Tajara Sports

[DeadLantern]

Type (e.g. Planet, Faction, System): Species Lore

Describe this proposal in a single sentence (12 word maximum): An expansion on Tajaran recreational activities 

How will this be reflected on-station? IC talk, IC items, IC backstories

Does this faction/etc do anything not achieved by what already exists? There is currently nothing about Tajaran sporting culture.

Why should this be given to lore developers rather than remain player created lore? To give players a base when exploring the non-political side of Tajara culture, especially relating to sports.

Do you understand that if this is submitted, you are signing it away to the lore team, and that it's possible that it will change over time in ways that you may not forsee? Yes

Long Description:

Recreation time for most Tajara has always been limited. Oppressive work hours and strict caste rules disallowed leeway for what a Tajara could do in their free time, besides eating in their homes and spending time with their families. This was not so for the Njarir nobility, however, and organized sport was created in the hands of the upper class. However, as time marched on, Tajara of lower classes found ways to still play. From these developments, two categories of modern Tajara sport have emerged--crude and local sports, or official and global sports. Games enjoyed by all have also been developed. In the modern day, any Tajara is able to participate in any sport they wish, due to the social welfare given to them by the newly found nations.

SPORTS 

Farehal: A sport that focuses on accuracy. It consists of the player throwing a disc through several hoops scattered around a course. There are typically 5 ‘long’ shots (50 meters in length), followed by 3 ‘med’ shots (20 meters in length), followed by 7 ‘short’ (5-10 meters in length) shots. Hoops are divided into three quadrants organized horizontally, dividing the hoop into three equal parts. The bottom part multiplies your point value by 2x, the medium part multiplies your value by 1x, and the top part by 3x. The top part of the hoop is usually narrower than the bottom part, requiring a much more accurate throw. Base long shots are worth 4 points, base medium shots are worth 2 points, and base short shots are worth 1 point. The player with the highest point value wins. Due to the amount of space needed for Farehal, especially for multiple games on the same course, this sport was only practiced by the nobility. Large buildings were constructed housing games of Farehal, where noble competitors competed for a casual time, with a professional club surrounding the game only in modern times. This game is seen as extremely pretentious, with critics claiming it requires no real strength or will to win. It has not seen much popularity outside of Adhomai, but it is moderately popular on Adhomai, with teams competing within their own countries. Al’mari Hadii used to be famous for being quite the Farehal player, besting several acclaimed athletes in Hadii Court in the Citadel.

 

Mahmrro: A sport that requires the Tajara to capture a ball and either run it to the opposite side of a field or throw it to a team member located on that side of the field. This game is very popular among youth of any Tajara generation, mostly with the lower class. The game is very decentralized and has any number of regional rules depending on where you are. Perhaps there are three members on each team, or seven. Perhaps one makes more points by throwing it to a team member on the goal line, or by touching down with. Perhaps the ball is a spool of yarn, or a bunch of clothes taped together--point is, the game has extreme differences due to its universality. Traditionally, it is seen as a Hharar and Zhan sport, and M’sai playing this sport, even among themselves, is seen as taboo by both M’sai and other races. It is unknown where this racial segregation stems from, but it is quite present even off of Adhomai. There is nothing in the way of official games of this sport, though it has been tried before, much to the chagrin of the populace, claiming ‘that’s the wrong way to play the game’ or ‘they’re doing it all wrong’. On Little Adhomai, it is common to see the ball as a basketball.

 

Jurlkhaz: This sport, which originated from Amohda, is quite popular on both Little Adhomai and true Adhomai. This sport used to be only available to nobles who could afford such things, but its popularity has stripped those limitations away. It consists of 2-6 players, though professionally, there are only two. One rides a Zhrasm (or a horse) with a special crossbow called “Rrhaz Dynh” (Nomad Bow). The Tajara mounts the beast, and on the indication of a revolver, the Tajara begin to ride their beasts along a straight path. They must load the crossbow and fire it at a target which is fifty meters away. Points are given based on these factors: How far they were from the target upon firing their shot, how accurate that shot was (bullseye granting most points), and how quickly they loaded the crossbow (or if they even did it successfully). These points are added up, and the highest score wins. Televised screenings of these games are quite common, and individual competitors are usually sponsored by a company or a group or a family. In the NKA, competitors are separated by race (but gender separations were abolished in 2458). However, in the PRA and DPRA, the sport was generalized (no separation). This led to the domination of M’sai in the sport, as they could shoot more accurate and from farther away when compared to other Tajara, and Tajara from both nations protested this system. However, supporters of the status quo prevented from much change from happening. Both states suffered embarrassing ridicule in their attempt to create a caste-less sport. The PRA caved in and in 2457, reinstituted separation by race (but not by gender). The DPRA has still not changed the system, arguing it would imply that certain races are superior to others, regardless of genetic differences. This has led to criticism, but recent all-star Elza’ette Karazamov, a Zhan-Khazan female, who has been dominating the sport in the DPRA, has lessened these criticisms.

 

Zhrasm Jousting: Far and away, the most popular sport on Adhomai. This sport was created during the Warring Kings era in Tajaran history, though its popularity has not faded. Traditionally, the competitors were nobles and all manner of Tajara were allowed to spectate, though this has obviously changed. Two Tajara mount their Zhrasm (or horse) and ready their “Rik Rah”, which is a sort of small battering ram. At the shout of the referee (traditionally the highest-ranking nobleman, though now there are real referees) the players start to charge with their horses. Unlike human jousting, an entire circular ring is allowed for the competitors. They may veer left, right, or charge straight on. The goal of the game is to knock the other player off using only the ends of the Rik Rah, not the sides. Hitting the beast results in an automatic disqualification (if malicious), as well as using the sides. However, if it accidental, only a restart is required (though multiple accidents will get you disqualified). Usually, the players wear a full suit of armor to protect their bodies. Notably, this sport spans nations, unlike any other sport in Tajara history. Zhrasm Jousting consists of players trained by hired coaches or family members going to local tournaments, then regional tournaments, then province, then state, then national. This system is overseen by the JC (Jousting Committee), and has withstood the test of time and two civil wars. Nations often support their own competitors, which develop into fierce rivalries. The Grand Jousting Tournament collects all the competitors that win at the National level, but caps off at ten competitors. After the Jousters are chosen, a bracket style tournament begins. The Grand Champion of the tournament gets over 100,000 Credits as a prize, as well as an extremely large trophy of a Jouster on a Zhrasm. There have been only five competitors who have one the Grand Tournament more than once, proving how competitive the sport is. The most famous Jouster in modern times is Rualz'Akhran Scharfen, the son of notable Baron in the NKA. He is currently the only living Jouster that has won the tournament more than once (two times for him), and the only Njarir to win more than once. At the tender age of 26, his career shows no signs of slowing down. A separate but affiliated orginization hosts the same thing but on Biesel, known as the Biesel Jousting League. All xenos are allowed to compete, but not many progress past the local tournaments.

 

The Battle of Dymtris: The scandal at the Battle of Dymtris is a controversial topic for all Tajara. It was 2450, early in the war between the NKA and the PRA. The warring factions dug in near the city of Dymtris, both expecting a rush from each side. No rush came. Instead, waiting came. Both sides held their positions for weeks, before something magical occurred. It is unknown how exactly it came about, but on the day after Kahara S'rendarr Mai, a peace emerged. The two sides emerged from their dugouts, and began to fraternize. They exchanged thoughts and talked as Tajara, not as two sides of different ideologies. It was not long until both sides started playing Mahmrro, and suddenly the war was called off. Officers on both sides, apparently, did not order any attack. For three days there was peace. It happened that world-famous Zhrasm Jouster Maze’roka Al-Shastari, a young up-and-coming Hhrar Zhrasm Jouster was enlisted in the PRA regiment that engaged in the peace. Al-Shastari met with Rhagaozal Nuraraz, retired Zhan-Khazan Jouster, who was quite popular in his time as a renowned player and referee. Naturally, Nuraraz was on the side of the NKA. Both of them decided to stage a little Jousting game for fun, using large branches they found on the ground as rams. They borrowed some Zhrasm from the calvary units and decided a game was going to be afoot. What happened next is unclear, but the PRA propaganda machine has blurred the truth. As they were jousting, with quite a crowd around the two, Nuraraz knocked Al-Shastari off with far too much force. The blunt trauma from the branch punched through his armor and broke Shastari’s ribs and punctured his lungs. Despite efforts from medics on both sides, he perished. A short moment of stunned silence followed. Several NKA troops, unholstered their rifles and began firing into the at PRA bystanders, fearing counterattack from the PRA to avenge their fallen comrade. Soon, the skirmish turned into a battle, and that battle lasted for months. This little skirmish turned into one of the most brutal battles on the Northern Harr’masir front, only ending after a glorious charge by PRA riflemen in 2459.

 

Nuraraz managed to escape the battle unharmed, but his actions spread far and wide. Many PRA supporters claimed it was Nuraraz's Zhan genetics which caused him to be violent and hit with too much force. It was only a few months later that a Zhan-Khazan radical shot Al’Mari, inspiring the PRA to pass several brutal laws against Zhan-Khazan citing ‘inherent aggression’, and the Dymtris Scandal may have eased the people of PRA into allowing such a thing to happen. Nuraraz, feeling guilty, started the Al-Shastari foundation, an organization that helps poor young Jousters from all nations to buy proper armor and gear. This organization has been boycotted by many PRA nationals, still bitter over the incident. A monument in Dymtris was built to honor the fallen Jouster, proving how universal this sport is.

 

Pistol Pocketing: A practice which originated from Crevus. It is customary for spectators to bring pistols to games, with the patriarch of a family usually using a service or a family pistol to shoot into the sky whenever they saw fit, as a sign of anger or enjoyment. This practice evolved into everyone bringing a gun to sporting events, with gunshots accompanying cheering and applause. Of course, blanks are used, but this has caused quite the controversy, especially in Little Adhomai. Biesel authorities used to be lax on this issue, but the quick arrival of gang activity, sporting events have become quite the hotspot for a brawl. Gang members would bring in loaded pistols into the games, and fire at gangs which supported opposite teams. There is now a ban on pistols in Little Adhomai, which many Tajara have seen an attack on their culture and an attempt to ‘assimilate’ Tajara culture with that of humanity’s. Gang fights and normal fights are still common during sporting events on Little Adhomai, often happening for only minor transgressions.

 

GAMES

Suns and Moon:

(Game and image provided by Coalf)

Suns is quite the common game, being present in virtually every settlement and every region Tajara inhabit. The game is played by all, though the lower classes have the tendency to bet on games whereas upper classes play it just for fun. The ease and universality of the game has garnered it quite the reputation--dice will usually have an image of Rredouane fixed upon them, and parks even have designated spots for people to play Suns. Suns is also the Tajara equivalent of Rock Paper Scissors. Any minor dispute can be solved with Suns!

 

Traiaz:  A game that mixes intellectual and dexterity play. The board is similar to chess, though it is considerably longer, with a lot of extra space in the middle. All 10 pieces are essentially ‘pawns’, though each pair has a catch. Pieces are elimanted by literally flicking the horizontal pieces on the board, with the goal of the game of attempting to knock all of the opponent’s pieces off. Some pieces can only eliminate pieces by shooting the enemy off diagonally--others vertically, others sideways. Others, you have to richocet of the other piece, and etc etc. There are several distinct regional rules which involve different methods of flicking a piece off. The game wins after all of the enemy’s pieces are knocked off. This game is popular among M’sai, though it is not uncommon to see other races play it. 

 

The Eternal Game Between S’rrendar and Messa, or Mata’ke and Raskara depending on your faith: It is common motif among Tajaran art to reference an ‘eternal game’. It harkens to two opposing dieties, locked in an unwinnable but always changing game between the opponent, often playing Traiaz or some other game. Each diety comes up with their own glorious move, only to be dwarfed by the other. A common idiom among Tajara is to liken any situation to this universal ‘Eternal Game’. For example, a Tajara may claim that the Second Civil War is an Eternal Game. Or that damn motorbike that keeps sputtering and breaking down no matter how much he repairs it as an Eternal Game.

 

VIDEO GAMES

The notion of Tajaran Video Games is quite alien to natives on Adhomai, but to those on Little Adhomai, it is quite normal. A few generations have lived on Biesel, and the youngest generation has often taken interest in programming and video games. Now that these younglings are grown up, a new type of genre has sprung up on the Video Game Market--Tajaran games. There are several games, following this genre, but they are almost always narratively based. There are no FPS, no dragons needing slaying, but philosophical objectives to overcome. One popular video game is The Bane of Rashashana, which follows the tale of Rashashana, an ancient princess attempting to pacify a race of giant Ents, who were previously massacred by the kingdom. The player can make narrative choices that affect the game, interspersed with light gameplay objectives such as running managing a limited time meter with quite a few objectives to pursue. 

 

One Video Game that has achieved shunning among the Tajaran community on District Six is Running from Raskara: A Tail of Twin Moons. The game is set in the ‘fictional’ city of Pal’Sor (though it is quite an obvious reference to Nal’Tor), where you play Meowr Hadii, a detective bent on arresting and killing all members of Raskara-related cult. The game is notoriously developed by all humans, using stereotypes and racist depictions of Tajara in their game world. The game was recently recalled by the publisher, though there is a fierce debate between people who like the “shoot ‘em up” gameplay style of Twin Moons, and the people who condemn the lack of research put into the Tajara people.  

Note: Expect errors in grammar and spelling. Please DM me on discord or leave a comment here so I can fix it.

Edited February 29, 2020 by DeadLantern

[ShadowGabe23]

Only today did I know these were something that could be +1'd and commented upon, and I just want to say how much I adore Deadlanterns writing and if on the small chances this doesn't get accepted I can almost assure you I will use these sports in my own Tajara headcanon, because these ideas are amazing and apart from oppression of the masses I wish I could enjoy one of these alien sports
 

Mahusive +1

[Zer0Winds]

I find this interesting. It gives Tajara interesting recreational activities they can do, and like Shadow said, I can see myself using some of these anyway even if it isn't accepted. Especially the dice one.

[Alberyk]

Just to keep you up to date: this suggestion will be implemented this week. @DeadLantern

[DeadLantern]

Alright thanks

[Alberyk]

Application was accepted and added into the wiki.