Freerunning

Freerunning is a popular sport in many nations of Aervos. The sport is a race across a designated area of a town, city, ruin, that involves climbing and jumping across streets, rooftops, walls, and obstacles in order to win.

History

Freerunning was already somewhat practised before it became a popular sport. Thieves, couriers, beggars, street urchins, or anyone with a danger streak and a desire to efficiently travel, all would take to rooftops, climbing and jumping to navigate the streets of the cities they lived in. Street children started to organise their own races, with stakes involved, with the race winner gaining the rewards. Eventually these races gained popularity with the gamblers and bored townspeople, with people making bets on the winner. Eventually, wealthy citizens started to host their own races, and rich families would scout out people for them to sponsor in the races. This practice become more and more legislated until it became an official sport, and soon it became possible for a quick footed street urchin to be touring the nation, competing in races and earning money for themselves and their sponsors.

Execution

For an official freerunning race, there are a few steps taken. First, location scouts find a city or town to hold the race in. On special occasions the race would be held in places such as ruins or old castles. The scouts layout a route, a path that has plenty of obstacles to overcome, or locations with special traits, like close rooftops or low walls. The location is announced, and anyone wanting to compete must either: be scouted by someone who will transport you to the race location and pay for the entry fee, or find a runner to compete and sponsor them. Self-sponsorship is allowed, but usually the best runners aren't the ones with the money to enter themselves.
When the races begins, all runners begin at the same area. The course is wide enough for many differing paths can be taken, and it is up to the runners discretion which route to take. Everyone starts at the countdown, and the race begins. Physical contact is not allowed, but the race can still be dangerous. There is many injuries sustained, and an occasional death after a unlucky fall. But, whoever reaches the goal first is the winner, and reaps the most rewards. There is usually a reward for second and third as well.