I'd like to clarify that registering esteem votes for books is only the
_nomination_ process for the bardic contest. The gods still exercise
full review and control over which books actually win the contest and
merit addition to the Grand Aetolian Library. So don't think that any
sort of cheating is going to matter.

I'd also like to point out that we're not asking players to write
Aetolia's history. I may have oversold that point a bit. The bardic
contest is, however, an opportunity to fill in the gaps and help make
our history richer and fuller. For example, the outcome of the Second
Ankyrean War is well-known... but not as much has been uncovered about
the details of that war. Who were the heroes, and what were their
stories? What about the key Ankyrean figures - how did they come to
positions of power, and what else might they have done in their lives?

That said, historical accounts are certainly not the ONLY texts that
qualify for the bardic contest - far from it. Broadly speaking, any
written document that interestingly sheds light on the world, its
people, its institutions, or its history will be considered. That could
include research reports, diaries of key Aetolian figures, battle songs,
or even erotic Horkval poetry! I hesitate to cite examples that would
NOT qualify, as I can easily think of counterexamples for any category I
might specify. But for example, a poem written for your wife is unlikely
to be included in the Grand Aetolian Library, lovely though it may be.

If you are an author, don't be ashamed to encourage others to read your
writing! The same goes for librarians - your organization will benefit
if books in your library are selected as contest winners, so find
(in-character) ways to bring readers in!

-Varian

Penned by my hand on the 5th of Arios, in the year 122 MA.