Warrior Trials

"It's Warrior Trials!"
An enthused fan, when asked what they enjoyed most about the sport at the World Championships.

History

Once a gruelling trial reserved only for elite military personnel, now the world’s most popular spectator sport. Each contestant competes in a series of increasingly challenging obstacle courses. The winner is whoever can complete the course in the shortest time possible, without any injury. Magic is strictly forbidden.
Historically, Warrior Trials were used as part of military training. Regular infantry would not normally be put through official trials. These were reserved for promising recruits hand-picked by a superior officer. These recruits were intended to be commanders, bodyguards, assassins, and the like. Training for those trails took approximately two years. The reason for the intense, extended period of training was the high fatality rate amongst the soldiers taking part in the trials. Common obstacles involved: poison darts, spike pits, swinging weights, collapsing floors, and fire.
The trials were originally held in army camps, but were then relocated and opened to the general public, giving the whole affair a carnival atmosphere. These events proved to be extremely popular, with many families making annual trips just to see the trials. After several years, these trials began accepting non-military personnel to compete, and eventually they became little more than entertainment. It took hundreds of years for the trials to be made safer and for certain deadly course obstacles to be phased out.
Today, the trials are best known as Warrior Trials. The courses have become less deadly but as a result the courses have become steadily more elaborate and the physical requirements to compete more strenuous. Whilst mortality rates for players are at an all time low, the sport is still extremely dangerous and casualty rates are the highest they have ever been. However, this is most likely due to previous players usually dying as a result of failure.

Execution

In years gone by, technically anyone could hold a set of Warrior Trials. Indeed, athletics associations often still run more basic affairs as friendly competition, or to raise money for charity.
However, the Official Warrior Trials Federation and its related national and global championships were formed around 1300 years ago. Taking part in the official championships generally requires a sponsorship to afford the various fees for competing.
World Championship courses vary from year to year, with some features being added and others removed based on popularity.
Each level has different courses, with increasing difficulty the closer to the final run the course is in the tournament.
Despite these changes, in a given year the levels are standardised globally. Every entry level course will be the same regardless of location, every quarter final identical in every participating country.

Components and tools

In the modern version of the sport, competitors are not allowed to bring any items to aid them into the arena.
In its early, military days, when potential dangers may have included beasts or other competitors, weapons were not only allowed, but viewed as essential.
Traditionally the armour and uniform of the soldier undertaking the trial would be expected, but as it has moved into sport, the uniform restrictions have become lax.
Indeed, different athletes will often have wildly different styles. As long as no magic is used in the creation of the garment, and it is not inherantly enchanted, it is generally allowed.
Debates among fans about the ideal design for a Warrior Trials uniform is often heated.