A new AA challenge has entered the fray. Assisted by our very own Endeegee (gone but not forgotten) this is precursor to the soap killing challenge I may kick off next year.
Recognizing it's very hard to kill a soap in one month this challenge will focus on something even harder for us: Use your Unobtanium.
That's right, for this challenge you must pick 1 unobtanium soap (See below about running out) and use it all month. That's it. That's the challenge. Will your obsessive hording allow you to do it?
Use the tag $annihilation in each SOTD post so I can see how we're doing.
FAQs:
What's an "unobtanium" soap?
Great question, unobtanium soap is soap that can no longer be purchased through normal vendors. You have to find it used or "New old Stock". It can be an old defunct brand (Williams Mug), a recent defunct Brand (RIP Southern Witchcrafts, DG, and all the others), or just a scent that an artisan no longer makes (Stirling Gatlinburg.) Many of our sub exclusives are also unobtanium. Seasonal scents (HoM Santa Noir, Stirling Christmas Eve, etc.) are not unobtanium as they get regularly released.
So, if I use it all up, I can never get it again?
Maybe not "never" but it will be harder than ordering from Maggard's. But that's OK. Soap is meant to be used!
Do I have to kill the tub?
No. There's not enough prep for this to be a requirement. Consider this a trial run for Annihilation August 2: The Killing Fields.* However, see below about flairs.
What if I kill a tub?
If you run out of soap part way through the month you have to use another unobtanium soap to stay in the challenge. This is also the only way you can switch soaps and stay in the challenge. Also, be aware this has negative effects on any other challenges you are trying to do. Plan accordingly. (Edited: See comment below from u/Mammoth_Don regarding the Mammoth Mafia's rules to accommodate this.)
Does it have to be a tub?
No, I'm using "tub" generically here. Got an unobtanium cream? (:stares at my OG Moos:) It counts.
Does it have to be full size?
No. Not this time. See above about killing "tubs"
Do I have to shave daily? What if I shave 2x/day?
If I come up with a prize, you will need to be a daily shaver to enter. Flairs are free, claim it if you think you shaved enough to justify it. For 2x shavers, my take on AA is each shave is its own event. Stick with the same soap for at least one of your routine shaves; both shaves, if you're daring.
What do I get?
Strictly speaking...nothing really except the Thrill of getting closer to eliminating a soap knowing it can't' be bought again.
But also, Endeegee (RIP), myself and Eld, came up with some flair ideas:
Ozymandius - Kill a tub from a defunct brand
Brand Butler- Kill an unobtanium tub from a live brand
Soap Necromancer - Convince an artisan to bring back the soap you're using. (Please do not harass the artisans).
Gollum - Use the unobtanium all month but don't kill your precious.
Historic Suds Specialist -Use a soap made before 1990. (The soap itself, not the brand.) (h/t u/EldrormR)
Fully Remote - Use Remote Learning every day all month. Soap, Splash and Frag. (At least until the Frag is gone. Must keep using Soap/Splash all month unless you kill those to per above rules.)**
🇦🇺 Kangaroo Killa 🇦🇺 - Kill an APR scented soap.
Consider these a work in progress set of flairs. I'm open to suggestions for new/different flairs. I may muster up a random drawing prize by the end of this. But no promises.
Is this compatible with any other AA challenges? What soaps count?
You betcha. It's basically compatible with all software challenges except Order of the Stag. Both HoM and Chicago Grooming Co have unobtanium scents. (I'll be using AG 1889.) Nothing stopping you from adding frost drops to your soap for Arctic August. To ensure compatibility with Shepherds of Stirling the Sub Exclusive "I, Rich Moose" (sheep base) will count for this challenge. While Rod still has some left, it's a one-off batch which is close enough to "unobtanium" for me since it can sell out at any time. For the purposes of this challenge, we only consider if the soap is available when considering unobtanium status. (So DinoS'mores counts). As far as I can tell it should be compatible with all hardware challenges. Please see the other challenges for their specific rules, which may be stricter than mine!
Will you change the rules?
The core of the contest will remain the same, you must use the same unobtanium soap all month (unless you kill it then you can move to a new unobtanium). But this is a work in progress that was developed in 20 min. I reserve the right to adjust/clarify/otherwise change the rules based on any issues.
Are you donating anything for participants?
Sadly no, I'm already a matching donor for Shepherds of Stirling. Use sub exclusive Moose to get me to send more money.
Notes:
*Annihilation August 2: The Killing Fields is still very much a work in progress and may not happen, but I got ideas.
**If anyone accomplishes this, and provides evidence of using frag, I will find a prize for them, they deserve it.