Boyeken Battle

A Boyeken battle, simply called "Boyeken" in Arros, is a figthing sport played mainly by Shapeshifters for Diplomatic/political reasons, ceremonial events or simply entertainment. It holds great importance within the cultures of the clans and Shapeshifters cultures as a whole.

Origins

The sport originated from the western regions of Rumalia, even before the creation of the Confederation of Ru'mensh, where it was played as a fight to the death between criminals, mainly shapeshifters. It was used by the local rulers as punishment for their actions. The loser would be killed, while the winner would be exiled, never to return again, but allowed to live. In the harsh environment of Rumalia, and even with the survival abilities of shapeshifters, it often resulted in death anyways.

Spread and Modifications

Essanian Empire

Starting during the latter half of the Second Age, and through contacts with the rest of the continent, the sport began to quickly spread south and east across Arros, mainly via the Essanian Empire, who employed a lot of Rumalian Shapeshifter mercenaries. These soldiers would recreate the sport and keep some of the same basic rules, minus the death sentences and it began to be played as both for fun and to entertain others.

Eastern Arros and Enask

However, foreign mercenaries were not the only shapeshifters within the Essanian Army as many of them came from local clans in Northern Enask and south-western Arros. When they were allowed to go back home, after their mandated service had ended, they brought the sport with them, contributing to its spread. Similarily, Mercenaries from the Kingdom of Alvaros, Heoria and Naurcia also brough the sport to their respective countries when they came back. In Heoria, the sport began to be used for diplomacy between its many Shapeshifter clans in order to resolve conflict. This new usage has not spread as much as it mainly done in the Kingdom of Heoria and the Kingdom of Alvaros.

Slave Battles

Slave master within the Essanian Empire and later the Carathengian and Kavasian Empires took note of its popularity. Some of them conviniently already owned some shapeshifter slaves and began to host Boyeken matches in their illegal battle arenas, where poeple could come, watch the fights and most importantly, bet on the outcome. In order to fuel more hype, they used the original rumalian rules, which meant that the loser would be killed. However, this turned out to be bad buisiness as they couldn't replace shapeshifters as fast as they were being killed, and capturing more of them was both expensive and dangerous. Hence, they quickly almost completly stopped hosting death matches. Nowedays, a Boyoken battle fought to the death is only held once or twice per year, at any given illegal battle arena.

Significance

Diplomatic

The sport is widely used in Rumalia and Eastern Arros as a form of diplomacy in order to fix political dissagrements between clans. To acomplish them, a set of parametres are established, which will decide the effects of the outcome of the match. Then, each participating clan choses their fighter, ususaly through a vote, and these members then battle for their clans.

Political

Historicaly, the sport was widely used by most Shapeshifter Clans in order for them to choose a new clan leader. These battles could be requested at any time when a member chalenged the leader of a clan. This practice was gradualy fazed out in most clans as they caused great instability inside and in between clans. In Rumalia and in the Vechor Islands, is is still used to choose a new leader.

Ceremonial

As is the tradition in most Shapeshifter clans, a new members is only really officialy part of the clan once they have participated in a boyeken with a member of the clan. While the person will still be accepted even if they lose, it is seen as a good omen if they win, as the clans beleive that it means their future is bright. Refusing the offer to participate in a Boyeken can complicate relations with the rest of the clan, as they see it as very disrespectful and a bad omen and should therefore be avoided if possible.

Entertainment

Boyeken can also be played simply as entertainment. Matches are organised as part of Festivals. Fighters are placed in Arenas and battle each other, while the crowd cheers them own. In fact, the sport is even quite popular amongst the children and teens of the clans. From a young age, they are encouraged by their parents to participate in matches with their peers, as it buits up confidence and strength.

Execution

Setup

The battle is always fought betwen two people and is divided into 5 rounds. At the start of each round, the desygnated referee gives the signal to start the fight. At the signal, both fighters charge at each other, using whatever form they want (Human, Hybrid or Animal)

Goal

The goal is to win 3 out of 5 rounds of a match. To win, one of the fighters has to knock their opponent out of the circle completly, while managing to keep at least one part of their body inside the circle.

Related Organizations

• Shapeshifter Clans

Rules

• At the end of each round, the shifter needs to change back to its human form. Doing otherwise is considered cheating, which is very badly seen.

• The eyes and private parts of the fighters are not to be intentionaly targeted in any way. Any other part of the body is permited.

• Using any kind of Talismans or potions in order to gain strenght, stamina, or any other advantage for the fight is strictly forbidden.

Human Version

The popularity of the sport has expanded into many human cultures as well, mainly in Western Arros and the Kingdom of Darnia, in Enask. The human version of the sport is known as Brekken. While there are many similarities between the two versions, many rules have been changed or added, and the goal became more complicated.

Observance

These fights can be held at any date, and during the day or night, but it tends to be organised on or near the day of the full Veos, as both fighters get stronger, which makes for a more entertaining fights.

Participant

Individuals matches, meant simply for entertainement are played by 2 people from the same clan, or from 2 different clans, and it is s personal decision between the fighters. For diplomatic matches, both fighters are chosen by the elders of their respective clans. For ceremonial matches aimed at officialising the ascension of a new clan member, the fighter from the clan will also be chosen by its elders.