HER ROYAL MAJESTY'S KRAKEN NEUTRALIZATION COMPETITION
Queen Victoria's Chrononauts are on the move again! Now that they have saved the future (for now), they have set their hopeful gaze on the lost city of Atlantis. Not so lost anymore... Her Majesty's finest engineers have constructed an undersea dome to cover the sunken treasure, and once finished travelers and guests will be invited for the grand christening of Steampunk Atlantis!
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But not everything is smooth waters... A shadow has been seen by the workmen... The seafloor shows signs of an enormous predator... Yes, the stories are true. Now that the lost city shows signs of life once more, the great beast of the seven seas—The Kraken—has returned to threaten the peace of this new city.
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A Kraken Neutralization Device may be our only hope for peace under the seas. Will you, one of Her Majesty's newly minted Aquanauts, answer the call and save us all?
BUILD A KRAKEN NEUTRALIZATION DEVICE!
Devices must be portable, capable of being carried and operated by a single individual, and suited for long-range combat. It is quite dangerous to approach the Kraken, so hand-to-hand weapons are right out! Furthermore, devices should be capable of dispatching or disabling the Kraken—merely wounding it threatens retaliatory wrath—so the design must be original & extraordinary. Take care not to forsake craftsmanship, Her Majesty is fond of form as well as function, and is particularly keen on the Steampunk aesthetic.
Rules & Guidelines
1.
Toys such as nerf guns may be purchased to act as the base for your Kraken Neutralization Device, but be careful to include some handmade aspects. Your final design should tell a unique story.
2.
Standard Convention rules apply. Please do not use real weapons, and make sure any sharp edges are blunted. If your device is a projectile weapon or has moving elements, it must not be used outside of presentation & judging, and will need to be non-working and peace bonded if you wish to carry it on the convention floor.
3.
Remember, devices should be portable & capable of being carried and operated by a single individual.
4.
Devices should be suitable for long-range combat, but do not have to be functional. With respect for our host hotel (and a desire to be asked back next year), we understand it would be rather difficult to fully recreate a device capable of traveling nautical meters, and ask that you rely on storytelling to describe how your weapon works.
5.
A Steampunk aesthetic is preferred. (This includes all derivatives of the genre, such as Dieselpunk, Cyberpunk, et al.)
JUDGING
Judging criteria includes: (1) The aesthetics of your Kraken Neutralization Device; (2) How unique your Device is; (3) Functionality & how creative your Device's backstory is; (4) Showmanship during presentation. Points will be awarded based on these criteria. Remember, the judges are not above bribery as well, though take heed... A good bribe may gain you points, but a bad bribe may taketh them away!
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There is no entrance fee, and all ages are invited to enter. Devices will either be judged in the Adult Category (#1) or the Apprentice Category (#2) for youths 14 and under.
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At the end of the competition, whomever has accrued the most points will be named our winner and receive the title of The Kraken Master. In addition to the acclaim and accolades associated with being the savior of Steampunk Atlantis, prizes will be awarded at the judge's discretion.
ENTER THE COMPETITION
You may enter on-site or pre-register by filling out the form below.
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A special workshop hosted by our illustrious Captain BillBill Harrison will be held on the Saturday of the Exposition prior to the competition for all auqanauts to brainstorm the best means of neutralizing the beast. Tools, supplies, and grafting paper will be provided to make prototypes. Entrants must visit the Registration Table on-site during operating hours to sign in.
The official competition will be held on Saturday, February 12th, at 6pm EST.
