Provings

**Provings** are combat-arena matches used to settle debates, and honor challenges that could not be settled otherwise, in accordance to dwarven culture. Like many elements of dwarven life, Provings are unique to the dwarven race. To a casual observer, a Proving match between dwarves may appear as a mere bloodsport but, to the dwarves, Provings embody far more.

The Provings in Ondrathum are duels between dwarves held in the arena in the Commons known as the Proving Grounds. When dwarves do battle in the arena, it is a matter of great honor. The dwarves believe that a fighter who wins a Proving has the approval of the Exemplars, and so the outcome of a Proving is believed to represent the favor of the dwarven Progenitors, those venerable dwarves of ages past whom all dwarves revere.

## Background

With Provings embodying the will of the Progenitors, the matches take on great gravity, and are therefore used as a means to settle disputes of honor, vengeance, debates in the Assembly, and conflicts between noble houses, among other things. The dwarven noble houses win Provings to earn rank and prestige for their respective houses and, furthermore, Provings have been used to eclipse rival houses in the dwarves' centuries-old power struggles. For example, Provings are used to settle how much prestige and degrees of power a noble house's achievements are meant to confer when two rival houses dispute whose triumphs are superior.

Any dwarf may fight in a Proving, but typically noble houses choose champions from the warrior caste or members of the noble house's own bloodline to represent them. During the Dark Ages, the best warriors of the Grand Provings were named Exemplars of the dwarves, and statues were constructed in their honor.

Provings are not explicitly fought to the death, but that is often the outcome, as it is commonly believed better for a single dwarf to die to settle a dispute to avoid greater bloodshed and death.

Lower caste dwarves typically do not participate in Provings unless their honor is at stake, and casteless are not allowed to participate at all, as dwarves believe their presence would insult the Progenitors. In contemporary times, the Assembly has prohibited lower caste dwarves from participating in Provings, even in the case of settling honor disputes. The Assembly decreed that Provings are a gentlemen's contest where future generals and respected veterans display their skills. It is intended to be inspiring, and remind the lower castes why their leaders lead.

In spite of the importance and sacredness of Provings, the matches are sometimes rigged to ensure favorable outcomes.

## Types of Provings

* **Trials of Blood**: Each year the best fighters in Ondrathum meet for the Trials of Blood, a great tournament that crowns the kingdom's best and most popular fighter.
* **Honor/Glory Provings**: The most typical proving in which combatants fight for the honor of a particular person, house, cause, or in order to settle a dispute.
* **Open Provings**: Everyone is fighting solo against multiple opponents.
* **Memorial Provings**: Held in the memory of a dwarf of high stature.
* **Celebratory Provings**: A Proving held to celebrate an event. It is often in this type of Provings that the victor is rewarded with a ceremonial item, such as the Proving Helm.
* **Grand Provings**: These are the most prestigious Provings, often held during the coronations of rulers, and major holidays.
	+ Before the capital of the empire was moved to Ondrathum at **-1170D**, Grand Provings took place in Nar-Lodahr.
* **Unsanctioned Provings**: In spite of the regulations regarding Provings, many unsanctioned matches occur in the arena. Such matches are forbidden by the Assembly, as it flouts the will of the Progenitors. Members of younger warrior houses usually participate in them because they don't often get a chance to test themselves in the Provings. Unlike official matches, the use of unorthodox tactics is quite common, such as the use of casteless from Dustburgh, or mages from the surface. Furthermore, dirty fighting is also allowed.

## Proving officials

* **Proving Master**: The Provings are arranged, and presided over, by the Proving Master. The Proving Master sets the schedule of the fights and officiates over them. More than one Proving Master exists, as different Masters preside over different types of Provings. The Proving Master holds the power to mete out justice amongst the Proving fighters, as the Proving Master can have those fighters who dishonor Provings jailed.
* **Proving Trainer**: The lead trainer of the Provings trains warriors from lesser houses without their own trainers the art of dueling, as well as promising fighters of the warrior caste.
* **Proving Armsman**: The Armsman provides arms and armor to fighters. The Armsman can also schedule unofficial and illegal Provings in order to test the mettle of warriors eager to engage in battles they otherwise would not be allowed into.