The Symposium

The Symposium is an academic and physical competition traditionally contested by students of the Axon School. It is a relay race consisting of four parts: a comprehensive examination of general scientific knowledge; a complex equation that must be solved; a 200 lap tricycle race; and a sprint through the ten floors of the Scriptorium while encumbered with 50 pounds.
The event has the tacit endorsement of The Axon School, as it is believed that such events serve as a useful training ground for future scholarship and fosters the spirit of academic competition. Recently, however, the competition has grown more fierce and the rivalries between teams more pronounced. There are some that view Noigs leadership of The Axon School as part of this newfound competitive intensity.
While the Symposium is not "officially" associated with the Axon School, the students and staff underwrite and organize the event.
The winning team receives honor and prestige, along with their names inscribed on a plaque in the Scriptorium.

Execution

The Symposium is a single relay race that consists of four stages. Each team must complete each part to move on to the next.
The first stage is an examination of general scientific knowledge. While the length of the exam varies from race to race, 10-20 questions centered on physical and natural phenomena is usually expected. There are occasions, however, that the secret committee has seen fit to offer 150 questions to participants, as well as races in which there is only a single question offered. 
The next stage requires the solving of a particularly complex equation. As the progress of many teams tends to stall during the second stage, more senior members of the competing teams typically take this role.
The third stage is a 200 lap tricycle race around the Symposium, which is the library of The Axon School. Two members of the team participate in this stage, and that has given rise to several different strategies as how to best position each cyclist for success. 
The final stage is a sprint through and up the ten floors of the Scriptorium whilst being "burdened with knowledge," which happens to be a 50 pound pack. The first team with a member on the tenth floor balcony is declared the winner.

Components and tools

Teams are expected to provide their own tricycle. The only criteria for the tricycle is that it must have three wheels and must be powered exclusively by physical means. The rest of the parameters are up to the teams themselves.
As such, many teams devote a significant amount of time to crafting the perfect tricycle for the race. Blueprints are carefully guarded and the location of tricycles--as well as their constituent parts--is usually a well-maintained secret.

Participants

Each team has five members. As the Symposium is a relay race, a single member from each team competes in one aspect of the race. The exception to this are the tricycle laps, which are contested by two members of each team. Each member of the team fulfils a certain role. They are as follows:

• Tester--this team member sits the comprehensive scientific exam. Most testers are "generalists" by nature, and study a wide array of subjects to prepare.
• Solver--this team member solves the complex equation and is usually mathematically inclined.
• Cycler--these two team members cycle the 200 laps around the Scriptorium. Many cyclers construct their own tricycles.
• Sprinter--this team member tackles the ten flights of Scriptorium stares, aiming to be the first participant on the tenth floor balcony.

Faculty from The Axon School are normally in attendance, as are interested parties from throughout the Cities. 
The Open Secret does brisk business during the day of the race, as many bets are made about the outcome of each stage, as well as the winner of the race.

Observance

20th Vision, which is the last day of the second week of Vision. The race goes on, rain or shine.

Primary Related Location

The Reactor

Important Locations

• The Axon School