BuccaneerBass

Organiser: Engines East/Cygnaran Mechaniks Coalition. Engines East, a contractor to the Cygnaran government, is a noted manufacturer of warjacks, such as the famous Stormclad. The Cygnaran Mekaniks Coalition at the Royal Cygnaran University produces some the best 'jack designers, engineers, and mechaniks in all of the Iron Kingdoms. Together they sponsor the Founding Day staple known as the War Machine Melee.

Description:
Since the liberation of the Iron Kingdoms from the Orgoth legions, gigantic battle machines have formed an essential part of the armed forces of most nations in the Iron Kingdoms. Cygnar has long been known for the most advanced 'jack designs, and for incorporating the newest technologies and the most radical innovations in their warjacks. The War Machine Melee provides an homage to both the martial traditions of the warjack and the engineering prowess of Cygnar by providing a venue for aspiring 'jack designers to show their stuff. The War Machine Melee is a single elimination tournament where custom built 'jacks battle for the ultimate prize: The Nemo Cup! This prestigious trophy is named after Commander Adept Nemo, Cygnar's foremost 'jack designer and warcaster of renown. Nemo won the War Machine Melee four years in a row as a student of the Royal Cygnar University, and the trophy has borne his name ever since he achieved this unparalleled accomplishment. The holder of the Nemo Cup receives a hefty sum of money as well as a contract with Engines East, if they so desire, to produce the 'jack for military service.

Although the War Machine Melee is a celebration of Cygnaran 'jack technology and martial skill, mechaniks from all over the Iron Kingdoms attend the event to show their mettle and their knowledge in the crucible of 'jack on 'jack battles. National pride is on the line for all involved. In addition, personal pride plays quite a role as well, with each mechanik's entry being a labour of love. Many warjacks entered into the melee are of unusual design and are decorated and painted to match the personality of their creators.

Agenda: The War Machine Melee lasts the better part of the day. 16 contestants from all over the Iron Kingdoms are facing one another in single elimination bouts. A brief parade of the mechaniks and their 'jacks occurs at 9:00 in the morning, accompanied by much fanfare. The first bouts occur at 10:00 in the morning, after which only 8 'jacks remain in the running. After lunch and a brief repair session, the remaining 8 'jacks duel at 14:00 in the afternoon. The final four contestants assemble for the semi-finals at 16:00. After a state dinner for the two finalist mechaniks and extended repairs for their 'jacks the final two meet in the ring at 20:00 in the evening for the last bout. The winner and his or her supporters spend the rest of the evening and much of the following morning engaged in celebratory revels.

Incidentally, illicit betting on the outcome of the bouts lasts all day long, and is quite a lucrative enterprise for the bookies and the few lucky winners.

Social Crowd: The War Machine Melee is a favourite of the rich and the poor. Expensive seating boxes are available for the nobles of all lands. These are situated high over the earthen ring where the 'jacks battle amidst various obstacles and hazards. Below these boxes are the stands for commoners. The poorest citizens watch from the sides of the ring, and are liable to be injured or worse when missiles, cannon shot, weapons, 'jack parts, and even whole warjacks go flying! Because of the popularity and political implications of the War Machine Melee, as well as the money involved, there have occasionally been instances of crowd participation, crime syndicate fixing schemes, and personal grudges that have affected the results!