Hear This Proclamation Throughout the Realms!
By Decree of His Holy Imperial Majesty, Artreaus the Just
Let the bells ring, the stages rise, and the most talented souls throughout the Empire step forward!
His Holy Imperial Majesty proudly announces the commencement of a grand new tournament:
The Challenges of Wit
Singers, storytellers, musicians, illusionists, comedians, dancers, poets, merchants, and masters of every worthy talent are invited to take the stage. Whether your name is already celebrated throughout the kingdoms or has yet to be spoken beyond your village, this is your opportunity to win the hearts of the people—and perhaps a fortune besides!
Any adult may enter. Simply visit your local kingdom’s registry office and place your name upon the rolls as a House Master.
Then gather your House: the friends, admirers, patrons, and loyal supporters who choose to stand behind your name.
From there, wherever opportunity calls—
The stage is yours!
Each House Master shall be given five minutes to captivate the crowd using any skill at their command.
At the beginning of every match, an imperial overseer shall turn the enchanted hourglass. As its sands begin to fall, every expression of favor earned from the audience shall manifest as a magical heart and be drawn into the heart jar of the House Master who inspired it.
When the final grain of sand falls, the heart jars shall be placed upon the imperial weighing relic.
The relic shall weigh the hearts.
The crowd shall hold its breath.
And the victor shall be revealed!
A House Master may also invite one supporter onto the stage to perform alongside them. That supporter may entertain, assist, encourage the audience, or lend their own talents to the performance. However, the supporter does not compete independently. Every heart earned belongs to the House Master, and only the House Master may claim the victory.
Supporters and House members may also offer coin directly to their House Master as a show of patronage and a blessing upon the fortunes of the House—much as one might reward a deserving street performer. All coin offered belongs solely to the House Master and shall not influence the weighing of the hearts or the outcome of the match.
Let every performance be spirited, but honorable. No competitor or supporter may inflict physical harm or engage in indecent or unsavory conduct before the public. Anyone who violates these rules shall forfeit the match immediately.
Matches may arise at any time and in any place, provided an Emperor-appointed overseer is present to turn the hourglass, conduct the challenge, and record the victory.
Distance shall be no obstacle! House Masters from different kingdoms may challenge one another through an overseer’s portal spell, allowing competitors and audiences from across the realms to meet upon a single enchanted stage.
Throughout the season, every victory shall raise a House Master’s standing within both their kingdom and the Empire.
At the season’s end, the ten highest-ranked House Masters throughout the realms shall receive imperial prizes.
The highest-ranked House Master shall be crowned champion and awarded the grand prize of:
20,000 Gold Crowns!
Each kingdom shall also honor and reward its own five highest-ranked House Masters.
So gather your House.
Prepare your finest talent.
Step boldly onto the stage.
Win the hearts of the people.
And let your name be heard throughout the Empire!
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