Challenge Grant recommendations.

[G]

Hello all,

With my taking the final duel in the Madness Tourney, I have a prize which I should award to some lucky duelist.

Now, from what I understand, this challenge grant is only to be used to challenge a Baron, it's not to challenge the Overlord. So, whomever gains this has seven people to choose from. Though I would be pleased that you don't choose me, as I would award it to you.

Now, I've thought it over, and there's several people who I could give this grant to. But I am willing to listen to others recommendations. Mind you, I'm looking for genuine suggestions, no "Oh, give it to Napoleon because he's cute" or "Give it to Taneth because she says everyone's cute!"

Now, I adore Taneth and I really do like Napoleon, but neither really deserve an outright shot at a Barony. Taneth has never dueled, and Napoleons main dueling record is in the TDL. So, I'd be severely less likely to give the grant to them.

I've got a list with pros and cons. Here's some of them in no particular order.

1. Horatio MacBeth. Considering he had to forfiet due to injury, it gave me a free shot to the Final. I'd accept giving it to him, and would accept it if he challenged me in a "what if" sort of thing. Con: He is still injured, and I don't have information on his whereabouts.

2. Charlie Jericho. Close personal friend of mine, made it to the final four, longtime employee and member of CDR, has improved dramatically in Swords. Cons: Close personal friend of mine, longtime employee and member of CDR. People no doubt would expect me to give it to her because of that, and if I did, wouldn't ever accept that I gave it to her in recognition of her skill, but only out of friendship.

3. Alyxz Taliesen. Another friend, employee, and member of CDR. Made it to the Elite Eight, and dispite having a terrible dueling record in season 523 of TDL, he turned around and did very well in 524 and showed a great deal of skill making it as far into the tourney as he did. Cons: friend, Employee, CDR member. Same issues as Chuck, though I know Alyxz wouldn't ever give a damn what people think of how he got anything. Plus, doesn't really duel in the Arena very often.

4. Tarl Cabot. My opponent in the finals. Making it that far is impressive. Con: Made it that far, and chose the 6 WoL rather than the challenge grant. Shows he doesn't really want the title. So, the grant should go to someone who might.

5. Cassius Maximus. Good friend, his accomplishments in the Arena are quite many. Cons: Does he really need another title? He's good enough to get it on his own and doesn't really need anyones help. Let someone who hasn't gotten a chance to really challenge much before to do so.

6. Felix Pride. This little dwarf has been doing fairly well. He's been dueling a lot, has a winning record, and seems to be encouraging as much dueling as possible. Cons: Hasn't been in the Arena that long, so hasn't *really* proven his worth, even though he beat me.

7. Bran Bale. The Lizzzzard Kiiiiing. I just like calling him that. After a long period of time, he's finally made Warlord. Always around the Arena trying to get a duel. Cons: He went through a loooot of losses before gaining Warlord. Just like me. I don't need the comparisons. Heh. And do we really need cries of "FEARLESS BRAN!" Of course, he might not be on Fearless.. but that doesn't stop those cries from coming out.

8. Kaja Adair-Talanador. My wife, nuff said. Cons: My Wife. Nuff said.

And Finally....

9. Marc Franco. That's right, our very own Gossip GangSTAR! "Why?" Do you ask? To find out if the Pen truly is mightier than the Sword. And, to be honest, who wouldn't love to come out and see this tosser of trash, purveyor of pestilence, giver of garbage get his butt handed to him by one of the Arenas finest? I know I'd pay money to see it. In fact, I'd set up tickets for it! Cons: Does he really care to duel? Does he know how? What would it mean for the Arena were he successful? It could very well turn our hallowed halls into a den of darkness. I don't think I'd want that on my conscience that I let it come to that.

Anyway, that's my starter list. I've already got a few crossed off, and am willing to listen to others recommendations for who may be worthy of challenging a Baron.

One more thing, please don't say yourself. If you do, that's automatically going to make me not want to give it to you. Think of others for once, let's not be selfish.

Thank you for your support!

G'nort Dragoon-Talanador.

[Harris]

As most would assume my current position would lead to an obvious bias in regard to who should get the grant offered by G'nort I'll instead offer a personal criteria.

1. Responsibility - We've moved past the days of Barons simply holding rings. Today's Barons are responsible for the well being of those that live, work, and play in their district. As such I would prefer a more responsible duelist to hold a Barony.

2. Experience - This goes hand in hand with responsibility. A duelist that's held a Barony before and has overseen a district would be a much better choice than a duelist that never has.

3. Skill - Obviously less important than the previous two, it mostly factors in toward longevity. It's a waste of a solid opportunity if the duelist chosen lacks the level of skill that would allow them to defeat any of the current roster of Barons.

[Sabastian GoldRaven]

I believe that you should give the grant to someone who is not a Warlord. I further believe that you should give the grant to a controversial figure.

The person who most fits these roles is Charlie Jericho.

and while I would have personally enjoyed the opportunity to challenge I prefer to gain that opportunity with my own efforts.

[Vanion Shadowcast]

Under the circumstances, I think it would be almost criminal to give the Grant to anyone other than Horatio. Not that you (or many of us) are above petty, criminal actions - but that is my opinion, never-the-less.

I've grown tired of watching relative nobodies get Overlord Grants. Give it to someone who deserves it for both their recent performance, longevity, RANK, and extenuating circumstances. Horatio could challenge you, or somebody else - but he deserves to challenge, considering that he too did not suffer a loss in the tournament (and was in your direct path to winning).

Giving it to bad duelists, unproven duelists, or duelists who have yet to work their way to Warlord Rank - while consistent with recent grants - would be lame, for lack of clearer words.


And sidenote? Charlie Jericho is about as controversial as a baked potato.

[Marc Franco]

YOU KILL ME, G'NORT! HIGH-larious! However, we must decline because, at the end of the day, the GangSTAR is just a pansy. We wouldn't know the sharp end of a sword from our own ass! But it means so much to us that you thought of your lovely Gossip GangSTAR!!!

As for who should get it, it should be someone completely SLUT-TACIOUS! And what do you know??? G'nort has two of the most sluttacious women in dueling on his list in Charlie and Kaja!!! We HEART bombshells who are always up to trouble!

Now Charlie has that deadly "I will spank you until you cry!" thing going on but Kaja's got more of a "Please spank me until I cry and call you 'Daddy'" thing. Hmmm. Tough decisions, tough decisions. We don't envy you, G'nortie, but we're sure whomever you choose will provide lots of delicious dirt!!!

Hugs and Kisses,
YOUR Gossip GangSTAR

[Horatio Macbeth]

Master Dragoon-Talanador,

I am honoured that you would include me on your list of challenge grant candidates. I write this missive not to campaign for myself, but merely to inform you, and the community as a whole, that I intend to make my return in the beginning of June.

I would also make it known here, that if I were to receive the challenge grant, I would issue my challenge to Lady Ashleana, Baroness of Dockside. The Baroness has yet to defend her title, and in the month and a half since winning her barony, she has yet to increase her record enough to be called a Warlord. Those are my reasons.

Regardless of who you choose to bestow your grant upon, I ask only that you choose someone who would be worthy to be called Baron.

Regards,
The Lord Horatio Benvolio Macbeth

[Bran Bale]

I ain't Fearless, I'm COOOBRAAAA!!! ::multiple fist pumps::

[G]

Keep in mind, fellow fans of duelists, the choices are not limited to those I've placed on my list. You can come up with your own for me to consider!

Let's hear it!

[Felix Pride]

First off, thanks for considering me. If you did pick me, I'd certainly try my best to live up to expectations.

Secondly, I think Chris and Kalamere deserve some sort of compensation for all the effort they've put into putting on this event and setting up the bracket pool. They've created a lively buzz in the arena's atmosphere and made the last few weeks full of excitement. If anyone deserves a shot at a barony, it's them.

Just my two cents.

~Felix Pride

[Gnimish Gnimoi]

Those are the choices? You have got to be kidding.

Oh, there's your write-in clause there. Well, that's a relief at least.

[G]

Those are the choices? You have got to be kidding.

You seem to have issues with those I've put on my list. Have you better options?

I think those on my list are quite deserving. I'm sorry you disagree.

[Kalamere]

Hadn't really thought of issuing challenge myself, though I appreciate the thought Felix, and I certainly wouldn't turn it down.

My suggestion though is Jake Thrash. Jake has been a warlord for 12 years next month and has never issued a challenge. This might be the nudge the good 'ol Orc needs. Plus, imagine the victory party he could throw if he won, what with being the Orc behind Red Orc ales and all.

~Kal

[G]

1. Responsibility - We've moved past the days of Barons simply holding rings. Today's Barons are responsible for the well being of those that live, work, and play in their district. As such I would prefer a more responsible duelist to hold a Barony.

Just wanna really say.. no we're not, really. I mean, I'm not a mayor or governor or ruler of my district. Never have been. I'm not responsible for any individual people or groups aside from those on Urnst. If being a Baron was a political position, it would be voted for, not challenged.

Or Usurped. Of course, the usurped person is generally killed.

[G]

By the by, I'm rounding down the suggestions for duelists to give the grant to. I want to thank everyone who has been assisting in the matter.

Thanks!

G

[Sarah The Stick]

I'm only saying this so late because I was fighting myself over whether or not to ask at all. I never used to care about titles, but now that Barons have some kind of influence, and Harris is in charge, I would like a chance to take a ring from one of the people who aren't loyal to him.

Since you often like to make it look like you're out for yourself, or at least you did, I'll even give you some incentives.

1. If you go renegade, I won't challenge you.
2. I'll fight the disloyal baron of your choice.
3. If you give me the challenge and I lose, I'll repay you in some fashion. We can discuss it. I don't have much money and I refuse anything that involves nudity or close to it, or unnecessary violence; it may sound like a lot, but there are plenty of other tasks in the world to accomplish. I'm sure we could agree on something.

-Stick