Worldball

The game of worldball is a relatively new creation, being first started in the early part of the current reformation. Despite its novelty, Worldball has become a popular sport across the globe, just as its designers intended. Idolised by children, played by the youthful and debated by the elderly, this is truly a holistic sport.
Currently the major players are the Kazrak Krakens, Barum Bison and Realm Raptors who compete in the great stadiums in their respective capitals, though many smaller leagues exist. The beauty of the game lies in its speed and strategy, often calling for simultaneous shifts of strategy by each of the squads within the teams.
Worldball has met and surpassed the expectations of its founders, bringing together the nations in serious, though less destructive competition.

History

A group of fond friends from across the world had come to meet for one of their many gatherings to reminisce about past adventures and exploits, and to set the world to rights in their old age. They came to the topic of the growing disquiet between the powerful factions, and grew concerned that war would soon be inevitable. After many hours of debate, an unlikely idea was seeded in their minds. A new game, a sport, which would allow for friendly competition, yet entirely rely on the diversity within each nation.
Setting about their task, they slowly created and refined the rules, constructing prototype arenas and trying techniques. Once this was perfected, they began to teach and spread the influence of worldball, encouraging people to play or come and watch their friends. Soon the movement was growing organically, and eventually matches became state sponsored events, attended by the masses and the elite, in every way a success of social engineering.

Execution

The object of worldball is simple. To place as many balls within the opposing teams basket before two hours have elapsed. However, the execution of this objective is far from easy. One ball is made from leather filled with sheep's wool, the second is a hollow sphere made of glass, the third is of carved pine, and the fourth is cast iron.
Each worldball arena is roughly 200m by 50m and is split into 3 levels, with a team base at each end. Roughly 10 meters above ground level lies the canopy, where vines and branches tangle together into platforms, bridges and swings where players can move relatively freely if they are dexterous enough to try. Beneath this lies the plains, where the trunks of the canopy form natural obstacles. There are usually small ponds or streams dotted around to further obfuscate the terrain. Finally, cut 4 or 5 meters into the earth run the trenches, which not only add further obstacles to the plains, but also provide a clear path across the field, if one can navigate the warren without being hindered by the opposing team.
Each team is comprised of 9 players who enter the arena with only their leather armour and helmets. They may use any means to get the balls to the opposing teams base so long as there is no direct physical contact. However, players are allowed to wrestle for the ball as long as two hands remain on the ball at all times. Though there is no direct stipulation in the rules, most teams tend to be made up of a variety of races that accommodate different roles. Dwarves tend to make excellent defenders, and stick by their own base to prevent access by the opponents. Humans have a natural ability to assess rapidly changing environments and use this on the plains to facilitate the transfer of balls between different levels. Elves of course are naturally dexterous and utilise the speed advantage that the canopy provides. This goes on for all races, and only a diverse team could hope to compete well.