The Versian Arcana Festival (peer-modded)

[Nell du'Galle]

Over the first cycle of Kalendryas, Autumn of Era XI (pf): Era II of the Celestine Mandate.

Despite the wine and liquor which had flowed the previous darkening at the Masked Ball, there was a most excellent turnout of citizens to the first day of magery competition for the Versian Arcana Festival. The air was sweet and fresh as summer melded with autumn and the grounds of Ludstone Manor were at their finest to behold. As well as the central events of the actual Arcana tournament, tents and stalls had been erected to provide sumptuous and hearty refreshment to the festival-goers. The air was filled with the tasty aroma of well-seasoned pies, honey roasted drumsticks, spiced meats and other such fare, whilst the aural senses were pleasantly lulled by wandering minstrels who plucked their lutes and piped their flutes in delightful cadences. Bards serenaded those who passed with eye-catching distance, whilst jugglers and clowns entertained the younger members of the crowds.

And although colourful banners and bunting had been erected, the greatest colour came from the Versians themselves as they paraded and strolled about the gardens of Ludstone Manor, resplendent in brilliant clothes from the tips of their pointy-shoes to the swirls of their exotically decorated hats. They were a fine complement to the autumn colours of the trees which were dotted about the gardens, nature’s own jewels of reds, oranges and yellows. All in all a vibrant scene against the backdrop of Ludstone Manor, painted a lush purple to appear as an unpolished amethyst overlooking the prepared stage for the contest.

The young man who had been present at the sign-ups for the contest was striding about the competition area, having been elevated to an official for the occasion. He fussed over the seating which had been set out for the Mages of the Imaden School of Higher Learning, consulted his clipboard which detailed the various contestants expected on each brightening and altogether wound himself up into a tizzy when he discovered that the flowers intended as a presentation to Lady Ludstone had been sat on by a thoughtless and rather rotund halfling.

Each brightening that came with this cycle of Magery competition would be thus for him, a new catastrophe which would be up to him to solve. But it appeared that the rest of the officials were happy with the arrangements and the various Master Mages attending would watch with a keen eye for students who had passed through their halls of learning, to see if they had fulfilled their initial promise.

Before them, a lawn was laid out as the competition area, roped off with silken ribbons to keep the spectators at bay – partly to not distract the competitors, but also to keep them out of range of any misdirected spells cast, particularly on the first day where the junior battles would commence. Judging each competition was a Master from the Imaden School who specialised in those particular spheres and great respect and applause was afforded these Mages as they took their seat on a cushioned chair, raised on a slight platform.

OOC: When peermodding, do feel free to add whatever details are needed for your particular battle and alter anything if required. Details of the npc judges in each sphere can be found in the Hygh District threads, but also create other npc’s if required. The timestamps for the various events are:

B2 Kalendryas - Junior battles
B3 Kalendryas - Elementalism battles
B5 Kalendryas - Ikos battles
B6 Kalendryas - Mysticism battles
B10 Kalendryas - Final Battle

This thread can be used, or if you want to create a separate thread for your event, go ahead. Poke me if you need me! Details of who is peermodding which event can be found in the OOC thread for Vers. I’d recommend PMing your contestants if you suspect they might not know this is going ahead.

[Magus Syfer]

Dianara, First Cycle, Kalendryas, Autumn, Era II, PF XI

Today was the first brightening of the Mage Tournament, and all the junior mages participating in the tournament were gathered here, to kickstart the games. A brighter and cheerful day in Vers there never was, as alcohol flowed freely, and maidens danced gaily under the buntings (what are they?) and banners. A row of lavishly cushioned chairs were arranged neatly upon a dais, looking out into the field that was cordoned off by silk ribbons. Upon these chairs sat the master mages of the Facultie Arcana of Vers. Arrayed before them, dressed splendidly in their Sunday best, were several rows of eager student mages, keen to outshine their opponent this brightening, and taking home untold glory and honour. The excitement was palpable, and each initiate were impatient to begin their leg of the tournament. Fidgeting and squirming under the constant gaze of the master mages from above, they had no choice but to await the official start of the tournament.

An elderly gentleman rose up from his seat, carrying aloft a thick and cream-colour parchment, filled with neat and elegant flowing script detailing the events that were to occur this brightening. Projecting his voice above the chatter that was growing among the anxious contestants, he announced the plan for the brightening.

"It is with great pleasure that we announce the start of the Initiate Contests. In this first brightening of the tournaments, the contest will last roughly from mid-morning until late in the afternoon. I can say with great certainty that you, the audience gathered here to spectate this spectacle, will not be disappointed, for many of these young mages standing here before us have provent hemselves to be some of the brightest and more ingenious students I have come across. And this brightening, please allow them the pleasure of proving themselves to you."

The speaker paused momentarily, before continuing. A sheen of sweat was starting to form on his face, as the sun's harsh rays pierced through the passing clouds and warmed him.

"In this contest, the initiate mages from each of the seven spheres of arcana accepted in this city, shall compete against other initiate-level mages of the same sphere in tasks that are specific to their chosen sphere. Each competition of the different spheres will be adjudicated by the relevant Master Mages from the Facultie Arcana.

For Druidism, using the spell Detect, whoever can locate the creature placed within a thick stretch of woodland first wins.

For Elementalism, using the spell Elemental Orb, the object is to throw the orb as far as possible. Whoever can throw it the farthest wins.

For Mysticism, using the spell Awareness, the object of this particular competition is to sense where the illusion is before the rest of the opponents. Whoever finds the illusion first is the winner.

For Song, sing the spell Cinthera’s Accelerando. Each initiate will be paired with a partner. Playing the ballad, the object is for your partner to get to the finish line first.

For Sorcery, using the spell Open, the contestants will be presented with a locked box. The first to open the box and obtain what is inside is declared the winner.

For Thaumaturgy, we request the help of some members of the audience, whom we shall give a dose of poison. The Initiate Thaumaturgists will have to try and heal them. Rest assured, a trained thaumaturgist will be on hand to complete the healing should they fail.

As for Ikos, according to our records, we do not have enough Initiate Ikos mages to enter the competition, hence we shall have to do without the Ikos competition this year.

Now, after the winners of each sphere have been decided this brightening, there will be a final tournament held later on in the cycle to decide the overall winner of the Initiate level."

With the announcement done, horns were sounded, gongs gonged. The students were lined up, and marched off to different parts of the combat field according to their particular sphere.

OoC: I think I'll create a new thread. I don't really like having to read cluttered up threads. i.e. posts from all the different competitions in the same thread. Sorry.ops: