Sports Leagues

Over the past millennium, the inhabitants of Casiphon, especially those in the large, stable and prosperous Taorminite empire, invented a number of sports which developed into full-fledged spectator leagues.   Discobolia: Originally an elven game, the sport of discobolia involves hurling a light disc of tough but flexible wood through the air to team-mates with the intent of striking a target (Proponthryntian discobolia), being caught in an end zone by a team-mate (Borysthenian discobolia) or coming to rest in a target area (Acranthian discobolia).  In the original elven game, the field was a gentle valley with rocks, trees and other natural impediments; the modern game is played on a flat field with a number of pillars set up at particular locations.  Players leap to catch the disc in spectacular fashion, before hurling the disc through the air again, with foot speed, throwing skill and hand-eye coordination the main attributes.     Rugbaeum: Originally a dwarven game, the sport of rugbaeum involves bringing a particular player (Carradine rugbaeum) or a ball (southern rugbaeum) to a particular spot at the opponent's end of the field.  In the original dwarven game, the playing field was ring-shaped and raised several feet above the ground; players who were removed from the ring by being shoved or knocked off were removed from play until the next round; in the modern game, the field is a flat oval and players who end up out of bounds must re-enter the field from a narrow gate at their defensive end of the field.  Players run quickly to avoid tackles and form scrums to force their way along the field, and when the scoring player or ball-carrier is knocked to the ground, the play resets.  Running speed is useful, but team coordination to form effective scrums an sheer momentum is most useful.   Tarrasicche: The game of tarrasicche is similar to badminton or tennis, depending on the type (gnomish tarrasicche is played with a shuttlecock, halfling tarrasicche with a hollow rubber ball made to look like a chicken).  It is traditionally played by gnomes and halflings.  The loser must dress up as a goblin and be pelted with snowballs, mud or overripe fruit.   Boloch: The game of boloch is a human invention.  Players strike a circular ball with any part of their body except their hands, with the intent of knocking it through a series of hoops (larger hoops lower down are worth fewer points) at the opponent's end of the field.  The edge of the field has a wall separated from the field by a curved surface so the ball always rolls back into play; if the ball enters the spectators, they punch or throw it back into play.   Athletics: Various athletic disciplines are competitive sports, including running, throwing, fencing, shooting and riding.  The most prestigious athletic event is the dodecathlon holon, where athletes run, swim, jump, climb, vault, fence with weapons, shoot a bow, ride, do a sort of gymnastic dance, play a chess-like game and work out a series of competitive puzzles.  Each event is scored in a particular way, and events are held over a number of days.