Gaia Online

Duel Formats

Before the battle begins, the honorable (or not so honorable cool ) duelists must agree on a format for their duel. This can make it easier for judges, by making the poems more possible to compare, but you can also do it to make a point, as in "Ha! I always knew you were better at Sapphics than me!"

Please look carefully at the list before you post your listing, Defenders.

Double-Barreled Duel thanks to Mahayr for the idea!
Both duelists must submit both a first draft and an edited version. In addition to judging between the two poets, the judge must also decide which version of each poet's piece is better. The default double-barreled judging fee is twice the regular fee, either with crit or without. Which is sensible as this format requires twice the work for the judge as well as the duelist. wink

Anything Goes
Just what it says. Either duelist may post any sort of poem they wish, of any length or style.

Specific Phrase (thanks to Nuriko1 for the suggestion!)
Both duelists must use a specific phrase in their duel poem. It can be a single word, or a longer phrase such as a quotation.

Poetry formats:

(General Form)

arrow Poems must be rhyming
arrow Poems must be metered
arrow Poems must NOT be rhyming OR metered

(Specific Form)

arrow Acrostic
arrow Cinquain
arrow Double-dactyl
arrow Haiku/Senryu
arrow Limerick
arrow Pantoum
arrow Rondel
arrow Sapphic
arrow Sonnet
arrow Sestina

(Themes)
You can choose a theme either to REQUIRE or FORBID it. Your theme can be anything from coffee to cannibalism to candidness--ask in the main thread if you're having trouble coming up with ideas! ^_^

Grudge Matches

Now, if you want to challenge some one who isn't a defender, post this:


You can only have one of these up at a time but you can remove or change it until some one responds.

And, finally, to accept a grudge match:


Role Reversal Grudge Matches

This is a type of Grudge match where judges can duel and ask Defenders to judge them! Judges, fill out the same forms you would for a Grudge, but be sure to include the words "Role Reversal" in the title. Name the Defender(s) you wish to hire in the "Judge desired" slot. You and your opponent must agree on the duelist's judge fee before the duel can begin.

This way, the Critique of the Week award is theoretically open to Defenders as well as judges! eek Meaning a truly prolific Defender could, in theory, win all three awards in the same week!


Once a duel is ready to start, post your poems here:
The Colosseum: Dueling Grounds

Miscellaneous Rules

--Once you have posted a Duel poem, please PM your judge. This will make the duel process a little faster! And as a red-blooded American, I can tell you that faster is ALWAYS better. rolleyes Also, judges, feel free to PM duelists reminding them to send you payment so you can post their Enguarde, or to let them know that your judgment has been made.

--Duelists are strongly encouraged to write a brand new poem for each duel. However, if as a defender you wish to prepare a poem on your chosen topic in advance, or if a particular prompt exactly fits something you wrote in the past, you may use it.

--Judges may not volunteer as Defenders or Challenge Defenders. They may only paricipate in Grudge Matches and Role Reversal Grudge Matches.

--If your opponent posts their challenge poem and you do not, your bet may be forfeit to your opponent after as little as one week. This time limit is not iron clad, just a guideline.

--There is no minimum bet and no maximum bet.

--Duelists may be disqualified at my discretion, for any reason I see fit. I will try to be cautious and look at every side of an issue before disqualifying someone for anything other than challenge refusal, however. Please be courteous!