Nominate two contestants (Say, Arianna Ortega and Mavra). List their strengths/ weaknesses for analysis. Describe how you think the battle would go, and the victor you think is statistically most likely.

The Scenario: an Almighty-ish being or force whisks the two chosen contestants to a planet resembling earth. It is inhabited by the same flora and fauna, however no civilization or intelligent life lives there. Gravity is earth normal. There are three moons. Both contestants are placed at opposite ends of a football field sized clearing in light woods. It is dawn, during the planet's spring. The being manifests before the two, and informs them that they have been chosen to fight to the death. Only once one of them no longer functions will the other be returned to Earth. They have 24 hours to finish the job. At the end of the day, if both are still standing, both die.

The region of the Nevernever for the entire planet has been cordoned off by the Almightyish force for the duration of the fight. On the Nevernever side is an abandoned fortress surrounded by the hosts of the Almightyish force. No calling allies, no escape.

This planet is experiencing the equivalent Earth phenomenon of Halloween. Immortals can die during this day.

Restriction on Nominations: only nominate contenders who would actually fight each other in the circumstances described. For instance, if Harry and Michael were chosen, they would argue over who should sacrifice themselves without fighting, and at the end, Harry would sacrifice himself so Michael could go back to his family. No battle.

Contestants enter the field armed with what they would normally bring to a fight. For example, Harry appears with staff, blasting rod, shield bracelet, pistol, force rings, duster, his normal gear. Murphy would appear with maybe some kevlar and at least one gun. Her P90 would be acceptable. Kincaid would definitely be armed, but he probably wouldn't have the bag full of dragon's breath shotguns from Death Masks - that was a specialty preparation.

I would start things off, but I'm still planning the fight, and wanted to get this thread out there. Feel free to post a fight, reply to others' posted fights with comments, etc.

*After discussion, modified to start at dawn.

To the point: will Mab die in Peace Talks?

I've seen some posts here and on reddit recently that suggest Peace Talks is where things will really start falling apart in terms of magical world order. Nothing quote worthy, but it's making me wonder what events would cause absolute devastation (not decimation) on world stability. One of them would be Mab's death as a result of a Fomor plot. A new and inexperienced Winter Queen would appear (Molly), and we'd get a new Winter Lady (unknown). It would also be an utterly crushing blow to the image of Winter, and embolden every element who despise them.

Truthfully, I hope it doesn't happen. Partly because it seems too soon after Cold Days, and partly because I like Mab. Cold, ruthless, calculating, and relentless, while serving roles of both ally and menace to our protagonist. She also has an admirable track record of successful plans hatched. However, my preferences aside, it would really tear things up.

Thoughts?

I'm sure this has been done before, but I thought it would be fun.

An underworld lord is saved after a local wizard stops an electric sex spell.
Where'd the wolves go? Dog attacks drop after a low-res video featuring local wizard Dresden apparently fighting a werewolf is released.
Lakeside mansion the Velvet Room burns down after local celebrity invites paranormal community for costume party.
Paranormal investigator gets attacked by a tree while searching for a statue of a woman and its abductor.
Coin collecting furries abscond with Catholic towel after playing with swords, but lose it due to unfashionable neckwear.
Wizard helps family adult film business by advising on safety procedures for accident-prone stars.
Disaster barely averted by local wizard and some bones after a small book lovers' convention causes Chicago blackout.
SplatterCon decides to add real gore to event this year, but is shut down after cosplayers kidnap event volunteer.
Wizard cleared of suspicion in Paranormal Murder-Suicides, Culprit was different tall, thin, and pale cloak-wearer.
Weird Goatmen seen all over Chicago disappear after some coin collectors vandalized an aquarium
Handicapped Officer gets cleared of all charges after a paper-pusher's ink was found to have clouded the issue.
Global Field Day for Life Insurance Companies
Creepy Level in Chicago on Six Month Rise
Loud rock music heard coming from Lake Michigan, Fireworks seen over distant island. Authorities suspect college students.
Possible Batman sighting after animals escape from zoo - Gorillas, Octopusses, and Lions, Patsies in a Plan?

Any predictions for what the future will hold regarding these?

I'm guessing we'll see at least one at whatever summit is holding the Peace Talks (16). He/she/it won't have a terrible big role, but it'll show up and make an Appearance, as obligated.

Nothing Mirror, Mirror (17).

I want to say Jim has said Dragons will be a big thing in the 19th Dresden File. He's also definitely said Ferrovax will be back for the BAT (http://wordof.jim-butcher.com/index.php/word-of-jim-woj-compilation/woj-on-other-bad-guys-beyond-the-outer-gates-demonreach/).

Granted, this will be fairly tenuous speculation, also known as wild guesses, but I'm interested in what we'll see post Peace Talks and before the BAT. Siriothrax is dead. Ferrovax has a reserved seat at the BAT. The other name I remember is Pyrovax. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that a Nemfected Pyrovax decides to go loony and challenge Mab for something. Harry, if he's still the WK, will be sent to deal with the problem, and the fallout from that sets the stage for Nicodemus to begin the first apocalypse in the next book, #1 of the BAT.

This may have been addressed elsewhere, but Marcone seems to be of abnormal interest to the supernatural community. He's the only Mortal free-holding lord of the Unseelie Accords. A Valkyrie is in his service, and Monoc Securities seems to have a vested interest in him. He's made deals directly with the Queen of Air and Darkness.

Now, I like the idea of Marcone just being a regular mortal. Extraordinary in character and accomplishment, but still vanilla. However, he's displaying the same level of impact in the world that we see with the likes of Harry Dresden, Knights of the Cross, and Fae Nobility. I don't see other vanilla Mortals in the series with the same level of impact, apart from Dresden, and to a lesser extent with the Paranet, Elaine Mallory.

Has it been confirmed that Marcone is a Starborn? It would seem a little too obvious, and possibly redundant, but his signature seems to match the profile. If he's not a Starborn, is he really just a remarkable vanilla Mortal? Or is he something else?

As of the end Skin Game (and presumably into the beginning of Peace Talks - I haven't read the released chapter), six known entities have the knowledge to perform the Darkhallow: Harry, Mavra, Cowl, Evil Bob, Ivy, and Lasciel. I'm assuming Grevane is completely dead and not returning. Also assuming that Kemmler is staying dead. Think we'll see someone successfully pull it off?

I doubt it will be Harry. He's already gone down the Winter Knight path for power, and isn't overly thrilled with the consequences.

Mavra might not be interested in it. Her desire for the Word of Kemmler may have been to remove knowledge of her weaknesses from the world instead of a power grab. Her motivations are unknown to me at present.

I still think Cowl wants the power, but the circumstances haven't aligned for him to try again yet. He's a contender.

Evil Bob wouldn't (I think) be able to do it on his own behalf, but after Capiorcorpus went southbound, I imagine he's looking for new allies.

Ivy knows everything that's ever been written down, but I seriously doubt she'd ever use it.

Then there's Lasciel. IIRC, she knows everything that the shadow Lash knew (possibly knows?), so when Harry scanned each page of the Word for her to memorize before Grevane took the Word, a copy of that info went to the Fallen angel proper. As of Skin Game, Lasciel is evidently collaborating with Nicodemus, putting the knowledge of the Darkhallow in the hands of the Denarians. Would any of them use it?

Oh, I guess Anduriel might have already known it, too. Master of Shadows, and all that...not definitely, but possible.

Unknown if others like the big players (Fae queens, Drakul, Dragons, non-Fallen Archangels, Outsiders) have any knowledge of it, but I'm guessing not.

I have to ask - did Dresden have anything to do with the Cubs winning the World Series? Did that have any kind of effect on the supernatural world?