>>6068030The Jester continues, "The Emperor has called you all here so that the Empire may be passed onto to the individual most fit to rule. Rather than let the matter be decided by politicians currying favor, he has ordered that a contest be prepared within the boundaries of the Imperial Territory. Over the next 100 days, you will be competing to accumulate points. Your points will be represented by gemstones which you will be awarded upon successfully completing a challenge. Whichever Champion has the most gemstones at the conclusion of the contest will be made heir to the Empire."
Several champions gasp at that. You yourself are not surprised, it seemed obvious that the Empire wanted to find someone to succeed him. You can practically hear the vain imaginations of your competitors already picturing themselves upon the Imperial throne, it almost makes you laugh. You're not even sure if you would want to be Emperor. If you were, perhaps you would simply abolish the Empire. Still, the thought of taunting all of the haughty lords and ladies with your new found power does sound entertaining. You grin. The thought of living so far from the sea is unappealing, although if you were emperor, perhaps you could simply move the Imperial seat to Chalmuth. Who could stop you.
"Some gemstones may simply be hidden somewhere throughout the Imperial Territory; however, the majority must be won by completing challenges. You may begin challenges by standing upon a "starting point." Starting points are marked by the Imperial Seal with a colored number overlapping it. The number corresponds to how many challengers must be present to commence the challenge. The color of the number corresponds to the gemstone awarded. The more valuable the gemstone awarded, the more difficult and dangerous the challenge. Only Champions are allowed to partake in challenges, and using outside aid is considered cheating, and will result in a penalty to be decided at the penalizing Jester's discretion.
"Furthermore, you are forbidden from harming another Champion unless the rules of a challenge allow it. You are, however, allowed to steal a fellow Champion's gemstones, so long as you do so clandestinely. If caught in the act, you will be required to surrender one half of your accumulated gemstones to whomever you targeted. You are allowed to freely give up your gemstones to one another, and the Emperor expects that some of you may build a coalition around certain Champions in return for political favors. You are under no obligation to do so, however, and regardless of any agreement among you, whoever has the most valuable gemstones at the end of 100 days will be deemed the Emperor's heir."
There's a long silence in the room as you all take in the rules. This is certainly much more of an elaborate scheme than you had been expecting, and you can't help but wonder if you're disadvantaged by your unorthodox skillset. Only time will tell.
