Jousting Rules

The walls of the area were Roman in design, with marble pillars and cut stone dominating the architecture. It took the classic shape of the ancient arenas and was taller than all other structures in Ariella except the watchtower. Seating was arranged all around the north, south, and east curves. There were carve-outs on the lowest levels of the north and south ends that served as stating areas for warriors, or for the upcoming tournament, the Knights and their squires. Inside these carve-outs were hallways that led everywhere else inside the arena: to the other seating areas, the vending areas, and to the outside. The only ways to the competition area were through the north and south entrances or to go over the wall from the seats.

On the west wall was the box seat where the King and Queen would enjoy the competition and also where the judges would sit. It gave a vantage point of the entire competition area and the windowed back wall also provided a spectacular view of the city.

The floor of the competition area was hard-packed dirt. The list ran down the middle of this desert from north to south. At each end of the list were brightly colored flags of red, green, blue, and yellow to celebrate the event. Not far from each end were the wooden hulks that had been built to house the lances that would be used by the Knights. Set further back from each of these were stations where medical supplies, water, and food were available for the Knights and their squires. And then, at numerous intervals along the inner walls of the arena were troughs for the horses to drink at.

The Joust

Jousting tournaments were held as military exercises between the various nobles. Such tournaments, starting peacefully often turned into bloody battles between jealous champions. Winning such tournaments was one way for a lowborn knight to make a quick name for himself and win riches beyond ordinary dreams. Gradually these petty local wars became more sport oriented and sophisticated and less a matter of life or death. Knights were considered gentlemen and were required to abide by the ideas of chivalry and fair play, then in vogue.

In today's tournaments anyone can compete. You can be male or female, you are no longer restricted to noble birth, and it is rare to see the bad blood that was present in the knights of old.

Where: Arielle's Jousting Arena
When: Friday September 24th and Saturday September 25th
Time: Start is at 7:30 pm ET with an estimated cut off time of 10:00 PM. Once 10:00 PM hits we will not accept new riders.

Match Rules:
Only four rides per rider per day maximum.
Riders get three passes, unless there is a tie or the rider is unmounted.
If the rider becomes unmounted, the win goes to the other automatically.
Each score will be counted even if someone is unmounted, because the blows are simultaneous.
In event of a tie, one more pass is taken. If there is still a tie, the turn ends with both as tied winners.
Jousts will be proctored by the Master/Mistress of the List.

Scoring Information:
Rides are made using 1d10
1: miss
2-5: glancing blow = 1 point
6-9: shatter lance = 2 points
10: unseat opponent and end contest

Scoring will be win: 5 pts, loss: 1 pt, tie: 3 pts.

Height requirement: No less than 4'5", no more than 9".
Race requirements: Humanoid races accepted.
Age requirements: You must be adult by your race's standards in order to participate in the Joust.
Patents of Nobility: Are not required to Joust.