The Bloomburrow Games
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To our citizens, friends, neighbours, and honoured guests alike, 𓂃 |
Let it be known throughout the town and beyond that preparations have begun for the Bloomburrow Games!
In the coming days, the festival grounds shall be dressed in flowers, ribbons, painted banners, and all the colours our townsfolk may provide. Lists shall be raised for riders, targets set for archers, tables prepared for cards and wagers, and a grand stage built for those bold enough to present themselves before the gathered crowd.
For a few days, let work be set aside where it may. Let neighbours share tables, strangers become friends, and competitors test their courage, skill, beauty, wit, and fortune before the cheering people of the town.
Whether you come seeking victory, coin, applause, or merely pleasant days among good company, you shall be welcome.
All are invited to attend.
((Date(s): 31st of July - 3rd of August))
Location: Spire Festival Grounds!
THE FESTIVITIES
The Bloomburrow Games shall feature:
- The Bloomburrow Tables
- The Pageant (Pearl of the Town)
- The Joust
- Burrowshot Marksman Games and Tournament
- Commencement of the Grand Challenge
Each contest shall be overseen by an appointed herald, judge, or dealer. Rules will be explained before participation begins, and all rulings made by festival officials shall be considered final.
Prizes shall be awarded to the finest competitors of each game, though surely glory, laughter, and the admiration of the crowd are prizes enough for some.
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Main Event Schedule ((Friday, 31st of July | 4PM EST)) Opening Ceremony
((Friday, 31st of July | 5PM EST)) Bloomburrow Tables |
Other Activities Grand Challenge Sign-Up
Marksman Tournament Qualifiers |
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((Saturday, 1st of August | 1PM EST)) The Jousts |
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((Sunday, 2nd of August | 12PM EST)) Pearl of the Town Pageant |
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((Monday, 3rd of August | 4:30 PM EST)) Burrowshot Marksman Tournament |
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*Please note, times are not final and may be subject to change* |
THE BLOOMBURROW TABLES
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Game: Poker Within the gaming pavilion, cards shall be dealt and fortunes won or lost beneath the watchful eyes of the Bloomburrow dealers. Competitors may take their seats at the tables to test their nerve, their judgement, and their ability to keep a steady expression when fortune has dealt them poorly. Crowns may be wagered within the limits established by the festival officials, though players are reminded that the purpose of the tables is friendly competition rather than financial ruin. Those who possess neither coin nor confidence are still encouraged to gather, watch, offer entirely unwanted advice, and insist that they knew what cards everyone held all along. The most successful cardsharp of the festival shall be named the Bloomburrow High Hand. Rules: Poker Rules, Dealer((DM)) Discretion |
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THE JOUST
Entry: Pre-registration strongly encouraged!
At the sounding of the horn, riders shall take to the lists beneath fluttering banners and the roar of the crowd!
The Joust of Petals is a trial of horsemanship, courage, accuracy, and the ability to remain seated after being struck by a lance. Competitors shall ride in paired passes, earning favour through clean strikes, broken lances, and a decisive unhorsing.
All lances and protective equipment must be inspected and approved before a competitor enters the lists. The joust is intended as a display of skill and gallantry. Deliberate attempts to maim a rider or injure their mount shall result in immediate removal from the games.
Competitors need not hold a noble title or knightly rank. Any rider capable of meeting the safety requirements may petition to enter.
The final rider remaining shall be proclaimed the Champion of the Bloomburrow Lists, and also be rewarded with crowns and a horse of fine pedigree!
Rules: Read up on our Joust Mechanics here!
Pearl of the Town Pageant
“Masculine women, feminine men! Which is the rooster, and which is the hen?”What: A beauty pageant and talent show—with a drag-themed twist For one glittering evening, the Bloomburrow stage shall belong to the bold, the beautiful, and the magnificently overdressed! Contestants are invited to create a flamboyant persona and present themselves before the gathered town as a drag queen, drag king, drag monarch, or whatever dazzling combination best suits them. They shall strut the runway, introduce their newly fashioned selves, and display their talents beneath the watchful eyes of the judges and the roaring approval of the audience. There are only ten places available upon the stage - and only one crown waiting at its end. The pageant shall be divided into three sections, each testing a different part of a performer’s poise, confidence, and talent. Scores shall be awarded by the judging panel throughout the pageant. Once all three sections have concluded, the three highest-scoring contestants shall advance to a final, three-way performance smackdown. There, each finalist must give everything they have left to the stage. Whoever delivers the greatest final performance shall be crowned the victor. |
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BURROWSHOT Marksman games and Tournament
Entry: Bring your own bow, crossbow or similar ranged weaponry!
Format: Qualifiers are ongoing until the day of the tournament. The top 4 highest scoring participants earn a ticket to the Tournament where they will be put into an arena and engage in a free-for-all marksman tournament until the last one standing is crowned the victor!
QualifiersArchers of every experience are invited to step before the line and test their aim. A series of painted targets shall be placed at increasing distances across the range. Each contestant shall receive a limited number of arrows, with more difficult targets awarding a greater number of points. Some targets may be small. Some may move. Some may be shaped in ways that the carpenter responsible will insist are perfectly recognisable. Each participant may undertake the challenge no more than twice, with their highest score being entered upon the public board. Scores shall be updated throughout the festival so that archers may know exactly whose name they must surpass. The contestant with the highest final score shall earn the title of Bloomburrow’s Keenest Eye, and receive a set of rewards! (To be announced) Rules: Spoiler
Basic Rules
Special Rules
AbilitiesParticipants can select Abilities to use. Those with no marksman feats can pick one, those with at least one can select two. A Ranged lineage weapon counts. (An ability used must be clearly marked in the emote)
Example Qualifier Entry: Spoiler
The tournament organizers will score the attempt, and in Iselle's case she would be judged in the following way: Total Score: 9
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Tournament
The four finalists shall enter an enclosed arena filled with wooden barricades, hay bales, raised platforms, narrow firing lanes, and other obstacles behind which a quick-footed marksman might seek shelter.
Each finalist shall be equipped with approved ranged weaponry and specially prepared tournament projectiles intended to mark or stagger their targets rather than inflict mortal injury.
At the sounding of the horn, all four archers become one another’s opponents.
There shall be no teams, no permanent alliances, and no safety in possessing the highest qualifying score. Competitors must move through the arena, take cover, choose their targets carefully, and avoid being caught in the sights of the other five.
Each archer shall enter the arena bearing four Blooms, represented by ribbons, badges, or another visible marker upon their person.
Whenever an archer suffers a confirmed hit (Multi hits count as one), one of their Blooms is removed.
Once all four Blooms have been lost, that archer is eliminated and must immediately lower their bow and leave the arena by the nearest marked exit.
The contest shall continue until only one archer retains a Bloom.
That final contestant shall be named Burrowshot Champion, and conferred additional rewards. (To be Announced)
the Grand Challenge (Commencement)
A call goes out to warriors of every discipline.
Mages, rangers, brawlers, knights, mercenaries, duelists, and fighters of every other sort are invited to enter a long-running tournament to determine the greatest combatant among them.
There shall be no teams and no battle lines. Every contest shall remain what it ought to be:
One fighter against another. One duel at a time.
The tournament shall take place over the course of approximately one to two months, during which participants may challenge one another and arrange their own duels with minimal oversight from the tournament organizers.
Each victory allows a fighter to claim the tokens gathered by their opponent. Each defeat leaves the loser clinging to a final chance.
In time, the field shall narrow until only two fighters remain.
Those final contenders shall meet in a grand concluding duel before the gathered spectators, where one shall be named the tournament’s champion.
Rules and further Details:
- Seneschalty Laws pertaining to Duels must be strictly adhered to!
Please review the laws here as necessary: Section 8 (Click me) - Every participant begins the tournament with two tokens bearing the tournament’s mark.
- When a fighter loses a duel, they surrender all tokens in their possession except one to the victor.
This means that a competitor may survive their first defeat, but they are left in a dangerous position. Should they lose another duel while possessing only a single token, that final token is surrendered and they are eliminated from the tournament. - The competition continues until only two token-bearing participants remain.
- Participants can challenge each other at will, and challenges must be accepted. (Exception below.)
- Each participant may deny a single challenger for the duration of the tournament. A denied challenger cannot challenge the participant until the final duel.
- The challenged participant has the right to choose the location of the duel, but cannot change it from its natural state. (They cannot trap the location or otherwise make preparations.)
- Duels must take place under participants’ peak conditions, at participant discretion. If a participant is significantly maimed, cursed, or otherwise afflicted below their peak condition for an extended period of time, they will have to continue under that disadvantage.
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Participants may use the weapons, armour, magic, constructs, artifacts, potions, and similar resources that form part of their usual personal capabilities.
These must be wielded, directed, or prepared by the participant themselves.
Another person may not enter the duel, provide healing, cast supporting magic, command the participant’s equipment, or otherwise interfere once the contest has begun.
Summoned or controlled creatures and constructs may be permitted where they are a direct extension of the participant’s own abilities, though the duel must remain fundamentally one combatant against one combatant.
- The tournament organizers remain as DMs for the purpose of settling disputes, and their word is final.
The Duels may commence following the Closing Ceremony, and not one moment sooner!
AWARDS AND CLOSING CEREMONY
Before dusk settles upon the festival grounds, the games shall come to a close and the days’ champions called before the gathered town.
Awards shall be presented to:
- The Bloomburrow High Hand
- The Pearl of the Town
- The Champion of the Bloomburrow Lists
- Bloomburrow’s Keenest Eye
- The Burrowshot Champion
The champions shall be presented with their prizes and invited to stand together during the closing ceremony.
But we will celebrate more than just our champions!
The Bloomburrow Games are a celebration of every hand that built the grounds, every cook who filled a plate, every musician who lifted a tune, every guard who kept the peace, every competitor who dared enter, and every citizen who came to cheer.
After the final words are spoken, music and revelry shall continue until the grounds close for the evening.
FAIRGROUND RULES
To ensure the Bloomburrow Games remain safe and enjoyable for all, the following rules shall be observed:
- Weapons may only be carried where permitted by festival officials, guards, or contest heralds.
- Jousting arms and archery equipment must remain within their designated grounds.
- All contests are to be conducted in the spirit of friendly competition.
- Sabotaging equipment, interfering with a competitor, or threatening festival officials will result in removal from the grounds.
- Do not damage the tents, lists, stages, decorations, stalls, or targets.
- Spectators must remain behind marked barriers during the joust and archery game.
- Gambling shall only take place at approved tables under the supervision of appointed dealers.
- Harassment over wagers, losses, pageant judgements, or competition results shall not be tolerated.
- The pageant crown is ceremonial and may not be claimed through duelling.
- Treat the animals, workers, performers, competitors, and your fellow guests with respect.
- Cheer loudly, wager sensibly, and celebrate generously.
- Any disruptions to normal event proceedings are asked to be taken away from the festival grounds or sought permission for (OOCLY) beforehand!
COMPETITOR SIGN-UPS
Those wishing to participate may submit notice using the following form:
IGN:
Character Name:
XP:
Game or Games Entering: ((Tables, Joust, Pageant, Marksman Tournament, Grand Challenge))
Name/Title to be Announced: ((Required only for the joust))
Marksman Feats: ((Required only for the Burrowshot Marksman Games
Additional Notes:
Pre-registration is strongly encouraged for the pageant and joust.
Walk-in participation may be accepted for poker and marksman games while space remains available. Those who have not registered beforehand may be denied entry if the lists, tables, or competition schedules have reached capacity.
VOLUNTEERS AND WORKERS WANTED
To bring the Bloomburrow Games to life, volunteers and workers are sought for the following positions:
- Heralds and Commentators
To announce competitors, explain the games, entertain spectators, and keep the crowds informed. - Judges and Referees
To oversee the pageant, joust, and archery competition. - Dealers and Tablekeepers
To deal cards, collect wagers, settle winnings, and keep the poker tables honest. - Medical Support
To remain ready for injuries, accidents, falls, splinters, wounded pride, and the predictable consequences of jousting. - Stablehands and Animal Keepers
To assist riders and care for the horses participating in the lists. - Patrols
To keep the peace and ensure festival rules are followed. - Food and Drink Vendors
To provide meals, sweets, refreshments, and stronger beverages to the crowd. - Merchants and Artisans
To sell wares, floral decorations, festival keepsakes, and locally crafted goods. - Bards, Dancers, and Performers
To provide music and entertainment throughout the days. - Festival Hands
To assist with decorations, seating, barriers, scoreboards, cleanup, and whatever unforeseen task urgently requires another pair of hands.
All approved volunteers shall be compensated for their service. Those interested should send notice to the townhall clerks and secretariats.
Volunteer Form
Character Name:
Intended Role:
Days/Hours Available:
Additional Services or Attraction Offered:
Citizens who wish to host their own stall, performance, or fairground attraction are also encouraged to submit a proposal.
COME ONE, COME ALL!
Bring your finest garments, your steadiest hand, your swiftest horse, your sharpest eye, or your most unreadable face.
Come to compete.
Come to watch.
Come to feast, laugh, wager, cheer, and spend the time in the company of the town that we have built together.
Come to the Bloomburrow Games!
