Favourite Character Tournament III: The Last of Them

[oppyu]

Thread #1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252267)
Thread #2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=282222)

Credit to Math_Mage for the thread name.

FCT (Favourite Character Tournament)
Seeds
1: Roy Greenhilt - Eliminated in QF1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15454150#post15454150) by Malack
2: Elan - Eliminated in SF3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15668383#post15668383) by 5: Vaarsuvius
3: Haley Starshine
4: Belkar Bitterleaf - Eliminated in SF2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15652205#post15652205) by 3: Haley Starshine
5: Vaarsuvius
6: Durkon Thundershield - Eliminated in QF2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15478423#post15478423) by 18: Tarquin
7: Nale - Eliminated in 1,4 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13884667#post13884667) by Kazumi Kato
8: Redcloak - Eliminated in QF6 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15597770#post15597770) by 5: Vaarsuvius
9: Xykon - Eliminated in QF4 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15542026#post15542026) by 4: Belkar Bitterleaf
10: Mr. Scruffy - Eliminated in 3,6 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15224151#post15224151) by 15: Miko Miyozaki
11: Hinjo - Eliminated in 2,10 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14838411#post14838411) by Shojo
12: Celia - Eliminated in 2,2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14773959#post14773959) by Wizard Guy
13: Sabine - Eliminated in 3,2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15106416#post15106416) by Wizard Guy
14: Blackwing - Eliminated in 3,10 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15337501#post15337501) by Shojo
15: Miko Miyazaki - Eliminated in QF3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15521180#post15521180) by 3: Haley Starshine
16: Monster in the Darkness - Eliminated in 3,8 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15269065#post15269065) by 9: Xykon
17: Thog - Eliminated in 3,12 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15416903#post15416903) by 8: Redcloak
18: Tarquin
19: Demon-Roaches - Eliminated in 2,3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15140641#post15140641) by 6: Durkon Thundershield
20: O-Chul - Eliminated in 3,11 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15404081#post15404081) by 5: Vaarsuvius
21: Qarr - Eliminated in 2,7 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14813475#post14813475) by Secret SoD Character
22: Lien - Eliminated in 3,5 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15175832#post15175832) by 3: Haley Starshine
23: Zz'dtri - Eliminated in 2,9 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14838411#post14838411) by Enor
24: Daigo Da- - Eliminated in 2,1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14734194#post14734194) by Malack

Round 1
1,1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13701498#post13701498)
1: Roy Greenhilt (48) d. Knot-topped Resistance Leader (1)
Banjo (32) d. Gortok the Destroyer (16)
Malack (42) d. "Kaboom" Redaxe (8)
24: Daigo Da- (37) d. Rookie Cop (12)

1,2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13701505#post13701505)
12: Celia (25) d. Yikyik (7)
Wizard Guy (20) d. Sara Greenhilt (11)
Bozzok (22) d. Mr. Jones (10)
13: Sabine (25) d. Jephton the Unholy (8)

1,3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13815947#post13815947)
6: Durkon Thundershield (27) d. Hank (2)
chief grukgruk (24) d. General Chang (6)
Grand Larcenist (15) d. Pompey (13)
19: Demon-Roaches (26) d. Team Peregrine Commander (2)

1,4 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13884667#post13884667)
Kazumi Kato (20) d. 7: Nale (11)
Chief (24) d. Hilgya Firehelm (7)
Flumphs (19) d. Shadowdancer (12)
18: Tarquin (26) d. Eugene Greenhilt (4)

1,5 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13926105#post13926105)
3: Haley Starshine (25) d. Evisceratus (1)
Mr. Phil Rodriguez (14) d. Kilkil (11)
Thor (22) d. Inkyrius (4)
22: Lien (22) d. Samantha (4)

1,6 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14457322#post14457322)
10: Mr. Scruffy (12) d. Julio Scoundrél (9)
Tsukiko (11) d. Sangwaan (10)
Jirix (13) d. Leeky Windstaff (8)
15: Miko Miyazaki (14) d. Roy's Archon (7)

1,7 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14457322#post14457322)
4: Belkar Bitterleaf (12) d. Thanh (9)
Crystal (12) d. Girard Drakentooth (8)
Secret SoD Character (14) d. Trigak (4)
21: Qarr (12) d. Empress of Blood (9)

1,8 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14488288#post14488288)
9: Xykon (27) d. Geoff (3)
Niu (19) d. Horace Greenhilt (11)
Ian Starshine (22) vs Jenny (8)
16: Monster in the Darkness (21) d. Kobold Oracle (9)

1,9 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14549924#post14549924)
2: Elan (34) d. Eyepatched Resistance Leader (3)
IFCC (19) d. Gannji (18)
Enor (27) d. Samantha's Dad (9)
23: Zz'dtri (31) d. Haerta Bloodsoak (6)

1,10 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14625838#post14625838)
11: Hinjo (33) d. Hieronymus Grubwiggler (4)
Shojo (35) d. Old Blind Pete (2)
Ancient Black Dragon (19) d. Greysky Priest (16)
14: Blackwing (32) d. Ganonron (4)

1,11 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14672265#post14672265)
5: Vaarsuvius (29) d. Skullsy (3)
Soon Kim (24) d. Death Knight (9)
Therkla (23) d. Yokyok (10)
20: O-Chul (31) d. Julia Greenhilt (2)

1,12 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14701681#post14701681)
8: Redcloak (29) d. Amun-Zora (3)
Daimyo Kubota (28) d. Huecuva (3)
Pit Fiend (21) d. Adolescent Black Dragon (11)
17: Thog (30) d. Yukyuk (2)

Round 2
2,1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14734194#post14734194)
1: Roy Greenhilt (36) d. Banjo (11)
Malack (38) d. 24: Daigo Da- (9)

2,2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14773959#post14773959)
Wizard Guy (21) d. 12: Celia (17)
13. Sabine (32) d. Bozzok (8)

2,3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14784905#post14784905)
6: Durkon Thundershield (32) v. chief grukgruk (3)
19: Demon-Roaches (27) v. Grand Larcenist (8)

2,4 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14792966#post14792966)
Kazumi Kato (28) d. Chief (13)
18: Tarquin (34) d. Flumphs (7)

2,5 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14799743#post14799743)
3: Haley Starshine (38) d. Mr. Phil Rodriguez (2)
22: Lien (21) d. Thor (19)

2,6 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14806934#post14806934)
10: Mr. Scruffy (23) d. Tsukiko (17)
15: Miko Miyazaki (26) d. Jirix (14)

2,7 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14813475#post14813475)
4: Belkar Bitterleaf (38) d. Crystal (4)
Secret SoD Character (30) v. 21: Qarr (11)

2,8 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14821283#post14821283)
9: Xykon (29) d. Niu (10)
16: Monster in the Darkness (37) d. Ian Starshine (2)

2,9 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14829747#post14829747)
2: Elan (29) d. IFCC (8)
Enor (19) v. 23: Zz'dtri (18)

2,10 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14838411#post14838411)
Shojo (33) d. 11: Hinjo (11)
14: Blackwing (26) d. Ancient Black Dragon (17)

2,11 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14885899#post14885899)
5: Vaarsuvius (44) d. Soon Kim (4)
20: O-Chul (38) d. Therkla (9)

2,12 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14944495#post14944495)
8: Redcloak (35) d. Daimyo Kubota (4)
17: Thog (33) d. Pit Fiend (6)

Round 3
3,1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14993771#post14993771)
1: Roy Greenhilt (42) v. Malack (42)

3,2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15060620#post15060620)
Wizard Guy (33) d. 13: Sabine (26)

3,3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15106416#post15106416)
6: Durkon Thundershield (44) d. 19: Demon-Roaches (6)

3,4 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15140641#post15140641)
18: Tarquin (41) d. Kazumi Kato (15)

3,5 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15175832#post15175832)
3: Haley Starshine (45) d. 22: Lien (14)

3,6 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15224151#post15224151)
15: Miko Miyazaki (34) d. 10: Mr. Scruffy (29)

3,7 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15253133#post15253133)
4: Belkar Bitterleaf (30) d. Secret SoD Character (24)

3,8 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15269065#post15269065)
9: Xykon (38) d. 16: Monster in the Darkness (36)

3,9 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15306457#post15306457)
2: Elan (44) d. Enor (4)

3,10 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15337501#post15337501)
Shojo (53) d. 14: Blackwing (7)

3,11 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15404081#post15404081)
5: Vaarsuvius (32) d. 20. O-Chul (26)

3,12 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15416903#post15416903)
8: Redcloak (49) d. 17: Thog (15)

Quarter-Finals
QF1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15454150#post15454150)
Malack (33) d. 1: Roy Greenhilt (32), Wizard Guy (9)

QF2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15478423#post15478423)
18: Tarquin (42) d. Durkon Thundershield (32)

QF3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15521180#post15521180)
3: Haley Starshine (37) d. 15: Miko Miyazaki (23)

QF4 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15542026#post15542026)
4: Belkar Bitterleaf (41) d. 9: Xykon (36)

QF5 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15587124#post15587124)
2: Elan (33) d. Shojo (32)

QF6 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15597770#post15597770)
5: Vaarsuvius (35) d. 8: Redcloak (33)

Semi-Finals
SF1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15617635#post15617635)
18: Tarquin (39) d. Malack (33)

SF2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15652205#post15652205)
3: Haley Starshine (34) d. 4: Belkar Bitterleaf (33)

SF3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15668383#post15668383)
5: Vaarsuvius (35) d. 2: Elan (25)


Grand Final (Don't start voting yet!)
18: Tarquin v. 3: Haley Starshine v. 5: Vaarsuvius.

[oppyu]

LC (Loser's Cup)
Seeds
1: Nale - Eliminated in SF1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15617635#post15617635) by Kobold Oracle
2: Eugene Greenhilt - Eliminated in SF3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15668383#post15668383) by Leeky Windstaff
3: Gannji
4: Ho Thanh - Eliminated in QF4 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15542026#post15542026) by Julio Scoundrél
5: Kilkil - Eliminated in 2,9 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15306457#post15306457) by Leeky Windstaff
6: Hilgya Firehelm - Eliminated in 2,3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15140641#post15140641) by Kobold Oracle
7: Roy's Archon - Eliminated in 2,4 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15140641#post15140641) by Greysky Priest
8: Empress of Blood - Eliminated in QF5 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15587124#post15587124) by Leeky Windstaff
9: Mr. Jones - Eliminated in 1,8 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14821283#post14821283) by Julio Scoundrél
10: Yikyik - Eliminated in 1,6 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14806934#post14806934) by Skullsy
11: Booted Wight - Eliminated in 2,12 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15416903#post15416903) by Sara Greenhilt
12: Julia Greenhilt - Eliminated in 2,2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15106416#post15106416)by Horace Greenhilt

Round 1
1,1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14784905#post14784905)
1: Nale (25) d. Sangwaan (10)
Old Blind Pete (23) d. Huecuva (9)

1,2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14784905#post14784905)
Horace Greenhilt (21) d. Yokyok (14)
12: Julia Greenhilt (18) d. "Kaboom" Redaxe (17)

1,3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14792966#post14792966)
6: Hilgya Firehelm (27) d. Pompey (13)
Kobold Oracle (38) d. Rookie Cop (2)

1,4 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14792966#post14792966)
Greysky Priest (38) v. Hieronymus Grubwiggler (2)
7: Roy's Archon (30) d. Shadowdancer (10)

1,5 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14799743#post14799743)
3: Gannji (31) d. Gortok the Destroyer (6)
Girard Draketooth (27) d. Team Peregrine Commander (7)

1,6 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14806934#post14806934)
Hank (22) v. Amun-Zora (14)
Skullsy (25) v. 10: Yikyik (10)

1,7 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14813475#post14813475)
4: Ho Thanh (30) v. Gladiator Warden (9)
Inkyrius (34) v. Knot-topped Resistance Leader (5)

1,8 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14821283#post14821283)
Adolescent Black Dragon (21) d. Samantha (14)
Julio Scoundrél (33) d. 9: Mr. Jones (5)

1,9 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14829747#post14829747)
5: Kilkil (24) d. General Chang (10)
Leeky Windstaff (31) d. Eyepatched Resistance Leader (5)

1,10 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14838411#post14838411)
Geoff (19) d. Zit-Faced Goblin (15)
8: Empress of Blood (24) d. Yukyuk (9)

1,11 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14885899#post14885899)
2: Eugene Greenhilt (31) d. Samantha's Dad (12)
Death Knight (28) d. Evisceratus (13)

1,12 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14944495#post14944495)
Sara Greenhilt (24) d. Jenny (11)
11: Booted Wight (20) d. Trigak (16)

Round 2
2,1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14993771#post14993771)
1: Nale (65) d. Old Blind Pete (7)

2,2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15060620#post15060620)
Horace Greenhilt (33) d. 12: Julia Greenhilt (19)

2,3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15106416#post15106416)
Kobold Oracle (44) d. 6: Hilgya Firehelm (4)

2,4 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15140641#post15140641)
Greysky Priest (28) d. 7: Roy's Archon (21)

2,5 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15175832#post15175832)
3: Gannji (33) d. Girard Draketooth (23)

2,6 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15224151#post15224151)
Skullsy (29) d. Hank (27)

2,7 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15253133#post15253133)
4: Ho Thanh (35) d. Inkyrius (16)

2,8 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15269065#post15269065)
Julio Scoundrél (59) d. Adolescent Black Dragon (8)

2,9 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15306457#post15306457)
Leeky Windstaff (27) d. 5: Kilkil (18)

2,10 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15337501#post15337501)
8: Empress of Blood (32) d. Geoff (18)

2,11 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15404081#post15404081)
2: Eugene Greenhilt (40) d. Death Knight (16)

2,12 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15416903#post15416903)
Sara Greenhilt (34) v. 11: Booted Wight (16)


Quarter-Finals
QF1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15454150#post15454150)
1: Nale (49) v. Horace Greenhilt (12)

QF2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15478423#post15478423)
Kobold Oracle (48) d. Greysky Priest (19)

QF3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15521180#post15521180)
3: Gannji (41) d. Skullsy (16)

QF4 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15542026#post15542026)
Julio Scoundrél (46) d. 4: Ho Thanh (23)

QF5 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15587124#post15587124)
Leeky Windstaff (44) d. 8: Empress of Blood (13)

QF6 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15597770#post15597770)
2: Eugene Greenhilt (39) d. Sara Greenhilt (19)

Semi-Finals
SF1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15617635#post15617635)
Kobold Oracle (44) d. 1: Nale (29)

SF2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15652205#post15652205)
3: Gannji (30) d. Julio Scoundrél (27)

SF3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15668383#post15668383)
Leeky Windstaff (34) v. 2: Eugene Greenhilt (22)


Grand Final (Still not time to vote yet.)
Kobold Oracle v. 3: Gannji v. Leeky Windstaff

[oppyu]

Since my favourites are eliminated, I think it's okay to say that I was going for Elan and Redcloak, and you guys have no taste in characters.

2: Elan - 25 - 41.67%
5: Vaarsuvius - 35 - 58.33%

Leeky Windstaff - 34 - 60.71%
2: Eugene Greenhilt - 22 - 39.29%


GRAND FINAL

FCT

R1: 18: Tarquin (26) d. Eugene Greenhilt (4)
R2: 18: Tarquin (34) d. Flumphs (7)
R3: 18: Tarquin (41) d. Kazumi Kato (15)
QF: 18: Tarquin (42) d. 6: Durkon Thundershield (32)
SF: 18: Tarquin (39) d. Malack (33)
182-91 - 66.67%

R1: 3: Haley Starshine (25) d. Evisceratus (1)
R2: 3: Haley Starshine (38) d. Mr. Phil Rodriguez (2)
R3: 3: Haley Starshine (45) d. 22: Lien (14)
QF: 3: Haley Starshine (37) d. 15: Miko Miyazaki (23)
SF: 3: Haley Starshine (34) d. 4: Belkar Bitterleaf (33)
179-73 - 71.03%

R1: 5: Vaarsuvius (29) d. Skullsy (3)
R2: 5: Vaarsuvius (44) d. Soon Kim (4)
R3: 5: Vaarsuvius (32) d. 20: O-Chul (26)
QF: 5: Vaarsuvius (35) d. 8: Redcloak (33)
SF: 5: Vaarsuvius (35) d. 2: Elan (25)
175-91 - 65.79%

#763: "Here's to us, Elan. We're going to tell the best story EVER."
18: Tarquin (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0763.html)
VS
#393: "I THOUGHT HE WAS YOU! I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU AND I THOUGHT I WAS KISSING YOU!!"
3: Haley Starshine (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0393.html)
VS
#634: "I... I must succeed."
5: Vaarsuvius (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0634.html)

LC

FCT: 16: Monster in the Darkness (21) d. Kobold Oracle (9)
R1: Kobold Oracle (38) d. Rookie Cop (2)
R2: Kobold Oracle (44) d. 6: Hilgya Firehelm (4)
QF: Kobold Oracle (48) d. Greysky Priest (19)
SF: Kobold Oracle (44) d. 1: Nale (29)
183-75 - 70.93%

FCT: IFCC (19) d. Gannji (18)
R1: 3: Gannji (31) d. Gortok the Destroyer (6)
R2: 3: Gannji (33) d. Girard Draketooth (23)
QF: 3: Gannji (41) d. Skullsy (16)
SF: 3: Gannji (30) d. Julio Scoundrél (27)
153-91 - 62.70%

FCT: Jirix (13) d. Leeky Windstaff (8)
R1: Leeky Windstaff (31) d. Eyepatched Resistance Leader (5)
R2: Leeky Windstaff (27) d. 5: Kilkil (18)
QF: Leeky Windstaff (44) d. 8: Empress of Blood (13)
SF: Leeky Windstaff (34) d. 2: Eugene Greenhilt (22)
144-71 - 66.98%

#568:
Welcome to the village of
LICKMYORANGEBALLSHALFLING
Founded: Last week - Pop.: Just enough
"No, seriously, give 'em a good once-over!"
Kobold Oracle (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0568.html)
VS
#783: "Listen, I have a plan, but... you're not going to like it. You need to kill me."
3: Gannji (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0783.html)
VS
#344: "Gaze in fear as the trees of your much-vaunted 'municipal park' angrily awaken to wreak bloody vengeance on you for incarcerating them in a well-mowed prison! The once and future masters of this land walk among you now! Let those who led their dogs to urinate upon them now flee in mortal terror!"
Leeky Windstaff (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0344.html)

Ok, quick bit of housekeeping. This round will go on until August 1, 8AM AEST. Which is basically exactly seven days from now. I appreciate all the votes you guys have sent in, and the patience you've had with my late and occasionally lazy updating.

Ok, now you can vote!

[Porthos]

Haley

and

The Oracle

Of the three, I like Haley's character the best. V is good. But not quite at Haley's level.

My vote for the Oracle goes without sayin', of course. :smallamused:

[Gift Jeraff]

Leeky Windstaff, evil gnome druid

Haley Starshine, chaotic good-ish human rogue

[Wraithlord]

Well, despite all 4 of my favorites losing in the quarter and semi-finals, I may as well vote for my favorites of the remainder.

Haley and Leeky Windstaff.

[137beth]

FCT: There were a lot of hard rounds lately, but this one is much easier. Haley is my favorite PC, and has been my favorite for a majority of the series. I'm not a huge fan of Tarquin, and while V is cool, he/she/it just isn't as awesome.

LC: This one is even easier: The Kobold Oracle is possibly the funniest NPC ever.

[Rakoa]

The Amazing General Tarquin and The Amazing Kobold Oracle

Let the chips fall where they may.

[Math_Mage]

Vaarsuvius
Leeky

[Kolhammer]

Tarquin and The Oracle

[apenpaap]

A shame to see Elan lose, but it makes the finale slightly easier for me. V is great, but not to the level of Tarquin or Haley (or Elan). So it's between Haley and Tarquin for me. My favourite hero and my favourite villain. The latest comic is one of the many that make me want to vote for Haley, but then I think of how awesome Tarquin is. It's a very difficult choice, but I think I'll vote Haley.

And the Oracle.

[DeliaP]

Sorry I didn't participate in earlier rounds, but if I can just join in for the final:

FC: Tarquin, the quintessential dangerously genre savvy magnificent bastard chessmaster.

LC: Kobold Oracle, just for the name of the village, if nothing else.

[bguy]

Vaarsuvius

Oracle

[kxm]

I love all 3 of the characters in the FCT final, and I'm fine with any of them winning, but I'll vote for Vaarsuvius

LCT is a lot easier, I'm going with the Oracle

[Shadebolt]

Vaarsuvius,
and
Leeky.

Had to fight between Tarquin and Vaarsuvius, but I went with V because of lots of recent character development, Genre Savvy, and moments of pure epicness. Arguably the most powerful member of the Order, I think that V should be the winner of the FCT.

As for Leeky, I've never liked Gaanji or the Oracle. The former is meh, and the Oracle is annoying, in my opinion.

[Kish]

It is Haley who must succeed.

The Oracle.

[RCSparrow]

Vaarsuvius beats out Haley who beat out Tarquin.

Torn between the Oracle and Gaanji for the Loser's Cup. Going with the Oracle for now, but may switch.

[dps]

Meh, given the choices, I'll vote for Tarquin.

[Keeper of Starlight]

Tarquin, though he has only been in the comic for a very short time, has proven to be, in my opinion, one of the most frightening villains in any work I have ever seen, whether movies, comics, books, or any other medium. The genre-savvy aspect of his personality only fuels everything else, because he knows exactly how he is supposed to die, and continues not because he doesn't care about it, but because he invites it; when he dies, he truly believes that he will live on as a legend, and being infamous is better than being famous anyway – the villains are all cooler.

Gannji has only been in the comic for a short while as well, but still stands out to me. Among the other LC candidates, he has by far the most depth of character, and I find him more interesting than the others.

[Syklone]

I'll go for Haley, [Abstain].

[Muenster Man]

I like all of the characters, but since going back through the archives and reading the series again, I remembered how much of a jerk V has been and often still is. Seriously, no attempt at even trying to send a message to V's significant other and their children after they were beaten within an inch of their life? People talk about V's redemption as a redeeming quality but it's barely even started. So I'll pass on V, especially since V beat Redcloak, the best character in this tournament.

Tarquin is an excellent choice because he's dangerously genre savvy. He uses that ability to bring up a lot of uncomfortable truths and comes off as pragmatic. But his whole plan about ruling through fear and tyranny as the best means of rule is shown to be a feint when Malack reveals he's just going to sacrifice people regardless of breaking the law. So really, he's just a vindictive bully. A smart one, yes, but still a bully.

And that leaves Haley, a well developed, practical, funny character who's been consistently relevant throughout the comic, unlike some main characters who tend to fade in and out of the spotlight. Also, she's a rogue, my favorite DnD class, so that's a plus.

As for the runner ups, this one isn't even close. The Kobold Oracle makes excellent use of every panel he's in. And his preemptive revenge against Belkar is probably my single most favorite joke in the entire strip.

[Demolator]

Tarquin, easily the most entertaining for me.

Also Gannji

[LadyEowyn]

I'm a huge Redcloak fan too. If he hadn't been up against V I think he would have made it to the finals.

As it is, it's pretty cool that we get one Good, one Neutral and one Evil character in the finals, and one male, one female, and one andogynous. Very balanced.

I will be voting for Vaarsuvius, even though Haley is also very awesome (as the current comic shows). The amount of character development V has gotten in the last two books is stunning, and V's arc and Redcloak's are the only ones that strongly get at my emotions. (Plus they're both science types [note V's comment on the right-hand rule in the Windy Canyon strips], which is awesome. They need to get together to discuss science and then start drinking really heavily and discussing how utterly they've screwed up everything. I'm strongly hoping for redemption for both of them, though I recognize their chances are not good [V's are better than Redcloak's]).

In contrast, despite my liking for Haley, I didn't find either the Resistance or the Greysky City arcs compelling; they're my least favourite parts of Book 4. Although that's primarily because I have little interest and Celia and strongly dislike Belkar, so Haley was my only 'anchor' to that plot, whereas I like Elan, V, Therkla, and the Azure City folks.

Tarquin is massively, indescribably overrated and he's beginning to wear on me. I hope he dies in a deeply unclimactic and boring way.

For the Loser's Cup, I'm voting for the Oracle, because of the way he dealt with Belkar. Anyone who can pull one over a Chaotic Evil character by banking on them acting in a Chaotic Evil way deserves points.

[Cuthalion]

Oracle

Vaarsuvius.

[Bird]

Since my favourites are eliminated, I think it's okay to say that I was going for Elan and Redcloak, and you guys have no taste in characters.
I think you mean, "Vaarsuvius fans have no taste in characters," since that's who knocked out both of them. :smalltongue:

Anyway, Vaarsuvius. I feel like I should say something special for the final, but we've already been through it a half dozen times. I guess I'll just mention that we've all been there (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0504.html).

*

I would've loved to have voted for the Greysky Priest, or Julio, or Eugene in the LC final. I suppose The Oracle is a bit more interesting than the other two, being a funnier sort of Good Magician Humfrey.

[Sylian]

Seeing how this is the grand final, I would like to say a few words about each of the candidates before I cast my vote.

Tarquin, Haley and Vaarsuvius, all three strong characters. They all deserve to be here, and they all bring a lot to the comic, though perhaps through different means. That being said, I think it's a shame that Redcloak didn't make it, but he had the misfortune of facing Vaarsuvius. Nevertheless, these three candidates are indeed quite strong and probably deserved to go far.

Tarquin is a delight. He is simultaneously a stereotypical Lawful Evil villain and a breath of fresh air. He is charming, funny, and yet subtly threatening. He's the kind of villain Kabuto would be jealous of, yet he works behind the scene. The fact that he's human and loves his sons adds to his character, since it shows that Evil people can still behave like normal people. Despite all this, I feel that he is the weakest of the three...

Haley has developed quite a bit. She began as a greedy rogue-archetype, who had a crush on the bard. We eventually learned that she's much more complex than it would seem. Haley has gone through a lot and she is probably one of my top 3 characters from the Order. In many cases, I also feel that Haley is the most relatable characters from the Order. I doubt many of us know people that are similar to Belkar or Elan or Vaarsuvius, but we might know a few that are similar to Haley. She is a great character, all in all.

Why do people like Vaarsuvius? In many ways, V represents ambition and thirst for knowledge. While few of us are fully similar to V, many of us might share some traits of V's personality. Besides all that, V provides a lot of humor and is occasionally quite awesome. This is all good and well, but is it enough to crown V as my Favourite Character? No, it would not be, given these criteria I would probably give that title to Redcloak instead.

What makes V the best character in the comic is the depth that came from the IFCC plotline. V is a character that has been changing, and over time, has come really close to becoming Evil. Do you guys remember when V killed Kabuto? At that point in time, V was balancing between Neutral and Evil. V was put in a precarious position, and decided to that temporarily losing one's soul was preferable to losing the lives and souls of one's family. This decision led to an atrocity, Familicide, which could have been the final slip into Evil for the elf... But it didn't. Had V not shown any regret, then the soul of this elf would be damned indeed, and indeed, we do not know for sure that it isn't. What we do know, however, is that V is still Neutral and not Evil. The poor elf is trying to make amends, which I find quite interesting. This does create an interesting position, though; What V has done is horrible, but V is trying to make amends. The act created such extreme consequences that we don't really know how to deal it it. What should V say to the friends of those who died? What can V say?

V is a character that still has a lot to do, it is a character that has developed a lot and keeps developing, a character that has more depth and creates more controversy than any other protagonist in the comic.

I will vote for my favorite character now, and my vote goes to Vaarsuvius.

Oh, and I suppose I should vote in the LC as well. All right, I'll keep it brief. As I see it, it ultimate stands between two alternatives: Humor or sympathy. Leeky and the Oracle stand for humor, Gannji stands for sympathy. The Oracle is funnier than Leeky, so Leeky is out. The Oracle is quite funny, but that's all he has. Meanwhile, Gannji creates some interesting situations. He is a character that can be quite rude and mean at times while not being Evil. His relationship with Enor in the arena was truly touching, which more than makes up for his earlier rude behavior.

The Oracle? Well, he is funny! I was considering actually voting for him, but then I decided to reread strip 783 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0783.html), which sealed the deal.

My vote goes to Gannji.

[Caivs]

I am still sad that Redcloak didn't survive, I was almost certain he'd end up winning the whole thing :/ Oh well, I am still happy that those three are the ones who are left, they deserve it. Especially since a three-way makes a better climax (shush Sabine).

Oracle, I like him a lot and the two others are largely irrelevant for me (Though I remember the scene Ganji and Enor met in the arena as being one of the most emotional of the whole comic, I was disappointed a lot by their survival)

As for the real Grand Finale...I need more time to be 100% certain. I just hope I won't procrastinate enough to miss the deadline like in the previous rounds.

[white lancer]

So it comes down to this, huh? These three might just be my favorites of their parts of the bracket (though if Tarquin vs. Roy had happened, it would have given me a severe fit of indecision), and I expected at least Haley and Vaarsuvius to be here (Tarquin beating Malack was a tough call...or at least I thought it would be). I think they're all stellar characters, each one probably in my top 5 (though they're not my top 3--Redcloak got screwed!), so I can't be upset at any outcome here. After all, I've not voted against any of the three this tournament.

That being said, my vote still goes to Vaarsuvius. I've stated before why Vaarsuvius is, in my view, the best character in the comic, and the list goes on: the realistic and relatable character flaws, the best character arc in the story (the Darth V arc, of course), the subtle relationships with other members of the order, the top-notch humor, the current 'redemption' arc...I won't go on at length about that again. What I will say is that what puts V over the top even more is that despite all the awesomeness that has gone into her character so far, I still feel like there's a gold mine of character growth yet to come. Tarquin is well-established and unlikely to change too much, Haley feels a little bit stagnant at the moment, but Vaarsuvius still has so far to go with this redemption arc and I can't wait to see it all unravel. I think my favorite part about this particular arc is that it's not happening all at once--she still makes mistakes and relapses (blasting the slavers, the kobold, arguably her reaction to the divorce) and doesn't even realize some of the things that still need to be corrected, so there's still a ways to go yet. The growth that she's shown with her relationship with Blackwing, plus the guilt that she experienced and the newfound guilt from her deal with the IFCC...it's just too good for me not to vote for.

That said, Haley and Tarquin are both fantastic, and it's hard for me to choose a runner-up. Haley is pretty easily my second-favorite PC, and I'd probably give her the edge. I think her arc has been pretty realistic and well-handled as well while not feeling like a rehash of something we've seen a thousand times (a difficult thing to do considering how much of it had to do with a romance), and I love her street smarts and willingness to toe the line but still stay on the path of Good. Tarquin has a lot to offer as the only real 'mundane' villain in the strip, and I love that he can make up for that using wits and hard work. His love for the theatrics is also a constant amusement of mine, and he's my second favorite villain in the strip after Redcloak. Still not a match for Vaarsuvius in my book, though.

The Loser's Cup is an easy call for the Kobold Oracle, and I think it's no coincidence that he also had the toughest first-round draw (Leeky couldn't beat Jirix, really?). Leeky was monumentally entertaining in his brief appearance, and Gannji has some good character moments (even though I personally don't care for him at all), but the snarky psychic has to take it here. I figured last round (against Nale) was probably the virtual final round, and that seems to be bearing out so far.

[rgrekejin]

Eh. Put me down for Tarquin and The Kobold Oracle. Tarquin isn't my favorite character, but he's my favorite of the ones that are left.

[Hogwarts9876]

Tarquin, Oracle

[Bluepaw]

BRB, re-reading whole comic in order to make final round choice. Do we have a week for this round?

I guess I can't complain, as my four favorite characters are Vaarsuvius, Tarquin, Redcloak, and Gannji. And, of course, Wizard Guy. But making the final call on which comes in tops...? Yikes.

[Lord Ruby34]

Tarquin and The Oracle

[Rui]

Tarquin - I love more Haley and Vaarsuvius, but I think he deserves to win this.

Kobold Oracle - No question at all. My favorite not important NPC of all times.

[Chessgeek]

Since my favourites are eliminated, I think it's okay to say that I was going for Elan and Redcloak, and you guys have no taste in characters.

This is indeed a much different cast for the finals than I was expecting. Fortunately, that also makes the vote decision much easier. Haley Starshine for being the most likeable of the three characters, and Gannji for... well, for actually being a character.

[Iniuria Talis]

Vaarsuvius and Gannji.

[RickDaily12]

Easier than I thought. The votes need no explanation.

Haley

The Oracle.

[Asaaron2]

Wow, tough choice for the main tournament.
2 of my favorite characters in the whole comic, and Haley:smallbiggrin:
But, as much as I like V, I like Tarquin a little more

The Oracle

[Peelee]

V. Not my favorite character by a long shot, but better than Tarquin.

I really, REALLY loved Leeky Windstaff as a character. I would love a bonus story focused around him. Amazing job for such a short stint. But I gotta throw my hat to Gannji's corner. Very heartfelt for someone who started out as inauspiciously as he did. Great writing for both characters. Wonderful strip.

And why not. O-Chul. Just to see if oppyu counts that for anything.

[Saharo]

Ooo, new thread? This looks like a good place for me to jump in, then.

Tarquin.
Because few and far between is a villain as memorable and fascinating as Tarquin. He takes this strip's penchant for self-awareness and fourth-wall breakage and turns it into something dramatic, intriguing, and delightfully threatening.

The Oracle.
Because man do I hate the oracle, but man do I love the oracle.

[Carl]

Haley

And i'll abstain from the losers cup, whilst i like Nale the best of the lot he's clearly lost so i don't see the point in bothering.

[Torrasque]

With all of my favorite characters knocked out, ill vote for the only one who is in my top 5. Vaarsuvius. Tarquin is a nice villain and i have enjoyed his appearances so far, and Haley has been consistantly well performing throughout the comic. When i have to pick who to vote for in this, I have always thought to myself: "who would i most like to see get some screentime in the next strips?" and the answer to that question is V. So here we are, with me voting for someone I hardly gave any votes so far in the tournament!
Good on you, you androgynous. long-winded, mass murdering, soul searching, imaginary bird watching, master of the arcane elf.

As for the losers cup, im still sad that Oppyu didn't make a proper losers bracket so we could have seen who really was the best of the losers, but at least i get to vote for my old friend the Kobold Oracle and see him march to victory in this strange nonsensical losers cup :)

Oh and a great thanks to Oppyu for making and running this tournament. It has been great fun, and i remember several strips where i actually checked the tournament before reading the strip, because i was excited about the next match!

[Lycunadari]

Vaarsuvius, Oracle

[Bulldog Psion]

Haley

Leeky Windstaff

[Kurald Galain]

Vaarsuvius

Leeky Windstaff

[sam79]

OK, Loser's Cup is an easy choice for me; Kobold Oracle. Onwards.

I wish I could put in a -1 for Tarquin; he's a good character and all, but not in the same league as the other two contenders. I wouldn't mind either of them winning, but I don't want Tarquin to. V and Haley are so close for me that I'm tempted just to vote tactically and go for who is most likely to beat the Evil dictator...but I won't. I've actually voted against Haley twice in previous rounds (against Miko and Belkar, if I remember correctly), whereas V has generally has had my support in all her matches (except vs Elan last time out). This maybe indicates I prefer V, but also I have a strong feeling that I owe Haley one.

As for the shoulda coulda woulda bit; I'd have probably put money on both Elan and Belkar getting to the final, along with either V or Haley. I thought Redcloak was the only Bad Guy who stood even a chance of getting through the semis. The level of support for Tarquin, and especially Malack, surprised me almost as much as the unfathomable success of Wizard Guy a few rounds back. Thought O-Chul and Roy might have done better.

Ok, enough prevaricating: let's do this thing. Funny: gotta be V. Likeable: gotta be Haley. Awesome moments: V. Because, you know, wizard. Character depth and development: we'll call that a tie. Look: Haley, by a nose (though the Darth V look was badass!). Heart-warming moments: Haley.

So I guess that exhaustive scientific analysis results in Haley. Good luck against the genocidal wizard and the genocidal dictator, Miss Starshine.

And finally, a massive thanks to oppyu for curating this tournament for us all. It’s been a blast.

[Mike Havran]

I would have had a bit tougher time deciding between Elan and Tarquin, but "thanks" to Vaarsuvius I'm spared and can vote for Tarquin right away. And since this is the grand final, a bit of explanation.

Tarquin is a character that brings fresh and interesting meta-element to the entire heroic story. He claims his role, including his defeat, is what he always wanted and already received. He has very little drive now expect for getting screen time and chance to show off ham and cheese before the inevitable comes. In contrast to X and Redcloak, who play with high stakes, but fairly streotypical Conquer the World/Make the World a Better Place for Us game, Tarquin's stakes are much smaller, but the spirit of his game is much more interesting.

Note that the entire Tarquin's concept would have been wasted without Elan. For a conventional "heroic adventurer", Tarquin is just Evil-Warlord-buncha-XP-loot-letz-kill-it. But for Elan, who puts narrative structure and classical heroic tales above all else, Tarquin is the ultimate challenge. Defeating Tarquin's person will not be enough, he needs to defeat Tarquin's concept. He already has a plan and I smell a tremendous potential there.

Other finalists are no match for Tarquin, but I do like Haley a lot and I would be happy is she won. On the other hand, I have no love lost for Vaarsuvius. The elf was never my favourite non-villain, but after her "treatment" of Yukyuk I started to despise her. It is a pity I wasn't here when she narrowly defeated Redcloak.

For the LC, I guess the Oracle will have it in the bag anyway so I'm voting for Leeky Windstaff because the guy had such amazing lines. And also, he would have beaten the hell out of Cliffport if Thor hadn't bent some rules.

[Bird]

And finally, a massive thanks to oppyu for curating this tournament for us all. It’s been a blast.
Here here!

[JBiddles]

There are few characters who beat Haley, but :vaarsuvius:Vaarsuvius is one of them. Font of great comedy? Check. Character development? Check. Interesting storyline? Check.

Also, http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/redxiv/oracle.gif The Kobold Oracle is funny.

[Rasputin]

ONE more vote, and Belkar could have been here too. Then I'd have had my favorite character present...

As it is, I like all three of these about the same. Really hard choice. In the end, I have to go with the character I most look forward to seeing in the strip in future. Which is Belkar. I want to see how this strip ends up for him, whether you like him or not as character, the author has done something extremely rare in my opinion. He has transformed a humorous one dimensional in-party foil for "murderous hobo's" who wander around killing with abandon without a shred of logic or moral consideration into a nuanced while still evil character in his own right. Ground breaking for a fictional series in my opinion, and pulled off in an extremely believable progression. Rich has taken us from "ends with litting their throats" to "thats why you guys keep me around right?"

Haley: Well done, but nothing new here. Just well done at all times. honorable mention for "milk chocolate justice, with almonds" LOL
Vaarsuvius: Committed an act that had spiraling outcomes that weren't forseen at the time - now wrestling with conscious. Nothing new. Outstanding in scope and novelty, but nothing new at the core.
Tarquin: Comes closest, because he is allowed to play with Rich's 4th wall breaking conventions - but in the end, just a really insightful LE type.

Belkar. Whoops, I mean Abstain I just don't care which of the three remaining characters wins.

Leeky I'm fine with not seeing the other two again in the strip. I'd like to see Leeky get some more screen time. Perhaps a win here helps that cause. Round two with the now undead abomination of Durkula perhaps...

[Klear]

Tarquin and Gannji

[ooOoo]

Vaarsuvius

Oracle

[davidbofinger]

Tarquin and the Kobold Oracle

[Priceguy]

When I started participating in this thing I really didn't think I'd end up voting for Tarquin in the final, but I will. He is simply such a wonderful character, such an original creation. We've seen interesting villains before, we've seen villains with depth, we've seen genre savviness, but Tarquin takes these things and brings them to a new level.

He is evil - even though he'd disagree - because he has calculated cost and benefit and hatched a brilliant plan. He cares deeply for his good son and he cares for Nale too, despite their past differences. He is not the evil-for-evil's-sake of Xykon nor the evil-for-a-good-cause of Redcloak, he's in a niche of his own. And, of course, he is the ultimate embodiment of genre savviness, driving the concept further than I've ever seen, especially for a villain. All in all, he's a reason to love this comic and gets my vote in the final.

[Rack]

Losers cup is an easy choice for me. Abstain.

As for the finals Vaarsuvius is the most entertaining of those remaining.

[Morthis]

All three characters are awesome in their own ways, but since I've always been a wizard sort of player, I gotta stick with V for the finals.

On the losers side, it's a bit more difficult. I love druids in D&D, so it was nice to see a character like Leeky, but I'm gonna have to go with the Kobold Oracle simply because he's such an amusing character.

[Conte_Vincero]

Tarquin
Because he's the Scarlet Pimpernell-esque unflapple character that I've always loved.

Kobold Oracle
Because he trolls like a boss

[martianmister]

Tarquin X Gannji

[Crusher]

Tarquin

and

Oracle

Its funny, I was going to write something up about being sad that my absolute favorite characters weren't in the finals, but when I started deciding who I thought *should* be in the finals instead I had trouble narrowing the list down to 3. The reality is that this strip has many, many wonderful characters and my sadness isn't actually because there was some miscarriage of justice and the final is Samantha vs Knot-Topped Resistance Leader vs Jirix. My sadness is because they can't all win, and no matter who wins in the end many others have had to lose.

Except Varsuvius. S/he annoys me. I'd be totally fine with Haley winning but a V win would be aggravating. On the other hand, I dig Tarquin and I get that plenty of people can't stand him meaning there are tons of people who love V. I don't, but its not my strip, its the Giant's, and as we read the stories different aspects resonate with each of us differently.

Also, Leeky rocks. I've never quite voted for him, but he absolutely demolished his opponents despite getting a relatively tough draw. I'm not voting for him again because, well, Oracle, but I'm a little sad I never got to vote for him. I get the appeal for Gannji but in terms of good lines he's not even in Leeky's zip code, and the emotional stuff he has with Enor was a little emotionally manipulative and really more Tarquin's doing anyway.

How boring would it be if we were all the same?

[Cizak]

Since the ones who would have made this an actual competition in my mind are gone, it's gonna be Tarquin. While Haley and V are both great, they're not finale material for me. Tarquin is wonderful, and one of the best villains ever.

Kobold Oracle. I've never understood the love for Gannji and Leeky, while funny, doesn't have the diabolical side the Oracle has.

[ChristianSt]

Since exactly one guy I voted for in the last round one - he deserves the final vote: The Oracle (If Julio would have won, I would have voted for him).

For the main tournament: Haley. My favourite (Belker) lost last round to her, and since Elan lost too, I don't have to figure out whether I would pick him over her or not.

[Sylian]

I'm surprised that the finals are this even; Tarquin has the lead with just a few votes, with V not far behind. Haley is slightly behind, but I could easily see her pulling a win still.

In the Loser's Cup, the battle for 2nd place is quite close. Will it be Gannji or Leeky? The Oracle is already leading with more than 20 votes, so it's highly likely that he'll win that round.

This will be quite interesting to follow, it's just a shame that Redcloak didn't get to face Tarquin, I'm curious to see who would win that matchup. I'd vote for Redcloak for sure, but there seem to be many people that like Tarquin a lot.

[Belkar<3]

Meh. None of my favorites are in this round, sadly. But what can you do? I'm gonna say V.

Gannji.

[Moriwen]

Main Tournament

I don't like Tarquin. I've said this before. He's affably evil, he's funny, he's competent, yes, but he's just not my thing. I liked Malack better. I'm ruling Tarquin out right now; he's just not even tempting.

The other two, however, are. (And I want to say what an a awesome testament to the Giant it is that the three best-liked characters in the comic are one male, one female, and one ambiguously-gendered. How many works can you say that about?)

Haley is likable, I think, partly because she's kind of an everyman. She's clearly a good and decent person, she likes shiny things and money, she cares about her father, she's happy with Elan. She just seems like a nice person. And a fun person. I'd like to hang out with her. She's very human.

Vaarsuvius, on the other hand, is quite the opposite. They* are not human, and their character shows that. They are, in some ways, very alien, very convincingly elvish; but they also conform to the great tropes of classical literature. They could be a character in a Greek tragedy. I've liked a lot of the character arcs, but Vaarsuvius' is the only one that resonates with me the way great literature does. Their fatal flaw is hubris, and it's convincing; I rarely see that pulled off well.

I'm torn here, as you may be able to see. But, in the end, I think I'm going to have to go with :vaarsuvius:. Sorry, Haley.

Losers' Cup

Oddly, I actually find this matchup really easy. I'm not a fan of the Kobold Oracle; he's a little too annoying, his humor is a little too . . . coarse, I guess, and I just don't find his character particularly interesting.

Leeky Windstaff was funny, but not, to my mind, particularly more so than (say) the adolescent goblins. Cute one-shot caricature adversary, check, jokes made, moving on now. Heck, the best humor in his sequence came from Vaarsuvius and Durkon anyway.

Gannji, however, I like. Not as passionately as some characters (appropriately, since this is the losers' cup); but I definitely like him, and I definitely do like the others. Easy vote.




* Totally irrelevant blather on pronoun choice: I use "they" as my neuter pronoun; I also think "he" and "it" are acceptable neuter pronouns, but each has some obvious downsides. "They" can be a tiny bit informal (when used as a single neuter pronoun) but any decent linguist** accepts that it's standard English, as the usage is surprisingly widespread and basically universal.


** "Decent linguist," of course, implies "descriptivist."

[Blas_de_Lezo]

Redcloak it is.

[Skir Oht]

Tarquin, Leeky Windstaff

[Teranthus]

Roller coaster of emotion this final contest has been... I was very happy one of my favorites made it, and she looked like she was doing well at the beginning. I still have hope she can stage a comeback.
Haley takes it for me. Tarquin is an amazingly well-portrayed villain, but there is no emotion invested there other than awe of his intellectual prowess. Vaarsuvius has taken a nose dive in terms of likability with the genocide, but I do like how ve is handling it. Despite Belkar's recent rise, V still has not been surpassed by him. However, the gap with Haley has grown.

For the LC, I will also vote for the underlizard, Gannji. Someone get him a genuine piece of lizard victory string!

[MimiXiao]

Vaarsuvius

Kobold Oracle

[Melee]

Gotta be Vaarsuvius for the winners.

And might as well be Ganjii for the losers.

[Bluepaw]

Well, made my pick. Tarquin is as delightful to read as he must have been to write, and he's the perfect combination of humor, panache, and real darkness. But when it comes down to it, Vaarsuvius takes it all the way. People talk all the time about the depth of V's arc with the IFCC, the fall and the repentance, etc, but hir texture throughout is top-notch, even in things as simple as regretting hurting Elan's feelings over the fake wizard gag. And of course the repartee and barbs -- with Belkar, with Miko -- are second to none. I'm a sucker for lateral thinking and gaming, and V's got it in spades: hir first elimination of Z (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0065.html) by invoking intellectual property laws was the moment when I knew I was hooked, despite the ho-hum storytelling of the early comic. And hir second elimination of Z (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0800.html) is the only moment in the comic when I can remember actually cheering out loud.

And having voted for Gannji all along, there's no stopping now. If anyone's got a problem with that, well, you can just look up "hemipenes (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0738.html)" in the dictionary...

[ti'esar]

I pretty much lost interest in the main tournament after Elan's elimination, and while I think that Tarquin is probably inferior to the other two, I can't really decide between them. So abstain.

For the Losers' Cup, however: Gannji all the way.

[Porthos]

I've triple checked this and unless I am very much mistaken so far it is:

:haley:: 15
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g68/Cats_Are_Aliens/Banners/Tarquin.png: 21
:vaarsuvius:: 24
Really tight race that could still go anywhere.

The Oracle, probably unsurprisingly, is crushing everybody else in his bracket. The battle, as noted by Sylian is for second place:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/redxiv/oracle.gif: 35
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g68/Cats_Are_Aliens/Banners/gannjismileysmall.png: 13
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i294/trytoguess/Leeky.png: 10

[rs2excelsior]

I assume missing out on previous votes does not preclude one from voting here?

If that is indeed the case:

I would like to humbly submit my vote for Tarquin for the winner's bracket. I quite like all three. Both Vaarsuvius and Tarquin have excellent lines, moreso than Haley. I would have said V, but V being rendered impotent recently by his own timidity edged it out in Tarquin's favor. Based on the characters now, of the three I'd like to have Tarquin at my back in a fight. He's evil, but he's a man of his word, and exudes an aura of confidence.

For the loser's bracket, it's easier. I never particularly cared for Ganji and Enor, and Leeky made a good one-off joke. But in my mind, The Oracle wins this one hands-down.

[TRH]

Vaarsuvius for the main Tournament, for a number of reasons. For me, I'd say the most compelling of these reasons is the way the elf copes with adversity, whether tragic or comic with the same weary sort of dignity. She's well aware of the fact that she's the universe's favorite chew toy, but refuses to give up in spite of that; it's a very Charlie Brownish sort of appeal, and I'd say it's the main reason I haven't lost all patience for her arc. No matter how much the universe goes out of its way to make V impotent, I can't help but root for her to get back up and try again. It's one thing to make a character suffer, but quite another to subject said character to indignity after indignity for interminably long periods, only to somehow increase the reader's desire to see that character defy fate and succeed in some fashion. A truly remarkable feat of characterization.

Oracle for Loser's Cup. Just makes too much sense, and I would really hate for Gannji to win instead, what with how much I hated those two bounty hunters. Oh, and the Oracle's adorable and hilarious. Sounds good to me.

[MasterBisham]

Tarquin x Leeky

I was rooting for either Belkar or Elan to win the whole shebang. You people are all dead to me. Deeeaaaad!!! :smalltongue:

[Knaight]

Vaarsuvius - I could have gone for Haley, but V slightly edged her out. Tarquin is in consideration only inasmuch as it looks like V has a better shot at ensuring Tarquin doesn't win than Haley does.

Gannji - I don't even know how Leeky made it this far. That said, The Oracle is a pretty strong side-character, and Gannji making second in the Loser's cup is entirely valid.

[Liliet]

Vaarsuvius.
V is the best OotS character. V needs to win. V is already in semi-finals. I trust people to know who's THE best.

Ganji.
I may have had a bit of doubt there, but you were so kind as to bring up in the description the very moment I like him for, so... Ganji it is. He's not Good, but neither are other condenders.

AND LET THE BEST PET PONY CHARACTER WIN.

PS - TRH, you're speaking in my voice there.

[Ramax]

I think it would be awesome if an evil character won this! I was hoping for Belkar, but alas it wasn't meant to be. Let's go Tarquin!

Oh and Oracle for LC

[Meph]

Tarquin. Kobold oracle.

[ti'esar]

Actually, going to vote for Vaarsuvius. I still don't know whether V is a better character than Haley, but V has a better chance of beating Tarquin - and while I do like him, he does not deserve to win this tournament.

[ZLordZ]

Winner's Cup is tough. O-Chul hand's down would have been my pick. Then Malack at some point for being so enigmatic. All of the OOTS have their fine points. So, onto the choices.

Runner up 2: Haley. I completely love her character and am at a loss voting her out. She's sharp, dynamic and streetsmart.

Runner up 1: Varsuvius. Very upsetting. V has one of the greatest arcs in this story, which ties in nicely with O-Chul and MITD. The consequences of past actions that led V -> Darth V, Darth V's dire actions and the consequences of these down the road were all Jaw dropping moments for me.

Which leaves us with: Tarquin

Though he is not the main villain, he IS the genre savvy tyrant who rules (mostly) through fear and intimidation. Yet he is so smooth about it you have to commend him for it. Charisma and Savvyness are the traits he has in common with his son Elan. One has to applaud dictator who read the Evil Overlord lists and laughs in the face of the 4th wall.

Speaking of Elan: although he would not have been my top pick, I do appreciate Elan enough that had he won I'd be totally fine with it.

Loser's Cup is simple: Kobold Oracle.

Every page he's on is comedy gold. Much like the homicidal halfling, who is in turn the bane of all Kobolds. There isn't a dull moment when he is onscreen...

Well, maybe this: http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0571.html

[Needle]

FCT

I could make a long stance, as I did before, but I'll try to be short this time since I'm pretty sure most people are bored :smallbiggrin:

I like Tarquin a lot, he was someone needed in the comic, or at least that's how I felt once we met him. It's like he balances the evil characters presented at the time and even show us a new thing. Out of this three, I think he comes second.

Haley is lovable, and I'm sure she's in my Top-10, yet I would say she's my least favourite of these three :smallredface:

Vaarsuvius is my favourite character. Maybe because I like how complex V is, also because V isn't always (so) serious, nor does V fails to make us laugh. I hated Redcloack and V facing together so soon, RC should've been here, but well...

That's my vote.

LC

As I said when Nale and the Oracle battled, the one who won that round would win the LC. IMHO, none of the finalist can dream of beating those two, and were lucky they were forced to face eachother on the SF. The Oracle gets my vote by a mile.

As always these standings:


1
2
3 Tarquin/Haley Starshine/Vaarsuvius
4 Belkar Bitterleaf 33 (-1) at Semifinals
5 Malack 33 (-6) at Semifinals
6 Elan 25 (-10) at Semifinals
7 Xykon 36 (-5) at Quarterfinals
8 Redcloack 33 (-2) at Quarterfinals
9 Shojo 32 (-1) at Quarterfinals ; 53 (+46) at Round 3
10 Roy Greenhilt 32 (-1) at Quarterfinals ; 42 (=0) at Round 3
11 Durkon Thundershield 32 (-10) at Quarterfinals
12 Miko Miyazaki 23 (-14) at Quarterfinals
13 Wizard Guy 9 (-24) at Quarterfinals
14 Monster in the Darkness 36 (-2) at Round 3
15 Mr. Scruffy 29 (-5) at Round 3
16 O-Chul 26 (-6) at Round 3
17 Sabine 26 (-7) at Round 3
18 Right-Eye 24 (-6) at Round 3
19 Kazumi Kato 15 (-26) at Round 3
20 Thog 15 (-34) at Round 3
21 Lien 14 (-31) at Round 3
22 Blackwing 7 (-46) at Round 3
23 Demon Roaches 6 (-38) at Round 3
24 Enor 4 (-40) at Round 3
25 Thor 19 (-2) at Round 2
26 Zz'dtri 18 (-1) at Round 2
27 Celia 17 (-4) at Round 2
28 Tsukiko 17 (-6) at Round 2
29 Ancient Black Dragon 17 (-9) at Round 2
30 Jirix 14 (-12) at Round 2
31 Chief 13 (-15) at Round 2
32 Qarr 11 (-19) at Round 2
33 Hinjo 11 (-22) at Round 2
34 Banjo 11 (-25) at Round 2
35 Niu 10 (-19) at Round 2
36 Daigo Da- 9 (-29) at Round 2 ; 37 (+25) at Round 1
37 Therkla 9 (-29) at Round 2 ; 23 (+13) at Round 1
38 Grand Larcenist 8 (-19) at Round 2
39 IFCC 8 (-21) at Round 2
40 Bozzok 8 (-24) at Round 2
41 Flumphs 7 (-24) at Round 2
42 Pit Fiend 6 (-27) at Round 2
43 Daimyo Kubota 4 (-31) at Round 2
44 Crystal 4 (-34) at Round 2
45 Soon Kim 4 (-40) at Round 2
46 chief grukgruk 3 (-29) at Round 2
47 Ian Starshine 2 (-35) at Round 2
48 Phil Rodriguez 2 (-36) at Round 2
49
50
51 Kobold Oracle/Gannji/Leeky Windstaff
52 Nale 29 (-15) at LC Semifinals
53 Julio Scoundrél 27 (-3) at LC Semifinals
54 Eugene Greenhilt 22 (-12) at LC Semifinals
55 Ho Thanh 23 (-23) at LC Quarterfinals
56 Greysky Priest 19 (-39) at LC Quarterfinals
57 Sara Greenhilt 19 (-20) at LC Quarterfinals
58 Skullsy 16 (-25) at LC Quarterfinals
59 Empress of Blood 13 (-31) at LC Quarterfinals
60 Horace Greenhilt 12 (-37) at LC Quarterfinals
61 Hank 27 (-2) at LC Round 2
62 Girard Draketooth 23 (-10) at LC Round 2
63 Roy's Archon 21 (-7) at LC Round 2
64 Julia Greenhilt 19 (-24) at LC Round 2
65 Kilkil 18 (-9) at LC Round 2
66 Geoff 18 (-14) at LC Round 2
67 Booted Wight 16 (-18) at LC Round 2
68 Death Knight 16 (-24) at LC Round 2
69 Inkyrius 16 (-29) at LC Round 2
70 Adolescent Black Dragon 8 (-51) at LC Round 2
71 Old Blind Pete 7 (-58) at LC Round 2
72 Hylgia Firehelm 4 (-40) at LC Round 2
73 "Kaboom" Redaxe 17 (-1) at LC Round 1
74 Trigak 16 (-4) at LC Round 1
75 Zit-Faced Goblin 15 (-4) at LC Round 1
76 Yokyok 14 (-7) at LC Round 1 ; 10 (-13) at Round 1
77 Samantha 14 (-7) at LC Round 1 ; 4 (-18) at Round 1
78 Amun-Zora 14 (-8) at LC Round 1
79 Pompey 13 (-14) at LC Round 1
80 Evisceratus 13 (-15) at LC Round 1
81 Samantha's Dad 12 (-19) at LC Round 1
82 Jenny 11 (-13) at LC Round 1
83 General Chang 10 (-14) at LC Round 1
84 Sangwaan 10 (-15) at LC Round 1 ; 10 (-1) at Round 1
85 Yikyik 10 (-15) at LC Round 1 ; 7 (-18) at Round 1
86 Shadowdancer 10 (-20) at LC Round 1
87 Huecuva 9 (-14) at LC Round 1
88 Yukyuk 9 (-15) at LC Round 1
89 Gladiator Warden 9 (-21) at LC Round 1
90 Team Peregrine Comm. 7 (-20) at LC Round 1
91 Gortok the Destroyer 6 (-25) at LC Round 1
92 Eyepatched Res. Leader 5 (-26) at LC Round 1
93 Mr. Jones 5 (-28) at LC Round 1
94 Knot-topped Res. Leader 5 (-29) at LC Round 1
95 Rookie Cop 2 (-36) at LC Round 1 ; 12 (-25) at Round 1
96 Hieronymus Grubwiggler 2 (-36) at LC Round 1 ; 4 (-29) at Round 1

And go go go V!! :smallbiggrin:

PS: Woo, I got promoted to Orc itP, that's thanks to this tourney :smalltongue:

[Mr.Rictus]

Hadn't been here for a loooong time, but I could not miss the finale :D
I would have liked to see Redcloak, but I wasn't available during his matchup. My vote goes to Tarquin. V is a great character, Haley is likeable, but Tarquin spins the entire concept of villainy on it's head, and the one that struly inspires my respect by how dedicated he is. And fear.

[Paisley]

As a previous poster noted, I'm in awe of how balanced the contestants for the final round turned out to be. Lawful Evil, Chaotic Good, True Neutral. Male, female, androgynous. It's pretty darn amazing.

That said, one vote for Vaarsuvius, please.

And one for the Oracle. Not that he needs it.

[Codyage]

Haley
Oracle

Chances are Tarquin or V will take the cup.

[Rasputin]

Main Tournament

(And I want to say what an a awesome testament to the Giant it is that the three best-liked characters in the comic are one male, one female, and one ambiguously-gendered. How many works can you say that about?)

Not just that, it's an impressive alignment spread as well. Chaotic Good; Neutral; Lawful Evil.

Chaotic Evil missed the Finals by a vote. Really, Lawful Good is the only alignment without a top notch showing with Roy & Durkon both being defeated by evil characters (Roy barely, and took a second time). Ignoring all the 'Neutral X' alignments anyway.

[Sylian]

Really, Lawful Good is the only alignment without a top notch showing with Roy & Durkon both being defeated by evil characters (Roy barely, and took a second time).Had O-Chul not faced V, he probably would have gone far. V is one of the most popular characters in the comic, though, perhaps even the most popular.

[Kish]

So it appears. Alas for Good.

[johnonymous]

Tarquin Two votes down I think? Good that the finalis so close

[Amoras]

If :redcloak: was in this it would have been an easy choice.

without him its a hard choice between V and T.

While i like Haley she never had a really amazing moment a lot of good ones but nothing spectacular.

I love the way tarquin knows his role and his speech to elan was one of the greatest of all times.

but in the end there can be only one winner.

Vaarsuvius Tons of great moments throughout the entire story, mighty displays of magic from the tentacles of forced intrution, Removing Kubota so nonchalant, to the genocidal power of familicite. Plenty of funny moments aswell. She deserves the win.

As for the others Ganji, not much reason i yust find him a likeable guy.

[Procyonpi]

Well, this turned out to be a relatively easy choice for me, although partially because some of my favorites (Elan, MitD, Julio) got eliminated early.

Haley, Oracle.

[Squirrel_Token]

Definitely Haley :smallsmile:

[Romanes eunt do]

Haley

and

The Oracle

[Milionac]

Tarquin, of course.

[ArnoudX]

Tarquin and The Oracle.

[Zerter]

Tarquin and Gannji.

A few weeks ago someone that never played D&D before joined our group. She made a character: red hair, rogue, female, shoots with bows, chaotic good yet greedy. Not someone that reads the comic or anything. To me Haley is a nice character, but she, behind only Durkon maybe, is as cookiecutter as it gets.

Vaarsuvius is great. I would not mind Vaarsuvius winning. Vaarsuvius represents this whole of talents and wants, someone that might resemble you in some way. Or that resembles someone you know, but that you can never get a clear picture off as their lives are not presented to you in comic format.

Tarquin is pure awesome. Not much to say really. His only weak point is that his evilness gets overplayed in the comic. No need for him to burn slaves. The biggest weakness the comic has, evil characters either have to be redeemed or they have to be truely evil and punished. Still, until the point where he will be stopped Tarquin makes for a nice villain.

[Rasputin]

Tarquin is pure awesome. Not much to say really. His only weak point is that his evilness gets overplayed in the comic. No need for him to burn slaves. The biggest weakness the comic has, evil characters either have to be redeemed or they have to be truely evil and punished.

"truely evil" Being of evil alignment is now like a blood type? "Tarquin is B-positive and Lawful Evil-Truely" "Belkar is O-negative and Chaotic Evil-Redeemable" What? Also, how is his evil being (fairly) portrayed in the comic a weak point? He is running an empire via fear, intimidation, and a little torture... (his words, but backed up by his actions) Burning the escaped slaves plays to that perfectly. It isn't overplayed at all. It's what Tarquin does to maintain control. Good people tend to enjoy acts of good, why would you think evil people not enjoy acts of evil? It isn't a weakness of the comic to portray that.

Burning those slaves was probably very satisfying to him. As far as the comic as a whole - it seems pretty fair. A fallen paladin; Kubota getting disintegrated; a random gnomish murder; Vaarsuvius in general. The thieves guild was left more or less intact minus Crystal - they didn't seem to be punished much. The half-orc is still in charge.

[Bird]

So, I've gotta ask: what's the tie-breaking mechanism? A short runoff of the top vote-getters? Oppyu finally gets to cast a vote, perhaps?

[Mike Havran]

So, I've gotta ask: what's the tie-breaking mechanism? A short runoff of the top vote-getters? Oppyu finally gets to cast a vote, perhaps?

A consistent choice would be a tie on the first place - why not? Or maybe it would be sum of all votes the character got in the tournament, or maybe percentage?


His only weak point is that his evilness gets overplayed in the comic.

I'm not so sure. His evilness gets displayed. Tarquin is not a perfect villain, he has his flaws. If he had been perfect with regards to his proclaimed role, he would never have tortured women that refused his proposal. It only brings about black marks and I don't think that in a war-ravaged dictatorship, there's a shortage of pretty young women who would like to marry a head general. On the other hand, executing escaped slaves could be considered a standard fare in a slavery-based country.

[Bird]

A consistent choice would be a tie on the first place - why not? Or maybe it would be sum of all votes the character got in the tournament, or maybe percentage?
A tie, eh? That could work. I don't think that relying on whole-tournament percentages/votes would be as fun, since that would come down to factors that (1) were determined before this round even began, and (2) are 50% determined by the strength of the characters' opposing draws.

[Kish]

A tie means both characters are disqualified and the vote goes to the third character.

(Had to try it.)

[Draz74]

Vaarsuvius, Leeky Windstaff. I feel like I've expounded enough on why.

V wouldn't have been my top choice out of the whole tournament, but ze would have been pretty high on the list.

Leeky might have been my top choice out of the characters in the LCT. Glad he went all the way.

[oppyu]

Ruling now, in case of a tie vote, all the characters are disqualified and Elan wins the title! :smallbiggrin:

...

Or we have tied winners. Whatever seems fairest to you guys.

[Porthos]

Ruling now, in case of a tie vote, all the characters are disqualified and Elan wins the title! :smallbiggrin:

...

Or we have tied winners. Whatever seems fairest to you guys.

Elan winning works for me. :smalltongue:

[Bird]

Ruling now, in case of a tie vote, all the characters are disqualified and Elan wins the title! :smallbiggrin:
If we're going with a sentimental rather than statistical victor, there can only be one choice: in the case of a tie, the title must devolve to Wizard Guy.

He's earned that much.

[Caivs]

Logged in right on time. Tarquin, though I seriously hesitated between him and V. She's way more complex and well built, but Tarquin is still definitely my favourite between the three due to his humor, charisma and energy. I never enjoyed V's presence THAT much. I would explain it further but I'm tired and it could be a matter of time before the tournament ends :D

Oracle

[oppyu]

Logged in right on time. Tarquin, though I seriously hesitated between him and V. She's way more complex and well built, but Tarquin is still definitely my favourite between the three due to his humor, charisma and energy. I never enjoyed V's presence THAT much. I would explain it further but I'm tired and it could be a matter of time before the tournament ends :D

Oracle
Note to anyone else reading the thread; voting is open until the Thursday, August 1, 8am AEST. 'Right on time' is any time between now and then.

[kxm]

Most fair tiebreaker would be a run-off vote, but if not


If we're going with a sentimental rather than statistical victor, there can only be one choice: in the case of a tie, the title must devolve to Wizard Guy.

He's earned that much.

I second this

[Needle]

I'm sure Wizard Guy will have a special prize :smalltongue:

But if a tie happens at the top, I agree with shared winners, there'll be a new tournament if they want to clash votes again, right? :smallbiggrin:

[sam79]

Unless oppyu wants to cast a deciding vote (and I think that right has been well and truly earned), I'd vote for a run-off between the tied characters. This is the Favourite Character Tournament, not Favourite Characters Tournament, so let's have one more round and get a decisive winner.

I never voted for Wizard Guy, but some sort of 'Dark Horse' medal would seem to be in order.

[Crusher]

I propose that if there is a two-way tie in a three-way final that it be settled by eliminating the candidate in last place and then holding a run-off between the remaining two (maybe just 3 days? I dont think we need a whole 'nother week).

But if theres a THREE way tie then theres no one to eliminate and we must take it as a sign from the gods that Wizard Guy is divinely mandated to win. Same thing if there's a two way run off and it ends in a tie.

[Torrasque]

I agree with a random assortment of posts above this.
a 3 way tie: Wizard guy wins by divine intervention
a 2 way tie: The two tied characters go into another final
a 1 way tie: Put it on and go to a fancy dress party.

[Rakoa]

I vote in favour of any above idea involving Wizard Guy. I also think Oppyu deserves a tie breaking vote.

[Draz74]

I agree with a random assortment of posts above this.
a 3 way tie: Wizard guy wins by divine intervention
a 2 way tie: The two tied characters go into another final
a 1 way tie: Put it on and go to a fancy dress party.

Yes, this.

[Gift Jeraff]

I think the goblins from Strip #001 should win in the event of a tie.

[martianmister]

I think the goblins from Strip #001 should win in the event of a tie.

But which one? We need to do another tournament for them.

[apenpaap]

I vote for the one who says "Grrrr!" in panel one: the very first character to speak in OOTS. (Unless you count the cast page, in which case it's Elan (unless you count the books in which case it's some fighter (unless you count the prequels in which case it's Xykon)))

[white lancer]

I can't help but wonder how this most recent strip would have affected the placement for two certain characters...

[Belkar<3]

If we're going with a sentimental rather than statistical victor, there can only be one choice: in the case of a tie, the title must devolve to Wizard Guy.

He's earned that much.

That's true. His losing match was probably rigged. :smallwink:

[Belkar<3]

By the way, when is the voting closed, because there have been a couple of strips. It used to be a round a strip but I know oppyu changed that.

[Porthos]

By the way, when is the voting closed, because there have been a couple of strips. It used to be a round a strip but I know oppyu changed that.


Ok, quick bit of housekeeping. This round will go on until August 1, 8AM AEST. Which is basically exactly seven days from now. I appreciate all the votes you guys have sent in, and the patience you've had with my late and occasionally lazy updating.

Ok, now you can vote!

There you go. :smallsmile:

[Harbinger]

Vaarsuvius and Gannji.

[Draz74]

I can't help but wonder how this most recent strip would have affected the placement for two certain characters...

Well, yeah, but that's always going to be the case unless we wait for the story to end before we do a Favorite Character Tournament ...

[Bovine Colonel]

Haley Starshine

Gannji

[VanaGalen]

Vaarsuvius

and

Oracle

[pasta]

Vaarsuvius and the Oracle.

[137beth]

Tomorrow....it all ends:smalleek:

[Bird]

Tarquin was really hanging in there for a while, but looks like V cracked the can open.

[Rakoa]

Somebody! Quick! Do a tally!

[Bird]

Somebody! Quick! Do a tally!
Tag. :smalltongue:

[oppyu]

Tag. :smalltongue:
I'm it.

18: Tarquin - 32 - 36.78%
3: Haley Starshine - 20 - 22.99%
5: Vaarsuvius - 35 - 40.23%

Kobold Oracle - 48 - 60.76%
3: Gannji - 20 - 25.32%
Leeky Windstaff - 11 - 13.92%

Just under 10 hours to go, so submit/modify your votes while you can!

[Lightning Fast]

Ah, I should vote. Don't want another Durkon incident.

Tarquin and Gannji.

[sam79]

I'm it.

18: Tarquin - 32 - 36.78%
3: Haley Starshine - 20 - 22.99%
5: Vaarsuvius - 35 - 40.23%

Kobold Oracle - 48 - 60.76%
3: Gannji - 20 - 25.32%
Leeky Windstaff - 11 - 13.92%

Just under 10 hours to go, so submit/modify your votes while you can!

Thanks for the count- up. That's...very close. Tarrquin started off really strongly, but V has pulled ahead with the last few votes. Not at all surprised about the results in the Loser's Cup, but Haley's weak showing in the final is not something I'd have predicted.

BTW oppyu; any decision yet on what to do in the event of a tie?

[oppyu]

Thanks for the count- up. That's...very close. Tarrquin started off really strongly, but V has pulled ahead with the last few votes. Not at all surprised about the results in the Loser's Cup, but Haley's weak showing in the final is not something I'd have predicted.

BTW oppyu; any decision yet on what to do in the event of a tie?
After reading through the thread, I'm partial to a run-off vote, although I'm happy to change my mind to tied winners if the next ten posts are to the effect of 'THAT'S A TERRIBLE IDEA AND YOU ARE STUPID FOR EVEN CONSIDERING IT, YOU STUPID, STUPID PERSON.'

[sam79]

After reading through the thread, I'm partial to a run-off vote, although I'm happy to change my mind to tied winners if the next ten posts are to the effect of 'THAT'S A TERRIBLE IDEA AND YOU ARE STUPID FOR EVEN CONSIDERING IT, YOU STUPID, STUPID PERSON.'

THAT'S A TERRIBLE ID-

No, seriously. Good call, IMO.

[Uchiha Richard]

Tarquin and the Oracle

[Veralos]

Favorite Character Tournament:
1. Vaarsuvius - As a verbose and deadpan powerful wizard V is cool enough, but what ultimately puts her over the top is the whole soul-selling thing. I enjoy the darker side to her character.
2. Haley - A well rounded and likeable character, but she lacks some of the edge that V has.
3. Tarquin - Tarquin's genre savvy shtick is entertaining, but that's about it. He's a bit overrated, honestly.

Loser's Cup:
1. Kobold Oracle - This guy is great basically every time he appears. The way the Oracle abuses his psychic abilities is always amusing, plus he makes for interesting foreshadowing.
2. Gannji - The lizard has plenty of great moments and an interesting dynamic with Enor.
3. Leeky Windstaff - I like Leeky, but he's not one of my favorites.

[Rakoa]

I think you've decided on the second best course of action, oppyu. The best one, of course, being anything with Wizard Guy.

[oppyu]

Not gonna spam you guys with vote updates every time someone votes, but I feel it's worth mentioning that Tarquin is now one vote away from Vaarsuvius. I know both characters have vocal hatedoms as well as fandoms, so if you really don't want a character to win... :smallsmile:

EDIT: Ninja'd with a vote, it's now two votes. Point still stands of course.

[Conte_Vincero]

I can't remember if I've voted or not
Tarquin

and
Tarquin

[Green Dragonfly]

While I totally loved Tarquin's reasoning in #763 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0763.html) - honestly, I don't think I've ever been so impressed by any villainous plan, in any story - his genre-savvyness has gotten much more tiresome in the recent comics. So I have to go with Vaarsuvius here. He and Redcloak are definitely the best characters in the story overall.

Also, Gannji for the Loser's Cup.

[Rasputin]

Change my earlier Abstain to Tarquin

Not because I suddenly care which of the three wins (I don't) but I'd really like to see a tie. I enjoyed the Roy & Malack tie, then the rematch with 3 choices. This time would be a three choice option devolving into mano y shemano.

(Still bitter over Bitterleaf.)

[Solse]

The whole "Darth V" arc and the Blackwing stuff really make Vaarsuvius my favorite character. Plus, wizard is my favorite class, so bonus points there.

For the LC, I vote for Ganjii.

[Imdead]

tarquin and kobold

[Milionac]

I vote for Tarquin and Gannji.

[oppyu]

One hour to go!

[Bird]

Tied up!

oppyu, I think that the run-off and tied winners are both fine ideas, with the important caveat of: Wizard Guy.

[Rakoa]

I'm with Bird on that one.

[Bird]

I think oppyu's move of including WG's name in the last thread title was the right one. Proposing that any future incarnation of the tournament be renamed "The Wizard Guy Classic." :smallcool:

[Needle]

Or the Wizard Guy Award to the Dark Horse of the next tourneys :smalltongue:

[Torrasque]

And once again this tournament is great at luring out the lurkers in the forum :)
5 july 2013'ers in this voting round. Almost as many as there was april 2013'ers in the Malack v Roy fight!

[oppyu]

And once again this tournament is great at luring out the lurkers in the forum :)
5 july 2013'ers in this voting round. Almost as many as there was april 2013'ers in the Malack v Roy fight!
And one Aug 2013'er... not that I want to take credit for expanding the forum or anything :smallbiggrin:

FIFTEEN MINUTES TO GO!

[Tamari]

Tied up!


No, it's not, I took all of the 10 seconds to check- Conte Vincero already voted for Tarquin once...

Unfortunately, Haley is so far behind that any vote for her at this point would be merely symbolic :smallfrown:

I used to really like Vaarsuvius, first 400 strips or so, and even though Familicide (or rather the next few hundred strips where the elf was acting like nothing has happened) infuriated me to no end... I've made one promise when first seeing the thread name: Tarquin will not win, not if I can help it. So Vaarsuvius it is.

[oppyu]

It's all over! Analysis and whatnot to come in the next few days, but here's the important stuff.

18: Tarquin - 36 - 37.89%
3: Haley Starshine - 20 - 21.05%
5: Vaarsuvius - 39 - 41.05%

Kobold Oracle - 51 - 59.30%
3: Gannji - 24 - 27.91%
Leeky Windstaff - 11 - 12.79%

People who accidentally or intentionally (:smalleek:) tried to doublevote for Tarquin
Conte_Vincero
Milionac

Peelee-Appointed Honorary Winner
O-Chul

So long, and thanks for all the fish! Also, for voting in this tournament!

EDIT: What, you think this originally said Porthos-Appointed? Well, you're wrong, and you smell bad. Shut up.

[Demolator]

Today is a sad day indeed for the forces of evil.

[Porthos]

Tarquin lost?

This calls for a celebration. :smallcool: :smallcool:


Porthos-Appointed Honorary Winner
O-Chul

:smallbiggrin: :smallbiggrin: :smallbiggrin:

[Bird]

Thanks for running it, oppyu. :) This has been a lot of fun.

[ti'esar]

Today is a sad day indeed for the forces of evil.

I expect there's some people who will dispute that.

[rs2excelsior]

The one I voted for didn't win, but my top two characters got the top two slots. So I really can't complain :smallbiggrin:

[JBiddles]

YES! You did it, Suvie!

Ahem.

So, I'm unfamiliar with how this was all worked out (I'm going to assume witchcraft), but were characters who lost rounds moved to the Loser's Cup, or was that a separate contest? I was hoping for V as FCT winner and O-Chul as LC, but I don't recall O-Chul in the LC.

[Kish]

I expect there's some people who will dispute that.
Today is definitely a sad day for the forces of good, however.

...I think I will ignore all winners stated in oppyu's post except O-Chul. Yay O-Chul!

[Kish]

YES! You did it, Suvie!

Ahem.

So, I'm unfamiliar with how this was all worked out (I'm going to assume witchcraft), but were characters who lost rounds moved to the Loser's Cup, or was that a separate contest? I was hoping for V as FCT winner and O-Chul as LC, but I don't recall O-Chul in the LC.
Only those who never won a round (that is, those who were eliminated in the first round) counted as Losers for the Loser's Cup.

[oppyu]

YES! You did it, Suvie!

Ahem.

So, I'm unfamiliar with how this was all worked out (I'm going to assume witchcraft), but were characters who lost rounds moved to the Loser's Cup, or was that a separate contest? I was hoping for V as FCT winner and O-Chul as LC, but I don't recall O-Chul in the LC.
Loser's Cup was everyone eliminated in the first round (well, mostly everyone... I decided not to give the three soul splices a second chance, because I'm a mean person) put into a new tourney.

Ninja'd.

[Needle]

Yay! :smallbiggrin:

V V V V V V V :smallcool:

Anyways, besides my favourite won, I must thank oppyu for this, it was wonderful and something I hope everyone who voted enjoyed as I did, regardless of winners and losers :smallsmile:

Hope there's a next time! :smallbiggrin:

[Rakoa]

People who accidentally or intentionally (:smalleek:) tried to doublevote for Tarquin
Conte_Vincero
Milionac

Leave it to the Tarquin voters to try and cheat. Evil and all that. :smallwink:

[white lancer]

Leave it to the Tarquin voters to try and cheat. Evil and all that. :smallwink:

Tarquin's too Lawful to support such nonsense. :P

Huzzah for Vaarsuvius! She would have been my prediction from the start, but there were some very close calls from some very worthy opponents. I'm surprised Tarquin made such a run at it (and that Haley fell so far behind)--he must be more popular than I give him credit for. I didn't even really expect him to beat Malack, though I voted for him there. Difficult to say how the three-way contest might have changed things, or if things would have been different if we had ranked the three from best to worst instead--conventional wisdom would be that Haley probably took more votes from her fellow PC than from Tarquin, but it could go either way.

[Demolator]

Today is definitely a sad day for the forces of good, however.

...I think I will ignore all winners stated in oppyu's post except O-Chul. Yay O-Chul!

Well, at least it was a GREAT day for the forces of neutral!

This was actually a pretty awesome tournament. I think we all learned a lot about why we like the cast of this masterpiece of a comic :smallbiggrin:, and it was so beast when I thought someone was gonna' win by a long shot and then it ended up being really close I was like :smalleek: omagawd suspense!

We should all tell our children and our children's children and our children's children's children legends of this tournament so its greatness will be forever recognized.

[Bird]

Well, at least it was a GREAT day for the forces of neutral!
http://videogamewriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/futurama-neutral-maybe1.jpg

[Bluepaw]

Hooray for the Ambiguous Elf and the never-dull forces of Neutral! Someone run up the Swiss flag, then cover it with explosive runes and run 50,000 volts of chain lighting up the flagpole.

And hey, a HUGE thank-you to Oppyu for taking the time to run this thing for the rest of us. Here, have one piping-hot, fresh-from-the-oven internets pie.

[The Curt Jester]

Grrr! I missed the last semi-final (Belkar would have made it!) and the final because of vacation. Can we re-run this round? :smallbiggrin:

[Paisley]

We should all tell our children and our children's children and our children's children's children legends of this tournament so its greatness will be forever recognized.

Hear, hear. I'll go round up the bards.

[Mike Havran]

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g68/Cats_Are_Aliens/Banners/Tarquin.png Eh, it's always better to be the man behind the man elf anyway.

Huge thanks to oppyu for the idea of the tournament and its management. There was a lot of fun and tension, especially both of the Roy-Malack duels were amazing.

So... what's next?

[oppyu]

So... what's next?
At some point in the next few days I type out some of the stats I have in the Excel document to try and keep this thread and myself relevant for a little while longer, and you all pretend to be interested because I ran the tournament and you still have some goodwill left over that.

Then... *shrugs*. Most Hated Character Tournament?

[Bird]

At some point in the next few days I type out some of the stats I have in the Excel document to try and keep this thread and myself relevant for a little while longer, and you all pretend to be interested because I ran the tournament and you still have some goodwill left over that.

Then... *shrugs*. Most Hated Character Tournament?
In all sincerity, I really do find all the little stats interesting when it comes to stuff like this. The little bits of commentary that you gave on every match towards the beginning of the tournament were lots of fun, too.

"Most hated character" sounds like a spicy time. :smallwink: Not sure how I'd vote in that, since I honestly don't hate a single character in the comic -- I just find some of them more interesting to read about than others.

[Sylian]

Nice, V won! Also, I'd like to thank oppyu for hosting this character! Good job! If you're up for it, you could host another one in a year. Oh, and Most Hater Character could actually be interesting, heh. :smallamused:

If you host it again, might I suggest that you do a more extensive Loser's Cup, so that it won't just be the loser's from first round? Perhaps using a site to help you create a tournament that's easier for us to view, such as Challonge (http://challonge.com/).

[Rakoa]

Most Hated Character sounds awesome. For the first time, I'm hoping that Wizard Guy doesn't win.

[Mike Havran]

I doubt that Most Hated Character will be well-received. Sounds a bit on the Negative Side :smalltongue:

Perhaps we can do placement tournaments (LC was placement tournament for those that got out in the firs round) among those characters that got out in the second round, third round and also later rounds in the LC?

[Rakoa]

I doubt that Most Hated Character will be well-received. Sounds a bit on the Negative Side :smalltongue:

Perhaps we can do placement tournaments (LC was placement tournament for those that got out in the firs round) among those characters that got out in the second round, third round and also later rounds in the LC?

I really like this suggestion. We should definitely continue the LC into losers from other rounds. Perhaps a tournament by the round (round 2 losers fight, round 3 losers fight, and so on) and then the victors of each round do battle for King of the Losers?

[Torrasque]

And so we end up with V as the winner.
I must admit that was not on the top of my predictions as to the most popular character, when this all started. She has such a big hatedom (or at least had) and there are other characters who are almost unanimously liked, though not necessarily favored.

Thanks for running the tournament and giving us all a lot of fun Oppyu :)

I must say though, the tournament format has been absolutely horrid.
The lack of a losers bracket, and instead a useless losers cup, didn't really give the tournament anything and meant that the initial seedings was incredibly important in determining the outcome of the tournament. It would have been nice to see those with a tough draw fight their way back through the losers bracket and also give us a much more comprehensive picture of popularity, other than just who came first.
Worst of all though, was the fact that the number of contestants was not even calculated to align with finals/semifinals, so we had 3 way matches :D

Mind you, im not blaming Oppyu for any of this. He just had a brilliant idea for a contest, and got blindsided by its popularity (as did we all). Once it was under way there was nothing to do about the shortcomings, so there was no real option other than see it through.
It just leaves me feeling a little sad about the wasted potential, since it will feel kinda stupid to do it all again in another format.

[sam79]

First things first: massive thanks to oppyu. A good job, well done.

Second things second: V. A worthy winner, in my view, even if my absolute favourite character. She divides opinions, and not just about her gender. IMO she has retained (and earned) some degree of sympathy from the audience, despite commiting acts so horrific in nature and scale that they might even make Tarquin say "well...hang on a moment". A character who has both revealed hidden depths and developed significantly since the beginning of the story, and who has a long and, I have no doubt, satisfying story ahead of her. Bravo!

Third things third: Stats. Yes please!

Fourth things fourth: A Most Hated Character Tournament could be ok, but...well we're all sensible and level-headed people here, right? It won't caue any...problems? Will it?

On a related note; using an author's website to deliberately nitpick and trash his creations, while probably acceptable under the forum rules and possibly could even contain contructive criticism...it just seems a little impolite. I'd suggest a Tournament about something more positive (Funniest, Best Drawn, One I'd Most Like To Date/Marry).

Lastly; well played the Oracle. I'm sure he could have done some damage in the main competition, had he not had the misfortune to be drawn against...wait, he lost to the MitD!?!?!??!!! I DEMAND a re-match!

[LadyEowyn]

V's probably my favourite character (with the other top contenders being Redcloak and O-Chul - I'm very surprised they didn't do better as both seem extraordinarily popular, but I think they were both up against V which put them at a major disadvantage), so I'm happy with the tournament's outcome. Glad Tarquin the Overrated didn't win.

I'm rather interested in the idea of a Most Disliked tournament, sorting out the characters who people are just kind of apathetic about from the ones they actively dislike. Some of the top contenders may be the same as ones in this tournament, for the more polarizing characters. I'd bet on Miko to win, though.

[Torrasque]

I'm rather interested in the idea of a Most Disliked tournament, sorting out the characters who people are just kind of apathetic about from the ones they actively dislike. Some of the top contenders may be the same as ones in this tournament, for the more polarizing characters. I'd bet on Miko to win, though.

I think you are right that many of the top contenders will be the same.

While i don't find the idea of a most hated character tournament all too great, I do like the idea that V might win that one too :)

[Needle]

I hate Celia so much I'd vote her all the way to the finals, then vote whoever else just so she doesn't win anything :smallannoyed:

(yes, I hated how she slowed down Haley and Belkar :smallsigh: )

I'd be happy if a rerun happens tho, using this tournaments results as seedings to see if anything changes. I joined when R2 was starting and Nale was already out, something I wouldn't "let" happen :smalltongue: (and try to get 128 characters... why not :smallbiggrin: )

[Crusher]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Bah. Oh well.

Enormous thank you to Oppyu for running this madness all the way through. Also, it provided an unexpected dose of self-insight. Do I really like Belkar more than Xyokon? Why? What does it say about me?

You've probably saved me dozens of therapy sessions! Thanks!

[white lancer]

I don't really hate any of the characters in the comic, either. A few, like Celia, annoyed me at times, but I think all of the major characters at least have their bright spots.

Also, a Most Hated Character tourney would have to be in a completely different format...otherwise, it would be just like this one, but in reverse (and the later rounds would be between people who are barely characters).

[Rakoa]

I stand by the idea of continuing the Losers Cup to determine the King of the Losers.

[Demolator]

I like the idea of continuing the Losers Cup, but wouldn't it just be everyone's second favorite character (besides V) or something?

[Rakoa]

I like the idea of continuing the Losers Cup, but wouldn't it just be everyone's second favorite character (besides V) or something?

Most likely? Yes. But it'll give a better idea where certain other characters stand in terms of popularity. And it'll be fun! Plus, Tarquin is second favorite and Hayley third, so I wouldn't see a point in putting them into the new tournament.

[Gift Jeraff]

Most likely? Yes. But it'll give a better idea where certain other characters stand in terms of popularity. And it'll be fun! Plus, Tarquin is second favorite and Hayley third, so I wouldn't see a point in putting them into the new tournament.

Not necessarily. Anyone V beat might have won against Haley and Tarquin. S/he did go up against Redcloak, Elan, and O-Chul. Though I think only Redcloak really had the potential to beat Tarquin.

[Rakoa]

Good point, Jeraff. I didn't think of that. I think continuing the tournaments could prove very interesting indeed.

[Rui]

Oh well, V's great too :smallsmile:

But Tarquin will be long remember! I call for another torment. This time without Vaarsuvius :smalltongue:

[Sylian]

Could, perhaps, make a tournament for Second Favourite Character, and remove V from it and make it the best 32 characters or something, heh. It might be a bit much, though. :smallredface:

[LuPuWei]

Consarnit! I hadn't meant to miss this one, truly! (but increasingly real life doth intrude upon my world... sigh...)

Anyhoo, I'd at least like to give my thanks, oppyu, for this wonderful thread and the fun its provided over the last year or so :smallsmile: (And also to note that the winning Character {or even the finalists} would not have been my first choice(s) either....)

[137beth]

Congratulations to Varsuvius. While I did vote for Haley, I still like V, and I'm glad that awful general 3rd-string villain lost:smallbiggrin:

Also, KOBOLDS!

[Math_Mage]

Heck, people Haley and Tarquin beat might give V a run for her money. Rock paper scissors and all that.

Out of curiosity, whence the honorary winner? Not that I'm complaining, of course.

[johnonymous]

I find it interesting that Hayley did so well. In another favourite character thread where people just shouted out their favourite character; Hayley was mentioned once to Belkars ten times. Would be interesting to see how this plays out with people voting for just one, two or three characters.
Many thanks to Oppyu . I really enjoyed this thread and joined the forum mainly to support Thog and Belkar!

[oppyu]

Heck, people Haley and Tarquin beat might give V a run for her money. Rock paper scissors and all that.

Out of curiosity, whence the honorary winner? Not that I'm complaining, of course.


V. Not my favorite character by a long shot, but better than Tarquin.

I really, REALLY loved Leeky Windstaff as a character. I would love a bonus story focused around him. Amazing job for such a short stint. But I gotta throw my hat to Gannji's corner. Very heartfelt for someone who started out as inauspiciously as he did. Great writing for both characters. Wonderful strip.

And why not. O-Chul. Just to see if oppyu counts that for anything.

*facepalm* Everyone, it should be Peelee-Appointed Honorary Winner. Not Porthos. Peelee. I got two people with two-syllable names starting with P confused.

[Wraithlord]

Well perhaps as other people have suggested, if any form of the tournament returns it may be a good idea to balance out the seeds so that the success or failure of some characters in the tournament isn't dependent upon who they face. There were some characters who reached the semifinals who probably would have been eliminated by earlier characters, and vice versa with early characters who may have gotten further if they had had a different starting round.

[davidbofinger]

I think "most hated character" would be most unwise.

If we're looking for a new tournament I guess we could do favourite arc. Chop the story up into bite-sized pieces, say 20 strips long, and compete e.g. #261 to #280 against #501 to #520 until we had a winner.

[apenpaap]

Well, the books already give us handy pieces like that, as they chop the story up in chapters. It'd be a little tricky to do so for the fifth book, though.

[Bird]

Favorite relationship could also be fun. I don't just mean romantic relationship -- I mean any characters who interact a lot. Which do you prefer: Belkar and Vaarsuvius; Belkar and Roy; Belkar and Haley; Belkar and Mr. Scruffy; Redcloak and Xykon; Redcloak and Tsukiko; Redcloak and O-Chul; O-Chul and MitD; Gannji and Enor... etc etc etc

[Moriwen]

Favorite relationship could also be fun. I don't just mean romantic relationship -- I mean any characters who interact a lot. Which do you prefer: Belkar and Vaarsuvius; Belkar and Roy; Belkar and Haley; Belkar and Mr. Scruffy; Redcloak and Xykon; Redcloak and Tsukiko; Redcloak and O-Chul; O-Chul and MitD; Gannji and Enor... etc etc etc

Ooh! Seconded!

We could have a first round to nominate relationships (maybe each person can nominate three) and then go from there.

This is so awesome. We should totally do this.

[Bluepaw]

Thirded. This could get very interesting. The trick is picking which ones to have in the running...?

[Bird]

The FCT had 96 entrants, yeah? Wouldn't be hard to come up with that many.

To think of some general categories of relationships that could be included:

All of the inter-Order relationships -- (Haley & Belkar, Elan & Vaarsuvius, Roy & Durkon, etc)

Romantic relationships, whether succesful, abortive, duplicitous or otherwise -- (Durkon & Hilgya, Nale & Haley, Roy & Celia, etc)

Family -- (Right-Eye & Redcloak, Roy & Julia, Haley & Ian, etc)

Rivals -- (Tsukiko & Redcloak, Miko & Belkar, Girard & Soon, etc)

Masters/Pets, Gods/Worshippers, etc -- (Vaarsuvius & Blackwing, Elan & Banjo, Durkon & Thor, etc)

Characters who consider themselves a pair (Gannji & Enor, Jones & Rodriguez, Malack & Tarquin, etc)

Characters with plot-critical interactions (MitD & O-Chul, Qarr & Vaarsuvius, Durkon & Malack, etc)

I guess the biggest problem is that there are so many interesting relationships.

[oppyu]

It's an interesting idea, and one that I'm interested in trying. The problem I have right now is that there are literally hundreds of pairings in the comic to choose from, and I have no idea how to choose/seed them.

[Bird]

It might be a smaller list than you'd think at first, because most of the strip revolves around a handful of characters, and even among the relatively prominent ones, there are many potential pairs who just haven't interacted much or at all (like Tarquin & Xykon, or Belkar & Thog).

Just brainstorming, I came up with a list of what I consider to be the 82 most interesting/important pairs. I left off most of the few-appearance characters. There are a few important characters that I left off, too, just because I didn't think they had any interesting relationships: Ho Thanh, Demon Roaches. Left off all the kobolds too except the Oracle, because meh.

It's an alphabetical list, and each pair is only listed once -- so Eugene/Roy is there, but not Roy/Eugune.

Ancient Black Dragon & Vaarsuvius
Argent & Hinjo
Banjo & Elan
Belkar & Durkon
Belkar & Elan
Belkar & Haley
Belkar & Miko
Belkar & Mr. Scruffy
Belkar & The Oracle
Belkar & Roy
Belkar & Shojo
Belkar & Vaarsuvius
Blackwing & Vaarsuvius
Bozzok & Haley
Celia & Haley
Celia & Roy
Crystal & Haley
Daigo Da- & Kazumi Kato
Daimyo Kubota & Elan
Daimyo Kubota & Therkla
Durkon & Elan
Durkon & Haley
Durkon & Hilgya
Durkon & Leeky Windstaff
Durkon & Malack
Durkon & Roy
Durkon & Thor
Durkon & Vaarsuvius
Elan & Haley
Elan & Julio Scoundrel
Elan & Nale
Elan & Roy
Elan & Samantha
Elan & Tarquin
Elan & Therkla
Elan & Thog
Elan & Vaarsuvius
Enor & Gannji
Eugene & Roy
Girard & Soon
Haley & Ian
Haley & Nale
Haley & Roy
Haley & Sabine
Haley & Samantha
Haley & Tsukiko
Haley & Vaarsuvius
Inkyrius & Vaarsuvius
IFCC & Vaarsuvius
Jirix & Redcloak
Julia & Roy
Kilkil & Tarquin
Lien & Razor
Malack & Nale
Malack & Tarquin
Miko & Roy
Miko & Shojo
Miko & Windstriker
MitD & O-Chul
MitD & Redcloak
MitD & Xykon
Mr. Jones & Mr. Rodriguez
Mr. Scruffy & Shojo
Nale & Roy
Nale & Sabine
Nale & Tarquin
Nale & Thog
Nale & Zz'dtri
O-Chul & Redcloak
Qarr & Vaarsuvius
Redcloak & Right-Eye
Redcloak & Tsukiko
Redcloak & Xykon
Roy & Roy's Archon
Roy & Sara
Roy & Thog
Roy & Vaarsuvius
Roy & Xykon
Samantha & Samantha's Dad
Tsukiko & Xykon
Vaarsuvius & Xykon
Vaarsuvius & Zz'dtri
One way of going about it might be to start with a list like this and then take nominations/votes for the remaining spots like Moriwen suggested. I'm sure I left off some good ones. So, if people really wanted Elan & Sabine or Eagle-eye Pete & Greysky Priest or whatever, they could vote them into the tournament.

Dunno about seeding, though I think there are some pairings here that probably stand out as stronger contenders (Elan & Roy; Durkon & Malack; MitD & O-Chul, etc).

[Bulldog Psion]

That sounds like an excellent idea, if you can figure out how to make it work.

[Rakoa]

Bird, your list is missing Wizard Guy and Roy. :smallwink:

[LadyEowyn]

Just had an idea!

As a bonus round of the FCT, before an all-new tournament, we need to have a bonus round of Redcloak v. Xykon v. Tarquin for Favourite Villain. None of them have gone up against each other, and they were against different strengths of opponents, so we don't know for sure which one is the most popular. And they all have substantial fanbases. We already know which PC is most-liked, so I think it would be good to have a Villains Bonus Round to finish things up.

[Peelee]

*facepalm* Everyone, it should be Peelee-Appointed Honorary Winner. Not Porthos. Peelee. I got two people with two-syllable names starting with P confused.

Hooray! I'm confusing and quasi-official!

[Bulldog Psion]

Just had an idea!

As a bonus round of the FCT, before an all-new tournament, we need to have a bonus round of Redcloak v. Xykon v. Tarquin for Favourite Villain. None of them have gone up against each other, and they were against different strengths of opponents, so we don't know for sure which one is the most popular. And they all have substantial fanbases. We already know which PC is most-liked, so I think it would be good to have a Villains Bonus Round to finish things up.

That sounds intriguing, but what about Malack? Or is he considered to be an offshoot of Tarquin, so to speak?

[LadyEowyn]

That sounds intriguing, but what about Malack? Or is he considered to be an offshoot of Tarquin, so to speak?

Tarquin defeated Malack in the semi-finals, so we already know that Malack's not as popular as him. Redcloak lost to V and Xykon to Belkar, so we don't know whether they're better-liked than Tarquin or not. Similarly, the Monster in the Darkness lost to Xykon, so we know he's not the most popular of the villains (to the extent that he still is a villain) either.

[Peelee]

That sounds intriguing, but what about Malack? Or is he considered to be an offshoot of Tarquin, so to speak?

Here's where the relationship aspect gets murky. Malack can potentially have a team relationship with Tarquin (running the Empire of Blood together), a friendly relationship with Durkon, and a Vampiric relationship with Durkon, all counted as three separate entities. What would and would not count as a relationship? Would his relationship with Durkon be considered a single entry, and if so, at what time? As of current strip? As of Malack's Death? As of Durkon's departure from the EoB?

Though I admit, there'd be no shortage of options with that method.

[Bird]

Bird, your list is missing Wizard Guy and Roy. :smallwink:
I feel like that would have to be "Wizard Guy's Skeleton and Roy" or "Wizard Guy and Wizard Guy's crippling emotional baggage" :smallwink:


Just had an idea!

As a bonus round of the FCT, before an all-new tournament, we need to have a bonus round of Redcloak v. Xykon v. Tarquin for Favourite Villain. None of them have gone up against each other, and they were against different strengths of opponents, so we don't know for sure which one is the most popular. And they all have substantial fanbases. We already know which PC is most-liked, so I think it would be good to have a Villains Bonus Round to finish things up.
That sounds fun. I do wonder if Malack's recent destruction would make him a contender when thrown against these others.


Here's where the relationship aspect gets murky. Malack can potentially have a team relationship with Tarquin (running the Empire of Blood together), a friendly relationship with Durkon, and a Vampiric relationship with Durkon, all counted as three separate entities. What would and would not count as a relationship? Would his relationship with Durkon be considered a single entry, and if so, at what time? As of current strip? As of Malack's Death? As of Durkon's departure from the EoB?

Though I admit, there'd be no shortage of options with that method.
I think maybe you're conflating the "relationship tournament" idea with the "favorite villain round" idea?

In the relationship tournament, I'd think that Tarquin/Malack and Durkon/Malack would both be important relationships worthy of inclusion, since he has important interactions with both. (Nale/Malack also, for what that's worth.) I included all three of these in my hypothetical list on the last page.

For simplicity's sake, I'd think Durkon & Durkula should be counted as the same character, since as much as the dwarf has changed, I have to imagine that the Giant counts Durkula as part of Durkon's character arc.

[Gift Jeraff]

I will be launching a far superior tournament sometime soon. Stay tuned.

[Bird]

Exciting! :smallsmile:

[Rakoa]

"Wizard Guy and Wizard Guy's crippling emotional baggage"


Oh yes. That's awesome. Definitely this one!

[Demolator]

"Wizard Guy and Wizard Guy's crippling emotional baggage" :smallwink:

I too would nominate this relationship.

[Bulldog Psion]

I will be launching a far superior tournament sometime soon. Stay tuned.

I will wait with bated breath. (Honestly, it's not "baited," no matter how many people on the Internet seem to think so :smallbiggrin:.)

[TRH]

I will wait with bated breath. (Honestly, it's not "baited," no matter how many people on the Internet seem to think so :smallbiggrin:.)

You don't say? Maybe these people should of consulted a dictionary. :smalltongue:

[Moriwen]

You don't say? Maybe these people should of consulted a dictionary. :smalltongue:

Oh, come on, their trying they're best. :smalltongue:

[Solse]

Whenever I read improper grammar, I die inside. I should expect it, seeing that it is the Internet, after all. Please feel free to correct me if I have any bad grammar in this post. I'd hate to be a hypocrite.

[Liliet]

WOOO! I said that V was the best character, and look, so it is!
And it was so fair for vir to be in the last round with Haley, by the way. They are friends, and they are the most deep and developing Order members. Tarquin was a logical choice for a third place, too. Along with RC who probably just got unlucky in the voting order.

V V V V V V V
:vaarsuvius:

Oh, and I offer to call the cup "Wizard Guy award", just to be fair to him