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[h2][center]Painting Challenge: Nazgûl[/center][/h2]
The Silmarillion, 'Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age' wrote:
"Those who used the Nine Rings became mighty in their day, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old. They obtained glory and great wealth, yet it turned to their undoing. They had, as it seemed, unending life, yet life became unendurable to them. They could walk, if they would, unseen by all eyes in this world beneath the sun, and they could see things in worlds invisible to mortal men; but too often they beheld only the phantoms and delusions of Sauron. And one by one, sooner or later, according to their native strength and to the good or evil of their wills in the beginning, they fell under the thraldom of the ring that they bore and of the domination of the One which was Sauron's. And they became forever invisible save to him that wore the Ruling Ring, and they entered into the realm of shadows. The Nazgûl were they, the Ringwraiths, the Ulairi, the Enemy's most terrible servants; darkness went with them, and they cried with the voices of death."
Greetings, and welcome to the first Painting Challenge of 2010, featuring the Dark Lord's most dreaded servants, the Nazgûl. Guidelines for the challenge are as follows:
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Painting Challenge Guidelines
1. A miniature will be selected prior to the beginning of each Painting Challenge. Although it is not required, it is strongly suggested that you paint the chosen miniature, although some accommodation is allowed.
(In order of preference)
1. One of the Nazgûl on foot (generic or named versions)
2. One of the Nazgûl mounted on either a Dark Steed or Fell Beast
3. Twilight Ringwraith
4. Evil miniature featuring dark robes and armor (e.g. Morgul Stalkers, Castellans of Dol Guldur, the Necromancer, the Mouth of Sauron, Black Númenóreans, Morgul Knights)
2. Miniatures may not be painted at the beginning of the Paint-Off (assembled and undercoated is fine), and each participant should show proof of this status.
3. You may join the Painting Challenge in progress at any time, but must submit photographs of the completed miniature by midnight GMT of January 31, 2010. WIP images are welcomed and encouraged.
4. Miniatures that are completed in time will be eligible to win the Painting Challenge. The Painting Challenge will be decided by the vote of the OR community. The community will choose one winner and one runner-up from the completed miniatures. Votes should be cast not simply on painting skill, but on merit, including creativity, application of painting techniques, artist improvement, etc. The winner will receive three (3) gold coins and the runner-up will receive two (2) gold coins.
5. Winners from the previous month are able to participate in the Painting Challenge, but are not eligible to win in consecutive months.
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Now, get your cameras and paintbrushes ready, because this is going to be a lot of fun.
Edit: I am being a little relaxed on the rules in the December Challenge, because it was the first one. However, for this Challenge, you will not be eligible to win without photographic proof of the miniature's unpainted status, so please grab a quick snapshot before you get started!
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, this competition starts just after I finish my Dark Marshal! 
