Tournament Wonderin' and Pimpin'

So years ago I joined a writing tournament called The Exchange.  Well, I tried to join.  I didn't get in.  AgerianWriting got into the first round, I think.  Anyway, is happening, so I figure this is a chance to flex my improved writing muscles and, you know, make it to Round 1.

Here's the issue: I have two viable characters, so I want to hear your collective inputs.  I don't have a poll option currently, so just say which you want and why.

Barry Samuels: a lich who signed a deal with a demon at age 15 to stop a disease from cutting his life short.  A powerful wizard and can only be killed by smashing his phylactery, which he keeps inside his skull.  A nice guy, likes to do favors for people, but he's losing touch with his humanity, kind of immature, and he tends to ignore the word 'no'.  Last appeared as my secondary character in the first exchange.

Emily Singer: Last appeared as my secondary character in the Manly Mens tournament.  A cold-hearted bitch and an accomplished blood mage, but still mortal herself.  Would bring a big, dumb, melee-focused support character of her own creation, probably a knock-off of Esquire, my main character in Manly Mens and her 'brother'.  Needs more character development, if I use her.  Definitely the more 'villainous' possibility, but probably also the less physically powerful.