Round 1-H
Event 25: Debate
It's a classic image. Two people on a stage before a crowd, trying to get people to see things their way. This is a formal debate, with time for points, rebuttals, and counter-points to be made. Complete with some questions from experts and from the crowd. Naturally, there is also a topic. In this case, the topic will be the role of Ancestral Legendary Weapons in a Changing Society.
Leading the case for the practical usage of ancient weapons in modern society we've got our debater in a half shell: Donatello. Having been raised to use ancient fighting styles and weapons against even modern weaponry, he'll have the prime view point on why these weapons are necessary in this changing society. As well, he'll be backing up his points with a wealth of knowledge and a keen intellect that few in this competition can match. But arguing for modernization and the benefit of new technologies over ancient legacies is the Flame Alchemist himself, Roy Mustang. He's seen the benefits that modern technology can bring to the table, both in terms of guns and tanks as well as the modern studies in the art of Alchemy. And while he doesn't have the keen intellect of Donatello, he's no slouch at the brain game, and he brings to the table his own Charisma, as someone who managed to win to his side, with conviction, reason, and rhetoric, a loyal group of followers and allies in his attempt to overthrow a military dictatorship and topple an ancient conspiracy.
Truly, these are both very skilled opponents, and this is going to be a debate for the ages.
Event 26: Staying Calm in the Face of Antagonism
Sometimes you really want to be able to deal with some annoyance or another, but you just can't. Maybe doing so would tip your hand too early. Maybe you need the help of their friends. Or perhaps the source of the antagonism is also the only guy in town willing to employ you. Regardless, restraint and temperance is a skill worth cultivating. And in this case, it's the name of the game. We're going to be locking each of our competitors in a small room with a marathon of the most annoying people we can find. The first one to crack and lose their cool loses the match.
First up is a competitor I don't actually know that much about aside from the fact that he's a teen, and he can turn into all kinds of animals. So Beast Boy could be super awesome at this. Besides, he can't let himself lose since he needs to uphold that DC pride against Marvel's big boy, the amazing Spider Man. Of course, that could be hard, since one of his traits in a fight is to try and annoy the other side into loosing their cool, and the guy has to put up with a collossal amount of shit in his day to day life. Not the least of which is J. Jonah Jameson. So, kudos to Beast Boy if he can win this, but it's gonna be a tough fight for him.
Event 27: Running a Petting Zoo
This is a pretty simple event. Operate the petting zoo, making sure the animals stay alive, nothing happens to the patrons, and money is made at the end of the day. Should be easy, right?
Well, with our first competitor, more than just the sheep will be getting fleeced as Erutus Profiteur is not a fan of other people having money if he can help it. But, while there will be all sorts of crooked practices, his own petting zoo will be a profitable affair. His only problem will be if he gets too greedy and decides to ensure there is only one petting zoo to visit because that will provoke his opponent. Rita Repulsa has many flaws when it comes to running a petting zoo. The least of which that she'll probably try and use it to take over Angel Falls and get put out of business by the Power Rangers partway through the day. The one thing she will not have a problem with is dealing with people who try and shut her down by turning her animals into giant combat monstronsities. Of course, this is not a combat event, so whoever starts the animal combat first (or gets tagged with the blame for it) loses.
Event 28: Write a Novel
Like running a petting zoo, this is a simple task. Our competitors have three months to write a novel, and then the better novel wins. Aggregate of critical applause and copies sold.
This will also be a short writeup, because our first competitor is an energetic nationalist demagogue with a passion for hockey. Yup, Don Cherry is up to bat, and he's shown that he can pull out that popular appeal, having done so for decades with his Coaches Corner. And his opponent is a God Damned Aggron. Anything he gets out might have some novelty value, but he's up against a known quantity.
Pairs Event 7: Running a Con
If you want to run a con, everyone knows that the best ones need at least two people. The best ones are also the ones where no one even suspects there's a con going on. In this case, our two teams are going to be running their own cons. And they're going to be rated on two things. First, how gutsy is their con. Basically, the more they get from their con, the better their score is going to be. And secondly, if they can pull it off. A failed con is worth squat no matter how ambitious or clever it was.
Our first team has a pair of formidable contenders. Julius Caesar conquored Gaul and almost became emperor of Rome. Sadly, both of these guys are somewhat at a disadvantage here as they're both straight shooters and tackle things from the front. In fact, Caesar's big problem is that he either didn't see, or didn't properly prepare for, the assassination attempt that got him. That said, if these guys can get a good con going, they both are going to be good at convincing folks they're on the level.
On the other hand, we have a pair of contenders who are less likely to get along, but who both have experience in cons. Specifically, Constable Odo who, as law enforcement on a border station, has to be able to think crookedly enough to keep up with Ferengi hucksters. And Jaime Lannister, who also tends towards the straight and narrow, but has to have the requisite skills for a con if he doesn't want to lose his head. After all, we can ask the Starks how people who don't have these skills fare in Westeros. The only question is if law enforcement and a man known as The Kingslayer can work together well enough to make a good team.
Pairs Event 8: Tandem Chess
Tandem Chess is an interesting variation on chess. You set up two boards, with one member of a team playing white, and their teammate playing black on the other board. And, whenever a player captures a piece, it's gifted to their ally on the other board.
EDIT: Apparently play goes until just one checkmate. Who knew? Snowfire, that's who. Thanks for the correction. And for this match, first to mate wins.
The first team will be Worker 8 and Aya Brea teaming up together. Worker 8 may be a bit of a problem here because while he is a machine, he's not so much a higher cognitive function machine. Or, to put it another way, he's fine in a fight, but might not be the best at an abstract fight like Chess is. Aya Brea on the other hand, is reasonably smart and should know the rules.
Now, who are they facing. One is a player in the Game of Thrones, the other is adept at the Game of Houses. But no matter how you name the Great Game, we have two men who walk amongst the nobility. First up is Oberyn Martel of Westeros, who probably doesn't have the patience of a true master, but is cunning and smart, both good resources to have in playing chess. Partnered with him is the Dragon Reborn, who is quite intelligent, has some skill with the sorts of tactics the game calls for. And even if Rand never learned the game, Lews Therin probably did, and Rand can just pull on those memories.
Those are the teams, now for who is facing who. On board 1, Worker 8 is white against Oberyn's black army. While Aya Brea takes black against the slightly ironic white army of the Dragon Reborn.
Quick Vote Form
Event 25: Debate
Roy Mustang (Full Metal Alchemist) v Donatello (TMNT)
Event 26: Staying Calm in the Face of Antagonism
Beast Boy (Teen Titans) v Spider-Man (Spider Man)
Event 27: Running a Petting Zoo
Erutus Profiteur (BD) v Rita Repulsa (MMPR)
Event 28: Write a Novel
Aggron (Pokemon) v Don Cherry
Pairs Event 7: Running a Con
{Mr. Rogers (Mr. Roger's Neighbourhood)/Julius Caesar (Shakespear)} v. {Constable Odo (Star Trek: DS9)/Jaime Lannister (Game of Thrones)}
Pairs Event 8: Tandem Chess
{Worker 8 (FFT)/Aya Brea Parasyte Eve)} v. {Oberyn Martell (Game of Thrones)/Rand Al'Thor (Wheel of Time)}
