Calling the Drottningbjotha
[b][size=200]CALLING THE DROTTINGBJOTHA[/size][/b]
"Hear the words of Hirak the Huntsmaster! Who speaks with the voice of the Frozen Throne!
The Drottningbjotha is called. The royal challenge of Cathan Canae.
A test of champions; a battle of heroes. A contest of prowess, stamina, and might."
Hirak the Huntsmaster, challenge-keeper of the Summer Tyrant Cathan Canae lays down this challenge.
Every nation of this land is invited to present a single challenger. Let them come together at the Square of Glory in the camp of the knights of Dawn. Let the challenge begin at the third hour after noon on the second day of the Solstice-gathering.
It is the will of Cathan Canae that each champion will be presented by a herald - someone to announce the strength and glory of the chosen champion, to let all present know the virtues they possess. Let the strong herald fill the bowels of the enemy heroes with fear; let them stiffen the sinews of their peoples' chosen warrior.
It is the will of Cathan Canae that, under the Law of the Empire, champions from other lands will come also. Already the call has gone to those to east and west, north and south. As chosen heroes they come; from the lands bordering the Empire and from further afield, to fight in the name of Cathan Canae.
It is the will of Cathan Canaea that these champions fight one-and-one until only one remains. Let that one be crowned as victor and champion of their people. To that one Cathan Canaea will give a gift, and they will stand within her good grace in the coming year.
"A duel of words; a clash of will. A war of spirit, skill and strength.
The Lady of the Blizzards has spoken, The Drottningbjotha has begun.
These are the words of Hirak the Huntsmaster! Who speaks with the voice of the Frozen Throne!"
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The Summer Eternal Cathan Canae has thrown down a gauntlet. After the successes of Dawn against the Jotun during the Spring Equinox, she has invoked the Drottningbjotha - the Queen's Challenge - and offers the Empire a chance to participate. With the presumption of a Queen of the Summer Realm she has announced her plans to hold the contest in the Dawnish Glory square during the Summer Summit.
The excitement is due to start at three o'clock on Saturday. Each of the ten nations can put forward one champion, accompanied by a herald-announcer. Each bout is a one-on-one fight with a random opponent, and begins with a few minutes of "announcing" from the champion's herald. Think Odyssey arena announcing or the excesses of the WWF. Then they fight until only one is left standing. Once everyone has fought once, winners move on to next round. Ultimate winner gets a crown and an undisclosed boon from the Queen of Ice and Darkness.
How a nation picks a champion is up to them - in the event that two people turn up claiming to be from the same nation, the Huntsmaster will no doubt sort it out with axes. It's worth noting this is a physical challenge ... although if you can convince your opponent to yield by beating them at snakes and ladders, go for your lives.
This is not just an Imperial challenge - Cathan Canae has taken the liberty of inviting champions from an assortment of other nations including the Thule, Jotun, Druj and Grendel but there are rumours of other participants from Faraden and Axos and perhaps even further afield. The assumption appears to be that these champions will be protected by the [url=http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Amend_law_of_delegation_protection]Law of Delegation Protection[/url] passed by the Senate at the Autumn Equinox last year.
Remember that law - you may be hearing about it again in a little bit ...
#itsallgothissummer, #plentymoretocome, #crownofthechamionglamourshotftw
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The crown for Cathan Canae's champion is a John Haynes original, and I have a photo of him wearing it if anyone wants a print-out to throw darts at.