Heralds of Winter

[Corwyn]

Every odd year, for the past quarter century, the appearance of flyers, billboards, advertisements and criers have heralded the arena tournaments at the onset of autumn. This year is no different. While the season seems unnaturally cold, with frost coming early and the leaves turning already, the banners and placards are a reminder of the coming winter.
Some regions have seen snow already and even in mild years, the winter months are harshest in the far flung towns and villages of Cairn. Snow drifts and ice storms make the roads impassable by early winter and in the worst parts of winter, travel even within cities becomes quite difficult. Mid-winter festivals are designed to alleviate stress and boredom, but often smaller communities lack the resources to offer such distractions among snowdrifts and hail storms.
In one of the rare communal organizations hosted by both the Blue and the Red temples, there is a solution to this time of continent-wide helplessness and boredom. A great tornament is held in Tashagang and all are invited. Red and Blue temples set up teleportation circles and sell passage to the arena in Tashagang. The costly fee covers a round trip for as many as six individuals and all they could carry. Horses or larger animals could be brought along as well but each such animal takes the place of two or more men.
Those who wish to compete in the actual tournament are offered free passage, along with the entry fee. People who pay the transportation fee in order to watch, gamble on the events, or purchase vending licsences are welcome to later join the tournament, though the full entry fee must be paid. Those who wish to return before the end of the tournament must purchase a return trip or arrange other means of travel, and unused return trips will not be refunded. For those who wait till the end, their initial transportation costs will cover a return trip to their starting point, or any other sanctioned temple on the continent.
Anyone already in Tashagang for the tournament need but pay a mere 25 gold to visit the arena at any time during the events. However, food and lodging is not covered by the entry fees, transportation cost or access passes.


**As the time of the Battle Arena draws near, and the tournament is built, feel free to begin learning about the contest. Invite other PCs from other games, form teams and make plans. Betting will be permitted, and you may bet on yourself. But death is a possibilty, though healers stand by, still if you are instantly killed, or cannot be saved in time, you will die. Possessions belonging to a fallen contestant are the spoils to the victor, though they can be insured through the Blue Temple. Nearly every town, village or hamlet on the continent has at least a Blue Temple representative, if not an actual Blue or Red Temple. Almost no permament structure on the continent is more than a few days ride from the nearest Blue Temple, and only the most remote locations are more than a day form such a place. Every Blue or Red Temple has a Teleportation Circle. The circles all lead to one place: the Tashagang Palace Arena visitors center. **