Novago

**Official Novago**, more commonly known as simply **Novago**, is a team sport played between two teams of 10 or 11 players each. The offence, with 10 players, carries the oval-shaped ball and attempts to score by drop-kicking the ball into a rectangular goal. The defence, with 11 players, attempts to defend their goal and win back the ball. The game is played on a rectangular field. The objective of the game is to score more goals than the opposing team. Traditionally, the game has been played over two 30 minutes "sections", for a total match time of 60 minutes. Novago is incredibly popular in Calast, but has struggled to find its place outside the continent.

The first official rules of the game came into fruition in ME 223, and have been only slightly changed since. These rules are maintained by the government of the Montiac Empire. The game is played with a small oval shaped ball, usually colored a flat white. The team on offence passes and maneuvers the ball around the field in an attempt to shoot it into the defending teams goal (between two posts and under a bar) at the far end of the field, thereby scoring a goal. Players are must carry the ball with their hands, and can only shoot by drop-kicking. Passing can be done through both under and overhand passes. The team that has scored more goals at the end of the game is the winner. Depending on the format of the competition, an equal number of goals scored results in either a draw or an overtime period. During overtime, the first team to score wins.

The Empire's control of the game has been controversial to many, with numerous accusations of corruption and favoritism. For over a century the "dividing rule" kept mixed-race teams illegal, and saw an unprecedented dominance of the sport by the Empire's founding species, the Lepus. Emperor Gallicles Farus abolished this rule in his final year as Emperor, ME 339. Presently single-race teams are almost nonexistent, and the abolishment of the rule was seen as a significant step in bridging the cultural gap between the Empire's species.

Numerous competitions exist in Novago. In the Empire, each province has its own top league as well as numerous amateur ones, and the Calast Novago Championship sees the top team of each province compete. The Novago Cup also exists, and sees teams representing each species compete. Outside of Calast however, little love exists for Novago. The Shanorin Dynasty had a short-lived league from Me 301-309, but could not compete with the popularity and simplicity of Ssriaf.

## Teams and positions

Novago has various positions for both attack and defence. These positions are not defined or required by the rules, but have become standard since Novago began being played. Each side gets 10 players, as well as an 11th "blocker" for the defence. The team on offence may substitute a single player during their attacking period, while a defensive team may substitute any number of players. Along with the players on the field, each team has 5 substitutes on their bench. Substitutions can take place at any stoppage in play, but must be cleared by the officials first. Players are expected to be capable of playing both an offensive and defensive position, though the blocker plays only that position.

### Offence

An attacking teams goal is to kick the ball into the net, and any position is allowed to do so. This is typically done as close as possible for better chances of scoring. Offensive teams line up in the "setup zone" prior to running their attack. They have 30 seconds to organize into their formation and move the ball into the play zone. Failure to do so results in possession of the ball changing over. When a ball is moved into the play zone, the offence begins one of their 3 *tries*. The 10 offensive players are led by a *rescue* (⬭). A rescues job is to direct play from the beginning of an attack, and can return the ball to the setup zone at the cost of the current try. They are also the only offensive player allowed to catch the ball during a blockers return.

The other main offensive positions are *holders* (Ɪ), *pointers* (X)*,* and *sneaks* (*↓*) Holders are usually the strongest players on an offence, and use their size and strength to clear a forward path for pointers. Canisians will typically play in this position due to their size. Pointers are the primary shooters and usually the most skilled in doing so. Lepus are usually played as pointers due to their speed and kicking power. Sneaks will play on edges of the field, and are the only players allowed to enter the close zone. Sneaks are usually played by either Lepus or Petrans, though the former is far more common.

### Defence

The main goal of the defence is to prevent the offence from scoring and to win back the ball. A defence will typically line up 20 feet from the line of the setup zone, looking to either hold the offence back or win back the ball. Sometimes, a defence will line up farther down the field. This is typically done if an offence is significantly faster, to avoid the risk of a plyer getting a deep run and an easy goal at the start of an attack.

The 11 defensive players are led by a *sweep* (T). Like the rescue, a sweep directs the defence. A *blocker* (□) sits in front of the net and is tasked with saving shots. In recent years, the blocker has come to assist the sweep in directing the defence. The blocker cannot leave the close zone but is allowed to freely travel around it. Blockers will usually be either Lepus or Canisians. *Walls* (▲) make up the majority of a defence. Like holders, walls are typically the strongest players of a defence and use this strength to stop the offence. Walls are usually played by Canisians. *Divers* (V) are the smallest players of a defence, and are tasked with diving into a clash to win the ball. Divers play close behind the walls, and will also mark the sneak on their side of play. They are almost solely played by Nibayr. Finally, *screens* (Y) are tall players positioned behind the defence. They are tasked with using their bodies to block shots, as well as entering the close zone to chase down sneaks. When blocking shots, screens are not allowed to jump after the ball has left the foot of the attacker, and therefore height is vital for the position. A sixth position exists but is rarely used. Called the *flyer* (~), they are small players who can be thrown at a ball carrier by a sweep. This position is rarely played, and has a relatively high injury rate.

## Rules

### Scoring and tries

In Novago, the winner is the team that has scored more points at the end of a game. Scoring is done by drop-kicking the ball goalward, and points are awarded when the ball fully crosses the line running horizontal between the two goal posts. A goal is worth a single point. Goals can be scored from any player in the play zone, but only sneaks are allowed to enter and score inside the close zone. Sneaks will often try to lure the blocker into rushing out of their net, and subsequently lob the ball over and into the goal. Outside the close zone, shots are much more powerful. Though rare, goals can be scored through passes. This is usually done by a player kicking the ball while it's still midair.

When the defence commits a foul, the offence will get a chance to take a set kick. A set kick sees the ball placed on the ground at the location of the foul, kicked far down the field by the rescue. The offence will line up far ahead themselves, and attempt to break through the defence to either kick or collect the ball. Should the set kick be close enough, many rescue's will elect to take a shot rather than pass.

The offence gets 3 chances to score on each play, called tries. Should a shot miss and go beyond the horizontal line at the bottom of a field, a try is used and play resets to the setup zone. The rescue is allowed to return the ball into the setup zone if they choose to, also using a try. If a shot is saved by the blocker, or the blocker collects the ball in any way, they must kick the ball back into the play zone where both teams will attempt a catch. This is called a return, and does not use a try. Should the blocker return the ball either into the setup zone or outside the lines of play, the offence may reset to the setup zone without using a try. If the third try fails, an offensive/defensive switch occurs. If a goal is scored, the offence resets in the setup zone and regains all 3 of their tries.

### Field and equipment

Novago is played on a rectangular field, totaling 196ft in length and 193ft in width, and usually made of clay or compacted sand. The field is divided into 3 zones: the setup zone, play zone, and close zone. The setup zone is 30ft long, and is where the offence prepares their attack. The play zone is the main area of play. The goal itself sits in the middle of the close zone, being 10ft tall and 24ft wide.

A Novago ball is fairly simple in design. Shaped like an elongated oval, the ball is 28cm long and 58cm in circumference at its widest point, and is typically colored in a flat white. The ball can be made from a variety of materials.

Though not required, most players will choose to wear some basic protective equipment. Kneepads are most common, along with elbow pads, shin guards, and light headwear. Other equipment is banned. Some players will wear grippy footwear for better grip while running. Blockers are allowed to wear gloves to better grasp incoming balls, but are disallowed any other equipment. Each team supplies uniforms to their players. These consist of a shirt, shorts, and shin socks all in the team color. Uniforms are plain in design, with no distinctive markings aside from their color. Home teams will wear their team color and away teams will wear a plain white.

### Duration and time stoppages

Novago games last for a total 60 minutes, divided into two halves of 30 minutes each. The two halves are separated by a halftime period. To decide which teams opens on offence, the official flips a coin before the start of the game. One side will represent the home team and the other the visitors. Whatever side lands face up gets first offence. If a play is in progress when the end of a half or game is reached, the official can elect to continue the clock running until the play is finished, which is usually when the offence scores or are forced by the defence back to their setup zone. The time used in this period will be deducted from the next half, if applicable.

Stoppages occur when the ball goes beyond the vertical lines on the side of the field, when an offensive/defensive switch occurs, or when a goal is scored. All three result in the clock being stopped. A ball going outside the vertical line results in a member of the team on offence kicking it back into play, called an *inbound kick*, and both teams make an attempt to catch the ball. Should the defence catch it, possession switches. When an offensive/defensive switch occurs, a 1-minute rest takes place before both teams switch. When a goal is scored, play is stopped while the offence resets themselves in the setup zone.

### Passing, ball movement, and tackling

In Novago, their are two main ways the offence may move the ball: running and passing. Running is straightforward, and the only restriction is Lepus being forbidden from making long jumps due to their physical advantage over other species. Passing is done by lobbing the ball into the hands of another player. Overhand throws are allowed only by the rescue, and will result in the play being reset to the setup zone and a deduction of one try if another position does so. Should a pass miss and hit the ground, both teams dive on the ball an initiate a clash. No limit is put on the number of passes an offence can carry out, and passes can go both forward and back. The only restriction on passes is when a player is offside. A players offside position is judged by their front most foot which, at most, can be lined up with the back most foot of the last defender. An offside is called when the attackers foot position is past that of the last defenders back most foot, based on when the passed ball left the hands of the passer. Offsides are enforced by the linekeepers.

The defence can win the ball back through intercepting or stealing it. The former is done by intercepting a pass, a return, or an inbound kick, and rarely a shot, while the latter is done through winning a clash. When a ball is intercepted, the defence must move the ball back into the setup zone through passing, while the offence attempt to thwart this. For a successful return, the ball itself is the only thing that must touch the ground in the setup zone. The defence may be tackled by the offence 3 times and retain the ball. Should a 4th tackle succeed, the offence restarts the play from the setup zone, but at the cost of a try.

Tackling is allowed by any player, so long as the tackle is carried out on the ball carrier. Tackling any other player results in a foul. Players are allowed, however, to have contact with others. On offence, this is usually done by using their bodies to block or push the defence, thus stopping them from getting to the ball carrier and sometimes even making space for a run. Defenders are allowed to hold offensive players, so long as they are directly in front of them. Players on both sides will also use their body, especially arms, to get in the way of other players without contact. The ball carrier is allowed to shove and push others as long as they have the ball. There are no rules for tackle format, but fouls can be called should the official deem them dangerous. Canisians will often have to tone down their tackles when going against other species due to the Wolf-folk usually being significantly stronger and larger than others. If a sneak is tackled inside the close zone, the ball is returned to the setup zone and a try is used.

A clash occurs when the ball carrier is tackled and their torso touches the ground, or when the ball makes contact with the ground in any way. The ball carrier must clutch onto the ball while the defender attempts to take it. A member of the offence, usually the closest player, will also dive into the clash and attempt to push the defender off the ball carrier. Should they succeed, the ball carrier can then stand and either continue their run or pass the ball. On defence, the diver will sometimes attempt to reach through the defenders legs and also attempt to grab the ball. In a clash, the defender and joining attacking player may not use their arms to push each other. The most common technique for this is for both players to set the top of their head against the other, and use their legs to push. If a ball carrier is tackled but manages to keep the ball or their torso off the ground, a teammate may grab the ball without initiating a clash. A clash is only initiated if the ball or ball carriers torso touches the ground.

### Officials and fouls

The five officials are responsible for enforcing game rules and monitoring the clock. All officials carry a whistle and watch, and wear an all black uniform. Because of this, teams are barred from wearing black uniforms themselves. Each official has different responsibilities, but all contribute to timekeeping and the overall upkeeping of rules.

* The **head official** is present on the field at all times, often standing just feet away from the action. They lead the officiating team and make the final decision on calls.
* The **linekeepers** are in charge of enforcing offsides, judging when a ball has gone out of play, judging if the defence commits a successful return, and acting as a second and third opinion for the head official's calls. Standing outside play on the side of the field, the linekeepers carry a flag and a whistle. Both linekeepers judge out of play balls on their respective side of the field, but only one enforces offsides.
* The **scorekeeper** stands next to the goal, and is responsible for judging if a ball has fully crossed the goal line or not.
* The **bench official** sits on the sidelines and is responsible for approving substitutions and relaying them to the head official.

There are a number of fouls a player can commit during a match, with a variety of consequences. Offsides and illegal tackles are the most common. An offside will result in the offence losing a try, as does an illegal offensive tackle. An illegal defensive tackle will result in an advantage, and the rescue can elect to either continue play or take a set kick. When returning the ball, a blocker must ensure the ball reaches at least the front most attacker. If it does not, the offence is granted a set kick at the location the ball was caught. Inbound kicks must go vertically straight up, to a reasonable degree, and cannot favor the attacking side. If it does, the defence is given possession of the ball in the form of a set kick, which they then must work into the setup zone.

Each position is expected to play to their rules and restrictions. Should any position aside from sneaks, screens, or the blocker enter the close zone, a foul is awarded. Should it be on the offence, an offensive/defensive switch occurs, while if on the defence a set kick is given that may be freely placed anywhere in the play zone. The same goes for the setup zone. Should any offensive player aside from the rescue enter it once play has started, a switch occurs. Screens are watched closely by the scorekeeper, and should they jump after a shot has been taken a set kick is awarded to the offence.

The head official has the right to expel any player for any reason. This is mainly done when an particularly dangerous tackle is done, or when a player is displaying unsporting, aggressive, and/or violent behavior. An expelled player cannot be directly replaced, and their team must continue the game with one less player.

## Leagues and tournaments

### Montiac Empire

#### Leagues

In the Montiac Empire, each of its provinces has its own top league, along with numerous amateur leagues. These leagues play from Cappadox to Tirifumox, and sees each team play each other twice. The team with the most points at the end of the season is crowned champion and qualifies for the Calast Novago Championship. Cavia is the only province without a top league, but still has a handful of amateur teams.

#### Cups

The Calast Novago Championship is the premier cup competition for Novago teams in the Montiac Empire. 16 teams, the winner of each provincial league, compete in a bracket tournament of home-away legs as well as a single game final held at the Montiacos Amphitheatre. The Championship is played in the month of Zavagius, immediately following the end of the provincial leagues.

### Outside of Calast

Outside of Calast, little love exists for Novago due to its confusing nature for beginners and the requirement of a large field for play. The Shanorin Dynasty had a short-lived league, the Shanorin Novago League, from Me 301-309. It ultimately folded due to low popularity among the Chasans, and could not compete with the popularity and simplicity of Ssriaf. With the present relations between the Empire and Dynasty, those in the latter have little desire to learn the game of their enemies.

Novago in the megacity of Rosia isn't as rare. Rosia has a handful of large areas where Novago is played, and the sport is mainly popular among Marib and Suricats. Due to the low number of players, no official competition exists and games played are solely for fun.

The game is quite liked by the Anur, and a handful of the Frog-folk have managed to play for teams in Calast. Richer Anur will often travel to Calast to watch the Novago Championship final. A semi-professional league exists on their home islands, but is severely behind those in Calast due to skill level.

### Novago Cup

Following the end of the dividing rule, the Novago Cup was established. Held every 4 years starting in ME 340, the Novago Cup sees the best players from each species join into a team and play against others. The Novago Cup is held to celebrate the strengths each species brings to Novago. The tournament has no set format due to the number of teams competing varying. The Lepus and Canisian teams have historically dominated, the latter winning in 340 and the former in 344. The inaugural tournament was played between Lepus, Canisian, Nibayr, and Petran teams, while the 344 edition saw the addition of Scrofan, Anurian, and Ursidae teams. A team of Marib players from Rosia is expected to partake in the 348 tournament.

The Novago Cup has so far been hosted in Capitus (340) and Cosium (344). The 348 edition is scheduled to be held in Isara. Though all editions have been held inside the Empire, no law prevents the tournament from being hosted in other states.

## Popularity amongst folk

Lepus and Canisians have the strongest interest in the game, the former due to their centuries of play. To Canisians, Novago was a major help in their integration to the Empire following the Northern War, and the Wolf-folk take great pride in their 338 victory in the Calast Novago Championship. The two species collectively make up the majority of Novago players across the Empire, and produced many of the greatest players of the sport.

Despite the dominance of the Lepus and Canisians, many other species play and enjoy success in Novago. Nibayr players are essential to most teams, their small size making them great divers, and Nibayr players have seen the most success outside of the Lepus and Canisians. Due to their short lifespan, Nibayr players will usually only enjoy a few great seasons. Petrans too have played the game since its introduction to the Empire, and possess the biology to be great players. However, the Lizard-folks' lack of belief in free choice means many simply don't care to improve their game to great levels.

The Scrofans, despite being apart of the Empire for centuries, have never produced a player or team of note. They are generally decent at the game, but the Empire's historic suppression of the species has seen many refuse to play. Scrofans that do play are required to wear coverings over their tusks for the safety of other players.

Anurians and Ursidae play as well. The game is quite popular in the Anurian home islands, but the Frog-folk generally lack the biological traits to be skilled. The Ursidae, while outmatching even the Canisians in strength, are quite slow and therefore struggle with scoring. The Bear-folks' love for violence makes them very effective physical players, but most lack interest in pursuing the sport.

The Marib and Suricats are the only species outside of Calast to play the game in significant numbers, though they are said to lack skill.