Sparring Days
History
Sparring Days started as a tradition solely within the Cult of Soliairs, as a way for their crews to test their mettle, train, and blow off steam amongst one another with controlled fights, spars, and mock battles. It is rumored that the events started due to conflict between two captains of rival ships within the crane's fleet, both seeking promotion, and had during a raid collided, blaming one another. With the threat given from one captain to another to 'flay' their rival, Soliairs Taeyang commanded that they give it their best shot to do so, and gathered their primary crew and other captains to observe. Due to the pressure of an audience, the captains caved, instead boxing until one backed out, at which point Soliairs themself joined in, wrestling with their right hand, Benjamen Stridde.
Repeated instances of Sparring Days were sporadic in the early days of the cult, often only arising during interpersonal conflicts among the crew, but later became a celebrated and routinely observed tradition, most commonly on the third Veg of every month to prevent more conflicts from arising. Due to one such sparring day occurring on a meeting of the gods, it was held at Limbo's Crossing following the conclusion of the meeting, and the minor pantheon observed the cult's ritual to great fervor, particularly Ferventi, God of Wolves, Ludovic, and Sekhmet, Goddess of Lions; who adopted the tradition themselves into their own cults with Soliairs' permission.
Today, Sparring Days are a celebration and treated much more as a sporting event than a battle or training session. Sparring Days do not see raids, true battles, or high-stakes conflicts within the Cult of Soliairs, being considered a day off to enjoy. Participation as a combatant is not required, and forbidden for children, the injured, and sick who are only allowed to observe and feast for its duration.
Execution
As Sparring Days are generally an informal affair, different sparring matches are typically not staggered or ranked in any particular way, especially within Soliairs and Ferventi's cults. Multiple sparring matches typically take place at once, with other members of the groups observing, cheering on, or heckling the dueling parties. Once a party has concluded their duel, regardless of actual victor, one party will be declared the winner by their use of skill, form, and strategy by their peers and often be given a celebratory drink, weapon, or piece of equipment.
Within Soliairs' own cult, celebratory gifts are oftentimes liquor or in special cases, a recently captured ship or armament.
Components and tools
Any and all non-projectile or explosive weapon is permitted to be used within Soliairs and Ferventi's cults. Within the Cult of Ludovic, participants may only use their own physical strength, magic, or bladed weapons.
The Cult of Lions specifically ordains that sparring matches must only be through boxing or MMA.
Participants
Combatants of the festival are typically priests, warriors, and young individuals seeking to prove their worth and status, as well as their own combat ability. It is common for mentors of younger pupils to ask them to participate, pitting them against their peers as a way of training and improving their skills. These combatants will then spar with their chosen method, with approved weapons and equipment as mandated by their respective peers and mentors until one party gives in or is deemed too injured to continue.
Observance
Sparring Days take place on the third Veg of every month within Soliairs' cult, though additional Sparring Days may be declared by Soliairs or key members of the cult at any time, such as special festivities, events, or when tensions are high.
The Cult of Ludovic typically only observes Sparring Days every other month and an additional day during the Festival of Life.
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