The Oldest Game

     The name is deceiving, for this is more than just a game. When all the worlds, and all the planes were but formless mist, this is how Powers claimed their superiority. How can that without a shape, without a form, test their strength against one another? The obvious answer, with influence. How we mere mortals are affected by their presence and their promises. How then, before men and monsters, was dominance established? That is when The Oldest Game arose.

     It is a contest of ideas, of dreams, of natures, and of innate power. Blows are never laid, hands are never curled into fists and steel is never shown. Instead, in that ephemeral twilight realm, ideas are given form, and combatants are always shifting. It is a difficult thing to explain, if you wish to learn, I will show you. 

Worry not, you risk nothing but your pride... at least the first time. Do not forget though, this is the way the first wars were waged, and idle sparring is saved for those dearly trusted.

     As all things, this game is not without it's rules. One must be challenged, or issue a challenge; the challenge must then be accepted. It is by the giving and acceptance of the challenge that the contest is given weight, given life. The Challenger strikes first, the Challenged however chooses where combat will take place. Strength is not measured from sword-arms and speed, instead from innate oneness and wisdom of the world. Strikes are not born of steel and magery, rather from ones nature. If you find it cryptic, I apologize, but there are few ways to actually give simple words to describe this Game; to do so risks oversimplification.

     The attacks are given life by a particular diction. "I am the Stag, Elusive and Silent". In response "I am the Hunter, Trap-setting, Stag-Hunting". This is the simplest of forms, a training form really in which one who is not familiar may be made familiar. The forms must begin with what is literal, The stag and the hunter. As combat rages, more abstract concepts may be used. The speed at which the abstract may take form is directly related to the power of the Combatant. To attempt to form beyond your ken, beyond your strength, is frightfully dangerous at best.

     On the topic of combat forms. Strength of one's form is directly proportional to how in tune that form is with the Combatant. This is a difficult thing to explain. If one is brash, impulsive, and passionate, then the forms should suit. Constraining forms, binding forms, are lacking a oneness, and as such are weak and easily broken.

     Victory is simple. One must yield. One may yield actively, declaring his own defeat. One may also yield by the inability to present a form that effectively counters their opponents form, or by the inability to present in a timely manner.

Would you like to play?