Community Projects

Normally, we'd be getting a community spotlight article this weekend.
However, due to the sudden surge of use of the "fan creations" forums as I call them, we thought that an article dedicated to them was in order.

Fan Fiction

An underrated, under-read part of the forums. Here is where all of our writers post their works. Some have been added to over the course of months, such as The Veiling by Seth, while others are relatively new, such as the Dfans Movie by Nekrodrac. You might also want to check out Kickin_It's Redemption of the Vizjerei.

At the heart of this forum, is the Diablofans Writing Guild. Here, reviews and critiques are given to the various works submitted. In addition, a story of the month is chosen, and put in the OP. If you wish to begin writing, or want some help with writing, this would be the place to seek it.

Also, for those of you who have no interest writing Diablo related stories, there is the Non-Diablo Fan Fiction forum. This forum is, as the name reveals, the place for any writings that are not based in the Diablo universe. Many have been submitted here, and are as good as, if not better, than some of the Diablo related works.

As for the stories themselves, here is an excerpt from The Veiling:

"They say far east of the Marshland coasts is a forgotten continent, steeped in intrigue and mystery. Miscarcarand, it was called, when Sanctuary was yet young. They say it came from a world even older than ours. They say the Nephalem never knew of it. They say a lot of things, and then they disappear.

Far from the ravages of the Mage Wars, isolated from the morality of mankind, magick was practiced there: very old, very powerful magick, the kind forsaken by the Mage Clans long ago."

~Excerpt

Now, among the fan fiction forum, is a special type of fiction that revolves around the choices of the users. Scyberdragon has written a "choose your own adventure" story, in which you, the user, direct the actions of the main protagonist. A synopsis follows...

Choose your own adventure is just that, you get to choose your own adventure. The story has been running Sept. 05, 2009 and is still going strong. Every update to the story ends with a decision, that you the reader, get to make. This decision will completely change what happens next time the story is updated.

The story began with our main character William, a young boy, bravely opening the door and saving his Mother's life. His town was in ruins and a Barbarian (Kaelan) saved William and his mother. William soon returned the favor and saved the life of an Assassin named Sara. The four traveled to Kaelan's home of Mt.Arreat. Here, they left William's Mother and continued their journey to find the source of Evil. They have run in to some other people only to have them unfortunately killed. Upon reaching Caldeum, they met up with a Sorcerer who goes by the name of Gaheed. Joining the group, they made their way to the Kurast docks. Here, they got a mission from the famous Assassin Natalya, to retrieve a ring. While fighting a giant spider, the readers decided to have William put on the ring they found. The ring magically turned William into an adult instantly. Not knowing what happened, the group decided to travel to Ureh to find Natalya and get answers. Along the way, through the jungles, they have met up with a crazy Witch Doctor named Kifu. They continued their journey until they saw a mysterious glowing ball. After tracking it down the ball has begun emitting a strange fog out of it.

This is where the story has lead up to. If this sounds interesting and you would like to be a part of this heroic tale, stop in and vote for the next series of events.


And a summary and excerpt of Kickin_It's Redemption of the Vizjerei:

As a hypothetical backstory for Diablo 3's male Wizard, Redemption of the Vizjerei follows our hero-to-be as he begrudgingly embarks on a journey with a mysterious old man to confront his personal demons in the lands of his childhood and forestall the return of the Burning Hells to Sanctuary.

Excerpt:

He lowered his hand from his face and ran it tenderly across the scarred and pitted surface of the old table. “This could be your chance for redemption, son. For setting right the ill deeds you have committed.” So he did know. But how? I slowly lifted my head and peered once more into his glimmering eyes. My lips parted to speak, but again he raised his faintly trembling hand and I was struck dumb. “There is more to your fate than even you know. This journey – if you like to think of it as such – is not one of adventure. Rather, it is one of erudition and deliverance. Your personal salvation, as well as that of the entire mortal realm of Sanctuary, rests in your hands...”



Fan Art


http://diablofans.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=55&pictureid=1099&thumb=1
For those of you who can't use words as your artistic medium, there is the Fan Art forum. This is where all of our artists showcase their works. Atrumentis used to be the reigning champion of this forum with his web comic. However, he has been unseen lately, and thus, champion status is available to anyone who wants to take this forum by storm.

However, this doesn't mean we don't have strong submitters already. Holyknight3000 frequently posts up wallpapers (one of which I'm currently using), and Tepes has recently emerged as one of the best artists on this website. Kudos to everyone who takes the time to create, and post their artwork.

http://diablofans.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=55&pictureid=1101&thumb=1
Also, somewhat related, is the Off-Topic Forum. This is where any non-Diablo artwork goes. So, even if you can't draw knights and demons, then you can put any artwork you make in this section and it will still gain recognition.

Personally, my favorite piece of artwork is the Doom Knight, by naj. It's an amazing piece of (unfinished) art, and is oddly disturbing. There's something about it that I love, I just can't put my finger on it.


Roleplaying

http://diablofans.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=55&pictureid=1119&thumb=1
Yet another underrated forum section. This is where on-forum roleplaying games are hosted. From zombie survival, to demonic hordes, this forum has many roleplaying games that users can take part in. They are constantly evolving, being created, and dying off. All the games are the creations of users on this website, all it takes is a bit of creativity, and some spare time to get one off the ground and onto the screens of users. This section was much more active in previous years, with Elfen Lied and Jetrall running the show with several RP's suited for a multitude of players. However, this forum has recently surged upwards in activity.

At the moment, this section has two upcoming, and two running RP's. To participate in them, just ask the users who are running them if there is room. Most RP's on the forum revolve around the Diablo storyline, however in the past (and currently), we have had roleplays that take place during modern times, in outer space, even in the lore of games such as Zelda or Baldurs Gate.

Should you wish to create your own, then the Roleplaying Archive would be a fantastic place to look for inspiration. Here is where all the past RP's are stored. They're fairly good, yet extensive reads if you wish to fully immerse yourself in the story.


A Final Word...

Myself, and all of us here at Diablofans wish to thank everyone who takes the time to make, the time to display their creations, and the time to listen to the feedback of all who view their works. It brings us together as a community, and provides entertainment to many. Seriously, give yourselves a pat on the back, you deserve it.

Should you be reading this and feel left out of the "back pat club", then you know what to do, start planning some projects!

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