Reef Ball

The sport of Reefball was developed near the inception of Vithala, coinciding with the taming of the Nama (giant psychic catfish). Reefball is essentially like paintball, except underwater and players are saddled to Nama. Instead of trees and forts for obstacles, Reefball stages are typically built around natural structures such as coral reefs, and decorated with things such as shipwrecks and the carcasses of colossal monsters.

Execution

There are many different variations on Reefball, but the basic principal is typically the same: each player is armed with specialized guns that are attached to tanks on their backs. These guns fire projectiles that do little harm, but on a hit, will eliminate their target from the playing field by forcing them to rise out of the water.
Generally, tournaments are played with multiple rounds of teams competing against each other. Though sometimes, there are multiple types of games that are played and teams are selected randomly each time, and victory is given to the highest scoring individual.

Components and tools

Every player is armed with a diving suit and helmet that allows the player to breathe and has emergency procedures built in. They are also equipped with their gun and tank.
Players are typically followed by scrying orbs that allow viewers above to see the action.

Participants

Mostly there are just players and game masters. In teams, people will often specialize in different roles such as scouts, defenders, captains, and rushers.
There are also gamemasters who design the arenas and the games that are played within them. They double as referees and are non partial and often slightly malicious.
And then there are the Nama Trainers. They provide a large selection of well trained Nama, but many serious Reefball players prefer to train and bond with their own.

Observance

Matches take place along the sea floor, either in open environments, carefully guarded by the Sea Military, or in closed off manufactured arenas. There are official viewing stations above ground that are full of commentary, food, and advertising.