Hey folks,
One of my players took the Sword Scion trait. He's potentially trying to master the art of the blade, and I was excited about the idea of a tournament where he could test his skills against others, and maybe gain some acclaim if he wins.
But the tournament only has archery, log chopping, boasting, and (drunken) jousting. I was disappointed to not see any blunted sword competitions. Then I started thinking, "hmmm, I bet those guys frequenting paizo.com come up with new stuff like this all the time!"
So, I'm hoping.
Does anyone have some good ideas for a melee competition of any sort? Preferably with swords, but anything would do. And hopefully something that can give points to the first place, and second place winners, so the event can fit into whole of the competition.
One thing to keep in mind setting-wise, is that Brevoy and Mivon are both well-known for their dueling schools. Pitax knows that they are mere dwarves standing next to titans when it comes to the fine art of swordplay, so they might not be prone to showcase that particular sport.
It would be like a bunch of Korean provinces putting together a sumo wrestling tournament: the Japanese would just cross the bay and crush them.
Now, I understand you just want a cool event for your PCs to take part in. So by all means, come up with one. But consider what additional entry restrictions or other tricks that might have to be employed because of the "master duelists next door" angle.
Perhaps by degrading it somehow? Making it too un-respectable for an actual Swordlord to show up to? (Maybe the duel is with your pants off or something, and it's all an extended manhood metaphor? Play up the fact that Pitax has no class.)
Alternatively, if you want your PCs' potential victory to feel respectable, just have Brevoy "too immmersed in internal politics" and Mivon "at war" with Pitax or something. But careful: that makes Mivon an ally for the upcoming war you'll find yourself in.
Everything has ramifications :-)
Erik,
You raise some good points.
To start, you're right. I just want a cool event for my PC to enjoy.
Regarding the bit about the Rushlight Festival being a "joke" festival -- that's not the impression that I get. Don't get me wrong, I see it all as a good time; admittedly the jousters are drinking heavily beforehand. But there's still an element of competition in the air, and while the midnight joust might have a tradition of drunk participation that doesn't remove the political implications of winning versus losing. I think the drinking is more a product of it being the last event than it is a product of folks thumbing their nose at the seriousness of jousting in particular. Kingdoms still want to win, even if their participants are having a good time trying to do just that.
It's because of the nature of Restov and Mivon that I think an event of swordplay would be entirely appropriate. Swordplay is a cultural focus in the generalized area. Pitax may not have the wherewithal to defeat those powerhouses, but there's no reason they wouldn't strive to do so anyway. Besides, even if the event was just presumed to see who would win this year (Brevoy or Mivon; the other contestants just being long shot contenders) it would still be a good show for folks, and would still help Pitax bring in a lot of consumers, merchants, income, and potential prestige as the hosting Kingdom.
Considering that a sword event would likely use blunted longswords would put the Swordlords at an immediate disadvantage. They can't use their weapon finesse tree feats with a longsword like they can with their vaulted Aldori dueling swords.
We know that Brevic nobility usually has a representative at the festival. In fact, this is the first year that they don't, largely because of their own political instability. Which gives the folks of Pitax a higher than average chance of winning a sword competition, and it means that my player would have a great time trying to beat Mivon's contender out.
See, I don't see Pitax as classless. I see the Kingdom of Pitax as an odd, interesting juxtaposition of flavors. On one hand there is this high regard for the arts, for music, for dreams, for theatre . . . and on the other hand there is this raging corruption, and dark underbelly of harsh, barbaric realism.
Both of those flavors combine so nicely in a master of swordplay. On one hand a Swordlord exhibits grace and artistry. On the other, a sense of brutality and deadliness. Thematically, I believe such a competition is appropriate. Politically, I believe such could be viable.
***
I guess the reason I haven't come up with anything on my own for a swordplay event is because, well, I can't think of anything beyond some staged fights. Which is fine, I suppose, but I was hoping someone might have developed something a little more interesting.
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We know that Brevic nobility usually has a representative at the festival. In fact, this is the first year that they don't, largely because of their own political instability. Which gives the folks of Pitax a higher than average chance of winning a sword competition, and it means that my player would have a great time trying to beat Mivon's contender out.[/QUOTE
Why not have Pitax hire a swordsman from Restov (or elsewhere) to represent them? Or hire an unscrupulous Restov swordsmen to "represent the Swordlords" and throw the fight to the Pitax representative? Then you could have a whole melee competition that Pitax has loaded in their favor. Your PCs could then mix it up.