Grand Tournaments
Grand Tournaments hosted in Raad, the capital city of The Kingdom of Sarayne, consist of jousting, combat on foot, tourneys - mounted combat between teams in the style of a battle - and other feats of martial skill.
History
Tournaments were a traditional pastime of the noble and martial classes of the Kingdom of Nerevarn many centuries ago, but they fell out of fashion after the death of Caedmon Briarheart, reputed to have been the lover of King Velebor II. After Briarheart's death Velebor retired from public life and no further tournaments were officially organised in the Kingdom.
In Sarayne however, the tradition received a new lease of life under King Consort Gawain, a son of King Velebor who married Queen Nareya I of Sarayne. Always fond of attending tournaments as a child with his father, he had continued to train in the arts of jousting, riding, and martial combat even after such events ceased. After his marriage, he began organising tournaments in his new home of Raad, the capital of his wife's kingdom. With her endorsement and attendance at several, they became must-attend society events, and despite fluctuating populatity in the centuries since, the overall tendency towards ever-greater grandeur has been such that they now easily match those which used to be held in Nerevarn.
Execution
Tournaments are in some ways quite informal affairs much like any other festival, with the attendees and spectators free to wander around a variety of stalls, exhibits, and sideshows throughout the morning. These often include refreshment vendors, bards, jugglers, acrobats, and traveling entertainers of many varieties. In the early afternoon, the events begin; starting with the smaller events such as lightly armoured foot combat, staff fighting, and fencing, during which the stalls and entertainments remain open and the spectators continue to wander freely, choosing what best catches their interest. During this time, the lists - the main open arena surrounded by tiered seating - will be occupied by the Grand Tourney, a mock battle with commanders, mounted knights, and foot soldiers on each side. Since it is not staged, this event often results in injuries, although attempting to kill an opponent is strictly forbidden and there is a 'safety area' to the side of the lists in which combat is disallowed, with healers ready to assist those hurt. The winning side receives a small amount of coin for each combatant, and any individuals which the winning 'commander' - invariably a high ranking general in the army - considers to have particularly distinguished themselves may be offered a commission as a reward.
Around mid-afternoon, when the jousting is about to begin, a trumpet is blown to alert everyone to take seats in the lists, and for the various stalls and booths to close. The joust is the main event and the most coveted victory, as the winner of the joust becomes the overall Champion of the tournament. As well as the honour and status of being named Champion, victory in the joust also allows the winner to choose the King/Queen of the Day.
Participants
The royal family, when they are in attendance, have a Royal Box hung with heraldic banners from which to watch the lists. It is positioned centrally between the two ends of the lists, so that during the joust the two combatants will usually clash directly in front of the royals, giving them the best view.
Anyone able to afford or borrow a horse, armour, shield and lance may compete, and may do so under their own name or a psudonym, as long as no attempt is made to impersonate an actual living person. Competing in disguise is not uncommon, though the victor is expected by convention to remove their helmet or magical disguise for the awarding of the prize medallion. If members of the Royal Family compete, it is in fact considered bad taste for them NOT to be disguised, since to be openly royal is to tacitly demand one's opponent to 'go easy' for fear of injuring the family of their monarch.
The winners of the smaller events, the commander of the winning team in the tourney, and any of his team he decides are worthy of special commendation, receive prizes which are usually related to their victory (weapons and armour are common). The winner of the joust however is awarded only a small victory medallion on a ribbon - which they in turn present by tradition to their chosen King or Queen of the Day - as the real prize for becoming Champion of the joust is the status and prestige. The champion is also expected to open the ball which almost always follows the Tournament (for those invited) by dancing with his or her chosen King or Queen.
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