To start with, I’d like to apologise to all non-Christians on our forums for the enhanced Christmassy stuff without much attention to the festivities of other religions. I just wanted to spread a little happiness over our forums, and it was not meant to be as an insult to any other religions. This is a time of celebration, regardless of ones belief.
I do have another thing I need to apologise for. Those of you who noticed the “Hidden X-Mas Secret” link on the portal may be slightly disappointed. That secret will remain a secret for a little while longer. The schedule we had failed, and everything is not completely done. The new scheduled release will be in one week, January 1st. However, that is not completely set in stone yet and further delays may happen. To make up for it, we have devised a little less grand present, but hopefully you’ll like that one too.
With that said, I feel obliged to move on to our annual Christmas Presents!
Two new Moderators
Two forums stand without moderators since a couple of months back, it was about time we fixed new ones. Both of the new moderators are free to chose a custom title. Speak it in this thread or send me a PM when you have decided.
My first Christmas gift goes to Schmeag! He gets the gift of modhood in the Fluff & Stories forum. Merry Christmas!
Schemag has been writing a lot and can help others with their fluff and stories to tune them to their best. He is very helpful and very a nice bloke in general. A well deserved gift.
The second gift of modhood goes to NightKnight! He gets moderator powers in the Arena of Death forum. Merry Christmas!
NightKnight is always accurate and helpful in all ways possible, and his interest in AoDs makes him the perfect moderator for this forum. Welcome to the moderators team.
Our Three Competitions
As announced before, we have had a few competitions on Asrai.org the last few months. Now the time has come to reveal the winners of all three.
Graphics Competition 2006!
The first competition was announced back in mid October – yes, I’m talking about the banner Competition. Despite the longer time to make an entry, we only got 4 submissions. From those four, the Staff took the decision to raise this banner to be the winner. Congratulations, Yak! As soon as we change our skin back the new banner will appear. Merry Christmas Yak, and the entire community!
I can put up the other banners, but only if the members who created them gives me their blessing to do so.
The Welcome Competition!
The second competition we hosted, was our Welcome Introduction Text Competition (never had a name until now
). We didn’t get as many submissions here as we had expected, but those we got were all very well written. After a tough choice, we selected Schmeag’s contribution! ” Welcome, child. I see that the Paths have guided you to this fair place. We of the Asrai are skilled in all arts; the art of war, the art of narration, the art of depiction and most importantly of all, the art of fellowship. Our cunning and stealth are unmatched in the Old World, and our wisdom all the more so. Athel Loren is our charge, just as we are its children; our combined struggle a battle of survival against a harsh world of cold machinery, callous debauchery and mindless bloodshed. Perhaps when the world is young again; when evil has departed; when the worldly troubles that hang on our doorstep are gone; perhaps then, we shall know peace. Until then, child, our duty is vigilance, and you would best remember that.”
Thanks to all who participated. It was very nice to read, and it made me very proud to hear such good words about the site. I think all the entries can be found in this thread.
Asrai.org Member of the Year Award!
Our last, and probably most prestigious competition was our Asrai.org Member of The Year Award (AMoTY)! At first, I have to confess I wanted to make the whole nomination and voting in the Staff Forum, but I was later convinced that such an award should be given by the community in some way. The best way is of course a public poll. The downside of that was of course the excitement of the unknown. All who has voted probably know who the winner will be, so it is with no surprise that I announce the winner of our first annual Asrai.org Member of the Year Award; Yak!
A big congratulation, Yak! A very prestigious award to win, won by the member who deserved it the most. The community of Asrai.org has spoken, and they said – with a 25% margin – Yak. However, I think all of our nominees are worthy of the prize. I know the community appreciates all of your work and enthusiasm across our forums! Merry Christmas Yak! And a merry Christmas to you all!!
Nagathi
The Spirit Keeper
[/afterthought]. Likewise, the banner is excellent, and I particularly like the muted colours too. 
Of course, I think I'll have to wait a bit before I see it; for those who don't know, though, there's also a new Asrai.Org banner for the WarVault page (it was visible before this announcement though). 
I'm green!
:P
