Alternative History:2020 Stirling Awards

This is the page for the 2020 Stirling Awards to honor the editors, timelines, and content in our Wiki. VOTING IS NOW OPEN.

The Stirlings always recognize content from the previous year, and these are no different, even though they are belated. Here we consider writers and content from 2018 and 2019. Nominations from the unfinished 2019 Stirling Awards have been copied here for consideration.

To vote, place your signature ( **~~~~ ) under the candidate you support. Only registered editors who have 200 or more edits and have been on the wiki for at least a month can make nominations and/or vote. Voting will take place during October and will last the traditional 25 days. The winners will be announced on October 26.

Writer Awards

Writer of the Year

This award is for the best writer on the wiki in 2018-2019.

Nominations

• Neesym ("Ney Ney") - Certainly one of the most eccentric and controversial writers of the period, with articles and posts in Origo Mundi ranging from highly researched and academic to fever dreams that toed the line of what should be allowed on the wiki. All her contributions in Origo Mundi, Mundus Novus, and elsewhere were highly creative and a departure from how map game writing usually operates, and although she is no longer with us her contributions still influence a lot of work to this day in the OM timeline and beyond. Vandenhoek (talk) 21:07, September 2, 2020 (UTC)
• Nathan1123 - In addition to having a great name, Nathan wrote many many of his articles I loved in the time just before I joined the wiki. He's always contributing a lot to the wiki, whether that be in articles, moderating, or discussion. Nathanadrian (talk) 22:12, September 2, 2020 (UTC)

Voting

• Neesym

• Nathan1123

Best New Contributor

This award is for the best new contributor to the wiki in 2018-2019.

Nominations

• TheMaster197
• Vandenhoek - Joined in February of 2018. Easily one of the most recognizable members of the community, not only for his contributions to map games like Borealia in the wack Principia Moderni IV (Map Game) or his own acclaimed map game, Origo Mundi, but Vand is easily one of the most creative, original, and overall great new users to have come in recent years, not only creating one of the most effective auto-algorithms in map game history, but also expressing a sense of quality to his pages and general work. Certain people may have their reservations about him, but in my opinion, it does not matter when his contributions as both a constable and user greatly outpaces and significantly outmatches just about everybody elses. SolaceEaSw (talk) 14:51, September 25, 2020 (UTC)
• DosDragones - Already has over 2,000 edits despite only joining in October of 2019. Author of the wonderful Terra Cognita timeline. Vavent (talk) 06:55, September 5, 2020 (UTC)

Voting

• TheMaster197

• Vandenhoek
  • Candiesrgood (talk) 15:46, October 4, 2020 (UTC)
• DosDragones
  • FirstStooge (talk) 05:31, October 1, 2020 (UTC)

Best Writer for a Map Game

This award is for the best writer in a map game that was active in 2018-2019.

Nominations

• Davewest9 - One of the most skilled and creative writers in Origo Mundi. Managed to write over a millennium of history for various nations and cultures at once, all from the perspective of modern historians and archaeologists looking back at the remains of his nations. Although he sometimes relied on OTL for the course of major events, he truly thrived when it came to worldbuilding. He wrote a centuries-long struggle between the ATL equivalent of the Illuminati and a Corpocratic water nation, he envisioned a fortress city state on the peak of a lonely mountain, and he made interesting character interactions on a extremely complex family tree. Emaliay (talk) 21:38, September 2, 2020 (UTC)
• Nathan1123 - Nate participated in a lot of map games at this time, and some of his contributions stand out to this day as great examples of alternate nations. Javants03 (talk) 06:16, September 17, 2020 (UTC)

Voting

• Davewest9

• Nathan1123
  • Candiesrgood (talk) 15:46, October 4, 2020 (UTC)

EoGuy Award for Best Supporting Writer

This award, named for EoGuy, is for the member who has contributed in less-visible ways to the Wiki, whether through copyediting, maintenance tasks, wise advice and collaboration to improve other people's timelines, or positive discussion that improved the quality of the site during 2018-2019.

Nominations

• Vandenhoek - Although a writer as well, I would say that wasn't his focus. Instead he provided input and guidance for a lot of other writers, including myself when I first joined, that helped propel them to new heights. Is also very helpful with creating templates, fixing errors, and answering questions. As another example he created and ran a general system in MDM just to help out despite not playing or modding. Emaliay (talk) 21:16, September 2, 2020 (UTC)
• Stepintime - Helped me extensively with ideas and world building for my timeline, and has done the same for many other users here. Has adopted several timelines and made helpful edits to countless more; seems to genuinely care about maintaining the general good quality of this wiki, while also fostering creativity for all our writers. Vavent (talk) 07:27, September 5, 2020 (UTC)

Voting

• Vandenhoek
  • Candiesrgood (talk) 15:47, October 4, 2020 (UTC)
• Stepintime

Timeline Awards

Timeline of the Year

This award is for the best timeline of 2018-2019. All timelines are eligible, provided that large updates occurred during that time.

Discussions

Origo Mundi (Map Game) has been removed because it is not a timeline on this wiki, and not alternate history. Benkarnell (talk) 02:18, September 8, 2020 (UTC)

I find your assertion that it's not alternate history to be incorrect and a bit rude, but I understand your belief that it's not a timeline, even if I disagree for a few different reasons, I withdraw the nomination. T0oxi22 (talk) 04:44, September 8, 2020 (UTC)

Well it is a timeline, just on this wiki. Benkarnell (talk) 18:27, September 11, 2020 (UTC)

There are no nominations for this category. Benkarnell (talk) 23:17, September 30, 2020 (UTC)

Best New Timeline

This award is for the best TL that was created in 2018-2019.

Nominations

• The Warrior King  - Fascinating look at the Hundred Years War in closer to an English victory. Made by User:ArmsSpaghetti
• Terra Cognita by DosDragones - an interesting setting, presented and written impeccably well. Politics, culture, even a constructed language! - Benkarnell (talk)
• Triangles and Crosses by User:Massacote.01 - A very interesting timeline focused on the Portuguese Empire and his expansion in the Americas - Katholico (talk) 20:48, September 28, 2020 (UTC)

Voting

• The Warrior King 

• Terra Cognita
  • Definitely one of the most fascinating timelines on our wiki. FirstStooge (talk) 05:27, October 1, 2020 (UTC)

• Triangles and Crosses

Best New Article

This award is for the best article created in 2018-2019.

Nominations

• Gojong the Great (An Alternate East Asia) (written by TheMaster197)
• Sugondia (Ligma Universe) - Just for the lolz. SolaceEaSw (talk) 23:18, December 9, 2018 (UTC) (written by Eledec)
• Kingdom of Azoz by Nathan1123 - Emaliay (talk) 21:19, September 2, 2020 (UTC)
• Roman Language (Terra Cognita) by DosDragones - How many of you can converse in a language from your timeline? - Benkarnell (talk)

Discussions

Granada nomination removed because self-nominations are not allowed in this category. Scrawland Scribblescratch 21:28, December 25, 2018 (UTC)

Voting

• Gojong the Great (An Alternate East Asia)

• Sugondia (Ligma Universe) 

• Kingdom of Azoz (Origo Mundi Map Game)
  • Candiesrgood (talk) 15:48, October 4, 2020 (UTC)

• Roman Language (Terra Cognita)
  • FirstStooge (talk) 05:29, October 1, 2020 (UTC)
  • Benkarnell (talk) 13:08, October 1, 2020 (UTC)

Map Game Turn of the Year

This award is for the best turn within any game played in 2018-2019.

Nominations

• Yannian Culture, 851-860 in Origo Mundi by Neesym - While the average map game turn is usually written as a list of events that the government does, e.g. the infamous "We continue to upgrade the military." type posts, this post instead described a series of events from eight separate narrative vantage points, ranging from logical to ridiculous depending on the narrator. One of true progenitors of "Gonzo Map Gaming". Emaliay (talk) 23:32, September 2, 2020 (UTC)
• Messalian Culture, 601-610 in Origo Mundi by Davewest9. There were so many good turns as I read through these archives that it was hard to pick just one. There are so many turns that are highly creative, but I'm picking this one for now for being one of the longest and well put together. Javants03 (talk) 06:16, September 17, 2020 (UTC)
• Yannian Culture, 831-840 in Origo Mundi by Neesym - I found this turn to be quite informative and well written. Javants03 (talk) 06:16, September 17, 2020 (UTC)

Voting

• Yannian Culture, 851-860
  • Candiesrgood (talk) 15:50, October 4, 2020 (UTC)
• Messalian Culture, 601-610

• Yannian Culture, 831-840

Best New Non-AH Written Work

This award is for the best OTL/non-AH work that was created in 2018-2019. The creator or principal contributor can only nominate a single one of their works. This category includes all such items on this wiki: blogs, the forum, or articles.

Nominations

• The Origo Mundi Algo - As far as I can tell this was the first automated algo ever made, and began the trend that continued into MDM and beyond. This marks a major achievement in map games and would be a lot of effort. It seems to have prevented a lot of arguments, made wars smoother and easier, and was a major advancement.

• The Wondrous World of "Alternate Ancestry" by NuclearVacuum - It's interesting to read such a detailed and thoughtful description of the methodology behind an AH setting. Benkarnell (talk) 15:04, September 28, 2020 (UTC)

Voting

• The Origo Mundi Algo
  • Candiesrgood (talk) 15:51, October 4, 2020 (UTC)
• The Wondrous World of "Alternate Ancestry"
  • Benkarnell (talk) 13:08, October 1, 2020 (UTC)

Content Awards

Best New Flag or Coat of Arms

This award is for the best fictional flag created in 2018-2019.

Nominations

•  - Flag of Qera by User:Ycasto
• - Flag of Sephimora by Davewest9. Simple, sleek, and perfectly conveys a mood.
• - Flag of the Kingdom of Wales (Merveilles du Monde Map Game) by Tullin: Beautiful original flag that uses well-known symbols in a new way. - Benkarnell (talk)

Voting

• Flag of Qera 
  • Candiesrgood (talk) 15:51, October 4, 2020 (UTC)

• Flag of Sephimora

• Flag of the Kingdom of Wales
  • FirstStooge (talk) 05:30, October 1, 2020 (UTC)
  • Benkarnell (talk) 13:08, October 1, 2020 (UTC)

Best New Map

This award is for the best map created in 2018-2019. Any kind of map is acceptable.

Nominations

• 
  - In Fredricks Fields World Map, by Fedelede, for In Frederick's Fields. I've come back from a long hiatus just to nominate this map. I've always enjoyed reading the content of the timeline, and the world map is the icing on the cake; so much attention to detail and thought put into this one. ChrisL123 (talk) 02:22, December 22, 2018 (UTC)
• 
  File:Degwanate of Jookympin MN Publish.svg
  Map of the Degwanate of Jookympin by Vandenhoek for Oasisamerica. It was hard to choose which map I wanted to nominate, but this map is truly unique and well done, and indicative of the very interesting timeline it comes from. Nathanadrian (talk) 22:21, September 2, 2020 (UTC)
• - The Territorial Evolution of the United States (A More Perfect Union) by YNot1989. A professional-quality take on alternate USA history. The differences are so subtle, you think it's a published map at first glance; but really it shows a very different country. - Benkarnell (talk)

Voting

• In Fredrick's Fields World Map

• Map of the Degwanate of Jookympin
  • Candiesrgood (talk) 15:53, October 4, 2020 (UTC)
• The Territorial Evolution of the United States (AMPU)
  • Benkarnell (talk) 14:35, October 1, 2020 (UTC)

Best New Graphic

This award is for other visual content - photoshopped images, logos, alternate history media, wiki templates, etc. - created in 2018-2019. The creator can only nominate a single one of their own graphics.

Nominations

• - Adolf Hitler with a Beard, by Batran99. I mean, if you are curious on how Adolf Hitler may look like with a beard on his face, then go ahead. Batran99 (talk) 06:16, December 27, 2018 (UTC)
• - Theodore Roosevelt with Added Beard, by Vandenhoek. And if you wondered what Theodore Roosevelt looked like with a beard, here you go. Emaliay (talk) 21:14, September 2, 2020 (UTC)
• Template:MdM - designed by TheCrimsonOracle. A graphical tour de force. The apotheosis of the wiki template as an artistic medium. Elegantly simple, ringing with heraldic fury beneath the surface. - Benkarnell (talk)

Voting

• Adolf Hitler with a Beard

• Theodore Roosevelt with Added Beard

• Template:MdM

Special Nominations

Because of the unusual timetable, no Lifetime Achievement Awards will be given in 2020. These awards will next be given in the 2021 Stirling Awards; nominations will re-open in December.