Polesport

Polesport is a combat style sport, akin to fencing. The combatants face off with soft wax head polearms. The soft wax head polearm is much like a conventional polearm such as a halberd or fauchon, however instead of the head being constructed of forged or cast metals, instead they are sculpted or cast using a soft brightly coloured wax. The combatants, in a set area, such as a ring, a stretch of road, atop tree stumps or anywhere else deemed apropriate beforehand - fight one another with the soft wax tip polearms. Stepping outside of the ring, falling off the stump etc, is considered to be a loss for the round. Using the soft wax head polearms allows for the opponent to be marked but not injured when struck, a the wax scrapes across them in a manner similar to a crayon.

History

The sport is traditionally one of fishfolk origin, however the practice of it has extended far beyond, to the Ballans and even in some elfish settlements. The soft wax head polearms are not essential for the sport, as traditionally it was done with real polearms, or indeed may still be played that way as in a duel form. However it is not unheard of for a true weapon to be coated in wax, for the sport, such games are often called 3 hit games, as the intent is to use a single weapon and strike with every surface of the weapon. This technique causes no injury to the opponent, but shows the administering of great skill to one and great shame to the other, as immense skill is required in such a bout. Killing an opponent in such a game is considered immensly unsportsmanlike and a weak play.

Components and tools

A soft wax head polearm is the most common tool, for this sport, and many are specially crafted exclusively for it. Sometimes multiple poles will be used across a set of bouts, eith due to breakage or head deformity, or as an attempt to pitch a different strategy. A set area must also be formed for a proper match.