Why Top 13?
Cause I felt like it.
#13
The Cycle
Marioiscool254, or Mic, was one of the few to make a story 100% unrelated to Forum Life or anything fictional. And it worked.
Sam Wexler was a NYPD cop, investigating a chain of murders, while slowly losing his memory for mysterious reasons. It feels like you're watching a good Cop Movie. Unfortunately, like many works around here, it fell victim to time loss and procrastination, and was never finished.
But the way it was told gripped you. The story had guts, and it wasn't afraid to show it either.
#12
Dimotri- Trouble In Equadon
Now this story was one of those that left a small impact on the forums, but never really caught on. Kimonio's writing is pretty skillful, but we never get far enough in to really appreciate its work.
The story follows Dimotri, who is somehow transported into the world of the gods and as far as Kim gets, meets some stony, flirtatious and... naked?
Gods. The last we hear, he's finding some flight god in the clouds and it stops.The reason it's on the list is in part due to its potential and the fact that Dimotri became rather popular as a type of meme in the forums, and is even mentioned in Kimonio's also short-lived story, The A-SS (Anti Spam Society)
#11
The EL33T
This story hasn't gotten much critical acclaim, but the biggest move taken is that the characters are almost primarily unknowns, and therefore gathered a solid fan base from lesser-knowns everywhere.
The story follows Yoshi Boo 118, Vandarx, Venexis, Salmo and The Portal Guru, who form a group of government-appointed Behavior Assessors. Salmo harbors a secret from the others- he accidentally murdered his drunk friend SuperSpongerific trying to keep him from getting arrested.
Currently, the writer (Me) has hit a dead end, and he may continue the series, as he is just at the beginning, but is planning on changing a lot around.
But in 4 chapters the story got nearly 400 views, and is a staple in chat, therefore making it onto the list.
#10
Unlocked
This story is not popular at all. The reason it's on the list is because of the absolute skill behind it. Yoshi Boo 118's first work is written professionally, has a great balance between light and dark, and the characters are pulled off flawlessly.
The story follows Yoshi Boo 118 and Kimonio, who find a key to the nether regions of the forum. As punishment, Suyo banishes Kim permanently in an orb-type thing and places Yoshi Boo on chat lockdown. Meanwhile, A seedy character, Storyguy, is busy unlocking those nether regions, releasing a wave of Spammers
And that's all we have so far. Sure, it's the same old idea, but the skill behind it is fantastic. It's the Invader Zim of Forum Stories.
#9
Survivor-Runouw
This has been stated to be my favorite story on the forums. So why so low?
Critics have panned it. Mic has stated that he would not be reading it, mostly due to the fact that he can't follow it, and renowned critic Aznchau gave it a harsh rating as well. But The fact that this is the first Reality TV spoof dared to be tried on the Forums, especially an American show by Canadian Kirby999, shows some major guts.
The story is exactly what it suggests- 14 teens from the site playing Survivor.
If only everyone saw what I saw...
#8
My World/Demi God-The Legend Of Ryu
I can't really review these, because I never read them. I was a n00b who didn't know how to spell his own name back then.
But I do know this, My World- Our World, blablob's series was the first actual franchise of the forums. And that deserves some high marks.
And Aznchau's first work, Demi-Gods, was extremely well-known even for a noob like me, although you could say it got a Soprano's ending.
#7
The Legend Of Avo
This has the award of being thus far the second of two completed story (Some may argue that TRC is finished, but I am in the middle of a total reconstruction) And the popularity caught on. TLoA was among the greats for its season. Critics weren't as kind, though.
What was the story about, actually? Like a quirkier Runouw's Forum, really, only with lovable characters, and overall lightness, except for the end. You could really believe it.
Avolerators never really wrote much since then, except a failed RPG with promise, Phantoms, and a few instantly cancelled stories. But this will always stand out as his primary achievement.
#6
Kympo
Kympo was like the Hurt Locker- A left-field Indie hit. Everyone read it, even Niklaw. It got rave reviews and lots of love.
The story follows Blablob, who is one of the many affected by an attack on the site. Runouw moves the members out into his rival McLeod's forum, and then starts acting erratic. Meanwhile, Blab, Suyo and Niklaw are retrieiving... item... thingies in order to... do something. Yes, the big problem with the series was that is was convoluted, OK? I co-wrote it and I still had no clue what was going on.
Why so low on the list? Cause I suck. You see, around chapter 7, strapped-for-time Blab decided to discontinue the series. Having always loved it, I volunteered to pick it up, and in essence, drove it into the ground. Critics beat new Kympo with a stick for the most part, what with convoluted subplots and me being clueless as to what was going on. Eventually I decided to stop work on it to preserve my dignity.
But this still remains as one of the best stories of the forums, and a continuation of a brilliant author.
#5
A-SS (The Anti-Spam Society)
A-SS was not a popular or altogether skillful story
It was a way of life here on runouw.com.
You see, Kimonio, our wacky and lovable member from Texas, got sick of spam and decided to create a group dedicated to it, with positions and everything. Throughout forum life, you would see them patrolling the forums, killing any spambot upon sight.
It became so popular, Kim decided to make a story based off of it.
It was followed and respected, until Kim ran out of free time and it died. Not much is remembered about the story, but that's not what's important. The fact is, it was a revolution of sorts.
In the last month, new software was installed to prevent all spam, and the A-SS was informally disbanded. That's not to say that Kimonio wasn't rewarded for his work. He became one of the first Level Moderators and Recipients of the Special Defense Squad Gold Medals.
#4
Vorpal Annihilation Games
Azn's breakout Virtual Gaming hit was so expertly done, I consider it the second-best story of the Forums. The settings are so beautiful, you feel like you are there, the characters are developed just enough, and it's fun to read. And for a refreshing change, the author, Aznchau4ever, was not the primary hero.
The story follows 16 popular members of the site as they play a virtual reality game, and that's all you need. That, and a possible secret subplot with the Moderators.
This is a refreshing change of pace and expertly done. This remains one of Marioiscool254's favorites (he freaks out every time Azn posts a chapter) and is well-loved. Recently Azn hired Zunar, a low-key Machinma maker, to do some grammatical editing for him.
#3
The Legendary Twelve
This was based off the idea of the first 12 veterans of the old site being heroes, created by Mic, and it stuck. The first book I don't remember much, but it was so real. Human emotion was there, and it was expertly written. It was the first finished work in the Forums.
The Second book of TLT (Reunited?) is being taken over by legendary author Brandobrawl, who may do a crossover with his popular Runouw's Forum. Buffooner is steadfastly working on a total reconstruction of TLT.
The thing that grips you about this Spambot story is that you feel for the characters. Mic puts brilliant work into the story and TLT has been immortialized.
#2
The Runouw.Com Connection
Yeah, I know, why put my own work so far ahead? Well, I speak from a layman's point of view when I say that TRC has a massive reputation. It was a true franchise, with topics strewn all over the writing forum. As for the writing style, it progresses. It is the only Forum Story taking place in real life, and a spin-off of the genre is in the works by Avolerators.
The story follows Sam, a character loosely based off of Moy, a teen who works in a police force with Ema (Ridder) Mic (Mic) and Buffy (Buff), solving the murder of Rob Stevens (Runouw) who in this alternate universe none of them know. They use the forum to find his killer and uncover a conspiracy as a bonus.
Also, this is one of the only stories to feature an element of romance after the characters took on a life of their own, between Sam and Ema, and Nicolas (Niklaw) and Suki (Fourinone) This story led to debates about some forum members' gender that continues today.
The most notable feature that maintains its popularity is that it is the only story that is in the process of being redone, reperfected, as I hope to get it published one day, despite many critics deeming that unlikely. Some may say TRC has been finished, but as far as I know, it's still going on. It may never be done.
And the Number 1 Forum Story is
Runouw's Forum
Yeah, big surprise
Most of you expected this. Well, it is the only story followed by everyone in the forums, whether popular or not. The only story besides Kympo that mods read. It solidified the Spambot genre and Brando's career as a fanfic writer.
The story follows various Forum members in the fight to save their forum from spambots. This isn't my favorite story, to be honest, but it deserves its rep. Brando is a great writer, incorporating darkness, anticipation, humor and even romance into it. It is truly a work of art (I'd say more but I gotta go and you know how it is with these stories)
Is this a fair list? Discuss.
(and truthful 
)
Umm... Let see... I can actually give some actual thoughts since it is my story. >_> Well, with the "author not primary hero thing," I just really dislike how in a lot of other stories, everyone concentrates on themselves a slight bit more then anyone else. It's not anything bad, I don't think, I think it's just an unconscious thing to do. Now, you may not be calling it the Vorpal Annihilation Games for long... I really think I'm going to change it.
