The Grand Tourney

The Grand Tourney has come at last to Tantervale—the greatest festival in the Free Marches, and one of the few cultural traditions shared by all Marchers alike from Kirkwall to Wycome. Even though it officially lasts but a day, it is the pinnacle of celebration amongst the commoners and nobility alike.

The games had previously been held at Ostwick, four years ago, and in the customary manner, the right to host had been passed onto Tantervale, for the year 9:21 of the Dragon Age.

Though chiefly a Marcher tradition, travelers come from all corners of Thedas to win glory, curry favor, and forge alliances with the local nobility. They are then followed by merchants, bards, and frequently the odd tourist, just there to enjoy the games.

And games there are a-plenty—games of chance and skill, of the body and mind, on foot and horseback. The Morning Joust is considered a highlight, when the nobility of the Marches try their hand at the tilts. Frequently, there are also races—in Tantervale, this is a horseback race along the banks of the Minanter.

But perhaps the most difficult to win (and dangerous to join) event is the Grand Melee, which is also the most beloved of spectators. It is a free-for-all, wherein only the most skilled (and most determined) have the right to victory.

At the end of the day, it is the knights themselves who decide who should be named the Champion of the games. It is almost always awarded to the winner of the Grand Melee, considered to be the greatest achievement, but there have been times when the winner of other contests happens to be considered more deserving.

## Contests

### The Morning Joust

The Morning Joust is the first event, the one that opens the Grand Tourney. To qualify for the Morning Joust, one must either be a high-ranking noble of the hosting city or else be victorious in qualifying jousts. The format is a single-elimination bracket, with competitors advancing by claiming victory through:

* Staying on their horse while their opponent is unhorsed
* Forcing their opponent to yield in melee combat if both are unhorsed
* Rendering their opponent incapable of fighting or riding

The current reigning champion of the Morning Joust is Waldemar Van Halnöst, who defeated Thierry de Serault in the final at Ostwick.

This year, the bracket for the Morning Joust is as follows:

### The River Race

Whenever it is Tantervale's turn to host the Grand Tourney, the River Race is held, reaching from the Harbor Gate in the east to the Grand Gate in the west, all along the bank of the Minanter River. The last River Race was held over a generation ago, and as Ostwick did not hold a similar event when it was their turn to host the Grand Tourney, there is no current reigning champion.

### Smaller Contests

In addition to the tentpole events of the Grand Tourney, there are also smaller contests that take place before the main event of the Grand Melee. There are physical contests, such as archery, swimming, and wrestling, but artistic ones as well (for true knighthood involves chivalry in *all* forms). These include competitions in poetry, music, and song.

### The Grand Melee

The Grand Melee is just as it sounds: an incredibly large battle royale, wherein any knight, whether highborn or upjumped mercenary, may take to the field and prove their worth. Sharpened swords, maces, and any other weapons may be used, though it is considered gauche to kill an opponent, even in the heat of battle. Instead, most are wise enough to yield, but there are always a few deaths in the melee.

Participants are even free to form alliances, although only one may be permitted to claim the title of victor in the Grand Melee. In much the same way, only one may be named the Champion, and receive the Celebrant, the famed greatsword upon which is inscribed the name of every Champion since the first.

## Prestige

Prestige is the measure by one earns glory in the Grand Tourney, and increases their likelihood of selection to be the Grand Champion. Victory in marquee events such as the Joust and Melee are paramount, but smaller victories may be the deciding factor. The quality of the victory also matters: to be acclaimed as a true knight, the victor must be chivalrous as well as effective.

### Prestige Awards

* **The Morning Joust**
	+ +10 Prestige for every victory
	+ +100 Prestige for the First Place victor
	+ +50 Prestige for the Runner-Up
	+ +25 Prestige for semifinalists
* **The River Race**
	+ +60 Prestige for First Place
	+ +40 Prestige for Second Place
	+ +20 Prestige for Third Place
* **Smaller Contests**
	+ +30 Prestige for First Place in Archery or Music
	+ +20 Prestige for First Place in Swimming or Wrestling
	+ +20 Prestige for Second Place in Archery or Music
	+ +10 Prestige for Second Place in Swimming or Wrestling
	+ +10 Prestige for First Place in Poetry
	+ -20 Prestige for Last Place in Poetry
* **The Grand Melee**
	+ +250 Prestige for the Last Knight Standing
	+ +100 Prestige for the Runner-Up