And don’t forget wrestling competitions; while the Ranger-types are off trying to hit targets, the Fighter-types are usually more than happy to spend their festival days trying to dethrone Grod the Half-Orc and claim the annual title of Wrestling Champeen … and the determined attentions of Hildaeg, the warty Half-Orc maiden, for the rest of the festival.

If you really want to go that extra distance, have the fete culminate in a Deathtrap Dungeon for your Rogue/Monk types. While the other events could be seen with a general carnival air, with both winners and near-losers cheered on by the local populace, this last event is by no means a casual affair; while many of the locals are keen top try their lot in the more mundane competitions, it is rare that any are bold enough to attempt the Dungeon. Still, it serves as the most anticipated event of the festival, with everyone gathered around in hushed, anxious whispers, as the usual handful of mysterious strangers step forward to submit their names. Sponsored by the Church of the Raven Queen, the reward for simply getting out alive is huge – a 10,000gp gem at the end of the dungeon (and insidiously trapped, of course). Entry is free, but for an additional 6,000gp the Church will agree in advance to raise any who fall in the attempt. All entrants must go it alone, but are free to receive buffs from allies before they enter (although the first area within the extradimensional Dungeon could magically debuff, if needed), and are sent in at 20 minute interval … a few hours later, a lone adventurer emerges safe and alive, clutching the huge gem as her prize … followed by the clerics running the Dungeon, carrying the bodies of those who failed in the attempt.

Tournaments with double elimination brackets are always fun, builds up a rivalry with other players or even an NPC you want to introduce to them as a worthy equal or rival for later.