Wow. Was starting to think the site wasn't coming back. Let's try this again.
@ Mixster - Nothing that openly involves lying or cheating that I can think of at the moment, but there's likely a few places that'll have a bit of gambling you could participate in. There's also usually bets placed on some of the contests as to who's going to win.
If you talk of your swashbuckling stories you'll see a LOT of kids surrounding you with innocent eyes, enthralled by them. You'll get a few adults too.
@ VennDygrem and LordBlades -- A Dragon's Gold used to be a kid's game, and technically still is, but the adults changed it up some so that it would feel like an actual competition. The adult version goes like this: Six of the strongest men from the fields dress up as a dragon (think Chinese dragon costume), and surrounding a pile of hay. Inside the hay are various treasures. A raffle is drawn, and the first four people must go inside "the dragon's cave" and try and grab whatever they can inside the bales of hay. The stuff that's near the top of the hay aren't all that valuable (usually tokens for free eats at the inn, embroidered cloth, flower wreath, a shell bracelet, possibly a bag of copper, etc). The stuff that's farther in the hay is usually a little more valuable (expensive clothing, imported candy, bag of silver, dagger of some kind of metal, etc). There's always the chance that you could win gifts that you could give to the kids (like a father showing his son he beat a dragon and brought him back a toy sword as his trophy). This is all done with a Search check of 10-14 or 15+.
You are not to attack the dragon, but get passed it. It, however, can attack you (for 1 to 1d3 subdual or a ribbon breath weapon). If you get hit, you're disqualified. On the other hand, if you find a weapon in the hay, you can strike the dragon. If it's real, they'd prefer you to use subdual (-4 attack) with it, but it does have a hardness of 4 so it can take a bit of damage.
You can not be attacked if you are more than 5 ft from the horde, and if you get a treasure before you're attacked, you are also immune to attacks. After everyone's had a turn, that wants one, "knights" come in to "slay" the dragon.
The kids version is basically the same except it's treats, toys, paints, fake jewelry, etc (stuff for kids), and you don't actually physically attack them, unless they're getting greedy for treasures (1 subdual damage). Usually you'd just chase them off. Normally you'd see the dragon using just the breath weapon.
@ LordBlades -- There are a few people who really don't like the Conjuration battle. They think it's not a nice thing to do to summoned creatures (yes there's a PETA for summoned creatures in this world). Ardis knows this, and has it changed so that you don't fight until they disappear. If you "destroy" your enemy when they're already down, you're disqualified. You're supposed to let the caster dismiss their summoned creature. You either fight until you are defeated, or until your summon disappears (losing by default), or give up. You are allowed to summon a max of three creatures during the competition.
Wards are placed around a circle just in case the summon decides it wants to attack the audience as well. However, you can extend your hand out into the circle so you can touch your summon and give them a magical item or enhancement spell of some kind.
On the same initiative, both summoners cast their summon, but the spellcaster with the highest DEX gets to have their monster attack first.
@ archangel.arcanis -- They have no problem with him joining the drinking contest so long as he can pay the entry fee. It's a surprise for everyone as to what you'll be drinking, even the bartender. It's whatever gets donated. The cost is 6 gold. If you win, you get half the gold you paid times how many drinks you had. So, if everyone's a light weight, you could technically just get back your money with just two drinks.
@ vilenatas -- No problem with that. Just remember to make a Perform check to see how much money gets thrown at you.
@ Everyone -- Even though it's not an actual Ardis competition, you'll see a few people setting up an Arm-Wrestling competition in tent town. It's strictly an ego thing that started up last year. It might become a standard event next year if there's enough call for it. There's also a few people who'll likely have cards and dice out again this year, for anyone looking to do a little gambling.
I'll be re-posting the rules for A Dragon's Gold in the IC if anyone participates, as well as the rules for the drinking contest, and any of the other contests that you guys join.