Alright, the first Clash of the Titans has unfortunately grounded to a halt a couple of months ago. It's still an interesting idea so I figured we could give it another go.


First things first, an explanation. Clash of the Titans is all about putting fanfic characters in the arena and then have them fight. Know that the outcome of this fight is not canon, so don't worry about having your character killed.

Fights are duels, one-on-one matches. There are three people directly involved with each match. The respective owners of the characters and a third person who writes the battle. The owners pm the writer information regarding their character who then proceeds to write part of the battle. Then, everyone can vote in a poll to determine the winner.

The writer and the owners are not allowed to vote since they are involved with the battle itself. The poll runs for a few days (5-7) after which the writer will write the conclusion to the battle according to the poll.

For voting, there are 3 options.
1: Character a wins.
2: Character b wins.
3: No one wins. (Either they both die or they somehow stop the duel.)
Please base your vote both on the character itself and what you think of its owner’s writing style. It would also be appreciated if you give an explanation in the thread of why you think this would be the outcome.

As an addition which the first clash was lacking, I've decided to sort the fanfic characters into the following groups. This is to prevent any matches in which one character is really outmatched and to prevent silly situations in which say a beggar with only one limb manages to pose a serious threat to the almighty Vampire who has slain a thousand of the finest warriors with his Daedric Claymore.
1: Underdogs. These are the characters who always get their behind kicked in their story. They’re weak and they know it. Still, against another weak character they would stand a chance.
2: Normal. These are your average Joe. They are not almighty but still tend to be a bit above your average NPC yet not too much. They tend to be up against tough battles against average foes yet win most of the time.
3: Godlike. These guys and women make you question their mortality. They are very powerful, usually capable of wiping out huge masses of normal foes without much trouble and capable of going toe-to-toe with some of the most frightening enemies Tamriel has to offer.

Also, characters who relied on stealth were at a disadvantage in the last Clash due to the open nature of the arena. This time however, the arena will be a tower complete with a large open area, dark passages, a maze and suspended platforms with a few traps thrown in for good measure. The characters will start in the central, open arena but those who don’t like such a fight can escape into the tower for an ambush.

The story? Mehrunes Dagon got bored and plucked people from their place to fight in his arena somewhere in Oblivion. Due to the nature of his ‘kidnapping’, the characters won’t die permanently but will instead be restored to their proper place and condition after the event, without any memories about what happened.

Feel free to discuss whether or not you would like to see the Clash of the Titans return and feel free to suggest a few changes to the way it is set up if you think of any possible improvements. After all, no one’s perfect so I’m sure that there are a few loopholes in my plan that need to be fixed.

If the majority agrees to the return of the Clash, I will post a thread where everyone can post his or her character(s).

Sweet, I was always hoping to have this event resurrected! When I was a guest here, I loved reading the clashes. It seems that the "next generation" writers here aren't going to all disappear like the last ones so I think it's a good idea to get this going again. Count me in!

I have one question though. Can writers submit more than one character? Because if that's the case, I would certainly throw both Simion and Savlian into this.

I also think there should be a category between Normal and Godlike, seems like too much of a jump between the two. I was thinking of a category like "Skilled Tactician" which would fit characters that are a very high ranking in any guilds they're in. I have a feeling there won't be any Underdogs from what I've seen of fan fic characters.

I'm not sure if that third option should be considered. The point of having a duel is for the defeat of one of the characters. I know that for some characters, fighting someone like this is against their principles, but I'm sure that any of them would fight if they'll be killed otherwise by Mehrunes. I would suggest that Mehrunes isn't actually physically present at the duels, but can still watch. That way, the characters can't decide to team-up and try to fight Mehrunes.

But I certainly will be willing to write for this as well. I can find time to do this.

Oh great! I certainly think we should continue ..even though I don´t know if I can find the time to write I will gladly submit Serene again! Thus remember she is not a real fighter, she´s a mage, but not particularly god-like, so she´ll fit in in the "average-joe" section.....perhaps

I had wondered when the Clash would be resurrected. I have a few fond memories from back when I was a mere lurker. I'd submit my Argonian friend, but I'm not sure I've had the opportunity to develop his character well enough yet, at least well enough for anyone else to write about him.

If anyone still remembers me, I would love to join this yet again with Taillus if I am allowed. I will explain my leave of absense in the thread related to my last story and hopefully now that everything has calmed down I can be an active member of this wonderful forum once again...

Oh great, all our characters are doomed! Taillus when possessed can wipe the floor with anyone!

But who knows, with the added stealth element, Simion could have a chance. His inhabition to kill would be especially strong if he undergoes a fit of madness as well.

Well, right now everyone seems to want it to return. Welcome back, Taillus. I remember your killing machine.

I'll make the character thread once I come out of school. (8 hours minimum, sorry.)

And Taillus wipe the floor with everyone? Nah, Luper has become a timebending monster by now, he won't fall that easily. I think that the Godlike matches will be very interesting. (Don't forget he's got 5 on his list of killed gods, including Mehrunes Dagon.)

Hmm, you're right Mallet. I'll replace Underdogs with something else between Normal and Godlike. Let me think of a good title.

Wohoo.....Taillus is back, and the clash of titans.

So just one more thing....WELCOME BACK TAI :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

I'll enter the indestructible carnage unlucky honoured user killing machine (also known as Telina )

So Telina will will make her appearence again, but I'm not so sure she will last so long this time...but it will be fun none the less.

Telina eh? Hmm, maybe Luper can get a rematch! (Depends really on whether or not Telina gets ranked as Master or Godlike. She seems to walk on the line between them.)

Mallet, I just thought about your comments regarding the votes. Yes, the third option is pointless. I think it would be best to stick to two options and have the deleted third option come up in case of a draw.

Canis, character submissions will be open for a few weeks I think. So you can work out your character a bit more before posting.

The way we did it before was, the one that writes the battle could not vote, unless it was a tie. Then he or she would act as a breaker...I mean in a deathmatch there really can't be a tie.

I don't think there should be a tie option available, we should have some way of breaking it if it comes down to that.

I agree with that.

So what now? This has been around for quite awile, I think we actually have more competitors (even though it's actually multiple characters from the same author). Should we get to match-making?

Well, Minque and Telina said they would enter yet I haven't seen their characters yet. I suppose that Serene could be simply lifted from the earlier clash (Not much in-fiction fighting skill development has happened with her. At least, I didn't notice much fighting.) but Telina definitely needs to be reworked. And I haven't seen Tellie in a while.
I was thinking of sending them a pm.

Now, to discuss matchmaking. There are two methods we can basically use. We can actually discuss and plan, or we can simply flip a coin and make random selections. What do you think?

About pairings for the matches we could always do it the way we did it last time... pit fighters in order in which they submitted their characters. That way it is totally fair and random at the same time.

I still have some catching up to do on the stories and I sincerely apologise for not commenting on them but I just have to catch up!!!

Lemmie know how the pairings work for everyone and don't be afraid to regect my suggestion, it was only that, a suggestion. I would however like to see this get under way soon. I loved writing these and it was exciting to see how it would all pan out!!!

Have fun all,
Tai

Ok, let's start by seeing how that would match up. Also, do I have to send the pm to Serene and Tellie?


Anyway, the matchups.
Normal:
Always-He-Lingers-in-the-Sun vs Count Vernon Goldwine. (Assassin versus bully.)

That's all here.

Master:
Simion Mandrake vs Savlian Matius (The battle we expected but never saw.)
Sethyas Velas vs Morvayn Dres (The master assassin vs the High Ordinator.)
Xander Moorecroft vs Rhys (Battlemage vs the mysterious Narynn.)
Ian vs ???? (The agent against the unnamed foe. Ok, so Ian is missing an opponent.)

Godlike:
Luper Alkad vs Taillus (Soulstrength vs Corprusstrength.)
Revan vs Marthyn (Brothers)

Tell me if I missed anyone. I think I've got them all now. Personally it looks fine except for Ian (who doesn't have anyone) and the Revan vs Marthyn fight. The last one is because the two are an important part of the same story and are likely to clash there someday. I'd suggest a swap of opponents in the Godlike section.

I would PM Minque and Tellie to find out if they will participate in this and if so, get an updated character bio from both of them.

Edit: I was also thinking that the people who entered several characters could put them up against each other in order to eliminate all but one of their characters. This would make things fair for those who only chose to enter one character...that way one person doesn't have a 75% chance of winning because he/she has more characters than the others.

That's certainly a good idea Kiln. Because that way, that author can actually vote on other fights because their character isn't in it. Right now, I can vote on all of them except two. So, I'm down with the pairings.

I wonder which one(s) I'll get to write....

EDIT: I know that minque won't respond to her email until tomorrow. She said she'd be gone in Germany until Wednesday. I just don't know if that means tomorrow or NEXT Wednesday. And hopefully Tellie checks in soon, though I have a feeling she'll be in the Godlike class.

What we really need is another "Master" class to even out the numbers

Yeah I sent a PM to Tellie just a few short days ago and have yet to hear back from her. Hopefully she is well and we can get this all started.

Oh, and one more thing; why do you want to swap the match ups in the godlike section? Not that I am opposing or anything.

The swap is because of Revan and Marthyn. Last time we read about Marthyn, he had decided to hunt down his brother (Revan.) So it seems likely that they would clash at some point. I don't want to ruin that fight by making one here.

Kiln, about the several people. We have to remember that this time they've been divided in classes. While I agree that one author having a greater chance of 'winning' due to simply having more characters is not that good, I don't think we would get as much fun out of reducing each author's character to one first. Especially if they belong to different classes.

Let's see if I'm correct. Our trouble fights are:
Simion Mandrake vs Savlian (They both belong to the same author and while it could serve as an interesting what if battle, it is a fight we first must agree on. So anyone for changing it, or do we want to let it remain as it is?)
Ian vs ???? (Obviously. I'd say that we wait to see if Minque answers. If not, we'll have to pull another Master out of our fanfics.)
Revan vs Marthyn (For the reasons I gave above.)

Not to mention that the winner receives nothing. All we get from this is the experience of writing using different characters then the norm plus the bragging rites if one wins. I have two characters entered in different classes and while I think that this should be the limit (2) I wouldn't object to someone entering yet another character to make the fights even in number. As long as someone doesn't enter more characters then they can count on one hand I think all will be fine.

PS - The switches that you have proposed Jack is perfectly fine with me, you have my vote. Now does anyone mind sending another PM to Tellie?

I'll send one. And yeah, bragging rights is the only 'prize' available.

I wouldn't mind seeing Simion and Savlian split up, because who knows, they might have to face each other in my fic.

Oh yea, I'm supposed to know if they're going to possibly face off... hehe. I'll leave that unknown though. I wouldn't want to spoil anything for you guys.

Ok, we're still looking for a master to fight Ian. So far, no news from either Minque or Tellie. I'm feeling like getting the first round started. So, should we start with the normal division, or just grab a fight at random?

As for the matchups, we will need a new list. So, Metal Mallet and Lord Revan, it is up to you to decide who you would like to pair off against who with the new splitup. This can also mean that Ian gets a fight in which case someone else will be missing an opponent. (Am I clear? I sound confusing. )

Hallo!!! I´m back...And I´ll remake Serene a bit I think.....´cause I´d really want her to be in....

Maybe it would be best that Marthyn and Revan fight different opponents, nut this could be a *Hypothetical* fight that actually has no bearing on the story...... But, I'm beginning to see the diifaculties with having them face-off here........

I wouldn't mind seeing Savlian and Ian fight. If that's all right with you Revan. Battle of the Good Guys!

As for Simion... hmm, don't know. I'm sure a fight between him and Ian would be cool as well. But I like the clash of tactics between Savlian and Ian better.

Other Master rank characters I could see joining this (if their authors were inclined to) are Deagan, Serene, Trey (probably the Trey after Mournhold), and..... Arthago (too bad his author hasn't been around in awile )

I don't mind Savlian vs. Ian, I'm game for that.....

And thought it would be fine for Rhys to fight Xander, maybe she could fight Simion instead......

Ok, the new list.

Normal:
Always-He-Lingers-in-the-Sun vs Vernon Goldwine

Master:
Savlian vs Ian
Simion vs Rhys
Sethyas Velas vs Morvayn Dres
Xander Moorecroft vs ????

Godlike:
Taillus vs Revan
Marthyn vs Luper Alkad


Any objections? Xander is now without an opponent. Taillus, if you really want Xander to fight, I'll just put Morvayn in the empty spot and make Xander fight Sethyas.

Well we can leave Xander in to see if Tellie or Minque enters. If there is no others by the time we begin Xander's fight then he will just be cast aside for now.

Serene will enter....of course, but if she will manage to kill someone? that´s another question....

I don't have any objections to this list....... so when will we finally be able to start?


PS: how about for the next clash its Beothia's tournament of ten bloods thing (I just finished that quest and got Goldbrand).

How about now. Any volunteering writers for the first clash? If not, I'll write the first one.

Edit: Oops, I forgot to announce the fighters. Always-He-Lingers-in-the-Sun vs Vernon Goldwine.

Don't look at me Jack , I'm just a spectator ..........

Yeah, I'm just watching from the sidelines. No, that's not me sneaking up behind Goldwire with a poisoned dagger... you see nothing, really.

Vernon would catch that. Only because he'd be looking at himself in the mirror

And I couldn't write the first one anyways. I gotta respect the rules and such by not voting or writing for this one.

Actually he'd probably shatter the mirror before he spotted Canis' Argonian character.


So let's get this show on the road!

Im excited!! Let's get this started!!

Well, it looks like Taillus and Revan will be duking it out, I wonder who will win? Seriously, It could be a close match

Ok, I'll write the first one. But remember, the next one will be for someone else.

Now, canis and Mallet, send me all the information you've got.

Tellie is coming back from outer space

Ok, I'll post Telina, dont matter whom I get paired against, as long as they are the same rank.

So, with the Normal Division done and the Master Division started (but I think Savlian vs Ian is close to coming to a close) I was wondering which one will be next? Or why not start multiple clashes, so long as no "second" rounds start until they're all finish. The next Master fight listed is Simion vs Rhys, which I'm curious as to who will write that one, seeing as I can't.

If you want my opinion, I think we should try to get multiple "first rounders" done at the same time. I wouldn't mind writing the Sethyas Velas vs Morvayn Dres fight. Is that all right for everyone?

PS- I nominate Black Hand for the Simion vs Rhys fight. They're both seem to be the sneaky type, so I think Black Hand could write their duel wonderfully. But that's just my opinion.

Yeah, I'll second your thoughts, Mallet. I'd offer to write something, but I'm crazy busy (till this week ends), and a little ashamed to say that I don't know most of the characters well at all.

OK, back to writing my 3(!) 20-page papers.

Paz.

P.S. Now, if someone wants to nominate me to write something, with the understanding that I couldn't get it out until the weekend... I might be able to help.

Sure mallet, go right ahead with the Sethyas vs Morvayn fight.

Canis, you can do Xander vs Serene (as it is the last in the division and won't need to be on for a while) which leaves for me.....Taillus vs Revan. (oh boy, I get to write for Taillus a second time. )

Hehehe and I can't wait to see the result. You portrayed Taillus excellently the first time!

Oh dear...Sethyas in a fight with Morvayn? hmm..I think I know who I´ll vote for...

And Renie vs Xander? *gulp* I´d hate to see her die....

So I´ll send Serene´s stats to canis?!

Yeah, you could send her stats to me. I won't be writing the fight for a little while--I'm still working on my papers. In fact, I really shouldn't even be on the forum right now. But anyway, stats would be appreciated. If you could direct me to any parts of your stories that say a lot about Serene's fighting style I'd also appreciate it. I need to catch up.

Edit: Just received the PM, Taillus. Thanks.

I actually have an idea to start the fight a little differently than the others which I think will work nicely... Dagon will want to mix things up a bit.

Ok, I'll handle the Sethyas vs Morvayn fight. So Black Hand and Jacky boy, gimme some additional information on your characters when you have the time. I'll try to get the intro written before the weekend.

canis..I pm:ed you about Serene.......looking forward to read your interpretation of her vs poor Xander...

Thankfully the version of Xander fighting in this contest is still among the two armed club. Otherwise it would truly be poor Xander. I look forward to this fight though. Who will come out on top?

Hopefully I will have one of my two entries make it through the first round

So canis, you posting up your Serene vs Xander fight anytime soon? I really wanna vote on it! I don't see any harm in having multiple first rounders go right now.

And for a shameless plug: VOTE ON MY FIGHT I WROTE!! It's called "Round 3" and features Black Hand's Sethyas Velas and Jack cloudy's Morvayn Dres. C'mon!!!

I'm about half-way through writing it. I've got a paper I'm finishing up right now--I needed an extension. I'll probably finish writing tonight and PM it to Taillus and Mique for approval.