BID THREAD
The Republics of Iturributa and Ossidiacqua humbly present to you all a bid for the 48th Baptism of Fire for your consideration and approval
WHO?
Iturributa and Ossidiacqua are puppets of Astograth and Polar Islandstates respectively, both of whom are experienced and respected members of the NSSport community. Astograth's experience includes Cup of Harmony 48, Baptism of Fire 45, Copa Rushmori VIII, the first edition of the Campeonatos Rushmori de la Juventud (and their organisation from then onwards) as well as the Rumiatzi Open from the ITA. Polar Islandstates' experience includes World Cup 59, Cup of Harmony 49, the Ellismare Preliminara (a hefty cycling event), the CdlP, the Cuppets I and II and their organisation from here on, as well as Sokhorosk Linii Amateur Shield and regular editions of the Seasogs Rugby Union Championship Trophy.
OKAY, BUT WHY YOU?
Both users are committed to the idea of host participation in tournaments such as this, particularly with the Baptism of Fire holding the significance for new users as it does. As we think can be proven with Astograth's contributions in the World Cup History series with Kagdazka and Pazhujebu in BoF45, and with Polar Islandstates' Host Information post for WC59, we are both enthusiastic when it comes to interaction with the teams visiting our nations, and with Iturributa's recent split from Astograth, and Ossidiacqua's complex transition from Oasirica to the nation it is today (as documented in RPs that would be linked to), there is certainly no shortage of history and RP potential for participants to tap into should they wish. Both nations would be committed to aiding in an OOC aspect as well, with telegram boxes being open and receptive to questions from any user.
SO HOW WOULD IT WORK?
Obviously, format will depend on the number of signups, and the needs to be a certain amount of fluidity involved with the bid, but both nations have a preference for groups of six, as this would give even the teams that are knocked out in the group stage five games each with which to RP and participate, and plenty of time to accumulate bonus for the knockout stages, which would ideally start from a round of sixteen.
There is a preference for an equal number of teams from each group to go through to the round of sixteen and have it drawn from the start - (Winner A vs Runner-Up B and so on) - eliminating the need to take "best third place teams" and seed the knockout stages. However, both hosts are aware that asking for eight groups of six or even five in the group stages might be wishful thinking, and so in the event that the final format chosen requires the seeding of teams for the knockout draw, this seeding would be according to RP bonus and participation so far, rather than group stage performance. This will have the effect of allowing the most active teams the chance to stay in the tournament longer and meet up more in the closing stages.
Similarly, there is a wish for the teams to be allowed to some time to roster and RP before the group stage draw is made. This would allow us to "seed" the teams into pots of those teams that have RPed so far, and those who have not, again with the aim of avoiding groups of insanely active users contrasting with groups of no activity.
So, in summary, ideally six teams per group and as large a knockout round as feasible, though we would cut back on the knockouts/resign ourselves to a seeded knockout stage if there aren't enough signups.
Tie-breakers would be head-to-head results, head-to-head goal difference, wins, goals for, and finally, a play-in match with extra time and penalties, though obviously this is a last resort.
AND HOW WOULD YOU DO THAT?
Scorination would be done with the most recent version of xkoranate, being 0.3.3, using the SQIS formula. Cutoffs would come first for teams in the Acquan half, coming at 11pm BST (10pm UTC) as the user behind Ossidiacqua is UK-based. The cutoff for the other half of the draw would come three hours later, at 9pm EST (1am UTC). Both users will post a "24hour warning" post 24 hours before their respective first cutoffs, to alert those that may be confused by time zones as to the cycle they're getting into, for whom this link may also be useful.
HOW DO I SCORE BONUS?
Both hosts will always be looking to award bonus rather than take it away. The scoring system will be a cumulative five-tier one, scored on quality, creativity, and length, in that order. Respect for your opponent's RP permissions will not be something the RP itself is graded on as such, but bonus scores will be penalised if permissions are not respected. The RP bonus will degrade over time, promoting and rewarding participation, though it will never degrade to zero. The creation and provision of a roster will be scored the same as a matchday's worth of RP, though this bonus will never decline with time, and multiple RPs per matchday from any nation will be grouped together and scored as one. The absolute system will be used.
DO I GET TO CHOOSE THE STYLE?
No, style modifiers have traditionally not been a part of the Baptism of Fire, and we wouldn't operate with them here.
SOUNDS GOOD, I LOVE IT.
Good, we thought you would.
Any questions welcomed.