What Are Red Special Cookies?

I've been handing out Red Special Cookies for quite some time now, and I'm quite sure that there's probably more than a few questions about them by now. Therefore, this entry will stand as a sort of FAQ on these mysterious and delectable treats...

What are Red Special Cookies?

To put it simply, Red Special Cookies are little awards I hand out to various people for whatever reason I feel suits my fancy. Most of them have been distributed to AAR authors for writing particularly enjoyable and / or "significant" works, but that isn't a hard and fast rule (in fact, I think I handed out one a long time ago as collateral on a bet...).

What are the origins of Red Special Cookies?

Sadly, the idea isn't original to me; I shamelessly lifted the idea from the sig of somebody else who had been awarded some "Phoenix cookies" for work on a mod. (Recently I've noticed that some other Paradox forum goers have also been handing out their own distinctive flavors; whether or not I've started some kind of trend or they just came up with the idea on their own is an intriguing little mystery that I wouldn't mind getting feedback on from the relevant parties.)

Wow, I've just been awarded a Red Special Cookie! Now what do I do with it?

Well, as I generally state in the award post, my main intention is for you to proudly display the award in your signature for all the world to see. You can also post it up in your Inkwell if you so choose.

If none of these tickle your fancy, you could eat it (virtually; unfortunately, it isn't actually a real cookie. At least now it isn't. In the future, well, who knows...?)

Aww, I didn't get one! Does that mean you don't like me?

Of course not! There are many different AARs on this forum that I read and enjoy; some just seem to stand out more than others. Just because you didn't get a Red Special Cookie doesn't mean I don't enjoy your work.

I try to go by certain criteria when handing out Red Special Cookies, although I have been known to bend them a bit. I generally restrict myself to AARs that are finished or nearly so. I also try not to hand out too many at one time; I feel that doing so would cheapen the award, since if everyone had one, well, it wouldn't really be that special, now would it? Finally, I try to limit my awards to one per customer.

So don't be too disappointed if you feel left out. You're still just as cool as you think you are