OFFICIAL COMMUNITY AWARDS XIX CEREMONY

Today at 9:00 PM – Community Awards XIX opening – Hooded Pitohui
Today at 9:05 PM – C1. Favorite Active 'Shroom Writer – Fun With Despair
Today at 9:10 PM – C14. Favorite Community Event 2025-2026 – Waluigi Time
Today at 9:15 PM – C3. Favorite Written 'Shroom Section 2025-2026 – Hooded Pitohui
Today at 9:20 PM – C5. Favorite Retired 'Shroom Section – Roserade
Today at 9:25 PM – C11. Favorite Wiki April Fool's Event – Zange
Today at 9:30 PM – C12. Wiki Contributor Award 2025-2026 – woglril
55 minutes ago – C4. Favorite 'Shroom Guest Section 2025-2026 – Zange
50 minutes ago – C8. Favorite Scribble Round – Fun With Despair
45 minutes ago – C10. Favorite BJAODN Entry – Waluigi Time
40 minutes ago – C13. Favorite Community Character – Gabumon
35 minutes ago – C9. Favorite 2025 Awards Presentation – Roserade
30 minutes ago – C6. Favorite 'Shroom Special Issue – Ninja Squid
25 minutes ago – C2. Favorite 'Shroom Section Design – Waluigi Time
20 minutes ago – C7. Favorite Artist – TPG
15 minutes ago – C15. Outstanding Community Achievement Award – Hooded Pitohui
10 minutes ago – Bonus Stars – Roserade, Camwoodstock, BMfan08, & Lakituthequick
5 minutes ago – Community Awards XIX closing – Hooded Pitohui

So, where are we?

To answer that, I suppose we ought to start with a different question! Where have we been?

Since we last gathered here, we've taken our hard-edged brushes in hand and used them to scale to new heights. We've taken on unique and sometimes chaotic challenges, and we've weathered sabotages in teams of two. We've looked at art made by another, trying to decipher its meaning in teams as we raced to unlock the secrets of Forgotten Isle. We've gone on a ghost hunt, and we've been hunted by haunts in a sprawling complex built from scattered pieces of the past.

Speaking of hunts, we embarked on a quest to track down the ribbons and microphones sprinkled over a massive island, breaking up the search by knocking each other from pillars or out of the skies in an arena. We've taken tramway rides that took us by beautiful architecture, all thanks to others laboring in the background, building up these sights and maintaining finicky platforms.

That's far from all! We've spent time lauding ducks and rabbits for their cuteness, we've made a grand return to Rogueport to debate and deceive while dealing with a surprisingly charismatic curse-caster, and we've munched on Greggs and pasta in a lighthouse! We've seen what happens when a joke of a villain tries his hand at replacing his nemesis' work, had a Q&A with a historian, learned more about Hotheads and Podoboos from local wildlife experts, unscrambled anagrams, guessed the identities of pixelated characters, laughed at Wart's run-in with a mandrake, learned about battling bots, read up on the history of Muppets, and listened to tunes recommended to us.

We've seen Baby Waluigi made official, and we've probed the wildlife in a mysterious book. Some merely for fun, and some with documentation in mind. Some of our number have spent the past year tracking down citations for names across a variety of languages, building up a collection of articles on Fever Rackets, tracking down traffic across a karting continent, and overhauling tables in need of repair year-of-release-by-year-of-release!

Between it all, in the quieter moments, we've pushed down colorful plungers while hoping Bowser's head wouldn't explode and we've built a little playlist of winter-y game music to countdown to the December holidays. We've shared art and videos with one another, watching each other improve and cultivating our creativity together. We've chatted, laughed, and played games together, sometimes in small sessions and sometimes interlinked across archipelagos. We've gushed over the scrimblos we've made together, be they accident-prone safety officers, digital agents, or a bespectacled Toad and blocky bot working away as stewards of knowledge.

That's not even a third of it! We've done much together this year across all of our community venues. While there's been frustration and fatigue here and there, as is bound to be the case, the majority of the moments we've spent together have brought joy, laughter, and amazement.

That's where we've been, so where are we now? Well, we're gathered together to celebrate all of that! We're once again at the day where we celebrate all we've accomplished together, and applaud the folks who've poured their time and effort into making this an exciting, vibrant community! We've got presentations-a-plenty that'll dazzle, so sit back, relax, soak in the camaraderie, and, most of all...

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Up next is C1. Favorite Active 'Shroom Writer by Fun With Despair!

C1. Favorite Active 'Shroom Writer​

by Fun With Despair

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BPI-4774 - [Half-Baked Critic]
THREAT LEVEL: BLUE
DESCRIPTION: BPI-4774 is a relatively humanoid reptilian entity of unknown origin. Despite ostensibly appearing to be a breed of tortoise or related species, BPI-4744 is known to wear human clothing, including but not limited to beachwear, a variety of seasonal outfits, [DATA EXPUNGED] and what can only be described as a "wizard robe". 4744 appears to be of average human intelligence - though with a diverse and notable vocabulary - and is capable and willing to engage in a variety of human activities, often leading to several [CLASS-XIII EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS] and subsequent witness termination.

This is exacerbated by BPI-4774's primary anomalous trait, which manifests as a desire for food. This is not to be confused with hunger, as BPI-4774 has been observed going relatively large spans of time without expressing the desire for nutrition, and will simply refuse consumption when offered food that it deems unsatisfying within in these windows of time. Instead, it is believed that BPI-4774 thrives on the experience of consumption, and particularly the subsequent discussion of the flavors, textures, and presentation of a meal - typically by means of online posts, which conceal the nature of this entity's appearance and prevent a greater number of potential sightings than already take place.

Within these discussions (self-described by the entity as "Half-Baked Reviews" - name origin unclear), are contained exceptionally detailed and well-researched reviews of each product sampled. In the case of a positive review, no effect has been observed on any given reader - but upon viewing a negative review, any individual associated with the production of the food in question has been observed as suffering severe psychological and neurological effects, not limited to [DATA EXPUNGED], [REDACTED], and long-term depression. Curiously, these negative effects are not always limited solely to direct viewers, as several staff members involved with the offending product have reported mild headaches and nausea for days on end after the posting of a critical article by BPI-4774. Potential targets for criticism extend beyond simply the consumption experience and tend to often target the greater branding of edible goods. BPI-4774 is almost universally consistent within the realm of its reviews in this regard, and sports a consistent dislike for overly twee branding, [REDACTED] chocolate, a focus on how few ingredients are used, and minimalist designs sporting illustrations of fruit.

BPI-4774 is almost entirely non-aggressive and bears little threat outside of potential paranormal exposure on a large scale and the psychological damage caused to purveyors of "bad food" - and as such, it has been given a relatively low threat rating and containment has been avoided for now. Seeing as several members of our department have become avid readers of BPI-4774's blog, this is unlikely to change in the near future.

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BPI-0401 - [Dubious Wisdom]
THREAT LEVEL: YELLOW
DESCRIPTION: BPI-0401 is a small creature resembling a goblin or gnome, albeit seemingly under the process of parasitization by what appears to be a fungus of the Amanita genus - although this is unconfirmed due to our consistent inability to capture and study the Anomaly in question. Standing about 3'1 in height, BPI-0401 is seemingly clad in clothing tailor-made for its height, curiously also wearing a pair of eyeglasses of completely unknown origin or prescription in every known photograph. While it has been accepted that these articles may simply be an inseparable part of the Anomaly, they also raise questions as to whether more, similar beings to BPI-0401 are currently out there in the world. This question is currently being investigated by [DATA EXPUNGED] as part of our [REDACTED] Control Program.

For the most part, BPI-0401 is known to have an outgoing - even friendly - demeanor, with a penchant for the creative arts and a high degree of skill at creating lively and appealing artwork of a variety of subjects. This, in addition to its strange appearance, acts as a convenient lure for its presumed victims.

BPI-0401 primarily appears to individuals who are lost or struggling in some way, breaking down their defenses with the aforementioned methods, and initiating discussion by referring to itself as the "Hint Toad". The meaning of this name is difficult to discern and is a subject of great debate within the department. Dr. [REDACTED] has put forward the theory that the name refers to the toadstool seemingly fused with its head - thus making the fungus the true consciousness, but an opposing theory posits that the name is in reference to the original creature that had become parasitized - potentially an amphibian resembling a frog or toad. This theory has largely been discredited, for a number of reasons.

"Reasons such as 'having eyes', yes". - Dr. Rosenwood

Once engaged, BPI-0401 will offer advice (referred to as a "hint") to the unfortunate individual who has encountered it. This advice almost always logically makes sense and should reasonably resolve the problem of the troubled individual should it be followed to any real extent. This is the nature of BPI-0401's potential deception. Despite the rationality behind this advice, it has been recorded as almost always resulting in great and significant misfortune - including but not limited to death, dismemberment, and [DATA EXPUNGED].

Whether BPI-0401 knowingly gives poor advice out of inherent malice, or is simply inflicting others with poor luck as a passive trait is unknown - however it is crucial to note that this entity is known to be categorically insane, with several accounts referencing it having out-loud conversations with entities known as "Fred" and "Uncle Amiibo". Neither of these secondary entities seem to exist, and much like everything else regarding this Anomaly, their existence as imaginary friends, invisible companions, spectral manifestations, or ancient deities of destruction are hotly debated.

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BPI-7771 - [The Tall Man]
THREAT LEVEL: RED
DESCRIPTION:




BPI-7771 is an extremely dangerous entity capable of taking on many forms. One must always be alert when dealing with BPI-7771, and it is imperative that only direct, known contacts are to be trusted in the vicinity of 7771 or for 72 hours following any encounter with 7771. Known appearances include…

• An uncannily tall man in purple garb resembling that of a wealthy man from the Victorian era, described as possessing "crooked and discolored" features. This is primarily known as its "true" appearance.
• The same man, albeit clad in a brown trenchcoat, fedora, and a classic "Groucho Marx" disguise consisting of glasses, a large mustache, and an even larger nose. The blatant transparency of this disguise is potentially meant as a form of mockery.
• Several other individuals of varying body shape, gender, and height, wearing an identical disguise to the direct preceding entry.
• An equally tall man wearing a modern suit with a television for a head. This manifestation is nearly always smiling and speaks loudly - though often makes little sense.
• A woman with a pumpkin for a head. Little other remarkably identifiable features, but notable for its uniqueness compared to the others - which largely share similar traits.
• A large blue platypus that Dr. [REDACTED] has described on record as "fucking jacked". This is a direct quote, and thus we are allowed to place it within this document. Abuse of this loophole further will be penalized.
• An elderly, reptilian man resembling a turtle. Significant resemblance to BPI-4774 (possible relation?), albeit notably bald and out of shape.
• Numerous other forms.

With the use of these guises, BPI-7771 is known to attempt to approach prey innocuously - though this often ends in catastrophic failure, as the areas in which the Anomaly approaches its victims (woodland, abandoned properties, etc.) are areas in which the sight of any one of these entities would be viscerally terrifying in practically every way to the average individual. BPI-7771 does not seem care and has been observed pursuing victims for upwards of two days on foot. BPI-7771 is fiercely intelligent and patient both and will utilize all venues available to it to isolate and capture its mark.

The nature of the harm inflicted by BPI-7771 unto its victims once they are caught varies and has changed over time - indicating active malice on the part of BPI-7771. The first victim recorded by the Bureau of Paranormal Investigation stated that they were taken while on a hike with their significant other and had awoken in what appeared to be a derelict factory in an unknown location. BPI-7771 was present, along with a bowl containing mixture it supposedly referred to as "cereal" – which was later found to have been a mixture of [REDACTED]. [REDACTED], [REDACTED]. [DATA EXPUNGED], and common white onion. Upon forced consumption of this mixture, the victim recounted that they couldn't stop themselves, that they felt compelled to "[REDACTED] to the [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] the [REDACTED] outside of the [REDACTED] while [REDACTED] [REDACTED] screamed [REDACTED] [REDACTED] before [REDACTED] [REDACTED] and [REDACTED]".

The described victim of BPI-7771 is currently facing a life sentence in prison, with no possibility of parole.

This behavior, however, has changed - with few reports of the "cereal" and other related incidents in the modern day. Instead, in several cases, BPI-7771 sightings have been reported with no direct subsequent harm done to anyone in the vicinity. This is of little comfort, as "several" does not mean "all" - a number of disappearances across the world can be linked back to 7771.The range of these disappearances is markedly unsettling as well, indicating that BPI-7771 may not be limited by the physical bounds of travel - which raises a number of obvious concerns regarding the entity's ability to gather victims.

The fates of many of these victims remains unknown, however the emergence of a mysterious newsletter known as "The 'Shroom" in a variety of obscure online web portals may provide a clue. Containing a significant amount of iconography linking back to BPI-7771, we have deemed it altogether likely that BPI-7771 itself is maintaining this newsletter, utilizing the forced labor of his victims to produce its various articles under heavy duress. Curiously, BPI-4774 and BPI-0401 have both also been seen contributing to this newsletter, potentially making it a nexus of anomalous activity and linking these two Anomalies to 7771 - though BPI-4774 denies such a connection.

In any case, please report all sightings of "The 'Shroom" newsletter or BPI-7771 itself to our emergency response line immediately.

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Up next is C14. Favorite Community Event 2025-2026 by Waluigi Time!

C14. Favorite Community Event 2025-2026​

by Waluigi Time

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DUSK: Hey Chester, this envelope just showed up. Is this your paycheck from the X-Nauts?

CHESTER: Huh, wasn't expecting any mail today.

CURSE GUY: FOOOOOOOOOLS!

CHESTER: Oh no, not you again... Wait, didn't you used to live in a chest?

CURSE GUY: The housing market's rough, guy. I had to downsize. Anyway, a little birdie told me the Awards Committee needs to fill a few more presentation slots, so... be CUUUUUUUUUUURSED!


CURSE GUY: Your curse is... Drumroll, please! Distributing the results of Favorite Community Event in a presentable and somewhat entertaining format! Whee hee hee hee!

CHESTER: I'm really getting too old for this.

CURSE GUY: Oh, chin up! It's not like I forced you to host a forum game like some of these poor saps here, hee hee hee! Relatively speaking, this is like 50% off baby stuff. But make it snappy, alright? We've got another presentation coming up in five minutes and the clock's running already!

CHESTER: You're telling me I have to go through fifteen things and make it entertaining in just five minutes?

CURSE GUY: Boo hoo... Tell you what, I'll go even easier on you! You can just do the top... let's say five.

CHESTER: Alright, that seems more reasonable. I guess.

CURSE GUY: BUT THERE'S ACTUALLY SIX BECAUSE OF TIES! WHEEEEEEEE HEE HEE HEE!

DUSK: We better hop to it, then! What's up first?

CHESTER: Fine... Alright, fifth place is Rogues in Rogueport Mafia 2, with ten votes. Huh. Thought there'd be less.

DUSK: What do you mean less? It was a good time! Just ask your buddy Mr. N, I'm sure he'd agree.

CHESTER: No, I just didn't think there were enough people alive from that ordeal for it to have that many votes. Stranger things have happened, I guess. Moving on...

CURSE GUY: Wait! You're not going to describe it or anything? It's like I've got to do everything around here to keep you on track! I'll even spawn in some extra notes for you to reference. Poof, there you go.

DUSK: It says here that Rogues in Rogueport Mafia 2 was a mafia game hosted by Ninja Squid, celebrating the fifth anniversary of the original game! It included a unique location system with special powers for players, and a curse gimmick that affected day phase conditions. There was also snazzy graphical design and a fun cast of characters including the Rock Paper Wizard, Agent F, ol' Chester here... The overarching story was about the Rogueport Restoration Committee trying to uncover the resurgent X-Nauts led by Sir Yux, and uh... they got clobbered, but hey, at least I'm in with the winning side!

CHESTER: And that's tied with The 'Shroom Spooky Scavenger, running in Issue 223 of The 'Shroom under the direction of Waluigi Time, Sparks, and tech wizard Lakituthequick, with additional art and story contributions from Ninja Squid and Boo1268. Contributors to the paper got turned into ghosts and were hidden across the issue for readers to find.

CURSE GUY: Hmm, if only we had some kind of visual aid for that. Oh wait, I know! Be cursed MOOOOORE!

CHESTER: Come on, man.

DUSK: Aw, you look kind of cute! Like a big green marshmallow.

CHESTER: ...

CURSE GUY: Okay, that's enough visual aid. Continue.

CHESTER: Gee, thanks. Fourth place goes to Randomizer Killing Game 2: Unsafe Harbor, with twelve votes.

JACQUELYN: Ah ha ha, it sounds like you're playing my song~

DUSK: Another ghost?!

CURSE GUY: What, you think I'm a ghost??

CHESTER: I'm just... going to keep reading. It was hosted by Hooded Pitohui, and expanded on its predecessor with the addition of weather conditions, a wider NPC cast, and greater story elements in the form of-

JACQUELYN: Don't presume to take the lead over someone who was actually there, little rat~ Yes, we were trapped in the Admiral's Halo lighthouse for a Killing Game by that infernal Krilliam and his master Candida Scoccia. They were both soundly defeated for their foolishness, mind you. There were several colorful characters in our number, such as Hellen Gravely, Specture Striker, Squid and his revolving door of compatriots, and of course Glea and Lily...

CHESTER: Says here there was also someone called The Fish.

JACQUELYN: Ugh, the less said about him the better.

CHESTER: Master criminal? Huh, wonder if he's looking for employment.

CURSE GUY: And it was WAY better than the one with that TV guy, by the way! He's almost as obnoxious as me, and that's saying something, whee hee hee!

TELLER VISION: HEY, I HEARD THAT! LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING NO-BODY, YOU CAN'T GET A RATINGS BONANZA FROM A SHRIMP!

CURSE GUY: Is it just me, or is it starting to get a little crowded in here? How about I clear these extras out while you move on to the next one!

DUSK: Okay, we're skipping ahead to second place because ties deleted third place! On one half, we have the Ducks vs. Rabbits 'Shroomfest, with thirteen votes! Ooh, unlucky thirteen... You think all those rabbit's feet will cancel it out?

CHESTER: This one was the ninth round of 'Shroomfest, led by Sparks for Team Ducks and Waluigi Time for Team Rabbits, with Ninja Squid in the judge's seat. I'm partial to rabbits, myself. Us rodents have to stick together, and they're... close enough, I guess.

DUSK: Well, bad news for you, ducks won that one 2-1 in the end. Fine by me! Quack quack!

CHESTER: Eh, whatever. And the other half is... Uh, hold on, what's happening now?

CURSE GUY: You like it? I thought you guys ought to be a little more... compliant. Whee hee hee hee!

DUSK: Oh yeah? Then why aren't you only three colors too, huh?

CURSE GUY: Uhh... Labs gimmick? Look, I'm the curse guy, I don't have to answer to you!

CHESTER: I'm never opening anything ever again. Anyway... Sharing second place is The Scribble Circuit 2025, the fifth mainline iteration of the Scribble tournament. It was hosted by GBA after he won the rights in artistic combat and decimated the staff of a nondescript office building a year earlier. Whatever that's supposed to mean.

DUSK: This edition also featured a series of optional weekly challenges, with unique gimmicks pushing the format to its limit! And don't forget the retro portraits and chiptunes! You can never go wrong with solid presentation.

CHESTER: Good, there's only one left, then I can be done with this.

CURSE GUY: Wooow... Way to sell the enthusiasm. C'mon, make it sound good, or I'll reverse time and have you do this whole thing from the beginning all over again! I can do it! Don't make me play the Groundhog Day card!

CHESTER: Fine... Ahem, and now, the moment you've all been waiting for, the winner of this year's Favorite Community Event award iiiiis...

DUSK: The Awards Ceremony 2025, with fourteen votes!

CHESTER: Hey, there's no notes for this one.

CURSE GUY: What notes do you need? Awards! Presentations! "Oh le bangers", as the kids say!

DUSK: Actually, I think that term's going out of style.

CURSE GUY: Curses... No pun intended.

DUSK: But hey, it's not like you can really summarize the Awards Ceremony, can you? A whole community's creativity on full display like that? You've gotta see it to believe it!

CHESTER: Well, guess everyone watching is seeing it happen all over again right now. It's probably going to be pretty good. But uh... It's about time for that next presentation, isn't it?

CURSE GUY: Whee hee hee, whoopsie, almost lost track of the time there! That sure was an adequate presentation you presented. Say, how about I put you down for another one next year?

CHESTER: Keep dreaming.

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Up next is C3. Favorite Written 'Shroom Section 2025-2026 by Hooded Pitohui!

C3. Favorite Written 'Shroom Section 2025-2026​

by Hooded Pitohui

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Up next is C5. Favorite Retired 'Shroom Section by Roserade!

C5. Favorite Retired 'Shroom Section​

by Roserade

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Oh, uh, hello! Welcome into the Scyphozodiac reading nook! I, um... I wasn't expecting any visitors, but there's a teapot brewing? If you, like tea, anyway. And I've got my decks out, so I'd happy to give you-

Oh!! Yes, sorry, introductions. Well, my name is Glea, this place is... kinda my shop. I wanted to make a comfortable place for like, divinations and stuff. A lot of people think that this stuff can be scary... but with the right environment, it can feel really special, y'know? Gotta have good lighting, comfy seats... Tea...

... Did I build this place by hand? That's, um, a complicated question.

Anyways, I have here a faeic deck for reading. Let me give it a shuffle... It was a gift from my mom, so it's pretty sentimental and...


Oh, you, uh... You brought your own deck? That you want me to pull from? Okay, that's. Unusual. Usually you don't ask a reader to...

... It's for a special occasion?

...Okay. Well, I've never seen these cards before, but uh, I can give it a try! Just, don't leave a bad word if you don't like my interpretation. I'm um, doing my best, and I won't know the deeper meanings of the cards, so these might be... Surface level interpretations? We'll see, I guess.


Let's... keep it simple. Past, present, and future reading, yeah?

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For the past, we've pulled...


The Peddler! Alright, so we've got this shrouded figure standing here... and in front of him is a rug with... I'm assuming his wares on it? And like, I'm seeing the hourglass, the 8-ball... these are kinda like, objects of fortune?

...Okay, so I guess I'd say that in your past, you've done a lot of personal curation. Like, to be a peddler, you need to know what you're peddling... And so you've discovered how to find your own fortune in that. You've learned to give a careful eye to um... what will benefit you, or bolster your opportunities in the future. Building towards your own fate, basically.

With this being the Peddler... maybe you've also shared those insights to those around you? But I dunno, I'm drawn to just the image of those objects being his wares. I think it's important that you've gathered these curios - these pieces of wisdom, maybe - for yourself. It's given you your own kind of wealth, or something like that.

...Um, okay, that's all my thoughts there. Onto the present?

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Here's the next pull...


The Starwinder! What an interesting card title...

There's this mystical, mage-like figure here... It seems like he's moving through constellations, I recognize those from horoscopes I've read before... "Starwinder" implies to me that he's like, making those star lines himself? He's deciding the constellations...

Oh yeah!! I see the connection! So in the past you've accumulated your own crucial information and aspirations, and now, in the present, you're using those to determine what your current fate looks like! I mean, stars are sooo intertwined with fate stuff, and you're deciding the lines between them! You get to make what you night sky looks like, with the wisdom of the past in your pocket!

Wait that's so cool. This is such an exciting reading, why haven't I seen these cards before?! Do you have a spare deck you can leave me?

Okay sorry sorry, chilling now. We can pull your future card.

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Here we go... um, as a reminder, this isn't meant to like, tell your future... This is just guidance for you as you navigate it.


...Huh?

This is the Monitor, and it's um, a really interesting card design... A tv growing like a watermelon... but I'm kinda struggling to immediately see a connection backwards...

Um, I'll just work from what I'm thinking. A tv is something that, like, receives signals? And those signals are attempting to tell the viewer something... Then this tv is growing out of the ground like a plant... So there's something um, naturalistic about it that isn't usually the case with a typical tv...

Okay, let's go with this: maybe this card is saying that despite making these choices for yourself and having your own wisdom of how you want to orient your life, you shouldn't ignore the signals that are naturally arising. There might be cues that you should take a different path, or change your thinking... and you don't want to ignore those just because you're really self-assured. It's good that you're deciding your own stuff right now!! Just don't be resistant to what can change, especially in response to what's out of your control.

Or maybe the cards just want you to watch tv. I dunno. Sorry.

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I'm not sure if I was a perfect reader for you... But I gave it my best shot!


Please, feel free to visit back anytime you'd like in the future! I'm always down to practice some more reading.

...Um, and say hi to Jacquelyn for me if you see her, will you?

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Up next is C11. Favorite Wiki April Fool's Event by Zange!

C11. Favorite Wiki April Fool's Event​

by Zange

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Up next is C12. Wiki Contributor Award 2025-2026 by woglril!

C12. Wiki Contributor Award 2025-2026​

by woglril

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Up next is C4. Favorite 'Shroom Guest Section 2025-2026 by Zange!

C4. Favorite 'Shroom Guest Section 2025-2026​

by Zange

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Up next is C8. Favorite Scribble Round by Fun With Despair!

C8. Favorite Scribble Round​

by Fun With Despair

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Up next is C10. Favorite BJAODN Entry by Waluigi Time!

C10. Favorite BJAODN Entry​

by Waluigi Time

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Up next is C13. Favorite Community Character by Gabumon!

C13. Favorite Community Character​

by Gabumon

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Up next is C9. Favorite 2025 Awards Presentation by Roserade!

C9. Favorite 2025 Awards Presentation​

by Roserade

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Downtown New Wikisburg was abuzz. The summer tourism crowd had combined with the Awards Ceremony festivities, crowding sidewalks, lining up around the block for renowned coffee shops. One spot was amassing an unexpectedly large crowd, however: the Cecilium Toadstool Historical Museum, with a sign down the front steps touting a newly-opened exhibit of some sort. A line had formed up to the greeting booth, with families and noted News Wikisburg community members alike waiting their turn to enter.

Despite the lackadaisical feeling in the air, not all was as it appeared.

On a nearby rooftop, a lone figure stood, scarf billowing out in the breeze. Her eyes scanned over top the heads of the crowd intently. A short kobold pushing past a masked man in a witch's hat... A top-hatted Boo speaking warmly with a girl with hair the texture of clouds... The standard appearances you'd expect to see in this city.

The figure placed a gloved finger to the earpiece at her right side. "You're certain your intel is correct?" she asked.

A distorted voice answered on the other end. "Yes, YES! As I said, it's all operating out of that place!"

"Iiiii dunno. I've investigated this place before, and I didn't find any signs of smuggling inside the museum then, or any other suspicious activity."

"Pah! You weren't looking deep enough! Cecilium has become a barrel of rot after Derd's death! Did you search every inch of the back storerooms?"

"Well, I guess not. There was hardly a chance to." The figure straightened up, before rolling up her sleeve and yanking at the cuff of her glove. "If you're sure, I'll give it a go. All the staff should be distracted by this many visitors. I'll find a back door."

The voice on the other end let out a crunchy cough. "Keep me updated, 'kay?"

The woman on the rooftop couldn't help the smirk that crossed her face. "What, like, okay, or like Kay, my name?"

"You know what I mean!! Go, hurry, now!"

The other half of the correspondence went quiet, leaving Kay Faraday to crouch low and slink back from the rooftop's edge, eyes attentive to her chance to drop low.

Today, the Great Thief Yatagarasu would strike, another chain in this relentless smuggling ring would be broken.

Today, the truth would be uncovered yet again.

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Kay Faraday shrunk herself against the wall, testing a fist against another museum back door.

It had taken a short while to find the opportunity to slink back here; city foot traffic ensured that even the side alleys were seeing their use. Then, she had tried multiple museum side doors... all resulting in an unbudging frame, even as she rammed them strategically with her shoulder, and all without outside locks available for picking.

This time, though, as she pushed in gently with her side arm... this one felt unlocked. Bingo. Bracing for entry, she ducked her head, reached forward, twisted the knob... and shoved the door inward, bolting in after it–

And toppling face-first into somebody!

The two went careening into the floor, Kay scrambling over an... easel and a sketchpad? When she scuttled back on arms and legs, she found herself facing towards a certain enterprising businessman, his purple suit in all manner of disarray.

"Waluigi Time?!" Kay questioned boldly. "What are you doing here?!"

Waluigi Time squinted for a moment, before straightening his top hat and lifting to standing. "Oh, you're that girl who dropped in for the Artifact Adventure. Sorry, I'm–"

"Wait!" Kay suddenly exclaimed, nearly knocking Waluigi Time straight to the floor again. "I know what you're up to! A venture capitalist staking out somewhere as innocuous as the museum... You're back here smuggling Shadow Crystals, aren't you?! Right out the back door! I knew I was hot on your trail before!"

Waluigi Time brought his hand to his forehead, cinching his eyebrows. "This again? No, that's not what I'm here for. Use your eyes for two seconds, please."

Silently, Kay brought her attention away from the mustachioed man, finally observing her surroundings for the first time. A pink Goomba with blonde hair was peeking in by the room's entrance, a concerned look on her face while a few people crowded behind her. To the right, a line of individuals: a Magikoopa with an 8 on his hat and robes, a medieval-looking guard in full attire, three garbage bins that looked oddly familiar to her... and towards the far right corner of the room, a sitting bench was set up, and a messy-looking woman in standard office attire sat there, clearly disgruntled by the display, if her furrowed expression was any indication.

Kay looked to the office woman, then to the knocked-over sketchpad, then back to the woman. "That looks a lot like her. What, are you drawing caricatures?"

"Yes, that's exactly right." With a huff, Waluigi Time brought the easel upright, pulling together his set of pens. "I was sponsored by today's organizers to host it. Name recognition to bring in the crowd, I'm guessing."

"Well, that's fun." While he settled himself down to continue on with the caricature, Kay leaned over his shoulder to peer closer – perhaps a hair too close for comfort. "But doesn't this art style feel a little... flat, to you?"

"Why don't you go check out the rest of the exhibit?" Waluigi Time suggested curtly.

"Oh, of course! I'll be on my way." Kay began out towards the front door to the room, shrugging past the line of characters giving her odd looks. Right before stepping out, though, she glanced back over her shoulder, raven hair swooping with the motion. "And if anyone asks, you didn't see me today, Mr. Time!"

As she left the room, Waluigi Time shook his head. "Don't worry. Wasn't planning on sharing."

---

What a fruitless mission this had been.

Kay had prickpinned her way into every locked room in the back hallway – at least, the ones not obviously alarmed – and had found nothing indicative of smuggling ring claims. No paper trails, no items conspicuously out of place. Just work uniforms and pieces currently off display for the front of the museum.

"No dice," she insisted over the earpiece, but her correspondent on the other end demanded she continued moving.

So instead she had reluctantly moved into the throng of visitors for the museum, walking with the flow as they meandered around a number of artistic displays. She passed by a portrait of a cowboy Magikoopa riding a toothed sandworm... A painting of several royal princesses posed like Venus... sketchwork of fish emerging from a vast desert... Was that a drawing of Super Mario sticking his head in the sink drain?

"What even is this exhibit?" Kay muttered to herself.

A quick response to her right made her visibly jump. "It's a community celebration."

She turned and found herself face-to-face with a woman about her height, wearing a maid's outfit with a rich enough blue to match the summer sky. The maid smiled politely as she gestured out towards the several pieces decorating the walkways. "All of the work displayed here today was composed by a New Wikisburg resident. We're giving them their own specialized day of celebration as part of the Awards Season. Lovely, isn't it?"

"Ah, yeah, I suppose so," Kay responded awkwardly, rubbing her palm at the back of her head. "So you're here helping out?"

"I'm the curator, actually," the maid said, offering a small wave of the hand to a passing bedsheet ghost with a hotdog hat. "Put together the exhibit myself this morning. With some assistance from the full time museum employees, I mean."

Kay paused as she looked more intently into the woman's eyes. "And you, er... As a curator who came in, have you noticed anything... odd, about this place? Just generally?"

"Odd?" The woman blinked once. "Not that I could name."

"Figures." The Great Thief shook her head, as though shaking the disappointment itself out of her. "Well, thanks for your work. Cool gallery and stuff."

Before the maid could respond, Kay was pushing her way through the crowd, making a break towards the museum's front door.

---

"So?! Where's the good news?!" the voice on the other end barked.

Kay planted her finger against her earpiece with annoyance, turning back towards the Cecilium Toadstool Historical Museum, now blocks behind her. "Nothing. There was nothing there. Your intel was wrong."

"That's impossible!! I've routed it! The conspiracy! The circle! It's all moving through there!"

"Oh yeah?" Kay snapped. "And what are you so convinced the smuggling ring is hiding back there?"

"The jackets!"

"The..." This was enough to cause Kay to slow to a halt. "The what?"

"The jackets!! The ones from Frappe Snowland! They've been lining the pockets with illegal Snufit balls since the Mushroom Kingdom Massacre!! After the violence, they weren't sneaky enough to keep them sealed in the barrels, no no... If that good-for-nothing Pirate Goomba hadn't been caught with them, we never would've known!! But now they're being imported from Frappe Snowland by Supreme Leader Tabuu! And those Snufit balls are coming from space, you know!! It all goes back to the Blue Grass Galaxy! The Massacre, the babies, all of it!! If you–"

Kay Faraday tapped off the intercom. That was enough searching for the truth for one day.

---

Up next is C6. Favorite 'Shroom Special Issue by Ninja Squid!

C6. Favorite 'Shroom Special Issue​

by Ninja Squid

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Over the course of 20 years, The 'Shroom has released 232 issues, including special issues celebrating all sorts of events. Among those special issues, one always manages to claim the title of Favorite 'Shroom Special Issue.

Today, let's find out which one it is!

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Up next is C2. Favorite 'Shroom Section Design by Waluigi Time!

C2. Favorite 'Shroom Section Design​

by Waluigi Time

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[Thank you CaptainOdyssey for drawing the framed portrait!]

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Up next is C7. Favorite Artist by TPG!

C7. Favorite Artist​

by TPG

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Up next is C15. Outstanding Community Achievement Award by Hooded Pitohui!

C15. Outstanding Community Achievement Award​

by Hooded Pitohui

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Up next are the Community Bonus Stars!

Community Bonus Stars​

by Roserade, BMfan08, Camwoodstock, & Lakituthequick

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Up next is the Community Awards XIX closing by Hooded Pitohui!

Alright, I crammed a lot of words into the opener and I owe you all some time back for C15, so I'll keep this extra short. If you want a full dose of sentimentality, go check out last year's closer!

We know where we've been, we know where we are, so one question remains. Where are we going?

In the long-run, I'd say we're heading towards a late 2026 and 2027 chock-full of creativity, fun, and accomplishment! There are stirrings of another Scribble event this year, we still have a few games ongoing, Minecraft Games awaits with what's doubtlessly going to be a charming hub, and there are bound to be smaller, informal ongoings over the rest of the year!

The work on the wiki never ceases, although maybe a lack of game releases on the docket for 2026 will help folks out as they chip away at long-term projects. The daily questions on the forum go on, and the chatting and sharing of art on Discord does as well. Then of course, five more issues of The 'Shroom will land at our feet before the year's end, with a special right on their heels!

There's much to which we should look forward in the long-term, but where are we going in the short-term?

We're going over to the Fail Awards thread, that's where! While we may be closing out the Community Awards, the party's just getting started, and the majority of the ceremonies are still ahead! I'll leave you in Waluigi Time's capable hands now, so head on over!

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Up next is the Fail Awards XVIII opening by Waluigi Time!

Specture:
HECK YEAH! LTQ! LTQ! LTQ!

Boo1268:
Indeed Specture my good man! lets hear it for LTQ!

Specture:
Heeeeeeeyy-why werent we in the awards this year?

Boo1268:
Budget Cuts.

Specture:
Oh...