2025 Ultima Online Forever Halloween Decoration Contest

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Faytality

Faytality

Moderator
Staff member
2025 Ultima Online Forever Halloween Decoration Contest
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It’s time for the Halloween Decoration Contest! We want to see your creepiest, spookiest, most creative haunted homes. Show off your sinister style and see if your house has what it takes to impress the judges!

Islands with lock-down abilities outside of the house will have their own category this year!

The same rules apply as the main house contest, with a few key notes: Any staff-placed items (such as entry gates, ankhs, or stable masters) will not be considered in the judging. Only player placed decorations will count toward your score.
All island design entries should be posted in this thread, but instead of coordinates, please list the name of the island owner with your screenshots.

The house and island categories will be judged separately, with their own sets of winners. This means players are allowed to submit one house entry and one island entry.


Rules​
1. Deadline: All submissions must be posted by October 31st, 11:59PM PST
(that’s November 1st: 2:59AM EST / 1:59AM CST / 12:59AM MST). Anything posted after the deadline will be disqualified.

2. How to Enter: Post your screenshots in this thread only. This thread is for Forever contest submissions only. If your house is on Overdrive, then please post your submission in the designated thread for the Overdrive Halloween Decoration Competition. If you would like to discuss other players houses, you are free to do so outside this thread. Please be respectful.

3. One House per Player (per server): You may submit one house on Ultima Online Forever and one house on Ultima Online Overdrive. That means if you play both servers, you can enter both contests with separate designs. No side-by-side houses or sneaky extras! We will only judge within the four corners of your plot.

4. Original Work Only: Do not recycle old contest entries, copy designs from the web, or enter staff-created builds. Houses must be completely player-built and decorated. Players are free to work as a team, the rewards will be locked down in the winning houses.

5. Halloween Required: Your house can have any Halloweenesque theme (pirates, haunted carnival, twisted pumpkin patch, etc.), but it must include some form of Halloween decoration.

6. Coordinates Required: Include your house’s (X,Y) coordinates in your post so judges can visit in person. If we cannot access your house, we cannot judge it. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do NOT use a sextant to get your coordinates. Use the provided map, with the coordinates in the upper left corner. Coord example (1111,1111). If your house is inside of an instance please provide the owners name.

7.We Judge Everything: Every floor and every corner will be judged. Make the most of your space! This includes your cellar!

Tips for Success ​


Have a Theme or Story: Whether it’s a haunted pirate cove, a twisted pumpkin patch, or a horror scene from pop culture, a clear theme or story makes your entry memorable. This also gives judges insight to your design choices. It can change a judges thoughts from "why would they put that here?!" to "Oh, that's why, then that's pretty cool."

Balance is Key: More is not always better. If your house looks like a box of Halloween deco exploded inside, your score will suffer. Likewise, empty or ignored areas will drag you down. You should strive to have a thoughtfully decorated area, that looks neither too busy of empty.

Attention to Detail: Sometimes the smallest touches are the coolest. Clever use of ordinary items in unexpected ways can really impress the judges.

A Note on Screenshots: We are not judging based on screenshots. The real judging will only take place in person when staff visit your house for inspection. Screenshots are mainly for other players to enjoy and to help staff confirm we are at the correct location. If you’re holding back because you want your screenshots to look pristine, don’t risk missing the deadline. It’s always better to post what you have than to be late.

Don't be so hasty to clean up after Halloween: Please also keep your houses fully decorated until winners are announced, as judges will be visiting them after the submission deadline.

Rewards
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First place: 10k dono, a golden Cthulhu idol, and the Necrobanisher's Tome (2648 moss born, silver slayer spellbook)

Second Place: Silver Cthulhu Idol and 5k Dono

Third Place: Bronze Cthulhu idol and 2.5k Dono

All eligible participants will receive a Cthulhu's 2025 Halloween Participation Jack-O-Lantern. (Animated container.)

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Blackmartin

Blackmartin

Grandmaster
There's a storm a brewin in Buc's Den, and Davy Jones intends to be the pirate king. In order to secure his position Davy set out to return to Buc's Den with as much wealth as he could muster. It was then he hatched a plan to steal from the coffers of Cove.

While his plundering was successful, a massive storm blocked his escape from the city. The waves proved to be to much for even a seasoned veteran and his crew was scuttled along the shore. Will they make it back to Buc's den before it's to late? Or will these Pirates remain landlocked....


Please come by and visit Pirate's Landing at 2077, 1159. "Thar be no shelter here!"

https://imgur.com/a/rVy91pa

Around the house you will find that Coral Reef has magical power, able to transport you through the ether. (Red squares as noted in pictures)

https://imgur.com/a/FTmxOzv
https://imgur.com/a/2T6Ofyf

But beware! Through the process of discovering the Coral Reef's magical properties, the pirates have unleashed a rift from deep within Sosaria's most dangerous dungeons! Proceed with caution to avoid meeting an early fate.

https://imgur.com/a/5hYd0uY

Should you survive the dangerous pirates and undead creatures, Cove's treasure awaits. Are you brave enough to glance upon it?

https://imgur.com/a/AMXRavo
 
Phrygian

Phrygian

Master
Hello. My house submission for this year was themed off of the fall invasion that we just had. I dedicated one floor to each of the invasion types that we had.

Floor one is the Demon invasion, featuring the children's prison cell, tons of blood thirsty demons, a blood drained sacrificial corpse, and of course, an awesome demon on a pile of bones drinking his favorite beverage.

Floor two is the Undead invasion. Tons of undead mobs roaming around with a haunted library, and a blood bar serviced by one of my favorite undead mobs, a Vampire. Ghosts are roaming the area, and we have a cool blood table to drink your vampire served beverages at.

Floor three is the Spider invasion. Spiders, webs, and corpses galore. From the biggest to the smallest spider, they're all here, with some of their victims still twinging inside their cocoons.

And a bonus room, we can't forget the Witches that played a role in the invasion. They get their own room, with all their witchy delights, featuring animated candles and other magical ingredients and components.

The house is located at 2560, 125 and is fully open to explore. Please turn off circle of transparency for the best experience.

https://imgur.com/oAZpRmP
 
Phrygian

Phrygian

Master
For the new Island House category, I tried to break the space up into a few different segments. First, you have a massive graveyard. Full of gravestones, creepy bushes and trees, with the spirits walking around. I wanted this area to be very "dense" and full, like an overgrown graveyard.

Moving east, you have some dungeon style outcrops with all the dragon lair pieces and trees etc to give it a sense of space and movement, since there are no walls or rooms to do this otherwise. You then come to the blood pool area, a giant mad scientists lab with potions, cauldrons, and science experiments everywhere. I wanted to use a lot of color here to contrast the other areas and make it it's own space.

Moving north, you have the torture area. Ripped bodies, bloody saws, and implements of torture and pain are everywhere. Lots of blood and guts, good Halloween fun.

Then finally to the east, there is the blood pool area. A big giant demon summoning creatures made out of pure blood, from a river of blood itself.

The instance belongs to my character Phrygian. Thank you!

https://imgur.com/wuqQIG8
 
C

Cyrennia

Neophyte
Each year, as Spirit Halloween rises from the rubble of failed mortal retail shops, selling plastic swords and shrink-wrapped costumes to the masses… something far older awakens.


This year, Spirit is not alone.


From the rift between realms, a true Halloween merchant has returned

PHANTOM’S BAZAAR: Location 784, 1998

A popup emporium of cursed costumes, necromantic home décor, arcane lifestyle displays, and soul-binding deals.


Where Spirit Halloween sells plastic imitations, the Phantom deals only in authentic terror. Nothing here is mass-produced—everything is spiritually produced.


  • Costumes that wear you
  • Furniture that still remembers its previous owners
  • Display rooms designed to show you not how you could live… but how you will die
  • A full-service torture spa, soul bar, and haunted photo booth (now accepting gold, souls, or irreversible bargains)

Come browse the Phantom’s Bazaar, if you dare.

You may enter seeking decoration inspiration…
But you will leave part of the collection.


(All sales eternal. Spirit Halloween need not apply.)

https://imgur.com/SJ1Fnf7


https://imgur.com/AZJUZvo
https://imgur.com/B41ONem
https://imgur.com/ubXPLSG
https://imgur.com/3wJkETL
https://imgur.com/KbBZlA5
https://imgur.com/IZJQXOJ
https://imgur.com/HN70yb2
https://imgur.com/HKC5iQc
https://imgur.com/VO3UzfE
https://imgur.com/dsx3XTy
https://imgur.com/NEQqACP
https://imgur.com/Y5yJBMb
https://imgur.com/QDxyZjo
https://imgur.com/c1nffr8
https://imgur.com/twPi564
https://imgur.com/SofVimW
 
SweetJesus

SweetJesus

New Member
I bring you my addition to the 2025 Halloween house decoration contest.
Here are the coordinates:
https://imgur.com/XSAI36d

Its located west of brit moongate.
Everything is open to the public. Feel free to travel an check it out.

This is Church of the Burning Son! Burning Son is a satanic cult with ideas of bring Lucifer from the under world to take command of all human kind.
Here you will see some of the Members engaged in worship and another member in the basement. Winifred in basement is working on creating the perfect form for Lucifer to take over once he is back in the over world.

We'll start out front with the cults pumpkin collection, and Graveyard. Here you'll also note that they set the trees on fire, hence the name "Burning" Son.
The "Son" comes from Lucifer aka one of Gods sons, but i bet you already figured that out.
https://imgur.com/YJa7AiH

Now we'll look at the roof where they have a spider infestation. Not to worry though they called a local giant to come and take of it.
https://imgur.com/1CdOxhn

Here we are inside now, the worshiping has began. The leader behind the alter seems to have the followers undivided attention. Use the grand father clock
in the corner to access the basement.
https://imgur.com/CijQ40x

In the basement you'll find Winifred working on a specimen to offer to Lucifer. The cult keeps here down here 24/7. You'll see they gave her just the necessities to get by.
https://imgur.com/VE32Oml
https://imgur.com/ZOukaoK
 
Owltears

Owltears

Neophyte
https://imgur.com/FPx8A0z
House: Runic Temple
Cords:2024,814 (edge of Compassion Desert by the guard hut).
Idea: A decrited temple that causes the ruins of those who foolishly try to best it's traps in their single-minded desire for power.

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Before you in the desert, is an abandoned structure. No one really knows who or what built it anymore. Some say the carved stone is that of the snake people to the South West, with their temple "borrowed" from long dead and forgotten kings of humans past. Others say early humans who somehow used Ettins to move the stone; but no one truly believes that theory. The ancient ruins are called the "Runic Temple" by those who know it's cursed name. The structure is said to be barely held together, most likely by the forbidden magic that pulses from the top, and from the angry spirits that roam the maze like floors is what is keeping it from collapse.

https://imgur.com/NL3ohQM

The vegetation hides it's dark secrets and power from most. They say that many have seen this temple throughout time in hushed rumors and soft whispers. Large uncontrolled hedges, curtains of vines that snake across and in between stone and rubble. The angry sun casts it's rays down upon the lilies that adorn the outside of the temple, along with other flowers, but the white petals wave at you, their scent is stronger then normal. In the hedges you can see clean sun bleached bones from one of those from those who came before you. Are the bones modern or ancient...? The sun does not care, and neither do the plants of the state of their food. The meat long gone fueling this dark abode, but the hum of magic grows as Halloween draws near. The spirits lost, sacrificed...or used seem to gather some of what little strength they have to try to detach from this fowl place. But they become restless souls, to be consumed by the temple’s power.

But...to those who wish to harness the dark arts, powers once long forgotten over the dead can use this structure...or be used by it.

The normally hot air of the Compassion Desert drains from the sands near the Runic Temple. The sand that you plod through does not even touch the cracked dirty stairs leading up to the pulsing magic structure. You could have sworn that a hedge twitches as you approach. A vine snakes away with a rustle, you saw that for sure! Was that a spirit trying to get your attention? Was it the temple welcoming you? Or are your eyes are playing tricks on you...

The closer you get, the stronger the dark energy feels. But it falls to the back of your mind as the smell, oh how it's rotten! The very air seems poisonous as you gag, the smell of rotten flesh, the copper rust of blood, and decay fight your stomach with each breath you take; every fiber saying to flee! You swear you see in a hole in the wall a man's body, blue and purple from decay. His head snaps towards the hole in the wall, his soulless eyes stare directly at yours before flashing bright colors.

The flesh on his face seems to swell and bubble before his chest bursts open as fleshy creatures crawl out as the desecrated corpse violently shakes and slumps out of view. A pulsing red and green light consumes your thoughts as the meat slops off it; it quickly arises out of view and flashes so violently bright you cover your eyes in pain with a yelp.

Once you can see again, you dread looking back at the hole, but see a deserted room, with gnawed on, but cleaned bones in a pile across the floor. The power that you saw leave the assumed bones now, etched into your mind. You swear you can feel it pulsing somewhere above you.

But you've come so far just to loose your lunch, and not find the crystals. To be scared away by visions that may not even be true! The forbidden knowledge that you seek, long thought lost, in physical form rests in theory above you. At the top of the temple. Half completed from a ritual gone awry ages before you, itching for some mortal to grab it half cocked and be consumed by it’s hypnotic power.

Most people claim to find these crystals in the graveyards around popular towns, such as Cove, Moonglow, and Vesper...but they have to grind years of their life to "gain levels" in their skill and craft of control of the dead that they summon. Not the already dead that they fight in mind numbing hoards for shards, splinters of true raw power of one of the natural concepts of the world.

But... legends say...that the ones here, just a hair out of reach, a floor or two above; just need a new master to control their power. To complete the ritual to force the crystals into your body and adsorb the power over the dead. The crystals are said to be ancient, carved before the ban over necromancy, and before the land forgot their dreadful power. These are full and pulsing with dark raw power, of death, decay.

You are that person. The visions of rituals past, people and corpses desecrated in search for power over the dead draws you forward. The ache of "what if" and the flashes of memories past of the flashing power fill your mind.

Will you venture forth, avoiding the dangers of the crumbling temple? Or will you falter before reaching your goal; to fail like all those who came before you. Aren't you supposed to be the one who could, who CAN control the true raw power of undeath?

https://imgur.com/WBK4amC

Go forth brave fool! And become part of the spirits trapped in the temple! Let it's allure suck you in, and let the plants happily eat your flesh as you rot! Become another mortal to fall before the power, the power of ruination! Let this temple be your final resting place; and prove to be your ruin.
 
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