Sports and Games
Eisen is host to a wide variety of sports and games. Over time the competitive nature of Eisen has been channeled into such activities as a constructive outlet. The majority of the sporting events are privately run, however several of Eisen cities maintain city level events, and even some intercity events.
Two of the better known intercity professional sports are rugby and cricket. Each of the Dutchies in Eisen currently have at least one professional team that plays the circuit. In Novandria the The Ebon Horde rugby team and The Shining Host cricket team are crowd favorites. While cricket is enjoyed by all, rugby is generally considered too rough a sport for fine ladies and young children to watch.
Nobles and wealthy members of Society often hold sporting expeditions. The events are oftentimes profitable and provide a certain level of status if the event goes well. By the same token more than one noble family has encountered great loss socially and financially due to a bad showing. Many nobles are known to maintain a gaming room with pool tables, board games, or card tables.
Games are common among the middle class. They are generally local leagues put together by a loose committee of neighbors to the enjoyment of their communities. Such events favor all different age groups and a number of different styles from lawn darts to box car racing. Such activities are very popular due to free or small donations asked for. Nicer middle class neighborhoods have started to have gaming halls where people can meet others for refreshment and games. The first known middle class gaming hall called Cape and Crossbow, was in Novandira.
Though sports and games exist among the lower class they are generally less organized and often pickup events. It’s not uncommon for a number of lower class citizens who happen to have the same day off to cause spontaneous days of sports, picnics, and games. Horseshoes and ring toss are particular favorites among this. The lower class also hosts a large number of underground sporting events. Some such events are ignored by Rooks till they get out of hand. However any time they cross into death or the participants are forced, the Rooks come down on the events.
At all levels board games are very popular. New board games are regularly created and become the newest craze among the upper classes, then slowly make their way through the rest of society. The historic dragon chess match between the Warforge Light Blue and Jerry's Kasparan is still a popular subject of debate.
Participants
Several different guilds are involved with Sports and Gaming events, but very few of them directly run them. The Association of Bankers and Moneylenders are often used to help fund large private events. The Incorporation of Food and Drink Provisioners and The Hospitality Consortium of Eisen are often called upon to provide freshment and food for such events. Several of the public events pay their costs by working a deal with these two guilds to share a portion of the profits from food and beverage sales.
There are however three guilds that are well known for their sporting events. The Ancient League of Mariners host two sailing competitions each year. The first is a yachting event that is a very popular event. The second is a small crafts event that focuses on row boats, single person sailboats, and the recently popular make your own boat in which people make boats out of uncommon items and attempt to sail them.
The second guild that is well known is the The Honored Association of Domestics who host cricket, croquet, and badminton league among their guild members. These are generally city based, but they occasionally arrange intercity events.
The last is The Most Noble Society of Bardic and Performing Artisans which holds a festival each year focused on their performers. During the festival performers will often “Challenge” each other in the middle of the performance. Though such challenges are often discussed in advance, disagreements have been settled in honest challenges. Due to a recent event between two bards, fire based magic in performances is now closely regulated.
Related Organizations