Duck Catching

Table of Contents

A part of the equinox celebrations in Savu'shivi that was tied to warrior training.

History

This tradition emerged 1in 1254, when an old tree collapsed and tore down the fence of the western duck farm. The flock escaped and started running through the village while the farmer's family and their neighbors tried chasing after them. Soon, every able-bodied inhabitant was involved in the effort, but few of them were successful. The ducks kept dodging people's hands, squirming out of their grasp, or biting whoever tried to get near them. Catching them seemed like an impossible task, especially since nobody could risk to harm them. However, the grandmaster of the warrior school took this as an opportunity to demonstrate how his teachings could be adapted to unusual situations. The young trainees followed his example and started putting their skills to the test. They soon figured out how to catch the ducks safely, and even started to turn this into a playful competition. Within four hours, all ducks were back in the enclosure. People started joking that their young warriors were now certified duck catchers, and the masters came to the realization that catching animals was a good alternative to regular sparring. Unlike a fellow trainee, a duck would not adhere to a well-studied sequence of moves, or be concerned with fighting fair. Consequently, the warrior school made a deal with the duck farmers and incorporated such events into the curriculum.

Execution

The duck catching took place every spring and fall, as part of the equinox celebration. After their warm-up exercises, the trainees gathered a the ritual circle for meditation. Meanwhile, the children scattered duck treats across the village, so that the animals would be eager to escape as soon as the farmers opened the enclosures. Those villagers who were not directly involved often made bets who would catch the most ducks. On the grandmaster's signal, the ducks were released, and ten minutes later, the young warriors were allowed to start chasing them. Whenever a duck was returned unharmed, the person who had caught it gained one point, but if they had injured the duck, they lost two. Once every duck was back in the enclosure, three winners were determined based on these counts and the event was concluded with a big festival.

Participants

Duck Catchers

Every adolescent male who trained as a warrior took part in this competition. There were no limitations regarding the participants' species, and Werewolves or Mixbloods competed at the same level as the Elves. They were allowed to use whatever technique they had trained, as long as they didn't injure the ducks or interfere with the efforts of other participants. Examples included:

sneaky and swift movements
grappling
using nearby objects to one's advantage
Energy reading to find the ducks via body heat
Energy slowing to make the ducks fall asleep
shifting to bestial form for a keener sense of smell
changing one's body size to run with longer legs

Duck Baiters

Staring one week before the event, children of school age baked special duck treats with the help of their mothers and grandmothers. The dough was made from water plants, seeds, and insects, and cut into the shape of tiny ducks. Those treats were then distributed evenly between all participating children at the beginning of the event. When the warriors gathered at the ritual circle, the children were sent to scatter the treats wherever they wanted. The only rules were that they had to be outside buildings and should be at least one step apart.

Referees

Those warriors who were already adults observed the catchers. They made sure that they focused on the ducks and did not attack their peers.

Farmers

The farmers kept track of the score. They examined each returned duck for injuries, counted who had brought them, and announced the end of the chase when all ducks were back in the enclosure.

A village near the entrance of a secluded valley, built by the Talma'kabi tribe. When the Kingdom of Fir'arun declared relationships between Elves and Werewolves illegal, the council of elders decided that any fugitives would be welcome in Savu'shivi, and the rest of the tribe quickly followed their example. The authorities eventually learned about this sanctuary, and the royal army moved to attack the Talma'kabi. Savu'shivi warded off two attacks, but was overwhelmed when the Kingdom followed up with an unexpectedly large and well-equipped battalion. Three days later, the entire population of the valley had been wiped out.

Location

Savu'shivi

Type

martial arts competition

Observance

every six months