The Semorian Knife Game
Patron 1:C'mon lets see if you can pest me in a game of Dead Eye. Patron 2: You know your not good at throwing knives when you are drunk, I'd be dead after the first the throw! Patron 1: Afraid that you your going to lose? Patrion 2: No, but I rather have a sober man throw knives at me, rather then a drunk man who doesn't even know where he's aiming at!Argument in a tavern over a game of Dead Eye
History
The Semorian Knife game, also Don’t Flinch, Dead Eye, and Knife Chuck is a common game that is played in taverns across the west of Kineth. It is said that the game is based off of Kurdel traditions in which a warrior must stay in place with a pole as knives are thrown around them and must not flinch. It would soon get the attention of Vatian setters that would colonize that would colonize the Kurdel after they the Vatian Empire conquered their homeland of Geronbog. Many saw it as a test of courage and skill by both participant and many used tried it themselves. It started out in Semor, back when it was nothing more then a small settlement. But amateur knife thrower aren't really the ones who should be the ones throwing knives espically when they have been drinking. Many people usually the participant having the knives thrown at them were often killed of seriously injured during these sessions. To the point that in became outlawed throughout the empire. But it was later revoked due to people still playing the game. It was of course regulated by the state to ensure that nothing got out of hand such as the participant risking their if signing a waver stating that no legal actions will be taken if a participant is injured or killed during the game, the knives being used had to be balanced throwing knives and that a professional knife throw must be the one throwing the knives. Tavern owners also had to have a special area built into their taverns in order to play the game and no one else got hurt. After some time traders witness this event and brought it along with them and it eventual spread across the entire west. These days they are often played for money rather then courage and commonly seen in many settlements. Even large competitions are held every year to see who is the most skilled and win rewards in the process. But in the more shader areas of settlements cheating is common with referees being bribed and drugs being coated on the knives, drugging the wall player once they are cut with the knife and later becoming disoriented or passing out once the knife cuts them.
Execution
First the game starts with the signing of the waver to ensure no legal matter are need if anyone is injured during the session. Both sides shake hands as a sign of good sportsman ship and proceed to their stations. With the wall player leaned up behind a wall and the knife player a good distance of ten feet away. Once both players are in place, the knife thrower begins to throw his knives at the other player and try with all of his skill to get as close a possible without hitting them. While the other player stands in place and does not flinch or move when the knives come at them. If they do either then they lose the game and if they do not react when all the knives have been used up then they win instead. But if the player is hit in anyway the match is over and they still win as long as they are still alive.
Components and tools
Balanced throwing knives are used in order for the knife to properly reach in assigned target and not miss by a few inches rather and hits the participant in the process.
Participants
Their are three participants The two playing the game and a referee to determine who the winner is. One of the players is the knife thrower, often the one who has the most skill doing it. and the other one is the one up against the wall waiting for the knives to be thrown. It is the job for the knife thrower to throw the knives he has as close as possible at the other player, not to harm them but to make them flinch instead. The other player must not flinch the entire time during the game or they will automatically lose the match. The referee is only their to make sure that on one get hurt or a cheating is involved during the game, or if the game reaches a close call and can tell who the winner is.
Observance
It can be watched in a tavern, field, festival or arena at any place or time, it does not matter what time of the year it is it is just done for amusement or for money. But their is a small group the still consider this game an act of courage trying to test how brave they can be when faced with danger.
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