes focusing on Jandar’s outstretched wings.

“I’m dead, aren’t I?” The soldier said in between breaths. The tone of his voice seemed to welcome what he assumed would be the obvious response. He paused, considering for a moment. “For being dead, I sure hurt a lot.”

“No, human, you are not dead,” Jandar responded. He took a step forward as the man made efforts to stand. His legs didn’t seem to be working right. “Though you surely would have died, had I not intervened.”

“Forgive me if I don’t seem overly grateful.” He offered his hand towards Jandar, and Jandar lifted him to his feet, supporting him as his legs trembled. “The name’s Drake,” he said through clenched teeth.

“Well, Sergeant Drake, welcome to Valhalla.”

Sets: 1 RotV, 1 BftU, 1 FotA

We have a winner!!! Jandar's Summoning Circle by @Flash_19 has taken the win on this map building contest...but boy was it a close one. I speak for all of us judges when I say we have thoroughly enjoyed this!!! we had 18 total map submission to the contest and 40 voters on these TOP 10 overall, that's the MOST community involvement we've had yet! As promised, we will be playtesting these maps to determine their balance and competitive worth. Those that we consider worthy of tournament play will be added to our Tournament Map Thread here. We will post our public reviews on your maps. Those that wish to receive assistance and workshop their maps, head on over to our workshop thread here. Thank you again for your participation, we're already excited for the next one

We'll make sure to get you your prize of
@TREX Custom Dice Tower: Altar of Ullar!

[Nomad]

Way to go Flash_19! I am looking forward to giving the map a whirl.

[yamissflash]

Congrats Flash_19!

[Shurrig]

Congratulations Flash_19! So glad to see that this community is growing!

[TREX]

Great turnout on the contest. Im thoroughly impressed with this last batch of submissions. Congrats @Flash_19 . I know youll like the tower.

[BiggaBullfrog]

Congratulations, @Flash_19 ! And thanks to everyone who entered the contest! I'm excited to get to playtesting on these maps!