Competition: [VOICE] Lorefest May 2026

---

The Breakdown:

How do you write like tomorrow won't arrive?:

Welcome back to LOREFEST: A Voice-sponsored series of fiction competitions, awarding First Level Crescents and bonus Clusters of Ice. Each month we'll give you a new prompt, usually relating to your characters, their lives, interests, what-if scenarios, or the day-to-day within The Brotherhood.

---

The topic for the month of May is A New Hope. The "first" Star Wars film was a tale centered around Coming of Age, Hope, that even in the darkest of times we can prevail against adversity, and the classic struggle of Good and Evil. How were these characteristics present in the youth of your characters? Was their coming of age rough, were they well liked, loved, or abandoned? Did they have hope for a better future? Did they live plagued with despair?

Write an excerpt of their coming of age, detailing the struggles they faced, touching on aspects of hope and despair as well as conflicts of morality.

The Purpose:

How do you write like you need it to survive?:

LOREFEST is a series of prompts, ideas, and expositions to help flesh out characters, express creative ideas, and earn sweet, sweet credits along the way. You'll see a mix of prompts, old and new, some even taking new life from #character-questions, as we seek to dive deep, understand your characters, define their place in The Brotherhood, and most importantly, enjoy the process of writing.

The Rules:

How do you write every second you're alive?:

• Participants must submit entries in .pdf format, or use the submission text field (markdown capable).
  • Any entries written in a GoogleDoc must be exported as a PDF for submission.
  • It is highly recommended to submit in a PDF format.
• Submissions will be graded according to the Fiction Rubric 3.0
• Entries must be a minimum of 500 words. Any entries that are under 500 words will be disqualified and ineligible for participation or placement.
• There is no maximum word cap.
• Your story must be centered on one of your dossier-linked characters. Additional NPCs, including ones listed on the wiki or created/invented to tell your story in this fiction, are allowed and strongly encouraged.
• A snapshot of the primary character’s loadout isn't necessary but it would be neat if you made/used one.
• This competition will award up to 4 bonus Clusters of Ice at a rate of 1 per 500 words.