I would like to request a second chance for both of these submissions:
Axe That Shoots Other Axes That Also Shoot Wasps
Exploding Pillow that Makes Hot Chocolate
Both submissions were denied without due consideration. Yes, they are inherently silly, and somewhat impractical. However, they violate no rules. Both are based on technology that is firmly grounded within both the spirit and technology base of Star Wars, and they are in no way overpowered or unbalanced.
Denying them out of hand sets a dangerous precedent. The whole purpose of the review process is to ensure that ideas are realized, and that when they are introduced into the universe proper, they're fair and balanced. If we take it upon ourselves to police ideas for being silly or impractical, where does that stop? Do we demand that all submissions be utilitarian and practical? Does anything with a sense of whimsy get the ax?
Furthermore, they were both denied on the say so of a single individual. They weren't assigned to a judge for review. There was no discussion. Any submission in which there are concerns in relation to the viability thereof gets subjected to multiple sets of eyes and multiple opinions, in order to ensure that the fairest possible judgment is handed down. No single person, be they FJ, RPJ, or Admin, should have the power to unilaterally deny a sub, especially one that doesn't flagrantly violate the rules. This, again, sets a dangerous precedent, and one that I unequivocally condemn in the strongest possible terms as bad for the Factory and bad for the site.
Concerning specific issues with the submissions themselves, starting with the Axe That Shoots Other Axes That Also Shoots Wasps.
Yes, this is silly and impractical, but it is still a perfectly serviceable weapon. The materials involved are all commonly available. Leaving aside the fact that I'm not about to go out and catch some wasps to shove into the thing, I could probably knock up a working example at home. Well, at a buddy's workshop, maybe, since I don't keep the tools to do so in my closet. But the point still stands that any idiot with a working knowledge of metalwork and access to a Walmart could in theory put one together.
I would also contend that the whimsical nature of the submission is perfectly in line with the company that created it. Rusty's Custom Firearms and Cutlery has a reputation for building absurd and impractical weapons. We've
weaponized the dad joke. At the behest of the site owner, we made a device that
launches the Dantooine Plains Turkey at enemies while spewing out glitter and blaring stupid music.
And also a bomb designed to be shoved up said turkey's cloaca. There's also a
gun that shoots bees, one that can
duct tape someone's mouth shut from across the room, and for one of the most powerful Sith Lords on the site, a
rifle painted bright pink and decked out in Hello Kitty stickers. The axe in question is, yes, silly, but it barely registers on the impracticality scale, especially when you consider we
have a cannon that uses atomic bombs as ammunition.
When you take that into consideration, this thing is downright dowdy.
As far as the pillow goes, I won't rehash the argument concerning its silliness or impracticality in relation to the rest of RCFC's products. However, I will point out that it's exactly the sort of thing one might get if you throw the creator in question in a thread with the character who requested the device, which we have. Point in fact, RCFC and Nadir are on course for a merger. This is exactly the sort of thing that Rusty would come up with on a drunken dare, and it's a plot point that was to occur in the near future.
The pillow is not overpowered. It's made using readily available technology. It's not, when you get down to it, an unreasonable security measure for an overly paranoid mercenary with a blasé attitude towards explosives. Put a flame retardant pillowcase on the thing and it's not even all that dangerous for everyday use. It's certainly a lot more comfortable than sleeping with a gun under a normal pillow.
[member="Cira"] [member="Raziel"]
