Who is your favorite to win the Conquest Trials?

[Cyrus the virus]

The Conquest Trials are one of the most involved tournaments Althanas has ever attempted, and includes our finest writers.

Which team is your favorite to win, and why? Discuss it here!

[Zook Murnig]

Argentum Astrum of the Golden Dawn, motherfuckers!!!

[The Writing Writer]

I voted Vice, not because I'm in it, but because three of the four of us are people who i had always looked up to when writing on this forum, and being on the same side as them is both an honor and a privilege.

[Call me J]

The one thing I really love about these four man teams is how it has made it so practically any team could emerge victorious. However, my pick would be Morituri te Salutant, not only because its writers are of a high calibre, but I think among the real heavyweights, it has the team with the most players only playing one battle.

[Kyo]

The Bandit Brotherhood for obvious reasons.

[Karuka]

Psst, Shyam, Morituri has 50% of its members doing multiple things, Cipher Nex only has 25%.

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

Cipher Nex, because it has the Gothic Cheerleader Death Squad.

[Godhand]

Bandit Brotherhood because that's the only name I recognize.

[Call me J]

Psst, Shyam, Morituri has 50% of its members doing multiple things, Cipher Nex only has 25%.

Yes, but...


Cipher Nex, because it has the Gothic Cheerleader Death Squad.

No team with a Gothic Cheerleader Death Squad has ever won anything...

[Karuka]

Yes, but...



No team with a Gothic Cheerleader Death Squad has ever won anything...

Are you crazy? Is that your problem?

[Godhand]

He is crazy. That is his problem.

[Call me J]

Are you crazy? Is that your problem?

I am crazy. That is my problem.

However, I'm listing the conclusive list of people who have won something:

1) Max Dirks and Thoracis
2) The Allied Powers
3) Sparta
4) The Mighty Ducks
5) Godhand
6) Me

None of them had gothic squirrel cheerleader death squads. I rest my case.

However, the Nazis did have gothic squirrel cheerleader death squads. Look what happened to them.

[BlackAndBlueEyes]

I've already stated that we're going to win. You're just wasting valuable energy typing up your petty lists and arguing against our inherent greatness.


And the only thing the Mighty Ducks ever won were a trilogy of crappy movies.

[Slayer of the Rot]

However, the Nazis did have gothic squirrel cheerleader death squads. Look what happened to them.

Are you calling me a nazi, Shyam?

[Call me J]

And the only thing the Mighty Ducks ever won were a trilogy of crappy movies.

They also invented the Flying V.

And Slayer, you couldn't be a Nazi, they are anti-drug.

[Lodekai]

I don't see a "All wins are by forfeit due to inactivity" option...

[Godhand]

I don't see a "All wins are by forfeit due to inactivity" option...

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooo

SNAP!

[Sighter Tnailog]

I voted for The Red Hand just to be different.

[HikariAngel]

I vote for Respise Finem because we're up against tough opponents and I know that (at least for me) a strong opponent means I'm going to write better overall.

[Cyrus the virus]

They also invented the Flying V.

http://www.guitarsite.com/news/images/guitar/zakk_wylde_flyingv.jpg

ROCK OUT

[Lavinian Ambition]

I voted Bandit Brotherhood for a few reasons.

1) Most of us are used to our characters.
2) We have three heavyweights on our side.
3) Shyam is a JC machine!
4) Absence of Gothic Squirrel Cheerleading Squads.
5) We have pie...
6) Its evil Pie.
7) Cake is a lie!

[Sorahn]

I voted for the Red Hand... why? Because I own your mom. As do Ranger, Lorenor, and Tenki. We all collectively own your mom.

Please note the total lack of Gothic Squirrel Cheerleaders. The Red Hand has consistently voted against Gothic Squirrel Cheerleaders since 1942.

Also: the Gibson Flying V is infinitely cooler than the Mighty Ducks Flying V.

[Abomination]

Note: I will eat all your faces.

[Cyrus the virus]

Note: I will eat all your feces.

Ew, dude!!! Gross.

[Ave Versus Christus]

I voted for Vice, because Godhand said he'd kill himself if they win.

In the words of an immortal poet, "do it faggot!"

[Karuka]

Detailed analysis of my predictions for round 1!

Morituri te Salutant v. Celestial Warriors:

1 v 1 - HikariAngel v. Rheawien

Rhea is a Letho alt, and although he's just getting back into the game after a long hiatus, I'd only be hesitant to call it in his favor against some of the heavier hitters (writing wise) in the tournament, like Zephyriah or Slayer of the Rot.

Advantage: Morituri te Salutant.

2 v 2 - Streak101 and Seline v. Homonculus and Toy Soldier

Despite the fact that Zephyriah lists him as the worst player on Althanas ( :p ), what I've seen out of Toy Soldier has been solid, and Homonculus has a unique and engaging style of writing. Seline, from what I've seen of her, is good, but streak101 has some maturation that needs to occur in his writing.

Advantage: Morituri te Salutant.

Gisela: Magdelena v. Alberdyne Cormyr

Magdelena and Alberdyne both have three alts in this, so they'll both be stretched pretty thin to try and do their best. That said, Alberdyne's writing gets a bit convoluted and confusing at times, which will likely cost him here.

Advantage: Morituri te Salutant

Overall: Morituri te Salutant.


~*~*~*~

Vice v. Cipher Nex

1 v 1 - Zephyriah v. Slayer of the Rot

This battle will really be something, and a very close call, to boot. Both are excellent writers, although Slayer is stretching himself less thin and has participated in recent 1 v 1's.

Advantage: Slight Cipher Nex, but I wouldn't be surprised if Vice edged C.N. out here by a point or two.

2 v 2 - The Writing Writer and Dirge v. Witchblade and BlackandBlueEyes

This will be a solid match, but I think that the Witchblade/B&BE combo will prove effective.

Advantage: Cipher Nex.

Gisela - Max Dirks v. Christoph

Christoph and Dirks have faced off before, and Dirks proved mildly victorious then. However Christoph has since become a much better writer while Dirks has been otherwise occupied. Given the fact that Christoph actually does have experience with large-scale RP combat, I'd say that he'll edge out Dirks.

Advantage: Cipher Nex.

Overall: Slight Cipher Nex.


~*~*~*~

Respice Finem v. The Red Hand

1 v 1 - Ave Versus Christus v. Sorahn

Sorahn is a very old character and his writer is good and experienced with him. While Ave Versus Christus can also put out a solid effort, to date he has only 2 IC posts, making him a very new character. I think it's familiarity that will win out in the end.

Advantage: The Red Hand

2 v 2 - Nekoprincess and Lucis v. Lorenor and Tenki

Nekoprincess and Lorenor both have some trouble with grammar and clarity, while Lucis has been capable of putting forth a solid effort and Tenki, though new, likewise seems solid.

Advantage: ???

Gisela - Call me J v Ranger

Shyam is another writer that I'd only have trouble calling against someone like Slayer, Zephyriah, or Rheawien. That said, Ranger is also a solid writer and the match should be interesting.

Advantage: Respice Finem.

Overall: ???


~*~*~*~

Argenteum Astrum v The Bandit Brotherhood

1 v 1 - Ceidon Loré v Kyo

Ceidon is a new character, and Kyo seems to be one of Witchy's best. Not having seen anything out of Ceidon, I'll have to give the advantage to Kyo.

Advantage: The Bandit Brotherhood

2 v 2 - Chromamon Rockskin and Dagon Dessalines v Molotov and Lavinian Ambition

This could honestly go either way. All four are interesting characters with solid writers behind them, although sometimes Lavinian Ambition falls into melodrama.

Advantage: ???

Gisela - Zook Murnig v Saxon

Saxon has Gisela experience and experience with his character, while this is a new experience for Zook. Saxon has also proven himself to be a very solid writer in the past.

Advantage: The Bandit Brotherhood

Overall: Slight Bandit Brotherhood.

And that's all for me this round.

[Storm Veritas]

The brotherhood will represent.

[SnootchyBootchykins]

Not that I doubt us, but I wish AA vs. BB would have been a later round matchup. The 2 vs 2 is going to be heavy.

[Lavinian Ambition]

Not that I doubt us, but I wish AA vs. BB would have been a later round matchup. The 2 vs 2 is going to be heavy.

Agreed, I'm practically fumbling trying to figure out why the hell this happened. Oh well, it'll be an interesting situation.

[Sighter Tnailog]

Basically, Shyam gave me a list of the competitors, told me to assign them random numbers, 1-8, then called out the bracket numbers and I told him which team had that number.

So that's how it happened. ;) TI-83 calculators are a dream for work like this.

[Taskmienster]

Round 1 assumptions, only

Morituri te Salutant v. Celestial Warriors:

1 v 1 - HikariAngel v. Rheawien

Rheawien is a bitch, but in a good way… I think that the rping style that we’ve all been accustomed to regarding Letho is going to shine through, and brightly. As such, I’m going with her.

Advantage: Morituri te Salutant.

2 v 2 - Streak101 and Seline v. Homonculus and Toy Soldier

I’ve read some stuff from Homonculus, and Toy soldier is a wicked strange character but with the backing of THE Zeph, lol. I think that his writing never dwindles no matter what character he writes with, and am always pleased to read anything by him dealing with either character. I can’t say I’ve followed anything by Seline, but from what I know of Streak101 is that he’s matured a lot since he joined… but it’s probably still not enough to edge out the powerhouse toy soldier and the solid homunculus.

Advantage: Morituri te Salutant.

Gisela: Magdelena v. Alberdyne Cormyr

I don’t know a lot about Magdelena, and know a little here and there from Alberdyne. However, seeing as the strategy side of things is what’s important, I’d say that if Pavel’s writing can stay solid and be strong but a little briefer than his old writing he’ll take it.

Advantage: Celestial Warriors

Overall: Morituri te Salutant.

~X~

Vice v. Cipher Nex

1 v 1 - Zephyriah v. Slayer of the Rot

Zephyriah, which is why I opted to have him here. His element is the 1v1 match, and as with previous battles, he is most likely going to shine through. However, Slayer is pretty good, so it’s an almost even match. Depends on activity from either side, I suppose.

Advantage: Vice (for the sake of a vote)

2 v 2 - The Writing Writer and Dirge v. Witchblade and BlackandBlueEyes

I’m in this one, so I can’t reallay say much or I’ll feel kinda stupid. Honestly though, Witchblade had always and will always hold my utmost respect. Her roleplaying is tight, hopefully her being sick doesn’t put her at a disadvantage, because I’m fuckin’ stoked that I get this match up first round. As for BnBE, I’m interested to see what more they can do, an interesting character and a very good rper. TWW, a close friend of mine, has matured QUICKLY as a writer, especially with this chaotic and insane character. I think myself and him both write well with each other, and I’m fo sho in my element (See Ranger and Chumley: LCC, lol). So I can’t wait. NO clue who’ll take this at all…

Advantage: Vice (for the sake of a vote)

Gisela - Max Dirks v. Christoph

Dirks. He’s where he should be, doing what he can do best, and I think he knows the intricacies of the Gisela style as best as any. Christoph I think is a little new to the battle, but the story of the Cipher Nex might end up bringing things up to even between the two. We’ll see, but I still think Max has this.

Advantage: Vice

Overall: Depends, I’d give it to Vice, but I can’t without assuming that Slayer, or the combination of Witchy and BnBE will pull through…

~X~

Respice Finem v. The Red Hand

1 v 1 - Ave Versus Christus v. Sorahn

Well, I’d have to root for Sorahn OOC’ly, because he’s a friend and part of the RH with me. However, from a unbias standpoint, I think that the character has a richer history, a deeper background can make the difference. Plus, he knows how to play the character, and play it well.

Advantage: The Red Hand

2 v 2 - Nekoprincess and Lucis v. Lorenor and Tenki

Nekoprincess is a solid writer, but not necessarily an overly interesting or outstanding one in my opinion… no offense of course, but there is still a little the writer could do here and there. Lucis is good. Lorenor can be longwinded, but has kept his writing strict and tight. Tenki is an interesting character as well, but hasn’t been played all that much leaving the experience between the two sides about even. I’d have to say RH is going to edge them out, if the nonsense about powergaming is fixed… lol

Advantage: The Red Hand

Gisela - Call me J v Ranger

Let me just say that I’m deeply honored by this matchup, and have the utmost respect for Shaym and what he’s done IC’ly and OCC’ly. As such, I think his writing is well done, but I’m more for the story behind the scenes than the battle itself. Hopefully I can edge this one, but it’d be by the skin of my teeth… and I doubt I can.

Advantage: Respice Finem.

Overall: The Red Hand

~X~

Argenteum Astrum v The Bandit Brotherhood

1 v 1 - Ceidon Loré v Kyo

Kyo, simply because I’ve read and admired the writings so far of the character. I don’t know a lot of about her opponent, but I think the little assassin/spy/thief can clench this fo sho.

Advantage: The Bandit Brotherhood

2 v 2 - Chromamon Rockskin and Dagon Dessalines v Molotov and Lavinian Ambition

Chroma and Molotov are an interesting couple to throw against each other, lol. Chroma’s in her element as well (Note the previous LCC she won), but not sure how well she’ll be able to write with the relatively new Dagon. Lavinian Ambition, Dissinger, is a solid writer. I only hope that his writing keeps up to par with what we’ve seen with Diss…

Advantage: Argenteum Astrum

Gisela - Zook Murnig v Saxon

Saxon, love the character, the army, and the writing. I don’t think that Zook’s in his realm of comfort, so we’ll see.

Advantage: The Bandit Brotherhood

Overall: Slight Bandit Brotherhood.

[Karuka]

Rundown of the matches so far (team name, wins/losses/unjudged). Check back as more stuff gets judged!

Vice: 1/2

Cipher Nex: 2/1

Argenteum Astrum: 2/1

Bandit Brotherhood: 1/2

Morituri te Salutant: 3/0

Celestial Warriors: 0/3

Red Hand: 2/0/1

Respice Finem: 0/2/1

Teams moving to Round 2:

Cipher Nex
The Red Hand
Argenteum Astrum
Morituri te Salutant