Aelford Gauntlet

The Aelford [ale-ford] Gauntlet is both a festival for the townsfolk of Aelford as well as a way to celebrate and encourage the passionate hearts of young and would-be adventurers. A multi-day event, people gather from across the lands to participate and view the competitions. Every year, the top few groups of would-be-heroes are given gifts of weapons, armor, and equipment that would benefit any adventurers

## History

### History of the Gauntlet

> When Hames Wyarde was still a young man, he would often walk the city's streets and converse with passersby. Though born into nobility, Hames was always a man of the people and would often prefer to sit with commoners in the park than sit in stuffy courts and estates. He had grown up enamored of the legends and stories that were passed around in taverns and firesides; things that directly contrasted his sheltered existence.
>
>

> One day, Hames came across a group of youths playing in the park. They carried dull weapons and wore dented pieces of armor, acting out stories of folklore heroes and legends from the time of the Builders. Hames approached them, offering to outfit them in real equipment if they were serious about becoming adventurers. Eagerly, they said yes, and set off with Hames to the market. A short time later, they were on their way, laughing and cheering for the road ahead.
>
>

> Years went by and Hames received no news about the youths. He grew concerned over time that he had sentenced them to death, and withdrew from society. Hames was often wracked with doubt over whether or not he had done the right thing, and indeed found himself questioning even simple decisions in his life. Pensive and brooding, Hames reclused himself to his home, refusing visitors and sending servants out for all of his needs.
>
>

> He carried on in this fashion for some time when things in the ocean began dying mysteriously. A thin oily substance was flowing down Ael river and through the city, killing wildlife and people alike. An agent of Nazuu the Unclean had been sent to poison the land and create places for his taint to take hold. The people of Aelford were panicked, as the oily substance seemed to resist all efforts to cleanse, and nobody who had ventured out to discover its source had returned.
>
>

> Just as the city teetered on the brink of collapse, a company of adventurers clad in sigils of blue fangs on fields of white entered the city. They placed crystals throughout the city that nullified the effects of the oily substance, vowing the stop the toxin at its source. They marched along the Ael river until they finally encountered and defeated Nazuu's minion, saving the town.
>
>

> Upon returning to the city, the survivors began cheering and celebrating the Azure Fang, offering them whatever they wanted in exchange for their help. The heroes shrugged off the offers, instead asking to be directed to the house of Hames Wyarde. Arriving there, the heroes were greeted by Hames, who was amazed to realize that the heroes before him were in fact the same youths he had outfitted so long ago. The scrawny smith's son had grown up to be a bold and fearless commander of men. The apprentice scribe was now awash in mystic energy. The quiet scholar's son had become a cleric, and his little brother (who was always seen as in the way) was now indispensable as a charismatic bard. Hames offered them anything within his power in thanks for saving the city, but was simply told that they were merely repaying him for allowing them to become the heroes they always wanted to be.
>
>

> *Inscribed in the plaques on statues in the town center of Aelford.*
>
>