Gualon's Spring Festival:Lantern Contest
Winner
Loravelle
Constructed of thin paper carefully stretched and adhered over a latticed, wire framework, this spherical lantern is illuminated from within by a fist-sized chunk of multicolored glow stone suspended in the midst of the lantern by fishing line. Hollow, wooden rods extend outward from its middle as well, creating mobile-like structure. Squares of paper carefully folded into the shapes of stylized butterflies in flight hang from each rod of the mobile within the lantern at different lengths, each concealing a small stone to provide enough weight help maintain balance as the kinetic structure within rotates. The silhouettes of the butterflies paired with the light within creates a sort of shadow puppet show of the winged creatures flying together across an ever changing, colorful sky. The paper on the outside of the lantern helps simulate this effect as well, with a floral landscape painted with thin washes of ink as an impressionistic replication of Gualon's gardens.
Submissions
Anonymous (Lhyrin)
The Red Witch's Severed Head - This lantern is starkly different from the rest of the ones submitted to the contest, in that it's rather gory and difficult to look at. It's obvious that a lot of work went into the creation of this lantern, as it looks SO MUCH like Valrae Baines, from the long blonde hair to those emerald eyes and kohl make-up. Upon much closer inspection though... the hair and the eyes are actually real and properly preserved to keep "fresh"... and the paper that makes up the rest of it seems to actually be made of human skin. Even the scraggly bits of flesh at the bottom, where the "head" was severed are dripping blood and it's a wonder that the thing is even intended to fly at all. And yet, despite all of that, it can indeed fly, as it seems to be lightly enchanted to weight very little.
Finn(Valrae)
A simple round paper lantern with poorly painted figures that might be men holding swords. If you spin it quickly, it almost looks as if they are sword fighting.
Lanara
Lanara had taken great care to achieve the likeness of a lion when constructing her lantern for the festival. The structure has been made with an array of materials, from the finest of silks and lightest stalks of bamboo, to the dried wood and expertly dyed fabrics. It must have taken the witch countless days and hours to complete this project, but the result is that of a magnificent king of the jungle. Every shape of the lantern mimics the outline of a lion’s frame, be it the long tail, muscle tone, or the toenails, each feature is an exact representation to one that would exist in the wild. The body appears strong and regal, colored in gold, which darkens as it gets nearer to the exotic mane, which is a reddish-brown and has a few streaks of black to enhance the lighter hues. The mane is the primary attraction, as the caress of the wind mingles with the flickering fire, so it appears that the creature has come to life and its mane is gently blowing in the breeze. Expressive amber eyes with brown striations gaze upon its admirers, as though sizing up its next meal, but there’s no need to be frightened. The illuminated beast proudly glides onwards, mingling with the other painted lanterns, and hoping to capture its prey; the grand prize!
Leoxander
On one side of the parchment lantern, black ink depicts a dragon's clawed hand, palm up and open. Resting in the palm of that scaled platform is fully bloomed begonia, detailed with a faint swipe of the flower's pigment itself. The light, when illuminating it, would hint the trace of pink color. The opposite side is less detailed but gives example to scale of size as the winged ancient inclines its neck to lower his head to the outstretched reach of a small, curvy figure in skirts, fingertips touched to the sketch of muzzle in a calm manner. Whether it is some portrayal of apology or a hello from the other side, wyrm and botanist seem at peace. As not to take focal point from either scene, space between bears an embellished calligraphy ‘D’ on one side, the other a ‘K’ in the same elegant handwriting no one would suspect from the pirate. Leo may not have personally known either combatant, but he respected their efforts in battle. Honor wasn’t a part of his agenda, typically, but the rogue figured if any message needed to be taken to the sky, it would be one in their memory.
Mathollak
Mathollak collaborated with the most creatively minded people in all of Gualon to make this lantern. And the evidence is in the craftsmanship. The typical thin paper shell is covered beautifully with green crayon, with tasteful black ‘UU’s’ added occassionally to let the observer know that yes, these were scales. Not just plain skin! Over one side of the asymmetrical wire frame was a horrifyingly toothy maw, made out of great white interlocking triangles. And this beast was angry. One could tell by looking at the eyes, and the eyebrows in particular, because it had bold streaks slanting over the top of the eyes, meeting in the middle just above the snout. The crown, because this ‘terrible lizard’ was evidently nobility, was a ring of gold colored paper, expertly adhered with an uncountable amount of strips of sticky tape to the top of the tyrant’s green head. It would’ve looked plain without it, one of the kids said. “The important thing to remember,” says Mathollak to his twerpish collaborators, “is that we did our best, and even if its not the prettiest, it could kick all the other lanterns on their casseroles.” He was something of a role model to these orphans, and he owed it to them to give back. Once he lit the flame on the cartoonish T-Rex’s butt hole, his and a ring of other tinier hands, gave it a boost into the sky. He touched his fingers to his totem around his neck, and whispered a tiny prayer that this paper dinosaur doesn’t burst into flames before it even touches the sky.