The Colors Game
The Colors Game is an ancient sport, dating back to when Orks were strictly tribal clans living in the wilds. It was used as a way to bring the clans together and to showcase the prowess of their fighters and warriors, particularly the youths. In the old days, it helped with clans finding mates to diversify their gene pools. In the modern era of Ecith, the Colors Game is still one of the most popular sports, beloved in both the Villages and in Drathera, children and adults, natives and immigrants.
The Premise
Any number of teams may participate. Each team must be of equal number of members, typically 3, 9, or 27, based on the size of the arena. Each member of a team is given matching arm and leg bands, all of a single color. As with most Ecithian sports, this one is conducted in the nude, save for the arm and leg bands, mildly magical items crafted in the old ways. An arena is selected, usually a patch of wild lands that has been secured by the local military. Each team starts at a different location on the outer edges of the arena and the game begins with the blowing of a ceremonial horn.
The goal for each team is to Color one member from each opposing team or to be the final team standing. This is done by striking a participant in the head, torso, or portions of the arms or legs above the bands, utilizing an arm or leg while wearing the arm or leg band. The area that is struck will be magically dyed by the power in the bands, matching their color. Once an area is Colored, that spot cannot be claimed by another Color. If a team successfully Colors one member from each opposing team, all Colors switch to the winning team's colors.
Additionally, if any one participant has been Colored by every participating team, their arm and leg bands untie themselves, and all marks they've given out fade away, and the marks placed upon them also fade away, and they leave the arena, defeated.
Hand to hand combat is highly encouraged and utilized, as are stealth, evasive tactics, teamwork, and alliances. No weapons are allowed, and typically magic / divinity is only allowed if stated up front.
The Leagues
In the modern era, the Colors Game is intensely popular to both participate in or to watch. There's two formal leagues, the Capital League, consisting of teams in the Drathera region and the Villages League, consisting of the teams from the villages. Throughout a year, the teams in each league will travel around their regions, playing a number of matches to determine the best eight teams from their league. The sixteen teams compete in an elimination style tournament, where two teams are eliminated in each match. The final two teams compete in a best of three, one in a Drathera arena, one in a Villages arena, and one in a Wilderness arena to determine the year's champion. Each League supports 3s, 9s, and 27s style teams, falling into the two categories of Magical or Physical, based on the style of play.
1. Capital 3s Physical
2. Capital 3s Magical
3. Capital 9s Physical
4. Capital 9s Magical
5. Capital 27s Physical
6. Capital 27s Magical
7. Villages 3s Physical
8. Villages 3s Magical
9. Villages 9s Physical
10. Villages 9s Magical
11. Villages 27s Physical
12. Villages 27s Magical
It is common for fans of particular teams to paint and adorn their naked bodies in their teams colors, often providing food, drink for their team's members. Light hearted gambling takes place, but there is no official gambling body overseeing this. It is typically just handled on trust and honor between friends and family.