The Tower Race

Once a year, during the city-wide spring festival, citizens may participate in the Great Tower Race, a day long test of endurance, teamwork, and cunning.

History

The race was born in a tavern bet. Two students from the Winter Academy were drinking heavily one evening. When Adrienelle boasted that she knew the city better than anyone, her class rival Sonrei immediately countered that he easily knew far more than she. The pair quarreled for some time until finally a deal was struck to prove the truth: they would meet at dawn on the beach and race to the Office of Construction Management overlook on the far side of the city, each choosing what they considered the quickest path. The race became the stuff of local legend. Some thirty years later, a group of students organized a memorial race of sorts that quickly grew into a yearly ritual and then spread in popularity.

Execution

The city handles the race preparation, placing the flags and deciding on the exact start and end points. Businesses often try to bribe race officials to have a flag placed on or near their buildings for the increased foot traffic and notoriety. Success rates vary, depending on the year and the official in question.
The location of the flags is a closely guarded secret, as is the method of placement. They may be on the top of a tower, the underside of a walkway, or simply hanging from a shop sign. They are almost always on the outside of structures. The number of flags varies based on the number of teams.
At dawn on race day, runners gather at the edge of Allulina Bay. A map of the city with flags' general locations highlighted (produced via illusion) is shown for two minutes. Memory is a key skill. Teams then have five minutes to confer before the Bay Bell is rung and the race begins. During this time, many spectators head out for flag locations to find good observation points.
Runners will head for low hanging fruit while their coordinators check out the locations they anticipate will be more difficult and pinpoint the exact location of the flag. The job of the backers at this point depends on the nature of the team. Some seek to make it easier for their runner to get to the flags; others would rather set (nonlethal) traps for their opponents. Creativity is a prized trait for these team members.
The race ranges all over the city, up and down the towers of Samavra. Teams must reach the goal before sundown with as many flags as they can.

Participants

Many teams join the race just for fun, but these are rarely real challengers for the win. Serious competitors train throughout the year in teams. They may be in it to prove themselves or for the thrill. (It's a rare year that has no serious injuries -- usually from falls -- and people do sometimes die.)
Most of the city keeps its windows open so they can listen for the crowds and maybe catch a glimpse of the teams in action -- or even better, see two or more teams converge on a flag. More dedicated fans are in those crowds, following the action in groups or even trying to anticipate. There's a thriving market for advance tips on where the flags will be, though most are utter lies.
Non-participants who tamper with the flags are subject to rather egregious fines, as well as voiding that particular flag for purposes of scoring. Samavra takes its race seriously.

Observance

The time of the Spring Festivals fluctuates somewhat as they are set to coincide with the first Bayberry blossoms. The Tower Race is traditionally on the third day.

NB: In theory this is so. In practice, however, some are culturally discouraged from participating. Borrowers' shapeshifting ability is seen as a built-in cheat, and not even the most heartfelt oath to remain in humanoid form keeps other competitors from grumbling. Borrowers who wish to participate usually do so as coordinators rather than runners, which gets them a bit less side-eye. Also, foreigners are technically allowed to compete, but are often made to feel as though they should not be there, both by their fellow competitors and by the race registrars.

Objectives

Reach the goal before sundown.

Collect as many flags as possible.

Players

Teams of 3

1 runner

2 coordinators, also called backers

There may be any number of teams. Registration is open to all.^NB

Equipment

None required, but much allowed, so long as it is mundane.

Exception to the above: Each team may have a means of communicating with each other, and it may be arcane in nature.

Magical gear is absolutely forbidden for runners outside of comms. Technically, the rule states that teams may not use magic, but in reality race officials willfully ignore arcane gear used by coordinators so long as it's not too disruptive. Every few years they crack down when some team gets out of hand or someone gets hurt, but minor items are ignored.

Scoring

Each flag collected counts as a point. Only runners may collect flags, but the flags are found and the paths to them cleared of both obstacles and other teams by coordinators.

Teams are also ranked on time to completion. Part of the strategy is deciding when you have enough flags and it's time to work on where you'll peg in the final standings.

Prohibited

Intentional direct damage to an opponent, bystander, or property.

Flight by any means.

Teleportation magic.

Coordinators may not interact directly with other teams or flags.

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Primary Related Location

Samavra