Sports in Faerun [Archive] - Wizards Community

Sports in Faerun [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Apostate
08-27-06, 09:14 PM I was wondering if there are any popular sports in Faerun that could be comparible to their modern day counterparts (such as football, baseball, basketball...etc.)?
Old Sage
08-27-06, 09:41 PM Ed touches on several Realms-based sports in his '04 and '05 replies over at Candlekeep.

See my sig.
Apostate
08-27-06, 10:10 PM Hmmm.. it seems as if the average citizen of the Realms is too busy for most sports to really flourish. Ah well, thanks for the link!
Lord Karsus
08-28-06, 12:15 AM -Well, there is that ball game, but that was/is played by Mazticans, not Faerūnians. Though, it might be played in Amn now, who knows? Rules for that can be found in the Maztica Boxed Set.
Teh_username
08-28-06, 12:55 AM I would imagine that some kind of sport would exist among the soldiery and mercenary companies. Improve physical fitness and encourage "team-think", all that.

Maybe somebody decided to kick around a goblin head one day? ;)
Lord Karsus
08-28-06, 01:06 AM Maybe somebody decided to kick around a goblin head one day? ;)

-And thus, soccer was born.
BadCatMan
08-28-06, 06:22 AM Chessentans have a lot of athletic sports for their Olympic-styled festivals. No team games though.
Gallameed
08-28-06, 06:48 AM -And thus, soccer was born.

Nah, BLOODBOWL! ;) :D
Thinblade
08-28-06, 10:46 AM I know it's not exactly what you were asking, but there's a card game that's popular among moon elves called kholiast. It's mentioned in Elves of Evermeet, and I just love the description: "[it] involves a deck of more than 1000 cards, a variable hand determined by a throw of dice, and a point-counting system that would drive even the most dedicated Candlekeep scholar completely mad."

I've had lots of fun with it in my games.
primemover003
08-28-06, 12:14 PM Well there's always the classics... footraces, horseraces, swimming, throwing heavy things for distance, archery, weightlifting, etc. Any kind of feat of strength, endurance, or dexterity could be a contest.
Lord Karsus
08-28-06, 02:42 PM -Hey, if you want to consider the various things done at Magefairs "sports", then there is an "Olymipcs" for you.
Zeorth
08-28-06, 04:12 PM -Hey, if you want to consider the various things done at Magefairs "sports", then there is an "Olymipcs" for you.

Is there a place with examples of existing Magefairs for DM's to use, or to get ideas from incorporating it into their campaigns?
Thinblade
08-28-06, 04:20 PM Magic of Faerun has a section on Magefairs.

Better, however, is the short story Elminster at the Magefair, which is in Realms of Valor (I think). Unfortunately, it wasn't reprinted in Best of Eddie. Maybe in Best of Eddie II...
Lord Karsus
08-28-06, 05:08 PM Magic of Faerun has a section on Magefairs.

Better, however, is the short story Elminster at the Magefair, which is in Realms of Valor (I think). Unfortunately, it wasn't reprinted in Best of Eddie. Maybe in Best of Eddie II...

-You'd think the story about the Magefair would be in Realms of Magic, eh? But, I guess not. You're correct, as that the short story is indeed in Realms of Valor.
Thinblade
08-28-06, 07:00 PM Realms of Valor was the first anthology to come out. Maybe Ed just jumped at the chance to showcase magefairs, not knowing how many more anthologies would follow.
BrianCritchley
08-28-06, 07:22 PM thing is big sporting events historically didn't catch on until fairly recently with the advent of radio and later tv before then it was purely localized more or less. sporting events in faerun are apt to be differnt and are likely gonna be smaller and team sports are apt to be... less orginized.

you won't see the Thayan Wizards playing the Cormyian Knights for the cross-faerun football match, with international television coverage.

sports will be fairly locaized and divided into two catagories.
peasentry which will be pretty much for fun and the rules may be a bit loose, and the type of stuff the rich people have which will be large regional events with prizes etc. likely in the form of medeval tournments and likely highly individualized.

anyway thats just my thoughts on what makes the most sense
Old Sage
08-28-06, 10:19 PM Better, however, is the short story Elminster at the Magefair, which is in Realms of Valor (I think). Unfortunately, it wasn't reprinted in Best of Eddie. Maybe in Best of Eddie II...It wasn't included in the "Best of Ed Greenwood", no.
Faraer
08-28-06, 10:45 PM Because it was included in the first Best of the Realms.
Old Sage
08-29-06, 12:27 AM Exactly. ;)
Cli' San Aquanova
09-03-06, 06:20 PM I know it's not exactly what you were asking, but there's a card game that's popular among moon elves called kholiast. It's mentioned in Elves of Evermeet, and I just love the description: "[it] involves a deck of more than 1000 cards, a variable hand determined by a throw of dice, and a point-counting system that would drive even the most dedicated Candlekeep scholar completely mad."

I've had lots of fun with it in my games.
And then there is... sava, isn't it called? That drow board game reminiscent of chess with a wild-card die for bonuses.
The Ubbergeek
09-03-06, 07:32 PM Horses and camels (and flying carpets?) racing are probably very popular in Calimshan, Zakhara, Turmish, the Hordeland, etc, as probably some Polo-like mounted sports.
Old Sage
09-03-06, 09:39 PM Horses and camels (and flying carpets?) racing are probably very popular in Calimshan, Zakhara, Turmish, the Hordeland, etc, as probably some Polo-like mounted sports.There are flying carpets in Calimshan, yes.
Lord Karsus
09-03-06, 11:21 PM And then there is... sava, isn't it called? That drow board game reminiscent of chess with a wild-card die for bonuses.

-Yeah, Sava is that Drow game. In the novel Bloodwalk, we are introduced to a childs game that I think is similar to jacks, called "Fate Fall".
KnightErrantJR
09-03-06, 11:46 PM Don't forget that Halruaans apparently hold skyship regattas as well. They were mentioned in the Councilors and Kings trilogy. I like the idea of flying ship races, and from the books they appeared to be pretty well an established tradition.
Old Sage
09-04-06, 01:35 AM As I recall, 'tis also mentioned in 3e Shining South.
Lord Karsus
09-04-06, 06:15 PM -Well, not exactly sports, but the FRCS lists a few different things (Pg. 96)

Chess (Duh)
Draughts (Similar to Checkers)
Marbles (Duh)
Old Men's Bones (Similar to Pick-Up Sticks)
Talis Desk (Similar to Tarot Cards)
Suin Bahhar
09-04-06, 07:11 PM Doesn't human and demihuman military training use some sort of team sport to propagate tactical maneuvering. I think a form of rugby or other brawly team based sport could evolve from such a practice. Especially humans are competative enough to want to constantly prove ones fitness in front of a handfull cheering locals.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Apostate 08-27-06, 09:14 PM	I was wondering if there are any popular sports in Faerun that could be comparible to their modern day counterparts (such as football, baseball, basketball...etc.)?
Old Sage 08-27-06, 09:41 PM	Ed touches on several Realms-based sports in his '04 and '05 replies over at Candlekeep. See my sig.
Apostate 08-27-06, 10:10 PM	Hmmm.. it seems as if the average citizen of the Realms is too busy for most sports to really flourish. Ah well, thanks for the link!
Lord Karsus 08-28-06, 12:15 AM	-Well, there is that ball game, but that was/is played by Mazticans, not Faerūnians. Though, it might be played in Amn now, who knows? Rules for that can be found in the Maztica Boxed Set.
Teh_username 08-28-06, 12:55 AM	I would imagine that some kind of sport would exist among the soldiery and mercenary companies. Improve physical fitness and encourage "team-think", all that. Maybe somebody decided to kick around a goblin head one day? ;)
Lord Karsus 08-28-06, 01:06 AM	Maybe somebody decided to kick around a goblin head one day? ;) -And thus, soccer was born.
BadCatMan 08-28-06, 06:22 AM	Chessentans have a lot of athletic sports for their Olympic-styled festivals. No team games though.
Gallameed 08-28-06, 06:48 AM	-And thus, soccer was born. Nah, BLOODBOWL! ;) :D
Thinblade 08-28-06, 10:46 AM	I know it's not exactly what you were asking, but there's a card game that's popular among moon elves called kholiast. It's mentioned in Elves of Evermeet, and I just love the description: "[it] involves a deck of more than 1000 cards, a variable hand determined by a throw of dice, and a point-counting system that would drive even the most dedicated Candlekeep scholar completely mad." I've had lots of fun with it in my games.
primemover003 08-28-06, 12:14 PM	Well there's always the classics... footraces, horseraces, swimming, throwing heavy things for distance, archery, weightlifting, etc. Any kind of feat of strength, endurance, or dexterity could be a contest.
Lord Karsus 08-28-06, 02:42 PM	-Hey, if you want to consider the various things done at Magefairs "sports", then there is an "Olymipcs" for you.
Zeorth 08-28-06, 04:12 PM	-Hey, if you want to consider the various things done at Magefairs "sports", then there is an "Olymipcs" for you. Is there a place with examples of existing Magefairs for DM's to use, or to get ideas from incorporating it into their campaigns?
Thinblade 08-28-06, 04:20 PM	Magic of Faerun has a section on Magefairs. Better, however, is the short story Elminster at the Magefair, which is in Realms of Valor (I think). Unfortunately, it wasn't reprinted in Best of Eddie. Maybe in Best of Eddie II...
Lord Karsus 08-28-06, 05:08 PM	Magic of Faerun has a section on Magefairs. Better, however, is the short story Elminster at the Magefair, which is in Realms of Valor (I think). Unfortunately, it wasn't reprinted in Best of Eddie. Maybe in Best of Eddie II... -You'd think the story about the Magefair would be in Realms of Magic, eh? But, I guess not. You're correct, as that the short story is indeed in Realms of Valor.
Thinblade 08-28-06, 07:00 PM	Realms of Valor was the first anthology to come out. Maybe Ed just jumped at the chance to showcase magefairs, not knowing how many more anthologies would follow.
BrianCritchley 08-28-06, 07:22 PM	thing is big sporting events historically didn't catch on until fairly recently with the advent of radio and later tv before then it was purely localized more or less. sporting events in faerun are apt to be differnt and are likely gonna be smaller and team sports are apt to be... less orginized. you won't see the Thayan Wizards playing the Cormyian Knights for the cross-faerun football match, with international television coverage. sports will be fairly locaized and divided into two catagories. peasentry which will be pretty much for fun and the rules may be a bit loose, and the type of stuff the rich people have which will be large regional events with prizes etc. likely in the form of medeval tournments and likely highly individualized. anyway thats just my thoughts on what makes the most sense
Old Sage 08-28-06, 10:19 PM	Better, however, is the short story Elminster at the Magefair, which is in Realms of Valor (I think). Unfortunately, it wasn't reprinted in Best of Eddie. Maybe in Best of Eddie II...It wasn't included in the "Best of Ed Greenwood", no.
Faraer 08-28-06, 10:45 PM	Because it was included in the first Best of the Realms.
Old Sage 08-29-06, 12:27 AM	Exactly. ;)
Cli' San Aquanova 09-03-06, 06:20 PM	I know it's not exactly what you were asking, but there's a card game that's popular among moon elves called kholiast. It's mentioned in Elves of Evermeet, and I just love the description: "[it] involves a deck of more than 1000 cards, a variable hand determined by a throw of dice, and a point-counting system that would drive even the most dedicated Candlekeep scholar completely mad." I've had lots of fun with it in my games. And then there is... sava, isn't it called? That drow board game reminiscent of chess with a wild-card die for bonuses.
The Ubbergeek 09-03-06, 07:32 PM	Horses and camels (and flying carpets?) racing are probably very popular in Calimshan, Zakhara, Turmish, the Hordeland, etc, as probably some Polo-like mounted sports.
Old Sage 09-03-06, 09:39 PM	Horses and camels (and flying carpets?) racing are probably very popular in Calimshan, Zakhara, Turmish, the Hordeland, etc, as probably some Polo-like mounted sports.There are flying carpets in Calimshan, yes.
Lord Karsus 09-03-06, 11:21 PM	And then there is... sava, isn't it called? That drow board game reminiscent of chess with a wild-card die for bonuses. -Yeah, Sava is that Drow game. In the novel Bloodwalk, we are introduced to a childs game that I think is similar to jacks, called "Fate Fall".
KnightErrantJR 09-03-06, 11:46 PM	Don't forget that Halruaans apparently hold skyship regattas as well. They were mentioned in the Councilors and Kings trilogy. I like the idea of flying ship races, and from the books they appeared to be pretty well an established tradition.
Old Sage 09-04-06, 01:35 AM	As I recall, 'tis also mentioned in 3e Shining South.
Lord Karsus 09-04-06, 06:15 PM	-Well, not exactly sports, but the FRCS lists a few different things (Pg. 96) Chess (Duh) Draughts (Similar to Checkers) Marbles (Duh) Old Men's Bones (Similar to Pick-Up Sticks) Talis Desk (Similar to Tarot Cards)
Suin Bahhar 09-04-06, 07:11 PM	Doesn't human and demihuman military training use some sort of team sport to propagate tactical maneuvering. I think a form of rugby or other brawly team based sport could evolve from such a practice. Especially humans are competative enough to want to constantly prove ones fitness in front of a handfull cheering locals.