The Games
Always capitalized, the Games (sometimes called the Royal Games) are a series of sporting competitions held every five years. The best competitors from around Ardrigh and even beyond compete for glory and recognition. Competitions are held in the Capitol at the top of the decade, and are generally held in one of the other founder cities at the bottom of the decade. The main events are the dash (a race of 150 yards), the cross (a run of five and two-thirds miles), the league (a foot race from noon to sunset), the plunge (a swim of one and a quarter miles), archery, javelin, the caber toss, and other contests of strength, endurance, and agility.
The Official Events
Several officially sanctioned events are specified by tradition, and numerous other events exist. Sometimes the only difference between an official and an unofficial one is whether or not the event was specified by royal decree.
Foot Races
dash: A race of 150 yards over flat ground
cross: A run of five and two-thirds miles over a fixed course. The course generally contains hills, curves, and uneven terrain.
league: A foot race starting from a starting point at noon, and continuing until sunset. Leagues are run on or along a High Road (when possible) or the flatest, smoothest path or roadway available. The course normally runs North/South (South to North by preference), or when not possible, it must run from West to East. Runners are often followed by a spotter on horseback.
Swimming Races
plunge: A swim of one and a quarter miles.
Weapons Events
archery: Three standard events in shortbow (ranges are 80, 150 and 300 feet), three in longbow (ranges are 150, 300, and 600 feet). The objective is to strike nearest the center of a target for the various ranges.
There are also two events (shortbow and longbow) for most targets (one foot diameter) hit at middle range in six minutes.
javelin: thrown for distance
longsword: Two competions, longsword and longsword & shield
Weight Events
caber toss: The standard caber is a slightly tapered log 18 feet long and approximately 100 pounds in weight. The objective is to throw the caber end over end, and have it land directly away from the tosser.
hammer throw: A sixteen pound iron sledge is thrown for distance.
stone lift: A lifter must pick up a stone block, stand up straight (for at least one second), place the stone upon a shoulder before lifting it above their head, and then reverse the process. The lifter who can lift the heaviest stone wins.
The "Unofficial" Events
while called unofficial, no distinction is made between these and the official events.
Foot Races
dash: Half and Double dashes
marathon: A race of 26.5 miles over terrain similiar to the cross.
Swimming Races
plunge: Quarter, Half, and occasionally a double plunge.
Weapons Events
crossbow: Crossbow events are similiar to the archery events, although there is no timed event
javelin: The greatest number of javalins that strike a man-sized target at 90 feet in five minutes
rapier
shortsword: Two competions, shortsword and shortsword & dagger
the games
Regional games are held throughout the kingdom two years after and one year prior to the Royal Games, and in general follow the same format as the main Games. These games are held in dedicated arenas or locations.
small games
Lesser events (such as short bow and dagger throwing) are often held alongside the games, and more for the benefit and participation of the common folk. Almost every county seat will hold a lesser games, with set events determined by tradition. Each county mantains it own traditions, although the dash, cross, half-plunge, and quarterstaff are near obligatory.
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